The Acadiana Advocate 04-25-2026

VERMILION AND WHITE GAME

Cajuns wrap spring practice with annual event 1C THE

ACADIANA

ADVOCATE T H E A C A D I A N A A D V O C AT E.C O M

|

S at u r d ay, a p r i l 25, 2026

‘A joyful presence’

Martha Odom, Lafayette teen killed in mall shooting, remembered for her infectious enthusiasm

$2.00X

One arrested, one at large in shooting

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER

Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

People stand Friday at a parking space at Ascension Episcopal School in youngsville adorned with flowers and tributes following the shooting death of senior Martha Odom on Thursday at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.

BY ANDREA GALLO Staff writer

She was a writer, a dancer, a Dr Pepper enthusiast.

Martha Odom, 17, died after being caught in the crossfire of a shooting Thursday at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Odom, a senior at Ascension Episcopal School in Youngsville, visited the mall with friends for their “senior skip day” as graduation approached in just a few weeks.

Odom planned to attend Sewanee, also known as the University of the South, where she was going to study English and creative writing. Instead, she and two other classmates from Ascension Episcopal were hit in the crossfire in a food court shooting that police say happened when two groups started arguing and drew guns.

She died from a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Coroner’s Office.

Police announced the arrest Friday of Markel Lee, also 17, who was booked with first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and ille-

PROVIDED PHOTO

Martha Odom was a senior at Ascension Episcopal School.

gal use of a weapon. They also released a photo of another suspect they believe was involved in the shooting as well.

Another victim, Donnie Guillory, remains in critical condition, police said Friday.

After Odom’s name became public Friday morning, an outpouring of tributes followed. Her classmates held a prayer

service at Ascension Episcopal and left flower bouquets in her parking spot on what was supposed to be the final day of “senior week” celebrating their last few days of school. She leaves behind her parents and a younger sister.

Odom was an overachiever: captain of the girls’ soccer team at her school, editor of the student newspaper, a teacher at her dance studio. She won first place last year in the Lafayette Public Library’s “Writes of Spring” contest and second place this year.

“Her classmates, Ascension faculty, and our Blue Gator families remember Martha as a joyful presence whose kindness and infectious enthusiasm brought light to all who knew her,” her school shared on social media. The other two Ascension Episcopal students who were shot are recovering from injuries, and two more students were at the mall during the shooting, but not injured.

Odom planned to spend her summer before college at Ballet Austin’s summer intensive, a chance to “train in the timeless

ä See JOYFUL, page 4A

Police booked a teenage suspect Friday in the mass shooting at the Mall of Louisiana a day earlier and released a photo of a second person wanted for questioning in the crime, which killed a 17-year-old girl and injured five others.

Markel Lee, 17, is the first suspect identified by law enforcement since the shooting. Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse said at a news conference that Lee turned himself in earlier Friday and was booked with first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and illegal use of a weapon.

Morse said at least one unidentified suspect remains at large and asked for the public’s help in identifying and locating him.

“It’s really early Lee in the investigation still,” Morse said. “We have to give the detectives time to do their job when they’re combing through that much evidence and surveillance video.”

It is unclear how many shooters were involved, as well as how many other people might have played a role.

Martha Odom, a 17-year-old Lafayette high school student, died after being shot in the chest.

Of the five others shot, four have been released from the hospital and one, 43-year-old Donnie Guillory, remains in critical condition, authorities said Friday.

In the immediate hours following the shooting, four persons of interest turned themselves in to Baton Rouge police but were later released, Morse said.

Livingston Parish sheriff’s deputies also arrested a man while

ä See SHOOTING, page 5A

Festival International kicks off with big energy Evening’s crowd ‘better than ever’

BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

As the sun set across Jefferson Street on the opening night of Festival International de Louisiane, Novalima rocked the Scène Ochsner Lafayette General Fais Do Do stage in front of a jiving, elated crowd.

The Afro-Peruvian band felt at times like they were part of the crowd, attending their own show — dancing along, bopping beach balls back into the audience, and inviting the crowd to come up and meet them after the set.

WEATHER HIGH 86 LOW 71 PAGE 6A

“It was a great show,” said Novalima member Grimaldo Del Solar, who said the band is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their hit album “Afro.” “We started during the day, and as it got darker, people got happier. It’s just amazing. We never thought we’d be touring the world.”

It’s Festival International’s 40th year, and the event has evolved into a key stop for international bands looking to break into the United States touring scene — while Louisiana acts gain access to global connections. Thursday night’s set list included the funky sounds of Sinkane, a Sudanese-American act, followed by Louisiana star Zachary Richard, who performed a new ballad he co-wrote with Lafayette veteran Barry Guidry, called

“Heart Like an Eagle.”

“I’m just so emotionally moved,” said Guidry, who was honored on stage with Richard. “This has been such a positive experience, and the response from the crowd was ecstatic.”

That feeling moved from stage to stage, from Jourdan Thibodeaux’s high-energy opening act at Scène Fais Do Do, to shows from Doctor Nativo, The Revelers, Subatomic Sound System, $ideQue$t and Bas Clas. Longtime Festival International volunteer Alan Broussard, working security at Scène Ochsner Lafayette General Fais Do Do, said the evening’s crowd felt “better than ever,” — a sentiment supported by Festival attendee Jeremiah

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Jourdan Thibodeaux et les Rodailleyrs play at Scene Ochsner Lafayette General Fais Do Do stage during Festival International de Louisiane on ä See FESTIVAL, page 4A Thursday.

Business ......................3B Deaths .........................2B Nation-World ................2A Classified .....................2B Living............................5C Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C

101ST yEAR, NO. 299

2A ● Saturday, April 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Camp Mystic could be denied license to reopen

DALLAS — Camp Mystic could be denied a license to reopen this summer after Texas authorities found the camp’s emergency plan falls short of the state’s new requirements.

In a letter obtained by The Dallas Morning News this week, the Texas Department of State Health said the camp’s emergency plan needs substantial revisions for it to receive a license. An attorney for the camp did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The state listed numerous areas of the camp’s emergency plans deemed incomplete, insufficient or missing. For example, maps submitted by the camp did not make clear where the cabins are located in relation to the flood plain, the state said.

It also found the camp’s emergency plans for wildfires, medical emergencies and epidemics insufficient.

Texas lawmakers passed new summer camp safety laws last year following the July flood that killed 27 children and counselors at the all-girls’ camp.

The camp has 45 days to address the issues and resubmit an emergency plan, according to the letter.

lll

Envoys dispatched to Pakistan

flows, including through the Pandia, he wrote that he was travel- Jones Act waiver extended Trump sends Witkoff, ing ama Canal nearly halfway around to Pakistan on a trip focused on “bilateral matters and regional Separately Friday, the White Kushner to meet developments.” He didn’t specify House said Trump issued a 90-day the world. he would meet. extension to the Jones Act waiver, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts Iran’s foreign minister who Araghchi and the two Trump en- making it easier for non-American Pakistan has been trying to get

BY MUNIR AHMED, JON GAMBRELL and JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press

ISLAMABAD — President Donald Trump is sending his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan to meet with Iran’s foreign minister, the White House said Friday, as officials in the South Asian nation pushed to revive ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran.

The talks planned for Saturday come as much of the world is on edge over a war that has snarled crucial energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz, clouded the global economic picture and left thousands dead across the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late Friday. Earlier on social me-

voys held hours of indirect talks in Geneva on Feb. 27 over Tehran’s nuclear program, but walked away without a deal. The next day, Israel and the United States started the war against Iran.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an interview on Fox News Channel that the president decided to send Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan “to hear the Iranians out.”

“We’ve certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days,” Leavitt said. She did not offer any details about what U.S. officials were hearing.

Islamabad has sought to reinject momentum into the negotiations between Iran and the United States, which did not resume this week as had been expected.

vessels to transport oil and natural gas.

He first announced a 60-day waiver in March in a move intended to stabilize energy prices and ease oil and gas shipments to the U.S. following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“New data compiled since the initial waiver was issued revealed that significantly more supply was able to reach U.S. ports faster,” the White House post on social media said.

The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, retreated on the news, vacillating between $103 a barrel and more than $107 — still early 50% higher than where it was on Feb. 28, when the war began.

The squeeze on shipments through the strait has rippled through global maritime trade

Trump’s asylum ban at the border illegal, court rules

Family of Boulder fire attack suspect released DENVER — The wife and five children of the man charged with carrying out a terror attack last year have been released from immigration custody, their attorney said in a social media post Thursday.

The family’s release comes days after a federal judge ordered them freed from the detention facility in Dilley, Texas, where they had been held for 10 months. Immigration authorities detained Hayam El Gamal, the wife of Mohamed Soliman, and the couple’s five children soon after Soliman was arrested in the June 1 terror attack in Boulder.

Soliman is accused of using a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to burn people who had gathered on Boulder’s Pearl Street mall for a weekly demonstration urging the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Witnesses said Soliman shouted, “Free Palestine” during the attack, which is being prosecuted in both state and federal court. Karen Diamond, 82, died on June 25 from injuries sustained in the attack.

Soliman, who was born in Egypt and lived in Kuwait for 17 years, arrived in the U.S. in August 2022 on a tourist visa that expired in February 2023. He overstayed his visa and sought political asylum in September 2022.

Court overturns $8.2M verdict for Roy Moore MONTGOMERY, Ala. — An appeals court on Friday reversed an $8.2 million defamation verdict awarded to Alabama politician Roy Moore, who sued a super PAC over a 2017 political ad detailing misconduct accusations against him.

The panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Moore failed to prove the organization acted with malice, one of the legal standards for cases involving public figures.

The three-judge panel vacated the defamation verdict and ordered the trial judge to enter a summary judgment in favor of Senate Majority PAC. Moore, a former Republican judge known for his hard-line stances opposing same-sex marriage and supporting the public display of the Ten Commandments, lost the 2017 Senate race after his campaign was rocked by misconduct allegations against him. Leigh Corfman said that Moore sexually touched her in 1979 when she was 14 and he was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney. Moore denied the accusation. Other women said Moore dated them, or asked them out on dates, when they were older teens.

The lawsuit centered on one TV commercial that recounted accusations against Moore.

Moore’s attorneys argued the ad, through the juxtaposition of statements and partial quotes from news articles, falsely implied he solicited sex from young girls at a shopping mall.

U.S. and Iranian officials back to the table after Trump this week announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran, honoring Islamabad’s request for more time for diplomatic outreach.

That hasn’t lowered tensions in the strait, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas is shipped during peacetime.

Iran has kept its stranglehold on traffic through the strait, attacking three ships earlier this week, while the U.S. is maintaining a blockade on Iranian ports and Trump has ordered the military to “shoot and kill” small boats that could be placing mines.

Washington already has three aircraft carriers in the region, in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Red Sea..

