The Advocate 11-19-2025

“It’sasweetspot:lower

U.S. SEN. BILL CASSIDy,R-Baton Rouge

Cassidyoffersoption forhealthinsurance

With Affordable Care Acttax creditsset to expire, Republicansconsidering otherextension ideas

BY MARKBALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON U.S.Sen.Bill Cassidy’sproposal for covering the health care costs of millionsoflow-income workers and small businessesis gaining traction among the various proposals trottedout to address the Affordable Care Act health insurance —the key dispute in thehistorically long federal government shutdown.

Rather than simply extending en-

hanced tax credits that Democrats want andmost Republicans oppose, theBaton Rouge Republican who chairs theSenate’shealth committee would redirect themoney into tax-free accounts. This would allow individualstochoose how the money would bespent, he said.

Qualified beneficiaries could decide on their whether to purchase aless expensive policy and usethe money to pay higher deductibles, copaysand out-of-pocket expenses, Cassidysaid in an interview

“It’sasweet spot: lower premiums, help with thedeductible, making thepatient the informed consumer,” Cassidy said. “If we’re able to take the amount of money going into the enhanced premium tax credit and putitintoa Flexible Spending Account, the rate you’re paying for your insurance does nothave to change becausewhatyou’re doing is applying the enhanced premium taxcredit to your deductible and to

ä See CASSIDY, page 12A

N.O. braces forBorderPatrolsweeps

Detailshavenot been finalized, sourcessay

BY JAMES FINN andLARANICHOLSON Staff writers

Federal Border Patrol agents are poised to launch immigrationsweeps in the New Orleans area, according to people familiar with the plans and locallaw enforcement officials, spurring anxiety among immigrants and blowback from some Democratic politicians. Details, including the size of theBorder Patrol deployment, where in the New Orleans area agents might operate and the timeline of their arrival,

havenot been finalized, according to multiple peoplebriefed on theplans who requested anonymity because the operation has not been publicly announced.

Still, signs that the metro area could see an infusion of federal agents as soon as late this week spurred frenzied reaction inrecentdaysfrom officials, advocates and immigration attorneys.

One constructioncompanyowner has told Hispanic workers nottoshow up for work beginning on Friday for fear of immigration raids. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick is set to discuss theoperation this week with Border Patrol officials.

“They’re coming, so Iamgoing to be apartner,” Kirkpatrick said on WBOK

Radio on Tuesday,adding that herofficers would notconductimmigration arrests or questionpeople abouttheir immigration status.

Planning documents reviewed by The Associated Press show 250 Border Patrol agents are poised to focus on neighborhoodsand commercial hubs throughout southeastLouisiana,the outlet reportedTuesday.The agents plan to fan out across aregion stretching from New Orleans through Jefferson, St. Bernardand St.Tammany parishesnorth to Baton Rouge andinto Mississippi.

Therevelationssignalthatthe Trump administration haschosen

ä See SWEEPS, page 10A

of

BY JENNA ROSS Staff writer

The federal government has approved Louisiana’splan forspeedy internet, making it the first state in the country to get that go-ahead. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced its approval Tuesday of Louisiana’sproposal for$1.355 billion in Broadband, Equity,Access andDeployment funding, ahighly debated, highly anticipated grant program “This is agenerational investment thatplaces Louisiana at the forefront of America’stech transformation,” Gov. Jeff Landry said in astatement. That funding could bring broadband to all

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

ConvictedkillerRyanJosephSharpe’ssecond murder trial in twoyears began this week inside aBaton Rouge courtroom.

Sharpe,44, stands accused of shootingand killingCarroll Breeden Sr., a66-year-old BREC commissioner,asBreeden was doing yard work outside his Port Hudson-Pride Road homeinSeptember 2017.

Breeden’s killing came during aspree of random 2017 shootings in East Feliciana andEastBatonRouge parishes that investigators tied to Sharpe. In August 2024, an East Feliciana jury

Story, page2A.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, chairs the Senate’shealth committee.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByMATTKELLEy

U.S. Border Patrol agents are expanding theirimmigration crackdowninNorth Carolina to include the Raleigh area as well as Charlotte.

Sharpe

Roblox steps up age checks, groups users

Roblox is stepping up its age verification system for users who want to chat with other players and implementing age-based chats so kids, teens and adults will only be able to communicate with people around their own age. The moves come as the popular gaming platform continues to face criticism and lawsuits over child safety and a growing number of states and countries are implementing age verification laws.

The company had previously announced the age estimation tool, which is provided by a company called Persona, in July It requires players to take a video selfie that will be used to estimate their age. Roblox says the videos are deleted after the age check is processed. Users are not required to submit a face scan to use the platform, only if they want to chat with other users.

Roblox doesn’t allow kids under 13 to chat with other users outside of games unless they have explicit parental permission — and unlike different platforms, it does not encrypt private chat conversations, so it can monitor and moderate them.

While some experts have expressed caution about the reliability of facial age estimation tools, Matt Kaufman, chief safety officer at Roblox, said that between the ages of about 5 to 25, the system can accurately estimate a person’s age within one or two years.

Key Bridge collapse was ‘entirely preventable’

BALTIMORE Saying the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was entirely preventable, the National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday detailed breakdowns both on board the Dali container ship that crashed into it and a lack of a warning system that could have alerted the construction workers to drive to safety rather than plunge to their deaths on March 26, 2024.

“This tragedy should never have occurred. Lives should never have been lost,” Jennifer Homendy the NTSB chair, said before she and board members heard from staff who investigated the calamity that led to six workers’ deaths. “As with all accidents that we investigate, this was preventable.”

NTSB staff said they discovered a loose signal wire that created “a precarious electrical connection” and led to the first of two power outages aboard the Dali as it was exiting the Port of Baltimore heading toward the Key Bridge. That left the crew unable to steer the nearly 1,000foot cargo ship away from the pier support that it ultimately struck.

They said that the ship was not equipped with infrared thermal imaging technology, which was widely used in the industry and could have identified such faults in the system.

Flush with cash? Solid gold toilet up for auction

NEW YORK Art collectors had a chance Tuesday to buy one of the world’s most lucrative latrines: a solid gold, fully functional toilet The piece, by Maurizio Cattelan — the provocative Italian artist known for taping a banana to a wall — went up for auction Tuesday evening at Sotheby’s in New York. The starting bid was expected to be the market value of the 223-pound, 18-karat-gold work, currently about $10 million. Cattelan has said the piece, titled “America,” satirizes superwealth.

“Whatever you eat, a $200 lunch or a $2 hot dog, the results are the same, toilet-wise,” he once said. Sotheby’s, for its part, calls the commode an “incisive commentary on the collision of artistic production and commodity value.”

CORRECTION

An article Tuesday misspelled the location of the Rouses Markets headquarters. It is in Schriever The Advocate | The Times-Picayune regrets the error

ICE arrests expand through N.C.

More than 130 caught in sweep

BY GARY D ROBERTSON and TIM SULLIVAN Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. — Federal agents expanded their North Carolina immigration crackdown to the Raleigh area on Tuesday, the mayor of the capital city said, as Border Patrol officers carried on with their sweep of the state’s largest city, Charlotte Speaking at a city council meeting, Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell said there had been “confirmed sightings” of Border Patrol officers operating in Wake County, which includes Raleigh, and nearby Durham County, which includes the city of Durham. She said earlier that she did not know how large the

operation would be or how long agents would be present “I ask Raleigh to remember our values and maintain peace and respect through any upcoming challenges,” she said in an earlier statement.

Immigration agents arrested more than 130 people over the weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina’s largest city officials said Monday Federal officials have said the crackdowns will reduce crime, though leaders in both Charlotte and Raleigh said crime was down. The officials have also criticized the so-called sanctuary policies that limit cooperation between local authorities and immigration agents in a handful of jurisdictions. Federal officials have given no information about activity in the Raleigh area. But in Cary a sprawling Raleigh suburb where officials say almost

20% of the population was born outside the U.S and the large Asian population tripled in the 1990s, fear spread quickly The Chatham Square shopping center which is usually bustling at midday with workers eating at mom-and-pop ethnic restaurants, was quiet. Most of the restaurants — Mexican, Indian and Chinese among them were closed. Nearby, the often-full parking lot at an Indian grocery store was largely empty, and traffic inside was nonexistent

Esmeralda Angel’s family closed their restaurant, the Esmeralda Grill, to avoid any confrontations between customers and federal agents. At their separate grocery store, they were delivering items to customers who were avoiding going out in public.

The family businesses had scaled back to help their community, she

1 Israeli killed, 3 wounded in West Bank stabbing

Attack occurs as U.N OKs Trump’s Gaza plan

BY JULIA FRANKEL Associated Press

JERUSALEM — Palestinian attackers

stabbed an Israeli to death and wounded three more in the West Bank on Tuesday before being shot down by troops in the latest violence to rock the occupied territory, the Israeli military said.

The attack follows a spate of settler violence against Palestinians across the West Bank. Officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have warned that such unrest could spill over and undermine the fragile truce in Gaza.

It came a day after the U.N. Security Council gave its backing to U.S. President Donald Trump’s blueprint to secure and govern Gaza. Hamas rejected the plan as other countries signaled excitement and readiness to help implement it.

The Israeli military said the stabbing took place at the Gush Etzion junction south of Jerusalem, a site of many past attacks by Palestinian militants.

Israel’s emergency rescue services said a 71-year-old man died of stab wounds at the scene. Three other people were hospitalized, including a woman in serious condition and a teenager in moderate condition. The military said Israeli troops then opened fire, killing two Palestinian attackers. The Palestinian Health Ministry later identified them as two 18-year-olds from the Hebron area.

Yaron Rosenthal, head of the regional council in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, demanded Israel respond to the attack and provide more support for the area’s Israeli settlements.

“Terrorism is fueled by the hope of a state,” he said, connecting the violence to the Palestinian Authority and the reemerging push to advance efforts to secure Palestinian statehood.

Hamas did not claim responsibility for the attack, but in a statement called it “a normal response to the occupation’s attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause,” vowing that Israeli aggression wouldn’t go unchallenged.

Elsewhere in the West Bank on Tuesday, news network Al Jazeera’s local bureau chief Walid al-Omari said Israeli forces shot cameraman Fadi Yassin in both legs while he was covering a protest in the city of Tulkarem. The military did not respond to a request for comment Tulkarem has been a flashpoint throughout the year, with Israeli forces frequently carrying out incursions around the Nur Shams refugee camp, which they say is home to many militants. Civilians say the area has endured repeated raids, sieges and home demoli-

tions, prompting regular protests by Palestinians angry about operations pushing people from their homes

An Associated Press journalist saw soldiers fire into the air to disperse protesters and then shoot toward Yassin as he moved toward the camp entrance to film. The journalist later saw Yassin on the ground, injured and surrounded by Palestinians, including women and children, before he was carried by bystanders to an ambulance.

The violence came a day after Israeli settlers rampaged through the Palestinian village of al-Jab’a, torching homes and cars, drawing a rare condemnation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli leaders.

The United States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority praised the U.N. vote on Trump’s postwar Gaza plan. Hamas rejected it, saying the proposed security force would only help Israel maintain its grip on the territory

The resolution provides a wide mandate for an international force to provide security in war-devastated Gaza, approves a transitional authority called the Board of Peace to be overseen by Trump and envisions a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state. Netanyahu, who otherwise applauded the resolution, did not mention the pathway to statehood in remarks about the plans.

The plan calls for the stabilization force to ensure “the permanent decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups.” It authorizes the force “to use all necessary measures to carry out its mandate” in compliance with international law, which is U.N. language for the use of military force.

Hamas said Monday that the force’s mandate, including disarmament, “strips it of its neutrality, and turns it into a party to the conflict in favor of the occupation.” It said the resolution did not “meet the level of our Palestinian people’s political and humanitarian demands and rights.”

said, but knew it would hurt financially Family businesses had scaled back to help their community, she said, but knew it would hurt financially

“Taco Tuesday is the busy day for all of these restaurants,” Angel said of the weekly specials at many Latino eateries. “But I think everyone would rather close than operate.”

U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee, a Democrat who represents part of Raleigh and some of its suburbs, said Tuesday that the deployment of federal immigration agents in North Carolina “is a profound abuse of power, a violation of civil rights and a stain on our democracy.”

The region’s South Asian community has grown dramatically in recent decades, including many people drawn to the Research Triangle region by high-tech jobs.

Israel strikes Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon

13 killed in drone attack

BY MOHAMMAD ZAATARI Associated Press

SIDON, Lebanon An Israeli airstrike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed 13 people and wounded several others, state media and government officials said It was the deadliest strike on Lebanon since a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war a year ago.

The drone strike hit a car in the parking lot of a mosque in the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp on the outskirts of the coastal city of Sidon, the state-run National News Agency said

The Lebanese Health Ministry said 13 people were killed and several others wounded, without giving further details.

Hamas fighters in the area prevented journalists from reaching the scene, as ambulances rushed to evacuate the wounded and the dead.

The Israeli military said it struck a Hamas training compound that was being used to prepare an attack against Israel and its army It added that the Israeli army would continue to act

against Hamas wherever the group operates.

Hamas condemned the attack in a statement saying the strike hit a sports playground and denying that it was a training compound. Over the past two years, Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have killed scores of officials from the militant Hezbollah group as well as Palestinian factions such as Hamas.

Saleh Arouri, the deputy political head of Hamas and a founder of the group’s military wing, was killed in a drone strike on a southern suburb of Beirut on Jan. 2, 2024. Several other Hamas officials have been killed in strikes since then.

Hamas led the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. That sparked Israel’s offensive on the Gaza Strip that killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry

A day after the IsraelHamas war started, Hezbollah began firing rockets toward Israeli posts along the border Israel responded with shelling and airstrikes in Lebanon, and the two sides became locked in an escalating conflict that became a full-blown war in late September 2024.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By OHAD ZWIGENBERG

Members of Israeli security forces inspect the site of a ramming and stabbing attack near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Gush Etzion on Tuesday.

AP PHOTO By MAJDI MOHAMMED

An Al Jazeera cameraman is carried after being shot in the legs by Israeli soldiers during a protest by displaced Palestinians in the West Bank city of Tulkarem on Tuesday.

Bill to releaseEpstein filesclearsCongress

Trumpsayshewill sign measure

BY STEPHENGROVES Associated Press

WASHINGTON Both the House and Senate acted decisively Tuesday to pass abill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, aremarkable display of approval for an effort that had struggled for months to overcome opposition from President Donald Trump and Republican leadership.

When asmall, bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced apetition in July to maneuver around Speaker Mike Johnson’scontrol of the House floor,itappeared a long-shot effort —especially as Trump urgedhis supporters to dismiss the matter as a“hoax.”

But both Trump and Johnson,R-Benton, failed to prevent the vote. The president in recent days bowed to politicalreality, saying he would sign the bill. And just hours after the House vote, senators agreed to approve it unanimously,skipping aformal roll call.

The decisive, bipartisan work in Congress Tuesday further showed the pressure mounting on lawmakers and the Trump administration to meet long-held demands that the Justice Department release its case files on Epstein, awell-connected financier who killed himself ina

In the United Kingdom, King Charles III stripped his disgraced brother PrinceAndrew of his remaining titles and evicted him from his royal residenceafterpressure to act over hisrelationship with Epstein. Trump hassaidhecut ties with Epsteinyearsago,but triedfor months to move past the demands for disclosure

this political.”

Manhattan jail while awaiting trialin2019 on charges he sexually abused and trafficked underage girls

For survivors of Epstein’s abuse, passage of the bill was awatershed moment in a yearslong quest foraccountability

“These women have fought the most horrificfight that no woman should have to fight. And they did it by banding togetherand never giving up,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greeneasshe stood with some of theabusesurvivors outside the Capitol Tuesday morning.

“That’s what we did by fighting so hardagainst the most powerful peopleinthe world, eventhe president of the United States, in order to makethis vote happentoday,” added Greene, aGeorgia Republican. In the end, onlyone lawmaker in Congressopposed the bill. Rep. Clay Higgins,

R-Lafayette, whoisafervent supporterofTrump, was the only “nay” vote in the House’s 427-1 tally

The bill forces the release within 30 daysofall files and communications relatedto Epstein, as well as anyinformation about the investigation intohis deathinfederal prison. It would allowthe Justice Department to redact information about Epstein’s victims or continuing federal investigations, but notinformation dueto“embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.”

Even before the bill’spassage Tuesday,thousands of pagesofemails andother documents from Epstein’sestate have beenreleased from an investigation by theHouse OversightCommittee.

Thosedocuments showEpstein’sconnectionstoglobal leaders, Wall Street powerbrokers, influential political figures andTrump himself

Still, manyinthe Republican basecontinued to demand the release of the files. Adding to that pressure, survivorsofEpstein’sabuse rallied outsidethe Capitol on Tuesday morning. Bundled in jackets against the November chill and holding photos of themselves as teenagers, theyrecounted their stories of abuse

Another, Jena-LisaJones, saidshe had voted for Trump andhad amessagefor the president: “I beg you, Donald Trump, please stop making

The groupofwomen also met with Johnsonand rallied outside the Capitol in September,but have had to wait months for the vote Johnson kept the House closed forlegislative business fornearlytwo months and refused to swear in Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva,ofArizona,during thegovernment shutdown. After winning aspecial election on Sept.23, Grijalva had pledged to provide the crucial218thvotetothe petition for the Epstein files bill. But only aftershe was sworn intoofficelast weekcould she sign her name to the discharge petitiontogive it majority support. It quickly became obvious the bill would pass, and both Johnsonand Trump beganto fold. Trump on Sunday said Republicans should vote for the bill.

YetGreene toldreporters that Trump’sdecision to fight the bill hadbetrayedhis Make America Great Again political movement.

“Watching this turn into afight has ripped MAGA apart,”she said. Rather than waiting until next week forthe discharge position to officially takeeffect, Johnson held the vote under aprocedure that requiresa two-thirds majority But Johnsonalso spent a morning newsconference listing off problemsthat he sees with the legislation. He argued that the bill could have unintendedconsequences by disclosing parts of federalinvestigations that are usually kept private, including information on victims.

“This is araw and obvious political exercise,” Johnson said. Still, he votedfor the bill.

Releasecould hurt theinnocent, he says

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON

U.S.Rep. ClayHiggins, R-Lafayette, was the only representative to vote Tu esd ay against a bill forcing the Trump administration to release the complete investigatory records of convictedsex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Higgins saidinastatement that the documents’ release could endanger the innocent.

“As written, this bill reveals and injures thousands of innocentpeople— witnesses, people who provided alibis,familymembers, etc. If enacted in its current form, this type of broad reveal of criminal investigativefiles, released to arabid media, will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt,” Higgins said.

The House voted 427to

1tosend the Epstein Files Transparency Actto the U.S. Senate for consideration. The rest of Louisiana’sHouse delegation voted in favor

Amember of theHouse Oversight committee, Higgins said thepanel hasreleased 60,000 documents. “That effort will continue in amanner that provides alldue protections for innocent Americans. If the Senate amends the bill to properly address privacy of victims and other Americans,who are named butnot criminally implicated,then Iwill vote for thatbill when it comes back to the House,” Higgins said.

Amajority of the House had signed onto adischarge petitiontorequire House leadershipholdafloor vote on the legislation.

House SpeakerMike Johnson, R-Benton, allowed the vote before the discharge petition would have required it. Johnson argues that theHouse Oversight Committeealready is vetting and releasingdocumentsfrom the Epstein investigation.

During aspeechonthe House floor,Johnson said Democrats were usingthe release “as apolitical weap-

on” to tar President Donald Trump, whoknewEpstein buthad nothing to do with the sexual assaults on underage girls Formonths, Trumphad opposed the release of the records, but he changed his mind over theweekend and backed theresolution.

Trump saidMonday that he would signthe resolution, if approved by theSenate,and release the records.

Higgins later came to the House floor to support a GOP effort removingDelegateStacey Plaskett, DU.S. Virgin Islands,from theHouse committee on intelligence.Plaskettexchanged textswith Epstein during a2019 hearing with Trump’sformer lawyer Michael Cohen.

Epsteinwas aresident of theVirgin Islands anda constituent of Plaskett’sat the time. Representing a U.S. territory,Plaskett is a nonvoting memberofCongress.

Higgins said, “She has crossed the threshold of reasonable suspicion and thereforeshe wouldbeinvestigated.”

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate. com.

Higgins

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREENIKHINSON

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., joins some of Jeffery Epstein’sabuse survivors on Tuesdayatthe U.S. Capitol.

Presentedby

President dismissesU.S intelligence he hadculpability in reporter’s killing

BY AAMER MADHANI Associated Press

WASHINGTON President

Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed U.S. intelligence findings that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman likelyhad some culpability in the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi as Trump warmly welcomed the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia on his first White House visit in seven years.

The U.S.-Saudi relationship had, for atime, been sent into atailspin by the operation targeting Khashoggi, a fierce critic of the kingdom. But seven years later,the dark clouds over the relationship have been cleared away.And Trump is tighteninghis embrace of the 40-year-old crown prince, whohesaidisanindispensable player in shaping the Middle East in the decades to come.

Trumpinhis defenseof the crown prince derided Khashoggias“extremely controversial” and said “a lotofpeopledidn’tlikethat gentleman.”

Prince Mohammed denies involvement in the killing of Khashoggi, who was aSaudi citizen and Virginiaresident.

“Whether you like him or didn’tlike him, things happen,” Trumpsaid of theinternationalincidentwhen asked about it by areporter during an Oval Officeappearance with Prince Mohammed.

“But (Prince Mohammed) knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that. You don’thavetoembarrass our guest by asking aquestion like that.”

But U.S. intelligence officials determined that the Saudi crown prince likely approved the killing by Saudi agents of U.S.-based journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, accordingtoU.S. findings declassified in 2021 at the start of the Biden administration.

Trump officials, during his first administration, refused to release the report

Prince Mohammedsaid Saudi Arabia “did all the right steps” to investigate

Khashoggi’sdeath.

“It’spainful and it’s ahuge mistake,” he said.

Trump, who saidthe two leaders have become “good friends,” even commended the Saudi leaderfor strides made by the kingdomonhuman rights without providing any specific detail.

“What’s he done is incredible in terms of humanrights and everythingelse,”Trump said.

President Joe Bidenlabeled theoil-rich kingdom a“pariah”state in the early days of his successful 2020 White House run.

After taking office, his administration made clear the president would avoid direct engagement with the crown prince

But eventually Biden determinedthat freezing out the Saudis was nottenable as oilprices spiked following Russia’s February2022 invasionofUkraine. Biden even paida visittoPrince Mohammed in Jeddah in July 2022 of that yeartourge theprince and fellow members of the OPEC+oil cartel to pump more oil to alleviate high gasprices.

Thecrown prince for his partannounced Saudi Arabia was increasing its planned investments in theU.S. to$1 trillion, up from $600 billion that the Saudis announced they would pour into the United States when Trump visitedthe kingdominMay Echoing rhetoricthat Trump likes to use, the crown prince used the momentto flatterthe Republican leader by calling theU.S. the“hot-

testcountry on the planet” for foreign investment.

“What you’re creating is notabout an opportunity today. It’salso aboutlong-term opportunity,” PrinceMohammed said.

Trump’sfamily hasa strong personal interest in the kingdom. In September, Londonreal estate developer DarGlobalannounced that it plans to launchTrump Plaza in the RedSea city of Jeddah.

It’s Dar Global’s second collaboration with theTrump Organization, the collection of companies controlled by theU.S.president’s children, in Saudi Arabia.

Trump pushedback on suggestions that there could be aconflictofinterest in his family’s dealingswith the Saudis.

“I have nothing to do with the family business,”Trump said.

Trump’scomments about Khashoggi and defenseof his family’sbusiness in Saudi Arabia were blasted by human rights and government oversight activists.

Human rightsgroups say Saudi authorities continue to harshly repress dissent,including by arrestinghuman rights defenders, journalists,and politicaldissidents for criticismagainstthe kingdom. They alsonotea surge in executions in Saudi Arabia that they connectto an efforttosuppress internaldissent.

“President Trumphas Jamal Khashoggi’s blood on his hands,”saidRaed Jarrar,advocacy director forDAWN, a

U.S.-based group advocating fordemocracyand human rights in the Arab world that wasfoundedbyKhashoggi.

Jarrar added, “Trump has made himself complicit in every execution andimprisonment MBShas ordered since.”

Trump warmly received Prince Mohammed when he arrived at the White House Tuesday morningfor a pomp-filled arrival ceremony that included amilitary

flyoverand athundering greeting from the U.S. Marine band.

Technically,it’snot astate visit, because the crown princeisnot the head of state. ButPrinceMohammedhas taken charge of the day-to-day governing for his father,King Salman, 89, who hasenduredhealth problems in recent years.

Trump showedthe prince the newly-installed PresidentialWalkofFame that features gold-framed images of past presidents along the West Wing colonnade anda photo of an autopen signing the name of Biden in place of the Democrat’sofficial portrait.

Later,Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed thecrown princefor a black-tie dinner in the White House East Room. The boldface names who attended included Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, tech entrepreneur ElonMusk and soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Trump at thedinner announced he was designating Saudi Arabia as amajor nonNATO ally.The designation, while largely symbolic, provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense, trade and security cooperation.

Thepresident also announced that the two leaders had signed anew defense

agreement, but the White House did not immediately release details of the pact. Ahead of the visit, the Saudis had signaled they were looking forformal assurances from Trumpdefining thescope of theU.S.military protection for the kingdom.

“A stronger and morecapable alliance will advance the interests of both countries,” Trumpsaid. “And it will servethe highest interest of peace.”

Trump andPrinceMohammed will attend an investment summitatthe Kennedy Center on Wednesdaythatwill include the heads of Salesforce, Qualcomm, Pfizer,the Cleveland Clinic, Chevron and Aramco,Saudi Arabia’s national oil and natural gas company, where even more deals with the Saudis could be announced.

On the eve of Prince Mohammed’sarrival, Trump announced he had agreed to sell the Saudis F-35fighter jets despite some concerns within the administration that the salecould lead to China gaining access to the U.S.technology behind the advanced weapon system. The White House announced the twoleaders formalized the F-35 agreement Tuesday as wellasadeal forthe Saudistopurchasenearly300 tanks from the U.S.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By

Mexico’s presidentrejects Trump’smilitaryoffer

Presidentsaidhe is readytostop drug cartels

BY FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ Associated Press

MEXICO CITY Mexico’s presidentonTuesdayruled out allowing U.S. strikes against cartels on Mexican soil,aday afterU.S.President Donald Trump saidhe was willing to do whatever it takes to stop drugs entering the U.S.

