The Advocate 12-05-2025

SpanishTownparade seeksfunding help

Security cost concerns affectinglocal events

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

Organizers for theSpanish Town MardiGrasParadeare askingthe Metro Council to setaside funds in the city-parish’s2026 budget to cover security costsfor the2026 event.

Aseasonalfixture since 1981, the annual parade draws up to 200,000 people and is organized by the Mystic Krewe for thePreservation of Lagniappe in Louisiana.

The Baton Rouge Police Department traditionally has covered event

security.But amid cuts to thecityparishbudget,the Police Department enacted anew policy earlier this year that shifts most security costs for events —including parades —ontolocal organizers to help make up for abudget deficit

At apublic hearing Wednesday on theproposed 2026 budget, Baton RougePolice ChiefThomas Morse Jr.said the officer rate was around $50 to $55 an hour “Really,whatitcomes down to is justbottomline,” he said. “When we’re looking at budgeted $4 million

for overtime, and we’re spending about $8 million, we have to make cuts in overtime.”

Atentativecompromisewas reached at the conclusion of the three-hourhearing,with Morse, Metro Council members and the Mayor’s Officeagreeing to workto ensure the2026parade happensas planned.

East Baton Rouge Parish ChiefAdministrative Officer Christel Slaughter said theMayor’sOffice viewed

SU seeks leader with business ties, boardsays

Afterparting ways with president, school wants moreopportunities

BY HALEYMILLER Staff writer

The week of Thanksgiving, the Southern University BoardofSupervisors made clear itsintention to part wayswithcurrent President Dennis Shields with aline on the second page of its upcoming meeting agenda.

“SelectionofInterim President for Southern University System commencing on January 1, 2026, until apermanent President is selected,” the item read.

It wasthe first timemany in the Southern University community learned the board would be seeking anew president. Somealumni hadquestions aboutwhy Shields, who oversaw enrollment increases across the system,was no longer seen as the best fit forthe university

“I know that Iserve at the pleasure of the board, and if the board wants to go in adifferent direction, at least the wayI feel is that’stheir prerogative,” Shields said in an interview.“I’mnot going to object to that.”

The conversations abouthis departure commenced in mid-October,Shields said. Leadership did not tell him the new direction they envisioned forthe university,hesaid.

But Board of Supervisors Chair Tony Clayton, whowas appointed by Gov.JeffLandry in November of last year,said he has aclear idea of whothe university needs to take the helm:Someone focused on industry partnerships and fundraising, with less of an emphasis on diversity equity and inclusion initiatives.

PlannedsaleofToledoBendwater to Texasonholdfor now

Dallas company wanted to pipe water from reservoir

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL Staff writer

Adeveloping plan to ship Toledo Bend Reservoir water to Texasis “dead” for now,following months of local andlegislativeopposition, and won’tbeback for discussion “any time soon,” state authority officials said.

But the officials who considered that deal also didn’trule out the possibility of water salesat some

point in thefuture, even as one Vernon Parish legislator promised this week to try to block them with abill next spring.

Under the now-sidelined concept, Toledo Bend Reservoirwould have supplied200,000 acre-feet per yearfrom Louisiana’s share of water in thelakeonthe western edgeofthe state.

ADallascompany hadplans to pipe that water potentially hundreds ofmileswest to growing populationcenters in Texas, where state officials say 25%ofthe population could facemunicipal water shortages by 2070 due to rising demand and shrinking supplies Twoofficialswith the Sabine Riv-

er AuthorityofLouisiana, which oversees theLouisiana side of Toledo Bend, said the lack of support from their sister agency in Texas for an important engineering study,aswell as opposition from key Louisiana legislators and local parishes, led to theend of talks last monthwiththe company,Aqueduct PartnersLP.

“It’sjust notthe right time.We had alot of pushback from alot of legislators,” saidJimmy Foret, an SRA of Louisiana board member who led the committee investigating awater sale.

Among the legislators against

ä See PARADE, page 7A Friday,December5th •10AM-6PM

STAFFFILE PHOTOByDAVID J. MITCHELL

Toledo Bend Reservoir is located on the Louisiana-Texas border

STAFF FILEPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

The SpanishTownMardi Gras Parade hasrolled in downtown Baton Rougesince 1981.

4 countries boycotting

Eurovision over Israel

GENEVA Public broadcasters from at least four countries — including Spain and the Netherlands on Thursday pulled out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after organizers decided to allow Israel to compete.

The pullouts, which were joined by Ireland and Slovenia came after a general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union — a group of public broadcasters from 56 countries that runs the event met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation.

The feel-good pop music gala that draws more than 100 million viewers every year has been roiled by the war in Gaza for the past two years Icelandic broadcaster RUV said it would meet Wednesday to discuss whether Iceland would take part, after its board last week recommended that Israel be barred from the contest Austria, which is set to host the competition after Viennese singer JJ won this year, supports Israel’s participation. Germany, too, was said to back Israel.

The contest, whose 70th edition is scheduled for Vienna in May pits acts from dozens of nations against one another for the continent’s musical crown It strives to put pop before politics, but has repeatedly been embroiled in world events. Russia was expelled in 2022 after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The war in Gaza has been its biggest challenge, with pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrating against Israel outside the last two Eurovision contests in Basel, Switzerland, in May and Malmo, Sweden, in 2024.

Activist gets jail time for taking chickens

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — A California animal welfare activist who took four chickens from a major Perdue Farms poultry plant was sentenced to 90 days in jail after being convicted of felony conspiracy, trespassing and other charges.

Zoe Rosenberg, 23, did not deny taking the animals from Petaluma Poultry but argued she wasn’t breaking the law because she was rescuing the birds from a cruel situation. A jury found her guilty in October after a seven-week trial in Sonoma County Rosenberg was sentenced on Wednesday and ordered to report to the Sonoma County Jail on Dec. 10 She will serve the 90 days, but 60 of those may involve jail alternates, such as house arrest, the county’s district attorney’s office said The activist with Direct Action Everywhere, or DxE a Berkeley-based animal rights group, has said she does not regret what she did.

Petaluma Poultry maintained that the animals were not mistreated.

U.S. opens $796 million consulate in Irbil, Iraq

IRBIL, Iraq The United States inaugurated a massive new consulate compound Wednesday in Irbil, the capital of northern Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region

The move highlighted Washington’s diplomatic and strategic engagement in the Kurdish region, particularly as the U.S. moves troops that had been stationed elsewhere in Iraq as part of a mission against the Islamic State group, under an agreement with the central government in Baghdad.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas joined Kurdish leaders for the inauguration of the sprawling complex — planned as the largest U.S. consulate in the world — built on a 50-acre site at a cost of $796 million.

“America’s investment in this new consulate provides a secure platform to advance the interests of the United States,” Rigas said. “It demonstrates the value that a sovereign, secure and prosperous Iraq, in mutually beneficial partnership with the United States, can deliver for its own people and for America.” Kurdish regional President Nechirvan Barzani referred to the consulate as a “clear political message regarding the importance of Irbil and the Kurdistan region.”

Arrest made in pipe bomb case

Man accused of placing explosive devices outside RNC, DNC buildings night before Jan. 6 riot

BY ERIC TUCKER and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

WASHINGTON The FBI on Thursday arrested a man accused of placing two pipe bombs outside the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic national parties in Washington on the eve of the U.S. Capitol attack, an abrupt breakthrough in an investigation that for years flummoxed law enforcement and spawned conspiracy theories about Jan 6, 2021.

The arrest marks the first time investigators have publicly identified a suspect in an act that has been an enduring mystery for nearly five years in the shadow of the violent Capitol insurrection.

The suspect was identified as Brian J Cole Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, but key questions remain unanswered after his arrest on explosives charges, including a possible motive and what connection if any the act had to the assault on the Capitol the following day by supporters of President

Donald Trump. Law enforcement officials used credit purchases of bomb-making materials, cellphone tower data and a license plate reader to zero in on Cole, according to an FBI affidavit filed in the case. The FBI and Justice Department declined to elaborate on what led them to the suspect, but characterized his arrest as the result of a reinvigorated investigation and a fresh analysis of already collected evidence and data.

“Let me be clear: There was no new tip. There was no new witness Just good, diligent police work and prosecutorial work,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said at a news conference.

Calls to relatives of Cole listed in public records were not immediately returned Thursday Hours after Cole was taken into custody, unmarked law enforcement vehicles lined the cul-de-sac where Cole’s home is while FBI agents helped shoo away onlookers. Authorities were seen entering the house and examining the trunk of

a car nearby The pipe bombs were placed on the evening of Jan. 5, 2021, near the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees. Nobody was hurt before the bombs were rendered safe, but the FBI has said both devices could have been lethal.

Using information from his bank account and credit cards, authorities discovered he purchased materials in 2019 and 2020 consistent with those used to make the pipe bombs, according to court papers. That included galvanized pipes and white kitchen-style timers, according to the affidavit. The purchases continued even after the devices were placed.

Cole owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra with a Virginia license plate, the affidavit says. Around 7:10 p.m. on Jan 5, 2021, Cole’s vehicle drove past a license plate reader less than a half mile from where the person who placed the devices was first spotted on foot around 7:34 p.m. that night, the document says. In the absence of harder evidence, Republican lawmakers and right-wing media outlets promoted conspiracy theories about the pipe bombs.

In the years since, investigators have sought the public’s help in identifying a shadowy subject seen on surveillance camera even as they struggled to determine answers to basic questions, including the person’s gender and motive and whether the act had a clear connection to the riot at the Capitol a day later, when supporters of Trump stormed the building in a bid to halt the certification of the Republican’s 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Seeking a breakthrough, the FBI last January publicized additional information about the investigation, including an estimate that the suspect was about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, as well as previously unreleased video of the suspect placing one of the bombs. An FBI affidavit filed in connection with Cole’s arrest lays out a series of circumstantial clues that investigators pieced together

Congo and Rwanda sign U.S.-mediated peace deal

Trump praises the leaders for their courage

BY AAMER MADHANI, CHINEDU ASADU and RUTH ALONGA Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump

praised the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda for their courage as they signed onto a deal on Thursday aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Congo and opening the region’s critical mineral reserves to the U.S. government and American companies.

The moment offered Trump — who has repeatedly and with a measure of exaggeration boasted of brokering peace in some of the world’s most entrenched conflicts another chance to tout himself as a dealmaker extraordinaire on the global stage and make the case that he’s deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.

“It’s a great day for Africa, a great day for the world,” Trump said shortly before the leaders signed the pact He added, “Today, we’re succeeding where so many others have failed.”

Trump welcomed Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, as well as several officials from other African nations who traveled to Washington to witness the signing.

Lauded by the White House as a “historic” agreement brokered by Trump, the pact between Tshisekedi and Kagame follows monthslong peace efforts by the U.S. and partners, including the African Union and Qatar, and finalizes an earlier deal signed in June.

But the Trump-brokered peace is precarious. The Central African nation of Congo has been battered by decadeslong fighting with more than 100 armed groups, the most potent being the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. The conflict escalated this year, with M23 seizing the region’s main cities of Goma and Bukavu in an unprecedented advance, worsening a humanitarian crisis that was already one of the world’s largest, with millions of people displaced.

‘We are still at war’ Fighting, meanwhile, continued this week in the conflict-battered region with pockets of clashes reported between the rebels and Congolese soldiers, together with their allied forces. Trump, a Republican, has often said that his mediation

has ended the conflict, which some people in Congo say isn’t true.

Still, Kagame and Tshisekedi offered a hopeful tone as they signed on to the agreement.

“No one was asking President Trump to take up this task. Our region is far from the headlines,” Kagame said. “But when the president saw the opportunity to contribute to peace, he immediately took it.”

“I do believe this day is the beginning of a new path, a demanding path, yes. Indeed, quite difficult,” Tshisekedi said. “But this is a path where peace will not just be a wish, an aspiration, but a turning point.”

Indeed, analysts say Thursday’s deal also isn’t expected to quickly result in peace. A separate peace deal has been signed between Congo and the M23.

“We are still at war,” said Amani Chibalonza Edith, a 32-year-old resident of Goma, eastern Congo’s key city seized by rebels early this year “There can be no peace as long as the front lines remain active.”

But Trump predicted with the signing the countries would leave behind “decades of violence and bloodshed” and “begin a new year of harmony and cooperation.”

“They spent a lot of time killing each other,” Trump said. “And now they’re going to spend a lot of time hugging, holding hands and taking advantage of the United States of America economically like every other country does.”

Tshisekedi and Kagame did not shake hands and barely looked at each other during the roughly 50-minute ceremony Rare earth minerals

Trump also announced the United States was signing bilateral agreements with the Congo and Rwanda that will unlock new opportunities for the United States to access critical minerals deals that will benefit all three nations’ economies. “And we’ll be involved with sending some of our biggest and greatest U.S. companies over to the two countries,” Trump said. He added, “Everybody’s going to make a lot of money.”

Trump hosted the leaders on Thursday morning for one-on-one meetings at the White House as well as a three-way conversation before the signing ceremony at the Institute of Peace in Washington, which the State Department announced on Wednesday has been rebranded “the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.”

Last escaped monkey has permanent home

BY BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI Associated Press

A monkey who spent several days on the lam after escaping from a truck that crashed on a rural Mississippi highway earlier this year now has a permanent home at a New Jersey wildlife refuge.

Forrest, a young adult rhesus macaque, was among 21 monkeys being transported for biomedical research when the truck they were in overturned Oct. 28 on Interstate 59, just north of Heidelberg.

Five monkeys were killed as law officers searched for them in the immediate aftermath of the crash. Video from officers’ body cameras showed a chaotic scene as monkeys that escaped from their wooden crates dashed around the grassy interstate median, with some running toward cars and semitrailers on the interstate.

Forrest and two other monkeys eluded officers at the crash site and eventu-

ally escaped. The other two were later shot and killed by civilians, who said they were protecting their families and neighborhoods, while Forrest spent about a week on the run before being spotted by a resident who lives near the crash scene. He was captured by workers from one of the companies that had been transporting the truckload of monkeys, officials have said.

Residents had been told not to approach the Rhesus monkeys, saying they are known to be aggressive. In search of a new home, Forrest was recently relocated to the nonprofit Popcorn Park Animal Refuge in Lacey Township, N.J. Officials there say he has steadily acclimated himself to his new surroundings and gradually built trust with his caretakers. His diet includes a commercial animal kibble, grapes and peanuts. The animal refuge is seeking donations to help fund the monkey’s care.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EVAN VUCCI

President Donald Trump arrives for a signing ceremony with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi at the newly rebranded Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington on Thursday

Video shows police questioning accused CEO killer

Luigi Mangione told an officer he didn’t want to talk

BY JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press

NEWYORK Minutes after police approached Luigi Mangione in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, he told an officer he didn’t want to talk, according to video and testimony at a court hearing Thursday for the man charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Although Mangione signaled he wasn’t interested in speaking, police continued asking questions, and he continued answering, video showed. Nearly 20 minutes passed before police informed him of his right to remain silent.

The exchanges have been scrutinized this week at a lengthy New York court hearing as Mangione’s lawyers try to keep some key evidence from being presented at his murder trial, including his statements to police and a gun and diary officers say they found in his backpack when he was arrested Dec. 9, 2024, in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Mangione’s lawyers argue that his statements aren’t fair game for trial because officers asked questions before reading his rights. The defense says the contents of his backpack should be excluded because police didn’t get a warrant before searching it.

The standards surrounding police questioning and searches are complicated and often argued over once cases get to court. However the issues are ultimately resolved in Mangione’s case,

“Can I ask why there’s so many cops here?” he asked shortly before being informed he was being arrested on a forgery charge related to his false ID. Roughly a dozen officers had converged on the restaurant, and Mangione had been told he was being investigated and had been handcuffed and read his rights.

When he was arrested, an officer asked whether there was anything in the backpack that police needed to know about.

“I’m going to remain silent,” Mangione replied.

Police went on to search the bag. They also searched Mangione’s pockets, finding

objects including a pocket knife — which he alerted them to — and what appeared to be a neatly written to-do list. Entries for the previous day ranged from “digital cam” to “hot meal and water bottles” to “trash bag(s).”

Among the items for the day of his arrest: “survival kit.” The evidence is key to prosecutors’ case. They have said the 9 mm handgun found in the backpack matches the firearm used in the killing, that writings in the notebook laid out Mangione’s disdain for health insurers and ideas about killing a CEO at an investor conference, and that he gave police the same fake name that

the alleged gunman used at a New York hostel days before the shooting. Thompson, 50, was shot from behind as he walked to an investor conference. He became UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in 2021 and had worked within parent UnitedHealth Group Inc. for 20 years. Manhattan prosecutors haven’t yet detailed their arguments for allowing the disputed evidence. Federal prosecutors have maintained that the backpack search was justified to ensure there was nothing dangerous inside, and that Mangione’s statements to officers were voluntary and made before he was under arrest.

the hearing is giving the public an extensive preview of some testimony, video, 911 audio and other records. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges. The hearing, which could extend to next week, applies only to the state case. As Mangione sat in a Manhattan court on Thursday’s anniversary of the killing, UnitedHealthcare lowered the flags at its campuses in Minnetonka and Eden Prairie, Minnesota, in Thompson’s memory Employees were encouraged to engage in volunteering

The 27-year-old Mangione, meanwhile, appeared to follow the court proceedings intently at times leaning over the defense table to scrutinize papers or take notes. He briefly looked down as Altoona Police Officer Tyler Frye was asked about a strip-search of Mangione after his arrest. Under the department’s policy, that search wasn’t recorded Five days after Thompson was gunned down, Altoona police were tipped that someone at the McDonald’s

Panel punts on hep B vaccine vote

BY GRANT STRINGER

Bay Area News Group (TNS)

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel that advises the agency on recommendations for vaccines delayed a planned vote Thursday on changes for the hepatitis B shot long recommended for newborns.

resembled the much-publicized suspect in the killing. But Frye and Officer Joseph Detwiler initially approached Mangione with a low-key tone, saying only that someone had said he looked “suspicious.” Asked for his ID, he gave a phony New Jersey driver’s license with a fake name, according to prosecutors. Moments later, after frisking Mangione, Detwiler stepped away to communicate with dispatchers about the license, leaving the rookie Frye by Mangione’s table. Frye asked him, “What’s going on?” and what had brought him to Altoona.

“I don’t know what you guys are up to. I’m just going to wait,” Mangione answered, and he inquired what was afoot.

After repeating the claim that someone was suspicious of Mangione, Frye asked: “You don’t want to talk to me or anything?”

Mangione indicated that he didn’t, shaking his head But he continued to answer other questions asked by the officers, and also posed a few of his own.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has scrutinized the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, as part of U.S Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign to reduce the vaccinations that Americans receive Kennedy argues that vaccines have health risks, including the development of autism, but respected medical associations call his assertions dangerous and not grounded in evidence. Hepatitis B is a common viral infection that can lead to chronic cases bringing cancer and liver disease About 640,000 adults in the U.S. have chronic hepatitis B, according to the CDC, with the highest rates among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The vaccine panel on Thursday was expected to rescind the CDC’s recommendation that newborns receive a vaccine to protect against hepatitis B. The panel’s members delayed that decision during a meeting in Atlanta, with some saying they were confused about the proposal and others expressing concern

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Luigi Mangione appears in court alongside his attorneys Karen Friedman Agnifilo, left, and Marc Agnifilo for an evidence hearing Thursday in New york.

Admiral: No ‘kill them all’ order on strike

BY STEPHEN GROVES and LISA MASCARO Associated Press

WASHINGTON A Navy admiral commanding the U.S. military strikes on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean told lawmakers Thursday that there was no “kill them all” order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, but a stark video of the attack left grave questions as Congress scrutinizes the campaign that killed two survivors.

Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley appeared for a series of closed-door classified briefings at the Capitol as lawmakers conduct an investigation after a report that he ordered the follow-on attack that killed the survivors to comply with Hegesth’s demands. Legal experts have said such a strike could be a violation of the laws of military warfare.

“Bradley was very clear that he was given no such order, to give no quarter or to kill them all,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, who heads the Senate Intelligence Committee, as he exited a classified briefing.

While Cotton, R-Ark., defended the attack, Democrats who were also briefed and saw video of the survivors being killed questioned the Trump administration’s rationale and said the incident was deeply concerning.

“The order was basically: Destroy the drugs, kill the 11 people on the boat,” said Washington Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

N.Y.

attempts to put a check on Trump’s power to engage in the missile campaign, which Hegseth has vowed will continue. Several Democrats have called for Hegseth to resign.

Lawmakers want a full accounting of the Sept 2 strike, which was the first in what has become a monthslong series of U.S. military attacks on vessels near Venezuela believed to be ferrying drugs. The Washington Post had reported that Bradley ordered the follow-on attack on the survivors.

The survivors did not issue any distress call or other communications, though lawmakers were told it appeared the people had a hand raised, “waving” at one point during the attacks, Smith said.

Smith acknowledged there was likely cocaine on the boat, but he objects to the Republican administration’s rationale for continued attacks on alleged drug runners who may or may not be heading to the United States.

Operations Command.

His military career was mostly spent serving in the elite Navy SEALs and commanding joint operations. He was among the first special forces officers to deploy to Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 attacks. His latest promotion to admiral was approved by unanimous voice vote in the Senate this year

that drug cartels amount to armed combatants because their cargo poses a threat to American lives.

Smith, who is demanding further investigation, said the survivors were “basically two shirtless people clinging to the bow of a capsized and inoperable boat, drifting in the water until the missiles come and kill them.”

The classified sessions with Bradley alongside the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, provided fresh information at a crucial moment as Hegseth’s leadership comes under scrutiny But they did little to resolve growing questions about the legal basis for President Donald Trump’s extraordinary campaign to use war powers against suspected drug smugglers. So far more than 80 people have been killed in some 20 strikes.

Lawmakers have not yet specifically authorized the use of military force against the alleged drug boats, and the Republican-controlled Congress has turned back

But lawmakers who lead the House and Senate’s national security committees in Congress came away with different descriptions of what the two survivors were doing when they were killed.

Cotton said he saw them “trying to flip a boat loaded with drugs bound for United States back over so they could stay in the fight.”

He said there were “several minutes” between the first and second attacks, which consisted of four missile strikes. He said it was “gratifying” that the U.S. military was taking “the battle” to cartels.

But Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said, “what I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things I’ve seen in my time in public service.”

“You have two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel,” he said, and who “were killed by the United States.”

Times sues Pentagon over Hegseth’s media restrictions

BY DAVID BAUDER AP media writer

NEW YORK The New York Times filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Pentagon, attempting to overturn new rules imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that have led to most mainstream media outlets being banished from the building.

The newspaper said the rules violate the Constitution’s freedom of speech and due process provisions, since they give Hegseth the power to determine on his own whether a reporter should be banned. Outlets such as the Times walked out of the Pentagon rather than agree to the rules as a condition for getting a press credential

The Pentagon press room now includes mostly conservative outlets that agreed to the rules, and representatives from those organizations participated Tuesday in a briefing with Hegseth’s press secretary

“The policy is an attempt to exert control over reporting the government dislikes,” said Charles Stadtlander, spokesman for the Times. The newspaper filed the case with the U.S. District Court in Washington.

The Pentagon had no immediate response to a request for comment on lawsuit.

The Times said denial of access to the Pentagon restricts its reporters’ ability to do their job. Because the new policy gives Hegseth the right to oust reporters working on stories he does not like, even if those stories do not involve classified information, it has a chilling effect on journalists, the newspaper argued in court papers Lawyers are also concerned similar restrictions will be put in place at other federal agencies.

The Pentagon has argued that the policy

imposes “common sense” rules that protect the military from release of information that could put them in danger During her briefing Tuesday, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said the legacy media outlets are not missed.

“The American people don’t trust these propagandists because they stopped telling the truth,” Wilson said. “So, we’re not going to beg these old gatekeepers to come back and we’re not rebuilding a broken model just to appease them.”

Several news outlets whose coverage reaches millions of people, including The Associated Press, Washington Post and CNN, asked the Pentagon for access to Wilson’s briefing. They were denied and told it was for credentialed press only

The Times is citing Wilson’s “propagandists” comment as evidence that the Pentagon is discriminating against reporters for their points of view That is the same argument that the AP is making to stop President Donald Trump from denying access to its journalists to events in the Oval Office and Air Force One. The AP case is currently wending its way through the federal court system.

Times lawyers say they believe their viewpoint discrimination case is stronger because Times reporters no longer have credentials to enter the Pentagon. AP journalists are able to enter the White House, but not to some specific newsmaking events there.

The Times’ case is being filed on behalf of the newspaper and one of its reporters, Julian E Barnes. The Defense Department, Hegseth and chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell are named as defendants.

“That’s really the core of the problem with all of this,” he said. At the time of the attack, Bradley was the commander of Joint Special Operations Command, overseeing coordinated operations between the military’s elite special operations units out of Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

About a month after the strike, he was promoted to commander of U.S. Special

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has described Bradley as among those who are “rock solid” and “the most extraordinary people that have ever served in the military.”

But lawmakers have also made it clear they expect a reckoning if it is found that survivors were targeted.

“Anybody in the chain of command that was responsible for it, that had vision of it, needs to be held accountable,” he said.

Underpinning Trump’s campaign against suspected traffickers is his argument

Democrats are demanding the release of the full video of the Sept. 2 attack, as well as written records of the orders and any directives about the mission from Hegseth. None of the written orders or audio of verbal commands was shared with the lawmakers. A White House Office of Legal Counsel memo providing a rationale for the strikes was dated after the fact, on Sept. 5. That memo remains undisclosed, and Democrats want it released. Obtaining further information, though, will largely depend on action from Republican lawmakers, who have majority control of the committees, a potentially painful prospect for them if it puts them at odds with the president.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

U.S. Navy Adm Frank M. Bradley walks to a meeting with senators Thursday on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Advocates criticizeLa.’s industry focus

ButLED says plansare in best interestofstate

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL Staff writer

Ararely held hearing on Louisiana economic developmentthis week led to renewed debate overthe balance between industryand environmental concerns, with community activists and officials from Gov.Jeff Landry’sadministration disagreeing sharply

Required by state law for Louisiana agencies every six years, the hearing in Baton Rouge was meant for public comment on specific rules issued by the Louisiana Department of Economic Development

Ahandful of environmentalists andcommunity activists arguedthat a decades-long emphasis on heavy industry has placed a pollution burden on largely minority fence line communities without the promised financial gains. LED officials responded laterthat their policies were bringing jobs and opportunities to those very communities

Under Landry’srecent Louisiana Lightning Speed Initiative, the activists also charged, the state has been directed to push new projects too quickly —and under the secrecy of nondisclosure agreements for projects like aplanned Hyundai Steel plant.

“Economic development has not happened for us because of sweetheart deals, the same sweetheart deal that’sbeen made with Hyundai and the rest of them. These deals don’tdoanything but give money backto the people that promised to come and put economic development in our area,” said Gail LeBoeuf, co-founder of Inclusive Louisiana, aSt. JamesParish-based environmental nonprofit.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By DAVIDGRUNFELD

Environmentalists and community activists argued this week thatLouisiana’sdecades-long emphasis on heavy industry has placed apollution burden on largely minority fence line communities withoutthe promised financial gains.

Joy Banner,co-founder of TheDescendants Project in St. John the Baptist, argued that instead of continuing to bringmore industry to the river region, the state should trytofocus on itscultural capital and expand tourism. She said it alreadycontributes $440 million annually to the region from ahandfulof parishesinits center Her organization has been amongthose highlighting the Black and Creole history of the RiverParisheswhile telling the true story of life on the region’splantations for enslaved people.

‘BestinterestofLouisiana’ Department lawyers received thecomments, but, under thestandard terms of such agency hearings, didn’t engageinquestionand-answer.Inastatement later,however,department officialscountered that the allegationswere“an ambush” and that Secretary Susan Bourgeois would not respond to them directly But, in the statement, state officials chargedthe claims were not based on the department’sactual work in bringing jobs and opportunity to the people of Louisiana.”

The officials saidthat anyone “who would reject those opportunities clearly does not have the best interest of Louisiana citizens at heart.”

“This state haslong suffered from afailure to diversifyour economy. What we have done over the past 23 monthsisunprecedented andtransformational economic growth that has finally turned thetide of losing our people,” department officials added.

Since Landrytook office, the department hasannounced tens of billions of industrialinvestment with thousandsofjobsfor the river corridor, withmost presenting air pollution impactsand hinging on carbon capture andcheap natural gas.

But, perhapstothe department’spoint about diversification, aday after the rules hearing, economic officials also announced a$4million expansion and modernization of jewelry-making studiosfor the Louisiana family-owned Boudreaux’s Jewelers. Theoperation is in Mandeville, however,far from theriver corridor,and theexpansionwill add two newjobsand retain 19 oth-

ers.

Set in motion throughan executive order this fall, the Lightning Speed Initiative directs Bourgeois to pursue a“whole of government”approach towardbringing new projectstofruition.

New departmental liaisons are supposedtofocus with Bourgeois’ agency on priority economic development initiatives and “work collaboratively to align policy, permitting, infrastructure, workforce, andregulatory processes to accelerateand sustain economic developmentstatewide.”

In trying to make acase for the initiative, Landry’s Sept.16executive order cited anet loss of 12,000 jobs in the state between 2016 and 2023.

Nondisclosureagreements

Earlier this year,anindustry-financedstudy conducted by Louisiana economist Stephen Barnes found the “energy industry,” aterm that includes the petrochemical and certain other manufacturing sectors, generated 25% of the state’seconomy and 15% of its employment.

In the Mississippi River corridor, that impact amounted to more than 134,600 energy jobswith $11.4 billion in earnings, according to the study from theLouisianaMid-Continent Oil andGas Association, apetrochemical industry trade group.

Pockets of the same region, however,stillsuffer from high poverty rates, including Modeste and Donaldsonville, two western AscensionParish communities whereanew wave of industries has been targeted by Landry’sadministration, including Hyundai Steel.

A2024 study found the pet-

rochemical sector’sshare of theLouisiana economy has fallenbymore than half since 1999 as total jobs in the state have dropped and prospectsfor growth areweak in aglobal economy shifting from fossilfuels.The study called for more economic diversification that big state incentives focused on industry could crowd out. That analysis was done by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, agroup critical of other petrochemical and fossil fuel investments in Louisiana and the state incentives behind them

Despite requests dating back to Oct. 21, the groups also told economic officials on Wednesday they have been unable to geta copy of the cooperative endeavor agreementthe state has with Hyundai Steel for its plant proposed in Modeste. They also asserted they have had local leaderstellthem they can’ttalk about upcoming projects because of nondisclosure agreements. In the statement, state economic officials said the agreements are “standard practicefor economicdevelopment projects across the globe fordecades.”

DavidJ.Mitchellcan be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

Arrestsmount in N.O. Border Patrol sweeps

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

Federal agents fanned across New Orleans on Thursday forthe second dayofa massive U.S. Border Patrol operation, conducting scattered arrests as pounding rain cleared foot traffic in the kinds of public spaces agents swarmed in force aday prior Department of Homeland Security officials touteddozens of arrests in the first 24 hoursof the operation dubbed “Catahoula Crunch,” specifically naming six people whom the agency said had lengthy criminal histories. Arrestees publicized by DHS ranged from aman with kidnapping and assault convictions to another convicted of possessing marijuana.

Dozensmorepeopleappearedto have been detained in the operation in total by Thursday evening, but U.S. officials have repeatedly declined to providea full tally. Recent Border Patrol sweepsinChicago and Charlotte, North Carolina, netted avast majority of detainees with no criminal backgrounds. And in New Orleans on Thursday,allegations emergedoffederal agents detaining people with work permits and American citizenship. A23-year-old Marrero woman and U.S. citizen was chased to her home by masked agents after going grocery shopping

“Where were you born, man?” a Border Patrol agent asked aman outside aNew OrleansLowe’s store on Wednesday,according to video of the encounter captured by an organizer for immigrantrights group Union Migrante.

“I’m aU.S. citizen,” theman replied.

“But where were you born?” the agentresponded. He repeated the question in Spanish, adding, “Tell me the truth.”

“I won’tanswer any more questions,” the man answered in English.

“OK,” the agent responded. “Will you put handcuffs on him, please?”

Theman wasone of threecitizens detainedfor questioning and thenreleased after agents realized he had citizenship, according to Union Migrante, whosemembers research and publicize immigration enforcement operations.