BY MICHAEL KUNZELMAN and LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press

PHOTO PROVIDED By VCU

People attend a memorial service standing behind caskets containing the remains of dozens of people whose remains were found in an abandoned well on the campus of VCU in Richmond, Va., in 2019.

VCU to create memorial for remains found in well

BY ALLEN G. BREED

Associated Press

Virginia Commonwealth University will spend $3.6 million on a memorial for dozens of people, most of African descent, whose bodies were stolen from their graves, dissected by medical students and then dumped in a forgotten well.

The Richmond school’s board of visitors voted Friday to fund what VCU calls the East Marshall Street Well Project, an effort to right wrongs committed more than a century ago. Construction of the memorial and burial site are expected to start in summer of 2027.

“Years ago, VCU initiated this journey because we recognized a profound obligation to restore the human dignity of the people who were not afforded respect in their physical existence,” VCU President Michael Rao said in a story about the effort posted on the school’s website. “The East Marshall Street Well Project’s sacred mission is to ensure every life is honored with the permanence and reverence they deserve.”

The circular memorial will feature a “unity chamber” inspired by the Toguna structures of Dogon culture in West Africa. Its design “is intended to encourage humility and thoughtful discussion by purposefully having a low roof to facilitate seated reflection,” said Stephen Davenport, assistant vice president for social and economic development in the VCU Division of Community Engagement and the administrative lead for the project.

Workers in 1994 uncovered a bricklined well containing human bones during construction of the Kontos Medical Sciences Building on the VCU medical center campus. Sifting through mud, researchers also found hair and skin, as well as remnants of leather shoes and glass bottles.

Based on archival records from the Medical College of Virginia, researchers believe the remains were dumped in the well between the 1840s and 1860s.

“A preliminary anthropological analysis of the recovered human remains showed some postmortem signs of dissection and amputation consistent with anatomical training and surgical procedure practice,” VCU researchers concluded in a paper published this year.

“The constant demand for cadavers led to routine grave robbing practices, mainly targeting African American burial grounds, to supply the medical school.”

Archaeologists were given a short time to examine the burial site after the 1994 discovery. Before construction continued, the remains were removed by backhoes and sent to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Initial analysis estimated that a minimum of 44 adults and nine children were recovered from the well.

DNA study results released in February identified at least 43 distinct adults and three juveniles of “predominantly African heritage,” most likely from Central-West Africa. Several sets of remains bore traces of European ancestry.

Body of 1 missing USF student ID’d, 1 still missing, roommate charged

BY CLAUDIA LAUER and REBECCA BOONE

Associated Press

The body of one of the two Bangladeshi doctoral students missing from the University of South Florida was found on a bridge over Tampa Bay, and his roommate has been taken into custody, law enforcement authorities said Friday.

Zamil Limon’s remains were found on the Howard Frankland bridge Friday morning, but Nahida Bristy is still missing, Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said.

Limon’s roommate in an off-campus apartment, Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih, 26, was taken into custody at his family’s home nearby on preliminary charges that include unlawfully moving a dead body, failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment and battery.

Officers encountered Abugharbeih as they responded to a report of domestic violence at his family’s home, just north of the campus, and were able to remove his relatives to safety. But then he barricaded himself inside and refused to come out. A SWAT team responded, along with a drone, a robot and crisis negotiators, before Abugarbeih came out with his hands up wearing nothing but a blue towel.

Limon and Bristy, both 27, were a couple, considering marriage, a relative said. They disappeared from campus on April 16. Limon, who was studying geography, environmental science and policy, was last seen at his home in an apartment complex where he lived with Abugharbeih. Bristy, who was studying chemical engineering and lived on campus, was last seen an hour later at a campus science building.

WASHINGTON — An appeals court on Friday blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order suspending asylum access at the southern border of the U.S., a key pillar of the Republican president’s plan to crack down on migration.

A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that immigration laws give people the right to apply for asylum at the border, and the president can’t circumvent that.

The court opinion stems from action taken by Trump on Inauguration Day 2025, when he declared that the situation at the southern border constituted an invasion of America and that he was “suspending the physical entry” of migrants and their ability to seek asylum until he decides it is over.

The panel concluded that the Immigration and Nationality Act doesn’t authorize the president to remove the plaintiffs under “procedures of his own making,” allow him to suspend plaintiffs’ right to apply for asylum or curtail procedures for adjudicating their antitorture claims.

“The power by proclamation to temporarily suspend the entry of specified foreign individuals into the United States does not contain implicit authority to override the INA’s mandatory process to summarily remove foreign individuals,” wrote Judge J. Michelle Childs, who was nominated to the bench by Democratic President Joe Biden.

The administration can ask the full appeals court to reconsider the ruling or go to the Supreme Court.

The order doesn’t formally take effect until after the court considers any request to reconsider.

GET IN TOUCH Customer Service: HELP@THEADVOCATE.COM or 337-234-0800 News Tips / Stories: NEWSTIPS@THEADVOCATE.COM Obituaries: 225-388-0289 • Mon-Fri 9-5; Sat 10-5; Closed Sun Advertising Sales: 337-234-0174 • Mon-Fri 8-5 Classified Advertising: 225-383-0111 • Mon-Fri 8-5 Subscribe: theadvocate.com/subscribe E-Edition: theadvocate.com/eedition Archives: theadvocate.newsbank.com The Acadiana Advocate (USPS # 25-866) is published daily by Capital City Press, LLC at 203 W. Third St., Lafayette, LA 70501. Periodicals postage paid at Lafayette, LA ISSN 2643-7252 and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Acadiana Advocate, Circulation Accounting, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821. Newspaper carriers are independent contractors and not employees of Capital City Press.

All home delivery subscription sales are non-refundable. Should you discontinue your subscription during term, the subscription will end with the expiration date on your subscription, and there will not be a refund of a prorated amount. Subscribers who purchased their subscription before Feb. 1, 2023 and wish to cancel can request a refund of a remaining balance at https://www.nola.com/app/forms/refund-request-form/. Refunds are considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of Capital City Press, LLC or its designee. All subscriptions purchased that include a special edition will have the special edition value deducted prior to any refund provided to subscriber upon cancellation of service. Standard subscription rates may be effective upon renewal. All standard subscriptions include digital access and e-Edition, a digital replica of the printed Advocate edition(s). The apps are free for tablets and smartphones. Smartphone apps may not be supported on all devices. The Advocate standard subscription rate is $80.89 per 4-week period, plus tax. The Acadiana Advocate standard subscription rate is $68.48 per 4-week period, plus tax. Standard digital subscriptions include e-Edition with the rate of $31.15 per 4-week period, plus tax starting 1/1/25. Special editions included in home delivery subscriptions are 1/30/26, 3/11/26, 4/15/26, 5/27/26, 7/8/26, 8/19/26, 9/30/26 11/26/26, 1/22/27, 3/10/27, 4/14/27, 5/26/27, 7/14/27, 8/18/27, 9/29/27 and 11/25/27 and are billed at $6.23 each. The Thanksgiving Day edition will be billed at your regular Thursday rate plus $6.23. To opt out of special edition delivery, email help@theadvocate.com or call 225-388-0395. By opting out of special editions you will not receive that day’s newspaper. Thanksgiving Day is not a special edition and opting out for that edition isn’t permitted. Prices shown are in U.S. dollars. Prices subject to change. Other restrictions may apply. We no longer provide credit for temporary delivery stops of 14 days or less. During a temporary delivery stop donations are made to our News in Education program. This program provides newspapers and digital access to schools across Louisiana. This program is paid for by sponsors and temporary stops so that students may use the newspaper for educational purposes in the classroom. During a temporary delivery stop of the print edition subscribers have unlimited digital access to theadvocate.com, nola.com and the apps for tablet and smartphone. Seasonal delivery times from August 2025 through February 2026 will extend to 8:00 a.m. on weekends. Subscribers may also choose to access our digital replica e-Edition of the printed Advocate, Times Picayune | New Orleans Advocate and Acadiana Advocate only. As a highly valued customer, we also value your privacy. All personal information collected by The Advocate will be used for administration and customer verification; it may be used for promotional purposes in accordance with The Advocate’s privacy policy. Please refer to our policy located at https://www.theadvocate.com/new_policy/ for information regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.

By providing your phone number and email address you agree that we can call or email you to confirm delivery service, satisfaction and/or sales promotions as they may occur from The Advocate.

The Acadiana Advocate: 203 W. Third Street, Lafayette, LA 70501

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Saturday, April 25, 2026 ● 3A

lll

DOJ drops criminal probe of Fed chair Powell

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and ERIC TUCKER

his confirmation.

Republicans praised Warsh during a Tuesday hearing even as Associated Press Democrats questioned his indeWASHINGTON — The Justice Depart- pendence from Trump, the lack of ment has ended its investigation transparency around some of his into Federal Reserve chair Jerome financial holdings, and what they Powell, clearing a major roadblock said was his flip-flopping on interto the confirmation of Kevin Warsh est rates. Still, Trump’s previous as his successor. appointment to the Fed’s board of U.S. Attorney for the District of governors, Stephen Miran, was apColumbia Jeannine Pirro said on X proved by the full Senate just 13 Friday that her office was ending days after his nomination. its probe into the Fed’s extensive Investigation lacked evidence building renovations because the Pirro’s investigation focused on Fed’s inspector a $2.5 billion building renovation general would that Trump criticized sharply last scrutinize them inyear for its cost overruns. Trump visited the building last July and stead. on camera presented to Powell an The move could inflated cost estimate, which Powlead to a swift confirmation vote Powell ell corrected as the two stood at by the Senate for the construction site in hard hats.

Warsh, a former top Fed official Earlier estimates for the project whom President Donald Trump, a had put the cost at $1.9 billion. The Republican, nominated in January investigation also covered Powell’s to replace Powell. Powell’s term as brief testimony about the renovachair ends May 15. Sen. Thom Til- tion before the Senate Banking lis, R-N.C., had said he would op- Committee last June.

The probe was among several pose Warsh until the investigation was resolved, effectively blocking undertaken by the Justice De-

partment into Trump’s perceived adversaries. For months it had failed to gain traction as prosecutors struggled to articulate a basis to suspect criminal conduct. Other efforts by the department to prosecute Trump’s adversaries, including New York state Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, and former FBI Director James Comey, have also been unsuccessful.

A prosecutor handling the Powell case conceded at a closed-door court hearing in March that the government hadn’t found any evidence of a crime, and a judge subsequently quashed subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve. The judge, James Boasberg, said prosecutors had produced “essentially zero evidence” to suspect Powell of a crime. Boasberg branded prosecutors’ justification for the subpoenas as “thin and unsubstantiated.”