“It’snot going to happen,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said.

“He (Trump) has suggested it on various occasionsor he hassaid, ‘Weofferyou a United States military interventioninMexico, whatever you need to fight the criminal groups,’”she said. “But I have told him on every occa-

sion that we can collaborate, thatthey can help us with information they have,but that we operate in our territory,thatwedonot accept anyintervention by a foreigngovernment.”

She inbaum said she had said this to Trump and to U.S. Secretary of StateMarco Rubio on previous occasions and thatthey have understood.

“WouldIwant strikesin Mexico to stop drugs? OK with me, whatever we have to do to stop drugs,” Trump said Monday,adding that he’s“not happy with Mexico.”

TheU.S. Embassy in Mexico shared avideo on Xlater Monday that included previ-

ouscomments from Rubio saying that the U.S.would not take unilateral action in Mexico.

Meanwhile, Mexican and U.S. diplomatsweretrying to sort out Tuesday what may have been an actual U.S. incursion.

On Monday, men arrived in aboat at abeach in northeast Mexico andinstalled some signs signaling land that the U.S.Department of Defense considered restricted Mexico’sForeign Affairs Ministry said late Monday that thecountry’snavy had removedthe signs, which appeared to be on Mexican territory.And on Tuesday, Sheinbaum said thatthe InternationalBoundary and Water Commission, abinational agency that determines the border between the twocountries, wasgettinginvolved.

Zelenskyytovisit Turkey

He hopestostart talkstoend Russia’s invasion

BY ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

The signs,drivenintothe sand near where theRio Grande empties intothe Gulf of Mexico, caused astir when witnesses saidmen in aboat arrived at the local beach known as Playa Bagdad and erected them.

The signs read in English and Spanish, “Warning: Restricted Area” andwenton to explain that it was DepartmentofDefense property and had been declared restricted by “thecommander.” It said there could be no unauthorizedaccess, photography or drawings of thearea.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico shared acomment from thePentagon Tuesday about the incident, confirming that contractors putting up signs to markthe “National Defense AreaIII” had placed signs at the mouth of the Rio Grande.

“Changes in water depth

and topography altered the perception of theinternationalboundary’slocation,” the statement said. “Government of Mexico personnelremoved 6signs based on their perceptionofthe international boundary’slocation.”

ThePentagonsaidthe contractors would “coordinate with appropriate agencies to avoidconfusion in the future.”

Mexico had contacted its consulate in Brownsville, Texas and then the U.S. Embassy in MexicoCity. Eventually,itwas determined that contractors working forsome U.S. government entity hadplaced the signs, Sheinbaum said.

“But theriver changesits course, it breaks loose and according to the treaty you have to clearly demarcate the national border,” Sheinbaum said during herdaily

press briefing. The area is close to SpaceX Starbase, which sits adjacenttoBoca Chica Beach on the Texas side of the Rio Grande.

The facility and launch site for the SpaceX rocket program is under contract with the Department of Defense andNASA, which hopesto send astronauts back to the moon and someday to Mars.

In June, Sheinbaum said the government was looking into contamination from the SpaceX facility after pieces of metal, plastic androcket pieces were reportedly found on the Mexican side of the border following the explosion of arocket during atest.

Theareaalsocarries the added sensitivityofTrump’s ordertorename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, which Mexico has also rejected.

anews conference in Spain that he would meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss “a just peace for Ukraine.”

whether U.S. representatives would alsotake part. “Wesee somepositions and signals from the United States,” he said. “Well, let’s seetomorrow.”

KYIV,Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday thathe will travel to Turkey this week in an attemptto jump-start negotiations on ending Russia’ s full-scale invasi on, which began nearly four years ago.

The Kremlin said that Russia would not be sending anyone to Turkey,and it was not immediately clear if there would be U.S. participation in the talks. Zelenskyy told

Zelenskyy’sstatement cameasUkraine’s military saidithad againusedAmerican-supplied ATACMS missilestoattack targetsinside Russia, although it didnot providefurtherdetails. Kyiv saysthat theuse of longerrange missiles is vital in preventing strikes against Ukrainian cities, while the Kremlin has warned that the use of American weapons to striketargets insideits territory risks greater pressure on Russian-U.S. relations Asenior Turkish official told The Associated Press that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff would join Zelenskyy in Turkey,but backtracked later in the day and saidWitkoff wouldn’tbe coming.

Zelenskyy didnot confirm

Three U.S. officials said they were notaware of any imminent overseas travel by Witkoff, though they acknowledged he is not a government employeeand sometimes travelswithout U.S. government support. Theofficials, whospoke on condition of anonymitybecause they were notauthorized to speak publicly about thematter,said Witkoff would be in Washington for much of this week to attend eventsrelated to astate visit by the Saudi crown prince on Tuesday and Wednesday Atop Turkish spokesman saidthe talks in Turkey will be held in Ankaraand will center on howtoestablish a ceasefireand alasting settlement.

Sheinbaum

Zelenskyy

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Dismantling of Education Department

WhiteHouse begins handing offprograms

BY COLLIN BINKLEY Associated Press

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Education Department is handing off some of its biggest grant programs to other federal agencies as the Trump administration accelerates its plan to shut down the department.

Thechangesannounced Tuesday represent amajor step forward for the administration’sdismantling of the department, which has mainly involved cutting jobs since President Donald Trump called for its elimination with an executive action in March.

Six new agreements signed by the Education Department will effectively move billions of dollars in grant programs to other agencies. Most notable is one that will put the Department of Labor over some of the largest federal funding streams for K-12 schools, including Title Imoney for schools serving low-income communities.

Opponents have urged against such ashake-up, saying it could disrupt programs that support some of the nation’smost vulnerable student populations.

States rely on Education Department officials forexpertise that other agencies might not have, said Angélica Infante-Green, Rhode Island’sK-12 education chief.

“People might think it’sjust funding and giving them the money,but it’snot,” InfanteGreen said in an interview “Itisabout howtoco-mingle some of the funds to educate achild. So if achild is in special education but is also amultilingual learner and they’re in poverty,how do you use that to educate the

child holistically?” Department officials said the programswill continue to be funded at levels setby Congress. They didnot say whetherthe changes would bring further job cutsatthe department, which has been thinnedby wavesofmass layoffs and voluntary retirement offers.

“The Trump Administrationistaking bold actionto break up the federal education bureaucracy andreturneducation to the states,” Education Secretary Linda McMahonsaid in astatement. “Cutting through layers of redtape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission.”

partment’soffices for K-12 andhighereducation.Along withthe $18 billion Title I program, thatincludes smaller funding poolsfor teacher training,Englishinstruction and TRIO,a program that helpssteer low-income students to collegedegrees.

The actionleaves in place theEducation Department’s $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio andits funding for students with disabilities, though McMahon hassuggested both would be better managed by other federal departments. Alsounaffected is thedepartment’s Office for Civil Rights, which works withstudents and families who bring allegations of discrimination.

McMahon and her staff have spentmonthshammering out the deals, which allow thedepartmenttolop off large parts of itsfootprint without action from Congress. It’s being done throughformalagreements that agencies often make with one another when their work overlaps

TheEducation Department tested the idea in June witha deal that moved adult education programs to Labor.The new agreementstake it astep further and lay the groundwork for more.

Under thenew plan, Labor will oversee almost all grant programs thatare nowmanaged bythe Education De-

It will effectively outsource thedepartment’sOffice of Elementary andSecondary Education and OfficeofPostsecondary Education, two of theagency’s largest units. Two major roles of the postsecondary office will remain withthe EducationDepartment: oversight of student loan policy and the accreditation of colleges for eligibility to receive students’ federal financial aid.

Another deal will put Health andHuman Services in charge of agrant program for parentswho are attending college,along with management of foreign medical school accreditation. The State Department will take on foreignlanguageprograms.Interiorwilloversee programsfor Native American education.

Aunionrepresenting department workers said students, educators and families depend on theagency’ssupport for schools.

“Thatnationalmissionis weakened when its core functions arescattered across other federal or state agencies that are not equipped or positioned to provide the same support and services as ED staff,” AFGE Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman said. McMahon has increasingly pointed to what she sees as failures of the department as she argues for itsdemise. In its 45 years, she says it has become abloated bureaucracy while student outcomes continue to lag behind.

BY JOHN HANNA Associated Press

Afederal court on Tuesdayblocked Texasfrom using aredrawn U.S. House map thattouched off anationwide redistricting battleand is amajor piece of PresidentDonald Trump’s efforts to preserve aslim Republican majority ahead of the 2026 elections.

The ruling is ablowto Trump’srushtocreate a more favorablepolitical landscapefor Republicans in next year’s midterms, at least for now.Texas Gov Greg Abbott vowed aswift appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court anddefendedthe mapthat was engineered to give Republicans five additional House seats.

Butina2-1 ruling, apanel of federaljudges in El Pasosided withopponents who argued that Texas’unusualsummer redrawing of congressionaldistricts

would harm Black and Hispanic residents.

Thedecisionwas authored by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown, who was nominated to the benchbyTrump during his first term.

“Thepublic perception of this case is that it’sabout politics. To be sure, politics played aroleindrawing the 2025 Map. But it was muchmore than just politics. Substantial evidence shows thatTexas racially gerrymanderedthe 2025 Map,”the ruling states.

The decisioncomes amid an widening national battle over redistricting. Missouriand NorthCarolina followed Texas with new maps adding an additional Republicanseat each.

To counter thosemoves, California voters approved aballot initiative to give Democratsanadditional five seatsthere The Trump administra-

tionhas fileda federal lawsuit hoping to block that map,with Attorney General Pam Bondi callingit “a brazenpower grab” and an effort to “entrench oneparty rule.” In apostonX,California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the Texas ruling: “Donald Trumpand Greg Abbott played with fire,got burned —and democracy won.” RepublicansinTexas insisted that they drew the new maponly for partisan advantage

The U.S. Supreme Court ruledin2019 thatpartisangerrymandering is a political questionand not onefor thefederal courts to decide

“Texas’smap was drawn the right way for the right reasons,”Bondi posted on X.

“Welook forward to Texas’svictory at the Supreme Court.”

McMahon

theCrescent City for what has emerged as asignature piece of its anti-illegal immigration agenda: shock-andawe raids in Democratic-led enclaves in whichagents round up anddetain hundreds of people, then move on to other locations.

The administration in recent weeks sent Border Patrol agentstoChicago and Charlotte, North Carolina —Democratic-led cities far afield of where the borderfocused agency has historically operated.

Border Patrol agents, who operate under the Department of Homeland Security’sCustoms and Border Protection arm, are known within federal lawenforcement for using more aggressive tactics than their counterpartsinImmigration andCustomsEnforcement. The administration sentagentstothosecities, both with large Hispanic immigrant populations, amid demand to ratchetup deportation numbers.

The deployments in both cities have been met with protests.InCharlotte where the Border Patrol arrived over the weekend, the agency arrested at least one American citizen.

“IfChicagoand Charlotte are any example, they’re unlikely to be received particularly fondly by the population in New Orleans,” said Jeff Asher,aNew Orleans-based crime analyst Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in astatement that the agency does not discuss “futureor potential” operations.

“Every day,DHS enforces the laws of the nation across thecountry,” McLaughlin said. On Tuesday,local officials saidthey have received few detailsabout theoperation. Of more than adozen officials in New Orleans and neighboring Jefferson Parish, which has Louisiana’s highest concentration of Hispanic residents, none

savefor Kirkpatrick said they had communicated with Border Patrolabout the plannedoperation.

New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Moreno,Jefferson ParishPresidentCynthia LeeSheng,Kenner Mayor Michael Glaser andmost members of the New Orleans and Jefferson Parish councils all said theyhave not beenbriefed onplans forthe operation. Some said they had learned of them through media reports.

“Weabsolutely should be involvedinthese conversations, or at least receive abriefing,” said state Rep. Matt Willard, an incoming at-large New Orleans City Councilmember.“(Residents) will reach outtous with questionsand frustrations. Currently,all Ican share with them is what has been reported by the media.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’soffice, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and the JeffersonParish Sheriff’sOffice did not respond to requests for comment

Moreno said in abrief statement that shehad received “noinfo” on theoperation.

Kenner PoliceChief Keith Conley,whoseagency works closely withICE through the287(g) partnership program, said Tuesday he has received no information aboutthe operation. It’s unclear whetherBorder Patrol’ssweeps will remain within New Orleansorextendover theparish line into Jefferson, he said.

“TheKenner Police Department is ready to support (Border Patrol),whatever the mission might be,” said Conley,whose city has thehighest concentration of Hispanic residentsofany in Louisiana.

Kirkpatrick saidher agency will “collaborate” with any federal agency that operates in thecity. Butshe emphasized that she had “nocontrol over whether Border Patrol will be here.”

An NOPDspokesperson confirmed thatKirkpatrick has ameetingscheduled

“Weabsolutelyshould be involved in these conversations, or at least receive abriefing (Residents) will reach out to us with questions and frustrations. Currently,all Ican share with them is what has been reported by the media.”

STATEREP.MATTWILLARD,an incoming at-largeNew Orleans City Council member

for thisweek with Border Patrol officials but declined to provide further details about the meeting. Kirkpatrick noted that most immigration-related offensesare civil, rather than criminal.

“Tobeinour countryundocumented is illegal,” she said. “Tobeillegal is not criminal; this is civil. Sometimes we useillegal, and we assume(that’s) criminal.

Police officersare not going to be asking anyone their national or immigration status.”

Led by ahard-charging BorderPatrol official named Capt.Gregory Bovino, theagency’srecent operations in Chicago and Charlotteyielded hundreds of detentionsand blowback from some local officials over the agents’ tactics.

Border Patrol was thrust into national headlinesby itsChicago operation.The agency faced accusations thereofdraconian tactics including agents rappelling from helicopters into ahousing complex. Dozens of people were arrested but ultimately never accused of crimes, ProPublica reported

The operation launched in Charlotte this weekend netted at least 130 arrests through Sunday, according to DHSofficials. More than 20,000 studentswere absent fromCharlotte-Mecklenburg schools Monday amid fearsover immigration raids, WBTV reported. The same day,DHS officials saidagentsarrested aman accused of ramming aBorder Patrol vehicle during an

immigration sweep While it’sunclear how long that operation dubbed “Charlotte’sWeb” —will last, ABCNews reportedthat the agency could shiftits presence to New Orleans as soon as this weekend. Conflicting reports say theoperation in New Orleans could be called “Swamp Sweep,” whichthe AP reported, or “Catahoula Crunch,”which CBS News reported.

NewOrleanspresents an attractive destination for theadministration’s crackdown, in part because it is aDemocratic cityinaRepublican-ledstate. Republican stateleaders, including Gov.Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill, have vocally supported Trump’s immigrationagenda, including the proposed Border Patrol operation.

Preparations have rippled across thecity in recent days Jose, aMexican-born construction company owner in

the New Orleans area who asked to be identified only by hisfirst name because he is in theprocessofapplying fora green card and fears retaliation, said he has instructed his40Hispanic workers to stay homebeginning Friday.

Fear has gripped New Orleans-area immigrant communitiessincefederal authorities ramped up immigration enforcement in recentmonths. Chatter about the impending Border Patrol operations took the anxiety to anew levelamong his workers, Jose said.

“Now everything is completely different,” the 22year New Orleans resident said. Rachel Taber,anadvocate and organizer with New Orleans-based immigrant advocacy group Union Migrante, said immigrants and their family members are contacting lawyers, giving people power-of-attorney in case they are detained and locating passportsinthe eventtheyneed to travel to

reunite with family members.

While ICE oversees immigration detention sites and deportation operations, Border Patrol agents have been active in Louisiana since Trump took office. In some cases, they have monitored homes and vehicles of people accused of reentering the country after having already been deported. Theagents then detained thepeoplefollowing traffic stops, according to multiple affidavits filed in federal court. Agents from theFBI have also been redirected to immigration-related duties in the New Orleans region. FBI offices are named as operation basesfor the forthcoming operationin planning documents reviewedbythe AP,the outlet reported.

An FBI spokesperson did not respond Tuesday to questions about the operation.

Email James Finnat jfinn@theadvocate.com.

Pope backsbishops blasting immigrationcrackdown

BY TRISHA THOMAS Associated Press

CASTEL GANDOLFO,Italy

Pope Leo

XIV on Tuesday strongly backed U.S. bishops who condemned the Trump administration’simmigration crackdown, as he urged the American people to listentothem and treat migrants humanely History’sfirst Americanpope was asked about the “special message” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted during the bishops’ general assembly last week. The text criticized the Trump administration’s mass deportation of migrants and the “vilification” of them in the current migration debate. It lamented the fear and anxiety immigration raids have sown in communities, and the denial of pastoral careto migrants in detention centers.

Leo, who has previouslyurged localbishops to take the lead on speaking out on matters of social justice, said he appreciated the

U.S.bishops’ statement and urged Catholics and allpeople of goodwill to listen to what they said.

“I think we have to look for ways of treatingpeoplehumanely,treating people with the dignitythat they have,”said the Chicago-born Leo. “If people are in the United Statesillegally,thereare ways to treat that.There are courts, there’s asystem ofjustice.

Speaking toreporters as he left thepapal country house south of Rome, Leo acknowledgedthere are problems in theU.S.migration system.But he stressed that no one hassaid the U.S. should have open borders,and that every country hasthe right todetermine who can enter andhow

“But when peopleare living good lives, andmany of them for 10, 15, 20 years, to treat them in away that is extremely disrespectful to say the least —and there’sbeen some violence unfortunately —I think thatthe bishops have been very clear in what theysaid,” he

said. “I would just invite all people in theUnited States to listen to them.”

The bishops’ “special message” was rare, thefirst time since2013 thebishops had penned such asingle-issue statement at one of their

meetings. It was accompanied by an Instagram videoofindividual bishops reading the textoncamera, to hammer homeits message. Leo spoke to reporters gathered outside his villa in CastelGandolfo, where he usually spends Monday afternoons and Tuesdays relaxing, playing tennis and swimming in the estate’sindoor pool. He suggested that he is planning moretravel starting in 2026, after his Rome commitments ease up with the end of the Holy Year

Asked if he would return to Peru, where he spent some20years as a missionary,Leo said, “Of course.”

But he also hinted at other possible destinations, including the Fatima shrine in Portugal,the Guadalupe shrine in Mexico, and visits to Argentina and Uruguay “I love to travel; the problem is scheduling with all the commitments,” he said.

Leo next weekwill embark on his firstforeign trip as pope,toTurkey and Lebanon.

your copay.”

About 24 million working Americans, and 293,000 in Louisiana, use the pandemic-era tax credits to cover thegap between costof healthcare insurancepolicies on theAffordable Care Act marketplace and what they can afford.

Those subsidies are set to expire in six weeks, which wouldleadtoanaverage doubling of policy prices and would forceabout 4million people off health care insurance, according to the Congressional Budget Office, anonpartisan arm of Congress that estimates financial costs of legislation

Still, Republicans have balked at the cost of the program, which they argue was supposed to be atemporary pandemic-era benefit.Extending theACA subsidies would cost about $35 billion per year

Cassidy said his plan could be put in place faster than proposals seeking to overhaul the ACA, also known as Obamacare, because the administrative apparatusis already in place.

“I think we can figure that out about as easilyaswecan figure out what we would do if we just did astraight-out extension,” he said. His plan isn’tquite what Democrats demand: to simply extend the tax credits, which expire Dec. 31.Nor is it what the Republicans want: no extensionwithout significant changes to Obamacare, which theGOP has tried to strangle since inception in March2010.

Other ideas are being floated, as many Republicans fear the political repercussions of so many voters experiencing such a dramatic hike in health care costs.The plans range from creating areinsurance fund to cover beneficiaries with preexisting conditions to a complete overhaul of the Affordable Care Act.

President Donald Trump agrees with parts of Cas-

sidy’splan.

“The presidentand Iare united,” Cassidy said SundayonCBS’ “Face theNation.”

Trump on social media backed the idea of the billionsofdollars “currentlybeingsent to money-sucking insurance companies in order to savethe badhealthcare provided by Obamacare, be sent directly to the people.”

Trump did not mention Cassidy,who is running for reelection in 2026. He is opposed by atleast four conservatives contending they aremore MAGA than the seniorsenator from Louisiana.

Dr.Mehmet Oz, the administrator for the Centers forMedicare andMedicaid Services, which oversees the ACA, told CNN’s“State of theUnion” onSunday that the administrationisopen to alloptions.

“But wehave some major flaws with the waythese COVID-era subsidieswere added,”hesaid. Conservativesalsohave been pushing asimilar-type plan being promoted by the conservative-leaningParagonHealth Institutethat would redirect someofthe ACAsubsidies to individuals.

An extension of the pandemic-eratax creditswas thekey point in the 43-day

federalgovernmentshutdown.Democrats demanded an extension as acondition for reopening the federal government As partofthe deal to reopen government last week, Senate Majority Leader JohnThune,R-S.D., committed to aSenate vote on the extension by mid-December

Most senators, including Cassidy,don’tthink Republicans will go for asimple extension. Louisiana’sother senator,John Kennedy, RMadisonville, recently told reporters “extendingthe statusquo is just putting fresh paint on rotten wood.”

Cassidy said he had hoped to hold ahearing beforethe endofthe month, but the Thanksgiving breakbegins at the end of the week and Congress will be out of town until Dec. 1. He haspitched his plan on the Senate floor, beforeSenate committees and at party gatherings.

Cassidy would need Republican and Democratic support to reach the 60-vote threshold to forward his legislation. He would present a bill focused on the subsidies in December,then offer his broader idea in 2026.

In the House, though many Republican representatives advocate an extension, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-

got their jobs back and no longer qualified for Medicaid even though their employment did not include adequate healthinsurance.

The Biden administration expanded who could qualifyfor thetax creditsthat helped coverthe cost of the expensive policies.

Reacting to criticism that theywere beingfiscally imprudent, Democrats established an expiration date, Dec. 31, for the credits, which are paid directly to the insurance companies.

includesthe policychosen oversix incomeranges and the size of an individual household in comparison to the federal poverty level.

Benton, does not.Johnson says fraud, abuse andaffordabilityneed to be addressed along withthe extension.

As the pandemic wound down,millions of people

Rules also changed, allowing ACA marketplace access to working immigrants who areinthe country legally but have notyet acquired citizenship. Other lawsallowed states waive afiveyear waiting period to cover immigrant children, regardless of their status. Louisiana is 1of37states andthe DistrictofColumbia that chose the waiver

Qualifying forthe tax credits and the amount of the subsidy is dependent on acomplexformula that

Eligibility is for workers without accesstoaffordable insurance policies that range on the lower end with morecredits from 100% of poverty: $15,560 for one person, $32,150 for afamily of four,to$54,150 forahousehold of eight. Theupper level of eligibility with less subsidies is 400% of poverty,which amounts to $62,600 for one person,$128,600for afamily of four and $216,600 fora household of eight. Republicans want to see caps on those levels. Democrats want to extend the enhanced credits for at least three years. If leftunresolved, the governmentcould shut down again at the beginning of February

Email Mark Ballardat mballard@theadvocate. com.

businesses and households across the state by the end of 2027, Veneeth Iyengar,executivedirector of the state Office of Broadband Development andConnectivity said in an interviewTuesday

When Landry became governor in 2024, about 80% of the state was connected to broadband, Iyengar said. Today,about 90% is connected.

“What’sremaining is the most difficult to reach,”Iyengar said, because it’sthe most rural. “But we have aplan that’sbeen approved by NTIA that will attack that once and for all. The hope is that by the end of 2027,wewill have achieved 100%, full universal coverage.”

Afew rural leaders, including those in East Carroll Parish, have previously questioned whether the new plans for their communities —which have awarded contracts to satellite companies rather than fiber optic providers —will deliver fast and affordable service.

After rewriting the rules for the

TRIAL

Continued from page1A

unanimouslyfound Sharpe guilty of second-degree murder for killing 48-yearold Boy Scout leader Brad DeFranceschi in October 2017. He shotthe fatherof two in broad daylight as DeFranceschiwas trimming weeds outside his house on the Avondale Scout Reservation along La. 63.Ajudge sentenced Sharpetolifein prison withoutthe possibility of parole. Sharpe faces another mandatory life sentenceif he’sfound guilty of killing Breeden. This trial will be held inside the 19th Judicial District Courthouse in downtown Baton Rouge. Prosecutors and Sharpe’s defense attorney spent Monday and Tuesday selecting ajury panel of five women and six men. They’re expected to reconvene on Wednesday morning to pick the last

grant program, diverting some money from fiber to satellite,the telecommunicationagency approved new plans from 18 states, according to aTuesday announcement

Iyengar said Louisiana was the first state to completeall the

main deliberatorand select two alternate jurors.

Testimony is expected to begin later Wednesdayafter thejury is sworn in. The trialwill seeseasoned prosecutor Assistant District Attorney Dana Cummings square offagainst veteran Baton Rougedefense attorneyThomasDamico. District Judge Colette Greggs is presiding. Damico is likely to seek Sharpe’sacquittalbymountinga not guiltybyreason of insanity argument, according to questionsraised to jurors during Tuesday’svoir dire.

Thetrial wasdelayed in April after Sharpe tried to fireDamico and told the judge he wanted to represent himself on the eve of juryselection He toldGreggs thatanFBI agent cautioned him against having anattorneyand also claimed he was leaving Louisiana State Penitentiaryat Angola, where he’sbeen housed since last year’sconviction, to move to another

steps of athree-stepprocess. This week, his office will meet with the14serviceproviders that won grants.About 70% of awards will go to Louisiana-based companies. Iyengarexpects “shovels in theground at the end of this year.”

state. Damico saidthe FBI agent Sharpe mentioned didn’texist

Apairofdoctorsevaluated Sharpe andfound that he was mentally fit,leading Greggs to declare him competent tostandtrialinMay

Sharpe was first found guilty of killing DeFraceschi, by an 11-1 vote in 2019. However,his conviction was thrown outinJune2020 afterthe U.S. Supreme Court declared nonunanimous verdicts unconstitutional and his case was brought to trial again in 2024.

Authorities say Sharpe fatally shot Breeden,DeFranceschiand Tommy Bass. Bass, 62, was killed outside his East Felicianahomeon La. 960 in July 2017. He was also charged with wounding Buck Hornsby outside his residence near La. 63 aweek before Breeden’sdeath.

Sharpe told East Feliciana deputies the motive of his killings was to fill government-issued hunting “tags,” according to prosecutors.

Louisiana has ledbefore in the effort to bring broadband to the country’srural reaches.