Mirroring critiques leveled in Chicago and Charlotte, advocates and attorneys on Thursday said agents’ professed goal of detaining criminals has not matched who they are targeting for detention so

far around New Orleans —mostly day laborers and wage workers without felony criminal records whom agentsencounteredinpublic spaces.

Union Migrante andother advocacy groups have accused Border Patrol agentsofracially profiling by targeting New Orleans-area locationsfrequented by Hispanic residents.

“They’re not focusing on particular people, they’re focusing on particular traits,” said Homero López, an immigration attorney and former immigration judge.

“Those traits tend to be physical in nature.”

In avideoobtained by The Times-Picayune, masked agents pulled aman out of acar and forced himonto the ground while detaining him.

In response to questionsabout the agency’stacticsand allegations of U.S. citizens being held for questioning, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin provided alist Thursdayofsix people with criminal recordswhom McLaughlin said the operation had captured in its first 30 hours.

“These are sick people who have livedamong us for far toolong,” McLaughlin said.

They include aVietnamese man, Hung NgocTran, with prior sexual assault, larceny and child fondling convictions, according to McLaughlin.Another Vietnamese-born detainee McLaughlin described, Banh VanTo, has convictions for robbery,aggravated

robberywith adeadly weapon, kidnappingand aggravated assault, shesaid.Detainee Carlos Roberto Guardado-Ramirez, of Honduras, has previous arrests for simple battery,domestic abuse child endangerment, resisting an officer and driving while intoxicated. Late Thursday, DHSalso posted avideo on social media of thearrest of Jorge Vierra-Serrano, a Cubannational whotheysaid was convicted of forcible rape and burglary

Other arrestees had less serious charges. OneHonduran-born man hada previous marijuana convictionand an arrest for disturbing the peace.

U.S. HouseSpeaker Mike Johnson, aRepublican from the Shreveport area,joinedother conservative state and federal officials in applauding DHS’ efforts Thursday, posting on socialmedia that “sanctuary city” policies have madecommunitiesdangerous and “the people of our GREATcity deserve better, and help is now on the ground.”

Meanwhile, alegal spat between Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill andthe American Civil LibertiesUnion over anew state lawshednew light Thursdayon how much leeway residents may have when protesting immigrationagents during the operation.

Alegal brief Murrill’soffice filed in thecasesaidthe law does not bar “pure FirstAmendment-protected speech,” suchasworkshops notifying immigrants of their legal rights.

Locally,signs of angerand anguish emerged Thursday toward the operation, which has centered Louisianainthe Trump administration’sexpanding immigration crackdown

About 30 people protesting the operation anddemanding moreaction from local leaders were forcibly ejected from aNew Orleans City Councilmeetingafter some protesters screamed at council members and pushed and shoved police.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who is underfederal indictmentby Trump’sJustice Department, gave her first public remarks Thursday about the operation by saying New Orleans“stands in solidarity” with immigrants and that the city would work to make them “feel safe,” without providing specifics.

In theevening, faith leaders and community members gathered for an interfaith service hosted by St. Charles Center for Faith and Action to show support for immigrant residents. They discouraged impacted immigrants from attending, warning that “public participation couldpose risks.”

There, atable at the entranceto the high-ceilinged sanctuary was scattered with flyers forvolunteer opportunities, “no trespassing” signs for business owners to post to steer away lawenforcement agents, andbagsofwhistles that attendeeswereencouraged to blowasawarning if theysee enforcement activity

The vigil brought together clergy andcommunity leadersfrom numerous New Orleans faith organizationstolead prayers, reflections and readings from scripture.

Before amomentofsilence, attendees gathered beneath thealtar to light dozens of votive candles.

“Wewanted to join together in an act of solidarity with our neighbors as our various traditions call us to do,” said the Rev.Marc Boswell, pastor of the St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church. “This type of cruelty,this type of racial profiling …should have no place here.”

Border Patrol Commander GregoryBovino is on the ground in New Orleans and strolled the streets of the French Quarter on Wednesday evening. He offeredupdatesonthe operation on social media Thursday,needling critics and thanking supporters.

“WeloveNew Orleans,”hewrote to one supporter on the social media site X. “New Orleans is adefinite border town. We are cleaning it up!”

Fox News reported Thursday that DHS had made more than 20 arrests in NewOrleans.

Agents under Bovino’s leadership faced accusations of racial profiling in Chicago and Charlotte for tacticsthat immigration advocates say are reflected in Border Patrol’s focusinNew Orleanson shopping areas and parking lots. Though it isn’tfinal, aSeptember ruling from theU.S.Supreme Courtallowedagents to question people about theirimmigration statuses based solely on factors such as race, ethnicity and whether they hear them speaking in foreign languages.

López, the immigration attorney andformerjudge,saida 21-yearold client had been detained at a restaurant in Kenner despite having aworkpermit andother protections the Department of Homeland Security grants to juvenile abuse victims.

López’sclient received “special immigrant juvenile status” while he was still ajuvenile, he said aDHS designation for immigrant youth who have been abused, abandoned or neglected by aparent. That status granted the client deferred action protections, an additional designationunder which authorities agree nottodeport someonedue to extenuating circumstances.

The man’sstatus also earnedhim awork permit.

“This tells us that their focus is not the worst of the worst or peoplewho have committed allthese crimes,” López said. “They’re going after folks who areworking, who are doing it quote-unquote ‘the right way.’”

Staff writer Sophie Kasakove contributed to this report.

Court allows La.immigration enforcementlaw

ACLU claims partial victoryinlawsuit

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

Afederal judge on Thursday declined an immigration advocacy group’srequest to temporarily block anew Louisiana law that makes it acrime to interfere with immigration officers.

AttorneyGeneral LizMurrill hailed the decision as awin for the state —and evidence of the law’s constitutionality

But the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, which is representingthe advocacy group, claimed victory because, in defending the law,Murrill’soffice said it would not be used to prosecute people for speech in many cases —like for telling immigrants what their legal rights are.

The lawsuit alleged the law was

so broadly written that it violated theFirstAmendment by limiting free speech, and that it violated the14th Amendment forbeing toovague.

Act 399,passed this year,makes it acrime to knowingly commit any act “intended to hinder,delay, prevent, or otherwise interfere with or thwart federalimmigrationenforcement efforts.” Violating thatrule would be considered an obstruction of justice.

The lawdrew renewed attention after President Donald Trump’s administration announced the New Orleans area would be the next target of amassive immigration sweep led by the U.S. Border Patrol. That operation, dubbed “Catahoula Crunch,” began Wednesday

During thelead-up tothe sweep, Immigration Servicesand Legal Advocacy,orISLA, the main plaintiffin the lawsuit, stopped offering “Know Your Rights” workshops to immigrants,the group’s

“There is no First Amendment problem with Act 399, and we’re grateful that the Courthas declined to issuearestraining order.”

LIZ MURRILL, Louisiana attorneygeneral

lawyers said. Theyaskedthe courttoprevent thestate from enforcing the law against ISLA if it offered those workshops.

In abrieffiled Thursday morning, alawyer forMurrill’soffice argued theorder wasnot necessary becausethe law does not bar “pure First Amendment-protected speech” and the state would never prosecute ISLA for simply informingpeople of theirlegal rights.

“The heartland applicationof obstruction statutes such as (Act 399) is in the context of those violentsceneswhere defendants have physically inhibited alawenforcement officer fromcarry-

PARADE

the parade as “part of the fabric of our city.”

“Weare in December.You allrollonValentine’sDay That’sinjust afew weeks,” she said.“So,speaking on behalf of the mayor,we would not want to change much this year.Wehave some ways of trying to do some things as soon as possible, but this is along-term strategy Parade organizers and community members advocated for helping the parade, pointing to its economic and cultural impact on Spanish Town andthe CapitalRegion. At the public hearing, former Mystic KrewePresidentBill Brumfield said Visit Baton Rouge estimated the event brought $4.65 million to the area in direct and indirect impact.

“I’ve had local businesses in the downtown area tell me that on the day before our parade,and theday of our parade, and actuallythe day after our parade, they make more moneythan they do the rest of the year,” he said.

“And that is howthey’re able to stay in business.Itisan economic drivingforce for thepeoplein downtownBaton Rouge.” Shouldthe parade notget fundinghelp,current Mystic Krewe President Robert King said before the hearing that it could put organizers’ “backs against thewall.”

“Wecan make it happen. We’re not going to have any moneyleft,”hesaid.“So next year will be like theold days, with trying to figure out how we’re goingtohave moneytodothis.”

TheSpanish Town Mardi Gras Parade isn’tthe first local event toface financial troubledue to the new BRPD policy

This summer,the Cortana Kiwanis canceled the 2025 Christmas Parade due to rising security costs. The eventhad beenheldin Baton Rouge for 74 yearsand regularly attracted crowds of more than 75,000 people.

In October, organizers of theFifolet Halloween Festival saidthisyear’sparade— the 15th—couldbeits last due to the new policy.Accordingtoorganizers at the time, BRPDquoted aprice of around$13,600 for security costs.

Although parade organizers receivedapositive viewfor the2026 festivities,the publichearing underscoredthe significantchallenges ahead for both governmental and outside organizations amid Thrive tax’sfailure to pass.

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) —apartnership that unites law enforcement,the District Attorney’sOffice, the court system andpublic defenders —asked the Metro Council to reconsider a proposed 54%reduction in city-parish funds. The city constable andthe Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge also asked for budget adjustments, as they face reductions of 11% and 25%, respectively

Mayor-President SidEdwards expressed thedesperatesituation faced by his office and the MetroCouncil, emphasizing that any budget adjustments would take away funds allocated to other departments andgroups.

“CJCC and everyone else who has to come up here? It breaksmyheart,” he said.

“I wanttofund everybody to thefullest extent,but it is what it is.”

Staffwriter QuinnCoffman contributed to this report.

ingout his duties,” the brief said, adding that ISLA “sued over nothing.”

“ThereisnoFirst Amendment problem with Act 399, and we’re grateful that theCourt hasdeclined to issuearestraining order,” Murrill said in astatement.

Meanwhile, the ACLU said it was “heartened by the guidance from the seniorlaw enforcement officer of the State, that Act 399 does not —and will not —apply to speech.”

The guidance “mootsthe need forthe Courttodecidethe Temporary Restraining OrderasISLA is nowable to conductthe very speech it believed was targeted by Act399,” the organization continued. “The AG’sOffice has now madeclear what we all wanted to know: that the public is safe to protest and speak freely under the First Amendment without fear of Act399.”

Not allspeech is protected from obstruction of justice laws, and the full bounds of Act 399remain unclear Through aspokesperson, Murrill’soffice declined to saywhether the law would makeitillegal to share information aboutthe locationofICE andBorder Patrol agents,orwhether it wouldbea crime to warnsomeone not to go to acertain location because of a possible immigration arrest. Violating Act 399 would carry apenalty of up to six months in prison if the offenseinvolvesan official act of agovernment agent, anduptoone year in prisonifit involves acivil immigration proceeding. Defendantswould also face up to $5,000 in fines.

Continued from page 1A

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

The Cortana Kiwanis canceled the 2025 ChristmasParadedue to rising security costs.

the plan were the chairmen of the House and Senate natural resources committees. By law,their committees must agree to any water sale from Toledo Bend, along with amajority of the parishes that sit on the reservoir’sshores.

Calling the lake water

“vital” forLouisiana, the twochairmen saidtheir primary sticking point was the idea of selling homegrown resources to out-of-state interests.

Aspokesperson for Aqueduct Partners had not responded to arequest for comment.

‘Futureissellingwater’

The 186,000-acre reservoir with its notable jagged edges sits on the borderof Texas and Louisiana. Made from damming the Sabine River,the two states can each sell nearly 1million acre-feet annually from thereservoir underToledo Bend’sfounding compact.

The authorities also sell water to industrial facilities downstream through diversion canals after thewater has left the reservoir.

As acomparison, the annual amount Aqueduct Partners was pursuingis the equivalent of one-third of the water inside Lake Maurepas in eastern Louisiana.

Though authorityofficials say even that amountis dwarfed by the volumes that flow into the lake each year, the sale triggeredfears among residents, business people and others that the sales would havelowered water levels and hindered boating, fishing and other lake recreation.

SRA of Louisiana officials did their own analysisof the lake’shistory of water inflows, including from the Sabine River and surface runoff, and outflows for purposessuch as electrical generation and for downstream users belowthe reservoir dam.

They said it showed the huge lake had plenty of capacitytosell water without adetrimental effect on levels, which,bylaw,generally can’tgobelow 4.5 feet of its maximumelevation.

This isn’tthe first time Louisiana authorityofficials have lookedatselling Toledo Bendwater to Texas.

Foret and Warren Founds, the authority’s executive director, argued that water sales are likely atsomepoint in the future, though Foret agreed that thecurrent deal is “dead” when asked.

“We’re not coming back on the (board) agenda any time soon,I canpromise you that,” Foret said.

Theauthority relieson hydropower salestofinance its operations, which includenot just the reservoir butalsoparks, docks,agolf course resort and other amenities.

Officials say theelectrical generators are growing old and even now occasionally don’tturn an annual profit, while water sales are 30 times more lucrative than selling electricity

“The future is selling water,definitely;whether it’s now or five years from now, it’sgoingtohappen,” Foret said.

Butstate Rep.Rodney Schamerhorn, R-Hornbeck,

said that he planstofile abill next spring to block future out-of-state sales from Toledo Bendor, perhaps,from thewhole state.

He said he doesn’thave aproblem with thesale of downstream water after it has already left the Toledo Bend reservoir,but said he worries thearrivalofwaterhungry datacenters in easternTexas couldadd to the pressuretotap the lake.

“Look at thepeople that have investedtheir life savings on property around Toledo Bend. We need to protect them,” Schamerhorn said.

He said he believes he will be able tofind legislative cosponsors and backing from local parish leadersalready opposed to the now-stalled Toledo Bend sale.

Some residents whowelcomedthe endofcurrent talks with Aqueduct Partners say theywill support thebill because they believe theidea will return, as it has before.

Undertaken by aboard with several newly appointed membersunder Gov.Jeff Landry, thenow-endedpreliminary talks had focused on whethertorenew or refashion an earlierproposal from Aqueduct Partners. It expired last fall. Residents also pointed out that when the authority vot-

ed to halt talks with AqueductPartners on Nov.13, the unanimous vote was specific to the Aqueduct Partners negotiations only

“That water is likegold in that lake, literally,but you

can’teat or drink gold to sustain life,” said Shane Sloane, aLafayette insurance agent whose family owns aretirementhome on the lake.

Foret, the authority official who hasbeen on itsboard

for10years, said future watersales arelikely to be out of state because Louisiana isn’tfacing shortagesand Texashas water needs. He said legislation “to prevent that is amistake.”

In addition to halting the sale talks, the authority has also stoppedpursuit of a secondopinionfromanengineering firmonthe impact of water sales on lake levels.

The SRA of Louisiana officials, whodecided to pursue that study in September, had hoped the SRA of Texas would split thecost of the $50,000 study ButFounds,the Louisiana executive director,said Texas authority officials didn’twant to help fund the study in the face of opposition from Louisiana legislators,whichbecame public in early October SRA of Texas officials didn’timmediatelyrespond to arequest forcomment.

DavidJ.Mitchellcan be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

STAFFFILE PHOTOByDAVID J. MITCHELL

Aboater speeds downaninlet of Toledo Bend Reservoir along La.191 south of Zwolle.

“President Shields made good contributions to Southern,” Clayton said. “But Southern fundingDEI initiatives hurt us in terms of grants. We’re looking for aperson who can help us break into that area of bringing in more grants, bringing in more research dollars. That’swhere Southern has to be in order for it to be competitive in the future.”

The next president must have an “outstanding reputation” for fundraising, Clayton said. The Southern University system budgeted $191.9 million in revenue for the fiscal year 2025-26, $22.9 millionlessthanthe previous fiscal year,accordingto the operating budget.

Southern University is one of just over 100 historically Black colleges and universities in the U.S. It was established by the Louisiana Legislature in 1880 toprovide a placeofhigherlearning for people of color. Shields said the question of state and federal funding —inaddition to backlash against DEI and what that means for ahistorically Black university —is a“continuing issue” that his successor will face as well.

“We’re ahistorically Black university system,” Shields said. “Weexist because historically the South was segregated. That’swhat we sprang out of. Us and all HBCUs have been open to whoever comes, and that should continue.”

The shake-upatSouthern University comes amid a broader shift in Louisiana higher education leadership, with several universities hiring new presidents in the pastfew monthswho stress the need for strong connections with industry.Italso follows months of national turbulence as the Trump administration curtails federal research funding and targets DEI efforts at colleges and universities.

Weeks before the Southern announcement, the LSU

BoardofSupervisors named as its system’s next president former McNeeseState University President Wade Rousse, who pitched himself as thebusiness-savvy candidate and advocated forincreased corporatepartnerships to fund research

Clayton said he will appoint acommittee in January to lead Southern’s search forits next president. He expects the committee to presentfinalists to the board within five to six months after that, he said. “I’m looking for aperson who has an educational backgroundthat’sinextricably intertwined with business,” Clayton said.“To operate this system, we need a more general philosophy in

terms of moving this school to ahigher level.”

The next president will have amandate to getSouthern “a seat at the table” with Louisiana industry and Fortune 500 companies, as well as attract more state and federal dollars, Clayton said.

“Weare notruling out the likes of going to theCondoleezza Rices of the world, people of that ilktorun this university,”Clayton said.

Clayton said he wants the next presidenttoaim high to boost funding, including pursuing contractswiththe U.S. Department of Defense.

The DOD should “consider Southern as ageographic jewel in terms of bringing in defense contractssothat we can train the future military

leadersand first responders,not only for people in thestate of Louisiana, but to protect this entire country

with that corridor of chemical plants there,” Clayton said. “Wewill be looking for military contracts.”

He also mentioned greater collaboration with local industry —for example, Southern’sengineering departments working with chemical plants on safety and efficiency projects.

“You’re going to see Southern transforminthe not-sodistant future to where we are better equipped to handle the needs of this state and this country,” he said.

Shields, whohas served as systempresident since 2022, calledthe job “difficult even in the best of circumstances.”

While he wished he could have completed his contract, he said he is proud of his tenureand planstobeashelpful as possible during the transition period.

He highlighted enrollment and fundraising growth, improvements in graduation ratesand the groundbreaking of several capital projects as key achievements

fromhis time in the presidency.Healso oversaw a $5 million donation from Shell, announced in October,tosupport the chemical engineering program and establish astudent success center

“I’ve been heartened by the mostly positive reaction to the work that I’ve done over the past three and a halfyears,” Shieldssaid.

“My view is my record will stand foritself.”

Shields will go on sabbatical after leaving the presidency and take timetodecompress and self-reflect, he said. He canchoosewhether to teach at the Southern University Law Center when he returns, which is likely but not decided yet, he said.

“I’veworkedatsix other institutions, and here’swhat I’ve learned,” Shields said. “Institutions endure. Youdo what you can and do the best you can while you’re there to add positively to whatgoes on.Then, when you step away from it, the institution moves forward.”

MelaniaTrump lights National ChristmasTree

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press

WASHINGTON— First lady MelaniaTrump

lit the National Christmas Tree on achilly Thursday night in the nation’s capital.

At the annual tree lighting on the Ellipse, just south of the White House, President Donald Trump told the crowd, “The first lady is going to do the honors.”

He counted down from fiveto zero.Melaniathenstepped forward andpressed abutton that made the tree behindthem sparkle with gold-toned lights.

“It’sabeauty,” the president said The event featured performances by rock legends the Beach Boys, Christianmusic singer Matthew West and country artists Gabby Barrett, Jon Pardi, AlanaSpringsteen, Brett Young and Warren Zeiders. In brief remarks,President Trump touched on the peace deal signed earlier Thursday between Rwanda and theDemocratic Republic of Congo.Healsomentioned false claims about the2020 election being “rigged,” but said he’shappy his terms

weren’tconsecutive because he will be in office when World Cup soccer and the SummerOlympics are held in the United States next year.

Trumpalsooffered thankstothose who serve the needyaswell as police and other law enforcement officers, first responders, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents “who risk their lives every day.”

Thepresident also discussed the two National Guard members who were shot, one fatally,nearthe WhiteHouse on theday before Thanksgiving.

He saidhehad spoken with thefamily of Staff Sgt.Andrew Wolfe, who is recovering in ahospital.

After he returnedtothe White House,he shared on his social media site aphotoof Wolfe’sfamily standing around him as he sat as his desk in theOval Office.

Trump said in the post that Wolfe “is in the process of healing. Hisparents,brother, andall of his friends are praying. Ijust met theminthe Oval Office —They arefantastic American Patriots!”

Ballroom plansexpectedtobesubmitted soon

BY GARYFIELDS and DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press

WASHINGTON— The WhiteHouse is expected to submit plansfor President Donald Trump’snew ballroom to afederalplanning commission thismonth, about three months after construction began.

Will Scharf, who wasappointed by Trump as chairman of the National Capital PlanningCommission, said at the panel’smonthly meetingThursday that he has been told by colleagues at the White House that theplanswillbe filed sometime in December.

“Once plans are submitted,that’sreally when the role of thiscommission, and its professional staff,will begin,” said Scharf, who also is one of the Republicanpresident’stop White House aides. He said thereview process would happen at a“normaland deliberative pace.”

If built as proposed by Trump, the 90,000-square-foot ballroom announced over the summer andexpected to be ready beforeTrump’s term ends in 2029, would dwarf the White House itself, at nearlydouble thesize, and the president has said it will ac-

commodate 999 people.

Theestimated price tagcurrently stands at $300 million, up from the White House’sinitial projection of $200 million. Trump has saidthe ballroom will not cost taxpayers adime because it is being privately funded by individuals he says are “patriots,” American corporations and himself. He hasnot said how much of his own money he is contributing

The White House has released alist of 37 donorsthatincludes crypto billionaires, charitableorganizations, sports team owners, powerfulfinanciers, tech and tobacco giants, media companies, supportersofRepublican causes andsomeofthe president’s neighbors in Palm Beach, Florida.

Trumphas long desired aballroom at the White Houseand he complains regularly about the inabilityofthe two largest rooms in theWhiteHouse, the State Dining Room andthe East Room,tohost large events. He also haspanned theuse of large tents set up on the South Grounds for hundredplus-person events,like astate dinner

Last month, when Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited, Trump said he had madealot of enemiesbecause he had to turn down

many people whowanted to attendan East Room dinner in the prince’shonor because of the lack of space.

“I only wishwehad about 2,000 more seats. We would have filled every one of them two times over,” Trump said at the dinner,alluding to theproposed ballroom.“But very soon you’ll be having that, andwe’ll have to do another one in about two years from now.”

In September,Trump moved ahead with sitepreparationworkfor the ballroom despitethe lack of sign-off from the National Capital Planning Commission, the executive branchagencywith jurisdiction over construction and major renovationstogovernment buildings in the region.

Scharfhas made adistinction between demolition work and aboveground construction, saying thecommission onlyhas jurisdiction over the latter.L.PrestonBryant Jr., aformer chair of the commission under President Barack Obama, told The Associated Press that theapproval process typically involved four stages, including an early consultation when the project was conceptual.

In October,Trump demolishedthe East Wing,where he hasproposedto build theballroom.

BY MURI ASSUNÇÃO Newyork Daily News (TNS)

Themotherand stepfather of apregnant 22-yearoldwoman whose remains were found in aMichigan forest are accused of torturing hertodeath,prosecutors said. Cortney Bartholomew, 40, andBradly Bartholomew, 47, were arrested this week on multiple felony charges, including murder,torture,assault of apregnant person causing amiscarriage or stillbirth, and other offenses, the Michigan Attorney General’sOffice said Tuesday They’re accused of brutally murdering Rebecca Park,CortneyBartholomew’sbiological daughter,who was about 38 weeks pregnant when she was reported missing from her northern Michigan homeonNov.3

Park’sbody wasfound three weeks later along a hiking trailinthe Manistee National Forest, arural, wooded area in BoonTownship, roughly 100 miles northofGrand Rapids Her baby wasnowhere to be found.

The couple allegedly lured Park to their Wexford Countyhome on Nov 3, then torturedher in an attempt to remove the unborn infant, resulting in the death of both, officials said.

“These two individuals createda plan,conducted research.Mr. Bartholomew brought Rebecca to their home, forced her into another vehicle and took her into the woods where they stabbed her,forced her to lie on theground while they cuther baby out, ultimately causing her death and the death of the baby,” Carey said, declaring the case “evil, personified.”

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByJULIADEMAREE NIKHINSON

First ladyMelania Trumpclaps after lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington on Thursday.

SupremeCourt allows Texastouse newcongressional map

Lowercourt said map likelydiscriminateson thebasis of race

BY MARK SHERMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON— Adivided Supreme Court on Thursday came to the rescue of Texas Republicans, allowing next year’selections to be held under the state’scongressionalredistricting plan favorableto the GOP and pushed by President Donald Trump despite alowercourt ruling that the maplikely discriminates on the basis of race.

With conservative justices in themajority,the courtacted on an emergency requestfromTexas for quick action becausequalifying in the new districtsalready has begun, with primary elections in March.

The Supreme Court’sorder puts the 2-1 ruling blocking themap on hold at least until after the high court issues afinal decision in the

case. Justice Samuel Alito had previouslytemporarilyblockedthe order while the full court considered theTexas appeal.

Thejustices cast doubt on the lower-court finding that race playeda role in thenew map, saying in an unsignedstatementthat Texas lawmakers had“avowedly partisan goals.”

In dissent, Justice ElenaKagan wrote for the three liberal justices that her colleagues should not have intervened at this point Doingso, she wrote, “ensures that many Texascitizens, fornogood reason, will be placed in electoral districts because of theirrace. And that result,asthis Court haspronounced year in and year out, is a violation of the Constitution.”

The high court’svote “is agreen light for there to be even morereredistricting, and astrong messagetolower courts to butt out,”

Richard Hasen, an election law expert atthe University of California at Los Angeles law school, wrote on theElection Law Blog.

The justices have blocked past

lower-court rulings in congressional redistricting cases, mostrecently in Alabama and Louisiana, that came several months before elections.

The Texas congressionalmap enacted last summer at Trump’surging was engineered to give Republicans five additional House seats. Texaswas thefirst state to meet Trump’sdemands in what has become an expanding national battle over redistricting. Republicans drew the state’snew map to give the GOP five additionalseats, and Missouri and North Carolina followed with newmapsadding an additional Republican seat each.

To counterthose moves, California voters approved aballotinitiative to give Democrats an additional five seatsthere.

Theredrawn mapsare facing court challenges in California and Missouri. Athree-judge panelallowed the new North Carolina map to be used in the2026 elections.

The Trump administration is suing to block thenew California maps, butitcalled for the Supreme

Floridastartsredistricting talks

BY KATE PAYNE Associated Press/Reportfor America

TALLAHASSEE,Fla. Florida’sRepublican-controlled House officially kicked offthe first meeting of its select committee on congressional redistricting Thursday, as the state becomes the latest to consider redrawing electoral maps amid apartisan battle for every edge in nextyear’smidterm elections. But the prospect of mid-decade redistricting in PresidentDonald Trump’sadopted home state remains uncertain, with thetop Republican on the committeestopping short of committing to draft new maps and appearing to draw adeeperdivide among his party’sleaders on howthe processshould move forward.

Republican state Rep. Mike Redondo,who chairs the committee, cemented his chamber’scommitment to consider redistricting duringFlorida’sregularsession, which runs from Jan. 13 to March 13 —saying it would be “irresponsible” to wait until nextspring, as the GOP-controlled state Senate andRepublican Gov.Ron DeSantis have calledfor “It would be irresponsible tothe citizens of Florida,” to delay the process, Redondo said. The national wave of redistricting efforts was instigated by Trump, who hopes to buck the historical trend of the president’sparty

losing seats in midterms, andhis allies are wagering that Florida could yield threeto five more seats for Republicans.Each seat is crucial, becauseDemocrats need anet gain of just three to control thechamber

At Thursday’smeeting, Redondo declared that anymap drawinginFlorida wouldnot be done for partisangain, apledge that drew loud laughs from the crowd largely made up of progressive protesters and voting rights advocates. “Our workasa committee and as alegislative body is notdirected by the work of other states or partisan gamesmanship,” Redondo said, his words temporarily drowned outbylaughter

Opponents of theefforthad crowded the meeting room Thursday,only to be told lawmakers would not be hearing the testimony they had traveled hours to give. Instead, the committee got aslideshow presentation on the basics of redistricting, beforegaveling outmore than 30 minutes before the hourlong meeting was slated to end.

The push for redistricting faces still major challenges in Florida becauseofbitter infighting between DeSantis and leaders in theGOP-dominated Legislature, along with aprovision in the stateConstitution thatexplicitly bars redrawing maps with the intent to “favor or disfavor apolitical party or an incumbent.”

Court to keep the redrawn Texas districtsinplace. Thejustices areseparatelyconsidering acase from Louisiana thatcould further limit race-based districts under Section 2ofthe Voting Rights Act. It’sunclear how the current round of redistricting would be affected by the outcome in the Louisiana case.

TexasAttorney General Ken Paxtonsaid the Supreme Court’sorder “defended Texas’sfundamental righttodrawa mapthatensures we are represented by Republicans.” He called the redistricting law “the BigBeautiful Map.”

“Texas is paving the way as we take ourcountry back,district by district, state by state,” Paxton said in astatement. In the Texascase, U.S. District Judges Jeffrey V. Brownand David Guaderrama concluded that theredistricting plan likely dilutes thepolitical power of Black and Latino voters in violation of theConstitution. Trumpappointed Browninhis first term whilePresident Barack Obama, aDemocrat,

appointed Guaderrama.

“Tobesure, politics played arole in drawing the 2025 Map,” Brown wrote. “But it was muchmore than just politics. Substantial evidence showsthat Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map.”

The majority opinionprovoked avituperative dissent from Judge Jerry Smith, an appeals court judge on the panel.

Smith accused Brown of “pernicious judicial misbehavior” for not giving Smith sufficient time before issuing the majority opinion. Smith, an appointee of President Ronald Reagan, aRepublican, also disagreed strenuously with the substance of the opinion, saying it would be acandidate for the “Nobel Prize for Fiction,” if there were such an award.

“The mainwinners from Judge Brown’sopinion are George Soros and Gavin Newsom,” Smith wrote, referring to the liberal megadonor andCalifornia’s Democraticgovernor.“The obvious losers are the People of Texas and the Rule of Law.”

Ex-CEO tied to new LSU arena pardoned

Center

Tim Leiweke

accused

of

bid-rigging for similar project in Austin

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer

President Donald Trump issued a full pardon this week for Tim Leiweke, former CEO of Oak View Group, the company in talks to develop a new LSU arena, who was charged with rigging bids for a similar deal at the University

of Texas. Federal prosecutors accused Leiweke of “orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process” at the Moody Center in Austin an arena project LSU officials hope to emulate in Baton Rouge. Before Trump’s pardon, which is dated Tuesday Leiweke had a final pretrial conference scheduled for April for the

federal criminal case against him in Texas. Leiweke entered a plea of not guilty in that case. Records obtained by The Advocate and The Times-Picayune last year showed that Oak View Group and ASM Global were the two finalists for the proposed arena that officials hope will replace the Pete Maravich Assembly

Prosecutors said Leiweke coaxed ASM’s parent company, Legends, to drop its bid for the Moody Center so his company, Oak View Group, would be the lone finalist. Leiweke stepped down as CEO of Oak View Group shortly after the indictment. Neither the Oak View Group nor

RAIN CHECK

ABOVE: Students walk past the Herbert Law Center in the rain on Highland Road in Baton Rouge on Thursday

LEFT: A Baton Rouge police officer directs traffic off Magnolia Drive at Perkins Road in heavy rain after a motor vehicle accident in Baton Rouge on Thursday

STAFF PHOTOS By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Full Moon Market unites artists, promotes town

Plaquemine touts

small businesses each month

BY AIDAN McCAHILL

Staff writer

When the full moon rises over Plaquemine, the otherwise tranquil downtown comes alive, filling with local musicians, artists and craftsmen.

While communities have celebrated the culmination of the lunar cycle for centuries, Plaquemine’s tradition only began in December 2024, when Ashlee Bergeron launched the Full Moon Market outside her photography studio on Main Street.