The investigation was the most brazen attempt yet by the Trump administration to pressure the Fed to cut its short-term interest rate, which indirectly affects other borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans and business loans. Trump has obsessively attacked Powell for

not cutting the rate from its current level of about 3.6% to 1%, a level that no Fed official supports.

Powell says it was intimidation Instead, Fed policymakers, including Powell, have said they want to keep rates unchanged while they evaluate the impact of the Iran war, which has sent gas prices soaring, pushing up inflation. The increase could be a onetime shift but could also lead to more sustained inflation. The Fed seeks to restrain rising prices by keeping interest rates high, cooling borrowing and spending.

Powell said in January that the investigation was not really about the renovation or his testimony but “is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President.”

More recently, prosecutors made an unannounced visit to a construction site at the Fed’s headquarters but were turned away, drawing a rebuke from a defense attorney in the case who called the maneuver

“not appropriate.”

Warsh promises independence Warsh said during a hearing by the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday that he never promised the White House that he would cut interest rates, even as the president renewed his calls for the central bank to do so.

“The president never once asked me to commit to any particular interest rate decision, period,” Warsh Warsh said under questioning by the Senate Banking Committee. “Nor would I ever agree to do so if he had.”

Trump has taken other unprecedented steps to try to pressure the Fed, including an attempt last August to fire Lisa Cook, a member of the Fed’s governing board, who was appointed by Biden. Yet courts have temporarily blocked the firing, and, at an oral argument in January, the Supreme Court appeared sympathetic to the argument that Cook should keep her job.

DOJ to allow use of firing squads for capital punishment

allow the federal government to “The prior administration failed homa, South Carolina, and Utah. out 13 executions during the first Administration moves Trump The pentobarbital protocol was conduct executions by lethal injecadministration — more in its duty to protect the Ameriunder any president in mod- can people by refusing to pursue adopted by Bill Barr, attorney gen- tion or use “any other manner preto ramp up capital than ern history. The Biden administra- and carry out the ultimate punish- eral during Trump’s first term, to scribed by the law of the state in had removed pentobarbital ment against the most dangerous replace a three-drug mix used in which the sentence was imposed.” punishment cases tion A number of states allow other from the federal protocol over criminals, including terrorists, the 2000s, the last time federal ex-

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department will adopt firing squads as a permitted method of execution as the Trump administration moves to ramp up and expedite capital punishment cases, officials said Friday.

The Justice Department is also reauthorizing the use of singledrug lethal injections with pentobarbital that were used to carry

concerns about the potential for unnecessary pain and suffering.

The moves were announced as part of a broader push to step up federal executions after a moratorium under the Biden administration. Only three defendants remain on federal death row after Democratic President Joe Biden converted 37 of their sentences to life in prison, though the Trump administration has so far authorized seeking death sentences against 44 defendants.

child murderers, and cop killers,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice is once again enforcing the law and standing with victims.”

The federal government has not previously included firing squad as a method of execution in its protocols, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Five states currently allow executions by firing squad: Idaho, Mississippi, Okla-

ecutions were carried out before Trump’s first term in office.

Attorney General Merrick Garland in the final days of the Biden administration withdrew the pentobarbital lethal injection policy after a government review of scientific and medical research found there remains “significant uncertainty” about whether its use causes unnecessary pain and suffering.”

In 2020, under Barr’s leadership, the Justice Department published a rule in the Federal Register to

methods of execution, including electrocution, inhaling nitrogen gas or death by firing squad.

The Trump administration, in a report released Friday, said the Biden administration “got the standard and the science wrong.” The Biden administration’s findings, among other things, “failed to address the overwhelming evidence” that an injected with pentobarbital quickly “quickly loses consciousness—rendering him unable to experience pain,” the report said.

Soldier charged for prediction market bets on Maduro granted bond

BY GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press

Massive profits from well- placed those bets between vast majority occurring the timed bets aroused public Dec. 30 and Jan. 2, with the night of Jan. 2 — just hours attention days after the raid in Venezuela and brought bipartisan calls for stricter regulation of the markets.

The sudden rise of these markets has led to growing scrutiny by Congress and state governments. Some lawmakers alarmed by highly specific, well-timed trades have pushed for guardrails against insider trading.

The Trump administration has been supportive of the industry’s expansion. The president’s eldest son is an adviser for both Polymarket and its main competitor, Kalshi, and is a Polymarket investor. Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, is launching its own prediction market called Truth Predict.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the federal agency that regulates prediction markets, announced Thursday that it had filed a parallel complaint against Van Dyke.

That complaint alleges that Van Dyke moved $35,000 from his personal bank account into a cryptocurrency exchange account on Dec. 26 — a little over a week before U.S. forces flew into Caracas and seized Maduro.

Van Dyke made a series of bets on when Maduro might be removed from power, according to the complaint. He

N.O.-based AP photographer who captured assassination attempt on James Meredith dies

BY KEVIN MCGILL and JEFF AMY

Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — Former Associated Press photographer Jack Thornell, whose Pulitzer Prize-winning picture of a shotgun-felled James Meredith looking back toward his would-be assassin on a Mississippi highway in 1966 became an enduring image of the Civil Rights Movement, has died. He was 86.

Thornell died Thursday at a hospital in Metairie from complications from kidney disease, his son Jay said Friday.

He worked for the AP from 1964 to 2004 and had a variety of assignments over the years, photographing politicians, natural disasters, crime scenes. But the struggle for racial justice punctuated Thornell’s wire service career from the beginning. He covered the integration of a Mississippi Gulf Coast school on his first day of work for the AP New Orleans bureau.

In June 1966, Thornell, then 26, was assigned to cover a civil rights march led by

Meredith, who had already made history by integrating the University of Mississippi in 1962, and was mounting a “March Against Fear” through the state encouraging Black residents to register and vote.

Meredith was walking on U.S. Highway 51 near Hernando, Mississippi, and Thornell and a rival photographer were in a car parked roadside, when the sound of the first shotgun blast sent them scrambling.

One resulting Thornell image remains a sobering photographic reminder of the violent resistance to desegregation. It shows a wounded Meredith grimacing in agony as he dragged himself to the road’s edge. Along with it was the Pulitzer-winning photo Thornell didn’t initially realize he had captured: Meredith is on the ground at the edge of the highway with arms extended and hands on the pavement — it’s unclear if he is still falling or pushing himself up after the fall. His head is turned and he appears to be looking at his would-be assassin, visible at the extreme left of the picture in a weedy ditch.

before the first missiles struck Caracas.

r y ou da tY o ar T St ove M

RALEIGH, N.C. — A U.S. special forces soldier was granted bond Friday on charges that he used classified information about the mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to win more than $400,000 on the prediction market Polymarket, a federal magistrate said Friday.

The magistrate in North Carolina who authorized Gannon Ken Van Dyke’s release told him to report to a New York federal courthouse by Tuesday to continue his case there.

Bearded with arm tattoos, Van Dyke said little during the nearly hourlong hearing, during which he was appointed a federal public defender who declined to comment afterward. The $250,000 unsecured bond did not require Van Dyke to put up any money.

Federal prosecutors say Van Dyke used his access to classified information about the operation to capture Maduro in January to win money on Polymarket, one of the largest prediction markets. The sites allow people to trade on almost anything — from the Super Bowl to U.S. elections and the winners of the TV reality shows.

Van Dyke, who is stationed

at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, North Carolina, was charged Thursday with the unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.

He could face up to 10 years on four of the criminal counts, and up to 20 years on a fifth, the government said Friday.

Van Dyke, 38, was involved for about a month in the planning and execution of capturing Maduro, according to the New York federal prosecutor’s office. He signed nondisclosure agreements promising to not divulge “any classified or sensitive information” related to the operations, but prosecutors say he used what he knew to make a series of bets related to Maduro being out of power by Jan. 31.

“This involved a U.S. soldier who allegedly took advantage of his position to profit off of a righteous military operation,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post.

Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan said in a post on X that the company flagged the suspicious activity, turned it over to the government and cooperated with the investigation.

Visit us today and take the first step toward finding your perfect address.

addresslafayettela.com DRE#01901536 This website is a marketing and information program that sends all inquiries to state-licensed real estate professionals.

4A ● Saturday,April 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

FESTIVAL

Continued from page 1A McVay, who said he is from Lafayette and now lives in Tallahassee, Florida.

His family stood close to the stage during Novalima’s set, surrounded by children experiencing the fun alongside their community.

“It’s so nice to get to see things from outside of the culture that you’re used to,” McVay noted. “It’s a great thing to experience in your hometown.”

Festival International’s opening ceremony happened at Scène LUS Internationale, where the festival’s multigenerational and multicultural history was honored. Local school children stood alongside Festival founders and past presidents, Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Boulet, Festival executive director Scott Feehan, and zydeco star Terrence Simien, who sang the national anthem.

Lafayette City Council member Kenneth Boudreaux stated on stage that “there’s no greater global ambassador for the city of Lafayette than Festival International,” and looking out over the crowd — showing off Festival International gear, drinking Festival punch and eating Festival crawfish boats — the event’s deep roots were well on display.

Festival International de Louisiane will take place in downtown Lafayette through Sunday. The full 2026 schedule includes country bluegrass band Country Gongbang from South Korea, GIVERS from Louisiana, and France/Guadeloupe band Delgres, with dozens of food vendors, art and merch booths, STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP local and international bands, and thousands Festival attendees dance to the sounds of the Revelers at LUS La Craft Biergarten during Festival International de Louisiane on Thursday. of attendees from all over the world.

JOYFUL

Continued from page 1A art of dance,” she wrote in the student newspaper. She danced at The Ballet Studio and Lafayette Ballet Theatre, who described her as a “joyful, young student.”

Ali Mejia, 15, who dances at The Ballet Studio, said she looked up to Odom and described her as kind and always smiling.

“If anyone was having a bad day,” she said, “she was there for you, even if she didn’t know you well.”

Odom’s family visited New York City over spring break, and she wrote about how much she enjoyed eating at Raising Cane’s in Times Square, attending Easter services at The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, going to a New York Rangers’ hockey game and seeing several Broadway musicals, including “The Outsiders” and “Cats: The Jellicle Ball.” She was an avid fan of the arts and frequently appeared in school plays and musicals.

In other writings for the student newspaper, Odom shared her observations about Taylor Swift (“captivating,” “empowering”), being a debutante late last year (“had the time of my life”) and how much her soccer team had improved (“the soccer team is a family”).

When she was named “Gator of the month” at the beginning of the school year, she did an interview that her school reposted to social media Friday. She answered rapid-fire questions about her preferences: a pink ribbon tied in her hair, dogs over cats, summer over winter, books over movies.

She also took sharp interest in journalism and shared her fears about the press losing independence. In one

“The Odom family and mine have been friends for decades. There are no words for the devastating loss of innocent life.