The state’sbroadband office was first to win approval for its proposalunder former President JoeBiden’sadministration.Then, earlier this year,President Donald

Trump’sadministration revamped the program, removing apreference forfiber.Soitwas back to the drawing board.

In August, the Connect LA office released its updated plan to spend $499 milliontoconnect households across thestate, about$250 million less than itsprevious proposal. Both Louisiana and the federal government have touted that savings.

“After stripping away burdensome rules andregulations and wasteful requirements, taxpayers will save billions in unnecessary costs,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said in astatement, “while connecting those in need to high-speed broadband through the full spectrum of broadband technologies.”

But it’sunclear whether the savings will stay with states or be returned to the U.S. Treasury In aSeptember letter to Lutnick, Landry requested that leftover grant funds be spent on “state-led initiatives” in Louisianathatadvance national goals around artificialintelligence, educationand workforce training. The state has not yet heard back, Iyengar said.

Brazil pushes big issues at climate talks

Some see cause for optimism

BY MELINA WALLING, SETH BORENSTEIN and ANTON L. DELGADO Associated Press

BELEM, Brazil As United Nations climate talks bubble to a critical point, negotiators on Tuesday were pressured to ensure that oil — along with fossil fuels coal and natural gas — won’t be burned in the future.

Although the conference is scheduled to run through Friday, the Brazilian presidency is pushing for an interconnected decision sooner on four issues that weren’t originally on the agenda. Meanwhile, dozens of nations rich and poor — banded together in a concerted call to deliver a detailed road map for the world to phase out or transition away from fossil fuels.

Former Ireland President Mary Robinson, a fierce climate advocate, was unusually optimistic Tuesday, comparing the talks in Belem, on the edge of the Amazon, to the climate talks that produced the landmark 2015 Paris climate agreement that set a target for limiting Earth’s warming.

“This COP reminds me of Paris very much,” Robinson told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday “I’m hoping for as good an outcome out of this difficult environment as possible. We can get it, you know, we can get it.”

Much of it will come to a head on Wednesday, the deadline set by COP30

President André Corrêa do Lago for a decision on four issues that were initially excluded from the official agenda: whether countries should be told to toughen their new climate plans; details on handing out $300 billion in pledged

climate aid; dealing with trade barriers over climate and improving reporting on transparency and climate progress.

The issue that’s getting talked about by more than 80 nations is weaning the world from fossil fuels.

Two years ago, after much debate, the U.N. climate talks in Dubai agreed on language for a “transition away from fossil fuels.”

But the following year the issue disappeared from view Now many but not all — countries are pushing for a detailed road map that would essentially give directions on how to phase out fossil fuels.

“People around the world are mobilizing on a massive scale, demanding concrete action for climate justice, particularly against the expansion of fossil fuel,” said Colombia’s Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres.

“Our categorical decision backed by science and by people has been to phase out fossil fuels. Despite being a producer country of oil and coal, we have chosen not to grant any new oil

exploration contracts, nor any new coal mining titles.”

“We have to leave here with a call for a road map,” she said Tuesday “There’s no other way.”

Ed Miliband, the United Kingdom’s top official for energy and climate change said the issue has united the Global South and North, “saying with one voice that this is an issue that cannot be ignored, cannot be swept under the carpet, and this is where the momentum is.”

That’s doubtful Powerful oil-producing countries have opposed moving on a phaseout, and the United States — with President Donald Trump frequently calling climate change a “scam” — is skipping the talks.

COP30 President do Lago kicked off Tuesday’s action with a proposal that had 21 options for negotiators on four sticky and interrelated issues.

While the options in the draft text “are a first step, what’s required now is to eliminate the options that add to delay and ignore the urgency of action,” said Jasper Inventor, deputy

program director of Greenpeace International.

Tuesday was also a day for speeches from highlevel ministers.

Sophie Hermans, the Netherlands’ deputy prime minister, said “the transition is no longer about setting targets. It is about executing them. And execution requires realism, planning and the ability to adjust when circumstances change.”

The documents ask leaders to hash out many aspects of a potential agreement by Wednesday so that much is out of the way before the final set of decisions Friday when the conference is scheduled to end.

Climate summits routinely go past their last day as nations have to balance domestic concerns with the major shifts needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was scheduled to return to Belem on Wednesday and the deadline may be timed for him to push parties together or celebrate some kind of draft agreement, observers said.

BY ISABEL DEBRE Associated Press

SANTIAGO, Chile Chileans face perhaps the starkest choice in the history of their country’s young democracy when they vote next month in a presidential runoff that pits hard-right José Antonio Kast against communist Jeannette Jara.

Neither candidate cleared the 50% threshold to win, but Kast heads into the second round best positioned to succeed after an unprecedented 70% of voters backed an array of right-wing parties in Sunday’s poll.

An ultraconservative lawyer who vows to deport Chile’s estimated 300,000 immigrants without legal status and speaks nostalgically of Chile’s brutal dictatorship, Kast on Sunday told supporters that his Dec. 14 race against Jara was a choice between “two models of society” chaos and order stagnation and progress, left and right.

That choice is especially fraught for Chile’s 1.5 million immigrants in particular, the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who escaped the repressive socialist government of President Nicolás Maduro to make this sliver of a country their home.

Many of those immigrants, lacking residency of five years or more, are not eligible to vote in Chilean elections.

But the showdown between Kast, who has built his campaign around fears of organized crime and a surge of anti-immigrant sentiment, and Jara whose Communist Party supports socialist autocracies in Cuba and Venezuela, has divided the nearly 900,000 immigrants in Chile eligible to vote.

“Communism destroyed my country, and the last thing I want is for my other home

to fall into that same system,” said Edwin Bejar, 61, who fled political persecution in Venezuela for Chile seven years ago and plans to vote again for Kast next month But others in Chile’s capital of Santiago have found that stance baffling, accusing Venezuelan Kast supporters of turning their backs on their compatriots.

Kast has repeatedly disparaged Venezuelans as criminals and pledged not only to deport immigrants without legal status, but also to strip them of social benefits, hold them in detention centers and make them pay for their own deportation flights.

“You’d be voting to send your friends to the very danger that you fled, too,” said Miguel Garcia, who arrived from Maracaibo, Venezuela, 11 years ago. Garcia said he would vote for Jara next month

“Just because she’s a communist doesn’t mean she’s Maduro,” he said “Chile has institutions and laws, a democracy It’s not the same.” The tensions tearing at Chile’s immigrant community reflect a wider dilemma haunting this country with an autocratic past of its own.

If Jara, a former labor minister in the left-wing government of President Gabriel Boric, manages to win next month — which most political analysts agree would take a miracle — she would represent the most left-wing government since the ill-fated presidency of Salvador Allende, elected in 1970.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANDRE PENNER

André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 president, right, and Ana Toni, COP30 CEO talk at a news conference during the COP30 U.N. Climate Summit on Tuesday in Brazil.

Kast Jara

Legislator resigns from La. House

Brown picked to head Alcohol and Tobacco Control

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

Chad Brown has resigned from the Louisiana House of Representatives to become the commissioner of the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control under Gov Jeff Landry

SLU professor files academic grievance

Researcher

removed from Lake Maurepas project

BY DAVID J MITCHELL

Staff writer

A Southeastern Louisiana University professor has alleged in a new complaint that publicity over her work uncovering pollution in Lake Maurepas displeased university officials and led to her removal this summer as one of the lead researchers on the project’s team In a new academic grievance filed Monday, the chemistry professor Fereshteh Emami, accused the university leadership of improperly restricting her First Amendment rights and violating their own academic freedom and media policies.

They placed restrictions on her speaking to the media after her work first gained local notice June 19, the grievance alleges, and then removed her from the research project related to a controversial carbon-capture plan a little more than a month later as attention grew The grievance relies on emails and text messages her lawyer obtained through public records requests.

“Dr Emami is a public employee protected by the First Amendment and SLU’s promises of academic freedom. These text messages and emails are strong evidence that SLU violated the law when it removed Dr Emami,” William Most, her attorney, said in a statement. “No professor should have to worry that their university will remove them for telling the truth.”

Southeastern officials declined to address the substance of Emami’s allegations, but said the grievance will be given “due consideration” to ensure “fairness and due process are afforded.” The grievance must go before the Southeastern University Faculty Senate, university officials said.

“Unfortunately, the university cannot comment on the pending grievance by Dr Emami as to do so would tarnish and potentially bias the process,” officials said in a statement.

Southeastern officials have said previously that her removal from the research project happened for undisclosed personal reasons unrelated to the publicity surrounding her work. A letter sent to her on her removal expresses concerns about the pace of her work. Emami’s grievance seeks to restore her to her previous role as an investigator and calls for an outside investigator to probe her removal. The letter alleges the removal cost her monthly salary and reputational damage.

Facing controversy over plans to store waste carbon dioxide under the lake permanently, the Air

Brown a Democrat, lives in Plaquemine and represented House District 60, which covers Iberville and part of Assumption Parish south of Baton Rouge, for about 10 years.

Brown’s colleagues said he had been looking for a landing spot, since his legislative career is scheduled to end in January 2028 because of term limits.

Brown, an attorney, held senior positions at the Department of Insurance before his 2015 election to the House.

Brown did not respond to calls Tuesday

The agency’s website included a welcome greeting for him and said a biography will be posted soon. In his new role, Brown is overseeing an agency under the Department of Revenue that issues alcohol permits, collects alcohol and tobacco taxes and has enforcement agents who target establishments with liquor licenses suspected of selling to underage youth, engaging in money laun-

dering and peddling drugs. The commissioner’s position has been vacant since August, when Ernest Legier Jr., who had been appointed by then-Gov John Bel Edwards, resigned while facing questions about his oversight of the agency Legier returned to his previous position as a deputy commissioner News of Brown’s new role was first reported by Jeremy Alford, managing editor of State Affairs Louisiana.

Brown represented a swing district that voted for Donald Trump in his three presidential elections but also voted for Edwards when he won reelection in 2019.

While Edwards was in office, Brown regularly voted with the Democratic governor In 2022, however, he voted with the Republican majority to override an Edwards veto on a controversial bill. The veto override meant that doctors could not

Unfamiliar waters

Louisiana manatee sightings spur effort to relocate them

BY DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer

An estimated 8-foot-long West Indian manatee made an easygoing Monday afternoon cruise past waterside homes along the Amite River Diversion Canal in lower Ascension and Livingston parishes, attracting onlookers to the uncommon visit.

The manatee was one of three spotted by the public since Thursday in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin that state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries staff are trying to find and relocate before the water turns too cold, officials said.

Others were seen Sunday near Marina Road in Chalmette and on Thursday next to the Causeway Bridge near Metairie, he said, and all are candidates to be relocated to Florida.

“Staff are coordinating with (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Florida Wildlife Commission, SeaWorld Orlando, Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Audubon Nature Institute to rescue these animals,” Chuck Battaglia, a wildlife department nongame zoologist, said in a statement.

Though the warm waters of southern Florida are a winter base for the threatened mammals they can range as far north as Massachusetts and as far southwest as the Gulf Coast, including Louisiana and occasionally Texas, according to the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission.

Retired refinery worker Mike Robicheaux, who has lived on the Diversion Canal south of La. 22 for eight years, captured the sole manatee on video chomping on water lilies along the shoreline between 1 p.m. and

A manatee swims a Louisiana waterway, attracting onlookers to the uncommon visit.

2 p.m. Monday Robicheaux said his neighbor had spotted the creature first and shot him a text message.

“He said, ‘Dude, we got a big manatee in the canal.’ I heard it and ran outside, and it was just kind of swimming really, really slow, just going up

the canal,” he said. Robicheaux, 69, said he and others tracked the manatee through several backyards, stepping over boat docks as it headed north up the canal along the shore.

Former hotel to turn into short-term housing

No deposit, credit check needed for furnished units

BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

The former Super 6 Inn & Suites on Gwenadele Avenue will become an apartment building for tenants seeking flexible and affordable housing.

Eagle Suites, an Arkansasbased company that flips hotels into extended-stay apartments, will open its second Louisiana property within the next month at 9901 Gwenadele Ave. Their model blends a typical apartment rental with a hotel, offering short-term leases on fully furnished units with no application, deposit or credit check needed to secure a spot.

Eagle Suites started in Benton, Arkansas, in February 2020 when the company converted a hotel into a 70-room property It has

since expanded to 18 properties open or in construction across Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Kari Amore, an Eagle Suites spokesperson, said the company serves people and families who are looking for housing but may not want a long-term lease, like locals who are transitioning between living situations or jobs. Many current tenants work in the service industry or receive Supplemental Security Income benefits.

Applications, deposits, credit checks and move-in costs can be barriers to leasing a traditional apartment, Amore said, and the company aims to create a simple process for tenants, who are vetted through the company’s “internal screening system” prior to moving in.

“It’s a balance between being accessible and maintaining a respectful, secure environment for all residents,” Amore said in an email. Titan General Contractors purchased the 170-room motel on

PHOTO PROVIDED By EAGLE SUITES

Police:Bicyclist killed in crash

ADenhamSpringsman riding his bicycle on astate highway in Livingston Parish died in the hospitalafter being struck by avehicle, Louisiana State Police said.

Jason Causey,53, was riding west on La. 1025 near Somerset Lane about 6p.m Monday,when the driver of a2002 Dodge Ram struck the cyclist with the right side of his truck “for reasons stillunder investigation,” State Police said.

RESIGNS

Continued from page1B

prescribe puberty blockers, gender-transition surgeries or hormone treatment to children and teens.

Brown was known for having afriendlyrelationship with Landry.During the2025regular legislative session,Brown sat beside Landry andtestified in favor of acar insurance bill that thegovernor wanted lawmakers to approve over the objections of Insurance Commissioner TimTemple. Legislators ultimately approved the measure, with Brown providingone of the yes votes.

Brown’sexit could lead to aspiritedrace for his seat “If you had the right Republicancandidate, it’s possible for Republicans to pick it off,” said John

PROFESSOR

Continued from page1B

Products company agreed to spend $10 million on Southeastern research into the lake’senvironmentalconditions before carbon storage began.

Emami, who remains employed at Southeastern, had been aleadinvestigator focused on chemicaland statistical analysisofwater sampling, which turned up heavy metal and otherpollution and raisedthe possibility of industrial releases as one of the causes ‘Caughtoff guard’ Before herwork showed up in apeer-reviewed journal inAugust, it was publishedinanopen access scientific journal the previous November to little apparent notice.The first local story appeared on June 19 in the LouisianaIlluminator

Her grievance letter providesa timeline attempting to link university emails andtextswithnewsaccounts and news inquiries to try to make acasethat Southeastern officials were unhappywith the attention and scrambling to contain Emamiand her work.

Emami’srecords requests turned up aJune30

HOUSING

Continued from page1B

Airline Highway in the former TenFlags Inn. The two Baton Rouge apartment buildings will have 270 units between them oncethe Gwenadele Avenue renovation is complete The Airline Highway location is 90% leased, which Amore says indicates that there’samarket for extended-stay apartments in the Capital Region. The company determines whether to enter amarket by comparing its cost of living to its extended-stay model, which estimates a$995monthly cost dependentonlocation and availability,and tends to choose properties in areas with rising housing costs. The company targetsindividuals and families who could benefit from one, affordable bill. Eagle Suites’

Causey suffered serious injuriesand wastransported to thehospital, where he died from hisinjuries.

Thecrash remains under investigation, State Police said.

Cocaine seized, found in vehicle batteries

Drug-sniffing dogs helped officers uncover about 20 pounds of cocaine, hiddenintwo vehicle batteries in the back of acar in St. James Parish,the state Department ofWildlife and Fisheries said Agents on patrol along

Couvillon, aBaton Rougebased pollsterand demographer. For decades,White Democrats held amajority of the seatsinthe Legislature.But Brown’sdepartureleaves only four WhiteDemocrats:Jay Luneau of Alexandria,Aimee Adatto Freeman of New Orleans, Mandie Landry of NewOrleans and RoyDaryl Adams from Jackson Brown’sd eparture leaves three Democratic vacancies in the House. Jay Luneau, of Alexandria; Aimee Adatto Freeman, of New Orleans; Mandie Landry,ofNew Orleans; and Roy Daryl Adams fromJackson The Senate has one vacancy after Joe Bouie resignedtobecomechancellor of Southern University of New Orleansrecently The open primary to replacehim will be held on Feb. 7, with arunoff, if necessary,onMarch 14,

email from Kyle Piller, a Southeastern professor and the LakeMaurepas project director,telling another university official that Emami had done alocal media interview on herresearch that led tothe June 19 story “without informing any of us or informing the public information office.”

“So, the president’soffice wascaughtoff guard when the story came out. Needless to say,they weren’t overly pleased aboutit,” he wrote.

Most’sletter points out that an unknown university official, whose identity Southeastern redacted, texted on June 20, aday after the first article appeared, “Is there any plan for Fereshteh?”

Theresponsewas,“Yes, there is aplanfor Fereshteh. Iwill call you when Iget achance.”

Mostsays that, though the names were redacted, his public records request that produced the text was tied to Piller,interim Dean Dan McCarthyand Patrick Moyer,achemistry professor Fourdayslater,onJune 24, Piller relayed arequest from university communications officials that Emami had to informthem about mediarequests before sheconducted them,

monthlyratefor itsBaton Rouge properties is $895, which includes utilities,free Wi-Fi, on-site laundry.Weekly rates are also available.

“If our analysis shows that the communitycould benefit from ano-hassle, affordable housingalternative to traditional apartmentliving, we identify it as astrongcandidate for development,” Amore said.

Baton Rouge home prices are up 30% since thepandemicdue to alow supply of newhouses andhigh demand led by millennials. The average monthlyrent sits at $1,350—33% belowthe national average —but has risen nearly$50 year-overyear,accordingtoZillow Airline Highway hasthree on-site employees andEagles Suites is planning for four on-site employees for GwenadeleAvenue.Eagle Suites has two staffmembers overseeing theBaton Rouge properties.

theMississippi River levee on Friday conducted atraffic stop on avehicle there, when aSt. CharlesParish sheriff’s deputy andhis dog detected drugs, Wildlifeand Fisheries said in a news release.

The driver,who was not identified in the news release, was transported to afacility of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, and warrants were secured forthe vehicle.

Officersfound four blocks of suspected cocaine sealed inside each of two large vehicle batteries on therear

floorboard of thevehicle. The blocks totaled 9kilograms, or about 20 pounds, of cocaine. Afieldtest of thepowder came back positive for the presence of cocaine and, due to thelarge amount of the drug, the U.S. Attorney’sOffice for theEastern District of Louisiana was contacted.

The driver was arrested on counts of knowing possession with intent to distributecocaine and possession of aSchedule II controlledsubstanceof5 kilogramsormore, Wildlife and Fisheries said.

just after the 2026 regular legislativesessionwill have commenced Elections for the three House vacancies have not been scheduled but could be held on those same dates, the Secretary of State’sOffice said Tuesday, if the resignationsoccur

by Dec. 3. Republicans currently hold a28-10 advantage in the 39-member Senate, anda 73-29 margin in the 105-member House Email TylerBridges at tbridges@theadvocate. com.

in particularon“ourMaurepas project,” arequirement her attorneysays violated Southeasternmedia policy.

Thepolicy allows aprofessor to talk to the media about their work, but required them to inform the communicationsoffice about the interview and whatwas said.

‘Imperiled theplans’?

Most contends an article in The Advocate on July21 thatlookedatthe impact of dredging in Lake Maurepas in light of Emami’s findings and Maurepas’history with shell dredging “acceleratedthe situation.

As his basis for that claim, Most relied on aredacted email Southeastern President William Wainwrightsenttotop university officials at 6a.m. July 21, the morning the article went online.The content of the email is blocked out.

But, 61/2 hours after that email, Piller emailedEmami about having ameeting, which herattorney alleges wastoinform herthatshe was off the project.

“The article wasexactly the topic of some of Dr Emami’s research: Her paperhad raised the concern that dredging in Lake Maurepas could ‘mobilize contaminantsthataffect both the lake ecology and hu-

The former Super6 Inn hadoften been the scene of crime, andAmore said Eagle Suiteswill have anight watchman to ensure only authorized guests are on the propertyatnight.

“Ourfocus isn’tjuston operatinga property; it’s on building acommunity where both guests andstaff feel comfortable, respected and safe,” Amoresaid.

Email Ianne Salvosa at ianne.salvosa@ theadvocate.com.

MANATEE

Continued from page1B

Eventually,atthe urging of his brother,Keith, Mike Robicheaux wound up in his brother’s backyard where Mike shotthe videoofthe manatee feeding.

“I hurried up andgot down there, and Iwas like, ‘Wow, this is so cool,’”hesaid.

He saidthe manatee fed at his brother’sfor about 10 minutes.

Kristi Trail, executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy,said manatees arespotted periodically in the brackish Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain, though the sighting on Monday in the diversion canal is alittle farther west and a little later in the year than is typical.

“But it’sbeen so warm and dry,I’m not surprised, you know,i.e., the temperature of the lake has not really cooled off,” Trail said. “A manatee is just like other marine life from outinthe Gulf coming to thelake, because it’sanestuary and they use that as nurseries and they like the warm, shallow water.”

Battaglia saidit’snot uncommontosee manatee during this timeofyear,even in freshwater rivers, but when the weatherdoes cool,most migrate back east.

“Some individuals inexplicably will lingerinLouisiana during cooler months andbecome coldstressed,” he said.

Manatees can die in colder waters. According to the federal mammal commission, prolonged exposure to water temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit can be lethal.

Robicheaux said he has seen amanatee in the canal before,probably two years

ago. He said he contacted Wildlife andFisheriesofficials on Tuesdayand theytoldhim andhis neighbors to keep watch forthe animal so it can be relocated.

Robicheauxsaidofficials told him thewhite coloring he saw on the mammalwas an indication of cold stress.

Weighing as much as 2,200 pounds, manatees “feed on seagrass, algae andother vegetation in freshwater and estuarine systemsinthe southeastern United States,” according to the commission.

Previously “endangered,” manatees hadtheir status improved to “threatened” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2017 as populations have increased over the past 30 years. Estimates from 2021 and 2022 put manatee populations in Florida at nearly 9,800, with about 4,630 living on the westside of that state, according to the commission.

Boat strikesand thelossof warmwater habitats remain major threats to these docile, slow-moving creatures that often float just below the water’ssurface.

Robicheaux said aboat strike is his main concern for the manatee that he saw Mondaybecause thecanal has so much traffic.

“Even though this thing was swimming very close to the bank, you know,sometimes these boats can come close to our docks,” he said. Wildlifeofficials urged residents to call the departmentimmediately about sightings at (800) 442-2511 because delays makes it far moredifficult to find manatees.

man health,’” Most wrote Emami wasn’t available, so her initial removal notice from Piller came a week later by email, on July 28. It didn’t provide a reason thenbut came less than two hoursafternew inquiriesfromThe Advocate about the Maurepas research and thepossible impact on lake crabs,Most alleges.

In the grievance, Most acknowledgedit’snot “totally clear” why media coverage would have causedconcernsfor Southeastern, but said university leaders wanted to use the Lake Maurepas project as amodel. Othercompanies seekingtouse carbon capture and storagecould financethe universitystudy of environmental conditions in other underground storageareas. Withoutdirect evidence shared in hiscorrespondence, Mostspeculated that publicity overher findings may “haveimperiled the plans to obtain more funding from heavy industry.”

In Emami’s follow-up removallettersentAug 4, Piller listed several reasons tied generally to the pace of her work on the lake. They included her

alleged refusal to accept management assistance for the project, thatshe was behind on lake sampling and testing and hiring research assistants,and that she missed an important meeting.

Also,inthe June 20 textchain abouthaving “a plan” forEmami, the texter didn’tmention the initial June 19 news account about her research, but her alleged mishandling of aplanned summer job for an undergraduate lab worker

Mostdisputed that delays werethe reason for herremoval “giventhat removing aproject leader with no warning and no replacement does nothing whatsoever to accelerate a project.”

“And theemails leading up to Dr.Emami’sremoval do not suggest any significant concern with the speed of the project,” he wrote.

Citing email chains about her project, Mostaccused universityleaders Piller and McCarthy of looking for retroactive reasons to remove her becauseofreporting on Aug. 1about her removal, including one that described one of her emails as “sassy.”

5: 8-5-8-6-1

(23) Unof

STAFF FILEPHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Rep. Chad Brown, D-Plaquemine, left, speaks withGov.Jeff Landrybeside him.Brown has resigned from the Louisiana House of Representatives to become the commissioner of the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control under Landry

BUSINESS

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Stocks drop after another jarring day

The U.S. stock market fell following another jarring day on Tuesday, as worries keep dogging Nvidia bitcoin and other Wall Street stars that their prices shot too high.

After quickly sliding to a morning loss of 1.5%, the S&P 500 clawed back nearly all of it before sinking again. It finished with a fall of 0.8% and pulled further from its all-time high set late last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 498 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1.2%.

Nvidia was again the heaviest weight on the market, and its drop of 2.8% brought its loss for the month to more than 10%. That’s a steep enough fall that Wall Street has a name for it: a correction.

What Nvidia does matters disproportionately to savers’ 401(k) accounts because its immense size means it’s the most influential stock on Wall Street. It singlehandedly steers the direction of the S&P 500 some days, after fervent demand for its artificial-intelligence chips helped it briefly top $5 trillion in total value.

Other high-flying areas of the market have also been struggling lately Bitcoin’s price briefly fell below $90,000 in the morning, down from nearly $125,000 last month. It later recovered some of its losses and climbed back toward $93,000.

Microsoft partners with Anthropic, Nvidia

Microsoft said Tuesday it is partnering with artificial intelligence company Anthropic and chipmaker Nvidia as part of an AI infrastructure deal that moves the software giant further away from its longtime alliance with OpenAI. Anthropic, maker of the chatbot Claude that competes with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, said it is committed to buying $30 billion in computing capacity from Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform Nvidia will also invest up to $10 billion in Anthropic, and Microsoft will invest up to $5 billion in the San Francisco-based startup

The joint announcements by CEOs Dario Amodei of Anthropic, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, and Jensen Huang of Nvidia came just ahead of the opening of Microsoft’s annual Ignite developer conference.

“This is all about deepening our commitment to bringing the best infrastructure, model choice and applications to our customers,” Nadella said on a video call with other executives, adding that it builds on the “critical” partnership Microsoft still has with OpenAI.