After moving from Church Point in 2021, Bergeron said she quickly fell in love with Plaquemine’s historic architecture and quaint bayou-front charm, but felt that like many small towns in Louisiana, it was largely overlooked. To change that, the local artist started with six vendors and a goal to bring the creative community together support local business and get the word out about the town “I want people to know that Plaquemine is a hidden gem and that it has a lot of potential,” Bergeron said. “The vision of the Full Moon Market is to bring people into Plaquemine to say, ‘Wow, this is a really cool town.’”

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

A Baton Rouge man with multiple felony convictions will return to prison after admitting in court that he beat a man to death with a tree branch four years ago. Antonio Jerome Palmer was set to be tried for second-degree murder and armed robbery this week in the May 2021 killing of 42-year-old Keldric

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

Leiweke

Police:Suspect in stabbing wasbatteredbyvictim

The suspect in afatal stabbing Tuesday was beingbatteredby the victim at the time ofthe incident, Baton Rouge Police said. The woman, whose identity has not yetbeen released, wasthe ex-girlfriend of Robert Gibson, 44, according to police

CRIME BLOTTER staff reports

Officers werefirst called to an apartment in the 2400 block of Weldwood Drive in response to astab-

bing justbefore 9p.m. Tuesday BRPDofficers and EMS personnelfoundGibson dead in aparkinglot. Officerslearned Gibson was battering the woman at the time of the stabbing. Thenshe allegedly armed herself with aknifeand stabbed him

Thekilling has not been ruled as justified and the investigation is ongoing,a BRPD spokesperson said.

St.Maryshipbuilder to launch $300Mexpansion

Saronictoadd over 1,000 jobs building autonomous vessels

BYADAMDAIGLE

Acadiana business editor

Ashipbuilderthat specializes in autonomous surface vessels has launched a$300 million expansion project at itsFranklin plantina move that is expected to add more than 1,000 jobs.

Saronic, the Texas-based company that purchased Gulf Craft in Franklin earlier this year,announced the expansion Wednesday, along with theLouisiana Economic Development and state and local elected officials.

LED officials said the expansion is expected to result in 1,500 newjobs that offer an average annual salary of $87,936 at full employment. The move will help Saronic meetarising demand for autonomous vessels in the defense and commercial sectors.

“This expansion represents what American industry can achieve when innovation and production are fully aligned,” said Dino Mavrookas, company co-founder and CEO.

“Ourexpanded shipyard willenable us to deliver autonomousships at unprecedented speed and scalewhilecreating 1,500 high-quality jobs across Louisiana.”

cluding the Marauder,its 180-foot

autonomous ship.Saronic is collaborating with industry leaders JacobsWyper Architects, P2S, KPFF,JEDunn and Alberici on the design andconstruction.

“Saronic Technologies’ decision to invest in Louisiana speaks to the strength of our workforce and thestate’s leadership in defense manufacturing,” Gov.Jeff Landry said. “This project shows that our people, ourports andour progrowth policies are creating jobs and securing our state’splace at the forefront of America’sdefense economy.”

Mavrookas

“This expansion represents what American industry can achieve when innovation and production are fully aligned.

DINO

MAVROOKAS Saronic CEO

Last month, Saronic broke ground on the project,which includes adding 300,000 square feet of production capacity,LED officials said. Completion is expected by the end of 2026, with expanded operations coming onlineinearly 2027.

Plans include building three new slips, expanding its warehouse and developingadedicated production line for large-vessel assembly,in-

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3, 2025

PICK 3: 4-7-8

PICK 4: 1-9-4-7

PICK 5: 5-8-6-0-6 EASY 5: 4-9-24-34-37

Unof

Saronic is now building two 150-foot Marauder vessels at its Franklin plant, progressing from initial design to full vessel development in just six months. The company expectstosplashits first vessel by the end of the year Company officials have increased theMarauder design to 180 feet, enhancing its payload capacity and operational range. It is capable of hosting up to four 40-foot or eight 20foot shipping containers.

LED’s incentives packages as part of the deal include participation in its comprehensive workforce development program, FastStart, along witha $2 millionperformancebasedgrant and$3million from the Economic DevelopmentAwardProgram to support facility and infrastructure improvements.

Saronic is also expected to participate in LED’s Quality Jobs Program

“This announcement sends a powerfulmessage that we are a placeofthrivingopportunityand economic momentum,” St. Mary Parish President Sam Jones said.

“St. Mary Parish’sbest days are ahead of her,and this project is the beginning ofanew era of economic leadership in south Louisiana.”

EmailAdamDaigle at adaigle@ theadvocate.com

AscensionParishinmate identified after dying

An inmate who was killed in a physical altercation with another inmate hasbeen identifiedbyAscension Parishofficials.

Charlie Stafford, 40, suffered a head injury earlier this week following afight withStacy Leblanc, 56, while both wereimprisonedat the Ascension Parishjail.

Stafford later died at ahospital fromhis injuries, according to the

FULL MOON

Continuedfrom page1B

Ayear later,the market has grown intoa monthly block party —timed to each full moon that draws between 400 and 700 people andmore than 60 vendors, mostly from the Capital Region. Bergeron is nowworkingtoexpand theconcept to asecond location in Carencro.

“The community has grownso quickly because we put our heart andsoulinto it,”she said. “Even if nobody shops, our artists come together andhave agood time.”

The FullMoon Market’sfirst anniversary,named“Twilight Reverie,” will be held from 6p.m.to9 p.m. Friday in downtown Plaquemine. It is aripe opportunityfor

PARDONED

Continuedfrom page1B

Legends Hospitality faced prosecution. Instead, both agreed to pay civil fines to the DOJ. Oak View Group paid $15 million in penalties,while Legends paid $1.5 million.Oak View Groupdid not admit to any wrongdoing.

In May,then-LSU Athletic Director ScottWoodwardsaid Oak View Groupwas the lone finalist for the LSU deal but did not say why ASMhad dropped out of the running.

Leiweke’sindictment, which

BEATING

Continuedfrom page1B

Police said the motive for the mostrecent attack appeared to be robbery.Lewis was beaten to death theevening of May1,2021. He was found lying unresponsive beneathatreeinavacant lot in the 1500 block of NorthAcadian Thruway West,according to court records

He was rushedtoahospital with blunt forcetrauma injuries and

Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office. Leblanc,ofBelle Rose, now faces acount of manslaughter. Leblanc previously had been chargedwithsecond-degreebattery in the case.

Police: Man killedduring possible home invasion

Baton Rouge homicide detectives areinvestigating apossible home invasion that turned into afatal shooting Wednesday eveningoff

those withoutholiday gift ideas, where patrons can expect to findanything from unique jewelry and vintage clothing, to rare baseball cards andhandmade fishing poles, plus homedecor, bathand body products, andseasonal gifts.

“It’sa huge difference when ourcommunity comes out, and shops are small,” she said. “If 90% of our gifts camefrom these small-business owners, our lives would change significantly.”

Food truckswillbeatthe event, plus adedicateddance floor to enjoy livemusic.The Specs, asixmember local band, will headline with covers ranging from Elton John to Chappell Roan.

The market takes place on Main Street,but in case of rain, it moves indoors to the Carl F. Grant Civic Center at Belleview Park.

brought acharge that could have carried up to 10 yearsofprison time and a$1millionfine, caused LSUofficialstopause the project in Baton Rouge. In July,LSU Athletics Chief Communications Officer Zach Greenwell said universityofficials involved in the project were “evaluating the implications”ofLeiweke’sindictment.

Thecurrent statusofthe LSU arenaproject is unclear.University officialsdid notrespond to a requestfor an update Thursday Officials previously estimated thecost of the facility to be around $400 million. The East Baton Rouge Metro Council authorized the levy of a

died two days later.Anautopsy revealed Lewis suffered askull fracture and bleeding to the brain. BatonRouge detectives learned that aman used alarge tree branch to beat Lewisoverthe head multiple times before taking the victim’sbelt pouch. ACrime Stoppers tip helped BatonRougepolicedevelop Palmer as asuspect. Hammond police officersalsorelayed details from a confidential informant that Palmer was hiding out with acousin in Hammond, prosecutors said. Detectives questionedPalmer in

Scenic Highway Detectives say 21-year-old Donovan Pugh was shot around 5:50 p.m. Wednesday at aresidence in the 7800 block of Scenic Highway. He was pronounceddead at the scene, according to police.

Officials suspect Pugh was shot during ahome invasion. Police have not identified the shooter No other information was immediately available. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (225) 389-4869.

The market also partners with local nonprofits for each of its events. On Friday,the guest of honor will be Court Appointed Special Advocates of the 18th JudicialDistrict Court, agroup thatsupports volunteer efforts for childreninthe foster care system.Attendees are encouraged to bring neworgently used clothes, toys and other goods helpful to children in thefoster caresystem. Additionally,adog and cat food drive for the West Baton Rouge AnimalShelterwill be held at the event, with adoption opportunitiesand volunteer sign-ups available forattendees.

“Wewanttobefully involved from theart communitytothe nonprofit community to the economic development of towns that areoverlooked,”Bergeron said.

new 2% sales tax in the Economic Development District surrounding the arena. Drafted agreements between Oak View Groupand LSU showed thatany deal would hinge on thecity-parishgivingsome of thetax revenue collected at the siteback to thedeveloper at afuture date.

In July,officials confirmed that OurLadyofthe Lake Hospital was the sole finalist for the proposed arena’snaming rights, for which they would pay $50 million over 10 years.

Email Patrick Sloan-Turner at patrick.sloan-turner@ theadvocate.com.

June 2021, four days after he was arrested in East Baton Rouge on unrelated charges that stemmed from reports he pointed agun at someone in the 2800 block of Fairfields Avenue. When investigators initially questioned Palmer,hesaidhe knew Lewis but indicated he only learned of his death after the fact. He later confessed to killing the victim,prosecutorsalleged in pretrial motions.

Email Matt Bruceatmatt. bruce@theadvocate.com.

BUSINESS

BRIEFS WIRE REPORTS

Wall Street inches closer to its all-time high

NEW YORK

The U.S. stock market held near its records in a quiet day of trading on Thursday, continuing its relatively calm run following weeks of sharp and scary swings.

Dollar General helped lead the market and rallied 14% after reporting a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. More customers shopped at its stores, and it also squeezed more profit out of each $1 in sales that it made.

Hormel rose 3.8% after likewise reporting a better profit than expected, thanks in part to strength for its Planters nuts and Jennie-O turkey offerings. It also gave a forecasted range for profit in the upcoming year whose midpoint was above analysts’ forecasts.

Among the stocks falling on Wall Street was Kroger, which dropped 4.6%. The grocer reported weaker revenue for the latest quarter than expected, though its profit beat forecasts. It also lowered the top end of its forecasted range for an important measure of revenue this year, while raising the bottom end by less

Tariffs catch up to resurgent Build-A-Bear

A strong quarter at Build-ABear Workshop in a bounce back year for the retailer was overshadowed by the growing weight of tariffs in an ongoing trade war waged by President Donald Trump.

The mall staple was able to get ahead of tariff impacts during the first half of the year through preemptive actions, Chief Financial Officer Voin Todorovic said in a statement Thursday, but the levies caught up to the company in its most recent quarter and will continue to weigh on its performance into 2026.

Many U.S companies have been able to avoid price hikes through various maneuvers like aggressively buying supplies before tariffs kicked in. Many have absorbed some of the costs and pulled back on hiring instead of raising prices. Both importers and economists, however, said that those tactics have an expiration date.

For the period ended Nov. 1, Build-A-Bear earned $8.1 million, or 62 cents per share. A year earlier the St. Louis company earned $9.9 million, or 73 cents per share.

Part of the reason for the retailer’s rebound is growing popularity on social media, particularly among what are referred to as “kidults,” those who may have had a Build-A-Bear growing up who are buying them again. Those buyers tend to spend more on the products.

Russia restricts Apple’s FaceTime service

Russian authorities said Thursday they have imposed restrictions on Apple’s video calling service FaceTime, the latest step in an effort to tighten control over the internet and communications online.

State internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged in a statement that the service is being “used to organize and conduct terrorist activities on the territory of the country, to recruit perpetrators (and) commit fraud and other crimes against our citizens.” Apple did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

The Russian regulator also announced that it has blocked Snapchat, a messaging app for sharing photos, videos and text messages, citing the same grounds it gave for restricting FaceTime.

Under President Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in deliberate and multipronged efforts to rein in the internet. They have adopted restrictive laws and banned websites and platforms that don’t comply Technology also has been perfected to monitor and manipulate online traffic Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in 2024. This year the authorities banned calls via WhatsApp, the most popular messaging app in Russia, and Telegram, a close second. Roskomnadzor justified the measure by saying the two apps were being used for criminal activities.

Jobless benefits filings fall to 191K

Number at lowest since September 2022

BY MATT OTT Associated Press

WASHINGTON U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell to their lowest level in more than three years during Thanksgiving week, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rates

The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits for the week ending Nov 29 fell to 191,000 from the previous week’s 218,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday That’s the lowest level since Sept. 24, 2022, when claims came

in at 189,000. Analysts surveyed by the data provider FactSet had forecast initial claims of 221,000.

Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide, said that unemployment benefit filings are often distorted by the Thanksgiving holiday, which can cause some people who may have lost jobs to delay filing claims.

Still, the low claims figure also suggests that overall layoffs remain muted, despite the high-profile announcements. Hiring is also sluggish, which makes finding a job for those out of work challenging.

“The labor market is kind of frozen,” Bostjancic said. “Companies are in wait-and-see mode.”

Applications for unemployment aid are viewed as a proxy for layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job

market. The job cuts announced recently by large companies such as UPS, General Motors, Amazon and Verizon typically take weeks or months to fully implement and may not be reflected in Thursday’s data.

For now, the U.S. job market appears stuck in a “low-hire, low-fire” state that has kept the unemployment rate historically low

On Wednesday, private payroll data firm ADP estimated U.S. job losses of 32,000 in November The surprisingly weak report may be discouraging for people looking for jobs, but it bolstered expectations that the Fed will cut its main interest rate next week.

It’s not clear how much weight this week’s layoff figures will carry with the Fed as the numbers can be volatile and prone to revisions.

Two weeks ago, the government said that hiring picked up a bit in September, when employers added 119,000 new jobs That mixed report, which also showed employers had shed jobs in August, was delayed due to the government shutdown. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4%, its highest level in four years.

November’s comprehensive jobs data has been delayed for release until later this month, after the Fed’s meeting, also due to the government shutdown.

The government also recently reported that retail sales slowed in September after three months of healthy increases.

Consumer confidence has plunged to its second-lowest level in five years, while wholesale inflation eased a bit.

AI quietly reshaping shopping trips

BY CARSON HARTZOG Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

From the recommendations on a store’s app to the prices flashing on digital shelf labels artificial intelligence now shapes what shoppers see, what they buy and how products reach the shelves.

Until recently, most of it has happened behind the scenes. But retailers, including Target, are rolling out features that interact more directly with customers — a shift that could accelerate AI use and make the technology more visible.

“Every step of the way, from discovery to trial to purchase, whether it’s online or instore, AI is embedded into all of that,” said Toopan Bagchi, managing director of Starship Advisors.

Gen AI and the supply chain

Before products reach shelves, retailers are already using machine learning to predict demand, plan shipments and reroute inventory

But generative AI — today’s technology buzzword — could take that a step further, said Dayton Steele, assistant professor of supply chain and operations at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.

Unlike machine learning, generative AI can pull from unstructured data such as videos, customer reviews and social media chatter It also can track which items shoppers pick up and put back via sensors, potentially improving on-shelf availability at individual stores.

For now, Steele said, generative AI isn’t capable of operating independently likening it to a “B+ student that can do a lot of tasks at a B+ level.”

He added that AI performs best with historical data, such as last year’s weather or inventory trends, while humans can draw on context to respond to unexpected events, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the next few years, we’re going to see companies rapidly adopt AI to replace human workflows,” Steele said. “And then you’ll have shocks or disruptions where humans can respond in much more agile ways.”

A personalized shopping experience

AI powers the product descriptions, review summaries and recommendations that appear on retailers’ apps — and it’s poised to change how people purchase items.

Several retailers have announced partnerships with OpenAI that enable shoppers to purchase items directly through ChatGPT.

Target said it will be one of the first major retailers to allow multiple items to be purchased in a single AI-assisted transaction. Walmart made a similar announcement in October.

It’s a move retailers say is focused on adapt-

MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE/TNS PHOTO By LEILA NAVIDI Ron Sandquist, of Prentice, Wis., shops on Black Friday at Target in Edina, Minn.

ing to consumer’s changing habits, though some are wary of the purported benefits. Deloitte’s holiday survey found 33% of people plan to use generative AI in their shopping journey this year — more than double last year’s share.

Edina-based Evereve uses Shopify for both its online and brick-and-mortar operations. The e-commerce platform is partnering with OpenAI to bring the retailer’s women’s clothing to ChatGPT, where shoppers will be able to make purchases directly through the chatbot.

“Someone can type, ‘I’m looking for a dress to wear to a summer wedding in a tropical place in February I’m this tall. I have an athletic build,’” said Tamer Selim, chief technology officer at Evereve. “The AI uses that information, as well as the data it has available, to try to find a match.”

The chatbot can also draw from earlier conversations, such as a shopper’s usual size or location, to refine results.

Most retailers already pull from vast troves of consumer data, including credit card transactions and social media activity, to improve recommendations on their apps. Those streams of information will now be combined with the habits of similar shoppers to predict what a consumer might want next even if it’s never crossed his or her mind.

That kind of targeting can help people find items that match their preferences. But it can also blur the line between helpful personalization and subtle manipulation, said Ali Makhdoumi, an associate professor at Duke University who studies data markets and privacy

“Once you realize, ‘Oh, this is not a good quality product, I don’t want to use this,’

they’ve already offered you something else,” Makhdoumi said. “And they keep dragging you into this behavioral manipulation.”

Smarter shelves and shifting prices

There are growing concerns about how AI will affect the white-collar workforce Major companies, including Amazon, Target and Verizon, have cut thousands of corporate jobs while pointing to new AI investments.

Now analysts and consumers are asking similar questions about stores.

Inside stores, retailers are looking for ways to use AI for time-consuming tasks like changing price stickers. Walmart began installing electronic shelf labels last year, allowing prices to update within seconds.

That speed could also open the door to potential price gouging or dynamic pricing that shifts based on demand, supply and competitor moves, retail experts warn.

AI’s rise has also sparked questions about its effect on in-store hiring. Some argue the technology frees employees to focus on customer service, while others worry it gives retailers an incentive to hire fewer workers.

Both Walmart and Target have rolled out AIinfused apps for workers, which includes features like a chatbot that can answer common customer service questions, such as how to process a return without a receipt. Walmart’s platform can also translate more than 40 languages in real time.

Despite the advancements, AI’s impact on holiday shopping will be “relatively limited” this year because not every retailer offers useful tools and not every customer wants to use them, said Brad Jashinsky a senior retail analyst at research firm Gartner

1.5M bags of shredded cheese have been recalled

BY KAREN GARCIA Los Angeles Times (TNS)

More than 1.5 million bags of different shredded cheeses sold at major retailers, including in Louisiana, have been voluntarily recalled due to possible metal contamination, authorities said.

The recall was initiated in early October by Great Lakes Cheese Co., an Ohio-based company, according to the U.S Food and Drug Administration. The voluntary recall covered more than 260,000 cases of shredded cheese, and was prompted by the possibility of metal fragments in the products, an FDA notice said

The FDA upgraded the recall Monday to ”Class II,” meaning the use of or exposure to the identified products can cause temporary or “medically reversible adverse

health consequences.”

The FDA’s investigation into the recall is ongoing. Great Lakes Cheese Co. did not immediately respond to request for comment Wednesday

The FDA has flagged the following shredded cheese cases as part of the recall:

n 235,000 cases of low-moisture part-skim mozzarella shredded cheese, including the brands: Always Save, Borden, Brookshire’s, Cache Valley Creamery, Chestnut Hill, Coburn Farms, Econo, Food Club, Food Lion, Gold Rush Creamery, Good & Gather, Great Lakes Cheese, Happy Farms by Aldi, H-E-B, Hill Country Fare, Know & Love, Laura Lynn, Lucerne Dairy Farms, Nu Farm, Publix, Schnucks, Simply Go, Sprouts Farmers Market, Stater Bros. Markets and Sunnyside Farms.

n 1,900 cases of Happy Farms by Aldi Italian-style shredded cheese blend.

n More than 15,000 cases of Italian-style shredded cheese blend, including the brands: Brookshire’s, Cache Valley Creamery, Coburn Farms, Great Value, Know & Love, Laura Lynn, Publix, Simply Go and Happy Farms.

n 117 cases of Food Club finely shredded pizza-style four-cheese blend.

n More than 4,000 cases of mozzarella and mild cheddar cheese blend, including the brands: Econo, Food Club, Gold Rush Creamery Great Value, Laura Lynn and Simply Go.

n More than 4,000 cases of mozzarella and non-smoked provolone cheese, including the brands: Freedom’s Choice, Good & Gather, Great Lakes Cheese

and Great Value.

n More than 1,800 cases of Good & Gather mozzarella and Parmesan cheese blend. The products have sell-by dates ranging from January to late March of next year, according to the FDA notice. The agency has a complete list online of the affected products and their UPC codes. The affected shredded cheese products came in five different varieties and were sold under a host of brand names at Target, Walmart, Aldi and other major retailers across the U.S and Puerto Rico. The FDA did not provide specific instructions for the recalled cheese products. When a product is recalled, the agency’s general guidance is to either return the product to the place of purchase for a refund or throw it away

Judge mulls N.O. church settlement

Ruling could come as soon as Monday

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

A weekslong trial aimed at settling the Archdiocese of New Orleans bankruptcy case concluded Thursday with a federal bankruptcy judge saying she is likely to approve the settlement worked out between the local church and survivors of child sexual abuse.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Grabill told attorneys for the church, abuse survivors and others involved in the long-running case that she planned to spend the weekend reflecting on the evidence she heard during nine days of sometimes gut-wrenching testimony and indicated that next week she intends to confirm the $230 million settlement. Her ruling could come as soon as Monday “I want to sit with all of the evidence before making a final ruling,” Grabill said.

“That said, I don’t see any impediment at this point to confirmation of the plan.”

“I promised we will get out of here by the end of the year, and that is what we will do,” Grabill added.

The comments Thursday signaled a pending resolution in a case that has profoundly impacted the nation’s second-oldest Roman Catholic diocese. Outside of the courthouse, Archbishop Gregory Aymond, who placed the archdiocese under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2020 and has sat through several days of the trial, said he is hopeful for a resolution early next week.

$70 million from the archdiocese, $60 million from its parishes and charities, $30 million from settling insurers and $70 million in anticipated proceeds from the pending sale of Christopher Homes, a portfolio of low-income elderly senior housing. The plan would also establish stricter child protection and abuse reporting policies.

than 99% of abuse survivors, commercial creditors and bondholders. Only one of four church insurance companies, Traveler’s, opposes it.

“How we got here is honestly extraordinary,” Mintz said, referring to months of negotiations among factions in what, until recently, was a highly contentious case.

“We hoped we would have a decision today on confirmation We certainly understand why the judge wants to take more time,” Aymond said “We have a meeting again on Monday to hear her reflections and hopefully for a decision.”

Feasible and fair

The settlement would create a trust funded with

During nearly an hour of closing arguments Thursday, attorneys for the archdiocese, its affiliated parishes and charities, and the committee for abuse survivors urged Grabill to approve the jointly negotiated plan, saying it meets the necessary legal threshold for confirmation.

“The plan is feasible. The plan is fair and equitable,” said Mark Mintz, lead bankruptcy attorney for the archdiocese. “It’s honestly, from our point of view, a momentous day.”

Mintz pointed out that the plan is supported by more

An attorney for the abuse survivors, Andrew Cain, also urged confirmation, saying the plan not only provides survivors with financial compensation but “with the benefits of the nonmonetary provisions that provide validation.”

“The community of New Orleans has an opportunity to set an example for all of the archdioceses around the country as to how to take care of children,” Cain said.

Doug Draper, an attorney for the parishes and charities, said plan confirmation would represent “a moment of history for the archdiocese to move forward.”

“Very few times in our life can we create a moment of history,” he told Grabill. “Your confirmation can do this.”

But Grabill said she is continuing to reflect on statements she heard Tuesday from nearly two dozen abuse survivors, who braved the witness stand to share their stories of abuse. For more than eight hours, survivors recounted the physical and psychological pain they suffered being raped and molested by local priests, deacons and nuns and the shame they have felt in the decades since.

“It was a powerful experience for me and I have sat with those statements, prayed about those statements, meditated on those statements,” Grabill said. “I want to continue to do that.”

The judge also must still decide two technical objections raised by Traveler’s, which represented the archdiocese from 1973 to 1982, a decade when many of the claimants say their abuse occurred.

“I would like to be able to review everything,” Grabill said. “I know everyone is exhausted, but I want to do it right.”

If the plan is confirmed next week, as expected, at-

torneys for the archdiocese asked Grabill to make it effective before the end of the year By then the initial $130 million from the archdiocese and affiliates will be deposited into the settlement trust, which will be overseen by an independent trust administration.

Early next year, an independent claims evaluator selected by the survivors committee, attorney Richard Arsenault, will begin evaluating each abuse claim to determine its share of the settlement trust.

Following the conclusion of the trial Thursday, Aymond said he is hopeful the pending resolution of the case will bring healing to the church.

“We believe when there is suffering, there is also a resurrection, and we believe in the resurrection and hope and pray we can move in that direction,” he said. “I feel totally confident that we can. We have a faithful God and he is with us always.”

Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@ theadvocate.com.

Turning Point again rejected at Loyola University

Student government denies appeal

BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

Loyola University’s student government rejected an appeal from a group of students seeking to establish an official Turning Point USA chapter on campus, upholding an earlier denial of the conservative club that drew the ire of Louisiana politicians and made national news. In the wake of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination, a group of Loyola students petitioned the student government association in October for permission to form a campus chapter, which would allow the group to access funding and campus facilities.

Loyola’s student senate rejected the application, citing concerns that some of Kirk’s controversial beliefs, including his stances on transgender rights, immigration and race, would alienate students at the Catholic university in New Orleans. The denial sparked backlash from conservative politicians, including Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who said he would look into the matter The founders of Turning Point USA’s Loyola chapter appealed the denial to the

TEACHER

Continued from page 1B

Ephron began to interact with the boy again in September 2025, when she saw him at the school while also working as a volunteer athletic trainer She offered the minor a ride home from school after hearing him ask in the office about bus routes, according to police records.

Ephron first reached out to the boy over text on Oct. 12, asking him for his height, weight and age, texts show When he asked why she needed this information, Ephron replied that she needed to update a sports roster, according to the arrest documents.

He agreed, providing the information and telling Ephron he was 16, police said Throughout the rest of October, Ephron continued to give rides and encouragement to the minor and began buying him food and other products he requested from Amazon, texts show In an interview with police, Ephron originally denied that her relationship with the high schooler was

student government association’s court of review, which sent the case back to the student senate. On Wednesday evening, the group presented its case to the student senate a second time.

“Now is the time to come together as a community and support the students who are trying to bring Christ and Free Speech back to college campuses,” chapter leaders Viviana Capasso, Peyton Woods and Anistin Murray said in a statement before the hearing.

Dozens of Loyola students and other observers, including state Republican Party officials, packed into a seminar room at the university’s Monroe Library to watch the hearing, but most of the discussion took place in an executive session closed to the public. After student government members asked about a dozen people to leave the room due to overcrowding, some gathered in the hallway but were asked to disperse by campus police.

Isaac Hale, a 20-year-old sophomore at William Care University in Hattiesburg, Miss., drove two hours to show his support for Loyola’s Turning Point members.

“This is a cause I believe in,” he said. “It seems hypocritical to me that a so-called Christian university would reject this. You have to have a diverse marketplace of ideas.”

Loyola freshman Rosalina Framboise, who identi-

romantic or sexual in nature.

However, when shown excerpts from her text conversations with the minor, Ephron admitted to police that an intimate relationship had begun after he hugged her and kissed her on the cheek in late October In the same interview, Ephron told police that she “knew better.”

But in texts from late October, Ephron began expressing her love for the student. The two began exchanging nude photos during this time, with Ephron also allegedly discussing sex with the juvenile. In other texts, Ephron allegedly told the 16-year-old that he had “swept her off her feet,” according to the affidavit.

On Nov 8, Ephron sent messages instructing the high schooler to “cover your tracks” by deleting everything from the phone, including their explicit photos and messages, according to police records.

On Nov 14, the boy’s mother contacted Baton Rouge police after finding explicit photos on his phone involving Ephron. Later that day, the mother left to pick the victim up from school be-

fies as a Black transgender

woman, said she does not believe Turning Point reflects the values of the university, which she said “welcomes me with open arms.”

“TPUSA makes me feel scared,” she said “It makes my friends feel scared.”

After a lengthy closed session, the student senate held a vote late Wednesday before quietly exiting through a side door. According to a copy of the proposed bill, 11 students voted against the organization getting a charter, four voted for it and three abstained.

The Turning Point Loyola chapter leaders did not immediately respond to inquiries, nor did the student government association.

In a statement Thursday, a Loyola University spokesperson reiterated that the student government has jurisdiction over student organization applications.

“Loyola supports the integrity of the student governance process, including the ability to appeal,” the statement said “and remains committed to fostering a campus environment grounded in respectful dialogue, inclusion, and the Jesuit value of care for the whole person.”

TP USA’s expansion

The club’s initial rejection through Loyola’s student-led process for approving campus organizations sparked harsh rebuke from conservative state officials, who ac-

fore checking his GPS location and seeing he was only a street over from their house, police said.

The boy’s mother drove to the street, where she saw her son sitting in the passenger seat of a dark red car parked at the dead end, according to the affidavit for Ephron’s arrest.

The mother recognized the car as Ephron’s from when she previously dropped off the high schooler, according to police.

The mother called the police, but the car left with both Ephron and the victim before law enforcement arrived.

That same day, Ephron returned to the boy’s residence and spoke with his mother, police said.

According to police records, Ephron apologized to the juvenile’s mother and claimed the boy had lied about his age. The interaction was filmed, and the footage was shared with the police.

Following Ephron’s arrest she was fired from her position with the school district.

Email Quinn Coffman at quinn.coffman@ theadvocate.com.

cused the private university of restricting free speech. Criticism came from Gov Jeff Landry, Attorney General Liz Murrill, the chair of the state Republican Party and the Louisiana Freedom Caucus, a faction of hard-right state lawmakers whose chair suggested that the private university could lose state funding Loyola does not receive direct state funding, but some students receive state scholarships. At the time, Loyola officials said the process was entirely student driven and the administration was not

involved.

A growing number of Turning Point USA chapters have formed since Kirk’s death, including in some Louisiana high schools. Ten new chapters have cropped up at Louisiana universities, including Tulane and Loyola, as well as the University of Louisiana at Monroe, LSU in Shreveport, Louisiana Delta Community College and McNeese State University, according to a post from Turning Point USA’s Bayou Region, which covers Louisiana and Southern Mississippi.

They joined eight existing chapters including at LSU, Southeastern Louisiana University, Northwestern State University and University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Turning Point USA had an active chapter at Tulane in the 2023-24 school year but did not renew its charter the following two years. The club recently asked to revive its chapter, but Tulane has paused the approval process so it can review existing student organizations to ensure they comply with federal laws, a university spokesperson said.

Aymond

CentralFuneralHome, 9995Hooper Road,at11a.m

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Obituaries

Brown, Edsel 'Sonny'

Edsel "Sonny"Brown

was born on June 13, 1931 in Woodville, MS to the late Tommy J. Brown and Hattie Phipps Brown. Sonny passed away at the ageof 94, on Friday, November 28, 2025, at his residence in Woodville, MS. Visitation willbefrom 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. on Sat., Dec. 6, at Pioneer Baptist Church with Brother Warren Whitaker, II, and Brother Kevin Dixon officiating. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery Annex under the direction of Newman Funeral Home. Sonny retired from Ryder Truck Line after many years as adriver. Survivors include one daughter, Marilyn Brown Rimes Core of Baton Rouge, LA and two sons, Mark Brown (Renee) of Denham Springs, LA and Mike Brown (Donna) of Baker, LA; eight grandchildren, Melissa Rimes, Tasha Brown Ma, Brian Brown, Lisa Brown Barnaby, Wes Brown, Max Brown, Tony Erwin, Matt Erwin and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Barbara Geter Brown, two brothers and 4sisters.

Bynum,Sherman R.