I’m praying for her, her family and friends, and the entire Lafayette community during this heartbreaking time.”

LIZ MURRILL, Louisiana attorney general student newspaper piece, she wrote about the inaccurate portrayals of journalists as lead characters in rom-coms, including “13 Going on 30” and “27 Dresses.”

“What did rom-coms get wrong about journalists?

Their drive,” she wrote. “It takes grit to unearth the information in an article.

It takes bravery to be that bridge between the people and their government. A lack of that grit leads to an epidemic of self-censorship, where writers hesitate to publish critical works for fear of penalties.”

BBR Creative, the Lafayette-based marketing and advertising agency where Odom’s mom works, said Friday that they were holding the family in their thoughts “as they face an unimaginable loss.” Ascension Episcopal also asked for continued prayers for Odom

and her classmates.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, a Lafayette native, posted on social media about her connection to the Odom family, as she and other state political and law enforcement leaders called for accountability for those responsible for Odom’s death.

“The Odom family and mine have been friends for decades,” Murrill wrote.

“There are no words for the devastating loss of innocent life. I’m praying for her, her family and friends, and the entire Lafayette community during this heartbreaking time.”

Baton Rouge Bishop Michael Duca offered prayers for victims, first responders, healing and peace.

“Our prayers are with those who were critically injured, all who were harmed, and every family whose lives have been suddenly and painfully shaken by this act of violence, especially those who have lost a loved one,” Duca said in a statement.

Odom summed up her beliefs in a Psalm from the Bible she shared in her Instagram biography.

“Behold,” reads Psalm 133:1 that she cited. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”

Staff writers Claire Taylor and Kristin Askelson contributed to this report.

Mugs, shirts, hats, posters, books.

Something for everyone at the Advocate Store!

STORE.ADVOCATE.COM

BIG WIRELESS COVERAGE, WITHOUT BIG WIRELESS COST.

Plans start at $20/Month.

AWARD-WINNING CUSTOMER SUPPORT 16 TIMES IN A ROW.

Inogen® Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Leave the tanks at home.

We’ve been ranked “#1 in Customer Service among Wireless Value MVNOs, 16 Times in a Row.”

Convert the air around you into medical-grade oxygen.

At just under 3 lbs.*, Inogen® lightweight and compact portable oxygen concentrators easily deliver your prescription oxygen on-the-go. * Inogen Rove 4 weighs 2.9lbs. with a standard battery

STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

The Episcopal Church flag flies at half-staff on Friday at Ascension Episcopal School following the shooting death of senior Martha Odom.

CALL US NOW 1-877-760-2294

SM250015 EN_EX_USA | Rx Only. © 2024 Inogen, Inc. 859 Ward Drive, Suite 200, Goleta, CA 93111. Inogen® is a trademark of Inogen, Inc. The usage of any Inogen, Inc. trademark is strictly forbidden without the prior consent of Inogen, Inc. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.

100% U.S. BASED CUSTOMER SERVICE.

All of our support teams are just a call or click away.

Switch & Save Today.

844-238-7868

© 2024 Consumer Cellular Inc. Terms and Conditions subject to change. For J.D. Power 2024 Wireless Customer Care Value Mobile Virtual Network Operator Study award information, visit jdpower.com/awards. Plans shown above include $5 credit for AutoPay and E-billing. Taxes and other fees apply. Credit approval required for new service. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Saturday, April 25, 2026 ● 5A

lll

Governor lays blame for mall shooting on judges Landry calls on Legislature to review sentencing laws

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

After a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana left a teenage bystander dead and five others wounded, Gov. Jeff Landry ramped up his attacks on judges he says are being too lenient — especially with juveniles.

“Judges hold enormous power, but they are not social workers with a gavel. They are the final gatekeepers of public safety,” he said during a news conference Friday at the Baton Rouge Police Department. “Let me be clear: Judges who continuously release violent offenders back on our streets, who fail to use the full authority of their office to protect the public, are going to be held accountable.”

The statements come as Landry and Republican state lawmakers are supporting a bill that would give the Legislature more power to remove judges. Republicans also are advancing legislation that would increase how much time of-

ficials can keep youth in jail pretrial and let prosecutors decide whether criminal cases that go to bench trials should be assigned new judges.

“When judges refuse to enforce boundaries or consequences, they’re not rehabilitating anyone,” Landry continued. “What they’re doing is abandoning young people until a tragedy like this becomes inevitable. And you know what, that’s not justice. That’s negligence that’s masquerading around as mercy.”

Landry did not raise specific concerns about how judges handled any suspects in the Mall of Louisiana shooting. Asked whether he had any, Landry said the press does “a great job of investigating all kinds of information, and the courthouse is full of data.”

The governor also said the continual failure of the court system made the mass shooting possible.

“The continual action of that has led to this case, but yet no one is out there holding those judges accountable,” he said. “It would not surprise me if the people who are involved in this, before it’s all over, don’t have an extremely lengthy rap sheet.”

SHOOTING

Continued from page 1A

Authorities announced the arrest of one suspect in connection with the shooting, 17-year-old Markel Lee. Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse said Lee had an “extensive criminal history in the juvenile court system.”

In addition to casting blame for juvenile crime on judges, Landry said parents need to be held accountable for failing kids at home.

And he called on the Legislature to review Louisiana’s sentencing laws, two years after he successfully pushed it to pass a slew of ‘tough-on-crime’ measures that lengthened prison stays and slashed parole opportunities.

“I’m asking the Legislature to go back and look at the laws. In fact people that go into common places and decide to engage in that kind of violence, we should put them away for life. I’m done with them.

It doesn’t matter how old they are,” Landry said. “We got 18,000 acres at Angola. If it’s up to me, I’d send them all there for the rest of their lives.”

Landry’s policies have been panned by criminal justice advocates who point out that the state already has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country.

“When judges refuse to enforce boundaries or consequences, they’re not rehabilitating anyone,” Landry said. “What they’re doing is abandoning young people, until a tragedy like this becomes inevitable. And you know what? That’s not justice, that’s negligence.”

State Sen. Rick Edmonds, a congressional candidate, said he has called for federal law enforcement to come to Baton Rouge.

Last year, discussions surrounding a possible National Guard presence in Baton Rouge surged after Landry publicly requested the activation of 1,000 troops from the federal government.

Moore pointed out that Baton Rouge has its own unique problems that do not necessarily mirror other cities where troops have been deployed to patrol the streets.

Mayor-President Sid Edwards, who spoke first at the news conference, vowed that those responsible for the shooting will be caught.

He then urged the public not to make assumptions about groups of people before turning the microphone over to others.

“Do not stereotype or pigeonhole or profile all our young people,” he said.

Edwards worked as a football coach at Istrouma High School in a predominantly Black area of town.

“I spent my entire life ministering to young people as a coach and a teacher,” Edwards said. “And 99% of our young people in Baton Rouge, whether they’re black, white, red, blue, Baptist, Catholic, are law-abiding citizens. They’re just out there trying to make it and doing the right thing. So please, we don’t need that judgment. We just need your prayers.”

investigating the mall shooting. Authorities later said he was booked on counts unrelated to the shooting, adding at the time that they had no evidence tying him to the shooting.

At Friday’s news conference, Morse said the four persons of interest who were released are still being looked at and could later be charged.

“They were definitely involved in some way or the other,” Morse said. “They refused to answer questions.

They lawyered up. We didn’t Baton Rouge police released have anything else to be able this photo of a suspect in to hold them.”

Thursday’s shooting.

The chief said he hopes that ballistic evidence and DNA will reveal more about cases involve detailed evitheir connection to the shoot- dence that takes time to ining. It is unclear whether vestigate.

Moore said he thinks they are juveniles or adults. physical evidence will do the ‘Not a random incident’ heavy lifting.

“Trust me, nobody wants The chief echoed what he said detectives believed the to come forward and say day before, that evidence what happened to give incontinues to point toward formation on another co-dethe shooting being targeted. fendant,” he said. “These of“We know that this was not ficers have to work this case a random incident,” Morse from the bottom up. … Have said. “We know that this to wait for phone data. They was two groups of people have to work for evidence, that met up at the mall, ex- wait for DNA.” changed words, pulled guns and then innocent people Political attention were hit.”

Some elected officials used Morse said investigators Friday’s news conference to are still trying to deter- assure residents that the mine whether the shooting mall is safe and that the stemmed from gang-related people responsible for the shooting will be brought to activity.

The shooting occurred justice.

Some also used it to call about 1:22 p.m. inside the food court of the mall. Initial out judges and warn crimireports said that several sus- nals about what is coming pects quickly fled the scene. next.

Gov. Jeff Landry spoke As of Friday afternoon, officials said nothing has in- at length, claiming judges dicated any of the perpetra- shoulder much of the blame tors themselves were struck for community violence, saying they “are not social by gunfire.

District Attorney Hillar workers with a gavel” and Email Patrick SloanMoore cautioned the public are letting criminals off with Turner at patrick.sloanto be patient, saying such weak sentences. turner@theadvocate.com.

Protection your loved ones deserve ...

GUARANTEED Life Insurance up to $30,000.00

Modified Whole Life Insurance from Physicians Life Insurance Company

Imagine what $30,000.00 could mean to your family after you’re gone — cash to help pay your funeral, medical bills or other final expenses.

• Guaranteed acceptance for ages 45 to 85* • No medical exam, no health questions • Lock in your rate for life

Find out how affordable this coverage can be — Call for your FREE Information Kit

1-877-654-4599 Life55plus.info/Acadiana

 Plus — you’ll also get a FREE

Final Wishes Planner just for calling!

ts reduced fifirst rst two years. Insurance Policy L770 (ID: L770ID; OK: L770OK; TN: L770TN). *Ages may vary by state. Guaranteed for one of these life insurance policies. Benefi Benefits 6236-0625

A broader push against judges Landry has long criticized judges he says are letting violent offenders off easy, allowing them to commit crimes again.

This year, Landry made “judicial accountability” a centerpiece of his “State of the State” speech and his legislative agenda. He has backed Senate Bill 123 by Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, which aims to give the Legislature the authority to remove judges it deems incompetent. Louisiana voters would need to approve the measure, as it requires changing the state constitution.

SB123 passed the Senate and needs to be greenlit by the House & Governmental Affairs Committee.

Morris also has sponsored a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would require a prosecutor’s approval for a defendant to opt out of a jury trial.

That measure, Senate Bill 97, has passed the Senate and now needs House approval.

And House Bill 310 by state Rep. Josh Carlson, R-Lafayette, would automatically reassign criminal cases to new judges when defen-

dants waive jury trials, unless prosecutors intervene. Proponents have argued the change would prevent defendants from opting for bench trials because they believe they have favorable judges. But critics argue criminal cases are randomly assigned in the first place, and they say the new rule would let prosecutors “judge shop” instead, and clog up courts.