Honda recalls 256,600 Accord Hybrid vehicles

Honda is recalling more than 256,600 of its Accord Hybrid vehicles across the U.S. due to a software error that may result in sudden loss of drive power

According to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall covers certain Honda Accord Hybrids between the 2023 and 2025 model years. The error may cause part of these cars’ internal software to reset while driving, increasing the risk of crash or injury

To address the error Honda dealers will reprogram the software free of charge. The NHTSA’s recall report noted that owner notification letters are scheduled to go out on Jan 5 but a spokesperson for American Honda confirmed Tuesday that the improved software is available now Drivers can see if their specific vehicle is included in this recall and find more information using the NHTSA site or Honda’s recall lookup. Impacted Accord Hybrid owners may also contact Honda’s customer service at (888) 234-2138 Honda estimates that 0.3% of the 256,603 Accord Hybrids it’s recalling have the issue, which impacts the vehicles’ integrated control module central processing unit the NHSTA’s recall report notes.

Cloudflare resolves

Issues impacted users of everything from ChatGPT to New Jersey Transit system

BY MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP business writer

A widely used Internet infrastructure company said that it has resolved an issue that led to outages impacting users of everything from ChatGPT and the online

game, “League of Legends,” to the New Jersey Transit system early Tuesday By noon, Cloudflare said its engineers no longer saw some of the issues plaguing its customers, but that they were continuing to monitor for any further problems. Other platforms that experienced outages Tuesday included the social media site X, Shopify, Dropbox, Coinbase and the Moody’s credit ratings service. Moody’s website displayed an Error Code 500 and instructed individuals to visit Cloudflare’s web-

site for more information. New Jersey Transit said parts of its digital services, including njtransit.com, may be temporarily unavailable or slow to load. And New York City Emergency Management said there are reports city services are being impacted by the outage. The city is continuing to monitor for disruptions. In France, national railway company SNCF’s website has been affected. The company warned customers that “some information and schedules may not be avail-

able or up to date Our teams are working to restore these services as quickly as possible.”

Cloudflare, based in San Francisco, works behind the scenes to make the internet faster and safer, but when problems flare up, “it results in massive digital gridlock” for internet users, cybersecurity expert Mike Chapple said. While most people think there’s a direct line between their digital device and a website, what actually happens is that companies like Cloudflare sit in the middle of those connections, he said.

Meta wins historic FTC antitrust case

Firm won’t have to break off WhatsApp, Instagram

BY BARBARA ORTUTAY AP technology writer

SAN FRANCISCO Meta has prevailed over an existential challenge to its business that could have forced the tech giant to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp after a judge ruled that the company does not hold a monopoly in social networking.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued his ruling Tuesday after the historic antitrust trial wrapped up in late May His decision runs in sharp contrast to two separate rulings that branded Google an illegal monopoly in both search and online advertising, dealing regulatory blows to the tech industry that for years enjoyed nearly unbridled growth.

The Federal Trade Commission “continues to insist that Meta competes with the same old rivals it has for the last decade, that the company holds a monopoly among that small set, and that it maintained that monopoly through anticompetitive acquisitions,” Boasberg wrote in his ruling. “Whether or not Meta enjoyed monopoly power in the past, though, the agency must show that it continues to hold such power now The Court’s verdict today determines that the FTC has not done so.”

The federal agency had argued that Meta maintained a monopoly by pursuing an expression CEO Mark Zuckerberg made in

2008: “‘It is better to buy than compete.’ True to that maxim, Facebook has systematically tracked potential rivals and acquired companies that it viewed as serious competitive threats.”

During his April testimony, Zuckerberg pushed back against claims that Facebook bought Instagram to neutralize a threat In his line of questioning, FTC attorney Daniel Matheson repeatedly brought up emails — many of them more than a decade old — written by Zuckerberg and his associates before and after the acquisition of Instagram.

While acknowledging the documents, Zuckerberg has often sought to downplay the contents, saying he wrote the emails early in the acquisition process and that the notes did not fully capture the scope of his interest in the company But the case was not about the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp more than a decade ago, which the FTC approved at the time but about whether Meta holds a monopoly now Prosecutors, Boasberg wrote in the ruling, could only win if they proved “current or imminent legal violation.”

The FTC’s complaint said Facebook also enacted policies designed to make it difficult for smaller rivals to enter the market and “neutralize perceived competitive threats,” just as the world shifted its attention to mobile devices from desktop computers.

Meta said Tuesday’s decision “recognizes that Meta faces fierce competition.”

“Our products are beneficial for people and businesses and exemplify American innova-

tion and economic growth. We look forward to continuing to partner with the Administration and to invest in America,” said Jennifer Newstead, chief legal officer, in a statement.

The social media landscape has changed so much since the FTC filed its lawsuit in 2020, Boasberg wrote, that each time the court examined Meta’s apps and competition, they changed. Two opinions to dismiss the case — filed in 2021 and 2022 — didn’t even mention popular social video platform TikTok. Today, it “holds center stage as Meta’s fiercest rival.”

Quoting the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “that no man can ever step into the same river twice,” Boasberg said the same is true for the online world of social media as well.

“The landscape that existed only five years ago when the Federal Trade Commission brought this antitrust suit has changed markedly While it once might have made sense to partition apps into separate markets of social networking and social media, that wall has since broken down,” he wrote.

Emarketer analyst Minda Smiley said Meta’s win “is not necessarily surprising considering the lengths it’s gone to in recent years to keep up with TikTok.”

“But from a regulatory standpoint, Meta is far from out of the woods: next year, major social networks will face landmark trials in the U.S. regarding children’s mental health,” she added. “Still, today’s win is surely a boost for the company as it battles criticism and questions over how its massive AI spending will ultimately benefit Meta in the long run.”

Company plans $53M expansion of La. manufacturing facility

Move set to add 200,000 square feet, create 15 jobs

BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

Plastipak Packaging said it will spend $53.8 million to expand its Rapides Parish manufacturing facility, a move that will create 15 jobs. The company will add 200,000 square feet to its Pineville plant, a move that will add warehouse space and

Plastipak will use LED FastStart, the department’s workforce recruitment and training team, for the expansion. The company will also use the state’s industrial tax exemption, an 80% property tax abatement on new investments, and the Quality Jobs Program, a

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JEFF CHIU

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks during a Nov. 5 event at the Biohub Imaging Institute in Redwood City Calif.

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Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home, 12012 Hwy 190 W. Hammond at 1:00pm

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Beech Grove United Methodist Church,150 Hwy.960, Clinton, LA at 11am

Obituaries

Albano, John Steven

Greatlyloved husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, son, brother and uncle, John "Johnny" Steven Albano passed away on 11/12/2025 at the age of 85. He was born in NewOrleans and grew up in the Gentillyarea. He spent much of his childhood enjoying City Park, which wasclose to his home. He graduated from McDonough High School where he played football in his Senior year. After high school he saw the world as ayoung man with the United States Navy. He dida tour of duty on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier, during which timehevisited Italy, France,Greece, andTurkey. It was an experience that he cherished andit fostered alife-long love of travel. He spent many years taking his family on fun-filled vacations. The vacations were aconstant throughout his life and provided years of unforgettable and cherished memories for his family.

He attended Tulane University, and graduated from Delgado Community College and the University of New Orleans, earning an Associate's and aBachelor's degree. He workedfor many years in sales, and then as aComputer Programmer before retirement. He was anaturally curious person and loved the natural world. In his later years, he fulfilled alifelong dream with his wife Mary by living in the country for many years. They raised chickens, geese, and ducks, plantedand grew many different types of trees and shrubs, and had several beloveddogs. He was also accomplished in woodworking and woodcarvingand built many things during his time in the country. Throughout his life, he remained ajokester, and was forever young at heart. From ayoung age, he knew how to have a good time. He had aspecial talent for throwing parties and knew how to

bring people together, make his guests comfortable,and make them laugh. He was atruewit As fun loving as he was, he was also humbleand was averydeepthinker. He was an excellent writer, hadanaffinity forintellectual conversation, and was amentortomany.His perspectivewas prized and he had aknack forgiving great advice Johnny willbedearly missed and loved forever. He is survivedbyhis loving wifeMary, four children, Tony, Patti (Craig),Deb (Miguel),and Les (Mick), two step-children,Catherine(Kenny), and Trey (Sarah), ten grandchildren, Molly, Emily (Blake), Chris, Matt,Kayla, Nick (Sydney), Jude,Maddie, Juliette, and Landon,fivegreat-grandchildren,Hazel,E.J.,Xayden,Xendayah, and the newest, Magnus "Little Buddy", abrotherAugust (Patsy) Albano, two sisters, Marilyn AlbanoCohn and Susie Albano Conzelmann,and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Dr. Peter A. Albano, hismother Mary DiCarlo Albano, his sister Evelyn Albano Toups, and brothers-in-law HenryCohnand David Conzelmann.A celebrationoflifewillbeheldata later date.

"Beware of allenterprises that require new clothes "-Henry David Thoreau Amemorialtreemay be plantedinhis honor at The TreesRemember. https://thetreesrememb er.com/memorial-trees/ Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the NationalPark Foundation. https://www.nationalpa rks.org

Bernhard

James Michell Bernhard, Jr.,affectionately known as "Jim," passedaway on Sunday,November 16, 2025,atthe ageof71. Widely recognized as one of Louisiana's most influential businessleaders,he builtand guided companies that transformedindustries and strengthened communities. Above all else, Jim was most proud to be adevoted husband, father,grandfather,brother,and friend—roles into which he poured hisheart and forwhich he will be deeply missed. Born on April 9, 1954,in Baton Rouge, Jimlived a life defined by family, hard work, and service to others. After graduatingfrom

his belovedalma mater, LSU, he founded The Shaw Group and grew it intoone of themost significant industrialand infrastructure companies in theworld

After selling The Shaw Group, Jimco-founded Bernhard Capital Partners in 2013, aprivateequity firm recognized globallyas aleader in investing in critical infrastructure and essential services. Today, BCP embodiesJim'svision forcombining operational excellence with adisciplinedinvestment strategy to buildstrongercommunities.

Throughall of his business endeavors, Jim put people first. He spent countless hours instilling safetyvaluesinevery team he workedwithand developing employees at every level. His mentorship has touched hundredsof our region'smostsuccessful business leaders and shaped organizations that continue to make an impact acrossthe countrytoday.

Jimsaw opportunities where others saw obstacles and proved that with dedication and determination, no dream is ever too big. Though he was often approachedtorelocate his business outsidethe state, he remained steadfast in his love forLouisiana and his unwavering beliefinits people.His commitment to buildingstrong, successful companies in his home state reflected his loyalty and vision forwhat Louisiana couldachieve and shaped thelegacy he leavesbehind.

Jimwas deeply committedtogivingbacktothe community that raised him. He supported numerous civic, educational, and charitable initiatives, believing that strong communities are builtthrough serviceand opportunity. His generosity has impacted many organizations, including St. GeorgeCatholic Church and School, The Dunham School,TRUCE TeamSportsplex, MOVEBR, and hisfoundation,Every Kida King. While much of Jim's community contributions were madeinprivate and without credit, his reputationfor selfless giving willliveonthrough his investment in The Shaw Centerfor theArts—a cornerstoneproject that catalyzed growth and progressindowntown BatonRouge Jimalso quietly supported many otherpeoplein needacross thecountry, including theFalge Farmworkers' families in Carmel Valley, California; No KidHungryinVirginia and otherstates;Chief Cares fund to support relief efforts in Hurricane Helene's affected areas, including North Carolina; OperationHelpingHandsin LosAngeles; Mentors& Meals in Lexington, Kentucky; and numerous others in needthroughout the United States, the Caribbean islands, and elsewhere

In his leisure time, Jim enjoyed thoroughbredracing and traveling with his belovedwife,Dana, and their family.Heand Dana nurtured their shared passionthroughownershipof

the historicPinOak Stud in Kentucky, where Jimtook prideinpreserving the land,caring forthe animals, and maintaining a culture of traditionand excellence. They owned and raced several standout champion horses, including GeauxRocketRide, who won theGradeI Haskell Stakesand finishedsecond in thePacific Classic in 2023. The Bernhards were laterrecognizedasOwnerView's New Ownerofthe Year.He found hisgreatest joy in spending timewiththose he lovedand thememories they created together. Jim is preceded in death by his father, JamesBernhard, Sr.,and his sister, Peggy Bernhard

He is survivedbyhis wife of 32 years, Dana Lynn (Reneau) Bernhard; his mother, Barbara AnnSavageBernhard; hisadored children, Kathryn Gerry (John), BenjaminBernhard (Jenna), Michael Bernhard (Rachel),Patrick Bernhard (Amelie), and Tres Bernhard; his eight cherished grandchildren, Ella Lynne Bernhard,James Michael Bernhard IV, Blake Bernhard, VioletBernhard, Ainsley Bernhard,Jack Gerry, Remi Gerry, and Sloane Gerry. Jim willalso be lovingly remembered by his sister, Janice Bernhard; brother, KennethBernhard; brother-in-law, Dr John Reneau; and father-in -law, Dr.Daniel D. Reneau. The family invitesall who knew and lovedJim to join them in honoring his extraordinary life.A visitation willtakeplace at St. GeorgeCatholic Church, 7808 St.GeorgeDr.,Baton Rouge, on Monday, November24, 2025, from10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial willbe officiated by Rev. Paul Yi at 12:00 p.m., with aprivate family graveside burial to follow. Areception willfollowatthe Kleinpeter ActivityCenter.

Mary Ann Guercio Burton passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025, at theage of 88. Visitation willtake place at St. Gerard Majella Catholic Church on Thursday, November 20, 2025, beginning at 11:00 AM until Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM.Burial to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.Pleasesee

Coffey, Gloria Shaffer 'Cooky'

www.resthavenbatonroug e.com for afullobituary. After immigratingtothe United States with her youngerbrother as partof theunaccompanied"Peter Pan"children'sexodusin 1962, Marta graduated from Louisiana State University with aBachelor of ScienceinChemistry. She went on to become the first female Louisiana State Trooper and built a distinguishedcareerasa forensicscientist with the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab, whereshe later served as Director untilher retirement. Beyond her professional achievements, Marta embraced theworld with boundless enthusiasm, traveling to more than 37 countries with herhusband. Marta wasa feisty spitfirewhose determination andcourage brokecountless glass ceilings. Her legacyofstrength,service, trailblazing achievement and adeep love fordiscoverywill continuetoinspire all whoknewher Sheissurvivedbyher husband, Carlos Finalet, II; herson,Carlos Finalet, III (RickieBrock); herbrother, JulioOtazo(Cuqui); niece, Virginia Otazo; and nephew,AndrewOtazo, andmanydear friends and extendedfamily. Sheis preceded in death by her parents. Relativesand friends are invited to attenda gravesideservice at ResthavenGardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge,onFriday, November 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Avisitation will be held at thefuneral home beginningat1:00 p.m. Familyand friends may sign in theonline guestbook at www.resthavenbat onrouge.com.

Aresident of Baton Rouge,Louisiana, Cooky passed away peacefullyat home on November 15, 2025. Shewas 82 and anative of Gibsland, Louisiana. Born on December 12, 1942, she wasa graduate of Gibsland High School and LSU. Cooky was preceded in death by parents,Colton Pennington Shaffer and Mary Frances Shaffer, sister, Anita Kaye Shaffer, brothers, Vernon (Buck) Shaffer (Bobbie) andHarvey(Harv) Shaffer (Sue). Sheissurvivedbyher husband of 63 years, William M. Coffey, children, Pamela CoffeyWilliams (Ben), Blake Coffey (Laura), two grandchildren, Juliaand Colton Coffey, sister,Joyce Lilly(Roy, dec.)and anumberofnieces andnephews. Cooky wasemployed as a bookkeeperbySchool Aids for28years. Amember of First United Methodist Churchfor over 50 years, she wasactiveinUnited Methodist Women (UMW), CovenantSundaySchool Class, Church Council, and Board of Trustees. As a member of the Mission OutreachCommittee she participated in that arm of thechurch by sharing God'slove in Cambodia, SouthAfrica, andKenya. Shewas aUMW Circle leader formanyyearsand participated as long as she wasphysically able. Visitation will be at First United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge,from10:00 to 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 20th, immediately followed by theservice and inurnment at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 930 North Blvd,Baton Rouge,LA, 70802.

DiannaSue Gaudin Gros, born in Baton Rouge on October22, 1947, died on November 15, 2025. She wasa 1965 graduate of St AnthonyHigh School in Baton Rouge.She was retired, butshe wasonce the co-ownerofGrosCorner, Inc. in Ethel, LA. Sheand herhusbandPaulran the conveniencestore for twenty years. Diannaalso workedfor thehighway departmentfor six years before sheand Paulwere married, on November 8, 1969. Shealso worked threeyearsasacashier at LeBlanc'sgrocery in Zachary(nowRouses).

Sheissurvived by her son, Bryan Paul Gros and hiswife Lisa of Norwood, LA; asister Marie Odille

Gros, Dianna Sue Gaudin 'Diane'

Jr., James Michell 'Jim'

Burton, Mary Ann Guercio

Finalet, MartaOtazo

Marta OtazoFinalet passedaway on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the age of 81. Shewas born on November 14, 1944, in Havana, Cuba, to thelate Marta Tellechea Otazoand Oscar Otazo.

(Odie) GaudinClaxton of Natchez, MS; anephew and godchild, Eric Bourgeois of Atwell, GA; two nieces Jamie Gaudin Fowler and Bonnie Gaudin, both of Baton Rouge. Sheis also survived by her grandchildren: Devin Gros and his wife Anna and first great-grandbaby Chandler, expecting second great in May 2026; Aydan Gros and partner Camryn of Slaughter; Laney Fleming of Slaughter; Dylan Fleming and fiancé Hannah of Slaughter; Madison Crowell of Zachary; Dace Kelly Lambert of Norwood. Also survived by her fourlegged granddogs: Max, Buster, Murphy,Cooper Blue Bell, Shadow, Zoey Biscuit, Luna, Romeo, Tyson, Gremlin, Bleu, and Scout.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Allen and Ethel Mae Gaudin; husband Whitney Paul Gros; daughter Cammie Lynn Gros; brother John Gaudin; special cousin Wanda Kay Bailey Soileau.

She was amember of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Zachary. There will be a visitation on Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 10:00 am until funeral services at 12:00 noon. She will be placed with her husband at Hillcrest Cemetery Mausoleum in Baker Friends wishing to make memorial donations in her honor may make them to the Heart Association, St. Jude Research Hospital, and the Kidney Association. Share memories and condolences at www.Charl etFuneralHome.com.

Albin "Major" Hebert peacefully passed away in his sleep on November 17, 2025. He was born in New Roads, LA where he lived most of his life. He spent his final 11 years in New Orleans, LA. Major was a beloved brother, husband, fatherand friend. He joined the United States Air Force and became apilot before returning to LSU and graduating with aB.S in Architectural Engineering. Major worked as an architect and contractor for over 50years, designing and building numerous custom homes in the area, along with several commercial buildings. His first jobwas with legendary architectA.Hays Town, whichinfluenced his architectural styling. He took immense pride in every project he would undertake, ensuring that they were built properly. He was an avid LSU sports fan and duck hunter. Major is survived by his daughter Kathy of New Orleans sons David (Amy) of Baton Rouge and Johnny (Wendi) of Zachary, grandchildren Ella, Alexis,Gunnar and Sandra Grace and sisters Judith Stevens of Florida and Peggy Vosburg of New Roads. He is preceded in death by wife Patricia Neck Hebert, son AlbinMajorJr, wife Sandra Roberts Hebert, parents Lester and Judith Major Hebert, brother Lester Hebert, Jr. and sister Estelle Gosserand. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude for the patience, kindness and dedication of all the caregiverswho made Major's final journey more comfortableand peaceful We want to especially thank Lody Cook whose dedication and personal touch meant the world to him and our family. Visitation will be held at Niland's Funeral Home in New Roads, LA on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm and Friday November 21, 2025, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. The Mass of Christian burial willfollow at St. Mary's Catholic Churchat12:00 noon. The entombment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Pallbearers: Lester Hebert, III, Phil Gosserand, Rex Vosburg, Greg Town, Byron Neck and James Laurent, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers: Bill Stevens and Jim Moore.

Hebert, Mary Lee

Mary LeeHebert, 78, a native of Donaldsonville andresident of Baton Rouge,LA, passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025. Shewas adevoted wife, mother,grandmother,sister,and friend. She leaves behind hercherished husband of 56 years, Marvin Hebert; son, JasonHebert (Cherie); grandchildren Claire (Jason) and Blaine; sister Jo AnnSmith;sisterin-lawGeorgiana Rome; her loyal dog Penny; and a multitude of family and friends.She devoted her lifetolovingher family and friends with allher heart. When shewasn'tregaling everyone with herfishing talesand thefriendlyreminder that shecaughtthe biggestfishinthe lake,she enjoyed showingoff her dancemoves,painting birdhouses,playing Pokeno, and making lasting memories with loved ones. She'spreceded in deathby her parents,Camille and Bonnie"Libby" Rome, brother and sister-in-law Anthony "Tony"Rome (Marlene),brother Ronald "Ronnie"Rome, and brother-in-lawSteve Smith.Special thanks to thestaff of PinnacleHospice andThe Crossing fortheir care, support, andkindness. Family andfriends are invitedtoattend thevisitation at St.Jude theApostle Catholic Church,9150 Highland Rd.,Baton Rouge, LA 70810, on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 9:30AMto11AM. Mass of Christian Burial will be heldat11AMwitha private entombment to follow. In lieuofflowers,memorial donations maybemadeto St.Jude theApostle Catholic Church,Baton Rouge, LA

LeBlanc, MelindaBringol

MelindaBringolLeBlanc, belovedwifetoher husband Darrelfor over 24 wonderfully blessed years, departed forher eternal restingplace on Sunday, November 16, 2025. After her retirementfromthe State of Louisiana,she went on to receive her certification in Spiritual Direction from the Archdiocesan SpiritualityCenter in New Orleans.She holdsa Masters of Pastoral Studiesdegree from Loyola University. Melindawas aspiritual directorinthe diocese of Baton Rouge, LA, where she offered individual direction,group direction, retreats, and prayer. Melindaservedon the board of the Louisiana Association of Spiritual Directors. She considered it a blessing to be apartof others' spiritualjourneys. She was born in NewOrleans on August 11, 1955, and movedtoBaton Rouge over 40 years ago. Sheis precededindeath by her parents,IvoryBringoland Audrine SmithBringol Delarosa, and byher stepfather,Richard Delarosa.She is survived by her husband Darrel; her sister,Dianne Foster (Herschel); her niece, KrissySagona (Nick); great-niece, Grace Sagona; great-nephew, Alex Sagona; stepdaughter, Devon LeBlanc Reeves (Mike);fourgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous beloved cousinsand dearfriends. She was amemberofSt. Patrick Parish, where she servedasa Communion and home-bound minister and RCIA director.Serving as pallbearerswill be: Mike Reeves, Bruce Bales, CharlesTramonte, Nick Sagona, Oliver Thomas, and Claude Snoody. Honorary pallbearerswill be Corey Bouquetand Randy Lore. Visitation will be on Thursday, November 20, 2025,from 10:30am until Mass of ChristianBurial at 12pm. Burialwill follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. In lieu of flowers, please consider adonation in Melinda's memory to: Women's NewLifeCenter in Baton Rouge, Archdiocesan Spirituality Centerin NewOrleans, or the Pul-

Monies, LindaLeddy

For God so lovedthe world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish butmight haveeternal life.John 3:16 Linda LeddyMonies, a resident of BatonRouge and former resident of Arabi,LApeacefullypassed away in her home surrounded by her family on Friday, November 14, 2025, at theage of 84. Linda was thedaughterofthe late James B. Leddy and Mirian Cannon Leddy.She was preceded in deathbyher husband, DonaldP.Monies to whom she was married for62years. She is survivedbyher threechildren,Leslie Bodenheimer (Raymond, Jr.), Paul Monies (Beth), and JeaneenSchmitt (Glenn); eight grandchildren, Rachel Sellhorn (Jeremy), JacobBodenheimer, Sasha James (Alexis), Dylan Monies,Brian Schmitt, Adam Schmitt,Kyle Schmitt,and Caroline Monies;and twogreat grandchildren, AudreyReid and BenjaminReid. She is also survivedbyher belovedbrother Gerald J. Leddy(Angél), twosistersin-law RubyUhle and Bessie Senac, and many cousins,nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She will be deeply missed but leavesbehind alegacy of faith, love,strength, and compassion that liveson in allofus. Linda was adevout Catholicand an active parishionerofSaint GeorgeCatholicChurch. Her faithled her to always find thegoodinothersand bring comfort and help to those in need. She formed astrongcommunity of friends withinthe church and enjoyed participating in thewomen'sprayer group, serving thechurch and local retirementcommunityasa Eucharistic Minister, and beinga part of thechurch cleaning team each Monday following morning mass. She knew thepowerofprayer and was committed to praying forthose in need as part of theprayer line team. She wasalso devoted to therosarywhich was asourceofstrength. Linda was alongtime employee of ExxonMobil until her retirementin2003. Visitation willbeheldatSt. George Catholic Church on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 10:30AM- 12:00PM followedbya mass of Christian burial and interment at thechurch cemetery (7808 St. GeorgeDrive, BatonRouge,LA70809). In lieu of flowers,the family requests memorial donations be madetoSt. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge (P.O. Box127 Baton Rouge 70821-0127). Avisitation willbeheldfrom 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM on 2025-11-21 at St. George CatholicChurch ,7808 St GeorgeDr. Amass of christian burialwillbeheldat 12:00 PM on 2025-11-21 at St.GeorgeCatholicChurch, 7808 St GeorgeDr.

Melvin Stansberry, Sr. departedthislifeonSaturday, November 1, 2025 at Our Ladyofthe Lake Hospital at theage of 91. He was preceded in deathby his wife: Ruth; twosons: Gerald and Melvin Jr.; one daughter:Brenda; one grandson: Jamal;and one granddaughter:Dalana. Melvinwas bornonApril 14, 1934 to theunionof Josephand Lucille Stansberry. He married his beautiful bride,Ruth Watkins Stansberry, and raised their childreninBatonRouge,Louisiana. He served in theArmy, and he worked forthe USPS and retired after 34 years of dedicatedservice. In addition, he was amember of theAARP-Scotlandville Chapter1828. He lovedto bowl. He is survived by 6 children, 17 grandchildren, 2brothers, and ahost of otherrelatives. Familyand friends are invitedtoattendthe viewing and service on Friday, November 21 2025 at Elm ParkBaptist Church, located at 5150 Landis Drive,Baton Rouge,LA70812. Viewing at 9amuntil services at 11 am conductedby PastorBarry L. Guy.

Please visit sealefuneral.com for the full obituary. Avisitation will be held from9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on 2025-11-21 at First Baptist Denham Springs, 27735 LA-16.