ShermanR.Bynum a residentofPlaquemine, LA passedawayMonday, No‐vember24, 2025, at Ochsner MedicalCenterBaton Rouge, at theage of 74. Visitation on Friday,De‐cember5,2025 from 4:005:30P.M Pugh’s Mortuary 58233 Plaquemine Street, Plaquemine, LA.Visitation continues Saturday,De‐cember6,2025, 9:00 A.M. until religiousservicesat 11:00 A.M. at GreaterPil‐grimRestBaptist Church 23030 Talbot Dr., Plaquem‐ine,LA, Rev. ClydeE Mc‐Nell, Sr., Pastor.Interment inLittleZionCemetery. Arrangementsentrusted to Pugh’sMortuary, (225) 6872860.

"A womanofdignity knows that her worth is not defined by society's standards, butbyher own strengthand character."

Jackolyn W. Durrett, a beloved and kind-hearted soul, passedawayon November 22, 2025,atthe ageof88. Shewas alongtime resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and was known for her faithful dedicationtoher community and family BornonSeptember 25, 1937,inMeridian, Mississippi,Jackolynpursued a Master Degree in Social Work from Louisiana State University (LSU). Her passionfor helping others was evident in hercareer and her personal life.

Jackolyn was an avid readerand amemberof several book clubs, where she sharedher love forliterature with friends and fellow enthusiasts. Her commitment to her faith was demonstratedthrough her active participation as amemberofThe First MethodistChurch.

Jackolyn is survived by her children, Douglas (Suzie) Durrett of Zachary, Louisiana,and Suzanne (David)Mott of Roswell, Georgia. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren, Whitney Strong,MasonMott, and SarahMott, and herfourgreat-grandchildren. She is also survived by her twobrothers, Bobby Walkerand Mike Walker, and herlifelong friend Ann Smith. Shewas precededin death by her parents, NolanJamesWalkerand Hazel Walker; her husband, Joseph Durrett; and her newbornchild, Phillip Durrett.

Jackolyn'slifewas a testament to herloving nature and her unwavering dedicationtothose she cherished. She will be deeply missedbyall who knew her

Relatives and friends areinvited to the chapel of Rabenhorst Funeral Home fora memorial visitation on Saturday, December 6, 2025 beginning at 10:00AM until the memorial service beginning at 12:00PM. In lieu of flowersthe family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice

AnativeofNatchez Ms.

Aresident of BatonRouge La, aUSArmy Veteran and aretired pipe fitter. He was alovinghusband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather. Services willbeheldMonday 12-8-2025 at 11am viewing willbeat9-11amat SAINTSVILLECOGIC8930 Plank Rd Baton Rouge, La 70811.

Richard "Hardy" Brown Hardenburgh, 89, of Gonzales, Louisiana, passed away peacefullyathome on November 15, 2025, surrounded by family.Hardy was bornOctober 7, 1936, in Crescent City, Florida and grew up in Palatka, Florida. He was astandout footballplayeratPalatka HighSchool and earneda scholarship to play at Louisiana StateUniversity. He left LSUearlytojointhe United States Army and served for several years, including time stationed in Germany. When he returnedhome,hemet Peggy,and thetwo married and began buildingtheir life together.Hardyspent his career at Shell Chemical as aSafetyInspector and when he wasn'tworking,hewas happiest doing thethings he loved: fishing,playing golf, hunting forantiques, and reading. He lovedtosing and dance, and he nearly always had abook in one hand and asleeveofRitz crackers nearby. He had a dry senseofhumor and a quick wit, and he shared both freely.Heissurvived by his daughters Leslie (Troy) Babin, Amy Hardenburgh, Allyson Hardenburgh Williams, and Lisa (Kelly) Boudreaux; his grandchildrenMatthew (Kate), Mallory (Andrew), Logan, Dayton (Annie), Hayden, Delaney, and Lee; tengreat-grandchildren; and his sister, JudyElliot and her husband,Paul. He was preceded in deathby his wife of over 60 years, Peggy, and by hisparents. Hardy will be remembered forhis humor and his generosity.His family willmiss him deeply and carry his stories, his laughter, and

his spirit with them al-

ways.

AcelebrationofLife for Richard will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Ourso Funeral Home 13533 Airline Hwy, Gonzales, La. Visiting willbefrom9:30 am until thememorialservice at 11 am.

Marcell,GloriaDean

Gloria DeanJonesMarcell, alovingmother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025 at theage of 87. She wasa residentofGeismar, LA.She was married to Rev. John Marcell and themotherofJoan, Vinnie, Jerome and Glen. Farewell services willbeheldatthe First PilgrimCalvary MBC, PastorMarlon Henderson Sr, located at 11453 LA HWY -73, Geismar, LA on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Visitation; 9AM11AM and funeral service at 11AM

Ellis McGinnisIII affectionatelyknown as Mac passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at OchsnerMedical Complex in Plaquemine, Louisiana. Ellis is survivedbyhis wife of 38 years, Joyce McGinnis; son PadraicMcGinnis of Texas;daughterJoyce WheelerofLouisiana; Brothers, GregoryMcGinnis (Toneya) of California and Shedrick (Gwendolyn) McGinnis of Louisiana Sisters, Nedra(Donald) Young of Louisiana and Andrea Holmes of Louisiana. Two uncles, Charles (Pat) Witson of Louisianaand John Witson of Louisiana. Viewing is on Saturday,

December 6, 2025, at Israelite Missionary Baptist Church,644 South River Rd., Brusly, LA, from 9:00 am untilthe time of the FuneralService at 11:00 am. Interment, Israelite Baptist Church Cemetery.Officiating, Rev. DanielJohnson ServicesentrustedtoHall Davis andSon Funeral Service

Porter Sr., FrankReed

Frank Reed Porter,Sr., affectionately knownas "Chicken Wang" and"Gaylord," passedawayonSaturday, November 15, 2025, at the age of 65. Anative of Independence,Louisiana, anda residentofBaton Rouge,Louisiana. He leaves to cherish hismemoryhis loving wife,Debra Taylor Porter;his children, JazzieD'ShaePorterand Frank Reed Porter,Jr.; his sister,Tiwanda Porter;and hisbrothers, Kenneth(Sandra) Porter andTracy Porter.Heisalso remembered by extended family members anddear friends wholoved himdeeply. Familyand friends are invited to attendthe Visitation on Saturday, December6,2025, at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church,located at 9700 Scenic Hwy., Baton Rouge,LA, from10:00 a.m. untilthe time of Funeral Servicesat11:00 a.m., officiated by Reverend Robert L. Scott, Jr.Interment will follow at SouthernMemorial Gardens.Servicesare entrusted to Hall Davis and SonFuneral Services. halldavisandson.com

Thomas, Clarence

Clarence"Bubba Thomas,Jr. departedthis life on Monday, December 1, 2025. He was 87, anative andresident of Labadieville, LA. Visitation on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at BrightMorning

Star Baptist Church from 9:00am to religiousservicesat11:00am. Intermentinthe churchcemetery. Arrangements by Williams &SouthallFuneral Home, 5414 Hwy 1, Napoleonville,LA70390. (985) 369-7231. To sign the guest book or offer condolences, visit ourwebsiteat www.williamsandsouthall funeralhome.com.

WashingtonSr., Robert Connell'Bob'

Robert Connell "Bob" Washington Sr., 84, alifelong residentofSt. Francisville,Louisiana, passed away peacefullyonDecember 1, 2025. Born December 14, 1940, Bob wasa devotedhusband, father, grandfather, andman of deep Christian faith. A DawsonHigh School Class of 1961 graduate,heenjoyed alongcareer that included work in thelabor union, at anuclearplant, andlater as aForeman at Honeywell untilhis retirement. Bob is survived by his daughter, ReginiaWashington,and son, Robert C. Washington Jr both of Jackson,LA; granddaughter, Lateisha WashingtonEubanks(Nicholas); and great-grandchildren,Ja'Ledisi and NicholasJr. He waspreceded in death by hisbeloved wife, Mary Washington; hisparents, Hattie andAllen Washington;and several siblings. Knownfor hisgenerosity, strongfaith, and love of gardening andraisinganimals, Bob leaves behind a legacyofkindness, hard work, anddedication to familyand community. He will be deeply missed by all whoknewhim.

Aviewing (wake) will be held from8:30 AM to 10:00 AM on 2025-12-06 at McKowen Baptist Church,7325 Jones Connell Rd.A funeral service will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on 2025-12-06 at McKowen Baptist Church,7325 Jones ConnellRd70775.

Grim, HenryJohnson

Hardenburgh, Richard 'Hardy'

McGinnis III,Ellis

'Bubba'

Congressshouldworktolower health care costs

In my clinic, Isee patientsevery day who are working hard to make ends meet but still can’t afford the health care they need. Many of them are uninsured or underinsured. They ration their medications.They skip follow-up appointments. They wait until their conditions worsen before seeking help because they simply can’taffordthe cost of care.

Now,with federal cuts to Medicaid looming and enhanced Affordable Care Act premiumtax credits set to expire, the situation is about to get worse. If Congress doesn’tact, millions of Americans could see their health insurance premiums skyrocket. That means more families in Louisianaand across the country willface impossiblechoices betweenpaying the bills and getting medical care. Congress should act immediately to extend these ACA tax

credits so people can keep their coverage. Butextending this financial help is only one part of thesolution.Totruly lower costs and fixour health system for the long term, lawmakers need to tackle the underlyingreasons prices keep going up includingconsolidation, unfairbilling practices andlack of transparency —that allow big corporate health systems to gamethe system anddrive up costs for everyone.

One of thebiggestproblemsis howlargehospital systems buy up small, independent physician practices and then charge patients more for the same services By changingthe logo on the door, these hospitals can suddenly bill Medicare —and patients —at much higher rates just because they now own theclinic. The quality of care doesn’tnecessarily improve. The doctors, nurses and

exam rooms are the same. The only difference is theprice tag As healthcare is becoming more expensive, patients are given fewer and fewer choices in where they can seek care.

That’sbecause Medicare reimburses services at ahigher rate when they’re provided in hospitalowned outpatient departments than when the same careisdelivered in independent practices. This practice is driving up health care costs across the country Patients should be charged the sameprice for thesame service, no matter wherethey receive it Congress can fix this bypassing site-neutral payment reform,a common-sense solution that has support from both parties. Another hidden cost patients face is the“facility fee.” Many large hospital systems add these extra administrative charges on top of the cost of care, even for simple visitslike blood pressure checks or vaccinations. These

Crypto offersmuchfor La., butonlyifCongressacts

Modern financialmarkets are changing rapidly Blockchain, cryptocurrency,stablecoins and decentralized finance are more than buzzwords among younger investors in Louisianaand across America— they represent emerging opportunities rooted in adesire for greaterfinancialfreedom.

fees can be hundreds of dollars and often come as asurprise they’re not tied to the actual care provided but to the administrativeoverhead of the hospital. For working families, that unexpected bill can mean the difference between staying in treatment or puttingitoff until it becomes an emergency Congress should prohibit these junk fees andprotect patients from being charged morefor fees unrelated to theircare.

Finally,lawmakers should improve transparency by requiring each site of care to use unique national provider identifiers (NPIs). Right now,hospitals can bill using asingle NPIfor their entire system, hiding how much care —and cost —comes from their off-campus facilities versus inpatient ones. Requiring unique identifiers would help shine alight on what’s driving up prices and prevent people from being charged inpa-

tient prices foroutpatient care. These reforms are bipartisan and practical. In fact, last Congress, the House passed the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which included site-neutral paymentreform and aunique NPI requirement. Congress should build on that progress and get this across the finish line. As aphysician, Isee what happens when people can’tafford the care they need. Preventable conditions becomeemergencies. Families go into debt. Lives are cut short. We can do better —and Congress has the tools to makeit happen.

By extending ACA tax credits and passing bipartisan reforms to make pricing fairer and more transparent, lawmakers can deliver real relief to patients in Louisiana and across the nation. It’stime to start putting patients first.

Hoffisa primary care physician basedinNew Orleans.

TenCommandments displays arewellwithin American tradition

Thisinnovation isgood for our state’seconomic future, but as digital assets become more mainstream,Congress must ensure investor safeguardsand regulatory certainty arenonnegotiable to prevent unnecessary financial risks and protect hardworking families. There are many countries around the globe that have already achieved this balance.

As the author of several crypto-related bills, including Louisiana’sVirtualCurrency Kiosk Act, I’ve seen firsthand theimportance of balancing innovation withresponsibility That law —which established clearrules for cryptocurrencykiosks —set adailytransaction limit of $3,000, created a72-hourrefund right for users and required kiosk operators to use blockchain analytics to detect fraud.It also mandatedwarning labels and anti-fraud policies to protectolder adults andfirst-time investors from scams.

We didn’tpass theselawsto discourage investors and consumers —wepassedthem to build trust and demonstratetothe country that Louisiana was readytoembrace innovation.

Louisianans deserve theopportunityto participate in new financial markets without fearing that bad actors will take advantage of them. That same philosophy should guidefederal digital-asset legislation.

That’swhy Ialso authored HouseResolution 317, which createdastatelegislativesubcommittee to study artificial intelligence,blockchain and cryptocurrency Louisiana can’taffordtowait forWashington to catch up —weneed to lead theconversation on how emergingtechnologiesare regulated, how consumers are protected and howeconomic opportunitycan growsafely across our state.

The generational story is clear.Surveys show younger adults are farmore likely to have participated in crypto marketsthanolder cohorts. Pew Research reports thatabout 4in10men ages 18-29 say theyhave invested in, traded or used cryptocurrency —far higher than among older adults.

The “new investors of 2020” skew younger, more diverse and more tech-savvy. Even beyond crypto, Gen Zisentering financial markets earlier than anygenerationbefore, with an average investing startage of 19. Crypto also plays amajor role in Louisiana’s financial landscape, where manyresidents have historicallybeenexcluded fromtraditional banking systems. Federal data show Louisiana’sunbanked

rate is among the highest in thenation roughly 8% —meaning thousands of families turn to alternative options. Digital finance can expandaccess, but without safeguards, these same families are left vulnerable to fraud and volatility That’swhy Congress must act and finish the job.

Lawmakers should provide clear and simple rules of the road that mirror the consumer-protection standards Louisiana has already adopted: transparency and registrationrequirements for trading platforms, best-execution obligations to secure fair pricing for users, volatilitycontrols to prevent cascading losses during sharp market swings and strong anti-fraud and anti-moneylaunderingstandards to promotetrust and accountability

Thetroubling realityisthat someproposed reforms in Washington do theopposite creating loopholes that exempt developers and exchanges from the same foundational safeguards that have long madeU.S. markets thesafest and most trusted in the world. Louisiana knows better

We’ve proven that innovation and accountability can coexist.

Louisianans deserve transparency,fairness and strong oversight.

Otherwise, theexcitement of today’sdigital markets could become tomorrow’s“wild west,” leaving hardworking Americansto shoulder losses that smarter policy could have prevented.

Louisiana has set the example —now Congress must finish thejob.

Republican Rep. Mark Wright represents District 77 in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

The crisesafflicting America’s young people —school shootings, social isolation, skyrocketing rates of anxiety anddepression —won’tbe solved overnight or with any single fix. Still, something has to be done

That’swhy I’m encouraged that lawmakers in Louisiana passeda lawtopost the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. It shouldn’t raise anyeyebrows, but the lawwas challenged by the ACLU as violating the Constitution’sprotections for religious freedom.

The entire bench for the Fifth U.S.Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans is nowreviewing this challenge,and its rulingcarries unusual weight. It could greenlight the efforts of other states to welcome religious significance back to schools or cement astrict separationist vision of education for years to come.

As detailed in an amicus brief Ifiled in support of Louisiana, the Supreme Court hasmadeclear in recent years that courts should examine history andtradition when evaluating questions aboutreligioninpublic life. And recent scholarshipshows that passive displays of theTen Commandments would neverhavebeen considered an “establishment of religion” by the founders.

Unfortunately,courts have long misunderstood ametaphor in Thomas Jefferson’s 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists, citing the “wall of separation between churchand state.” Jefferson himself was notastrict separationist. More importantly,Jefferson didn’t help draft or ratify the First Amendment. We need notprivilege one man’s political correspondence over the actual intent of those who wrote and ratified ourConstitution’sprotections for religious freedom Additional historical support for displaying the TenCommandments abounds.

The First Federal Congress appointed congressionalchaplains, passed laws stating “Religion, Morality,and knowledge being necessary to good government,”and requested President GeorgeWashington issue his famous 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation giving thanks for divine providence in guiding the nation.

And for centuries, education in America incorporated religious and moral instruction. The most popular

textbooks used by tutors during the founding era all included the TenCommandments. In recent years, the Supreme Court has been methodically correcting decades of earlier rulings that treated religious displays as automatically unconstitutional. When the court held that afootball coach had aconstitutional right to pray at midfield after games, it threw out alegal test these earlier decisions relied upon, emphasizing that learning to tolerate religious expression is essential to democratic citizenship.

And last term, the court vindicated religious parents’ right to opt their children out of mandatory instruction using LGBTQI+ storybooks. Both Louisiana and asimilar Texas law direct only apassive display of the TenCommandments in classrooms, not active instruction or mandatory recitation.

Today’scourt also recognizes that exclusions based on religious character constitute discrimination that is “odious to our Constitution.”

The version of the TenCommandments that Louisiana mandates which the Supreme Court has recognized as nonsectarian —can also be read according to Jewish, Catholic or Protestant traditions. Acknowledging that our legal system has religious roots doesn’tprivilege one faith over others. It simply tells our history This matters because children need moral anchors. They need to learn that life has meaning beyond social media likes, that other people matter,that some things are right and wrong. The TenCommandments —don’tmurder, don’tsteal, honor your parents —represent baseline moral principles. States don’thave to mandate displays of the TenCommandments. But the Constitution doesn’tprevent those like Louisiana that choose to do so.

Schoolchildren struggling with isolation, violence and moral confusion need guidance, not asanitized public square. The Fifth Circuit can vindicate the efforts of Louisiana and offer a legal roadmap for the balanced integration of faith back into America’s schools.

For parents watching their children struggle, that roadmap can’tcome soon enough.

Andrea Picciotti-Bayer is director of theConscienceProject.

Clarissa

STAFF FILEPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Acustomer uses the keypad on aCrypto ATMin Baton Rouge.

Clarissa Hoff GUEST COLUMNIST

Mark Wright GUEST COLUMNIST

Andrea PicciottiBayer GUEST COLUMNIST

COMMENTARY

ISSUE OF THE WEEK IMMIGRATION

TwoNational Guard memberswereshot near aMetro station in Washington, D.C.,lastweek,and one, 20-yearoldSarah Beckstrom,diedfromher injuries.The other,24-year-old AndrewWolfe, remains in serious condition. Thesuspect arrested, RahmanullahLakanwal,isanAfghan national whocametothe United States following thechaotic withdrawal ofU.S.troops and thereturnofthe Taliban to powerinKabul.Multiplesources saythe suspect appeared to have mental health issuesafter struggling to adapt to life in the United States.President DonaldTrump said theshooting shows theneed for stricter vetting of immigrants and ordered U.S. Citizenship andImmigration Services topause reviewing applications for citizenship,green cards or asylum by people from 19 countries. Somecritics saythis is an overreaction based on false perceptions of immigrants. Others sayitisa necessarystep to ensure our national security.What do these latest actions reveal about how immigration policy is conductedunder theTrump administration? Hereare twoperspectives.

The‘permanentpause’ by Trumpiswarranted

Following the shooting of twoNational Guard members in Washington the day beforeThanksgiving, PresidentDonald Trump announced he wantsto“permanently pause migration” at least until he is satisfied that those from Afghanistan and other unstable countries have had their backgrounds thoroughly investigated. The president also wants to revoke the legal statusofmany of them and expel those who don’tmeasure up to his standard, which is “loving America.”

Themythofimmigrant crimehas deeper roots

After two National Guard members were gunned down by an immigrant from Afghanistan,President Donald Trump immediately seized on the shooting to escalatenativist fears of foreigners.

Cal Thomas

Vetting is usually adetailed process for those seeking entry to the U.S.,especially when they are fromcountries associated with terrorism. On Sept.1,2021, then-White Housepress secretary Jen Psakiwas askedabout thelarge number of Afghans who had entered thecountry under President Biden’s“OperationAllies Welcome” (OAW) program. Psaki said: “I can absolutely assure you that no one is coming into the United States of America who has not been through athorough screening andbackground check process.”

After the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted on Xthat thesuspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the U.S. one week afterPsaki’s comment.

More than 190,000 Afghans have been resettled in the U.S. under OAWand another program called “EnduringWelcome,” according to areportpublished this year by the U.S. State Department. Claimingall wereproperly vettedstrains credulity

If America’senemies wanted to undermine and eventuallydestroy thecountry, sending people here who may have evil intentions is astealth way to do it.Just as we shouldnot be the police officers of the world, neither should we beexpected to be the receivers of the world. We can’t afford it on several levels.

Pausing immigration has precedent. The Immigration Act of 1924 established anational origins quota for 40 years until it was repealed in 1965 by another law,the Immigration and Nationality Act. The earlier act favored immigrants

from Northern and Western Europe and excluded many Asians.Italso limited new arrivals from Southern and Eastern Europe. Aside from any racial components, mostAmericans seemed to favor restricting immigration to allow those already here to assimilate. That included becoming proficient in English as well as embracing the history and Constitution of theUnited States. This process conformed toour national motto: “Out of many,one.”The failed border policies of President Joe Biden’s administration contributed to thehyphenating of many according to their ethnic heritage. It has reversed the motto to effectively mean “out of one, many.”

Theusual suspectsare saying the predictable thingsabout the“causes” of thesenseless attack. They include thedeployment of the National Guard, moregun control laws, additional mental health resources and other nonsense.

Notice that no one is mentioning religion, specifically Islamic extremism. Authorities claim they don’tknow the suspect’s“motive.” Here’sa clue. Witnesses reportedly heard him shout “Allahu akbar,” or God is great, before openingfire.Itisa statementmany terrorists have used beforecarrying out their murderous acts. Is that enoughmotive, or do theauthorities fear being called “Islamophobes” forstating the obvious?

Trumpiscorrect when he says we need to knowwho is coming to America and their intentions. If those intentions are bad— as in wishing to kill Americans— they should not be admitted. That’swhat thevettingprocess is supposedtodiscover.Ifthey arealready here and feel this way,they should be deported. Money from countries that have supported terrorism —like Qatar,which has funded Hamas and is sending millionsofdollars to American universities —should be cut off. If we don’tprotect ourselves from this blight, who will?

Email CalThomasattcaeditors@tribpub.com

“This attack underscores the single greatest national security threat facing our nation,” he bellowed. He followed this up by vowing to “permanentlypause migration from all ThirdWorld Countries”and even expel “anyone who is not anet asset to the United States.”

launchedhis campaign in 2015 by branding Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug dealersand vowing to build awall acrossthe Southern border

The shootings were atragedy The killer should be prosecutedand punished. ButTrump’s immediate impulse —todemonize immigrants as adangerto thenation —isbased on afalsehood. It’sa vicious and readily debunked lie.

Everyserious studyofthe link between immigration and crime has cometothe same conclusion: Foreigners arefar less likely to violatethe law than native-born Americans.

Such findings have led several prominent scholars to conclude that the link between immigration and crime is misleading, to theextent of constituting mythology and that cities with high immigrant concentrations may be “some of the safest around.”

Oneofthosescholars, Stanford economist Ran Abramitzky,argues: “From Henry Cabot Lodge in the late 19thcentury to DonaldTrump,anti-immigration politicians have repeatedly tried to link immigrantstocrime, but our research confirms that this is amythand not based on fact.”

Trump is athoroughly American figure, thelatest in along line of demagogues who have ignited and exploitedthe resentment of outsiders for politicalgain. In the 1840s, the Know-Nothing movement excoriated Catholics as agents of the pope In the1940s, more than 100,000 loyal Japanese Americans were interned on the West Coastassecurity risks. After9/11, American Muslims were harassed, and mosques were vandalized.

Trump entered political life by falsely accusing Barack Obama of being foreignbornand ineligible to be president. He

In his last campaign, Trump denounced immigrants for “poisoning the blood of ournation” and constantly invoked Laken Riley,a nursing student murdered by an illegalimmigrant. Still, Trump’shistory of connecting immigrants to crime is based on fantasy,not fact. For example, the Cato Institute,alibertarian think tank, studiedcensus data for residents born in 1990 and concluded, “native-born Americans were 267% more likely to be incarcerated than immigrants by age33. Elevenpercent of native-born Americansinthatyear-born cohort have been incarceratedcompared to just 3% of immigrants. Othercountriesreally are sending their best.”

The NationalInstitute forJusticeexaminedarrest records compiledbythe state of Texasand reported: “The study found thatundocumentedimmigrants are arrestedatlessthanhalfthe rate of nativeborn U.S. citizens forviolent and drug crimesand aquarter the rate of nativeborn citizens forproperty crimes.” There aremanypossible explanations for this vast discrepancy,including afear amongimmigrants of being deported, but Abramitzky of Stanford says the main reason is the work ethic of newcomers andtheir strong incentive to build anew life here:“Recentwaves of immigrants aremorelikely to be employed, married with children, andingood health,” maintains the economist. “Farfrom the rapists anddrug dealersthatanti-immigrant politicians claimthemtobe, immigrants todayare doing relatively well and have largely been shielded from the social and economicforces thathavenegatively affected low-educated U.S.-born men.” Trump, of course, will continue to spin his myths linking immigrants to crime, but no matterhow many times he repeats them, theywill remain false.

Email Steven V. Roberts at stevecokie@ gmail.com.

Steve Roberts

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILEPHOTO By JESSICA GRESKO

Members of theNational Guardpatrol McPherson Square Metro Station in Washington, D.C.

All the focus latelyhas been on next season for LSU. Who will coach the Tigers? Who will play for the Tigers?

This 2025 LSU team still has onegameto play,however,and it’sa bowl game.Sunday,the Tigers will find out their opponent and destination. The overwhelmingexpectation nationally isthat 7-5 LSU will windupin the Music City Bowl. Of 12 bowl projections compiled by The Advocate, eighthad the Tigers in the Nashville, Tennessee, bowl game. There was one pick each for LSU to be in the ReliaQuestBowl in Tampa, Florida; the Duke’sMayoBowl in Charlotte, NorthCarolina; theTexas Bowl in Houston; and the LibertyBowlin Memphis, Tennessee.

The Music City Bowl will beplayedDec. 30 at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN against aBig Ten opponent. The bowl is played at Nissan Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

The Tigers have made just oneappearance in the Music CityBowl, losing31-28 in

See RABALAIS, page 5C

TigerStadium.

STATEMENT VICTORY

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

The LSU women’sbasketball team faced its first test of the season Thursday when it spotted Duke an early 14-point lead in Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. But the No. 5Tigers (9-0) battled back and beat the Blue Devils93-77, fightingfor an ACC/SEC Challenge game victory that they cannow usetosolidify their place among the best teams in thenation.

LSU fellshort of the100-point mark forthe first time this season. Butitstill turned in an impressive offensive showing against ateam known for playing stout defense. Until Thursday, coach KaraLawson’sBlue Devils had

only allowed one team to score at least 90 points across thelast six seasons.

LSU had sixcontributorsscore in double figures, including all three of its star guards. Flau’jae Johnson tallied 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. MiLaysia Fulwiley chipped in 16 points, five rebounds and three assists. Mikaylah Williamsscored 14 points and assisted seven shots.

Duke is the only high-major team on LSU’snonconference schedule. The matchup was supposed to have a higherbilling. Butthe Blue Devils,who reachedthe Elite Eight last season and began this year as atop-10team predicted to win the ACC, dropped five of their first eight

ä See TEST, page 5C

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

ä Saints at Buccaneers

NOON SUNDAy CBS

After the NewOrleans Saints’ loss to the Miami Dolphins, WDSU sportsanchor Fletcher Mackel and analyst James Hurst debated on their postgame show whether Chris Olaveshould have caught the ball on a pivotal play near the end of Sunday’s defeat It wassecondand 1with 44 secondsleftwhenquarterback TylerShough took adeep shot to the wide receiver near thepylon. As the ball closed in,with two defenders trailing, Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones slipped andfellright in front of Olave —but the wide receiver couldn’thaul in the pass. Slow-motion replays showed the pass hit ajumping Olave right off his hands and arm Acatch would have giventhe Saints alead andpossible win

“If you’re elite,Ifeel likeyou comedown with that and you’re ahero,” Mackel said “Absolutely,” added Hurst, aformer

ä See SAINTS, page 2C

HILARy SCHEINUK BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

LSU’sunblemishedrecord was in jeopardy

Although the Tigersare now8-0,they barely staved offBoston College, winning 78-69inovertime in the ACC/SECChallenge on Wednesday at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.LSU coach Matt McMahon was transparentwith how he viewed the result.

“This was big for us.This was the first real adversitywefacedthisseason, coming off theinjurytoJalen Reed,being down (four with 1:09) to go on the road,” McMahon said.

LSUhad played its first close game against Drake, which it beat by nine in regulationon Nov. 28.Besidesthat, theTigers hadovermatched otherteams, winningfive games by at least 26 points.

It seemed LSU had achance to do the same against Boston College when it was up by as manyas14points in the first half andled for34:25.

But the Tigers couldn’tbuy abasket for much of the second half, and LSU lost its lead for the first time with 6:23 left in regulation. It was on the brink of coughing up avictory in its first trueroad game after making 9of 34 second-half shots before overtime. In theTigers’ secondgame withoutReed and their first since he was officially ruled out for theseason because of an Achilles tendon injury,they played likethey were missing one of their calming forces. But they received just enough from Dedan Thomas. The 6-foot-1 point guardcarriedthe offense in thefinal minutes, scoring six straight pointstosend

Scott Rabalais

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK LSU quarterback Michael VanBuren runs with theball during agame against Western Kentucky on Nov. 22 at

ä

Saints nominate Davis for service award

BY LUKE JOHNSON AND MATTHEW PARAS Staff writers

One of the New Orleans Saints

most dedicated servants of the community has been recognized as the team’s nominee for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Linebacker Demario Davis has been a constant presence in New Orleans and the Gulf South region, devoting his time, resources and energy to numerous charitable causes.

The Mississippi native does most of his work through his Devoted Dreamers Foundation, which he operates with his wife, Tamela This year, he partnered with The 18th Ward to create a leadership development program, and he personally met with 25 young people on a weekly basis to discuss the value of servant leadership in their community

That group conducted a food and hygiene product drive the Monday before Thanksgiving, partnering with local nonprofit Clover to distribute those goods to families in need.

“I am truly humbled to be the 2025 team winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award,” Davis said in a statement. “Growing up in Mississippi, Walter Payton the football player was always someone I looked up to. As I got older, learning about the things he did in the community only increased my respect of him even more.

“Through my Devoted Dreamers Foundation, we are more committed than ever to develop youth to become dynamic young men and women who will lead this community into the future.”

Now in his 14th season, the fivetime All-Pro is in the midst of another strong campaign for the

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

Saints offensive lineman who was once teammates with Olave. “If you’re the Wide Receiver 1 on any football team in the NFL, you catch that pass.”

The banter easily could be dismissed as the kind of fodder that almost every media member is guilty of. But the discussion further raises a key question about Olave, one that truly matters as the Saints look to negotiate a longterm contract extension with the 25-year-old.

Is Olave really a No. 1 wide reciever?

He undoubtedly has enjoyed a bounce-backseason,largelyfending offconcernsabouthishealthevenas he missed practice Wednesday with a back injury The 2022 first-round pickleadstheSaintswith73catches, 785 yards and five touchdowns, putting him on pace to top 1,000 yards for the third time in four seasons. He has avoided suffering another concussion.

And yet, determining whether Olave is a star — or capable of becoming one isn’t an easy call. There are times when Olave, who is under contract through 2026, looks the part. His speed is top-tier He’s effective whether outside or in the slot. He’s a smooth route runner who earns a ton of targets. But Olave is only 15th in the NFL in receiving yards, despite having the third-most targets. He has not taken over games the way Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase or any of the league’s other top wideouts can. Sunday’s missed connection in the end zone could have been the chance to change that.

Saints. He leads the team with 111 tackles in 12 games his ninth consecutive season with at least 100 tackles, and 11th overall.

His greatest trait on the field might be his availability At 36 years old, Davis has played 100% of the Saints’ defensive snaps this season, and he has missed just one game with an injury since signing with New Orleans prior to the 2018 season.