The House initially rejected the bill in a tight vote, but it took up the measure a second time on Tuesday.

The bill passed 57-36, after several Republican members changed their votes.

Carlson has said he brought the bill in part because he believes some judges acquit defendants even when the evidence proves they are guilty.

Another measure, House Bill 140 by state Rep. Vincent Cox, R-Gretna, would give prosecutors more time to bring cases against juvenile defendants. That means youth could be held in detention longer.

That bill passed the House on Monday after Cox scaled it back following an uproar from defense attorneys. It now heads to the Senate.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse announces the arrest of a subject during an update on the investigation of the shooting at the Mall of Louisiana on Friday.

Safety. Style.

Stress-Free Installation.

CALL NOW 1.833.472.5859

SPECIAL OFFER

Waiving All Installation Costs!

Add’l terms apply. Offer subject to change and vary by dealer. Expires 12/27/26.

6A ● Saturday,April 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

TODAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Some sun with a thunderstorm

Clouds and sun with a t-storm

Warm and humid with some sun

Warm with clouds and sun

Times of clouds and sun

High clouds and not as hot

HIGH

LOW

HIGH

86° 71°

LOW

HIGH

85° 73°

LOW

86° 74°

HIGH

High/low Normal high/low Last year’s high/low Record high Record low

Beaumont 85/73 Port Arthur 84/74

Baton Rouge 87/69

Lake Charles 85/71

10s

20s

30s

Houma 84/70

40s

50s

LOW

YESTERDAY

TODAY

READING 40 MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

60s

70s

80s

Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today

90s 100s 110s

FULL

MAY 1

City

Austin Boston Dallas Fairbanks Honolulu Las Vegas Louisville Miami Nashville

Shown are areas of precipitation and high temperatures for the day.

24-hour total Month to date Normal month to date year to date Normal year to date

HIGH

FT.

2:21a 9:08p 1:57p 4:29p 5:33p 4:41p 6:41p

NEW

MAY 9

Hi

91 49 89 51 84 78 77 85 75

TODAY Lo

70 43 71 31 70 56 51 71 53

W

pc pc c pc pc pc sh t t

Hi

91 52 90 54 85 70 77 88 81

MAY 23

SUN. Lo

72 42 74 32 72 54 56 71 55

2:53p 8:27a 4:26a 8:34a 3:59a 2:19a 5:01a

0.00” 1.47” 3.84” 13.52” 17.55”

FT.

HIGH

0.0 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1

---------------

W

City

c pc c s sh pc pc t pc

FT.

New Orleans Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Raleigh St. Louis San Diego Tampa

Hi

85 87 56 87 67 89 78 68 86

LOW

FT.

----- ------- ----- 6:34p 1.4 --- 10:19p 1.2 ----- ------- ------- ---

1:22a 7:59p 2:06a 8:40p 2:45a 9:17p 3:22a 9:53p 3:59a 10:30p 4:38a 11:10p 5:20a 11:54p

TODAY Lo

70 65 43 64 45 63 52 59 70

W

t t r pc t pc s sh t

GOOD

SOURCE: LOUISIANA DEQ AND AIRNOW.GOV

The solunar period schedule allows planning days so you will be fishing in good territory or hunting in good cover during those times. Major periods begin at the times shown and last for 1.5 to 2 hours. The minor periods are shorter.

MAJOR MINOR MAJOR MINOR

Today 7:34a Sunday 8:17a Monday 8:56a Tuesday 9:32a Wednesday 10:09a Thursday 10:49a Friday 11:31a

FIRST

MAY 16

LOW

0.7 1.2 1.9 1.7 0.9 1.2 1.1

6:31 a.m.

7:42 p.m.

2:19 p.m.

3:07 a.m.

LAST

GOOD

PRECIPITATION

83°/65° 81°/61° 83°/67° 90° in 2006 42° in 1910

TODAY’S TIDES Lake Pontchartrain (Tchefuncte River) Shell Beach South Point, Marsh Island Cypremort Point Grand Isle (Barataria Pass) Mississippi River (Southwest Pass) Wine Island

New Orleans 85/70

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

0s

Hattiesburg 85/65

Alexandria 92/69

Lafayette 86/71

HIGH

83° 62°

Lafayette through 5 p.m. Friday

Jackson 83/67 Many 91/69

LOW

90° 67°

TEMPERATURE

Longview 87/68

-0s

LOW

Monroe 85/68

Shreveport 88/68

-10s

HIGH

87° 71°

After a few storms and windy conditions this morning, expect a mostly sunny to partly cloudy, warm, humid and breezy afternoon with a chance of rain. While the worst of the rain will be during the early morning, we may also see a few storms in the late afternoon.

Temperatures will rise to the mid-80s, which is above average.

Winds will be out of the southwest at 10 to 15 mph. If you’re sneezing a lot, that might be because the grass pollen is “high,” but dust and dander is also “very high.” Also, the UVI is approaching “very high.”

Hi

1:47p 2:29p 3:07p 3:43p 4:20p 4:59p 5:43p

SUN.

86 87 51 79 62 66 78 67 85

Lo

73 67 44 59 43 49 61 58 69

W

t t r s pc r pc pc t

Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

MISSISSIPPI Memphis Vidalia-Natchez Red River Landing Baton Rouge Donaldsonville Reserve New Orleans OHIO Cairo COMITE Near Olive AMITE Near Darlington Denham Springs Port Vincent TICKFAW Montpelier Holden ATCHAFALAYA Simmesport Melville Krotz Springs Butte La Rose Bayou Sorrel Morgan City

FLOOD STAGE

34 48 48 35 27 22 17

FRI. 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE

13.50 31.60 33.90 18.10 10.80 8.25 5.20

+0.52 -0.18 -0.20 -0.10 -0.10 -0.11 +0.13

40

29.10

+0.17

19

-1.54

none

18 29 8

-1.07 10.15 2.46

-0.02 -0.01 +0.18

13 15

1.64 0.86

-0.02 -0.02

47 34 29 20 12 6

15.42 11.07 9.31 7.66 5.10 3.37

-0.31 -0.27 -0.14 -0.12 none +0.10

data as of 7 a.m. Friday

Forecasts and graphics, except for Damon’s Outlook, provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2026

Violent tornado tears through Oklahoma town At least 40 homes damaged but no deaths reported

BY SEAN MURPHY Associated Press

ENID, Okla. — Raeann Hunt scrambled to her cellar as a tornado bore down on her Oklahoma community. “It is headed right for us,” she recalled thinking, as she peeked outside, unable to contain her curiosity.

Huddled inside the dark 8-by-8 foot concrete shelter with her husband, brother-in-law and a neighbor, she heard roaring, metal slapping on the door and glass breaking.

Afterward, they emerged unscathed, but found the windows smashed out of the one-story brick home in Enid and the roof badly damaged.

The scene was repeated Thursday night across the city of about 50,000 people about 85 miles north of Oklahoma City as the EF4 tornado hit. It was on the ground for 9 miles, packing winds of 170 to 175 mph and measuring 500 yards across at its widest, said Rick Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

For those 30 to 40 minutes, at least 40 homes were damaged,

some blown off their foundations.

But no one was killed and only minor injuries were reported.

“People around here have a plan,” Hunt explained, noting that residents of this tornado-alley state are trained to either take shelter in a room near the center of their home or get underground.

Basements aren’t common in Oklahoma because of the red clay soil and elevated water tables that make it difficult and expensive to install them, but many homes — like Hunt’s — have storm cellars or safe rooms with reinforced concrete walls where people can take cover.

People here also know to flip on the TV and set up weather alerts on their phones — particularly in the springtime, when the risk of violent twisters is highest.

“Especially in Oklahoma, we have great meteorologists,” said Justin Hunt of Enid, who described the storm’s aftermath as a “disaster.”

Storm leaves rubble in its wake Commercial buildings just south of the city were turned into a pile of twisted metal, splintered wood and insulation by powerful winds that pushed the buildings completely off the concrete foundations.

The tornado knocked down

day morning salvaging what was left of his son Joseph’s woodworking shop just south of the city, along with some family members and a group of volunteers who traveled from Kansas to help with cleanup.

“The tornado just swung right through here and just hit us directly,” Lamerton said, pointing to a giant mess of splintered wood beams, furniture, debris and heavy machinery that was pushed into a massive pile at the edge of the building’s foundation. “We’ve got stuff on the property we can’t even find.”

Air Force base is damaged Fences and some equipment were knocked down at nearby A man clears debris at a commercial woodworking shop in Enid, Okla., Vance Air Force Base, about 80 on Friday in the aftermath of a tornado. miles north of Oklahoma City. The base was closed until further noutility poles and left power lines wasn’t a loss of life.” tice “due to ongoing power and wawrapped with huge chunks of deter restoration efforts,” it posted online Friday. bris. A home had part of its metal People pick through rubble Everyone assigned to the base roof torn off and trees were left Police and fire departments and stripped of bark and limbs. At an- the Oklahoma Highway Patrol con- has been accounted for and no other home, a section of one wall ducted multiple home searches, injuries were reported, 71st Flyhad peeled away to reveal the in- rescuing some trapped residents, ing Training Wing Public Affairs terior of the home with some fur- Enid Mayor David Mason said Fri- Chief Ashley D. Hendricks said in an email Friday. niture still in place. day.

In Kearney, Missouri, north of “Usually when we come to a “Supplies have poured in alneighborhood that’s been hit this ready,” Mason posted online. “This Kansas City, officials reported bad, there’s one or two deaths,” is who Enid is in challenging mo- downed trees, debris blocking Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said ments — we continue to show up roadways and damage to homes on Thursday night after storms during a news conference Fri- for one another.”

Dave Lamerton of Enid spent Fri- passed through the area. day. “We’re just so thankful there ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALONZO ADAMS

Fires blamed for death of firefighter, destruction of 120 Ga. homes

BY EMILIE MEGNIEN and RUSS BYNUM Associated Press

NAHUNTA, Ga. — A volunteer firefighter died battling a wildfire in northern Florida while more than 120 homes have been destroyed in southeast Georgia and thousands more remain threatened by two large blazes, one of which investigators suspect was sparked by an aluminum party balloon touching power lines, officials said Friday.

An unusually large number of wildfires are burning this spring across the Southeast, where scientists say the threat of fire has been amplified by a combination of extreme drought, gusty winds, climate change and dead trees still littering some forests after being

toppled by Hurricane Helene in 2024.

In northern Florida, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that volunteer firefighter James “Kevin” Crews suffered an unspecified medical emergency while suppressing a brush fire.

Crews was rushed to a hospital where he died Thursday evening, according to a news release posted to social media.

“Kevin was the epitome of courage and dedication,” Hilliard Volunteer Fire Chief Jerry Johnson said in a statement. “His sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

porters that state officials believe 87 homes burned in rural Brantley County this week are the most ever destroyed by a single wildfire in the state’s history.