Afuneral service will be held from11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on 2025-11-21 at First Baptist Denham Springs, 27735 LA-16.

Deborah "Debbie" Hidalgo Vidrine, 74, anative of Thibodeaux, LA, anda resident of NewRoads, LA, passedaway on November 15, 2025. Debbie was precededindeathbyher belovedhusband, Stephen C. Vidrine,and herparents, ArthurHidalgo andEsther Morvant. She is survived by herdaughters, Michelle (Brent) Munsonand Dawn (Michael) Noone;and her cherished grandchildren, Taylor (Dalton)Morrison, Katelyn (Tyler) Harp, Emily Stevens,and Nicole Stevens.Debbie wasalso blessed with great-grandchildrenwho broughther immensejoy:Madeline Taylor,Anthony Bourgeois, and Palmer JamesMorrison. Sheisalso survived by herbrothers, Wendell (Janie)Hidalgo, Brennan (Yvette) Hidalgo, andGerard (Gwen)Hidalgo. Family andfriends are invited to honor Debbie's memory duringvisitation at RabenhorstFuneral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge,LA, on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. untilthe Celebration of Debbie's Life at 11:00 a.m. Debbie will be remembered for thelove she shared withher family andthe lastingimpact she left on all whoknewher

Lisa Beck White, 69, of Baton Rouge,LA, passed away on November 16, 2025. Shewas born in Litchfield, Illinois, and grew up in Springfield, "Missour-uh," as shealways fondlypronounced it andlater in Mansfield, Louisiana. Lisa is survived by her loving husband, Colonel Bryan White; herson, Mullins, Clemon Lamar

Aceremony celebrating thelife of ClemonLamar Mullins willbeheld on Friday November 21, 2025, at Comite Baptist Church, 12250 Greenwell SpringsRoad, Baton Rouge, 70814; visitation willbegin at 12 noon until time of serviceat2:00 pm Graveside servicewillbe held at 10:00 am Friday at Louisiana National Cemetery withMilitaryHonors. Mr. Mullins was born on June 22, 1943, and rested fromthis life on November 12, 2025. He was adevoted husband, loving father, proud Marine,and afaithful servant of theLord. Arrangementsinthe care of www.churchfunera lservices.com

Barbara Joyce Bridges Talbot (Bobbie), astrong caring personwho loved her church, family and friends passed away on November 15, 2025 at the ageof98. She was surrounded by people who lovedand cared for her. She was born in Pleasant Hill,Louisiana on February 20, 1927 during the great depression and moved to PointeCoupeeParish as a child where she spent the rest of herlife.She was preceded in deathbyher belovedhusband, Norbert in 1982 forcing her to face life's challenges without her soulmatefor the past 43 years. She also dealt with thepainoflosing a childwhen her son, Steven, passed in 2022 as well as thepassing of hermom, dadand 4siblings. Bobbie obtainedher nursing degree from Our Ladyofthe LakeHospital where she workedfor several years before taking her patient careskills to theBeamon& O'NealClinic in Maringouin. In addition to taking care of thesick and needy she was aloving and caring wife, mother, grandmother,and friend. She lovedplaying thecard game Phase Ten and many of herfamily and friendshaveembracedthe game as well and play it at family gatherings. She lovedher yard and flowers and was very meticulous aboutits appearance. She wouldoften make thecomment it's so pretty."She was amember of the St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church in Livonia. She is survivedbyfour children; John Talbot (Dianne)ofBullard TX.;Patricia Talbot Major (Andy) of Rosedale, Cathy Melanson of BatonRouge,and Casey Talbot of Maringouin, 13 grandkids, 28 greatgrandkids and 2great, great grandkids. She is also survivedbyher daughter inlawSandra Dohmann Talbot. Visitation willbeheld on Thursday, November 20, 2025 from9:00 am followed by afuneral mass at 11:00 am and will be held at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church in Livonia. Internment willtakeplace at the church cemetery following themass. Pallbearers will Nick Weber-Zazzu, Lawson Nichols, Drew Major,Eric Major, Brady Hurdle, Chad Hughes, Sawyer Hughes, and Jonathan Talbot.The family wishes to thank all of herfriends and neighbors who she referred to as "herpeople"for keeping awatchful eyeonher particularlyasher health begantofail. Aspecial thankstoher sitters, especiallyHolli,Tiffany,Kierra, Allison and Kaneisha who lovedand cared forher like family

Joseph "Joey" Beck, and hiswife Mary Margaret; herstepson, Chandler White, andhis wife Lauren; andher greatest joys, her grandchildren—Mary-Anna "Peanut" Beck, Pierce Beck, and John Rawlings White—who lovingly called her"Lili";and herbrother Tom Herd(Susan). Sheis preceded in death by her parents, Carol andMarianne LenoirHerd; herparents-in-law, Carol and Mack White; herspecial uncleand aunt, Kermie andCelesteValentine;and aspecial familyfriend, Chase Jarreau Lisa hadanextraordinary ability to trulylisten. Sheoffered wise,thoughtfuladvice to everyonewho soughther out, andshe wasa loyal andtrusted friendtosomany. Shewas known for hersharp wit andhumor—nomatter the moment,she always had theperfect comeback ready. She wasalso a proudcharter memberof thePool Pals, acherished group of friends she adored. Aboveall,she lovedher familydeeply. Hergreatest joywas her grandchildren; even on her hardest days, she would getdown on thefloor to play with them,laugh with them,and care for them—being their"Lili" washer happiest role.She wasa patient, devoted, andloving wife,and she and Bryan shared ajoyful, playful relationship filled with laughter, insidejokes, andanunwaveringbond. Visitation will be held from9:00-10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, at OurLady of MercyCatholic Church,445 Marquette Avenue,Baton Rouge,LA. A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge,LA. Pallbearers will be Alvin Burton,Brian Langford, Ben Langford,DrewValentine,Eli Fryday, and Ryan Sullivan In lieu of flowers, the familyrequestsdonations be made to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.The familywould like to extend special thanks to Dr.Daniel Lavie, Dr.Konstantin "Kos" Kovtun,and Dr. John Tabor, alongwith thecompassionate team at Mary BirdPerkins CancerCenter, for theirexceptional care andsupport. Please visit www.greenoaksfuner als.comtoleavecondolences for thefamily.

Thompson, Jessie Dee

Vidrine, Deborah Hidalgo 'Debbie'

Talbot, Barbara Bridges

Hebert, Albin 'Major'

School districts should prepare as AI tests limits of discipline

Aschool disciplinary case out of Thibodaux seems at once unfathomable and yet all too familiar: A13-year-old girl bullied by classmates was herself expelled when she lashed out and hitone of her tormentors. The twist here is that the girl was the victimof acampaign of harassment in which deepfake nude photos of herwere shared amongher classmates. Deepfakes are images generated by AI that are often indistinguishablefrom real images. In the Thibodaux case, the boy who created theimages was charged with10counts of disseminating explicit images of another person created by artificial intelligence, according to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.More students could be charged.

Bullying has long been aproblem that schools must wrestle with. But in the age of AI, we worry that teachers and administrators are not preparing for the onslaught of issues that this technology adds tothe mix. These deepfakes are easily created by any middle schooler with average tech skills using widely available apps, and the psychological distress they can cause before school officials have time to respond is very real.

That appears to be what happened on Aug. 26 at Sixth Ward Middle School in Lafourche Parish. The girl, whose name has not been released, reported the deepfake images toaguidance counselor and the principal of the school. Here’swhere the school and thedistrict could have made different choices had they had tools to understand truly what was going on —and to intervene before things got out of hand. The principal did order the school resource officer to investigate, but meanwhile, the photo continued to spread. When the photo was shared on the school bus that afternoon, she lunged at and struck one of the group of around six boys who were passing it around. She was expelled from campus for at least 45 days. After her family appealed, she was allowed to return. District officials have defended the expulsion, and while some punishment may have been warranted, this was clearly excessive. And shamefully,there isnoaccount of what consequences, if any,were faced by the boys whoshared the photos.

The culture of “boys will be boys” is nothing new,ofcourse. Yet, these deepfake images can cause lasting injury,and schools would do well to take the problem seriously.That’s why we areencouraged that agroup of education leaders statewide is meeting on AI todiscuss how to disseminate best practices among districts, including how to teach students how to use these tools responsibly and ethically AI isn’tgoing anywhere, and we hope the next time adistrict faces asituationsimilarto the one in Thibodaux, it won’treact using the old playbook. As the sources and methods of bullying evolve, so must the policies to combat them.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

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Thrive proposalsset abad precedent

I’m concerned that Mayor-President Sid Edwards and the Metro Council may get thewrong message from Saturday’sdefeat of the three Thrive tax propositions.

Ivoted against all three because Icould not support thepractice of takingpart of dedicated funds to pay for other priorities. Ibelieved that if voters approved Thrive, we could expect to see more of what to me looked like fiscal hostage-taking.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library System has been an excellent steward of the funds voters elected to dedicate to it.The money thelibrary saved to pay for future capital improvements without the need to issuebonds is evidence of that. Taking someofthat money to pay down theparish’sdebt was not somethingIwas willing to support with my vote.

As someonewith aparticular interest in public health, Ialso strongly support the parish’sMosquito Abatement and Rodent Control

program as well as the Council on Aging,but again was not willing to contribute to setting aprecedent of asking voters to fund these essential services withaprovision to takea portion of the funds (as much as half in the case of mosquito abatement) for other priorities.

Istrongly urge theMetro Council to put dedicated millages forthe library,mosquito abatement and the Council on Agingback on the ballot in spring 2026 without any rededications. Additional funding needed by theparish should be put to avote as aseparate, dedicated millage for that purpose, accompanied by adetailed plan for how that money will be spent Iamnot anti-tax. I, along with manyother East Baton Rouge Parish residents, am against funding theparish’sneeds the way Thrive proposed to do it:“Vote formymoney grab, or the library gets it.”

BEATRICE WINKLER Baton Rouge

Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ Thrive tax package was handily rejected by citizens whowere concerned about taking funds (rededicating) that were already designated through previous tax votes foruse in other areas of government. Do not send this back to us in another fashion during another vote. The people have spoken. Save us the expense of rerunning the plan in some distant, costly election. Live within your meansand stop reaching forrenewals. A 10-year tax plan takes on alifeofits own through renewal after renewal. Take apartment dwellers out of the renewal process and only allow property owners to vote. Seemslogical and equitable to me.

BUTCH PENO Baton Rouge

If East Baton Rouge Parish is in financial trouble, whydoMovEBR projects continue? Yes, Iunderstand that projects like these have been in the works for years, but EBR has had budget issues foryears as well. Yes, Iunderstand that EBR is probably getting federal or state matching funds forthese projects, but if we’re broke, does that really matter?

Iseldom watch sports, though a good contest is interesting. Iwas surprised when my fellow players elected Sid Edwards, acoach, as mayor-president of Baton Rouge. He has madesome rookie errors.

First,hedoesn’tseem to have a playbook, which indicates someone else may actually be calling the plays. That can alienatethe fans, and they begin leaving thestadium at half-time.

Second, he telegraphed his next move, like when he indicated in an election several months ago that the EBR library has too much money Unbeknownst to him,there are lots of players in East Baton Rouge Parish who love to read. My kids, who are now in their 50s, have been going to the library since they read Dr Seuss 50 years ago.

Third, he didn’texplain to the team thepurpose of this newest play.Therefore, we misunderstood what the play was about. There

were terms like “St. George” and “general purposes.”Wedidn’tknow if we were to go out for a“pass” or block for arun. As it turns out, it seemed tobearun, but we passed! Fourth, he must be truthful. He can’tafford to even seem to veer from thestraight-and-narrow,as there are too many politicians who are lying to us these days. The team has gotten smart

Maybe he can tryagain, with a view of Saturday’sdebacle as a prelude to practice. He has to bring his playbook and teach it to us. He can’tuse someoneelse’splaybook. He must be careful what he says. He must be bothtransparent and truthful; theteam is watching and listening. This is not football; there’salot moreatstake. Good luck, Coach Mayor.We’ll be watching.

RONNEWTON Baton Rouge

The new Sherwood Forest Boulevard sidewalks are agood example of “who’s minding the store?” Mayor-President Sid Edwards gets apass on that, but what about the Metro Council? Who actually asked forwide sidewalks on Sherwood Forest, anyway?

JOHN SINGLETON Baton Rouge

It wasunfortunate that only 19% of East Baton Rouge voters turned out to reject Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ Thrive plan. Although anything that deals with taxes has ahard time being approved, perhaps alarger share of voters would have given adifferent result. DoesLouisiana —and the U.S. —need to follow the example of such nations as Australia and Chile in requiring everyone to vote?

HENRYBRADSHER Baton Rouge

Landry

We have New Orleans MayorLaToya Cantrell. We have New Orleans Mayorelect Helena Moreno. Maybewehave New Orleans Mayor-wannabe Jeff Landry,too.

In aMonday interview on FoxNews, Louisiana’sgovernor seemed to speak on behalf of all residents in the city of New Orleansthe way he answered aquestion posed by“America Reports” host Sandra Smith: Will New Orleans welcome U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents —an apparent reference to the Border Patrol agents whoare reportedlyheadingour way?

“Absolutely,” the guv responded without ananosecond of apause.

“When ICE is ready,wecertainly welcome them to comeintothe city and be able to start taking someofthese dangerous criminal illegal aliens offof our streets, and we’ve got aplace toput them at Angola.”

He was referencing Louisiana Lockup, an immigration-specific detention center he created at theLouisiana State Penitentiarywith the help of his old pal from their days in Congress, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The penitentiary,AKA Angola, and lockup,AKA Camp J, are part of anationwideimmigrationlockup system.

With the use of Freedom of Information Act requests, the ACLUfoundout earlierthisyearthat the Trumpadministration was up to no good as it pushed to expand immigration detention facilities with as much as $45 billion.Asthe ACLU said months ago, “including at facilities notorious for misconductand abuse.” Can we say Angola?

So NewOrleans is going to be used to fillthese cots? Feelstakeover-ish to me. It wasn’t that longago that Landry said the State of Louisiana would help NewOrleans get out of itsend-of-theyear fiscal mess with LouisianaBond Commission approval only after using “all necessary measures tothoroughly review the city’sfiscal affairs and, if deemed necessary,appoint afiscal administrator.”

That feels like atakeover move to me. Fortunately,that move was averted with adeal to have the state’slegislative auditor monitor the booksconnected to a$125 million loan that the commission only approved.

During arecent interview on

WBOK’s “Good Morning Show,” which Ihost, thegovernor professed to know what’sgood for New Orleans.

“No governor has spent moretime in the city of New Orleansthan myself,” he said. “I’m working to trytomake the city of New Orleansa better,more hospitable place so we can attract peopleand businesses and folks can feel safe in that city.”

Landry and othersgive the impression that New Orleansisa crimeriddled city,unlike other partsofLouisiana. In reality,there are Louisiana cities and parishes with worse crime problems.

Now New Orleansmay be painted as even more dangerous, as the guv and hisfriendsinWashington argue that illegal immigrant criminals in New Orleans need to be picked up and locked behind bars in Angolabecause they’re the “worst of the worst.” But some are citizenswho haven’tcommitted crimes.

“People around Louisiana want their communities to be safe, irrespective of whether it’s criminal illegal aliens conducting violence or American citizens or Louisiana citizens,” Landry toldFox News. “If you go out there and break the law,we’re gonna put youinjail.”

Iagree, but why issue threats where there’snoevidence of problems?

Lastyear,the governor drew rebuke from many in New Orleanswhen his

people suggested that the way to fix all that bothers so manyNew Orleanians was for the state of Louisiana to take over the New OrleansSewerage &Water Board. Don’tremember? Look at thereport.

That felt like atakeover idea to me.

Time after time, Landry says things —and does things—that sure make it seem like he wants to takeover the state’sbiggest economic contributor

So, when Ihad achance to ask thegovernor directly about that, Idid.

“Ohno, no, no. Ican promise you Ido not want totake over the City of New Orleans. Inever did. Iwant the city of New Orleanstofunction well …” Landry told me that even if the city needed afiscal administrator,it wouldn’tbehis choice; it would be up to theattorney general, thetreasurer and the legislative auditor “Even under theworst-case scenario, thegovernor can’ttake over the City of New Orleans, so Idon’tthink anyone has to worry about any of that if that’s what they’re concerned about,” he added.

Maybe not.But he carries abig stick, and how he frames things matters. Should we believe him?

Yes—when he stops threatening the city,and startsacting less like apredator and more like apartner

Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

Americansare going to geta little healthier

President Donald Trump cutdeals with the drugmakers Eli Lilly andNovo Nordisk to increaseaccesstoobesity drugs in amajor benefittoAmerican public health.

The agreements are awinwin-win —good for consumers, good for the companies andgood for Trump.

One of the most irrational superstitions of ourtime is thatBig Pharma, which has long been routinely delivering near-miraculous therapeutics to extend andimprove our lives, is apublic enemy.Its latest breakthrough is aclass of so-called GLP-1 drugs thatmake it easierto lose weight, andtoavoid associated serious health problems, fromType 2diabetes to heart disease.

The basic dynamic of the Trump deals is thatthe companies will, through lower prices, expand their market share, thus generating more revenue.

The companiesalso gettariff reliefand expeditedreviewfor select drugs.

Health andHumanServices secretaryRobertF.Kennedy Jr., the MAHA leader with a paranoid streak about modern medical advances,has been hostile to GLP-1 drugs, the most famous of which is Ozempic, sold by Novo Nordisk.

If everyone could do as many pushups and pullups as the hyper-fit 71-year-old Kennedy, perhaps we could turn ourback on GLP-1s. Certainly,RFK Jr.iscorrect that Americans should eat betterand work out more. But our body mass index hasbeen increasing for about 150 years, as we’ve made caloriescheaper and more abundant over time. As it happens, the things thatwelike to eatordrink thatare bad for us —fastfood,soda, chips, cookies— are cheap,convenient andtaste good

Evenifwemanagetoconvincepeople that theyshould eat more fruit, vegetables andlegumes, while taking aPeloton classevery day, noteveryone is going to do it as amatterof lifestyle constraints, individual preference or simple lack of willpower

There’s also the fact that once youput on weight, physiological changesmakeitmore difficult to shedit.

About 40% of Americans are obese. Wouldn’t it be great for them —and for American societyatlarge,whichspends roughly $170 billion ayear on obesity-related medical costs —if there were asafe, relatively convenient way for themtoslim down?

The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City mayor set off—for his fanbase, anyway —greatexpectations of amore “affordable” city. But the democraticsocialist hasn’tevenbeen sworn in, and some of his marquee promises are already history Start with freebuses. For acity dependent on public transportation, free buses are anice idea but also abad idea.Fares pay for the buses,and even if youplug that hole with anotherrevenue source, free buseswould siphon ridersfromthe subways, in effect defunding them. Mamdani spun visions of thestate raising taxestocover the $700 million in lost fares or find the dough elsewhere. New York Gov.Kathy Hochul says she’snot interested in either notion. The governor’ssupport is essential: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority,which runs most of the region’smass transit, is astate agency Barring the unforeseen, thefree bus idea has left the terminal. Affordable housing? All opposed, raise your hands. Now define it ina New York (or San Francisco) context The cost of living in New York City has always been high. It’shighbecause the demand is intense and thesupply is limited for obvious reasons. It’s not Dallas or Omaha with prairies to sprawl into.It’sdensely built andmostly hemmed in by bodies of water At some point, people whowant cheaper housing or more space need to move to places that actually offer it. Generations of New Yorkers have done

that, with many moving back when their kids are grown. Even within theNew York metropolitan region, there are lower living costs than in thechoice partsofManhattan or brownstoneBrooklyn. Butthe Gen-Z professionals who power Mamdani demand thehot urban scenes while also fuming at the $20 their hip hangout charges for amartini. They should be mindful that Mamdanihas yet to propose government-run cocktail lounges. Also, there’snolaw against mixing drinks athome. It’snot true that therents only go up. They have historically dropped during crises: after the9/11 terrorattack, during the 2008 financial meltdown and very much in the COVID pandemic’s grip. Mamdani could createcrises, reducing demand for New York City. His attacksonthe New York Police Department have created fear of acrime wave. Andhis vows to raise taxes on al-

ready highly taxed rich residents could cause an exodus of businesses and with them, jobs from the city That said, building moreresidential unitswhere construction makes sense would be helpful. Butbulldozing cherished neighborhoods for apartment blocks is sure to clash with quality-oflife concerns. Thus, one of Mamdani’sproposals crashedfaster than the Hindenburg He wanted to build “affordable elderly housing” on acommunity garden in the Nolitaneighborhood. The Elizabeth Street Garden is an acre of greenery oddly placed statuaryand whimsical paths offering pastoral escape from the hardscaped streetsoflower Manhattan. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams just swooped in and had thecity-owned land designated as parkland. That immediately removed the Elizabeth Street Garden out of Mamdani’sand thedevelopers’ easy grasp. Agood measure of the public’sfeelings on the subject could be found in thecomments following aNew York Times article aboutAdams’ move. Usually,any mention of Mamdani instantly rouses his devoted army to defend their hero. This time, support for his plan was virtually nil. Why couldn’the leave one lousy green oasis in lower Manhattan alone?

Mamdani ripped theoutgoing mayor for making his housing project “nearly impossible.” And that raises hope among many longtime New Yorkers that agood number of the new mayor’s other plans will be impossible, and not “nearly.”

Froma Harrop on X@FromaHarrop.

Lo andbehold, here it is. The GLP-1sstarted outasa treatment fordiabetes and have explodedinpopularity as weight-loss drugs. Trump’sreflex to make it easierfor people to obtain Ozempic andthe like —while, not incidentally,boosting his reputation as the nation’s foremost dealmaker —isthe correct one. Drug pricing is complicated,but by expanding the sale of the drugs direct to consumers, the companiescan reduce prices. Meanwhile, Medicarewill do more to cover the drugs, also bringing down their cost.

According to Gallup, about 12% of Americansreporthaving usedaGLP-1 drug at some point forweight loss, astunning increasefrom about6%inearly 2024. Not coincidentally, Gallup is also nowshowing aslight dip in obesity

From2008 —whenthe polling organization regularly beganasking about weight —to 2022, the percentage of obese Americans increased by 14 percentage points, to nearly 40%

Where anynumberoffashionable diets and continual government exhortations for more physical exertionhavefailed(before RFK Jr., Michelle Obama wasurging, “Let’sMove!”), drugs to slowdigestion and reduce the urge to eat areworking. The percentage of Americans using GLP1s will inevitably keepgrowing, especially if prices continue to go down, if more oral GLP1s come online in addition to injectables, and if othermedical benefits of the drugs emerge. GLP-1s easily could match the saturationlevel of statins, the cholesterol-reducing drugs. By allmeans, we should all eat more arugula.Until then, we have found apharmaceutical path to alleviating an ongoing health crisis. Trump andthe drug companies are to be congratulated for their creative cooperationto make it available to more Americans.

Rich Lowry is on X, @RichLowry.

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Gov. Jeff Landry, in background, listens as NewOrleans Mayor-elect Helena Moreno speaks during the Fiscal Review Committee meeting at the State Capitol last week.

Rich Lowry

Froma Harrop

Will Sutton

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO Newyork City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, right, hugsSen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Scooter

LSUshakes off early malaiseto rout Alcorn

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

For the second straight game, LSUhad early strugglesfending off amid-major team.

This time, it was against winless Alcorn State. The Tigers trailed for 14:27 in the first half.

“Wewere sleepwalking out there,” LSU junior point guard Dedan Thomas said The Tigers played more inspired after halftime to overpower their opponent 107-81 on Tuesday at the Pete MaravichAssemblyCenter

“Really wanttogive alot of credit to Alcorn State. Ithought they came out and playedwith incredible energy,” LSU coach Matt McMahon said. “But credit to our players, Ithoughtthey stayed the course. We were able to pound the ball into the paint.”

LSU (4-0) was led by Mike Nwoko with acareer-high 29 points and nine rebounds. Thomas had 16 points and six assists.

Entering the game, LSU was winning by an average of 29.4 points per game, which was second in the Southeastern Conference.

Nwoko, ajunior,made his presence known early as he scored his team’sfirst three field goals. The LSUcenter threw down apairof dunks within the first 60 seconds, then had ahook shot. He went on to make his first seven shots and 12 of 15 forthe game againstAlcorn State (0-6).

“Mike’sbeenfantastic on the offensive end,” McMahon said. “Six offensive rebounds tonight really stood out.”

Alcorn Statewasn’tintimidated by the dunks as it shared the ball effectively and drained 3-pointers.

The Braves showed earlywhy they entered the game second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 3-point shooting (37.5%) They made 4of5shots from beyond the arc to openthe game. They went on an 11-0 run to take a19-12 lead with 14:30 left inthe first half.

Alcorn State’s scoring bursthappened when coachJakeMorton substituted all five starters out of the game at the 18:13 mark.

“Our players did agood job taking them out of their offensive sets through some of our switching,” McMahon said. “What ended up happening now they’re playing one-on-one, and they hurt us some on one-on-one. Their speed bothered us off the dribble.”

The LSU defense didn’timprove when the bench players entered the game. There was a bad sequence when LSU backup freshman point guard Jalen Reece poorly executed ahandoff with fifth-year senior PJ Carter that led to aturnover and fastbreak layup. On the next play,Reecehesitated to run around ascreenaway from theball and sophomoreforward Robert Miller threw the ball out of

ä See MALAISE, page 5C

Taking good with bad

LSU’spursuit of Kiffincomes with some drawbacks

BY KOKI RILEY Staffwriter

Afront-runner has emerged in theLSU football coaching search.

OleMiss coach Lane Kiffin, who is in the midst of leadingthe Rebels to apotential College Football Playoffappearance next month, hasbecome the centralfocus of LSU’ssearch, sources told The Advocate on Monday

The school alsosent aprivate plane to pick up Kiffin’s family in Oxford,Mississippi,onMondaysotheycould fly to Baton Rouge andtour the city.

LSUisn’t theonly school interestedin

ä Kiffindenies OleMissgavehim an ultimatum to make adecision. PAGE 4C

Kiffin. He’sreportedlyatop targetfor Florida, and his family reportedly visited Gainesville, Florida, on Sunday.Kiffin also couldstay at Ole Miss, which is eager to retain acoach whoseled theRebelsto three consecutive 10-win seasons for the first timeinprogram history ButifLSU wins thistightlycontested battlefor Kiffin’sservices, howwould he fit at LSU? Hereare the pros and cons of Kiffin taking the LSUjob.