Injury report

Chris Olave returned to practice Thursday, but a new starter was missing from the session.

Rookie safety Jonas Sanker was ruled a DNP with a head injury, adding to the Saints’ troubles at safety Justin Reid, the starter opposite Sanker, was again absent and has not practiced this week

after suffering a knee injury in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

If Sanker is in jeopardy of missing Sunday’s road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Saints could be without both of their starting safeties and would likely start Jordan Howden and Terrell Burgess Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley declined to say whether Sanker is in concussion protocol, deferring to coach Kellen Moore Moore did not speak with the media on Thursday Olave was back at practice after taking off Wednesday with a back injury The wide receiver reportedly has been dealing with back spasms since last week, but he played in Miami He was one of four starters to miss practice Wednesday

The other three — Taliese Fuaga (ankle), Alvin Kamara (ankle/knee) and Reid (knee) — did not practice Thursday Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux also took his usual rest day Transactions

Both wide receiver Kevin Austin and offensive lineman Barry Wesley cleared waivers and were re-signed to the Saints practice squad.

Austin has appeared in three games for the Saints this season, while Wesley only recently returned from injured reserve. New Orleans waived both of them earlier this week to sign receiver Dante Pettis and offensive lineman William Sherman to the active roster Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

“We’ve been having (contract) conversations since the beginning of the year Like I said at the beginning of the year, I feel like I got to prove that I’m that type of player.”

CHRIS OLAVE, Saints wide receiver

Scheffler tied for lead at Hero World Challenge NASSAU, Bahamas Scottie Scheffler returned to competition Thursday for the first time in two months and very little changed. Even with a bogey on the final hole, he had a 6-under 66 and was part of a five-way tie for the lead in the Hero World Challenge. Scheffler was tied with U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun, Sepp Straka, Wyndham Clark and Akshay Bhatia at Albany Golf Club. The world’s No. 1 player wasn’t the only one who had taken plenty of time off. Straka also had not played since the Ryder Cup ended the last weekend in September The Hero World Challenge has a 20-man field, and top players often use it to start getting ready for next year

CB Slay is contemplating future after Bills claim him

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y Cornerback

Darius Slay has put off reporting to the Buffalo Bills instead taking time to consider his future, the player’s agent confirmed Thursday

Slay has 13 seasons of NFL experience, and the decision to take some time comes a day after the Bills claimed him on waivers following his release in Pittsburgh. In his first season in Pittsburgh, Slay was inactive in two of the Steelers’ past three outings after losing his starting job.

He was cut to make room for the team claiming receiver Adam Thielen on waivers. Slay was not present at Bills practice on Thursday, with the team declining to comment

Former Rangers manager joining Giants as coach SAN FRANCISCO Former Angels and Rangers manager Ron Washington is returning to the Bay Area to become infield coach for the San Francisco Giants on new manager Tony Vitello’s staff. Washington worked for nearly two decades in the same role for the Oakland Athletics, developing many stars with his detailed work hours before the first pitch. The 73-year-old Washington took a leave of absence from the Angels last season with his team at 36-38 to undergo quadruplebypass heart surgery, and Los Angeles then moved forward at the end of the year by hiring Kurt Suzuki as its manager Before managing the Rangers, Washington was a longtime infield coach for Oakland Athletics.

Ex-Florida coach Napier going to James Madison

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Former Florida coach Billy Napier has reportedly found a new home in a familiar spot, landing at James Madison University of the Sun Belt Conference. Napier according to multiple reports, will replace Bob Chesney, who will head to UCLA after the No. 25 Dukes (11-1) host Troy in Friday night’s Sun Belt championship game. UF fired Napier Oct. 19, the day after a 23-21 homecoming escape against Mississippi State left him 22-23 during four seasons with the Gators. His 48.9 winning percentage is the lowest at UF since the 1940s.

The Gators were 12-16 in SEC play, 5-17 against ranked opponents, including 0-14 away from home under Napier

of the year,” Olave said in October after facing the Chicago Bears.

TE Andrews signs 3-year extension with Ravens

“There’s nothing easy catching it between guys,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said. “Obviously, he’d love to make that catch These things hurt for everyone when we have opportunities in games Obviously we had an opportunity there, but we had a couple more opportunities in that game. Certainly (after) it, we had two more opportunities to convert and extend that drive.”

According to Next Gen Stats, Shough’s throw to Olave had an expected completion percentage of 30.1%, which backs up Moore’s assertionthecatchwas“nothingeasy.”

But in his conversation with Mackel, Hurst also said Olave likely would be the first one to admit he needed to come down with the ball There’s also an expectation for a team’s best players to deliver in the clutch. Remember the flak that Juwan Johnson got for not securing a potential game-winning touchdown in New Orleans’ season opener? People pointed to Johnson’s new three-year $30 million contract as a reason for him to come down with it, despite the pass having a completion probability of only 14.7%. If the Saints sign Olave to a new contract, the wide receiver may make more per year than the total value of Johnson’s deal The going rate for top receivers is in the $30 million range, with nine reaching that threshold, according to Over The Cap.

“We’ve been having (contract) conversations since the beginning

“Like I said at the beginning of the year, I feel like I got to prove that I’m that type of player.” The Bears game — a five-catch, 98-yard performance was one of Olave’s best outings of the season. He again was outstanding just a few weeks later when he hauled in five catches for 104 yards in a win over the Carolina Panthers, a game that included a career-long 62-yard score. Lost in the debate over his star-or-not status, Olave is very much a valuable player Maybe that value is best served as a complement, similar to how Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins and Philadelphia’s DeVonta Smith remain dynamic threats alongside Chase and A.J. Brown, respectively If that’s the case, the Saints need to add somebody else, likely through the draft. That’s a debate for another time.

OWINGS MILLS Md. The Baltimore Ravens agreed to a three-year contract extension with Mark Andrews on Wednesday days after the tight end became the franchise’s career leader in receptions. Baltimore was facing some significant decisions after this season, with the 30-year-old Andrews and fellow tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar on expiring deals. They’ve now reached an agreement for a reported $39.3 million with Andrews. Andrews is the Ravens’ leader with 473 catches after passing Derrick

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave runs with the ball as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford defends on Nov 23 at the Caesars Superdome.

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Saints linebacker Demario Davis runs onto the field before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Caesars Superdome on Oct. 26. Davis was named the Saints nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the year award on Thursday.

Simon, Haven chasing state titles and records

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

With one game left to win to make it to a state championship game, Baton Rouge-area schools have their focus on the football state semifinals.

But for two athletes in the area, they’re hoping to make a little history on the way to the Caesars Superdome.

Ascension Catholic senior running back Trevin Simon has run for 3,401 yards and 51 touchdowns on 266 attempts. The state records for rushing yards in a season and rushing touchdowns in a season were set last year by former Leesville and current Minnesota running back Xavier Ford. Ford ran for 3,467 yards and 52 touchdowns, so Simon needs just 67 yards and two touchdowns to establish new state records.

Dunham junior quarterback Elijah Haven has 168 total touchdowns in his career He needs four more touchdowns to move into second place all-time behind former Lafayette Christian star and current LSU running back Ju’Juan Johnson, who finished his high school career with 171 total touchdowns.

The state record for total touchdowns was set by former Vermilion Catholic star and current Nicholls State running back Jonathan Dartez in 2024 with 177. Simon’s historic run

The senior didn’t make the fulltime move to running back until this season, but Simon has played like a seasoned veteran. He has set new school records for rushing yards and touchdowns in a season. Simon broke Germaine Williams’ 1987 season record of 48 rushing touchdowns and smashed through Chad Elzy’s single-season record of 2,911 yards rushing in 2023.

“It’s been a great accomplishment,” Simon said. “It’s really because of the intensity we’ve picked up since the playoffs started.” Simon credited his offensive line for the opportunity to set state records.

“My job is just to get the ball,” Simon said, “and follow them.”

After Ascension Catholic’s 50-42 win over Catholic-PC in the Division IV select quarterfinals, Simon said the exhilarating feeling was too great to process all at once. As soon as the clock hit zero, his team was ready for the semifinals, where the Bulldogs will face Westminster Christian.

“We know this is our last chance,” Simon said, “to be great at the school.” Bulldogs coach Taylor James said the team’s focus is on Friday, but he added that it’s a tremendous accomplishment for Simon

LHSAA finalizes next classification cycle for Baton Rouge schools

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

The LHSAA released its results Thursday from the third classification meeting. Among the appeals heard in Wednesday’s meeting involved District 4-5A and District 5-5A, which includes schools such as Catholic, Zachary Central, Denham Springs and Live Oak.

The LHSAA heard an appeal from current District 4-5A schools to attempt to even the districts in number of schools.

Livingston and Ascension Parish schools looked to keep the plan the same for District 4-5A and District 5-5A from the second classification meeting.

Catholic, Zachary and other schools from District 4-5A proposed moving Woodlawn and Liberty to District 5-5A and bringing Denham Springs, Live Oak and Walker to District 4-5A.

The LHSAA’s finalized map aligns with the second classification meeting.

District 4-5A will feature Baton Rouge High School, Catholic,

Central, Liberty, St. Joseph’s, Woodlawn and Zachary District 5-5A will feature Denham Springs, Dutchtown, East Ascension, Live Oak, Prairieville, St. Amant and Walker Port Allen issued an appeal to move from District 7-3A to District 6-3A. Instead, the LHSAA kept Port Allen in District 7-3A with Collegiate Baton Rouge, Parkview Baptist, University High and West Feliciana.

During the third classification meeting, Ascension Catholic and Ascension Christian each submitted appeals to be moved to District 8-1A.

Both schools cited travel distances as the crux of their appeal. Moving back to District 8-1A would reduce travel times, being closer to schools such as St. John and White Castle. In the LHSAA’s final map, Ascension Catholic and Ascension Christian remain in District 10-1A with Crescent City, Ecole Classique, Louise McGehee, Riverside Academy, South Plaquemines, St. Martin’s Episcopal and West St. John.

Seven local schools set sights on Superdome trips

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

SEMIFINALS PAIRINGS

2 Riverside (10-1) Nonselect

Division I No. 13 Zachary (9-3) at No. 1 Ruston (10-2) No. 14 Ouachita Parish (9-4) at No. 2 Neville (9-3) Division II No. 5 Plaquemine (12-1) at No. 1 North DeSoto (12-0) No. 3 Belle Chasse (11-1) at No. 2 Iowa (12-0)

Division III No. 12 Union Parish (8-5) at No. 1 Jena (11-1) No. 3. St. James (10-2) at No. 2 Sterlington (10-2) Division IV No. 4 Jeanerette (11-1) at No. 1 Haynesville (12-0) No. 3 South Plaquemines (9-2) at No. 2 Mangham (10-2)

and the offensive line to achieve these feats. His goal is to win now, and then look back on what Simon was able to accomplish after the season, reflecting on the team’s achievements.

“If you look backwards at what you’ve done,” James said, “you’re not looking forward at where you’re going.”

James said it’s surreal to think about the past players whose records Simon has broken.

“It’s definitely an accomplishment that all of those guys take tremendous pride in,” James said.

The offensive line and Simon complement each other well, James said. The unit in the trenches takes pride in the yards and touchdowns Simon has stacked up. He pointed to senior tight end Chris Anthens, who has blocked for Simon this year and for Elzy in 2023 when he ran for 2,911 yards

“I’m willing to wager he might be the only guy in Louisiana high school history to block for two nearly 3,000-yard rushers,” James said.

James is looking forward to fully reflecting on Simon and the offen-

sive line’s accomplishments, but he hopes that doesn’t come anytime soon with a trip to the Superdome within reach Haven nearing history

When Dunham coach Neil Weiner thinks about Haven’s growth this year it’s a matter of taking the next step in his playing career

“He’s big, he’s strong,” Weiner said. “He’s got great pocket presence. He stays cool and calm under pressure. He’s just continued to grow into that.”

He doesn’t think there’s one aspect of Haven’s game that has helped him near the state record for total touchdowns; he’s just doing the same things he’s always done — only better Haven echoed those sentiments and said he feels sharper mentally and with his mechanics.

This season, Haven has thrown for 3,281 yards and 53 touchdowns with only five interceptions. He’s also run for 635 yards and eight touchdowns.

While Haven’s stats continue to accumulate, he and Weiner don’t like to talk about the numbers.

“I’ve always joked,” Weiner said, “stats are for losers. You lose a game, and you can go back, ‘Oh, but look, we threw for 300 yards.’ Well, nobody cares, you lost the game.”

When Haven’s high school career wraps up, Weiner looks forward to celebrating his special career But in the moment, he’s relishing watching Haven lead his team.

Weiner said it’s always been a part of Haven’s DNA and character to look out for others and help his team win.

He said earlier in his career, Haven would sometimes pass up scrambling to pass to a receiver who hadn’t caught a touchdown or had a reception yet.

“I love that selfless nature that he has,” Weiner said. “At the same time, like, ‘Man, Elijah, go win this game. Go score that touchdown.’ ”

It’s always been a core piece of Haven’s game to elevate those around him and get everyone involved.

Haven said approaching the state record reflects on the work he’s put in throughout his high school career and the work he’s going to continue to put in.

“You try not to focus on it too much during the season,” Haven said. “But I think it’s a really cool achievement to be approaching.”

He was grateful for the great wide receivers and offensive linemen who have helped him near this milestone.

“I can’t do it all by myself, and having those guys on the outside,” Haven said, “it’s amazing to have them. I know I can trust them to go make plays for me.”

The possible achievements and deep playoff runs have been a full-circle moment, Haven said. Coming to Dunham has been a significant factor in his growth both as a person and player

He said he was more timid as a freshman and sophomore, but the junior has felt more prepared this year while stepping into a leadership role.

“Just making sure the guys know they can lean on me,” Haven said. “That’s been a huge improvement in the way I’ve been able to lead the team this year.”

The state semifinals are here, and seven Baton Rouge-area schools stand just 48 minutes of game time away from a state title appearance. All seven teams will play on the road, and here’s a look at each of their matchups.

Catholic at Edna Karr

The No. 4 Bears will have a rematch from last year’s Division I select semifinal against the No. 1 Cougars (12-0). Edna Karr is one of the top schools in the state and saw 15 players sign with Division I colleges for football Wednesday

The Bears (10-2) will turn to a strong rushing attack led by junior Jayden Miles, who ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries in their 44-6 quarterfinal win over Alexandria. Catholic tends to use two quarterbacks, but Turner Goldsmith played a bulk of the snaps against Alexandria, going 12-of17 passing for 256 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense, led by Ohio State signee Blaine Bradford, has allowed just 16.4 points per game this season.

Zachary at Ruston

The No. 13 Broncos (9-3) continue their playoff run against No. 1 Ruston (10-2).

Zachary’s run to the Division I nonselect semifinals has been fueled by a strong run game and defense.

The Broncos held Denham Springs to 21 points in the second round. Against Central in the quarterfinals, Zachary held the Wildcats to six points in the second half in a 31-27 win.

Broncos running backs Tylek Lewis and Jeremy Patton have combined for 12 rushing touchdowns in three playoff games. Ruston will pose a new challenge, led by five-star tight end Ahmad Hudson. Ruston averages 41.3 points per game.

Ascension Catholic at Westminster Christian

No. 5 Ascension Catholic (102) will face No. 1 Westminster Christian (12-0) in the Division IV select semifinals.

The Bulldogs are led by running back Trevin Simon, who leads the state in rushing yards (3,401) and rushing touchdowns (51). With one more game to reach a state title, the game is also a full-circle moment for senior defensive lineman and running back Josh Barber His two older brothers were on the Ascension Catholic team that made it to the state championship in 2017 and 2018. In 2017, the day before the game, his brothers and Barber were in a car crash heading to school that prevented both from playing in the game. The Bulldogs lost 10-0 to Lafayette Christian.

“I was the one in the front seat, and I was the only one with no injury,” Barber said. “God was there protecting us. I feel like if we had them, it could’ve made a big difference.” Barber came out without a scratch on him, and eight years later, he has the chance to play for a state title if his team can advance past the semifinals.

“I really want to feel that feeling,” Barber said. “That’s something we always imagine.” Ascension Catholic coach Taylor James said Barber has had a lot to live up to with his brothers’ success at the school. But the four-year starter has given his all playing all along the defensive line and at running back.

James hopes he gets his chance to play for a state title.

“He has his opportunity to rewrite a little bit of history and step on that carpet up in the Superdome,” James said. “Hopefully, everything comes full circle, and he gets that opportunity next week.”

Dunham at Lafayette Christian

The No. 5 Tigers (11-1) take on No 1 Lafayette Christian (11-1) in the Division III select semifinals.

Dunham is led by star quarterback Elijah Haven, who has thrown for 3,281 yards and 53 touchdowns this year Dunham averages 48.2 points per game.

Dunham coach Neil Weiner said Lafayette Christian has had one of the best 10-year starts to a program in state history He knows the Knights are his team’s toughest test yet, but he’s looking forward to the opportunity

“Our kids are fired up,” Weiner said. “Our coaches will have them ready to go.”

University High at St. Charles

The Cubs moved on to the semifinals after star defensive lineman Lamar Brown forced a fumble to seal a 32-30 win over Madison Prep. Now No. 4 University High (10-2) will face No. 1 St. Charles (11-1) in the Division II select semifinals.

The Cubs feature several playmakers on offense, including wide receivers Lane Mixon and Lawson Dixon, and running backs Corbin Odell and Sage Ingram.

They’ll be up against a St. Charles defense that has allowed just 21 points combined in its past four games.

Plaquemine at North DeSoto

The No. 5 Green Devils (11-1) head on the road to take on No. 1 North DeSoto (12-0) in the Division II nonselect semifinals. Plaquemine’s lone loss came in Week 1 to Zachary, but it has won out since. The Green Devils won both of their playoff games by double figures. A strong secondary led by UL signee Roderick Bingham, will be key to slowing down North DeSoto.

The Griffins average 53.1 points per game and have scored more than 50 points in eight of their last nine games.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Ascension Catholic quarterback Greg Fernandez, left, playfully crowns Ascension Catholic running back Trevin Simon after a second-quarter touchdown against Ascension Christian on Oct. 10 at Floyd Boutte Memorial Stadium. Simon could break two state records

Thomas out as LSU football general manager

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

Austin Thomas was not retained as the LSU football general manager under head coach Lane Kiffin, and his future is uncertain amid ongoing conversations about his place in the athletic department, multiple sources told The Advocate.

Thomas was the football team’s general manager for the past two seasons, but he was not expected to stay in that role after Kiffin brought general manager Billy Glasscock with him from Ole Miss.

Sources said Thomas’ future has not been finalized, and officials have discussed whether or not he could have a different role in the athletic department.

Glasscock has been Kiffin’s general manager since 2024, when Thomas left the Rebels for his third stint at LSU. Although Thomas has worked for Kiffin at three different schools, including two years at Ole Miss, multiple sources said Thomas’ departure to LSU frayed their relationship at the time.

Thomas is considered by some to be one of the top executives in college football. He received a three-year $2.5 million contract extension earlier this year, making him the highest-paid noncoach in LSU’s athletic department by a significant margin. LSU

TEST

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games. They’ve played one of the toughest schedules in the country LSU, on the other hand, has played one of the nation’s lightest schedules. The Tigers spent the first month of the season bludgeoning mid-major teams – perhaps one of the reasons why they got off to a slow start on Thursday LSU had to adjust to Duke’s size, skill and athleticism.

Early on, there were carless turnovers. Extended possessions. Defensive breakdowns that led to open 3-pointers. Duke hit four of the first five shots it took from beyond the arc. Then the Tigers tightened up their defense, which allowed them to start forcing turnovers, which let them ignite their transition offense, which they used to erase that early deficit and take control of the game. LSU took a 51-43 lead into halftime.

Then Williams found her offensive groove, helping the Tigers maintain that advantage through the third quarter She scored 10 points in that frame. First, she buried a fadeaway jumper from the baseline and jab-stepped into a similar shot a few possessions later

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C

2014 to a Notre Dame team led by former LSU coach Brian Kelly. New LSU coach Lane Kiffin said Monday at his introductory news conference that interim coach Frank Wilson will lead the Tigers in their bowl game. Wilson’s status with Kiffin’s staff for next season has not been announced. Here is how Southeastern Conference teams will have their postseason destinations determined:

n The College Football Playoff committee will select a undefined number of teams from the SEC. The bracket will be revealed at 11 a.m. Sunday on ESPN. Currently five SEC teams are projected to be in the

LSU

Continued from page 1C

enough mettle to keep fighting despite missing many open looks.

“I have to go back and watch some film. I thought we got some good looks in the second half,” McMahon said.

“We just didn’t make them. They hit some great shots.

“Credit to Boston College.

LSU football general manager Austin Thomas answers questions at a news conference on Aug. 21 Thomas will not retain the same role under new head coach Lane Kiffin, according to reports.

has not yet struck a new deal with athletic director Verge Ausberry, who was promoted last month after the ouster of Scott Woodward Thomas would be owed 90% of his remaining salary if he were fired without cause, putting his buyout at roughly $1.6 million.

His contract includes a duty to mitigate clause, and his buyout

would be offset if he got another similar job.

LSU brought back Thomas ahead of the 2024 season as it remade the football front office under head coach Brian Kelly He was instrumental in the formation of the roster this year, when LSU signed 247Sports’ No 1 transfer portal class in the country after

Then Williams dribbled left and stepped into a 3-pointer from the top of the key to beat the third quarter buzzer

Duke eventually cooled off from 3-point range. After they built their early 14-point lead, the Blue Devils connected on only four of the next 19 shots they took from beyond the arc. They also started to turn the ball over, finishing with 19 total giveaways, and stopped crashing the offensive glass, winding up with only six second-chance points on eight offensive boards. LSU battled its own turnover issues. The Tigers coughed up six of their first nine possessions, then finished their night with a season-high 18 giveaways.

But LSU shot it well enough

12-team CFP field: Georgia, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Alabama.

n After the SEC teams are selected by the CFP, the Citrus Bowl will select its SEC representative. Texas and Vanderbilt are the only two SEC teams outside the top 12 currently ranked in the CFP top 25.

n After the Citrus Bowl makes its selection, the SEC will assign teams to a six-bowl pool consisting of the Gator, Texas, Music City, ReliaQuest, Liberty and Duke’s Mayo bowls. The SEC may also assign teams after that to the Birmingham and Gasparilla bowls. LSU is 31-24-1 in bowl games, including a 44-31 victory over Baylor in last season’s Texas Bowl. Email Scott Rabalais at srabalais@theadvocate. com.

I thought they played really well in the second half. I just can’t say enough about our players’ poise and composure. All the momentum was going BC’s way with a minute to go Found a way to get it to the extra frame and then really a dominant performance in the overtime period.”

LSU scored 17 points in the five extra minutes, which were only seven fewer than it had in the second

from the field (60%) to compensate for those mistakes.

Amiya Joyner and Kate Koval also turned in solid performances. Joyner, an East Carolina transfer, notched 14 points and five rebounds in her third start of the season. Koval, a 6-foot-5 Notre Dame transfer, finished with 13 points and four rebounds across the 26 minutes she played off the bench.

LSU won’t play another power-conference team until it opens SEC play at home against No. 17 Kentucky on Jan. 1. Only five matchups now separate the Tigers from that game. The first one – a meeting with UNO in the Lakefront Arena – will tip off at 3 p.m. Sunday on ESPN+.

LSU BOWL PROJECTIONS

BillBender•TheSportingNews: ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Iowa KyleBonagura•ESPN.com: Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. Louisville CollegeSportsMadness.com: Texas Bowl vs. Baylor BradCrawford•CBSSports.com: Music City Bowl vs. Nebraska ScottDochterman•TheAthletic.com: Music City Bowl vs. Illinois PeteFiutak•CollegeFootballNews.com: Music City Bowl vs. Nebraska SteveLassan•Athlon.com: Music City Bowl vs. Minnesota BrettMcMurphy•On3.com: Music City Bowl vs. Illinois

ProFootballNetwork.com: Music City Bowl vs. Illinois MarkSchlabach•ESPN.com: Music City Bowl vs. Nebraska EthanStone•SaturdayDownSouth.com: Music City Bowl vs. Illinois ErickSmith•USAToday.com: Liberty Bowl vs. TCU

BOWL GUIDE

TexasBowl: 8:15 p.m., Dec. 27, Houston (ESPN) MusicCityBowl: 4:30 p.m., Dec. 30, Nashville, Tennessee (ESPN) ReliaQuestBowl: 11 a.m., Dec. 31, Tampa, Florida (ESPN) LibertyBowl: 3:30 p.m., Jan. 2, Memphis, Tennessee (ESPN) Duke’sMayoBowl: 7 p.m., Jan. 2, Charlotte, North Carolina (ESPN)

half. In overtime, the Tigers made all three of their field goals, including one 3-pointer and all 10 free throws.

Building off a game that had real pressure is what McMahon said he wants to see from LSU. It may be in a similar situation when it faces No. 19 Texas Tech (62) at 2 p.m. Sunday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, in the Coast 2 Coast Challenge.

an NIL fundraising push. Thomas worked closely with Woodward, who he saw as a mentor Sloan lands SEC job

Former LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan is expected to be hired in the same position at Kentucky, according to multiple reports

Thursday

Sloan spent the past four seasons at LSU until he was fired in October He will be the Wildcats’ play-caller under first-year head coach Will Stein, according to ESPN. Stein, the offensive coordinator at Oregon, recently replaced longtime Kentucky coach Mark Stoops

As the LSU quarterbacks coach the past four years, Sloan helped in the development of Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels He became the Tigers’ play-caller ahead of the 2024 season after offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock left for Notre Dame.

LSU’s passing game was effective in Sloan’s first year as the offensive coordinator, as quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 4,052 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. But the Tigers struggled to run the ball, an issue that continued into this season.

Sloan was fired Oct. 27, the day after LSU dismissed Kelly, and LSU named Alex Atkins the interim play-caller The Tigers have scored 21.8 points per game,

BY MARK ROSNER Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas — Jordan Lee scored a career-best 22 points, Madison Booker added 18 and No. 2 Texas beat No 11 North Carolina 79-64 on Thursday night in the ACC/SEC Challenge

Texas (9-0) has won 31 straight home games, this one largely by outscoring North Carolina (8-2) 47-25 in the middle two quarters. Texas led by 24 late in the game.

Lee helped Texas pull away in the second half by stealing two passes and converting them into fast-break layups. Booker hit 10 of 11 free throws.

Kyla Oldacre had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Longhorns, and Justice Carlton scored 11 points. Rori Harmon had eight assists and three of Texas’ 11 steals.

Elina Aarnisalo led North Carolina with 17 points. Indya Nivar scored 16. North Carolina outshot Texas 47% to 46%, but the Tar Heels committed 20 turnovers that the Longhorns turned into 24 points.

The Tar Heels came in averaging nine 3-pointers a game, but shot just 2 for 11 against Texas.

Texas has been without rotation players Aaliyah Crump (foot), Bryanna Preston (ankle) and Ashton Judd (knee) for its last four games. Judd has yet to appear in a game after transferring from Missouri.

The Longhorns had dif-

which ranks 108th in the country at the end of the regular season. They have not scored more than 25 points against an FBS team. Under new head coach Lane Kiffin, LSU has agreed to terms with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr on a three-year, $6 million deal. Weis will return to Ole Miss to lead the offense in the College Football Playoff.

Kiffin to speak on ‘GameDay’ Kiffin will appear Saturday morning on ESPN’s “CollegeGameDay” for a live interview, the network announced Thursday It did not specify what time Kiffin will be on the show, which is airing from Atlanta ahead of the SEC championship game between Alabama and Georgia.

The appearance will put Kiffin alongside former LSU and Alabama coach Nick Saban, an analyst on the show Kiffin spoke to Saban as he decided whether or not to leave Ole Miss, and he suggested in his introductory news conference Monday that Saban vouched for the LSU job.

“Coach Saban kind of coached at another place in this conference, so I can’t really say exactly what he said, but I’ll say I think the world of Coach Saban, and I respect him,” Kiffin said. “So, there’s a reason I’m here.” Saban and Kiffin have the same agent in Jimmy Sexton.

ficulty guarding North Carolina at the start of the game. The Tar Heels hit 10 of 13 from the field in the first quarter, outscoring the Longhorns 16-4 in the paint and taking a 21-16 lead.

The Longhorns pushed back in the second quarter with characteristic rugged defense while driving inside, getting to the free throw line and outscoring North Carolina 23-10. Oldacre scored 10. Texas dominated the third quarter as well, 24-15, with Carlton scoring 10. No. 3 SOUTH CAROLINA 79, No. 22 LOUISVILLE 77: In Louisville, Kentucky, Madina Okot had 23 points and 13 rebounds and No. 3 South Carolina outlasted No. 22 Louisville 79-77 on Thursday night in the ACC/SEC Challenge After blowing a secondhalf lead a week ago against Texas in the Players Era Championship, the Game-

cocks (8-1) found themselves in a fight against the Cardinals (7-3). Okot, a 6-foot-6 senior, had 13 points and 10 rebounds in the second half Her layup with 1:33 left put the Gamecocks up for good 76-75. Okot hit the first of two free throws with eight seconds left to put the Gamecocks up two. Louisville had a chance, but Tajianna Roberts missed a 3-pointer off the inbounds pass. Okot grabbed that board as well and was fouled. She missed both free throws with two second remaining. Louisville’s Anaya Hardy could not grab the ball cleanly enough to get off a chance for a winning shot. Tessa Johnson added 20 points for South Carolina, and Raven Johnson had 11 points and eight assists.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By BEN MCKEOWN

LSU’s Amiya Joyner right, handles the ball as Duke’s Delaney Thomas, left, defends on Thursday in Durham, N.C.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

AMERICAN TITLE

TULANE NORTH TEXAS

‘We’re

confident’

Tulane stressing fewer mistakes,morerunning

BY GUERRYSMITH Contributing writer

Tulane coach Jon Sumrall knows one thing is certainabout the American Conference championship game against NorthTexas: arepeat of the careless offensiveperformance against CharlotteonSaturdaywill not cutit.

Quarterback Jake Retzlaff threwtwo interceptionsand theGreen Wave fumbledfour timesinthe 27-0 victory.The Wave was fortunatetoretain possession after three of themiscues —one of which bouncedright to Sumrall.

“There’snoexcuse for it,” Sumrall said. “We were way too loose with theball last week. Twointerceptions.Four on theground. If we do that on Friday night, we’ll getour (butt) kicked. We will notbeclose.”

The turnovers were uncharacteristic. Retzlaff had thrown onlyfour interceptions through 11 games. Tulane had fumbled only nine times before running backs Jamauri McClure and Javin Gordon andreceiverAnthony Brown-Stephens putthe ball on theground, with Tulane losing possession on McClure’sfumble. CenterJack Hollifieldalsohad an errantshotgunsnap.

Facing North Texas, which averages an FBS-best 46 8points per game and had scored at least31in everygame, the Wave knows it needstobesharper

“We’re confident,” Hollifield said. “If people don’t think we’re thebest offense,wegointo this game knowingwecanexecuteinthepassandtherungame.”

As late July arrival Retzlaffbecamemore comfortable with his receivers, Tulane’spassing game improved substantially. TheWaveaveraged286.3 yards in the air in conference play,ranking behind only North Texasand Florida Atlantic.Retzlaff completed 66.1% of his throws, spreading the ball aroundtomultiple tagets.

The emergence of McClure, aredshirt freshman, has elevated the ground game. He has 38 carries for 285 yards in thepast three contests, averaging 7.5 yards per attempt while giving Tulane an effective1-2 punch withGordon.

With steady rain on Thursday causing flood warnings in New Orleans and expected to continue well into Friday,the Yulman Stadium turf likely will be wet Fridaynight. Tulane’s abilitytopickupfirst downs on the ground will be pivotal.North Texas ranks 127th outof134 FBS teamsinrushing defense, allowing 207.9 yards per game.

“If it were up to me and the offensive line, we’d run the whole game,” Hollifield said. “Wecan go after them in all areas, and if it rains, hopefully we can dominate therun game.”

Retzlaff, whoset aschool single-season record with 14 rushing touchdowns, could factorinheavily with hislegs. TheWaveeasedbackonplanned runs for him in the past two weeks after he got banged up against Memphis, but there is no sense of holding back anything in achampionship game with a College Football Playoff spot awaiting the winner

“Jake has been adifference-maker forusinalot of ways,but his running touchdowns have been a big deal,” Sumrall said. “Heset arecord foruslast week, and we knew about it and talked about it going into thegame.”