An additional 35 homes have been lost to a larger fire burning in sparsely populated Clinch and Echols counties near the Florida state line, Kemp said. That blaze has burned about 50 square miles, an area twice the size of Manhattan.

Kemp said investigators suspect the Brantley County fire was sparked by an aluminum party balloon that touched live power lines, creating an electrical arc that sparked flames on the ground.

‘No way to stop this’ without rain Spread across more than 11 After getting a firsthand look at square miles and still growing, the firefighting efforts in southeast Brantley County blaze was 15% Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp told re- contained Friday, the Georgia

Forestry Commission said. An estimated 4,000 homes in the county were under evacuation orders Friday, said commission spokesperson Seth Hawkins.

“There’s no way to stop this fire,” Kemp said. “They’re having to contain the flanks and the back of it and then, hopefully, we get a change in the weather.”

No fire deaths or injuries have been reported in Georgia.

Firefighters are battling more than 150 other wildfires in Georgia and Florida that have sent smoky haze into places far from the flames, triggering air quality warnings for some cities.

‘I’m one of the lucky ones’ Michael Gibson was at his job Thursday at a chicken feed pro-

ducer when his fiancee called urging him to come home. By the time he arrived, firefighters were already on the road where Gibson, his fiancee and their four children lived. He said he took his family to safety and tried to return to salvage belongings, but police stopped him.

Gibson said the fire consumed his mobile home and one beside it where his fiancée’s brother lived.

His family has been staying in a camper on a relative’s property.

“We’ve lost everything, but I’m one of the lucky ones,” Gibson said Friday. “We’ve been prepared to leave. And I’m truly blessed to have my family and to have somewhere to sleep. … A lot of people in my county didn’t make it out with the clothes on their backs.”

METRO

T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

|

S at u r d ay, a p r i l 25, 2026

1BN

Climate change suit bill moves forward It would block lawsuits against oil, gas companies

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL

a key committee in the Louisiana Legislature on Thursday.

State Rep. Brett Geymann, A bill that would bar lawsuits R-Lake Charles, the sponsor of seeking to hold oil and gas compa- House Bill 804, explained that his nies liable for damages from glob- bill is an attempt to prevent these al climate change easily cleared kinds of suits from being filed in

Staff writer

state courts before a legal effort he says has gained momentum in other states arrives in Louisiana.

Geymann told the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee that up to 40 cases have been brought across the country,

2026 LEGISLATURE

He noted the example of the family of a Seattle, Washington, woman who sued oil companies last year in a wrongful death case after she died during a heat wave. primarily by local municipalities Geymann called that suit and against U.S. oil and gas companies. others like it “absurd” because The bill would also apply to other they’re attempting to blame the types of companies linked to the ä See BILL, page 2B fossil fuel industry.

The Revelers play for festivalgoers at LUS La Craft Biergarten during Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette on Thursday.

STAFF PHOTOS By BRAD KEMP

GAINING SOUND LEFT: Jourdan Thibodeaux et les Rodailleyrs play at the Scene Ochsner Lafayette General Fais Do Do stage on Thursday.

RIGHT: A festival attendee does yoga while listening to the music of Sinkane from Sudan at the Scene LUS Internationale stage.

Arrest made in fatal 1994 stabbing

DNA match made in 32-year-old case

BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a man in connection with a 32-year-old case that left one man dead.

Clinton Dronet, 60, was arrested Wednesday and faces a second-degree murder charge in the 1994 stabbing case that left John Perry Meche, 47, dead, according to an LPSO announcement. Due to a lack of evidence linking Dronet to the murder and technological limitations of the time, the case remained unsolved for more than three decades.

ä See ARREST, page 2B

Acadiana Lawmakers pause bill adding tech jobs pay exemptions to records laws as wall off donor information athletic coaches. Abraham Measure would from stripped that phrase from the public.

Abraham’s original the bill, designating those as have limited public billWhile would have kept uni- the only positions where university presidential search versities could block public information

BY ANDREA GALLO Staff writer

A legislative House committee on Thursday pumped the brakes on a bill that would add several exemptions for universities to Louisiana’s public records laws, saying the proposed law needed to be reworked.

Senate Bill 289, from Sen. Mark Abraham, R-Lake Charles, could limit how much information the public can receive about who’s in the running for top leadership positions at universities, as well

records entirely secret, he release.

He said he also deadded a handful of amendments during cided to spell out that Thursday’s House and universities would Governmental Affairs have to name at least Committee hearing. three finalists after They included changhearing that some unies that would require versities — including universities to reveal LSU and the Univerat least three finalists Abraham sity of Louisiana at Lafor top jobs, as well as fayette — have named limit the number of jobs that lone finalists for top jobs. the new law would affect.

“It’s much more transparent Originally, the bill said uni- that way,” Abraham said.

Still, the amendments were versities could hold secret searches for positions “includ- not enough to persuade state ing but not limited to” univer- representatives to move the sity presidents, chancellors, ä See RECORDS, page 2B senior vice chancellors and

better, data shows

Salary nearly double median level

BY ADAM DAIGLE

Acadiana business editor

People employed in the technology field in Acadiana are making nearly double the median salary level, recent data shows.

The median salary for tech workers in the region is $76,253, well ahead of the overall median of $40,017, according to data released Thursday by the Lafayette Regional Technology Council.

ä See JOBS, page 2B

2B ● Saturday,April 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

Crawfish bread has deep roots in Marksville JOBS

Continued from page 1B

Treat has become New Orleans Jazz Fest favorite

BY JENNA ROSS Staff writer

MARKSVILLE — Three days until Jazz Fest, the calendar on the wall warned. A kitchen timer blared.

But John Ed Laborde calmly began another batch STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD of dough the same way he begins every batch of dough Thirty year Jazz Fest regular Janice Posey make her first stop that becomes, eventually, for crawfish bread with a dash of Crystal Hot Sauce at Food the base of his legendary Area I during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in crawfish bread. He scooped the flour and the yeast. He New Orleans on Thursday. flipped on the mixer and, after it got going, added the oil. teacher gave him the recipe, ‘You can sell this!’

He nudged. He tasted. He decades ago, for the dough.

It started with sausage The manager of a funeral bread. smiled.

Then he turned his atten- home, a frequent partner, is Laborde was in his 20s, livtion to the next step, then the his best friend. Three genera- ing in Lafayette and selling next, trying not to let himself tions of one Marksville fam- antidepressants for a drug think too far ahead in the ily have worked for him in company when he began baking sausage bread for his logistical feat before him. the kitchen.

Bringing eight days’ Then there’s his friends, also salespeople.

“And salesmen being what worth of crawfish family: One of his bread from this hums o n s , N i c h o l a s , they are, they said, ‘You can handles Panaroma sell this!’” ble plant in Avoyelles So he did, on the side. He’d Foods’ online presParish to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage ence, from shipping been bored at work, meeting Festival involves five to Facebook videos. his weekly quota by Wednesweeks of preparation, His other son, Chris- day. Eventually he talked to some 4,500 pounds of topher, a retired his boss, who encouraged crawfish, nine hulk- Laborde National Guard me- him to follow this path and ing convection ovens, chanic, handles the told him: His leaving would hundreds of sheet pans and equipment, including the be like a hand pulling from multiple 3-hour drives. bum oven. His stepdaughter, a bucket of water, Laborde This year, it also involved Elizabeth Mayeaux, does the said, chuckling.

They’d fill in behind him, as amassing peeled crawfish bookkeeping and takes the if he were never there. amid a worker shortage. catering orders.

A faded newspaper arAnd, on the fest’s first morn“What size jambalaya?” she ing, dealing with an oven on asked a caller on Monday, ticle hanging from his woodmarking a form. paneled office tells the story the fritz.

They all try to keep of “26-year-old John Ed But Laborde, 67, is quick to laugh, even as he’s on his Laborde from answering the Laborde of Marksville, betknees, handing over a screw- phone. Because they know ter known as ‘The Man with that he’ll agree to another the Pan.’” driver.

He brought a sample to the Over decades of slinging wedding, another luncheon. bread at the fest and cater- But as a rule, the company district manager of Kroger.

He blew insulation into his ing events in the parish, he won’t turn down a funeral.

“When somebody passes aunt’s 9-year-old van, turnhas built a team he can count on, a community that has his away, you do it,” he said, ing it into a makeshift frozen shrugging, “whether Jazz food vehicle that, somehow, back.

His high school theater Fest is tomorrow or not.” passed inspection. Soon, he

ARREST

Continued from page 1B Late last year, detectives reviewing the cold case worked with the Acadiana Crime Lab to reexamine and retest evidence, resulting in a successful DNA match that identified the

RECORDS

Continued from page 1B bill forward. They questioned its potential negative implications.

“What areas can we find a way to make this cleaner?” asked state Rep. Ed Larvadain, D-Alexandria. “Because as an ethics body, we

BILL

was selling sausage bread in grocery stores across the parish and in Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

“I am giving it the old American try,” he told the reporter, “but I am working harder now than when I did for the drug company.”

Laborde came up with crawfish bread, a calzone-like creation, in the mid-1980s, after Cajun cuisine won fans at the World’s Fair. He got into Jazz Fest — becoming a hit, then a tradition. He missed just one year, 2023, after the fest’s administration made some changes to the food vendors’ contracts that Laborde couldn’t stomach.

He missed it. And fans missed him, too, showing up in Marksville wearing Jazz Fest shirts.

“I was really low,” he said.

“I couldn’t even go fishing.”

So in 2024, after some negotiation, he returned.

Most days, Laborde arrives at the Marksville plant, which flies the Jazz Fest flag, at 3:30 a.m. He bakes cinnamon rolls and chats with the few customers who stop by to talk fishing or politics.

(Laborde was mayor from 1994 to 1998, and a council member before that.) They included a plumber, on a recent Monday, and a pair of construction workers.

By 7 a.m., when his employees clocked in, he’d readied the first batches dough to be rolled, filled, baked, wrapped and frozen.

The company bought a dough divider. But much of the work is still done by hand. And Laborde still mixes each batch.

“What we do, he do just the same,” said Trinese Bryan, 56, who has worked at Panaroma either part- or fulltime for 15 years. That includes wrapping bread, she said, and washing dishes.

“Being in the country, it’s

just different — you have to be in your business,” said James Bernard, founder of J Bernard Seafood. Since Bernard sold crawfish out of his truck, he’s been supplying Laborde. The two have become friends, too, chatting about the struggles of owning a small business.

Three years ago, Bernard built a new crawfish peeling plant with space for 175 workers. But this year, because of delays in the H-2B temporary work visa program, just a few dozen people are peeling.

Getting Laborde the cooked crawfish tail meat he’d need for Jazz Fest was “top priority,” Bernard said.