Like afatherfigure

Pro: Therésumé

Sincehewas hiredatOle Miss aheadof the 2020 season, Kiffin hasled the Rebels to a54-19 record, two New Year’s Six bowl appearances andnearlya trip to theCFP last year if it weren’tfor alate-season loss to Florida. OleMissisalmost alock to make the CFPthis year at 10-1. The Rebels beat LSUback in Week 5, earned acritical road winover Oklahoma afew weeks later,and their onlylosscametoGeorgia on the road by eight points.

See KIFFIN, page 4C

Tigers shooting 47% from 3-pointdistance

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

The LSUwomen’s basketball team doesn’ttake many 3-pointers. It hasn’tsince coach Kim Mulkey took over in 2021, anditisn’tnow, with thefirst five games of the season in thebooks.

Butnoteam in the country is off to ahotter start from beyond the arcthan the No. 5Tigers (5-0), who are both taking and making more long-range shots thantheydid in each of the previous four seasons. Through five games, LSU is shooting 47% from 3-point range —one of thekey reasonsitemerged from itswin at Tulane on Monday with thenation’stop scoring offense.

AlcornState at LSU 7P.M.THURSDAy,SECN+

ä Falcons at Saints. 3:25 P.M. SUNDAy,FOX

Rod Walker

John Beam sat in Soldier Fieldless than amonth agolike aproud father And in away, he was. New Orleans Saintsdefensive back Rejzohn Wright was on one sideline, and Chicago Bears defensive back Nahshon Wright was on the other

While Beam isn’t actually the Wrightbrothers’ dad, he’sbeen there forthem ever sincethey no longer had one

Rejzohn and Nahshon’sfather was shot and killedinDecember 2017. Rejzohn was still in high school at the time. His older brotherwas playing at Laney College in Oakland, California, where Beam was thehead coach “When our dad wasshotand killed, the next morning Beam

Saints defensivebackWrightmournsthe collegecoach whosaved himfrom‘nowhere’ ä See WALKER, page 2C

“It’snot anything that we’re doing differently,” Mulkey said.

But the numbers look different. Maybe it’s merely ahot streak. An early-season mirage. Or perhaps it’sasign this LSU team is abigger threat from 3-point range than each of the first four groupsthatMulkey puttogether during her tenure in Baton Rouge —and thus amore dangerous offensive team all together

The sample size is widening, and theTigers aren’tcooling off.

They’ve alreadydrained 40 3s on just 85 attempts. No Division Iteamthat hastaken morethan 80 shotsfrom beyond thearc is

converting thoselooksata higher rate. The nation’ssecond-most efficient 3-point shooting team (South Alabama) is making 43% of the shots it’staking from long range. LSU has hit at least six 3-pointers in all five games. “I mean,wepractice 3s the same waywehave since I’ve been here, since I’ve been coaching,” Mulkey said. “It might be just betterrecruiting, huh? Bringing in players that can shoot it.” Flau’jae Johnson is 12 of 19 from 3-point range.Mikaylah Williams

LSU,

Ole Miss coach LaneKiffinisinterviewed after his team defeated

in contention for aCollegeFootball Playoff berth, has reportedly become the front-runner

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK LSUguard Mikaylah Williams shoots over Charlotte’sTanajah Hayeslast Wednesday. Williams is 11 of 18 on 3-point shots.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Saints defensiveback Rejzohn Wright, left, and his brother Nahshon Wright, right, flank John Beam, their coach at Laney Collegein California. Beam was shot on Thursday and died aday later

STAFF PHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK

LSU guard Rashad King pressures AlcornState guard Shane Lancaster on Tuesdaynight at the PMAC.

6

Saints eye first NFL game in Paris

BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff writer

The New Orleans Saints are expected to play a regular-season game in Paris, perhaps as early as the 2026 regular season, Saints president Dennis Lauscha said Tuesday Negotiations between the NFL and stadium officials in Paris are ongoing, but Lauscha said he expects them to be finalized soon and an official announcement to come from the league in the next few weeks.

“You might hear in the next couple weeks that we might be having a game internationally and that game may be in Paris,” Lauscha said at the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club on Tuesday “We (the Saints) have the rights to the country of France and Monaco, so that makes so much sense, we think. We’re really excited about that (possibility).”

The NFL never has held a game in Paris, but league officials have expressed interest in playing a game there in recent years. The site would be Stade de France.

NFL commissioner Roger

Flag bearers march during the 2024 Summer Olympics closing ceremony at the Stade de France on Aug. 11 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. The Saints could be in line to play the first NFL game in Paris next season, which would take place in Stade de France.

Goodell has said the league hopes to expand its International Series to eight games next season and potentially double that total by 2030. The series has grown from a single game per year in England in 2005 to a seven-game schedule

in five countries this season.

“We’re working on it,” Saints owner Gayle Benson said last week, when asked about the Saints playing a game and potentially conducting a mini-camp or training camp in France. “We’ve

met with Prince Albert (of Monaco) and talked about trying to do something over there.”

In 2023, the Saints were granted the international marketing rights in France — the first NFL club to select and be awarded the French market — as part of the league’s global markets program.

Benson and linebacker DeMario Davis led a Saints contingent that visited Paris in July to market and promote the team

Earlier this year, the Saints announced a strategic partnership with the Paris Musketeers, who play in the European League of Football, through which the team hopes to grow the American game while also increasing its own brand visibility in France.

An NFL game in Paris next season also would coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States, allowing for more marketing opportunities, Lauscha said.

“A lot of what we’re trying to do is help New Orleans out and highlight our city, particularly to those (people and events) in France,” Lauscha said.

Email Jeff Duncan at jduncan@ theadvocate.com.

Sanders’ debut marred by home break-in during game

BY JOE REEDY Associated Press

CLEVELAND Shedeur Sanders’

uneven performance in his NFL debut wasn’t the only bad thing to happen to him on Sunday

The Browns rookie quarterback discovered Sunday night that his home in Granger Township, a Cleveland suburb, had been burglarized during the game, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Pro Football Talk was first to report the break-in.

No suspects have been identified, the person said.

A statement released by the Medina County Sheriff’s Office to several media outlets said approximately $200,000 in property was stolen from the home.

The release said three people entered the home at 6:46 p.m. ET Surveillance cameras in the home captured video of the suspects en-

tering different parts of the home.

The suspects were wearing masks and gloves and were seen leaving the home just before 7 p.m.

doing this interview Heck, he wouldn’t have been in any NFL locker room

came and woke both of us up,” Rejzohn Wright recalls. “The rest is history.”

Rejzohn ended up following in his big brother’s footsteps and went to Laney, the beginning of a path that eventually led both of them to the NFL.

Beam was proud of his two former players, which is why he made to make the trip to Soldier Field on Oct. 19 when the Bears beat the Saints 26-14.

Little did Rejzohn know that would be the last time he’d ever see Beam, who was shot Thursday on the campus of Laney College and died a day later Now the Wrights have lost both a father and a father figure to gun violence.

Rejzohn reflected on both incidents Monday morning.

“That was a tough time,” Wright said about losing his father eight years ago. “So to have someone that I had never met to wake me up the next day and come get us and tell us he had our back for the rest of our lives, that meant everything. Then for him to actually have been there for us ever since. That’s a one-ofa-kind person.” If it wasn’t for Beam, Wright knows he wouldn’t have been sitting in the Saints’ locker room

Wright missed three months of high school after his father was killed, but Beam gave him a chance. A last chance, which is fitting since Laney was the backdrop for the fifth and final season of the Netflix documentary “Last Chance U.”

There was one lesson that Beam taught Wright that always will stick with him.

“Just be humble,” said Wright, now in his second season with the Saints.

“For me, it was to be humble and to understand that I wasn’t good enough at the time. I was good, but I wasn’t great. He always kept me grounded.”

The relationship with Beam was rock solid, despite the poetic liberty the documentary sometimes took. The documentary itself, though, was a good thing for Wright

“It was a one-of-a-kind experience,” he said. “I was 18 in a bad part of the world driving two hours every day to a junior college. It was unique.

“It put me out there recruiting wise.”

After his time at Laney Wright played at Oregon State. He went undrafted in 2023 but ended up in training camp with the Carolina Panthers. They cut him at the end of camp, and the rest of that season was him working out

Multiple calls and emails to the Medina County Sheriff’s Department seeking details were not returned to The Associated Press.

for teams.

The Saints signed him after the 2023 season. He was placed on injured reserve during the 2024 season after a toe injury but came back and made the team this season.

Wright has played in three games in 2025, with his playing coming on special teams.

But he believes his time is coming. Beam reminded him of that in Chicago.

“He told me to stay focused, stay in it,” Wright said. “He reminded me that I’m taking the steps that I need to become something in this league. Keep staying grounded and eventually it’ll come. Kinda like it did for my brother.” His big brother currently has four interceptions, tied for fourth in the NFL.

One of those four picks came in that game against the Saints with Beam watching. Another one came Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, two days after Beam’s death.

“I gained an angel,” Nahshon told the media after Sunday’s game. “He was watching over me.”

Watching over Nashon and Rejzohn just like he promised he would on that life-changing morning in 2017.

Beam cared about everyone. It’s why tributes from athletes such as Damian Lillard and Maxx Crosby flooded social me-

Texans QB Stroud won’t play Thursday vs. Bills

Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud is still recovering from a concussion and will miss a third straight game when the Texans host the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. Stroud returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since he was injured, but coach DeMeco Ryans said the short week didn’t leave enough time for him to be ready to play

The Texans also will be without safety Jalen Pitre, who will miss a third game also after suffering a concussion in the Nov 2 loss to the Broncos.

Davis Mills will start for a third week after leading Houston to wins over Jacksonville and Tennessee in the last two games to help the Texans (5-5) reach .500 for the first time this season.

Titans lose receiver Ridley to a broken right leg

The Tennessee Titans put wide receiver Calvin Ridley on injured reserve Tuesday after he broke his right leg on their first offensive play Sunday

The Titans signed James Proche from the practice squad to fill the roster spot. They also signed Lance McCutcheon and Kristian Wilkerson to the practice squad.

Ridley finishes his second season with Tennessee (1-9) with 303 yards receiving on 17 catches and no touchdown receptions. Ridley led the Titans with 1,017 yards receiving in 2024.

He caught a 13-yard pass from Cam Ward on the Titans’ first offensive play before being tackled by Azeez Al-Shaair and Calen Bullock. Ridley walked to the sideline where he rode a cart to the locker room with a broken fibula.

Antetokounmpo expected to miss a couple of weeks

Sanders joins a growing list of NFL players whose homes have been burglarized during games.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback

Joe Burrow, Kansas City Chiefs

stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, and New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan have dealt with break-ins since the start of last season.

The highly publicized rookie came into Cleveland’s game against the Baltimore Ravens with 12:43 remaining in the third quarter after Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion.

Sanders completed his first two passes, but not much went right after that. He went 4 for 16 for 47 yards with an interception and was sacked twice, finishing with a 13.5 passer rating as the Ravens rallied for a 23-16 victory Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, is expected to speak to reporters on Wednesday as the Browns begin preparing for Sunday’s game at Las Vegas. Sanders would get his first NFL start if Gabriel does not clear the concussion protocol.

dia.

“Beam had connections everywhere,” Rejzohn said.

Tulane coach Jon Sumrall spent time as an assistant at the University of San Diego and knew Beam from his time there.

“He had a heart for people,” Sumrall said. “He had a presence about him. He could be stern but at the same time, loving and gentle. He had a really cool demeanor I was heartbroken. I still am.”

So are the Wright brothers. During the offseason, they would go back to Laney College and just sit and talk to the guy who was a father figure to them. They’d talk about everything from football to finances.

“He was just a super big part of our lives, even outside of just being a coach,” Rejzohn said. Rejzohn got the bad news Thursday during the Saints’ bye week as he was driving to Georgia. Funeral arrangements haven’t been finalized yet, but he is hoping to attend. He wants to be there for the Beam family just like the Beam family has been there for him.

“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here,” Wright said. “He came and got us out of a funk.” Where would Wright be if it wasn’t for Beam bringing him to Laney?

“I don’t know,” Wright said. “But if we’re being honest, probably nowhere.”

Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers expects Giannis Antetokounmpo’s groin strain to keep the two-time MVP out for “probably two weeks.”

Rivers discussed the injury Tuesday while speaking on the “Courtside with Gale Klappa” podcast. “I don’t know what grade it is, but I know it’s not a bad one, so that’s good news for us,” Rivers said. “But yet still, probably two weeks he’ll be out And we’ll see Hopefully less, but most likely in that area.”

The left groin strain caused Antetokounmpo to leave during the second quarter of the Bucks’ 118106 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.

Rivers said afterward that he believed the injury occurred earlier in the game.

Injured hamstring forces

Alcaraz out of Davis Cup

Carlos Alcaraz will go another year without fulfilling his dream of winning the Davis Cup for Spain.

The top-ranked Alcaraz said Tuesday he’s heartbroken to withdraw from the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, Italy, because of an injured right hamstring.

The decision was recommended by doctors, he said.

“I’m so sorry to announce that I won’t be able to play for Spain in the Davis Cup in Bologna,” Alcaraz said on X. “I have an edema in my right hamstring and the medical recommendation is not to compete.”

He was hurt during last week’s ATP Finals, where he reached the title match before losing to rival Jannik Sinner, and was diagnosed with muscle overload and swelling of his right hamstring.

PGA Tour golfer Perez first this year to join LIV Golf

Victor Perez of France is the first player this year to leave the PGA Tour for Saudi-funded LIV Golf, with the league announcing Tuesday he will join the Cleeks.

Perez had joint membership on the PGA Tour and European tour with three European tour titles. He played only the French Open this year among tournaments that were not on the PGA Tour schedule. His best finish was a tie for ninth in the RBC Canadian Open. He replaces Frederik Kjettrup, who was relegated out of LIV Golf by not finishing in the top 48 on the points list. Perez, who is No. 108 in the

and was in

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SUE OGROCKI

Cleveland quarterback Shedeur Sanders responds to a question during a news conference after the Browns’ game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland on Sunday

SCOREBOARD

Quarter Las—FGCarlson35, 7:55 Dal—FGAubrey 50,5:36 Las—FGCarlson45, 2:02 Second Quarter Dal—Lamb 18 pass from

(Aubrey kick), 14:51. Dal—Ferguson 5pass from Prescott (Aubrey kick), 5:16. Dal—Pickens 37 pass from Prescott (Aubrey kick), 1:10. Las—FGCarlson38, :00 ThirdQuarter Dal—Flournoy2pass from Prescott (Aubrey kick), 6:19. Fourth Quarter Las—Tucker 6pass from G.Smith (Carlson kick), 13:22. Dal—safety,11:39 A—62,625. Dal Las First downs 24 17 Total Net Yards381 236 Rushes-yards31-114 12-27 Passing 267 209 Punt Returns 1-14 2-4 Kickoff Returns

Interceptions Ret.

Comp-Att-Int

Sacked-YardsLost

Punts

Fumbles-Lost

Penalties-Yards

Time of Possession33:36

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Dallas, J.Williams22-93, Davis 4-20, Luepke1-5, Prescott 4-(minus 4).Las Vegas,G.Smith 4-14,Jeanty 6-7,Mostert2-6. PASSING—Dallas, Prescott 25-33-0-268. Las Vegas,G.Smith 27-42-1-238. RECEIVING—Dallas, Pickens9-144, Lamb 5-66, Ferguson 4-16, Luepke 3-36, Spann-Ford 1-4, Flournoy1-2, Turpin 1-0, J.Williams1-0 Las Vegas,Bowers 7-72, Jeanty 6-27,Tucker 4-47, Lockett3-33, Mayer3-13,Mostert 2-7, Thomas 1-20, Bech 1-19 MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. Pro basketball

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

Ivy),21; Sacramento State (7-4,5-2 BigSky),19; Dartmouth (7-2 4-2 Ivy),15; Southern Utah (6-5, 5-2 UAC), 6. College basketball State men’s schedule Monday

Southern womenlean on defense forfirstwin

Jaguarsforce 28 turnoversand block7shots

BY CHARLESSALZER

Contributing writer

The offense was hot and cold for the Southern women’sbasketball team Tuesday night, but its defense was aconstant.

Southern held Tougaloo College to 25% shooting from the field, and the Jaguars cruised in the second half of a67-38 win at the F.G. Clark Activity Center

The win was the first of the season for Southern (1-3), which has played one of the more difficult early schedules of any team in the country.Southern travels to face No. 3UCLA, its fourth Top25opponentofthe season, on Sunday Against Tougaloo, Southern led 26-18 at halftime but pulled away by making 14 of 29 shots in the second half.

“Wedid agood job defensively,” Southern coachCarlos Funchess said. “When you hold ateam to 38 points, you’re supposed to win, but we’ve got to improve offensively. We’re acapable team. We got somegood looks, but we didn’tknock them down.”

The catalyst for Southern was sophomore Jocelyn Tate,who dida little bitof everything. Shehad 13 rebounds, nine points,five steals and three assists. Funchesscreditedher with helping theteamget through asluggish second quarter.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Southerncoach Carlos Funchess calls out directions to his teamduring agameagainst FAMU on Jan. 11 at the F.G. Clark ActivityCenter.Southerndefeated Tougaloo Collegeon Tuesday night 67-38.

minutes.

The Jaguars played without starting point guard Mykayla Cunningham, who sat out with ahand injury She is expectedback for the UCLA game. Demonnie Lagway started in Cunningham’splace and ledSouthern with13 points. Lagway madethree 3-pointers and also handed out three assists. Defensively, Southern forced28turnovers and blocked seven shots in the game. Tougaloo (1-3) scored the first basketofthe third quarter and later trailed just 30-24 three minutes in.The Bulldogs had three chances to get closer,but they cameupempty.After two turnovers andtwo missed shots, they fell furtherbehind.

The game was closeinthe first quarter,and Tougaloo briefly held leads of 4-3 and 8-7. OliviaDelancy gave theJaguars thelead for good at 10-8 when shemade a3-pointer after an assist from Tate.

Southern’sleading scorer Zaria Hurston had early foul trouble and produced only four points. Still, her buzzer-beating shot in the lane as the third quarterended provideda late boost. The shot was confirmed after an official review,and it capped a13-4 run by Southern as it led by 15 points going into the fourth quarter Tougaloo gotnocloser than13pointsinthe closing

Lagway then heated up with two 3-pointers from thetop of the key to extend theJaguars’ edge to 16-8. TheSouthern offense slowed down in the second quarter. Through the first eight minutes, the Jaguars had moreturnovers (six) thanpoints(three), but they finishedwitha flourish.

D’Shantae Edwards scored four pointsand Lagway addedanother 3-pointer in the closing minutes as Southern led 26-18 at halftime.

“I thought we played hard at times, but we weren’t cohesive,” Funchess said.

“Wehad some good practices leading up to this, and Ithought we would play a little better. We’vestill got aways to go.”

You knowhim well.Scotthas been covering LSU since 1992. He is theauthor of three highly acclaimed booksonLSU and was chosen as an LSU Expertfor ESPN’s SEC 150 Documentary

Each Monday,Scottwill puthis thoughts on the last week’sgameand thenextweek’sgame into avideo essayplacing the game in its context anddrawing historical parallels.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Kiffin denies getting an ultimatum from Ole Miss

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin on

Tuesday denied a report that the administration gave him an ultimatum on making a decision about his future.

Kiffin, 50, is a top target for the head coach openings at both LSU and Florida. He has guided Ole Miss to a 10-1 record this season and likely the first College Football Playoff berth for the Rebels.

“That’s absolutely not true,” Kiffin said Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN. “There’s been no ultimatum or anything like that at all. I don’t know where that came from, like a lot of stuff that comes out there

“Like I said, man, we’re having a blast. I love it here.”

The Athletic reported Monday that Ole Miss gave him an ultimatum to decide his future before the Nov 28 Egg Bowl against arch-rival Mississippi State. While Kiffin denied the report, ESPN said Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter asked Kiffin to make a decision by this weekend.

Ole Miss has offered Kiffin a contract extension, according to multiple reports, but it has not yet been signed. McAfee did not ask him any questions about LSU or Florida.

LSU officials arranged a private plane to bring several of Kiffin’s family members, including his exwife Layla Kiffin, to Baton Rouge for them to visit the city Monday sources told The Advocate. They made a similar trip the day before to Gainesville, Florida. Kiffin was

to the 247Sports Composite’s team rankings.

not with them.

“I’m not worried about other stuff,” Kiffin said.

“I’m worried about making sure we win.”

Ole Miss has an open date this week before the Egg Bowl. The Rebels were No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday night

If they are not in the top four of the final rankings, they will likely host a first-round playoff game Dec. 19 or 20.

Kiffin has a 54-19 record in six seasons at Ole Miss. The Rebels have won at least 10 games in four of the past five years, the most successful stretch in program history His overall record is 115-53 across 14 seasons at Tennessee, USC, Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss.

Georgia jumps to coveted No. 4 in CFP rankings

BY EDDIE PELLS AP national writer

Georgia got a boost to No. 4, Ohio State, Indiana and Texas A&M stayed in the top three and, in what is beginning to feel like a weekly ritual in the College Football Playoff rankings, everyone is wondering what the heck might happen to Miami

The Hurricanes were ranked 13th in Tuesday’s playoff reveal — the best Atlantic Coast Conference team and a placeholder in the projected 12-team bracket. But their two conference losses make them a long shot to win the league, and their best chance of getting into the playoff — with an at-large berth hinges on getting some help from above them.

“Miami needs to continue to win the football games they have in front of them, and good things will happen,” said Hunter Yurachek, who took over this week as chair of the selection committee and answered more questions about the Canes than any other team in the rankings.

Clearly, their best chance would be leapfrogging No. 10 Alabama, No. 11 BYU and No. 12 Utah to move into the same section of the bracket as Notre Dame, ranked ninth this week. That, in turn, would make Miami’s win over the Fighting Irish back in August more relevant to the committee, which likes to compare teams in close proximity to each other

Meanwhile, it’s No. 16 Georgia Tech and No. 19 Virginia, each with one ACC loss, that have the best chance to win the conference and the automatic bid into the 12team field that goes with it. Make sense? There are two more Tuesday rankings reveals to position everyone before the official bracket comes out on Dec. 7. The playoffs start Dec. 19, with the title game set a month later just outside where else? Miami.

Conference watch

SEC: Texas plunged seven spots with its not-so-pretty loss to Georgia. The best hope for the SEC to get a sixth team in the field now belongs to Vanderbilt, which seems stuck at No 14. But whose spot would the Commodores take?

Maybe Alabama’s? The Tide teetering right around the bubble and with a game at Auburn on Nov 29 needs to watch it.

Big Ten: Saturday is No. 15 Southern California’s big chance, with a game at No. 7 Oregon. No. 18 Michigan also lingers with that game against Ohio State coming in two weeks.

Big 12: No. 11 BYU and No. 12 Utah are both on the bubble and would presumably need a win over Texas Tech in the title game to give this league two teams. But Commissioner Brett Yormark seems satisfied: “I am thrilled to see the Big 12 Conference getting the respect it deserves,” he said. ACC: Virginia’s best win of the season — at Louisville — got devalued a bit more when the Cardinals lost to Clemson last week Georgia Tech didn’t wow anyone with a last-second win over Boston College (1-10).

Group of Five: At No. 24, Tulane is the third team in three weeks to hold the G5 spot. Power Four games against Duke, Ole Miss and Northwestern help the Green Wave, but they would still need to win the tough American. (Think Navy.) Projected 1st-round matchups No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Texas Tech: This would be their first game since 1971. Their 1960 meeting was a classic showdown between Southeastern and Southwestern Conferences. No. 11 Miami at No. 6 Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin gets to coach against one of the few teams not looking to hire him.

No.10Alabama at No.7 Oregon: Seems strange that these two programs have never played each other No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Oklahoma: Irish beat Sooners 7-0 in 1957 to snap OU’s 47-game winning streak.

Kiffin’s résumé before arriving at Ole Miss is spottier. He had a messy departure from Tennessee after just one 7-6 season, held a middling 10-8 record in his last season and a half at Southern Cal after leading the Trojans to 10 wins in Year 2 — and posted an abysmal 5-15 record in less than two years as the Oakland Raiders head coach.

But if you believe in Kiffin’s reinvention — first as the offensive coordinator at Alabama and then as the head coach at Florida Atlantic before arriving in Oxford — then his recent track record suggests he can lead LSU to national championship-level heights.

Con: High school recruiting

Under Kiffin, Ole Miss has not landed a top-15 high school recruiting class in the nation, according

The Rebels’ highest ranking is 16th, a marker they hit with their 2025 class. Ole Miss’ 2026 class is currently 20th in the nation.

Under Kiffin the program instead has landed most of its top talent through the transfer portal, adding top-five portal classes in each of the last four seasons and the No. 1 class in 2024. But even if the portal always will be a critical part of LSU’s rosterbuilding approach, tapping into the school’s uber-talented recruiting base in Louisiana is an essential aspect of the job. That base is also why Kiffin may have an easier time recruiting high school talent in Louisiana than in Mississippi, where the Rebels have to share the state with Mississippi State and — in comparison to Louisiana — pull from a relatively shallower pool of players. Kiffin does have a track record of signing top10 recruiting classes while coaching in a state that has a plethora of talented high school players. He de-

livered top-three recruiting classes at USC in 2010 and 2011 before signing a top-10 class in 2012.

Pro: Finding, developing QBs Kiffin’s track record of developing quarterbacks and offenses may be second to none, at least at the collegiate level.

At Ole Miss, Kiffin turned Matt Corral into an NFL draft pick, helped Jaxson Dart become a firstround selection this year and is on the verge of making the CFP with Trinidad Chambliss a transfer from Division II Ferris State. Kiffin also coached Matt Barkley at USC, won a national championship with Jake Coker at Alabama and helped develop Jalen Hurts during his freshman year at Alabama in 2016.

Even though those quarterbacks were not Heisman Trophy winners or top-10 picks, Kiffin’s scheme consistently got the best out of each player

Ole Miss has been within the top 30 in the country in scoring every

season under his leadership. USC averaged better than 31 points per contest, and Alabama scored more than 35 points a game each year he led those offenses.

Con: Possible wait, pay

Much of the debate around Kiffin’s candidacy at LSU, Florida or elsewhere revolves around whether that team would have to wait for Ole Miss’ CFP run to end before hiring him.

According to multiple reports, that may not be the case, as Ole Miss reportedly has told Kiffin he must decide on whether he’s taking the LSU or Florida job before the Rebels’ next game against Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl on Nov 28 Kiffin denied that assertion on Tuesday

Even if Kiffin decides to come to LSU before Ole Miss’ last game, the Tigers probably will have to sign him to a massive contract, one that could make him the highest-paid coach in college football.