Sumrall is all in for bad weather

“Let it rain,”hesaid. “That’sall I’ll say.I’m good. Cold, wet, whatever.”

Lagniappe

Tulanesenior widereceiver Bryce Bohanon, whoinjured akneeinpracticethe week before theCharlotte game, has beenruled out forthe title matchup. TheWaveisholding outhope he can return if it makes the CFP Currently No. 20, Tulane is one of only 10 schools that has appeared in the CFPranking foreach of thepast four years, joining OhioState, Georgia,Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, OleMiss, Oregon,Notre Dame andLouisville… North Texasmadeits first CFP appearance ever this week at No. 24.

Leftover Wave playersstill smarting from last year’s title-game debacle

BY GUERRYSMITH

Contributing writer

Even Tulane punter Alec Clark, whowas not on the team last season, understands thespecial significance of theAmerican Conference championshipgame to anyone who played in the same contest against Army ayear ago. Sure,the stakes would be huge regardless, with afirst-ever College Football Player berth awaitingthe winner between the 20th-ranked Green Wave (10-2) and No. 24 North Texas (11-1) on Friday nightatYulman Stadium (7 p.m., ABC). But this one means more after 365 days of an empty feeling. Tulane did not just lose in West Point, New York, it got embarrassed, falling35-14 on abitterlycoldnight as afourpoint favorite while giving up touchdowns on five of Army’s first sixpossessions.

“Every time the championship is brought up from last season, you can tellthe guys werehurt from how the game went,” said Clark,who won the Sun Belt championship withMarshall a dayafter Tulane lost to Army “Really, I’masmucha part of the team as anybody,and Ijust want them to have thesamefeeling I didlast year.”

If Clark feels thepain, imagine how linebacker Sam Howardprocessed thelopsided defeat.Asinvested in team success as anyone in recent memory,helonged for another opportunity

“This team’s comealong way since that game, and we’ve had achip on our shoulderever since because no one wantstofeel what we felt in the locker room after thatgame again,” he said. “We set out to do something different when we walked off that field in New York lastyear.You don’t want thatsame sickfeeling in the locker room when thecoaches tell you, ‘Hey,guys, this was agreat season. Sorry we couldn’tget it done and finish thejob.’ Howard cited fellow senior dayparticipants Bryce Bohanon (sidelined by aknee injury),Bailey Despanie, ShadreHurst and DerrickGrahamashelpingstoke thefire forTulane’s fury.All of themwill enter Friday night with asingle-minded purpose.

“Just to have the conviction in your heart throughout the season, knowing that we can get that opportunity again and have redemption,”Howard said. “Remembering what that feelslike to not get thejob done and being dominated like that, we’ve set out to do something alloffseason Nowthatwe’re here,wehaveto

put ourbest foot forward. The determination and the urgency has been at an all-time high.”

Howard did his part ayear ago, making ateam-high 14 tackles as Tulane tried in vain to stop American Conference offensive playerofthe year Bryson Daily, whorushed for four touchdowns.

SafetyJackTchienchou,who was next on thelist witheight stops, expects atotally different mindset against North Texas with aroster turnover of 60 players.

“It’sacompletely newteam, but they knowwhatwe(thereturners) went through and they know howmuchit’sgoing to mean for us,”hesaid. “We’re not just here to be here. We want to win.”

Linebacker ChrisRodgers hadtwo tackles as asophomore reserve againstArmy but will play amuch biggerrolethis time as ajunior.Heistied with Tchienchou for the team lead with68tackles, including 33 in thepast four games.

Despite those credentials, he did noteven receive asniff for American Conference honors.

“It put alittle chip on my shoulder,but I’mgoing to just play my gameand do what Ido,” he said. “We’ve got to get the job done.”

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Tulane running back Jamauri McClure, center,runs withthe ball alongside widereceiver Shazz Preston and offensivelineman Jack Hollifield close behind during the first half against the Charlotte 49ers on Saturday at yulman Stadium.

AWINTER TRADITION

Gatherwith the community to celebrate theFestival of Lights from 4p.m.to 8p.m. Fridayinand around North Boulevard Town Square. Tree lighting, ice skating, fireworks, photos withSanta and Mrs. Claus at the nearbyOld State Capitol and an artists’ villageare only the startof the fun. downtownbatonrouge.org

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

ALL THE FEELS

3heartwarming plays bring on holiday season this weekend in BatonRouge

BY ROBINMILLER Staff writer

Sibling sparks will fly when a family returns home for Christmas at UpStage Theatre,while Buddy the Elf tries to free his dad from the Naughty List at Sullivan Theater and Rudolph will godown in history when Playmakers takes the stage at the Reilly Theatre. All of these stories will come alivethis weekend to open the holiday season. Patrons canmake planstosee one or all three. There’splenty of time, and each willput them in the Christmas spirit. It is the holiday season,after all, so happy endings are guaranteed

‘Homefor Christmas’

Asister sets out to gather her siblings together for whatmight be their ailingmom’s final Christmas in UpStage Theatre’sreprisal of “Home for Christmas,” opening Saturday on UpStage’shomestage, 1713 Wooddale Blvd. The company’sfounder and artistic director,Ava BrewsterTurner,wrote this dramedybased on people in her life. Though the story is fiction, most audience members will relate to it as their own families begin gathering for Christmas events.

The story begins with Nancy, played by Kyla Bates, who lives in asmall Tennessee townwith her mom, played by Elizabeth Ervin. Christmas is just around the corner, and mom’srecent prognosis from the doctor isn’tgood.

Bates

So Nancy knows she has to take action.

“Nancyisthe oldest of theClayton children,” Bates said. “And this heartwarming, nostalgic story is about her trying to get her family together to recapturewhat they seem to have lost, which is (the) family tradition of coming home andcelebrating Christmas together.She’s doing this because her mother is battling some health issues, and she wants to make the Christmas memorable for her mom.” So, why is Nancy helmingthis task?

“She is the child who never left,” Bates said.

ä See PLAYS, page 2D

VISITFOR FREE

Soak in some culture and learnabout the river at Free First Sundaythis weekend at the Louisiana Art& Science Museum,Old State Capitol, Old Governors’ Mansion, Magnolia Mound Museum +Historic Site, LSU Museum of Art, Cary Saurage Community Arts Center and LSU Centerfor River Studies.

“EveryRibbon Has aName” is the theme of the WorldAIDS DayGala 2025, starting at 6p.m.SaturdayatCapitol Park Museum and featuring performances,tributes and storytelling.The event is free, but asuggested donation of $50 will supportBRPride and the fight against HIV stigma. eventeny.com

HOT HO TICKET TICK

CajunCon andall itsmagic awaits youthisweekend

BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer

This weekend, everybody can be Charlie Bucket. Likethe character in the classic film “Willy Wonka and theChocolate Factory,” allyou need is agolden ticket, free at that, to enter the inaugural Cajun Con.

Thebrainchildofevent producer Scott Innes, Cajun Conwill bring together 85 pop culturestars, 200 vendors and myriad fans under one roof for twodays at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center,9039 S. St.Landry Ave.,Gonzales.

Agewise, thoseyoung enough to think Johnny Depp (2005) or even Timothée Chalamet (2023)was “Chocolate Factory’s”first Willy Wonka and those old enough to know it was Gene Wilder(1971) will allhavemust-seestops at thegenerations-spanning event. And they’ll probably share at least one.

“We’re building a‘Wonka’ set that’sreallygoingtobe afun set to get an autograph in,”Innessaid, noting that most stars do chargeaseparate feefor aphoto or autograph.

Speaking of “ChocolateFactory,”Cajun Con will reunite somemembersofthe original Wilder-starring movie’s cast, including Peter Ostrum (Charlie), Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt) and Paris Themmen (Mike Teevee)

Baby Boomersand theGen Xcrowd will also be able to relatetoEddie Dezen (“Grease,” “1941”), Butch Patrick (“TheMunsters”)and “TheIncredibleHulk’s” LouFerrigno.

Younger Cajun Con visitors will veer toward Grey Delisle (“King of the Hill,”“The Simpsons”), Kate Micucci (“The BigBangTheory,” “Bob’sBurgers”) and RJ Mitte (“Breaking Bad,” “The Guardians of the Galaxy”) Wrestling fans, look outfor Kevin vonErich,Mike Foley, Jake the Snake and many more.

Forhorror flick followers, there’sDavid Howard Thornton (Art theClown),Douglas Tait (“Five Nightsat Freddie’s”)and C.J. Graham (“Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives”). Andthat’s just for starters. To seethe completelist, go to cajunconla.com.

ä See TICKET, page 2D

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Trans-Siberian Orchestraonholiday heavymetal tour

‘The Ghosts of Christmas Eve’ show setfor Dec. 17 in NewOrleans

BY

KEITH SPERA Staff writer

Al Pitrelli is not SantaClaus,but he does zip around the country spreadingjoy at Christmastime. Aguitarist by trade, Pitrelli is themusical director for TransSiberian Orchestra’sheavy metal holidayseason fantasiaoflasers, lights,pyro and squalling guitar solos wrappedinreligiousand

mystical storylines. TSO’s1996debut, therock opera“Christmas Eve and Other Stories,”isone of thebestselling holiday albums of the past 40 years. Itsclassical music/heavy metal mashup “ChristmasEve/Sarajevo12/24” has permeated popular culture from football games to car commercials to an episode of “The Office.” TSO’s“Wizards of Winter” is the soundtrack to countless holiday light displays People who wouldn’tdream of patronizing Iron Maiden or Judas Priestwill happily attend aTransSiberian Orchestra concert that is just as bombastic.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist and music director Al Pitrelli performs.

Jackson Bostwick, TV series ‘Shazam!’

Wrestler MickFoley

Kate Micucci, ‘Big Bang Theory’

Julie Dawn Cole, Peter Ostrum and Paris Themman, ‘Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory’

TICKET

Continued from page1D

For those who don’tlike long lines, the site is also whereyou canpurchase VIP Fast Passes ($150) goodfor the whole weekend. Golden tickets can be printed out or scanned there as well to present at thedoorat Lamar-Dixon.

On the back of tickets is apiece of advice:Bethere by 10a.m. to make sure you get in.

“Wewant to stress that,” Innes said. “Here’sthe deal. Youdon’twant to wander in at, you know, threeo’clock in the after-

noonortwo o’clock.It’slike Disney World.When it opens up, if you run right to your ride, you’re gonnabepretty good. But if you wait three hours, you’re going to be waiting three hours to get on the ride. There’salot of people thatare going to be in theselinestoget these autographs.

“We’re excited. It’s gonna be afun event,” Innes said. Cajun Con will run from 10 a.m. to 6p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5p.m. Sunday An hour designated forspecial-needs children isSunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate com.

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday, Dec. 5, the 339th day of 2025. There are 26 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On Dec. 5, 2013, Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa’sfirstBlack president, died at age 95.

Also on this date:

In 1848, in an address to Congress, President James K. Polk sparked the Gold Rush of ’49 by confirming that gold had been discovered in California.

In 1933, Prohibition came to an end as Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, repealing the 18th Amendment.

In 1955, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merged to form the AFL-CIO under its first president, George Meany

In 1994, Republicans chose Newt Gingrich to be the first GOP speaker of the House in four decades.

In 2008, O.J. Simpson was sentencedto up to 33 years in prison after being convicted of 12 criminal

FRIDAY

26TH FESTIVALOFLIGHTS: Oil Center, Lafayette, 5:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: CaneRiver Pecan

CompanyPie Bar, New Iberia, 5p.m.

AMY &KYLE: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-n-Duson, Duson, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s, Lafayette, 6p.m.

FRIDAY NIGHT JAM: La Maison de Begnaud, Scott, 6p.m.

LEXI &CHYNNA: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

GALVEZTON: Artmosphere, Lafayette, 8p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8p.m.

SATURDAY

GENO DELAFOSE AND FRENCH

ROCKIN’ BOOGIE: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 8a.m.

DON FONTENOTBAND: Fred’s, Mamou, 8a.m.

RICK AND TOMMY MICHOT

LEAD THE CAJUN JAM: Moncus Park, Lafayette, 9a.m.

SATURDAY MORNING JAM

charges in connection with a2007 confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers in aLas Vegas hotel. (Simpson was released on parole after serving nine years; he died in 2024). In 2009, ajury in Perugia, Italy, convicted American student Amanda Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend, RaffaeleSollecito, of murdering Knox’sBritish roommate, Meredith Kercher, and sentenced them to long prison terms. (After aseries of back-and-forth rulings, Knox and Sollecito were definitively acquitted in 2015 by Italy’shighest court.)

Today’sbirthdays: Author Calvin Trillin is 90. Opera singer Jose Carreras is 79. Musician Jim Messina is 78. Golf Hall of Famer Lanny Wadkins is 76. Football Hall of Famer Art Monk is 68. Rock singer-musician John Rzeznik (The Goo Goo Dolls) is 60. Countrysinger Gary Allan is 58. Comedianactor Margaret Cho is 57. Actor Paula Patton is 50. Singer-songwriter Keri Hilson is 43. Actor and stock car driverFrankie Muniz is 40. Singer-songwriter Conan Gray is 27.

PLAYS

Continuedfrom page1D

“Nancy is the one who put her life on hold for others, especially forher mom. She’sreally closewith her brother, Jim, but her younger sister, Trudy,gives her themost trouble.”

Jim, played by Dameon Hills,owns and operates his own business in California, wherehelives, and Trudy, playedbyCamrie Bynum, movedtoNew York, where she’stried to shed her image as asmall-town girl.

Trudy’sattitude has shaded the view of her daughter, playedbyAngel Thomas, toward thefamily she’snever met. But Trudy realizes that not all is as it seems as thesiblings gather with their uncle andold friends for this celebration.

The cast is rounded out by Cinnamon Hankton,Brittanica Hawkins, Kharin Tuckson, Johnny Jones and Trey Townsend.

‘Elf TheMusical’

Therewill be maple syrup.

It’swhat Will Farrell poured atop afreshly made bowl of pasta while immortalizing Buddy,the North Pole’smisfit elf, in the2003 film “Elf.”Daniel Brandenburgwill be armed withhis own bottle of maple syrup while preparing apasta breakfast forhis family in Sullivan Theater’sproduction of “ElfThe Musical.”

The scene is part of the childlike charmthat made the movie so endearing to movieaudiences, and rest assured that Buddy’scharm hasnot been diminishedin themusical version. If anything, Christmas is even more magicalthrough his eyes on the stage.

“The musical follows the same story in themovie,” director Amy Himel Gomez said. “But what I’ve found that might be alittledifferent from the movie is in the way Daniel plays Buddy like alittlekid. It’s such atesta-

PROVIDED PHOTO FROM FORETTRADITION.NET

Swamp pop bandForet Tradition, led by Ryan Foret, takesthe stageatPat’s Atchafalaya ClubinHenderson at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

SESSIONS: Savoy Music Center,Eunice, 9a.m. CAJUN JAM: TanteMarie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.

CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC JAM: Vermilionville, Lafayette, 1p.m.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Daniel Brandenberg as Buddythe Elf covers his pasta breakfast withmaple syrupinSullivan Theater’s production of ‘Elf The Musical.

ment to what we all should learnfromBuddy,thatwe need to always reach back andfind the childlike wonder that allows us to find the joy in theworld.”

SullivanTheater opened “Elf The Musical”onThursday.The show will continue Thursdays throughSundays through Dec. 21 on its stage at 8849 Sullivan Road in Central.

Thestory followsanorphannamed Buddy,who mistakenly wastransported to theNorth Poleafter crawling intoSanta’sbag of gifts on Christmas Eve He’sadoptedbyPapaElf, who raises him to loveeverything about Christmas.

But there’s one problem

3p.m

PELICAN BALL: Acadiana Center forthe Arts, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m

LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s, Lafayette, 6p.m

TONY BRUCE AND CLASSIC COUNTRY: Buck &Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: TapRoom, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.

‘80S EXPERIENCE: Adopted DogBrewing,Lafayette, 7p.m.

ALPHONSE ARDOIN &ZYDECO

KINGZ: HideawayonLee, Lafayette, 8p.m 4-HORSES: La Poussiere, Breaux Bridge, 8p.m

LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8p.m

THAT‘90S SHOW: Rock’n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9p.m

SUNDAY

DRUM CIRCLE: NUNU Arts & CultureCollective, Arnaudville, 2:30 p.m.

LATE BLOOMIN’: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 3p.m

NOËL ABROUSSARD: Chamber of Commerce, Broussard,

STAFFPHOTO By ROBIN MILLER HenryGore, left,asDonner, bonds with Rudolph, played by MilesJohnson, by clicking antlers in Playmakers of Baton Rouge’sproduction of ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.’

—Buddy is afull-size human in this world of elves, prompting Santa to finally divulge the fact that Buddy’sreal dad lives in New York andisonthe Naughty List. With Santa’spermission, Buddy embarks on a journey to NewYork City to find his birth father and discover his true identity

“Buddy is such afun character to play,” Brandenburg said.

“Actually,myparents wouldcall me ‘Elf Boy’ growing up because Iwas so obsessed with Christmas. Idecorated my room with Christmas lights one year, and Iplayed the Christmas music stationall the time This role really feels like a part of me in away because Ilove Christmas so much. And just the spirit of Buddy is so fulfilling formeput on the stage.”

JAM: Tom’s Fiddle&Bow Arnaudville, 12:30 p.m

LE BALDUDIMANCHE—

DYLAN AUCOIN& THE JUDICE

RAMBLERS: Vermilionville, Lafayette, 1p.m.

CAJUN JAM: BayouTeche Brewing, Arnaudville, 2p.m.

CHRISTMAS IN SCOTT: Scott CityHall, Scott, 2:30 p.m

FORET TRADITION: Pat’s Atchafalaya Club,Henderson, 4:30 p.m

GENO DELAFOSE: Rock ’n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 9p.m.

MONDAY

PATRICIO LATINO SOLO: Cafe Habana City, Lafayette, 11 a.m.

BLUEGRASS JAM: Citédes Arts, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m

LIVE MUSIC: CharleyG’s, Lafayette, 6p.m.

TUESDAY

GLENN ZERINGUE: Whiskey& Vine,Lafayette, 11 a.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.

LES FRERES MICHOT: Prejean’s, Carencro, 11:30 a.m. JAMBALAYA ACOUSTIC MUSIC

TERRYHUVAL &FRIENDS: Prejean’s, Lafayette, 6p.m.

GROOVE ROOM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: CharleyG’s, Lafayette, 6p.m.

‘Rudolph theRed-Nosed Reindeer’

It’s no secret that Rudolph the Red-NosedReindeer goes down in history at the end of hisstory.The song pretty muchspells that out, as does theclassic 1964 stopaction Christmas special that’sstill afavorite of children and adults alike. So,there’snospoilers in revealing that theyoung reindeer will save Christmas in Playmakers of Baton Rouge’sproduction of “Rudolph.”

Theshow opens Fridayin the Reilly Theatre on Tower Drive at LSU.

“We’ve tried to stick to like the classic styling that everyone knows,”director Joni Duhe said. “Everything’svery cartoony, and it’s exactlylike thecartoon, itself, script-wise. The staging of everything is alittle more natural, but it’s still fun.”

The story opens with young Rudolph, played by 11-year-old Samantha Schexnayder,who is born withaglowing, shiny red nose. Hisdad,Donner, playedbyHenry Gore, 15, tries to hide the nose, whose glow can’tbecontained.

The adolescent Rudolph, played by MilesJohnson,15, is mocked and ostracized by his peersbecause of it. But apretty,young doe, Clarice, admires him. Clarice, double cast in this show,isplayed by Riley Keranen, 11, and Amelia Olivier,14. Rudolph decidestorun away and accidentally meets up with Hermie, amisfit elf who dreams of being adentist. He’s playedbyBrant Brantley,11. From there, they embark on adangerous adventure that eventually lands themonthe Island of Misfit Toys.

Narrating thestoryasthe Snowman is Bryce Butler, 16, who gets to sing oneof themost memorablenumbers of theshow— “Holly Jolly Christmas,” which will spark theChristmas spirit even in the Scrooges and Grinches.

WEDNESDAY DULCIMERJAM: St. Landry VisitorCenter,Opelousas, 10 a.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Park Bistro, Lafayette, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: CharleyG’s, Lafayette, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: TapRoom, Youngsville,6:30 p.m

CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8p.m.

THURSDAY

LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-n-Duson, Duson, 6p.m.

LIVE MUSIC: Buck &Johnny’s, BreauxBridge,6 p.m

LIVE MUSIC: CharleyG’s, Lafayette, 6p.m. WINDOWWANDERINGS: Basin Arts, Lafayette, 6p.m.

CompiledbyMarchaund Jones.Want yourvenue’s music listed? Email info/ photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY forthe following Friday’s paper

SHOWSTOWATCH —ACADIANA

FRIDAY

KIRK HOLDER: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 5:30 p.m.

BLOCKER HARVISON: BLDG 5, 6 p.m.

SHAYCHIK: Crowne Plaza, 6 p.m.

CAM PYLE: Tallulah Crafted Food and Wine Bar, 6 p.m.

CAKE MIXX: Bin 77, 7 p.m.

KICKS BAND: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7 p.m.

JOEL NEELY: The Brakes Bar, 7 p.m.

STORMY: Phil Brady’s, 7:30 p.m.

KEEPIN’ TIME BAND: Charlie’s Lounge, Addis, 8 p.m.

HENRY TURNER JR. & THE ALL-STARS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS STEPHEN KING AND KELTON’NSPIRE HARPER: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room

8 p.m

KILLING BUGS/AUDREY SEYMOUR/ PUSH2RELEASE/BROKEN AUTHORITY: Mid City Ballroom, 8 p.m.

TOWER OF POWER: L’Auberge Event Center, 8 p.m.

N’TUNE: The Showroom, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

CIVIC ORCHESTRA OF BATON ROUGE: Main Library at Goodwood, 3 p.m.

DOMINICK MICHAEL: Curbside Burgers, 5 p.m.

KATIE LOVE: The Brakes Bar, 7 p.m.

UNSELFISH LOVERS OF THE BLUES: Phil Brady’s, 7 p.m.

ACOUSTICRATS: Bin 77, 7 p.m.

THE REMNANTS: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7 p.m.

FREQUENCY BR: Mid City Ballroom, 8 p.m.

ACOUSTIC SATURDAYS W/HENRY TURNER AND SPECIAL GUESTS

CURRY SPICER, RODNEY GIPSON, WYANDA PAUL: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m.

SUBFLUENCE: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 9 p.m.

SOUTHLAND: Murphy’s, 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

ERIC BASKIN: Watermark Hotel,

10 a.m.

CHRIS ALLEN: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 11 a.m.

FRIDAY MOVIES ON THE PLAZA: 7 p.m., Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and stay for the after-movie dance party. Event is free; refreshments available for purchase. ebrpl.com.

BATON ROUGE ZYDECO VS. MONROE

MOCCASINS (ICE HOCKEY): 7 p.m., Raising Cane’s River Center Arena, 275 S. River Road. $25. raisingcanesrivercenter.com.

LSU CANDLELIGHT CONCERT:

7:30 p.m., Broadmoor Baptist Church. With the LSU A Cappella Choir, Tiger Glee Club and Gospel Choir. lsu.edu/ cmda/music.

FRIDAY NIGHT LECTURE: 7:30 p.m.-

8:30 p.m., BREC’s Highland Road Park Observatory, 13800 Highland Road. Skygazing tips, physics phenomena, space programs and famous events are covered. For ages 14 and older Free. hrpo.lsu.edu. Also, evening sky viewing from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

FOURTH ANNUAL LISTENING ROOM FILM FESTIVAL: 3 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, and 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 2733 North St. Films followed by Q-and-A’s, industry panels and musical performances. Full festival pass, $50; one-day festival pass, $10; film block pass, $5. https://hitcitydigital wixsite.com/htjmuseum/donate.

SATURDAY

BATON ROUGE ARTS MARKET: 8 a.m.noon, Fifth and Main streets, downtown. Vendors sell a variety of unique, original works of art including pottery, woodwork, textiles, glass, paintings, sculptures, photographs, handmade soaps, handmade toys, jewelry and more. artsbr.org

RED STICK FARMERS MARKET: 8 a.m.noon, Fifth and Main streets, down-

FILE PHOTO By FRANCES y. SPENCER

Louisiana Music Hall of Fame

musician Chris LeBlanc performs at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mason’s Grill and at 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at Icehouse Tap Room.

JUSTIN BURDETTE TRIO: Superior Grill-MidCity, 11 a.m.

SONGWRITER SUNDAYS: La Divina Italian Cafe, 5 p.m.

LUCY YOES: Pizza Byronz, 5 p.m.

OPEN MIC JAM: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 7 p.m.

MONDAY CHRIS LEBLANC DUO: Superior GrillMidCity, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY CAM PYLE: Superior Grill-MidCity 6 p.m

EDDIE SMITH: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY CHRIS LEBLANC: Mason’s Grill, 5:30 p.m.

AROUND BATON ROUGE

town. Farm-fresh produce, goods, cooking demonstrations. breada.org.

COCA-COLA CHRISTMAS GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION: 10 a.m.2 p.m., Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Photos with Santa, hands-on holiday crafts and activities, balloon animals, and steam train demos by The Greater Baton Rouge Model Railroaders. Plus, Sneaux to Geaux, a winter-themed pop-up science experience presented by BASF. lasm.org.

MONTHLY CONTRA DANCE: 4 p.m.-

6:30 p.m., St. Alban’s Chapel, corner of Highland Road and Dalrymple Drive. Newcomer instruction at 1:15 p.m. Singles and couples welcome. $7 per person; free for first-timers. Louisianacontrasandsquares.com or (225) 803-9194

SUNDAY

FREE FIRST SUNDAY: Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road; Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd.; Old Governors’ Mansion, 502 North Blvd.; Magnolia Mound Museum + Historic Site, 2161 Nicholson Drive; LSU Museum of Art, 100 Lafayette St.; and Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, 233 St. Ferdinand St. and LSU Center for River Studies, 100 Terrace Ave Free admission to all exhibits and installations, plus reduced-price entry to LASM’s Irene Pennington Planetarium shows

TUESDAY

BATON ROUGE CHESS CLUB: 6 p.m.-

8 p.m., La Divina Italian Cafe, 3535 Perkins Road, Unit 360. A chance to play and learn; all levels welcome. Free. TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith, 18303 Perkins Road. Collect your team and jockey for first place. loom.ly/yCKtQ4.

WEDNESDAY

TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith,

BRANDON NICHOLSON: Superior Grill-MidCity, 6 p.m.

LSU JAZZ BAND: Classic Vinyls, 6 p.m.

BEN RAGSDALE: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

KIRK HOLDER: Bin 77, 6:30 p.m.

SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC W/HEATH

RANSONNET: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 7 p.m.

ANDY PIZZO TRIO: Hayride Scandal, 7:30 p.m.

OPEN MIC JAM: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY

STEVE JUDICE, RYAN HARRIS & JA-

SON HARRINGTON: La Divina Italian Cafe, 6 p.m.

SOUTH OF CENTRAL: La Carreta, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

KYBALION: El Paso, 6 p.m.

WALT WHITAKER: Backstreet Lounge, 6 p.m.

RACHAEL HALLACK & ERIC

CANTRELLE: Superior Grill-MidCity, 6 p.m.

JOSH GARRETT: Bin 77, 6:30 p.m.

GENEVIEVE BAILEY: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

BRADY GEORGE: Lil Daddy’s, Plaquemine, 7 p.m.

BEN BELL & THE STARDUST BOYS: The Brakes Bar, 7 p.m.

THE BISHOP ELLIS TRIO: Hayride Scandal, 7 p.m.

GROOVIN’ ROUND THE CHRISTMAS

TREE: Manship Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

HENRY TURNER JR. & THE ALL-

STARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m.

CHRIS LEBLANC: Icehouse Tap Room, 8 p.m.

BLUES JAM: Phil Brady’s, 9 p.m.

Compiled by Marchaund Jones. Want your venue’s music listed? Email info/photos to showstowatch@theadvocate. ctaom. The deadline is noon

FRIDAY for the following Friday’s paper

27350 Crossing Circle, Suite 150, Denham Springs. Collect your team and jockey for first place. loom.ly/y-CKtQ4.

THURSDAY

RED STICK FARMERS MARKET:

8 a.m.-noon, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road. Farm-fresh produce, goods and more. facebook.com/redstickfarmersmarket.

GUILTY OR GORGEOUS: 6 p.m., Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd. Presented in partnership with LSU’s Department of Textiles, Apparel Design, and Merchandising, this immersive experience invites guests to vote for their favorite studentdesigned looks, play the interactive Guilty or Gorgeous game, browse pop-up booths from NOLA Rouge and Time Warp, and purchase select items or commission future work directly from the designers. Free. Reserve spot at eventbrite.com.

WEEKLY SOCIAL BIKE RIDE: 7 p.m. Geaux Ride, 521 N. Third St., Suite A. Free. fareharbor.com.

ONGOING

ART GUILD OF LOUISIANA: Independence Park Theatre, 7800 Independence Blvd. “A Holiday Retrospective — AGL Member Show 2025,” through Jan. 8. (225) 773-8020 or artguildlouisiana.org.

BATON ROUGE GALLERY CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: 1515 Dalrymple Drive. Exhibitions by Sarah House and Craig McMullen, through Dec. 21. batonrougegallery.org.

CAPITOL PARK MUSEUM: 660 N. Fourth St. “Billy Cannon: They Called Him Legend,” through Jan. 10. “Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana and the Nation,” “The Louisiana Experience: Discovering the Soul of America,” “African American History,” “Music and Musicians” and “Mardi Gras,” permanent exhibits. (225) 342-5428 or louisianastatemuseum.org.

During TSO’s very first performance, at Philadelphia’s Tower Theatre in 1999, Pitrelli spotted an older couple in crochet reindeer sweaters next to a kid in a Slayer hoodie.

“So from the jump, that was our demographic — there is no demographic,” Pitrelli said during a recent interview. “People who love classical music, sometimes we put them back on their heels. They’re expecting a Tchaikovsky performance, and all of a sudden there’s pyro being choreographed to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony Yet I think we do it in a very classy manner.”

Trans-Siberian Orchestra has sold more than 20 million concert tickets despite being limited to a short winter touring season. To maximize the number of shows, two companies of TSO musicians and singers tour simultaneously Pitrelli will lead one TSO troupe in New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center on Dec. 17; tickets start at $54.

“What’s kept it alive and growing over three decades,” Pitrelli theorizes, “is the absolute ability of Paul O’Neill to tell a story that everybody in the audience relates to.”

Origins in Savatage

O’Neill was TSO’s eccentric mastermind. He managed and produced arena rock bands in the 1970s before working with a midtier 1980s prog-rock band called Savatage.

Savatage’s 1995 concept album “Dead Winter Dead” — co-produced by O’Neill and the first of the band’s albums to feature Pitrelli — included a song called “Christmas Eve (Sarajavo 12/24).” Incorporating elements of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Carol of the Bells,” the instrumental was inspired in part by the Bosnian War. It became Savatage’s biggest hit.

O’Neill resolved to write an entire rock opera based on that song. He recruited Pitrelli and Savatage singer/keyboardist Jon Oliva and keyboardist Bob Kinkel to help.

Sitting around O’Neill’s kitchen table at his New York apartment, they used a cassette recorder to capture the genesis of TransSiberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve and Other Stories.”

“He saw the whole thing in his head,” Pitrelli said of O’Neill. “He knew exactly what he wanted. It was one of the most incredibly enjoyable, terrifying, electrifying moments of my life, watching something be born and you’re really not sure what’s going on.

“I knew we were onto something good. I hit that opening ostinato in ‘Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)’ and (thought) it was one of the darkest, most traumatic, incredibly powerful pieces of music I’ve not only played on, but heard.”

Relating to ‘Ornament’

Pitrelli was especially wellsuited for the task. He grew up on Long Island near Steve Vai, one of hard rock’s most celebrated guitarists. When Vai went off to Berklee College of Music in Boston Pitrelli took his place in a local bar band. Vai later encouraged Pitrelli to go to Berklee.