“We had his tucked away.”

‘When I start to get nervous’ They’d left Marksville just after 4 on Thursday morning.

By 8:30, the team was unloading at the Fair Grounds, behind their booth in Food Area 1. Equipment and extension cords, foil sheets and paper towels.

At 9:10, they lit the ovens.

“This is when I start to get nervous,” Laborde said, still smiling, his hand on one of the ovens in the booth’s back.

“It’s not gonna warm any faster with your hand on it,” said his friend Ryan Bordelon, the funeral home manager.

By this point, Laborde had put $140,000 into Jazz Fest and, based on past years, he might not sell that much crawfish, shrimp and sausage bread, for $11.50 apiece, until the fifth or sixth day.

Laborde has never lost money on the festival, he said.

But some years, especially the rainy ones, things are tight. So it’s a risk, always.

“I’ve got some bills I’ve gotta pay,” he said. “The propane man, the diesel man.

Everybody’s looking for me next week.”

suspect as Dronet.

Dronet was already being held at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on an unrelated domestic abuse charge and violation of protective order charge during the time of his arrest.

“To make an arrest in this case after decades without answers reflects the value of attention to detail, sus-

tained commitment and the impact of taking a fresh look at the evidence,” said Sheriff Mark Garber. “Advances in technology also played an important role, allowing investigators to reexamine key pieces of evidence in new ways. That combination ultimately made the difference. I’m proud of the professional-

ism and persistence of our detectives that led to this outcome and to finally being able to provide closure in this case.”

On Dec. 2, 1994, LPSO responded to a report of a stabbing in the 4200 block of Cameron Street. Meche, the victim, was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Meche was a Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam and owned Perry’s Barber Shop in Rayne.

Dronet was arrested in Texas back in 1995 in connection with armed robbery in Abbeville. In 1994, he was arrested for marijuana possession.

Dronet does not appear on Lafayette jail rosters.

don’t want people to be in the dark.”

He said he was worried about “dark money” affecting universities. He said lawmakers needed to balance the public interest with protecting universities.

Scott Sternberg, a First Amendment attorney, testified that Abraham’s amendments improved the bill, but still questioned why the bill

was necessary. Sternberg often represents The TimesPicayune | The Advocate in lawsuits, and was one of the attorneys who sued LSU in 2013 over its secretive presidential search. That lawsuit ended with an appeals court ruling that LSU had to release names of finalists.

“We spend a lot of money on higher education in this state, and we pay these folks

a lot of money,” Sternberg testified. “Determining how that person was selected is getting harder and harder for the public.”

Abraham said he worries that applicant pools are less qualified for university presidential jobs because candidates fear their names being made public. He also said that donors to university foundations are given ano-

nymity if they request it, but that if universities want donor information transferred over, it could then become public.

“The donations are where you’re losing me,” said state Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-New Iberia.

Beaullieu, the committee chair, later advised Abraham to work with opponents to rewrite the bill.

to Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. Continued from page 1B In other cases, similar suits have been dismissed, greenhouse gas emissions of including one brought by entire U.S. economic sectors the North Carolina town of Carrboro against the utility on individual damages.

“No. 1, you can’t figure out Duke Energy. who was to blame. You can’t find the emission. You can’t ‘Deep concern’ identify it, so you just sue Several other legislators everyone,” said Geymann, on the panel echoed Geywho chairs the committee. mann’s thoughts about what The woman who triggered they saw as a weak and the Washington suit, Julie overly litigious attempt to Leon, died from heatstroke connect purported climate in June 2021 when tempera- change impacts with inditures peaked at 108 degrees vidual companies.

Fahrenheit.

State Rep. Tim Kerner, RFiled last year in state Lafitte, said he was the maycourt, her suit seeks damag- or of Lafitte, a coastal fishes from ExxonMobil, Chev- ing community, for years ron and other companies, ac- and repeatedly had to recusing them of spending de- cover from hurricanes and cades misleading the public other storms but wouldn’t about climate change, as the have ever attempted to companies continued to pro- bring such a suit.

The first version of Geyduce and burn fossil fuels, according to news accounts. mann’s bill had raised conEarlier suits brought by cerns that its language state and municipal govern- would unintentionally rements have relied on similar lieve industries of liabillegal reasoning. Maui Coun- ity for other emissions and ty in Hawaii sued major oil for accidental releases. An companies in 2020, alleging amended version adopted without opposition clarified increasing wildfire risk.

Two years after the 2023 it only applies to suits tied wildfires devastated Maui, to climate change damage.

The changes also removed the county sued and won a court ruling that beat back a specific conditions the origipreemptive U.S. Justice De- nal bill had set up to allow partment lawsuit attempt- a climate change suit to go ing to prevent the state from forward and instead simply bringing the case, according barred that kind of suit.

Known as the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, the bill drew widespread support from groups that advocate for the state’s oil and gas, chemical industries, and agricultural interests.

These groups argued allowing such litigation would create new costs for their industries, hamper economic growth and investment, and represent an improper attempt to set national energy policy through the courts.

“These lawsuits will not solve climate change. They will not improve the environment. What they will do is raise costs and make it harder for employ(ers) to invest and create jobs in this state,” said David Cresson, president and chief executive officer of the Louisiana Chemistry Association.

Speaking for the Sierra Club’s Louisiana-based Delta Chapter, Peter Robins-Brown said the group opposed the bill because it would eliminate suits that could be a “tool” for spurring action on climate change globally.

“This would remove one of the tools from the toolbox of trying to fight back against climate change,” said Robins-Brown, who is also executive director of the Louisiana Progress advocacy group. He added that it was causing “deep

concern.”

Decades of science have established that the burning of fossil fuels and other human-made introductions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere have led to a 1.98-degree Fahrenheit rise in global temperatures between the mid-19th century and 2020, the latest estimate of the Intergovernmental

The group, which was formed last year, revealed the data during LRTC Day at Innovate South as a comprehensive data resource dedicated to understanding Acadiana’s technology sector.

Powered by labor market data from Lightcast, it provides a trackable view of the region’s tech workforce, including employment, wages, job growth and in-demand skills. It was officially revealed during a fireside chat at LRTC Day at Innovate South.

“A year ago, we launched the LRTC on a simple belief that Acadiana’s tech community needed a home,” said Chair Ben Johnson, CEO of Techneaux Technology Services. “One year in, we have that community, and now we have the data to back it up. This dashboard gives us something we’ve never had before: a shared, honest picture of where we stand.”

Other data shows the strength of the industry in Acadiana, including: n 6,218 jobs in the region, including 3,917 in Lafayette Parish. n Overall jobs are up 13% since 2010, but software developer roles are up 77% since 2020. n More than two-thirds of jobs in the region are in manufacturing, energy, government or other fields not in the information and professional services sector.

The dashboard, available at lafayettetechdashboard .com, is a starting point for the industry in the region and its impact on the local economy, said Vice Chair Will LaBar, vice president of consulting services at CGI. “To me, the biggest takeaway is we have an as-is understanding of where we’re at,” he said. “If you’re able to do that, you can start to build a plan, enroll people in the plan and get everyone rowing in the same direction. I was just super excited to have this line of sight. It’s incredible.”

Since its founding, the LRTC has hosted seven events that have attracted hundreds, launched a project-based learning program to connect 58 students with 32 industry mentors and made other efforts to support the industry.

The initiative emerged from One Acadiana’s Leadership Exchange and is supported by the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, Opportunity Machine and One Acadiana.

LOTTERY

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026 PICK 3: 4-4-0 PICK 4: 3-6-0-8 PICK 5: 3-3-7-0-5

Panel on Climate Change concluded.

That rise, which is sharper than natural changes that occurred for millions Unofficial notification, of years prior, is contributkeep your tickets. ing to greater weather extremes and is projected to continue to raise sea levels Funerals Today and inundate coastal areas, according to the IPCC, an Simon, Jeannette La Chapelle de Martin & Castille in arm of the United Nations.

Lafayette at 10am.

.theacadianaadvocate.com Announcements Thank You Charlene Marie Richard for Answered Prayers.

Charlene, when you were only twelve years old, you showed heroic faith, hope, and love; dying of leukemia, you joined yourself to Jesus on His Cross and offered your intense pain for others. You thereby echoed St. Paul’s words to his people in Colossians 1:24: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of His Body, the Church.”

Charlene, I believe you are with God. Please ask our Heavenly Father, His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit to grant me the following favor: (mention favor sought). Charlene, thank you for helping me. May Jesus Christ always be praised.

May Mary, Jesus’ Ever-Virgin Mother, always be blessed.

Amen

Garage Sales

Pets

BROUSSARD 1102 Huval Dr. (Village at Broussard). Saturday, Apr 25th, 7a3p. New Gifts, clothes, shoes, bags, hh items, furniture, cosmetics & $1 Bins. Too much to list.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS

CATS RAGAMUFFIN & RAGDOLL KITTENS www.CatsByFrancy.com/kittens $1500up! Reg. Shots & Guaranty 337-230-3150

On your phone.

On the go.

Subscribe today Scan the QR code Cancel anytime

SIGN UP TODAY

lll

BUSINESS

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Saturday, April 25, 2026 ● 3B

T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M/news/business

DOW 49,230.71 -79.61 -0.16%

NASDAQ 24,836.60 398.10 1.63%

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Intel has best day since 1987 after profit report

NEW YORK — A surge for Intel following a blowout profit report led the U.S. stock market to records Friday, while oil prices kept yo-yoing in the wait for what’s next with the Iran war.

Intel led the way and roared past its 2000 peak during the dot-com boom to an all-time high. It soared 23.6% for its best day since 1987 after reporting much stronger results for the first three months of the year than analysts expected.

CEO Lip-Bu Tan said the next wave of artificial-intelligence technology is increasing the need for Intel’s chips and products, and the company’s forecast for profit in the spring topped analysts’ estimates.

Such strong profit reports have helped Wall Street rally to records, and the S&P 500 has leaped nearly 13% in a little under a month. Hopes have also built in financial markets that the United States and Iran can find a way to avoid a worstcase scenario for the global economy because of their war.

Procter & Gamble rose 2.5% after reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. CEO Shailesh Jejurikar said it saw broad-based growth across regions and products, which include Bounty paper towels and Tide detergent.

That helped offset a drop of 25.5% for Charter Communications, whose profit for the latest quarter came in weaker than analysts expected. It lost 120,000 internet customers during the three months, more than some analysts expected.

Norfolk Southern’s profit falls 27% Norfolk Southern railroad’s first-quarter profit fell 27% because it didn’t collect big insurance payments related to the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment and its planned merger with Union Pacific added to its costs.

The Atlanta-based railroad said Friday that it earned $547 million, or $2.43 per share.