Sources have told The Advocate

that LSU is willing to pay whatever it takes to bring in the coach it wants, but questions remain as to how a big contract for Kiffin could affect LSU’s ability to spend on its own roster

Pro: Kiffin’s familiarity

LSU senior associate athletic director of football administration

Austin Thomas worked with Kiffin at Ole Miss for two seasons as the program’s chief of staff and sports administrator (2022-23). Additionally Kiffin has worked alongside LSU assistant general manager Kevin Bolden, who was at Ole Miss for three seasons (2022-24) as the Rebels’ coordinator of recruiting strategy

If LSU hires Kiffin, and Thomas and Bolden stay with the program, the Tigers may have a leg up when it comes to putting together their roster for the 2026 season and beyond.

Staff writers Wilson Alexander and Scott Rabalais contributed to this report

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Ole Miss coach

MALAISE

Continued from page 1C

bounds. After the mistakes, the Tigers trailed 25-20 with 10:29 left in the first half

The LSU starters returned to bring some order to the game and recapture the lead after eliminating some of the 3-point looks and getting to the free-throw line. Jalen Reed made a catchand-shoot 3 to give LSU a 4138 lead with 3:07 left before halftime.

It was the Tigers’ first lead since 8-6 with 17:34 left in the first half.

LSU led 50-44 at halftime behind Nwoko’s 12 points and Thomas with 10 points and three assists. Alcorn

State shot 48% from the field and had 10 secondchance points compared to LSU’s 12.

“We just didn’t come out with energy,” Thomas said “Felt we prepared pretty well for this team, but, you know, we just didn’t come out ready to play tonight. But luckily coach got on us at halftime, really got on us and we just picked up in the second half defensively But still we can’t have that happen.”

A trend that helped the Tigers remain in control was their ability to draw fouls. They shot 22 free throws in the first half and finished the game making 31 of 39. Marquel Sutton imposed his will in the second half. The 6-foot-9 forward found

his shooting stroke and pounded the glass, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds for LSU

The Tigers also widened their lead in the second half because they were effective in cleaning up their misses, grabbing 19 offensive rebounds for 30 secondchance points.

Alcorn State shot 38% in the second half and 49% for the game.

LSU’s next game is against Omaha at 7 p.m. Friday in the PMAC. Omaha is Sutton’s former team, where he stayed for three seasons and won the Summit League Player of the Year last season.

Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com

hitting a 3-pointer

LSU

Continued from page 1C

is 11 of 18. MiLaysia Fulwiley the South Carolina transfer who shot just 26% from beyond the arc last season is 8 of 20 (40%) after she drained five 3s in LSU’s win over Charlotte last Thursday

Even freshman guard

Bella Hines has contributed to the hot start. She’s hit a 3 in four of the five games, which means she’ll enter the Tigers’ next matchup Thursday at home against Alcorn State (7 p.m., SEC Network+) with seven longrange makes on 12 attempts.

Last season, LSU didn’t hit its 40th 3-pointer until its ninth game Dec. 1. This team hit that mark in the fourth quarter of just the fifth game.

“We don’t have just one shooter,” Fulwiley said. “I feel like everybody on our team are shooters, and we got a lot of depth, and that gives us more confidence to shoot it because we know that our post player is gonna grab the rebound if we miss, and we can shoot again.”

In its road win over the Green Wave, LSU needed two late free throws to scrape past the century mark for the fifth game in a row, matching the SEC record for consecutive 100-point games that its national title team set in 2022. The Tigers won by 30 points, but they didn’t bludgeon Tulane like they did their first four opponents

The Green Wave, for instance, lost the last three quarters by only seven total points after it fell behind by 23 points at the end of the first quarter. Tulane also

Pelicans rookie guard Peavy

BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

Don’t forget about Micah Peavy

While first-round draft picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen have received most of the ink so far this season for the New Orleans Pelicans, the team’s second-round pick is showing he belongs, too.

Peavy was drafted out of Georgetown mainly for his defensive prowess. But in Monday’s 126-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, his offensive game showed up as well.

Peavy’s previous career-high was just four points. On Monday, he scored 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor

“It felt great,” Peavy said “In practice, I’m shooting and knocking down shots. To finally see it in a game feels good. I wish we could have got a W today, but I got a little positive out of it just getting my confidence up for the next game.”

He will look to carry over that success Wednesday when the Pelicans (2-12) wrap up their five-game home stand against the Denver Nuggets (10-3). The Pelicans have lost six straight games. It’s their second six-game losing skid of the season.

Peavy also had a career-high in assists (four), made 3-pointers (two) and minutes played (24).

“My coaches are telling me to just keep playing with confidence,” Peavy said. “The past few games I had been turning down some shots. They told me to keep going, and I just let it fly today.”

He grabbed four rebounds, one shy of his season-best in that category He played the second-most minutes off the bench, trailing only Jordan Hawkins.

“I thought he came out and gave us great energy,” interim coach James Borrego said. “Crashing the boards. Defensively, he really impacted that game. So I’m really proud of him. He responded tonight and that was a bright spot, for sure.”

As usual he was tasked with coming off the bench and helping guard the opponent’s best player On Monday, it was Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s MVP last season. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 23 points, eight points less than his 31.9 points per game average. Peavy relishes those type of assignments. Peavy leans on Herb Jones for advice on how to guard certain players. Peavy’s locker is right beside Jones’ locker so he’s always asking questions.

“It’s great learning from a defender like him,” Peavy said. “I want to be a first-team defender like he was.”

While Peavy wants to have a Jones-like impact on defense, he desires a Jose Alvarado-type impact off the bench.

“Energy,” Peavy said. “I want to be that spark plug off the bench. I see how Jose goes in and he’s the spark plug, and I want to do that as well. Do whatever it takes to be on the floor and make winning plays. Especially with my defense That’s where I think I can help the team the most.”

Tailgate of theWeek: Purple,goldand partyready –85EauxTigers bringoutsizedfun to LSUgamedays

By Amanda McElfresh,amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

There’snodoubtwhenthe85EauxTigers roll into town foranLSU home game

Asianfusioncuisine,somefor alonger visitand afew drinks

grabbed 15 offensive rebounds the fourth-most LSU has allowed a regularseason nonconference opponent to pull down in the Mulkey era.

The Tigers still won with ease, in part because they drained three of the five shots they took from beyond the arc in the decisive first quarter

“There’s not a perimeter player that we have that is uncomfortable from the 3,” Mulkey said, “and I sit here and I really have to think, ‘We don’t have one perimeter player that the 3 is not in their range.’ Look, they come off the bench, and they’re going to jack it.”

Email Reed Darcey at reed.darcey@theadvocate. com. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate. com/lsunewsletter

The setupinLot 412isone of themost elaborateonthe wholecampus– an inflatablenightclub complete with disco lights andbistro tables,artificial turf,a portable hottub andasurroundsound system to sharegameday jams.And,don’t forget theurinal(privacy is provided by apurpleLSU curtain).OnNovember15, it wasemblazonedwiththe logo forthe ArkansasRazorbacks,theweek’sopponent. The85EauxTigersarriveonThursdays to make sure they have plenty of time to puteverythingintoplace for Saturday gamedays.Ittakes some planning, since some krewemembers live in theFlorida Panhandleand make thedrive to Baton Rouge.The85EauxTigersstartedin2019 andare currentlyled by Mike andTara Arceneaux, Sonnyand BridgetLandingin andBrian andCristinaWilliams, with specialassists from theTaylors,the Ards, theRoneysand theirLot 412neighbors, Tailgating with theMayors.

Tara Arceneauxsaidthere isn’ta limit to howmanypeoplestopbythe 85Eaux Tigers –somefor aquick bite of Cajun-

“Wetakeinasmanypeopleaswecan find,”she said.“It’s allabout family,fun, food andTigers.”

EvenMiketheTigergotinontheaction onetimeinwhatArceneauxsaidisher favorite tailgating memory so far. The mascot stripped down to hisboxersfor a bellyflop into thehot tubtoraise diaper donationsfor achild advocacy center

As they sayontheir Instagrampage (@85eauxtigers), it’s notjust atailgate–it’s an experience

Bally’sCorporation brings Vegas-style gaming andanelevatedhotel experience to BatonRouge with Bally’sBaton Rouge Hotel,TheQueenBatonRouge,votedBest Casino in BatonRouge,and TheBelle of BatonRougeCasino.Thenewlyrenovated Bally’sBaton RougeHotel offers the most suites in thecity. An all-new Bally’s entertainmentcomplex will also debut laterthisyear. Visitwww.ballys.comto learnmore.21+gamblingproblem?Call 1-877-770-Stop

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley celebrates after

against Charlotte last Wednesday.

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSU center Mike Nwoko goes up for a dunk in the first half against Alcorn State on Tuesday night in the PMAC. After trailing much of the first half, the Tigers pulled away to a 107-81 win.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By BUTCH DILL

Pelicans guard Micah Peavy shoots over Oklahoma City guard Ajay Mitchell, left, and center Isaiah Hartenstein on Monday night in the Smoothie King Center

This article is broughttoyou by Bally’s.

LSU gymnastics schedule with times, TV is set

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

The 2026 LSU gymnastics schedule is now fully complete, with meet times and TV network/ streaming designations for each meet.

The Tigers start Jan. 2 with their annual Gymnastics 101 exhibition meet, moved from December for the first time. The meet begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on SEC Network+.

LSU’s regular-season opener will be Jan. 10 in the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad in West Valley City Utah. The Tigers will compete at 3 p.m. on ABC against reigning NCAA champion Oklahoma, Utah and California.

After LSU’s Southeastern Conference opener Jan. 16 at Georgia, the Tigers finally return home to the Pete Maravich Assembly Cen-

ter for their first regular-season home meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23 against Kentucky The meet will be televised on ESPN2, the first of three meets on that network for LSU along with Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. at Missouri and Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. at Oklahoma.

The Tigers’ only meet not streamed or televised will be its appearance in the Podium Challenge, 4 p.m. March 1 in the Raising Cane’s River Center. After a March 8 trip to Florida (5 p.m., SEC Network), LSU concludes the regular season at 7:30 p.m. March 13 against Arkansas on the SEC Network

The Tigers go Tulsa, Oklahoma, on March 21 for the SEC Championships, then return to the PMAC to host their first NCAA regional since 2019 from April 3-5. If LSU advances, the NCAA Championships will again be held in Fort Worth, Texas, April 16-18.

The Tigers shared the 2025 SEC regular-season championship with OU and won the SEC championship meet before going on to be the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA championships for the first time. LSU returns 2025 NCAA vault

leads

Saturday

Reed’s leadership, talent propel No. 3 Texas A&M

BY KRISTIE RIEKEN Associated Press

COLLEGE STATION, Texas Mar-

cel Reed wasn’t always a quarterback.

He got his start in Pee Wee football as the team’s star running back. But it quickly became clear he could throw better than anyone on the team, so they implemented halfback passes for the young Reed

That wasn’t nearly enough to showcase his athletic ability and by fifth grade he moved into the position that made him a star

He knew it was where he was supposed to be all along “It just felt natural, just because obviously I got to touch the ball every play,” he said. “So, who can complain about that?”

Years later, Reed has developed into one of the country’s top quarterbacks and a Heisman Trophy contender as he’s led the third-ranked Texas A&M Aggies to their first 10-0 start since 1992. Charisma and character

Aside from his physical gifts, Reed’s rapport with his teammates has helped him and the Aggies make a big jump in his second year as Texas A&M’s starter

“I have the charisma and the character just to be able to lead people,” he said “I tell people a lot that the way I lead is kind of connecting with all of my teammates, not just on a football level, but just kind of understanding them.”

To that end, he made it a priority to know the names of everyone in the locker room from the stars to the walk-ons. And he’s not simply memorizing names. He works to establish a relationship with each player, something he learned from his father, Rod Reed, a former Tennessee State coach.

“I try to make it known who I am as a person, not just a football player,” he said. Teammates often rave about Reed’s leadership and credit him for much of Texas A&M’s success this season.

“Marcel has turned around this program for sure,” said linebacker Taurean York, one of the team’s three captains. “He’s the leader on the forefront of it and he’s out

there playing his best in the biggest moments and that’s something that you can’t measure.”

He’s also impressed those who have been in his shoes in the past. Jerrod Johnson, the QB at Texas A&M from 2007-10 who is currently the Houston Texans quarterbacks coach, said Reed is everything you want at the position.

“Just his command of the offense, he just looks like he’s in complete control,” Johnson said. “You can see he looks a lot more comfortable. You can see his anticipation is a lot better than last year But just big picturewise, man, you can see he’s a leader of that team.”

Making a name for himself

Reed made a name for himself as a dual-threat quarterback after throwing for more than 6,000 yards and 62 touchdowns, while rushing for over 2,000 yards and 38 more scores in high school. Last season, he threw for 1,864 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions and added 543 yards rushing and seven TDs.

When the Aggies struggled down the stretch last year, losing three of their last four games to fall out of contention for the College Football Playoff, many criticized Reed for not being a strong enough passer Though he said the criticism didn’t bother him because he knew what he was capable of, he spent much of the offseason working on improving his passing skills and it’s clear his hard work paid off.

This year, he’s thrown for 2,632 yards and leads the Southeastern Conference with 22 TD passes. Reggie McNeal, who threw for 6,992 yards and ran for 1,889 yards for the Aggies from 2002-05, sees many similarities between himself and Reed. Though McNeal finished his A&M career before Reed was out of diapers, Reed named McNeal as one of the Aggies’ former quarterbacks who have inspired him.

“What he’s probably got more of than I had was the shiftiness,” McNeal said. “I made people miss but he’s more shifty than I am.

So, it’s a joy to watch him play and it’s so similar to the things that I used to do back when I played. And the offense that he gets to play in is top notch and it fits him perfectly.”

Bringing an edge to Aggies In addition to the other qualities that have elevated the quarterback this season, Reed has helped bring an edge to the Aggies that they lacked in recent years. He ruffled some feathers after Texas A&M cleared out the stadium with a 49-25 rout of LSU last month when he said Death Valley “didn’t do much to me.”

Reed doesn’t care if people were bothered by his comments.

“If it does, then do something better so it don’t irk you,” he said. “That’s not my problem.”

Last week, Reed was asked about past Heisman moments as he enters the final two weeks of the regular season as A&M’s first contender for the trophy since Johnny Manziel won it in 2012. He mentioned Cam Newton and Manziel.

Then on Saturday after the Aggies fell into a 30-3 hole to South Carolina at halftime after three turnovers by Reed, it looked like his Heisman hopes and possibly A&M’s chances to make the playoff for the first time were slipping away

Instead, Reed had what could be his Heisman moment by spearheading the biggest comeback in school history in a 31-30 victory He finished with a career-high 439 yards passing, including 316 yards and three touchdowns in the second half to earn Associated Press player of the week honors.

“That probably should hold a lot of stock with Heisman voters, I would hope,” coach Mike Elko said. “He has elevated himself week in and week out. When we’ve needed him to step up and make plays to win football games, he’s done it There’s been a lot made of some other people across the country when they’ve had opportunities to step up and make plays, and they were rewarded for it. I’d like to see our quarterback rewarded for it the same way.”

Georgia Tech, Pitt meet with CFP shot on the line

BY ALAN COLE Associated Press

ATLANTA A shot at the College Football Playoff is on the line for both No. 15 Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh ahead of a primetime matchup Saturday The Yellow Jackets (91, 6-1) will clinch a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game on Dec. 6 if they beat Pitt (7-3, 5-1), while a Panthers’ victory would keep them alive for the same goal heading into their regular-season finale against No. 14 Miami.

“This is a championship game in its own right,” Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said Tuesday “That’s the way we’re viewing it, that’s the way we’re approaching it. It’s on everybody to get the job done.” Regardless of the outcome, the ACC standings re-

main in flux. No. 19 Virginia, SMU, Miami and Duke are all in the mix for the title game, but Georgia Tech is the only team completely in control of its destiny Key said simply put, games this time of year are “different,” and he doesn’t “shy away from that.”

Georgia Tech trailed Boston College (1-10, 0-7) 28-17 late in its game last week, but rallied to escape with a 36-34 victory Still, the scare against the conference cellar dweller coupled with a Nov 1 loss at N.C. State has created an uneasy feeling around the Yellow Jackets, particularly with their struggling defense.

Georgia Tech leads the Football Bowl Subdivision in total offense, but resides near the bottom of 136 teams in total defense.

“I got after them pretty good,” Key said of his de-

fense. “But it’s telling them, ‘You’re good. Let’s fix it and go play that way.’” Pitt is coming off a disappointing game in its own right, albeit one with no bearing on ACC positioning. The Panthers stepped out of conference play and fell flat in a 37-15 defeat against No. 9 Notre Dame, but still would reach the conference title game with wins in their final two games plus one loss by Virginia or SMU. “We just take it one game at a time,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “We treat everything the same. The word pressure is bad. Our guys know what they’ve got to do. They’ve got to go out and win one football game.” Pitt is seeking its third trip to the ACC title game under Narduzzi and first since 2021, while Georgia Tech is aiming for its first appearance since 2014.

BY WILL GRAVES AP sportswriter

PITTSBURGH Aaron Rodg-

ers might get a chance to say goodbye to one of his favorite places after all. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday there’s a chance that Rodgers and his fractured left wrist could play on Sunday when the Steelers visit Chicago. Rodgers injured his nonthrowing wrist late in the first half of Pittsburgh’s 32-14 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday While Tomlin said Rodgers wanted to come back in, the fourtime MVP remained in the locker room for evaluation while backup Mason Rudolph helped the AFC North-leading Steelers pull

away to improve to 6-4.

The 41-year-old Rodgers, the NFL’s oldest active player will not need surgery He will not practice on Wednesday, but what happens after that will depend on how Rodgers adjusts to the brace he will wear and how that affects his ability to operate normally Tomlin doesn’t expect pain tolerance to be an issue, though Rodgers will have to show he’s able to protect himself. Rudolph, who filled in capably in the second half against the Bengals, would start for Pittsburgh against the NFC North-leading Bears (7-3) if Rodgers can’t go. Rodgers has a long history with Chicago, dating to

his highly successful run in Green Bay earlier in his career. He is 11-1 as a starter at Soldier Field and once famously proclaimed he “owned” one of the NFL’s oldest franchises. Tomlin brushed aside the idea that Rodgers’ dominance over the Bears will play a factor in whether he plays. “Aaron always wants to play Opponent has nothing to do with it,” Tomlin said. “It’s his love affair with the game of football.” Tomlin isn’t sure when Rodgers suffered the injury, though cameras caught Rodgers clutching the wrist after a second-down heave to the back of the end zone with Pittsburgh driving late in the first half.

champion Kailin Chio for her sophomore season, 2021 U.S. gymnastics all-around champion Konnor

McClain for her junior campaign and sophomore Kaliya Lincoln, a 2024 U.S. Olympic alternate.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU gymnast Kailin Chio finishes on vault against Oklahoma on Feb 14 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DAVID J PHILLIP Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed celebrates with coach Mike Elko after a game against South Carolina on

in College Station, Texas The Heisman Trophy contender

the Southeastern Conference with 22 touchdown passes this season.

LIVING

Kick off the holidayseason with new sips across BR

Bon vi·vant /noun/ asociable personwho has cultivatedand refined tastes, especially with respect to food and drink

Newfood,drinksonthe block

Trythe fall special potato leek soup at Rocca Pizzeria,3897 Government St., Baton Rouge It’smade with Yukon Gold potatoes, leeks and pancetta, served with house-made focaccia. The holiday drink menuhas droppedat Brew Ha-Ha,711 Jefferson Highway,Baton Rouge. Trythe Christmasfog with spearmint lemongrass tea, diamond syrup and steamedmilk; the Grinch, acreme brulee matcha; the muddie buddy with peanut butter,toasted marshmallow and vanilla shaken espresso with cream and chocolate drizzle; or the merry-misu chai, atiramisu chai latte.

Speaking of holiday drinks …try the Southside daiquirior El Jefe at Bin 77,10111 Perkins Rowe, BatonRouge.

Trythe fall special potato leek soup at Rocca Pizzeria, 3897 Government St., Baton Rouge. Lauren Cheramie BONVIVANT

PROVIDED PHOTO

In theknow

There’sanew general managerat Beausoleil Coastal Cuisine 7731 Jefferson Highway,Baton Rouge. Brayden Thompson has 17 yearsinthe service industry,with aphilosophy that fine dining should be special and comfortable, yet elevated Food bank drive:10a.m. to 10 p.m. through Friday at Cheba Hut, 411 Ben Hur Road, Baton Rouge Cheba Hut is partnering with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to help local families during the holiday season. Bring acanned item for donation and receive acardfor a4-inch sandwich coupon to use at a later date. Thanksgiving buffet:11a.m.to 2p.m. Nov.27atHoumas House, 40136 La. 942, Darrow Houmas House and Gardens is hosting its annual Thanksgiving buffet under the Allee of Oak, weather permitting.The menu features roasted pork loin with herb demi glace, prime rib, roasted duck breast with praline sauce, tasso cornbread dressing, garlic mashed potatoes, adessert display and more. Tickets are $95 for adults and $55 for children, available for purchase by calling thegift shop at (225) 473-9380. Mark your calendar Food and wine pairing:6 p.m. to 8p.m. Jan. 22 at Red Stick Spice Company,660 Jefferson Highway,Baton Rouge Red Stick Spice Company and Martin’sWine andSpirits are partnering to offer a hands-on cooking class with wine pairings. Participants will learn about wine, food and how they pair to create aflavor

Goingout

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE and CAITIE ZEILMAN Staff writers

It’s thatblissful time of year in southLouisiana where themornings are cool and the afternoons are warm.

These days won’tlast forever,so it’sbest to take advantage of them nowbeforethe temperatures really start to cool down. Here are 20 restaurants in and around Baton Rouge with outdoor dining options. Do youhaveasuggestionthatwemissed? Email lauren.cheramie@theadvocate.com. Anthony’sItalian Deli n 5575 GovernmentSt.,Baton Rouge

There’snoplace like home,but Anthony’sfront patio comes close to it.

You’ll definitely feel at homeeatingone of theeatery’s legendary muffulettas madewith authentic Italian meats, cheese andItalian olive mix while enjoying its welcomingatmosphere. The deli has been open for more than 30 years and is astaple in the local restaurant scene. Visit bestmuffoletta.com.

Barracuda Taco Stand n 2504 GovernmentSt.,Baton Rouge

With avariety of tacos, including crispy fish, mushroom or chicken,

Fish tikka ajwainee from BayLeaf Indian Cuisine

you’re sure to find something tasty at theneighborhood taco stand. TheNew Orleans-born concept opened in 2022 and is apopular choicefor outdoordining in Mid City.Visit eatbarracuda.com.

Bin77Bistro&Sidebar n 10111 Perkins Rowe,Baton Rouge

Get your holiday shopping done in Perkins Rowe, thenhead to Bin77 for abite to eat. The menu features small plates,burgers and steak.

This year,Bin 77 received the “Award of Excellence” from Wine

Spectator,whichrequiresrestaurants to offer at least 90 wine selections, an assortment of quality producers andmatchthe winesto the menuinprice and style.

Someofour favorite itemsare the chicken club sandwich, baked brie, Parmesan chive truffle fries and lobsterravioli. Visit bin77.com.

BLDG 5

n 2805 Kalurah St., Baton Rouge

Beneath the Perkins Road Overpass, BLDG5has an outdoor dining deck that’s surrounded by greenery,trees and hanging lights. The “High 5” rooftop baroffers views of the area. The restaurantisknown for its fresh, seasonal, flavor-driven food served on grazing boards meant for sharing, along with sandwiches, soups and salads. Visit bldg5 com.

BlueCornModernMexican n 7673 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge

Located in Ichiban Square, Blue Corn describes itself as adifferent kind of Mexican restaurant.

The barisstocked witha wide variety of tequilasand serves up arange of cocktails, andthe menu offers nopales (sauteed cactus

STAFF FILE

PHOTOByHILARy SCHEINUK

Abig drawfor TsunamiSushi, 100 Lafayette St.atthe top of the ShawCenter for the Arts, is the rooftop terrace that overlooks the Mississippi River

Kalurah

Lack of leadership makes foraconfusing workplace

Dear Miss Manners: Iwork at anonprofit that prides itself on being all-volunteer,with no boss.Decisions aremade at monthly meetings. Having worked 35 years at ajob with bosses, Iunderstand that dynamic better With this volunteer group, it seems everyone is in charge, and personal feelings are expressed frequently.When a decisionismade outside of amonthlymeeting, Iwill either abide by it or note that we need to bring it up at the next meeting. Any advice for dealing with emotional co-workers when you don’twant to proceed as they have told you to, and there is no boss to ask? Ibelieve the understanding is thatweare all friends. While Iconsider some of the volunteers

friends, others Idonot. Can you clear up my thinking?

By The Associated Press

Today is Wednesday, Nov.19, the 323rd day of 2025. There are 42 days left in the year

Mikhail S. Gorbachev met forthe first timeasthey began their summitinGeneva.

Gentle reader: Your thinking appears to Miss Manners to be clear,except, perhaps,inholding outhopeofany decisions comingout of such an organizational arrangement. Once you have done yourbest to accommodate or defer decisions-byfiatofindividual co-workers, theonly remaining question is how to dealwith theemotional outbursts. As providing counselingispresumably notarequirement forvolunteering at yournonprofit, Miss Mannersrecommends atriage approach based on your own astuteobservation that these are co-workers, not friends. The first classof outburst —which we willname “Can Icall you an ambulance?”

Lafayette

BEST

Continued from page1D

The dish also came with aside of rice, so the whole meal wasn’ttoo heavy but was still fulfilling. It felt like amid-day pick-me-up Ileft with afull bellyand a to-go box with leftovers,a two-for-one deal.

—Maddie Scott, features reporter

Rolled sandwich

n Roly Poly,1004 CoolidgeSt., Lafayette

I’m not sure why sandwiches are so often even tastier once they’ve been rolled. Pinwheels, burritos, wraps —something about the way the ingredients wrap around the sandwich tends to bring everything together in anew and exciting way,evenwhen you’re eating something pretty simple.

Continued from page1D

is for outburstsinwhich you would be required to intervene if theyhappened with astranger at abus stop.

The second class —“I’m so happy/sorry/interested to hear that. Now,what do you thinkweshould do about this aspect of theproject?”

—isfor everything else, as you attempt to steer things back towardwork.

The final class —“Excuse me, Ithink Sophie needs somehelp over there with thelabel making” —isfor fleeing when all attempts to get thingsback on topic have failed.