After two semesters, Pitrelli returned to New York. On Vai’s recommendation, Alice Cooper hired him as his musical director Pitrelli also played on recordings

by the likes of Michael Bolton, Celine Dion and Asia

“Unbeknownst to me, that whole era of my life from ’85 to ’95 was musically and socially getting me prepared for what was to become Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Working with female artists and male artists. Working with a band like Asia, very orchestra. Working with Alice, a theatrical presentation on an arena stage.”

“The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” the storyline that TSO revived for its 2025 winter tour, is especially relatable, Pitrelli says, as the holidays can magnify feelings of loneliness and loss.

“The saddest part is you feel alone in that sentiment. When you realize there are 12,000 people in the building (at a TSO concert) maybe sharing that feeling, it doesn’t take away your pain or that emptiness, but you know you’re not alone.”

Despite the over-the-top production — last year’s TSO tour required 21 tractor-trailers and 12 buses to transport the production and crew — Pitrelli says the “subtler thing is the story and message. All of Paul O’Neill’s work had a happy ending. So you walk out with a sense of hope.” Pitrelli was in his thirties when he first recorded “Christmas Eve and Other Stories.” He’s now 63, so his perspective on songs such as “Ornament” has changed. In “Ornament,” a father “is pleading to the heavens about how he wants his baby girl, who ran away from home, to come back. He doesn’t care what they fought about, (just) bring her home to be safe.

“When I play ‘Ornament’ live it hits me every time. I’ve become the parent. Two of my older children are in the military, deployed on opposite ends of the world. But they’re still my baby boys.”

Carrying on after O’Neill

Beset by numerous health issues, O’Neill died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in 2017 at age 61. His death, Pitrelli said, “is a hole in my heart that will never go away.”

But there was never a question about whether Trans-Siberian Orchestra would continue. O’Neill had finished at least three more rock operas, Pitrelli said, that are still unreleased.

“Paul wanted this thing to live long past all of us When we leave this earth, let the art form stay alive.

“Every pyro hit that goes off (in the show) is a reminder of Paul We built an empire out of nothing because of his vision and his dedication to doing something special.”

Among other quirks, O’Neill carried a briefcase with rolls of silver dollars from the 1800s Whenever he wanted to thank someone, he gave them a silver dollar minted 100 years before their birth.

“Taking the time to gift you something that had meaning behind it there’s thousands of things that he would do,” Pitrelli said.

“He wanted to change lives. He wanted to put smiles on faces.”

Trans-Siberian Orchestra continues O’Neill’s tradition of donating a dollar from every ticket sold to a charitable cause.

“He didn’t talk about changing the world — he did change the world,” Pitrelli said. “I’m proud of him and I’m proud to help keep his legacy alive.”

Email Keith Spera at kspera@ theadvocate.com.

sAGIttARIus(nov. 23-Dec. 21) Your actions will not go unnoticed. Be mindfulofhow you express your feelings. Make what you arewilling to contribute is common knowledge to avoid doubt and negative responses

cAPRIcORn (Dec.22-Jan. 19) Achange of scenery will unleashyour imagination andencourage youtooutperform any challenger. Apositive lifestyle change is within reach.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Personal growth, happiness and love are on the rise. Thecontributions you make to thecauses you care about will pay off. Form connections and shareideas

PIscEs(Feb. 20-March 20) Separateyour emotions from dilemmas or drama. Deception andconfusion are apparent,and taking measures to gather the facts and instill the truth are in your best interest

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Be mindful of how you spend your cash, but don't deny yourself anew adventure. Monitor conditions and add stipulations as yougo. Recognize and dismiss temptation.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Protect your investments, manage your money and take better care of yourself. Monitoringyour health, diet and stress levels will be necessary. Emotional deception and apoor diagnosis areapparent

GEMInI(May21-June 20) Keep yourmoney, paperwork and possessionsinasafe

place. Don't fallprey to people trying to guilt you into making adonationyou cannotafford.Put your time andeffort into love and personal growth.

cAncER(June 21-July 22) Interviewing for jobsand adapting your skills for adesired career change will pay off. Charm the crowd, and you'll increase your chances of advancement

LEO (July23-Aug. 22) Socializing will give youa platform to practice your spieland to raise awarenessfor somethingdear to your heart. Alife-changing experience will unfold through an encounter with someone prominent VIRGO(Aug. 23-sept.22) Domestic troubles will brew if you aren't quick to respond.Reach out to an expert or someone you can rely on for support and facts, and it will make it easier to get things back to normal.

LIBRA (sept. 23-Oct.23) Let your actions lead theway and your charmmesmerizethose you encounter. Hitthe reset button and head in adirection that helps you make up forlost time scORPIO (Oct. 24-nov. 22) Step outside your comfort zone. If you trust and believe in yourself and your abilities, so will those youencounter. Versatility and flexibilitywill be key.

Thehoroscope, an entertainment feature, is notbasedonscientific fact ©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By AndrewsMcMeel Syndication

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placingpuzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object 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. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Puzzle Answer

THe

BLondie

BaBY BLueS Hi and LoiS

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Oscar Wildesaid,“Theonly way to get ridofatemptation is to yield to it.”

However, yielding can be fatalatthe bridge table. It is true that some temptations that ought to be avoided do not prove to be lethal, because the cards forgive —unlikeintoday’s deal.

Many players would go down in four hearts and, with somejustification, complain abouttheir bad luck. But if the only jobistomake thecontract andnot to worry aboutovertricks,there is aline of play that guarantees success —why ignore it?

South is in fourhearts. West leads the clubqueen andEast signals withthe six. What shoulddeclarer do?

South’sjump to game might look aggressive withonlynine high-card points and avoid in his partner’s first-bid suit,but hishand has great distribution and he will not know howgood or bad game is until after he sees thedummy In these situations, it is right to blaze into game, the contract that pays the big bonus when it makes.

After taking the first trick, many declarerswould lead atrump. Here, East would win and cashhis other two trump winners. Later, Southwould lose aclubtogodown one. Yes, 3-0 offside is only an 11 percentchance, but why risk

it?Instead, declarer should be happy to concede three trump tricks.Attrick two, he should lead hisotherhighclub and ruff aclub on the board. East may overruff andcash his othertwo trump tricks, but thereisstill one heart left on the board with which to ruff South’s last club loser. ©2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

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

Previous

InstRuctIOns: 1. Words must be of four or more letters.2.Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” maynot be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

tODAy’s WORD OBDuRAcy: OB-duh-ruh-see: Stubbornness.

Average mark 27 words

Time limit 40 minutes

Canyou find 34 or morewords in OBDURACY?

yEstERDAy’s WORD —RADIAnt

today’s thought

“O give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for hismercy endures for ever.” Psalms 136:1

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

of St. George Zoning Commission, after which the Commission recommended granting the request to rezone the subject property to LC2.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINEDbythe St. GeorgeCity Council, StateofLouisiana, as follows:

Section 1: Subject Property The Subject Property is the parcel described in Exhibit Aattached hereto and made apart hereof.

Section 2: Rezoning. The Subject Property is hereby rezoned from the R(Rural) zoning district to the LC2 (Light Commercial Two) zoning district to allow the constructionand operation of an office/warehouse building of similar design and scale as the office/warehouse building on the adjacent property

Section 3: Conflicts. The specificterms and conditions of this Ordinance shall prevail against other ordinances of the City to the extent that theremay be any conflict. Except for the foregoing, the use of the subject property is subject to the terms of all applicable ordinances and regulations of the City of St. George, including any amendment thereto.

Section 4: Severability If any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid by acourt of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 5: Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective upon publication.

This ordinance having been submitted to avote; the vote thereon was:

For: Cook, Dellucci, Edmonds, Himmel, Monachello, Murrell, Talbot Against: Absent /Abstaining /Recused:

Adopted this 25th day of November,2025

Signed this 25th day of November, 2025

Delivered to the Mayor on the 25th day of November,2025

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Approved:

Dustin Yates, Mayor Received from the Mayor on the day of 2025

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Adopted Ordinance published in The Advocate on the day or 2025.

Section 1. Enactment Chapter 8General Fund Reserve of Title 1City Organization is hereby enacted as follows: EXHIBIT A

LOT 36 Highlandia, IN SEC. 57, T8S, R2E,GREENSBURG LAND DISTRICT, CITY OF ST.GEORGE, EASTBATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA CITY OF ST.GEORGE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MURRELL:

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-050

TO REZONE A1.23-ACRE PARCELONLOTS A& BOFTHE

INNISWOLD ESTATES SECTION 1FROMC1(LIGHT COMMERCIAL) TO LC2 (LIGHT COMMERCIAL TWO) AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS (4341 and 4355 Inniswold Rd.)

WHEREAS,anapplicationmade by William Rogers, Eagle Control Systems to rezone a1.23 acre parcel from the C1 (Light Commercial) zoning district to the LC2 (Light Commercial Two) zoning district; and

WHEREAS, thesubjectproperty is currently used for an approximately 8,000 sq. ft. office/warehousebuilding on Lot Aand aroughly3,200 sq. ft. restaurant on Lot Balong with parking on both lots; and

WHEREAS, nearby properties areused for Office, Commercial, MediumDensity Residential, High Density Residential and Low Density Residential; and

WHEREAS,applicant has indicated its desiretoconstruct and operate an office/warehouse on the subject property; and WHEREAS, apublic hearing was held on November 3, 2025, before the City of St. George Zoning Commission, after which the Commission recommended granting the request to rezone the subject property to LC2.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINEDby the St. George City Council StateofLouisiana, as follows:

Section 1: Subject Property The Subject Property is the parcel described in Exhibit Aattached hereto and made apart hereof.

Section 2: Rezoning. The Subject Property is hereby rezoned from the R(Rural) zoning district to the LC2 (Light Commercial Two) zoning district to allow the constructionand operation of an office/warehouse building.

Section 3: Conflicts. The specificterms and conditions of this Ordinance shall prevail against other ordinances of the City to the extent that theremay be any conflict. Except for the foregoing, the use of the subject property is subject to the terms of all applicable ordinances and regulations of the City of St. George, including any amendment thereto.

Section 4: Severability If any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid by acourt of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 5: Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective upon publication.

This ordinance having been submitted to avote; the vote thereon was: For: Cook, Dellucci, Edmonds, Himmel, Monachello, Murrell, Talbot Against: Absent /Abstaining /Recused:

Adopted this 25th day of November,2025

Signed this 25th day of November,2025

Delivered to the Mayor on the 25th day of November,2025

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Approved:

Dustin Yates, Mayor

Received from the Mayor on the day of ______________, 2025

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Adopted Ordinance published in The Advocate on the day or 2025.

EXHIBIT A

LOTS AAND BOFTHE INNISWOLD ESTATES SECTION 1SUBDIVISION IN SEC. 70, T7S, R1E, GREENSBURG LAND DISTRICT,CITY OF ST GEORGE, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA

CITY OF ST.GEORGE BY COUNCIL MEMBER COOK:

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-051 TO REZONE A1.14-ACRE PARCEL ON LOT 36 HIGHLANDIA

FROM R(RURAL) TO LC2 (LIGHTCOMMERCIAL TWO) AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS (552 HighlandiaDr.)

WHEREAS, on July 23, 2024, the St. George City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2024-002, in part, adopting the EBR Unified Development Code (with some changes) as the City’s interimUnified Development Code (“UDC”); and

WHEREAS, the UDC has been incorporated into the St. George Code of Ordinances as Title 7; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 9ofthe UDC includes regulations related to Short-Term Rentals; and

WHEREAS, staffhas recommended that the distinction between owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied short-term rentals be eliminated because they areboth currently allowed in the same zoning districts and they areproposed to have the same requirements and standards; that all short-term rentals obtaina Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit from the City, which shall be renewed annually and upon change of STR ownership; and that increased operational standards for all shortterm rentals be enacted; and

WHEREAS, apublic hearing was held on the proposed changes

November 3, 2025, beforethe City of St. George Zoning Commission at which the Zoning Commission recommended approval of the text amendment.

NOWTHEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the St. George City Council, State of Louisiana, as follows:

Section 1: That the deletions and additions to the UDC set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto arehereby adopted.

Section 2: The specificterms and conditions of this Ordinance shall prevail against other existing ordinances of the City to the extent that there may be any conflict.

Section 3: Severability If any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 5: EffectiveDate. This ordinance shall be effective upon publication.

This ordinance having been submitted to avote; the vote thereon was:

For: Cook, Dellucci, Edmonds, Himmel,Monachello, Murrell, Talbot

Against: Absent /Abstaining /Recused:

Adopted this 25th day of November,2025

Signed this 25th day of November,2025

Delivered to the Mayor on the 25th day of November,2025

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Approved:

Dustin Yates, Mayor

Received from the Mayor on the day of

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Adopted Ordinance published in The Advocate on the day or 2025. EXHIBIT A

NOTE: Underlined text

may issue temporarysuspensions of STR operations during emergencies or hazardous conditions.

F. Enforcement of these regulations shall begin 9months after the date of adoption.

CITYOFST. GEORGE

BY COUNCIL MEMBER EDMONDS:

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-052

TO AMEND TITLE 7UNIFIEDDEVELOPMENT CODE TO MODIFY

REGULATIONS TO ALLOWOFFICE/WAREHOUSE USES AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN LIGHT COMMERCIAL 1(LC1) ZONING DISTRICTS AND TO PROVIDE FORRELATED MATTERS.

WHEREAS, on July 23, 2024, the St. GeorgeCity Council adopted Ordinance No. 2024-002, in part, adopting the EBR Unified Development Code (with some changes) as the City’sinterim Unified Development Code (“UDC”); and

WHEREAS, the UDC has been incorporated into the St. GeorgeCode of Ordinances as Title 7; and

WHEREAS, office/warehouse uses arenot among the allowable (either as apermitted or conditional use) in the Light Commercial 1(LC1) zoning district even though it is generally compatible with other uses allowed in the LC1 district; and

WHEREAS,staffhas recommended allowing office/warehouse uses in the LC1 zoning district as aconditional use subject, in addition to the lot andbuilding size restrictions in LC1, to an additional restriction that only one (1) loading/unloading bay be permitted; and

WHEREAS,apublic hearing was held on the proposed changes November 3, 2025, beforethe City of St. GeorgeZoning Commission at which the Zoning Commission recommended approval of the text amendment.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the St. George City Council, State of Louisiana, as follows:

Section 1: That the deletions and additions to the UDC set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto arehereby adopted.

Section 2: The specificterms and conditions of this Ordinance shall prevail against other existing ordinances of the City to the extent that there may be any conflict.

Section 3: Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 5: Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective upon publication.

This ordinance having been submitted to avote; the vote thereon was: This ordinance having been submitted to avote; the vote thereon was:

For: Cook, Dellucci, Edmonds, Himmel, Monachello, Murrell, Talbot

Against: Absent /Abstaining /Recused:

Adopted this 25th day of November,2025

Signed this 25th day of November,2025

Delivered to the Mayor on the 25th day of November,2025

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Approved: Dustin Yates, Mayor

Received from the Mayor on the day of

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Adopted

Zoning Districts Uses LC1 LC2 LC3 HC1 HC2 C5 Notes

Office/ Warehouse CP PP PP No morethan one (1) loading/ unloading bay *** Chapter 19 DEFINITIONS

Sec. 7:19.2Defined Terms Office/Warehouse

2, as attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Section 2: Conflicts. The specificterms and conditions of this Ordinance shall prevail against other ordinances of the City to the extent that there may be any conflict. Except for the foregoing, the use of the subject property is subject to the terms of all applicable ordinances and regulations of the City of St. George, including any amendment thereto.

Section 3: Severability If any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid by acourt of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 4: Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective upon publication.

This ordinance having been submitted to avote; the vote thereon was: For: Cook, Dellucci, Edmonds, Himmel, Monachello, Murrell, Talbot Against: Absent /Abstaining /Recused: Adopted this

Signed this 25th day of November,2025

Delivered to the Mayor on the day of 2025

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Approved:

Dustin Yates, Mayor

Received from the Mayor on the day of 2025

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Adopted Ordinance published in The Advocate on the day or 2025.

Title 2STREETS, ALLEYS, SIDEWALKS, AND RIGHT OF WAYS CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

PART 1. (Reserved)

PART 2. PENALTIES

Sec. 2:50. Penalties

Any person who violates this Title shall be fined not morethan $500 per violation. Each day aviolation occurs or continues shall be considered aseparate violation. Violations of this Title may be enforced by the City pursuant to the Administrative ProcedureOrdinance, Title 4ofthe City of St. George Code of Ordinances, or in any court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing in this Title shall be construed as limiting any additional or further remedies availabletothe City for enforcement of this Title.

CHAPTER 2. CONSTRUCTION, PAVING, AND MAINTENANCE OF STREETS AND ROADS

Sec. 2:100. Roadway Thickness.

Any roadways constructed with asphalticpavement within the City shall be not less than three inches in thickness or the thickness required in the Chapter 13 of the Unified Development Code, whichever is greater

Sec. 2:200

(Reserved) (See Title 7: Unified Development Code, Chapter 13) CHAPTER 3. ENCROACHMENT OF STREETS, ALLEYS, AND SIDEWALKS

Sec. 2:300. Structures encroaching

(a) No temporary or permanent structureorbuilding or part thereof, or wall, fence, steps, posts, or other obstruction shall be erected or permitted to remain after being erected, on any street, alley,sidewalk, or other public place, except by permission of the Council.

(b) Aproperty owner wishing to construct acanopy,awning, or other type shelter over awalkway,which covering extends from abuilding and wouldbecloser to the street than is now permitted by the comprehensive zoning ordinance of the City and will have supports which will project into or within the street right-of-way,may obtain aspecial permitfor the installation of such covered walkway from the Chief Building Official provided:

(1) The owner has otherwise complied with all applicable building regulations and furnishes to the City his agreement that the covering and the supports thereto will be removed without cost to the City at any time such removal becomes necessary for street, drainage, or other similar public improvement purposes, or is required to improve the safety of trafficortoensurethe safety of pedestrians. The covering and its supports shall be removed within ten days after notice from the City directing the owner to cause such removal. If the covering and its supports arenot removed within the ten-day period given, the City shall have the right to cause same to be removed without further notice or demand.

(2) The covering and its supports shall be constructed in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the Chief Building Official but in no event shall the covering be less than aheight of eight feet minimum clearance from the sidewalk, and the covering and its supports shall not be closer than 24 inches from the street curb.

(3) The owner shall further agree to hold the City harmless from any damage resulting from the construction and maintenance of the covering and its supports and shall provide evidence of liability insurance protecting against bodily injury and property damage in an amount not less than $50,000 through $100,000 for bodily injury and $5,000 property damage.

(4) No permitauthorized under the provisions hereof shall be issued until and unless all requirements have been complied with and evidence of the owner’sagreement and of the insurance coverage required hereunder filed with the building official.

Sec. 2:301. Rubbish and excess dirt

All rubbish and excess dirt arising from the erecting or repairing of any building, cutting of street, or other work, remaining on the streets, alleys, sidewalks, or public places of the City after areasonable timefor the removal thereof shall have elapsed, shall constitute an obstruction.

Sec. 2:302. Procedurefor removal and penalties.

It shall be the duty of the Director of Public Works to notify the owner of any structureorencroachment prohibited in Section 2:300, or the owner or contractor responsiblefor any obstruction as defined in Section 2:301, to remove same within areasonable timespecified by the Director.Itshall be unlawful to fail to comply with such removal order

Sec. 2:303. Excavations

It shall be unlawful for any person to build, dig, or in any manner construct or cause to be constructed any obstruction, defacement, or excavation on any street, alley,sidewalk, or other public place in the City without first having obtained apermitpursuant to Sections 2:401—2:405.

Sec. 2:304. Barricading public places

The Director of Public Works is authorized to bar offorbarricade temporarily or cause to bar offorbarricade temporarilyany street, sidewalk, public square, or public place, as required for its working or repairand until such work or repairing is completed.

Sec. 2:305. Damaging poles

Any person who shall cut, mar,ordeface posts, or place advertising matter upon or otherwise injureelectric light, telephone or utility poles or supports, shall be subject to apenalty in Chapter 1, Section 2:50 of this Title.

CHAPTER 4. STREET &CURB CUTS

Sec. 2:401. Permit required

No cuts shall be made in any street, sidewalk, curb, or neutral ground of the City by any person without obtaining apermit.

Sec. 2:402. Fees

Except as is provided in Section 2:404, no permitshall be issued prior to the payment of the following fees for each cut and the repair thereof: (1) Afee of $15 per squarefoot of street, sidewalk, curb, or neutral ground to be cut. (2)

(b)

facilities on,

or

within the jurisdiction of the City.A facility lawfully established prior to the effective date of this Chapter may continue where located but shall be maintained, repaired, and operated by the utility in accordance with this Chapter unless otherwise provided in any applicable franchise, license, or similar agreement. These regulations do not apply to facilities to be placed on City-owned property that is not aright-of-way Prior to installation of facilities on non-right-of-way City-owned property,a license, lease, or right-of-use agreement with the City is required.

(c) Franchises, Licenses, or Similar Agreements. The City,inits discretion and as limited by law,may requireutilities to enter into afranchise, license, or similar agreement for the privilege of locating their facilities on, over above, along, upon, under,across, or within the City rights-of-way,which terms and conditions may be inconsistent with this Chapter.Utilities not required by law to enter into such an agreement may request the City to enter into such an agreement.

(d) Effect of Franchises, Licenses, or Similar Agreements. In the event of any conflict with, or inconsistency between, the provisions of this Chapter and the provisions of any franchise, license, or similar agreement between the City and any utility,the provisions of such franchise, license, or similar agreement shall govern and control during the term of such agreement and any lawful renewal or extension thereof.

(e) Conflicts with Other Chapters. This Chapter supersedes all Chapters or parts of Chapters adopted prior hereto in conflict herewith, to the extent of such conflict.

(f) Conflicts with State and Federal Laws. If applicable federal or State laws or regulations conflict with the requirements of this Chapter,the utility shall comply with the requirements of this Chapter to the maximum extent possible without violating federal or State laws or regulations.

(g) Sound Engineering Judgment. The City shall use sound engineering judgment when administeringthis Chapter and may vary the standards, conditions, and requirements expressed in this Chapter when the City so determines. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the ability of the City to regulate its rights-of-way for the protection of public health, safety and welfare.

Sec. 2:502. Definitions

As used in this Chapter and unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the words and terms listed shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section.

“AASHTO” -American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

“ANSI” -American National Standards Institute.

“Applicant” -Aperson applying for apermit under this Chapter

“ASTM” -American Society for Testing and Materials.

“Backfill” -The methods or materials for replacing excavated material in atrench or pit.

“Bore” or “Boring” -Toexcavate an underground cylindrical cavity for the insertion of apipe or electrical conductor

“Carrier Pipe” -The pipe enclosing the liquid, gas or slurry to be transported.

“Casing” -A structural protective enclosurefor transmittal devices such as: carrier pipes, electrical conductors, and fiber optic devices.

“City” –City of St. George, Louisiana.

“Clear Zone” -The total roadside border area, starting at the edge of the pavement, available for safe use by errant vehicles. This area may consist of ashoulder, arecoverable slope, anon-recoverable slope, and aclear run-out area.

“Coating” -Protective wrapping or mastic cover applied to buried pipe for protection against external corrosion.

“Code” -The City of St. George Code of Ordinances.

“Conductor” -Wirecarrying electrical current.

“Conduit” -A casing or encasementfor wires or cables.

“Construction”or“Construct” -The installation, repair,maintenance, placement, alteration, enlargement, demolition, modification or abandonment in place of facilities.

“Cover” -The depth of earth or backfill over buried utility pipe or conductor

“Crossing Facility” -Afacility that crosses one or moreright-of-way lines of aright-of-way

“Department” -The Department of Public Works for the City

“Director of Public Works” -The City Director of Public Works or his or her designee.

“Disrupt the Right-of-Way” -Any action obstructing the right-of-way or causes amaterial adverse effect on the use of the right-of-way for its intended use. Such action may include, without limitation, the following: parking of vehicles in an area not specifically designated for parking (except the temporary parking of vehicles on aResidential Street in a manner not materially obstruct the flow of traffic), excavating or other cutting; placement (whether temporary or permanent) of materials, equipment, devices, or structures; damage to vegetation; and compaction or loosening of the soil.

“DOTD” -Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

“Emergency” -Any immediate maintenance to the facility required for the safety of the public using or in the vicinity of the right-of-way or immediate

maintenance required for the health and safety of the general public served by the utility

“Encasement” -Provision of aprotective casing.

“Engineering Director” -The Engineer or his or her designee.

“Equipment” -Materials, tools, implements, supplies, and/or other items used to facilitate the constructionoffacilities.

“Excavation” -The making of ahole or cavity by removing material or laying barebydigging.

“Extra Heavy Pipe” -Pipe meeting ASTM standards for this pipe designation.

“Facility” -All structures, devices, objects, and materials (including, but not limited to, track and rails, wires, ducts, fiber optic cable, communications and video cables and wires, poles, conduits, grates, covers, pipes, cables, and appurtenances thereto) located on, over,above, along, upon, under,across, or within rights-of-way under this Chapter,except those owned by the City

“Freestanding Facility” -Afacility that is not acrossing facility or aparallel facility,such as an antenna, transformer,pump, or meter station.

“Frontage Road” -Roadway,usually parallel, providing access to land adjacent to the highway whereit is precluded by control of access on highway

“Hazardous Materials” -Any substance or material which, due to its quantity,form, concentration, location, or other characteristics, is determined by the City Engineer or Director of Public Works to pose an unreasonable and imminent risk to the life, health or safety of persons or property or to the ecological balance of the environment, including, but not limited to explosives, radioactive materials, petroleum or petroleum products or gases, poisons, etiology (biological) agents, flammables, corrosives or any substance determined to be hazardous or toxic under any federal or state law,statute or regulation.

“Highway” -Aspecifictype of right-of-way used for vehicular traffic including rural or urban roads or streets. “Highway” includes all highway landand improvements, including roadways, ditches and embankments, bridges, drainage structures, signs, guardrails, protective structures and appurtenances necessary or convenient for vehicle traffic.

“Jacking” -Pushing apipe horizontally under aroadway by mechanical meanswith or without boring.

“Jetting” -Pushing apipe through the earth using water under pressureto create acavity ahead of the pipe.

“Joint Use” -The use of pole lines, trenches or other facilities by twoor more utilities.

“LPSC” -The Louisiana Public Service Commission.

“Major Intersection” -The intersectionoftwo or moremajor arterial highways.

“Occupancy” -The presence of facilities on, over or under right-of-way

“OneCall” -The regional notification center contacted to locate underground utilities and facilities pursuant to the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law (La R.S. 40:1749.11 et seq.)

Parallel Facility” -Afacility that is generally parallel or longitudinal to the centerline of aright-of-way

“Parkway” -Any portion of the right-of-way not improved by street or sidewalk.

“Pavement Cut” -The removal of an area of pavement for access to a facility or for the construction of afacility

“Permittee” -The entity to which apermit has been issued pursuant to Sections 2:504 and 2:505 of this Chapter

“Practicable” -Performable, feasible or possible, rather than that which is simply convenient.

“Pressure” -The internal force acting radially against the walls of acarrier pipe expressed in pounds per squareinch gauge (PSIG).

“Petroleum Products Pipelines” -Pipelines carrying crude or refined liquid petroleum products including, but not limited to, gasoline, distillates, propane, butane, or coal-slurry.

“Prompt” -Done within aperiod of time specified by the City.Ifnotime period is specified, the period shall be 30 days.

“Public Entity” -Alegal entity that constitutes or is part of the government, whether at local, state or federal level.

“Residential Street” -AHighway,oratleast three block portion thereof, that provides direct access to only single or two family residential structures.

“Restoration” -The repair of aright-of-way,highway,roadway, or other area disrupted by the construction of afacility

“Right-of-Way” -Any street, alley,other land or waterway,dedicated or commonly used for utility purposes, including utility servitudes or easements in which the City has the right and authority to authorize, regulate or permit the location of facilities other than those of the City

“Right-of-way” shall not include any real or personal City property not specifically described in the previous two sentences and shall not include City buildings, fixtures, and other structures or improvements, regardless of whether they aresituated in the right-of-way

“Right-of-Way Line” -The borders of the right-of-way

“Roadway” –The Highway including the pavement and shoulders.

“Security Fund” -The amount of security required by Section 2:510.

“Shoulder” -A width of roadway,adjacent to the pavement, providing lateral support to the pavement edge and providing an area for emergency vehicular stops and storage of debris removed from the pavement.

“Sound Engineering Judgment” -Adecision(s) consistent with generally accepted engineering principles, practices, and experience.

“Trench” -Arelatively narrow open excavation for the installation of an underground facility

“Utility” -The individual or entity owning or operating any facility as defined in this Chapter

“Vent” -Apipe to allow the dissipation into the atmosphereofgases or vaporsfromanunderground casing.

“Water Lines” -Pipelines carrying raw or potable water

“Wet Boring” -Boring using water under pressureatthe cutting auger to soften the earth and to provide asluice for the excavated material.

PART II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF UTILITY

or confidential information as “proprietary” or “confidential” by clearly marking each page of such materials accordingly (c) Minimum General Application Requirements. The application shall be made by the utility or its duly authorized representative and shall contain, at aminimum, the following:

(1) The utility’sname, address, and telephone; (2) The applicant’s name and address, if different than the utility,its telephone, e-mail address, and its interest in the work; (3) The names, addresses, telephone, and e-mailaddresses of all professional consultants, if any,advising the applicant with respect to the application; (4) Ageneral description of the proposed work, the purposes and intent of the facility, and the uses to which the facility will be put. The scope and detail of such description shall be appropriate to the natureand character of the work to be performed, with special emphasis on those matters likely to be affected or impacted by the work proposed;

(5) Evidence the utility placed on file with the City: a. Awritten trafficcontrol plan in compliance with the Manual on Uniform TrafficControlDevices for Streets and Highways, 11th edition, demonstrating the protective measures and devices to be employed to prevent injury or damage to persons or property and to minimize disruptions to efficient pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and b. An emergency contingency plan that shall specify the nature of potential emergencies, including, without limitation, construction and hazardous materials emergencies, and the intended response by the applicant. The intended response shall include notification to the City and shall promote the protection of the safety and convenience of the public. Compliance with LPSC and/or DOTD regulations for emergency contingency plans constitutes compliance with this Section unless the City determines additional information or assurances areneeded;

(6) Drawings, plans, and specifications showing the work proposed, including the certification of an engineer that such drawings, plans, and specifications comply with applicable codes, rules, and regulations;

(7) Evidence of insurance as required in Section 2:508; (8) Evidence of posting of the security fund as required in Section 2:510;

(9) Any request for avariance from one or moreprovisions of Section 2:521; and (10) Such additional information and materials as may be approved by the City Council by resolution.

(d) Supplemental Application Requirements for SpecificTypes of Utilities. In addition to the requirements of Subsection c) of this Section, the permit application shall include the following items as applicable to the specific utility subject to the permit application:

(1) In the case of new electric power,telecommunications, or natural gas distribution system installation, evidence the LPSC issued any certificate or authorization requiredbylaw; (2) In the case of natural gas systems, state the proposed pipe size, design, construction class, and operating pressures; and (3) In the case of petroleum products pipelines, state the type or types of petroleum products, pipe size, maximum working pressure, and the design standardtobefollowed.

(e) Applicant’sDuty to Update Information. Throughout the entirepermit application review period and the construction period authorized by the permit, any amendments to information contained in apermitapplication shall be submitted by the utility in writing to the City within 30 days after the change necessitating the amendment.

(f) Application Fees. Unless otherwise provided by franchise, license, or similar agreement, all applications for permits pursuant to this Chapter shall be accompanied by afee in the amount of $1,000.

Sec. 2:505. Action on Permit Applications

City Review of Permit Applications. No application shall be reviewed by the City for permit issuance until acompleted application, containing all required documentation, is submitted. If the application does not conform to the requirements of all applicable ordinances, codes, laws, rules, and regulations, the City shall reject such application in writing, stating the reasons therefor.Ifthe City is satisfied the proposed work conforms to the requirements of this Chapter and all applicable ordinances, codes, laws, rules, and regulations, the City shall issue apermit therefor as soon as practicable. Notwithstanding the above, the City may reject an application based on the size of the right-of-way,facility facilities already located within the right-of-way,and/or plans to widen the roadway pavement, right-of-way or move City owned facilities.

Sec. 2:506. Effect of Permit

(a) Authority Granted; No Property Right or Other Interest Created. A permit from the City authorizes apermittee to undertake only certain activities in accordance with this Chapter on City rights-of-way and does not create aproperty right or grant authority to the permittee to impinge upon the rights of others who may be legallyusing the public rights-ofway (b) Compliance with All Laws Required. The issuance of apermitby the City does not excuse the permittee from complying with other requirements of the Cityand all applicable statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.

Sec. 2:507. Revised Permit Drawings

No facilities shall be installed at locations in material deviation from the approved plans until the permittee has submitted arevised set of drawings or plans to the Department and received approval to proceed. The revised drawings or plans shall specificallyidentify wherethe locations of the actual facilities deviate from the locations approved in the permit. If any deviation from the permit also deviates from the requirements of this Chapter,itshall be treated as arequest for variance in accordance with Section 2:521 of this Chapter

Sec. 2:508. Insurance

(a) Required Coverages and Limits. Unless otherwise provided by a franchise, license, or similar agreement approved by the City Council each utility occupying right-of-way or constructing any facility in the rightof-way shall secureand maintain the following liabilityinsurance policies insuring the utility as named insured and naming the City,and its elected and appointed officers, officials, agents, and employees as additional insureds on the policies listed in paragraphs 1and 2below: (1) Commercial general liability insurance, including premisesoperations, explosion, collapse, and underground hazard (commonly referred to as “X,” “C,” and “U” coverages) and products-completed operations coverage with limits notless than: a. $5,000,000 for bodily injury or death to each person; b. $5,000,000 for property damage resulting from any one accident; and c. $5,000,000 for all other types of liability; (2) Automobileliabilityfor owned, non-owned, and hired vehicles with acombined single limit of $1,000,000 for personal

and property damage for each accident; (3) Worker’scompensation with limits of not less than $1,000,000 when the work is to be performed over water and involves maritime exposures and $500,000 otherwise; and (4) Employer’sliabilityinsurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per employee and per accident.

(b)

FACILITIESINTHE PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY

Sec. 2:503. Annual Registration Required

Everyutility that occupies right-of-way within the City shall register by January 10 of each year with the Department; providing the utility’s name, address for notices and regular business telephone and facsimile numbers, the name of one or morecontact persons authorized to act on behalf of the utility in connection with emergencies involving the utility’s facilities in the right-of-way,a 24-hour telephone number for each such person, and evidence of insurance as required in Section 2:508 of this Chapter,inthe form of acertificate of insurance.

Sec.2:504. Permit Required; Applications and Fees

(a) Permit Required. No person shall construct, repair,maintain, place, alter,enlarge, demolish, modify,orabandon in place any facility on, over,above, along, upon, under,across, or within any City right-of-way or otherwise disrupt the right-of-way without obtaining apermit from the Citytherefor,except as otherwise provided in this Chapter.No permit shall be required for installation and maintenance of service connections to customers’

of its application materials that it reasonably believes contain proprietary

or bank shall give not less than 60 days’ notice of the expiration of the bond or letter of credit if said bond or letter of credit is not going to be extended for an additional one-year period.

(c) Amount. The dollar amount of the Security Fund shall be set by the Department in its discretion based upon the work to be performed and costs that could be incurred by the City if the permittee fails to perform restoration or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this Chapter or other applicable law,but in no event shall it be less than $1,000. The Security Fund shall be used to restorethe rights-of-way to at least as good acondition as that existing prior to any construction and to cover the City’scosts caused by the permittee’sfailuretotimely move its facilities or otherwise fail to comply with any provision of this Chapter or other applicable law Wherethe construction of facilities proposed under the permit will be performed in phases in multiple locations in the City,with each phase consisting of construction of facilities in one location or arelated group of locations, and where construction in another phase will not be undertaken prior to substantial completion of restoration in the previous phase or phases, the Department may,inthe exercise of sound discretion, allow the permittee to post asingle amount of security which shall be applicable to each phase of the construction under the permit. The amount of the Security Fund for phased construction shall be equal to the greatest amount that would have been required under the provisions of this Subsection (c) for any single phase.

(d) Withdrawals. The City,upon 14 days advance written notice clearly stating the reason for,and its intention to exercise withdrawal rights under this Subsection, may withdraw an amount from the Security Fund, provided that the permittee has not reimbursed the City for such amount within the 14-day notice period. Withdrawals may be made if the permittee: (1) Fails to make any payment required to be made by the permittee hereunder; (2) Fails to pay any liens relating to the facilities

FailureorRefusal of the Permittee to Comply.Ifthe permittee fails to comply with the provisions of Subsection c) of this Section, the City or its designee may,atthe option of the City:

(1) correct the deficiencies; (2) upon not less than 20 days’ notice to the permittee, remove the subject facilities or equipment; or (3) after not less than 30-days’ notice to the permittee of failureto curethe non-compliance, deem them abandoned and property of the City.The permittee shall be liable in all events to the City for all costs of removal.

Sec. 2:512. Change of Ownership or Owner’s Identity or Legal Status (a) Notification of Change. Autility shall notify the City no less than 30 daysprior to the transfer of ownership of any facility in the right-of-way or change in identity of the utility.The new owner of the utility or the facility shall have all the obligations and privileges enjoyed by the former owner under the permit, if any,and all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, including this Chapter,with respect to the work and facilities in the right-of-way

(b) Amended Permit. Anew owner shall request that any current permitbe amended to show current ownership. If the new owner fails to have anew or amended permit issued in its name, the new owner shall be presumed to have accepted, and agreed to be bound by,the terms and conditions of the permit if the new owner uses the facility or allows it to remain on the City’sright-of-way

(c) Insurance and Bonding. All required insurance coverage or bonding must be changed to reflect the name of the new owner upon transfer Sec. 2:513. General Construction Standards

(a) Standards and Principles. All constructioninthe right-of-way shall be consistent with applicable ordinances, codes, laws, rules, and regulations, and commonly recognized and accepted trafficcontrol and construction principles, sound engineering judgment, and, whereapplicable, the principles and standards set forth in the Manual on Uniform TrafficControl Devices for Streets and Highways, 11th edition, and the DOTD’sStandard Manual for Accommodating Utilities, Driveways and Other Facilities in the Highway Rights of Way. (LA Admin. Code Title 70, Part II, Chapter 5) Sec. 2:514. TrafficControl

(a) Minimum Requirements. The City’sminimum requirements for traffic protectionare contained in this Title 2ofthe Code.

(b) Warning Signs, Protective Devices, and Flaggers. The utility is responsible for providing and installing warning signs, protective devices and flaggers, when necessary,meeting all applicable federal, state, and local requirements for protection of the public and the utility’sworkers when performing any work on the public rights-of-way

(c) Interference with Traffic. All work shall be phased so that thereis minimum interference with pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

(d) Notice When Access is Blocked. At least 48 hours prior to beginning work that will partially or completely block access to any residence, business or institution, the utility shall notify the resident, business or institution of the approximate beginning time and duration of such work; provided, however,incases involving emergency repairs pursuant to Section 2:520, the utility shall provide such notice as is practicable under the circumstances.

(e) Compliance. The utility shall take immediate action to correct any deficienciesintrafficprotection requirements brought to the utility’s attention by the City Sec. 2:515. Location of Facilities

(a) Parallel Facilities Located Within Highways.

(1) Overhead Parallel Facilities. An overhead parallel facility may be located within the right-of-way lines of ahighway only if:

a. Lines arelocated as near as practicable to the right-of-way line and as nearly parallel to the right-of-way line as reasonable pole alignment will permit;

b. Wherepavement is curbed, poles areasremote as practicable from the curb with aminimum distance of two feet (0.6 m) behind the face of the curb, whereavailable;

c. Wherepavement is uncurbed, poles areasremote from pavement edge as practicable with minimum distance of four feet (1.2 m) outside the outer shoulder line of the roadway and arenot within the clear zone;

d. No pole is located in the ditch line of ahighway; and

e. Any ground-mounted appurtenance is located within one foot (0.3 m) of the right-of-way line or as near as possible to the right-of-way line.

(2) Underground Parallel Facilities. An underground parallel facility may be located within the right-of-way lines of ahighway only if:

a. The facility is located as near the right-of-way line as practicable and not morethan eight (8) feet (2.4 m) from and parallel to the right-of-way line;

b. Anew facility may be located under the paved portion of ahighway only if other locations areimpracticable or inconsistent with sound engineering judgment or if anew cable may be installed in existing conduit without disrupting the pavement; and

c. In the case of an underground power or communications line, the facility shall be located as near the right-of-way line as practicable and not morethan five (5) feet (1.5 m) fromthe right-of-way line and any above-grounded appurtenance shall be located within one foot (0.3 m) of the right-of-way line or as near as practicable.

(b) Facilities Crossing Highways.

(1) No FutureDisruption. The construction and design of crossing facilities installed between the ditch lines or curb lines of City highways may requirethe incorporation of materials and protections (such as encasement or additional cover) to avoid settlement or futurerepairs to the roadbed resulting fromthe installation of such crossing facilities.

(2) Cattle Passes, Culverts, or Drainage Facilities. Crossing facilities shall not be located in cattle passes,

(e)

(1)

the highway user or impair the aesthetic quality of the lands being traversed.

(f) Above Ground Installation. Above ground facilities may be installed only if:

(1) No other existing facilities in the area arelocated underground;

(2) New underground installation is not technically feasible; and (3) The proposed installation will be made at alocation, and will employ suitable design and materials, to provide the greatest protection of aestheticqualities of the area being traversed without adversely affecting safety.Suitabledesigns include, but arenot limited to, self-supporting armless, single-pole construction with vertical configuration of conductors and cable.

(g) Facility Attachments to Bridges or Roadway Structures.

(1) Facilities may be installed as attachments to bridges or roadway structures only wherethe utility has demonstrated that all other means of accommodating the facility arenot practicable. Other means shall include, but arenot limited to, underground, underwater,independent poles, cable supports, and tower supports, all of which arecompletely separated from the bridge or roadway structure. Facilities transmitting commodities that arevolatile, flammable, corrosive, or energized, especiallythose under significant pressureorpotential, present high degrees of risk, and such installations arenot permitted.

(2) Autility shall include in its request to accommodate afacility installation on abridge or roadway structuresupporting data demonstrating the impracticabilityofalternate routing. Approval or disapproval of an application for facility attachment to a bridge or roadway structurewill be based upon the following considerations:

a. The type, volume, pressureorvoltage of the commodity to be transmitted and an evaluation of the resulting risk to persons and property in the event of damage to or failureofthe facility;

b. The type, length, value, and relative importance of the highway structureinthe transportation system;

c. The alternative routings availabletothe utility and their comparative practicability;

d. The proposed method of attachment;

e. The ability of the structuretobear the increased load of the proposed facility;

f. The degree of interference with bridge maintenance and painting;

g. The effect on the visual quality of the structure; and

h. The public benefitexpected from the utility service as compared to the risk involved.

(h) Firealarm system. On all telephone, telegraph, electric light or other poles or supports for wires hereafter to be erected within the City limits, the City reserves the right to place one cross arm to support the wires of the fire alarm system. Refusal tocomply with the provisions of this section by the owners or manager of telephone, telegraph, electric light or other company shall be deemed aviolation of the franchise granted such company and shall be sufficient ground for abrogating the same and taking from such company its right-of-way through the streets of the City

Sec. 2:516. Construction Methods and Materials

(a) Standards and Requirements for Particular Types of Construction Methods.

(1) Boring or Jacking. a. Pits and Shoring. Boring or jacking under rights-of-way shall be accomplished from pits located at aminimum distance specified by the Department from the edge of the pavement. Pits for boring or jacking shall be excavated no morethan 48 hours in advance of boring or jacking operations and backfilledwithin 48 hours after boring or jacking operations arecompleted. While pits areopen, they shall be clearly marked and protected by barricades. Shoring shall be designed, erected, supported, braced, and maintained so that it will safely support all vertical and lateral loads that may be imposed upon it during the boring or jacking operation.

b. WetBoring or Jetting. Wetboring or jetting shall not be permitted under the roadway

c. Borings with Diameters Greater Than 6Inches. Borings over six inches (0.15 m) in diameter shall be accomplished with an auger and following pipe, and the diameter of the auger shall not exceed the outside diameter of the following pipe by more than one inch (25 mm).

d. Borings with Diameters 6Inches or Less. Borings of six inches or less in diameter may be accomplished by either jacking, guided with auger,orauger and following pipe method.

e. Tree Preservation. Any facility located within the drip line of any tree designated by the City to be preserved shall be bored under or around the root system.

(2) Trenching. Trenching for facility installation, repair,ormaintenance on rights-of-way shall be done in accordwith the applicable portions of DOTD’s“2026 Louisiana StandardSpecifications for Roads and Bridges”, and East Baton Rouge City-Parish standard detail801-01.

a. Length. The length of open trench shall be kept to the practicableminimum consistent with requirements for pipeline testing. Only one-half of any intersection may have an open trench at any time unless special permission is obtained from the Department.

b. Open Trench and Excavated Material. Open trench and windrowed excavated material shall be protected. Where practicable, the excavated material shall be deposited between the roadway and the trench as added protection. Excavated material shall not be allowed to remain on the paved portion of the roadway.Whereright-of-way width does not allow for windrowing excavated material offthe paved portion of the roadway,excavated material shall be hauled to an off-road location.

c. The utility shall not trench within the drip line of any tree designated by the City to be preserved.

(3) Backfilling.

a. Any pit, trench, or excavation created during the installation of facilities shall be backfilled for its full width, depth, and length using methods and materials in accordance with DOTD’sstandardspecifications for road construction. When excavated material is hauled away or is unsuitable for backfill, suitable granular backfill shall be used.

b. For aperiod of three years from the date construction of a facility is completed, the utility shall be responsibletoremove and restoreany backfilled area that has settled due to construction of the facility. If so ordered by the Department, the utility,atits expense, shall remove any pavement and backfill material to the top of the installed facility,place and properly compact new backfill material, and restorenew pavement, sidewalk, curbs, and driveways to the proper grades, as determined by the Department.

(4) Pavement Cuts. Pavement cuts for facility installation or repair shall be permitted on ahighway only if that portion of the highway is closed to traffic. If avariance to the limitation set forth in this paragraph 4) is permitted under Section 2:521, the following requirements shall apply:

a. Any excavation under pavements shall be backfilledas soon as practicablewith granular material of CA-6 or CA-10 gradation, as designated by the Department.

b. Restoration of pavement, in kind, shall be accomplished as soon as practicable, and temporary repair with bituminous mixtureshall be provided immediately. Any subsequent failure of either the temporary repair or the restoration shall be

upon notification by the City.

c. All saw cuts shall be full depth.

d. For all rights-of-way which have been reconstructed with aconcrete surface/base in the last 7years, or resurfaced in the last 3years, permits shall not be issued unless such work is determined to be an emergency repair or other work considered necessary and unforeseen beforethe time of the reconstruction or unless apavement

but only if installation is not possible by other means. (3) Gas Transmission, Distribution and Service. Gas pipelines within rights-of-way shall be constructed, maintained, and operated in aCity approved manner and in conformance with the Federal Code of the Office of Pipeline Safety Operations, Department of Transportation,Part 192 –Transportation of Natural andOther Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards (49 CFR 192) and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

(4) Petroleum Products Pipelines. Petroleum products pipelines within rights-of-way shall conform to the applicable sections of ANSI StandardCode for PressurePiping. (Liquid Petroleum Transportation Piping Systems ANSI-B 31.4).

(5) Ground Mounted Appurtenances. Ground mounted appurtenances to overhead or underground facilities, whenpermitted within aright-of-way,shall be provided with avegetation-free area extending one foot (305 mm) in width beyond the appurtenance in all directions. The vegetation-free area may be provided by an extension of the mounting pad, or by heavy duty plastic or similar material approved by the Department. With the approval of the Department, shrubbery surrounding the appurtenance may be used in place of vegetation-free area. The housing for groundmounted appurtenances shall be painted aneutral color to blend with the surroundings.

(c) Materials.

(1) General Standards. The materials used in constructing facilities within rights-of-way shall be those meeting the accepted standards of the appropriate industry,the applicable portions of DOTD’sstandards and specificationsfor road construction, the requirements of the LPSC or the standards established by other official regulatory agencies for the appropriate industry

(2) Material Storage on Right-of-Way.All pipe, conduit, wire,poles, cross arms, or other materials shall be distributed along the rightof-way prior to and during installation in amanner to minimize hazards to the public or an obstacle to right-of-way maintenance or damage to the right-of-way and other property.Ifmaterial is to be stored on right-of-way,prior approval must be obtained from the City (3) Hazardous Materials. The plans submitted by the utility to the City shall identify any hazardous materials that may be involved in the construction of the new facilities or removal of any existing facilities.

(d) Operational Restrictions.

(1) Construction operations on rights-of-way may,atthe discretion of the City,berequired to be discontinued whensuch operations would create hazards to trafficorthe public health, safety,and

(b) Removal of Unauthorized Facilities. Within 30 days following written notice from the City,any utility owning, controlling, or maintaining any unauthorized facility or related appurtenances within the public rights-ofway shall, at its own expense, remove all or any part of such facilities or appurtenances from the public rights-of-way.A facility is unauthorized and subject to removal in the following circumstances:

(1) Upon expiration or termination of the permittee’slicense or franchise, unless otherwise permitted by applicable law; (2) If the facility was constructed or installed without the prior grant of alicense or franchise, if required;

(3) If the facility was constructed or installed without prior issuance of arequired permit in violation of this Chapter; or (4)Ifthe facility was constructed or installed at alocation not permitted by the permittee’slicense

circumstances permit, the municipality shall attempt to notify the utility,if known,prior to cutting or removing afacility and shall notify the utility,if known, after cutting or removing afacility

(d) Abandonment of Facilities. Upon abandonment of afacility within the public rights-of-way of the City,the utility shall notify the City within 90 days. Following receipt of such notice the City may direct the utility to remove all or any portion of the facility if the Department determines such removal will be in the best interest of the public health, safety and welfare. In the event the City does not direct the utility that abandoned the facility to remove it, by giving notice of abandonment to the City,the abandoning utility shall be deemed to consent to the alteration or removal of all or any portion of the facility by another utility or person.

Sec.2:519. Cleanup and Restoration

Upon completion of all construction or maintenance of facilities, the utility shall remove all excess material and restoreall turf and terrain in atimely manner and to the satisfaction of the City.This includes restoration of entrances and side roads. Restoration of roadway surfaces shall be made using materials and methods approved by the Department. Such cleanup and repair may be required to consist of backfilling, regrading, reseeding, resodding, or any other requirement to restorethe right-of-way to acondition substantially equivalent to that which existed prior to the commencement of the project.

Sec. 2:520. Maintenance and Emergency Maintenance

(a) General. Facilities on, over,above, along, upon, under,across, or within rights-of-way aretobemaintained by or for the utility in amanner satisfactory to the City and at the utility’sexpense.

(b) Emergency Maintenance Procedures. Emergencies may justify noncompliance with normal procedures for securing apermit:

(1) If an emergency creates ahazardonthe traveled portion of the right-of-way,the utility shall take immediate steps to provide all necessary protection for trafficonthe highway or the public on the right-of-way including the use of signs, lights, barricades, or flaggers. If ahazarddoes not exist on the traveled way,but the natureofthe emergency is such as to requirethe parking on the shoulder of equipment required in repair operations, adequate signs and lights shall be provided. Parking on the shoulder in such an emergency will only be permitted when no other means of access to the facility is available.

(2) In an emergency,the utility shall, as soon as possible, notify the Department or his or her duly authorized agent of the emergency informing him or her as to what steps have been taken for the protection of the traveling public and what will be required to make the necessary repairs. If the natureofthe emergency is such as to interferewith the free movement of traffic, the City police shall be notified immediately

(3) In an emergency,the utility shall use all means at hand to complete repairs as rapidly as practicable and with the least inconvenience to the traveling public.

(c) Emergency Repairs. The utility must file with the City awritten description of the repairs undertaken in the right-of-way within 48 hours after an emergency repair

Sec. 2:521. Variances

(a) Request for Variance. Autility requesting avariance from one or moreofthe provisions of this Chapter shall submit the request to the Engineering Director as apart of the permit application. The request shall identify each provision of this Chapter fromwhich avariance is requested andthe reasons why avariance should be granted.

(b) Authority to Grant Variances. The Department shall decide whether a variance is authorized for each provision of this Chapter identified in the variance request on an individual basis.

(c) Conditions for Granting of Variance. The Department may authorize a variance only if the utility requesting the variance has demonstrated:

(1)One or moreconditions not under the control of the utility (such as terrain features or an irregular right-of-way line) create aspecial hardship making enforcement of the provision unreasonable, given the public purposes to be achieved by the provision; and

(2) All other designs, methods, materials, locations or facilities that would conform with the provision from which avariance is requested areimpracticable in relation to the requested approach.

(d) Additional Conditions for Granting of aVariance. As acondition for authorizing avariance, the Department may requirethe utility requesting the variance to meet reasonable standards and conditions that may or may not be expressly contained within this Chapter but which carry out the purposesofthis Chapter

Sec. 2:522. Penalties

Any person who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with any of the provisions of this Part shall be subject to a fine as set forth in Chapter 1, Section 2:50 of this Title. In addition, theremay be times when the City will incur delay or other costs, including third-party claims, because the utility will not or cannot perform its duties under its permit andthis Chapter.Unless the utility shows another allocation of the cost of undertaking the requested action is appropriate, the utility shall bear the City’scosts of damages and its costs of installing, maintaining, modifying, relocating, or removing the facility the subject of the permit. PART III. USE OF STREET RIGHT-OF-WAYSBYPRIVATEPERSONS

Sec. 2:550. Prohibition

No private person shall use any street right-of-way within the City for any private purpose and particularly for the purpose of storing or abandoning thereon any equipment or other material without the express permission of the City evidenced by awritten permit to so do issued by the Director of Public Works.

Sec. 2:551. No change other street regulations This Part is not intended to and shall not abridge or extend to any other provisions of the Code relating to the public streets but is

Sec. 2:552. Exceptions

PART

Sec. 2:600.

It

Sec. 2:601.

CHAPTER 6. SIDEWALKS

Sec. 2:602. Displaying wares

(a)

construed as permitting the erection of any obstruction prohibited by Section 2:300.

(b) Show windows may extend not morethan 14 inches on the sidewalks from the property line.

PART II. REPAIRING, MAINTAINING AND CONSTRUCTING SIDEWALKS

Sec. 2:650. Grade or level to be furnished by the Department of Public Works

All sidewalks, which may be constructed or repaired, shall be constructed and repaired in accordance with the uniform grade or level to be furnished by the Engineering Director

Sec. 2:651. Duty of owners

It shall be the duty of all owners of lots fronting on streets having paved sidewalks to:

(1) Pave, repair and keep in repair,the sidewalks in front of their said lots by removing all uneven and broken sections and replacing them with such materials as will level the surface and make it uniform; (2) Provide sufficient drainage over or under the sidewalks to prevent the accumulation or standing of water on or near the sidewalks; (3) Prevent the growth or accumulation of weeds, grass, dirt, or other nuisance on the sidewalks, or the neutral grounds adjacent thereto.

Sec. 2:653. Notice of violation

For the purpose of aiding in the enforcement of this part, the Director of Public Works is hereby authorized to notify any person, either directly,or through their authorized agent, of any violation of the provisions of this part, which notice shall set forth the repairs or maintenance necessary on or to the sidewalk or pavement on or abutting their property or properties. This notice may be given either in writing or by publication in the official journal and the placing of such notice in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the last recordowner of the abutting property or properties, shall be sufficient. If notice is given by publication in the official journal, such notice shall set forth the names of the various persons found to be in violation of the provisions hereof, and shall generally outline the repair or maintenance work required to be done. The failure to make such repairs or to perform such maintenance within ten days of the first publication of such notice in the official journal, or within ten days after the abovedescribed notice is placed in the U.S. mail, shall constitute aseparate violation hereunder,and the sending or publishing of such notice shall not excuse the violation committed to continue or in any way relieve the property owner from the obligations and responsibilities placed upon such owner by the provisions of this part.

CITY OF ST.GEORGE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HIMMEL:

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-054

TO REGULATE STORMWATER MANAGEMENTWITHIN THE CITY OF ST.GEORGE, TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT, PENALTIES, AND RELATED MATTERS

Section 1. General Provisions.

a. Abbreviations. Standardstormwater regulatory terms (BMP,CWA EPA, MS4,SWPPP,NOI, TMDL, etc.).

b. Definitions. Terms including best management practices (BMPs), Clean Water Act (CWA), contaminated, conveyance, discharge, illicit discharge, MS4, pollutant, stormwater,SWPPP,total maximum daily load (TMDL), waters of the United States (WOTUS), and wetland shall have the meanings provided by applicable federal and state law

c. Purpose. To establish policies and procedures for permitting, monitoring, and enforcement regarding illicit discharge detection, construction runoffcontrol, and post-construction runoffmanagement in the City of St. George.

d. Administration. The City MS4 Administrator shall administer implement, and enforce this section. Powers may be delegated to other authorized personnel.Council may adopt fees for administration, MS4 compliance, and SWMP requirements.

Section 2. Non-Stormwater and Illicit Discharges.

a. Prohibited discharges. No person shall discharge or cause the discharge of illicit or non-stormwater substances into the MS4, drainage infrastructure, or waterways of the City of St. George.

b. Specificprohibitions include: oils, hazardous waste, untreated sewage, grease trap waste, construction debris, pesticides, fertilizers, wash water from commercial facilities, animal waste, sediment, and other pollutants.

c. No person shall connect an interior drain or any other source of wastewater to the MS4, drainage infrastructure, conveyances, or waterways of the city,orallow such aconnection to continue.

d. Sanitary sewer overflows to the MS4, drainage infrastructure, conveyances, or waterways of the city shall be prevented. In the event of an overflow the owner,operator,orperson otherwise having control of the sanitary sewer,shall remove all sewage to the maximum extent practical

e. Trash, litter,grass clippings, leaves, and other debris shall not be discarded in drainage ditches or drainage inlets. Such material shall be disposed of as solid waste and shall not be allowed to enter the MS4, drainage infrastructure, conveyances, or waterways of the city

f. Allowabledischarges include: firefighting activities, potablewater irrigation, uncontaminated groundwater,air conditioning condensate, and residential car washing, unless the City determines such discharges cause water quality impacts.

g. Persons responsiblefor spills or prohibited discharges areliable for cleanup, removal, and all costs.

Section 3. Discharges from Pools, Hot Tubs, Spas, and Filter Backwash.

a. For uncontaminated discharge that cannot be retained on site for irrigation or other uses, agradual, metered discharge is required;

b. Discharge shall be dechlorinated with no detectable concentration of total residual chlorine, prior to discharge;

c. Discharge shall not drain or back up onto adjacent properties;

d. Discharge shall not cause erosion or sediment transport;

e. Discharge shall not cause an accumulation of water in roadways or along curbs and shall not cause adverse impacts to drainage infrastructure, waterways, roadways, or adjacent properties.

Section 4. Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities.

a. General requirements. All construction shall comply with stormwater regulations, prevent degradation of water quality,and use BMPs to control pollutants.

b. Permittingrequirements. An Environmental Review (ESC Map) is requiredfor projects disturbing greater than or equal to 100 squarefeet of earth; including site work ,subdivisions, new construction, pools, and pond excavation. Exemptions apply to City capital projects, emergency protection of life or property,cemeteries, and agricultural practices (subject to state/federal law).

c. It shall be the responsibilityofthe property owner or his designee to acquireand comply with any applicable LDEQ permits prior to the commencement of construction. The city shall requireanapproved Environmental Review for any

Section 9. Effective Date This ordinance shall become effective upon publication as

by law This ordinance having been submitted to avote; the vote thereonwas: For: Cook, Dellucci, Edmonds, Himmel, Monachello, Murrell, Talbot Against: Absent /Abstaining /Recused:

Adopted this 25th day of November,2025

Signed this 25th day of November,2025

Delivered to the Mayor on the 25th day of November, 2025

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Approved:

Dustin Yates, Mayor

Received from the Mayor on the day of 2025

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Adopted Ordinance published in The Advocate on the day or 2025.

CITY OF ST.GEORGE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MURRELL: ORDINANCE NO. 2025-055

AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH AN INTERIM TRAFFIC IMPACT FEE WITHIN THE CITY OF ST.GEORGE

Section 1. Purpose.

a. The intent of this article is to ensurethat impact-generating development bears aproportionate shareofthe cost of improvements to the city’stransportation systems required to address the impactgenerating development; and to ensurethat funds collected from impactgenerating developmentare used to fund transportation-related activites. b. The fees contained herewithin areconsideredinterim until the adoption of permanent fees. An independentanalysis will be performed and the results of this analysis will lead to the adoption of permanent trafficimpact

11297713

NOTICE OF SALE OF ADJUDICATEDPROPERTY MichaelL.Bowmanand EddieLee Bowman THIS NOTICE BY PUBLICA‐TION IS NOTIFICATION THAT YOUR RIGHTS OR INTEREST IN THEFOL‐LOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY LOCATEDIN EAST BATONROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANA MAY BE TERMINATED BY OP‐ERATIONOFLAW IF YOU DO NOTTAKEFURTHER ACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW: Lot413, MelroseEast Improvements thereon believed to bear on Mu‐nicipalNo. () Goya Av‐enue By virtue of theprovi‐sionsofLouisiana Re‐visedStatute47:2201 et seq. andMetropolitan CouncilOrdinance num‐ber19642, theParishof East BatonRouge has been authorized to sell this property as adjudi‐catedproperty. Youhave been identified as a partywho mighthave a vested or contingent in‐terest in said property which wasassessedin thename(s) of WilliamL Bowman andwas adjudi‐catedtothe Parish of

OF SALE OF ADJUDICATEDPROPERTY EthelJackson THIS NOTICE BY PUBLICA‐TION IS NOTIFICATION THAT YOUR RIGHTS OR INTEREST IN THEFOL‐LOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY LOCATEDIN EAST BATONROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANA MAY BE TERMINATED BY OP‐ERATIONOFLAW IF YOU DO NOTTAKEFURTHER ACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW: Lot5,Square37, SouthBaton Rouge Improvements thereon believed to bear on Mu‐nicipalNo. () E. Polk Street By virtue of theprovi‐sionsofLouisiana Re‐visedStatute 47:2201 et seq. andMetropolitan CouncilOrdinance num‐ber19667, theParishof East BatonRouge has been authorized to sell this property as adjudi‐catedproperty. Youhave been identified as a partywho mighthave a vested or contingent in‐terest in said property whichwas assessedin thename(s) of John Pitcher, et al,and was adjudicatedtothe Parish of East BatonRouge in theyearof2019 forun‐paid taxesfor theyearof 2018. Thesalewilltake placeinaccordancewith theprovisionsofLAR.S 47:2201 et seq. Your inter‐estinthe property will be terminated if youdo notredeem theproperty by making allrequired payments to thetax col‐lector

belowor file alawsuit in

with lawwithin SIXTY (60) DAYS of thedateof

firstpublication of

notice,orthe record‐ingofanact transferring

if later. Taxcollector: East BatonRouge Parish Sheriff 222 St.Louis Street 2NDFloor BatonRouge,Louisiana 70802 (225) 389-4810 169163 Dec. 5, 12, 2t $79.02 INTEREST IN THEFOL‐LOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY LOCATEDIN EAST BATONROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANA MAY BE TERMINATED BY OP‐ERATIONOFLAW IF YOU DO NOTTAKEFURTHER ACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW: Lot51pt.,Square14, SouthBaton Rouge Improvements thereon believed to bear on Mu‐nicipalNo. () Kentucky Street By virtue of theprovi‐sionsofLouisiana Re‐visedStatute 47:2201 et seq. andMetropolitan CouncilOrdinance num‐ber19262, theParishof East BatonRouge has been authorized to

on file andof recordasOriginal599 Bundle9508, official records of East Baton Rouge Parish,Louisiana together with theundi‐vided interest in the commonelements, both general andlimited,ap‐pertainingtosaidcondo‐miniumunitunder

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BatonRougeParish Libraryispreparing

millageproposal designed

and

TheLibraryBoardofControl is working on areplacementmillage proposition to securethe Library’sfuturefor the next 10 years.The MetroCouncil mustvotetoapprovethe Library’snew millageproposition at their regular meeting on Wednesday, February11, 2026. This will put the Library’snew millageproposition on the June 27, 2026 ballot as astand-alone,10-year, dedicatedtax.