Send questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners. com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail com; or through postal mailtoMiss Manners, Universal Uclick,1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Thishalf-sized, wrapped andgrilledsandwichfrom Roly Poly in Lafayette’sOil Center hit all the right notes. Thehickory cristo had smoked turkey,swiss and briecheese, spinach, tomatoes andmushrooms, with spicy honey mustard for dipping. It’s an elevated turkey sandwich in alittle rolled-up package that came in theperfect size for lunch. The menu is extensive, so Roly Poly can wrap prettymuchany sandwich you want,just theway you wantit.

—JoannaBrown, staff writer

Pork bowl

n Barracuda Taco Stand,2504 Government St., Baton Rouge

I’ve indulged in many tacos in the warm ambiance at BarracudaTaco Stand But Ididn’tevenknow they had bowlsonthe menu until afriend recommended I try it.

chase at redstickspice.com.

If youhave an upcoming food event or akitchen question, email lauren. cheramie@theadvocate com. Cheers!

It came with rice, beans, pickled red onion, guacamole, shredded cabbage, cilantro, cotija cheese and achoice of meat.Ichose pork. Beinghalf Cuban, Ihold high standards for pork, but to be honest,Iwas impressed by the tenderness of the meat. It was shredded, juicy and flavorful. The next best part was thepickled red onions. Crunchy and tangy.Itwas also nice to indulge in guacamole and not have to pay afew bucks extra for it, like manybowl-centric establishments do. Overall, it was avery solid meal, and I’ll be ordering it again. Now,it’syour turn. Try thebowl, tell your friends that, yes, Barracuda does also have bowls, and your friends will thank you.

—Maddie Scott, features reporter

Todayinhistory: On Nov.19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered theGettysburg Address at the dedication of anational cemetery at thesite of theCivil War battlefield of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania.

Also on this date:

In 1959, Ford Motor Co. announced it was halting production of the unpopular Edsel.

In 1969, Apollo 12 astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean madethe second crewed landing on themoon.

In 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat became thefirst Arab leader to visit Israel.

In 1985, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader

In 1998, Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr testified before the House Judiciary Committee during impeachment hearings against President Bill Clinton. (The full House approved two articles of impeachment against Clinton that December; Clinton waslater acquitted in a Senate trial).

In 2017, Charles Manson, the cult leader behind the murders of actress Sharon Tate and six others in Los Angeles in 1969, died in a California hospital at the age of 83 after nearly a half-century in prison.

In 2022, five people were killed and 25 injured when ashooter opened fire at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Today’sBirthdays: Talk show host Dick Cavett is 89.

Media mogul and philanthropist TedTurner is 87. Fashion designer Calvin Klein is 83. Poet Sharon Olds is 83. Sportscaster and former NFLwide receiver Ahmad Rashad is 76. Broadcast journalist Ann Curry is 69. Former NASA astronaut Eileen

STAFF PHOTOByJOANNA BROWN

Hickorycristo half rolled sandwich from Roly Poly in the Oil Center in

STAFF PHOTO By MADDIESCOTT Pork bowl fromBarracuda Taco Stand

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

leaves), traditional tamales steamed in banana leaves, tableside guacamole, ceviche and enchiladas. Visit bluecornrestaurant.com.

BrasserieByronz

n 515 Mouton St., Baton Rouge

What was once Bistro Byronz is now Brasserie Byronz, a“Frenchie-American” spotwith fareranging from chicken paillard to burgers and salads. Visit brasseriebyronz.com.

BRQ

n 10423 JeffersonHighway, Baton Rouge

BRQ’soutdoor patio, The Backyard, features afull outdoor bar and seating options in both shade and sun. The restaurant recently installed outdoor fans. Visit brqrestaurant.com.

TheBulldog

n 4385 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge

In Baton Rouge’sSouthdowns neighborhood,The Bulldog is aneighborhood bar that has adog friendlypatio with two TVs and its signature beer-tap fountain. The bar menu featuresdraft beers, seltzers, more than 150bottled beers, cocktails, wines on tap and more. The food menu includes burgers, sandwiches, salads, soup, tacos, appetizers and wings. Visit thebulldog.bar

TheChimesRestaurant &Tap Room

n 3357 Highland Road,Baton Rouge

Eat great food while trying outsome of themostextensive beer and liquor selections available in the rooftop dining area at Chimes Restaurant &Tap Room at LSU’s North Gate. The restaurant has been serving patronsfor more than25years. Visit thechimes.com.

City Cafe n 4710 O’Neal Lane, Baton Rouge

City Cafe opened in Baton Rouge in 2002, butit was originally opened in Plaquemine in 1919. Today, some of those same original dishes are served. The menu features daily specials like red beans and rice on Mondays and fried catfish on Fridays, as well as seafoodstuffed mushrooms, chargrilled oysters, shrimp and grits, sandwiches, pasta, soup, salad, tacos and more. Don’tforget brunch on Sundays. Visit citycafebr.net.

Curbside Burgers

n 4158 Government St., Baton Rouge

Curbside Burgers offers up arelaxing atmosphere, whichisperfect for enjoyingone of itsgreatburgers

The outdoor courtyardat Curbside was recently updated to include apergola system, televisions, extra seating and sun shades. Visit curbside-burgers. com.

ElizaRestaurantand Bar

n 7970 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge

The cozy patio at Eliza is a

STAFF FILEPHOTO By TRAVISSPRADLING

An outdoordining space fronts Anthony’sItalian Deli on Government Street.

greatspottoenjoy the local, seasonal productsthatcome out of the scratch kitchen. The menu is filled with staple Louisiana dishes like fried green tomatoestopped with microgreens and shrimp, crawfish crepes, gumbo, shrimp and grits, steak frites and delectable carrot cake. Visit elizabatonrouge.com.

French TruckCoffee n 2978 GovernmentSt.,Baton Rouge

The relaxed patio at French TruckCoffee is perfectfor a SaturdayorSundaymorning treat. Orderyour favorite cappuccino, cortado, latte, chai or matcha and pairit witha breakfast biscuitor croissant sandwich. For lunch, the coffeeshopoffers sandwiches, soup andsalad Visit frenchtruckcoffee.com.

Istrouma Eatery andBrewery n 5590 BayouPaul Road,St. Gabriel

First it was abarn,now it’s abrewery.Istrouma at Sugar Farms has both indoor and outdoor seating,along with aplaygroundfor kids and animals to watch. The brewery offers wine, beer on tap,cocktails and spirits, andthe food menufeatures sushi nachos, pizza, tacos andbrunch. Showoff your skills at open mic night from 6p.m. to 9p.m. everyThursday.Visit sugarfarmsla.com.

Leola’sCafeand Coffee House n 1857 Government St Baton Rouge

Leola’sservesbrunchand lunch seven days aweek. Known for their pancake flights, therestaurant’spatio is spacious and even includes an outdoor barand live music brunches. When you’re done withbrunch,shopat Circa1857nextdoor. Visit leolascafeandcoffeehouse com

MidCityBeerGarden

n 3808 Government St., Baton Rouge

The open-concept beer garden is the perfect place to enjoy nice weather,not to mention the extensive beer andcocktail menus.The food menu includes everything from cheese fries to gumbo to blackenedchicken alfredo and bread pudding. Visit midcitybeergarden.com.

Modesto

n 3930 Burbank Drive, Baton Rouge

This year,Modesto expanded into the Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux test kitchennext door to open its “Mezcaleria,” but if it’snice out, the

patio is whereit’sat. Trythe wide range of tacos on Tuesdays, when therestaurant offers$4tacos and $10 dip trios. There are also enchiladas,fajitas, asmash burger and tortas on the menu. Try the brunchmenuonSaturday and Sunday,which features huevos rancheros, steak and eggs, breakfast tacos andapple empanadas. Visit eatmodesto.com

RedZeppelin Pizza n 4395 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge

Meetingfor dinneronthe front patio of Red Zeppelin Pizza is fun! The area offers diners an atmosphere of camaraderie while enjoying craftbeers anda variety of thin-crust pizzas. Visit redzeppelinpizza.com

TheSmilingDog n 4215 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.,Baton Rouge

As the name suggests, TheSmilingDog has adogfriendly patio, and during the winter,the staff lights thefireplace for extra coziness. The pub serves classic Britishdishes and Louisiana favorites, including fishand chipsand shepherd’spie, along withaselection of craft andimported beers. Lunchisserved 11 a.m. to 2p.m. Monday through Friday,and brunch is served 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Sunday Visit smilingdogbr.com.

Superior Bar& GrillMid City n 5435 GovernmentSt.,Baton Rouge

Superior Bar &Grill Mid Citywill roll up thewindows on its covered patiowhen theweather is nice, and also live music on the weekends.

The Mexican restaurant is known for itssizzling fajitas andmargaritas madewith freshly squeezed lime juice. Itsfood is made fresh from scratch everyday and, for addedflavor,all of Superior Grill’smeats are prepared over amesquite grill.

Visitbatonrouge.superiorgrill.com

Tsunami

n 100 Lafayette St Baton Rouge

Many will argue that Tsunami’soutdoor dining area on the roof of the Shaw Centerfor the Arts offers the best views of theMississippi Riverand downtown Baton Rouge.

The restaurant focuses on sushiwithJapaneseand Eastern flarewhile marrying it to Southern roots. Visit batonrouge.servingsushi. com.

Email Lauren Cheramie at lauren.cheramie@ theadvocate.com.

Antiquewoodisofbetterquality

Dear Heloise: One serious point about trying to replicate the wide plank floors of early American homes: The wood that you can obtain at a semi-reasonable cost is not thesame as the antique stuff. It is of adifferent quality.Itis wetter as it is not well-seasoned and often an entirely different species. Wide boards will be moreapt to shrink and/or warp. Igrew up in some older homes withlovely oak wooden floors that were polished to “a treat,” as my grandmother would have said. Ihave several family members and friends who are very happy withthe newer,notas-expensive composition flooring that is available now.Itlooks very authenticbut does require

Hints from Heloise

more careful use. You cannotsandout scratches or marks. Most have tile in the high traffic/gritty areas,suchasentryways. —Pan L., in Arizona Pan, Ihavebeen in some very old early-American homesonthe east coast, andthere is abeautiful charm to them. The early settlers cutdowntrees thathad been growing for centuries. Today, most of these oldtrees aregone exceptfor ones thatare protected by state laws andbypeople who value the beauty of these old, deeply rooted trees. —Heloise

Tuckinginshirts

DearHeloise: In reply to the inquiry of why women tuckpartoftheir shirts into the front of their

pants, my reason for doing so is to prevent my belt or the closure on my jeans from creating aholein my T-shirts or other tops. My waist appearstobeat the same level as my top, andifIdon’t tuckshirts in the front of my pants, an automatic hole appears almost immediately! So annoying! —Cindy,inKenosha, Wisconsin Cindy,this is merely a brieffashiontrend that will oneday be gone, just like bouffant hairdos, bellbottomjeans, andsit-ins. One day, we will alllook back andwonder“What was Ithinking?” whenwe wore something. Icringe everytime Isee myself in photographs wearing wide shoulderpadsinthe ’80s thatmademelook like a linebacker —Heloise

Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

Local support. Local impact. TheAmerican RedCross in Louisiana serves4.65millionresidentsacrossall64parishesandextendshopeto communitiesacrossthenationandaroundtheworld.Whenyousupportyour localRedCross,youmakeadirectimpactinyourcommunity Poweredbygenerosity. TheRedCrossisnotagovernmentagency.Wearea501(c)(3) nonprofitthatreliesonthepowerofvolunteersandthegenerosity ofdonorstocarryoutourhumanitarianmission. RedCrosssupportersprovideabeaconofhope.Fromhelping duringdisasters,toprovidinglifesavingtrainingandsupporting militarycommunities,theRedCrossistherewhenhelpcan’twait.

Bethehelp Louisiananeeds redcross.org/louisiana

sCoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Change begins with you. Socialize more with people who enjoy the same pastimes. Travel, companionship and embracing what motivates you will not be in vain.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) High energy is the best way forward. Don't count on outside help or empty promises. Focus inward and take advantage of an unusual opportunity that crosses your path.

CAPRICoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) When opportunity knocks, open the door. Mix business with pleasure, and you'll discover a unique path that allows you to turn something you love doing into a profitable venture.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Think, and follow through. Knowing when to act will be the determining factor today. A unique plan, discipline and hard work are the keys to your best path forward.

PIsCEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Don't let anger rule when accomplishment will hit the jackpot. Happiness begins with you, the choices you make and how you execute what you know and do best.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Pay attention to financial and health matters. Keep your plans quiet until you have everything in place, and you'll face less interference throughout the day.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Take the initiative to do everything by the book. Dealing with institutions, government

WonderWord

agencies and authority figures will eliminate worry and uncertainty.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) A change in direction will catalyze a host of new beginnings Interaction equals opportunities and insight into how to utilize your skills to refresh your image and lifestyle.

CAnCER (June 21-July 22) It's up to you to initiate what you want. Take the steps to create the scenario that encourages you to move forward with pride and joy. A healthy lifestyle will help you look and feel your best.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Be careful what you say and do. Participating in events may backfire if you are too vocal regarding your beliefs and opinions. Put your energy toward something meaningful.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) An adjustment to how you handle your work and your associates will prove enlightening and rewarding. Socializing, networking or reconnecting with someone from your past will deliver benefits.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Look for opportunities, and you will discover something of interest. A change of location can help you use your attributes to gain confidence.

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

FAMILY CIrCUS

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

toDAy's CLuE: J EQuALs W

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

peAnUtS

zItS

FrAnK And erneSt

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon

nea CroSSwordS

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of theSudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

By PHILLIP ALDER

Jim Boren was a humorist and writer on “bureaucratese,” in which he poked fun at what he called “the vacuumental thinking and idiotoxicities of Washington.” He said “I got the bill for my surgery. Now I know why those doctors were wearing masks.”

Some bridge players would benefit from being allowed access to a bridge doctor, who would explain how to keep a contract alive.

In this deal, South is in three no-trump. West leads a low club and East puts up hisjack.HowshouldSouthplantheplay? What would the doctor recommend?

In the auction, South considered rebidding three diamonds to show his six-card suit and game-invitational values. But he had two solid club stoppers and knew that usually nine tricks are easier to win than 11. (Note that five diamonds goes down, declarer losing one spade and two hearts.)

South seems to have nine top tricks: one spade, six diamonds and two clubs. However, that lead is annoying because it has cut declarer’s communication with the dummy. If he takes the first trick and cashesdummy’sdiamonds,hecannotget back to his hand. What would a doctor do?

The only chance is to duck the first trick, letting East win with his jack. If he does what most players would do, he will lead back a club. This allows South to win with his king and cash the ace, discarding both of dummy’s annoying diamonds. After that, South takes his six diamond tricks and dummy’s spade ace to cruise home. Then West might suggest that East’s brain could do with some medical attention. © 2025 by NEA, Inc., dist.

Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a

By Andrews McMeel Syndication

InstRuCtIons:

or

or

toDAy’s WoRD — AFFECtED: uh-FEK-ted: Caused a change in someone or something.

Average mark 24 words

Time limit 35 minutes

Can you find 30 or more words in AFFECTED?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD — DIssuADEs

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard fillmore

Anyone

knowledgeor informationofthe whereabouts of

Sanderspleasecontact Deon SumerGuidry, Attorney at Law, (225) 363-8300; legal@deonsumerguidry.com. 167286-Nov19-21, 3t $109

Anyone knowingthe whereabouts of anysuccession representativeof LeeTillman Haynes contactCarlin Chambliss: (225) 270-1209. 167219-Nov19-21, 3t $85

167224-Nov19-21, 3t $73

knowingthe whereabouts of KEDRIC D. BEACHEMAND/OR KIMETRIA B. BEACHEM, please contactAttorney ALLISON B. COSTANZA,225-664-4335, acostanzalaw@gmail.com. 167004-11/17-18-19-3t $109.00

Anyone knowingthe whereabouts of LATONYAFREEMAN,contact Attorney Temica RDukes PO Box380 NewRoads,La. 70760; 225 713 8455. 167006-11/17-18-19-3t $85.00

YolandaAlstoncontact Carlin Chambliss: (225) 270-1209. 167217-Nov19-21, 3t $73

$97.00

Anyone knowingthe whereabouts of “INTOUCH BODYWORKS INSTITUTE, INCAND LAWRENCE MICHAELTHOMPSON, contact Attorney Temica RDukes PO Box380 NewRoads,La. 70760; 225 713 8455. 167005-11/17-18-19-3t $109.00

CUSTOMER SERVICE Drusilla Cleaners NowHiring: CounterPersonFT/PT.$11.00/hr Applyinpersonat:

5 1& 2BRApts, W/D, CA/H,Starting at $850/mo Deps vary 225-315-0930

AREA 5 1BR$550, 2BR$650 Tigerland. $500 Deposit. 225-475-1737

TheClassifiedAdvertising Department will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 27th Duetothe holiday,wewillbeobserving: We wish you a EARLY DEADLINESFOR OUR ADVERTISEMENTS

Thur.Nov 27 Tues.Nov 25 -Noon

Fri. Nov28. Tues.Nov 25 -Noon

Sat. Nov29. Wed. Nov26- Noon

nalrecords check. TheIbervilleParishSchoolSystemisan EqualOpportunityEmployer HAPPYTHANKSGIVING!

Sun. Nov30. Wed. Nov26-Noon Mon. Dec1 Wed. Nov26-Noon

DISPLAYADS 24 HOURSEARLIER

Youmay place your ad 7daysaweek, 24 hoursa dayonlineat www.theadvocate.comorcall Monday-Friday8am-5pm 225-383-0111

PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT REQUESTFOR BID BID#50016-10347 VITICULTUREFIELDS SOUTHERN UNUVERSITY ANDA&M COLLEGE BATONROUGE TLAProject Number: 24-131 SU Ag Center Project BIDOPENING DATE AND TIME: JANUARY9,2026 @10:30 AM Sealed bids will be re‐ceived by Southern Uni‐versity, BatonRouge Louisiana, in thePur‐chasingDepartment, 8100 JamesL.Prestage Drive, PO Box9543, J. S. ClarkAdministration Building Annex, South Entrance,First Floor East BatonRouge,LA70813. Bids will be opened and read aloudina public meetinginthe Southern University Purchasing Department MAIL,HAND-DELIVER OR ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL TO PURCHASING DEPARTMENT NO LATER THAN 10:30 AM-ON JANUARY9,2026 Electronic submittal: Use link to submit bidonline: http://www.sus.edu/bid certification Biddersare solely re‐sponsiblefor ensuring timely delivery of their bids.The Southern Uni‐versityPurchasingDe‐partment is

Ph.225-293-9474 Contacts: ScottWelch,P.E Email:scott@tlaeng.com ALLBID SPECIFICATIONS ANDADDENDA CANBE

PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISMENT November 13,2025 PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION TO BID Sealed bids will be re‐ceived electronically by thePurchasingDepart‐ment,NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY,Thibodaux La.on, 12/04/2025 at 3:00 P.M. for: “Bid Number SB01917 –Procurement of AppliedSciencesClass‐room andLaboratory Equipment” At which time andplace thebidswillbepublicly opened andreadaloud Anybid received after closingtimewillbere‐turned unopened Copies of thespecifica‐tionsmay be obtained in electronic format by vis‐itingthe Stateof Louisiana, Office of State Purchasing,LaPAC Web Site, http://wwwprd1. doa.louisiana.gov/OSP/ LaPAC/pubMain.cfm. Copies of specifications areon file in theOffice of theDirectorofPurchas‐ing, NICHOLLS STATEUNI‐VERSITY, Thibodaux, LA To obtain acopyofthe specificationsfrom Nicholls StateUniversity, call (985) 448-4031 or email terry.dupre@ nicholls.edu Bids must be returned to

thePurchasingOffice at bids.nicholls.edubythe duedateand time refer‐enced. Bids must be sub‐mitted on theforms en‐closed with thebid spec‐ification,and in strict conformity with thein‐tent of same without modifications. Bids must be signed in ink, dated, andtitle of person sign‐ingthe bidshouldbe shownonthe bid. No bidmay be with‐drawnafter thesched‐uled closingtimefor re‐ceiptofbidsfor at least thirty (30) days TheUniversityreserves theright to reject anyor allbids, andtowaive any informalities. Evidence of authorityto submit thebid shallbe required in accordance with R.S. 38:2212(B)(5) and/or R.S. 39:1594(C)(4). Evidence of GeneralLia‐bility Insurance, Auto Li‐abilityInsurance and WorkersCompensation Insurancerequired. An EqualOpportunity Employer NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY THIBODAUX, LOUISIANA Terry G. Dupre, Sr Director of Purchasing Property Control andSupport Services Administration TO APPEAR:11/19/2025 BIDDUE:12/04/2025 167059 Nov. 19, 1t $30.06

p construction of anew design andconstruction of anew restroom facil‐ity, at theMartinLuther King (MLK)community park

TheTownisseekingpro‐posals from qualified vendorstoconstruct a newrestroom facilityat ourMKL community park.The projectatthe park restroom will in‐volvea new, modern fa‐cility that meets current accessibilitystandards Contractorswithexperi‐ence in public facility construction,including ADAcomplianceand rel‐evantbuildingcodes,are encouraged to submit proposals. Interested partiescan call theTownofKent‐wood to receivethe full RFPdocument, including detailed specifications, submission guidelines andcontact information. Potential biddersshould thoroughly review the RFPand submit compre‐hensiveproposals demonstratingtheir abil‐itytodeliver ahigh-qual‐ityfacilitythatmeetsthe needsofthe community Forinquiries regarding theRFP,contact the Town of Kentwood at (985) 229-3451. Interested partiesshould submit proposalsdetail‐ingequipment designs, specifications, andcosts accordingtothe full RFP document's guidelines Responsesmustbe sealed andplainly marked with thecom‐pany name andsolicita‐tion number. Thetown must receive3 sealed hard copies of the final proposal,and receive them no laterthanthe submittaldeadlinetothe followingaddress below: Town of Kentwood 308 Avenue G Kentwood,LA70444 (985) 229-3451 On December 4, 2025, all responseswillbepub‐liclyopenedatour monthlyTownCouncil meetingthatstartsat 6:00 p.m.,and there‐spondentsrecorded. Any response received after thespecified deadline whetherdelivered in per‐sonormailed, will be disqualified.Faxed or electronic submittedre‐sponsescannotbeac‐d p cepted TheTownofKentwood hasthe righttoreject anyand allbids. 167304-NOV19-1T $299

Potentialbidders should thoroughly review the RFPand submit compre‐hensiveproposals demonstratingtheir abil‐itytodeliver ahigh-qual‐ityfacilitythatmeetsthe needsofthe community Forinquiries regarding theRFP,contact the Town of Kentwood at (985)229-3451 Interested partiesshould submit proposalsdetail‐ingequipment designs, specifications,and costs accordingtothe full RFP document's guidelines Responsesmustbe sealed andplainly marked with thecom‐pany name andsolicita‐tion number. Thetown must receive3 sealed hard copies of the final proposal,and receive them no laterthanthe submittaldeadlinetothe followingaddress below: Town of Kentwood 308 Avenue G Kentwood,LA70444 (985)229-3451

On December 4, 2025, all responseswillbepub‐liclyopenedatour monthlyTownCouncil Meetingthatstartsat 6:00 p.m. andthe respon‐dentsrecorded. Anyre‐sponse received afterthe specified deadline whether deliveredinper‐sonormailed, will be disqualified.Faxed or electronic submittedre‐sponsescannotbeac‐cepted. TheTownofKentwood hasthe righttoreject anyand allbids. 16733-NOV19-1T $342.39

PUBLIC NOTICE FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE TheTownofKentwood SeeksSealedBidsfor NewParkRestroom Facil‐ities RFP# 2025-MLKPark-RR PublicationDate: Notice to Respondents SubmittalDeadline: De‐cember 4, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Questionsregarding this solicitation must be sub‐mitted to fo@ kentwoodla.org no later than December 1, 2025. TheTownofKentwood todayannouncedthe re‐leaseofaRequest for Proposals(RFP) forthe i f PUBLIC NOTICE LouisianaEconomicDe‐velopment’srequest for Proposalsfor Developing andExecuting aStrategic Marketingand Communi‐cationsProgram for LouisianaEconomicDe‐velopment’sOpportunity LouisianaCampaign, RFP#250-25-001, maybe obtained by visiting the LEDwebsitehttps:// www.opportunitylouisian a.gov/publicinformation/rfps-rfqsor by emailingChristina Oc‐mand,Louisiana Eco‐nomicDevelopment RFP Coordinator, at Email: LEDRFQ-RFP@la.gov.

PUBLIC NOTICE FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE TheTownofKentwood SeeksSealedBidsto Builda NewConcession Stand RFP# 2025-NorthTangi 1051 Park-CSSR PublicationDate: Notice to Respondents SubmittalDeadline: De‐cember 4, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Questionsregarding this solicitation must be sub‐mitted to fo@ kentwoodla.org no later than December 1, 2025. TheTownofKentwood today announced there‐leaseofaRequest for Proposals(RFP) forthe construction of anew state-of-the-artconces‐sion standatits North Tangi1051 community park.Thisexcitingpro‐ject aims to enhancethe visitorexperienceand provideimprovedameni‐ties forresidents and guests alike. TheTownisseekingpro‐posals from qualified vendorstobuild anew Concession Standthat includes astorage,and menand womenre‐stroomsatthe NORTH TANGIPark. TheConces‐sion Standshall be ADA (Americans with Disabili‐ties Act) compliantre‐quiringspecificfeatures to ensure accessibility forpeoplewithdisabili‐ties,particularlythose usingwheelchairs.The newconcessionstand is envisioned to be acen‐tral hub forrefreshments andsnacksduring events,games,and leisureactivitiesatthe park.The Town of Kent‐wood seeksqualified contractorswith a proven trackrecordof successful construction projects,ideally with ex‐perience in facilities of a similarnature. Interested partiescan call theTownofKent‐wood to receivethe full RFPdocument, including detailed specifications, submission guidelines andcontactinformation

$136.90

websiteat: Public Works, Construction,and Reno‐vation Solicitations(Title 38) /Office of Purchasing (louisiana.edu)

2. Visiting theUniversity Purchasing Office web‐site at: Public Works, Construc‐tion,and Renovation So‐licitations(Title38) /Of‐fice of Purchasing (louisiana.edu)

3. E-mailingyourrequest to theUniversityPur‐chasingOffice: bidques‐tions@louisiana.edu. In‐cludeBid Number and BidName. 4. SITE VISITS –Contact ProjectManager -Allen