That’s down from $750 million, or $3.31 per share, a year ago. The disastrous derailment in the small town on the OhioPennsylvania border has generally boosted earnings in recent quarters as the railroad collected insurance payments, but that wasn’t the case this time, so it combined with planning costs related to the merger, earnings per share were reduced by 22 cents. Last year’s results were also helped by some land sales.

CEO Mark George said the railroad also dealt with the uncertain economy that reduced the shipments it delivered by 1%, along with severe weather and rapidly rising fuel costs.

The railroad’s revenue was relatively flat at just under $3 billion. But its expenses jumped 15% when insurance payments from the derailment added $185 million to Norfolk Southern’s bottom line.

Stellantis deploying gun-sniffing K-9 units Stellantis NV is deploying firearm-sniffing dogs at several auto plants, a move that’s raised concerns at one major factory over potentially creating a “prisonlike” atmosphere that could impact worker morale.

The K-9 units have already been working without issue for months at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan, where the Ram 1500 pickup is made, a local union leader confirmed. They are next headed to the Detroit Assembly Complex’s Mack plant, where the Jeep Grand Cherokee is built, according to a company statement.

The dogs and their handlers are there to “support workplace safety and employee wellbeing,” the Stellantis statement said, and were picked for their ability to work comfortably in a manufacturing environment.

Other major Stellantis plants are expecting to soon have K-9 units patrolling entrances, factory floors and parking lots — a move that several workers and United Auto Workers officials described as unusual.

S&P 500 7,165.08 56.68 0.80%

EURO 1.1720 0.0035 0.30%

CRUDE OIL 94.88 -0.97 -1.01%

GOLD 4,714.40 9.30 0.20%

6-MO T-BILLS 3.71 -0.01 -0.27%

30-YR T-BONDS 4.92 -0.0 -0.02%

Panama Canal reroute costing $4M Businesses dodging ongoing chaos in Strait of Hormuz

BY ALMA SOLÍS and MEGAN JANETSKY

Associated Press

PANAMA CITY — Businesses have doled out as much as $4 million for last-minute plans to move boats through the Panama Canal in recent weeks, the Panama Canal Authority says, as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz generates a seismic shift in global trade flows.

While passage through the canal usually comes at a flat rate via reservations, companies without one

can cross by paying an additional fee in an auction for slots, which are awarded to the highest bidder, rather than waiting for days off the coast of Panama City.

The demand for slots skyrocketed and the price ballooned in recent weeks as Iran and the United States have bottlenecked the strait. Ships have increasingly traveled through the Panama Canal as shipments are rerouted and buyers purchase from other countries to avoid commerce through now-treacherous Middle Eastern waterway.

“With all the bombings, the missiles, the drones … companies are saying it’s safer and less expensive to cross through the Panama Canal,” said Rodrigo Noriega, a lawyer and analyst in Panama City. “All of this

is affecting global supply chains.”

Meanwhile, Panama’s government is “maximizing what it can earn from the Panama Canal,” Noriega said.

The average price to cross through the canal ranges between $300,000 and $400,000 depending on the vessel. Previously, to get an earlier crossing, businesses would pay an additional $250,000 to $300,000.

In recent weeks, the average additional cost has jumped to around $425,000.

Ricaurte Vásquez, the canal’s administrator, said one company that he would not name paid an extra $4 million when its fuel vessel had to change its destination because of ongoing geopolitical tensions.

“It was a ship carrying fuel to Eu-

rope, and they redirected it to Singapore, and it needed to get there because Singapore is running out of fuel,” he said.

Other oil companies paid an excess of $3 million in addition to the crossing fee to accelerate their passage in the face of soaring oil prices.

The extra fees are becoming so high not because ships are piling up at the canal, but rather because of last-minute shifts and greater urgency for vessels to pass through in the wake of broader trade chaos, Vásquez said. He emphasized that these costs were temporarily being shouldered by companies based on their level of urgency.

“They decide how high to go on the price,” Vásquez said.

Chinese carmakers flaunt tech Top automakers showcase latest models in Beijing

BY HAN GUAN NG and CHAN HO-HIM Associated Press

BEIJING — China’s top automakers are showcasing their latest models and technologies from intelligent driving to ultrafast charging in Beijing as they compete with global rivals in overseas markets.

Analysts say the biennial auto show in China’s capital, which opened to media on Friday, shows how its auto industry is setting the global pace for cutting-edge technologies in areas such as electric vehicles and batteries, eclipsing many foreign brands that used to dominate the global market.

More than 1,450 vehicles are on display at this year’s show, including 181 global debuts.

The show runs until May 3.

Intelligent driving, fast charging Chinese EV maker XPeng is showing off its latest GX model, a six-seater SUV with a third row seats that can lie completely flat, among other new displays and technologies.

Huge crowds gathered for a presentation by its founder and CEO He Xiaopeng, who described more high-tech aspects of the vehicle.

“When you’re driving on the highway, you fall asleep, or if you feel unwell and can no longer control the vehicle, the system can detect the situation, pull over automatically and alert emergency services,” He said. “Many people who have tried it say it’s amazing.”

Chinese EV maker BYD showcased its new generation of the fast charging “blade” EV battery, first unveiled last month, which can achieve a near full charge in nine minutes, at the auto show, as well as demonstrated charging under the low temperature of minus 30 degree Celsius. Also showcased by Yijing, a EV joint venture between Chinese carmaker Dongfeng Motor Corp. and technology giant Huawei, was the X9, their flagship six-seat SUV. According to Chairman Wang Junjun, the new model will features some of the latest auto technology, including a next-generation Qiankun intelligent driving system and a new HarmonyOS cockpit and operating system developed by Huawei.

Ahead of the show, Chinese battery giant CATL unveiled on Tuesday a new version of its “Shenxing” battery, which can be charged from 10% to 98% in only about six-and-a-half minutes.

China’s ‘aggressive’ advancements The auto show showcases the “speed and aggressiveness of advancement” among Chinese automakers, said Tu Le, managing director of consultancy Sino Auto Insights. “It

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NG HAN GUAN

He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of XPENG speaks at the Auto China 2026 in Beijing on Friday. just reinforces that the Chinese — whether in EVs, batteries, intelligent driving — are setting the pace for all these important sectors,” he said.

“China has become one of the fastestmoving markets for deploying and iterating new vehicle technologies, giving consumers early access to some of the most advanced features,” said Chris Liu, a senior analyst at research and advisory group Omdia.

China has become the world’s biggest car exporter, benefiting from its ability to reap cost advantages from its huge scale as well as significant government subsidies and support that helped automakers to rapidly scale up and more quickly rolling out new models and technologies than their foreign competitors.

But Chinese automakers has been facing immense pressure from ferocious price wars over the past months. This year, the government has scaled back subsidies encouraging drivers to switch to EVs and plug-in hybrids, weighing on domestic demand.

Sales of passenger cars in China dropped 23% in the January-March quarter from a year earlier to around 4 million vehicles, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. But exports jumped 63% to almost 2 million vehicles as Chinese cars made inroads in regions like Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Omdia forecasts China’s passenger vehicle exports will grow by around 14% year-onyear in 2026.

The hypercompetitive Chinese market have pulled vehicle prices down by a fifth

over the past two years, according to a report this week by consultancy AlixPartners.

Few new tech expected to be exported Few of the new technologies showcased at the auto show may be exported to overseas markets in the short term due to regulatory and safety challenges, Liu said. But they signal “capabilities that can be refined and adapted for global markets over time.”

Even as foreign automakers have been losing market share in recent years in China, some are staging a comeback, with Volkswagen Group announcing on Tuesday plans for installing “agentic” AI into its vehicles for China. It also unveiled new EV models for the Chinese market, including the new UNYX 09 electric sedan co-developed with XPeng.

While the foreign car brands may try to “stabilize” their market share in China, “gaining back a significant market share they had before is, to my perspective, not realistic,” said Andreas Radics, managing director at Berylls by AlixPartners specialized in the automotive industry.

Meanwhile, given the growing demand and often better profitability in overseas markets, Chinese automakers have been shifting from exporting cars from China to building more factories overseas, including in Hungary and Turkey, to increase supplies abroad and avert trade friction.

Chinese carmakers are likely to almost triple their overseas production by 2030 to 3.4 million vehicles from 1.2 million last year, according to AlixPartners estimates.

DeepSeek rolls out anticipated update of its AI model Chinese startup shook up world markets last year

BY CHAN HO-HIM and MATT O’BRIEN Associated Press

HONG KONG — DeepSeek, the Chinese artificial intelligence startup that shook world markets last year, launched preview versions of its latest major update Friday as the AI rivalry between China and the U.S. heats up.

DeepSeek’s V4 has been keenly anticipated by users looking to test how it compares to U.S. competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s

Gemini. Anthropic and OpenAI have accused DeepSeek of unfairly building its technology off their own.

Some industry analysts had expected the new model to arrive more than two months earlier at the start of the Lunar New Year.

DeepSeek says the new V4 open-source models, which include “pro” and “flash” versions, have big improvements in knowledge, reasoning and in their “agentic” capabilities — the ability to perform complex tasks and workflows autonomously.

Another big change is they are supported in part by computer chips made by Chinese tech giant Huawei, reducing DeepSeek’s reliance on U.S. chipmakers like

Nvidia.

V4 is a successor to V3, an AI model that DeepSeek released in late 2024.

But it was DeepSeek’s specialized “reasoning” AI model, called R1, that took markets by surprise with its release in January 2025.

DeepSeek claimed it was more cost-effective than OpenAI’s similar model and it became a symbol of how China was catching up with the U.S. in technological advancements.

DeepSeek said the “V4 Pro Max” version has “superior performance” in terms of standard reasoning benchmarks relative to OpenAI’s GPT-5.2 model and Google’s Gemini 3.0-Pro. It falls “marginally” short of GPT-5.4 and Gemini 3.1-Pro, it said. Deep-

Seek’s release came hours after OpenAI released its new GPT-5.5 model on Thursday.

In terms of “agentic” capabilities, the Chinese company said the V4 “pro” version could outperform Claude’s Sonnet 4.5 and approaches the level of Claude’s Opus 4.5 model based on its own evaluation.

The “flash” version of V4 performs on a par with the “pro” version on simple agent tasks and has reasoning capabilities closely approaching it, DeepSeek said.

“Based on the benchmark results, it does appear DeepSeek V4 is going to be very competitive against its U.S. rivals,” said Lian Jye Su, chief analyst at the technology research and advisory group Omdia.

4B ● Saturday,April 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

OPINION T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M/opinions

ANOTHER VIEW

Trump needs to be careful in feud with pope The pope and the president walk into a bar ...

No, this isn’t the start of a joke. It’s not even about who’s right or wrong on the war in Iran. It’s about how President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on Pope Leo XIV have hurt the president’s standing with the American people.

Echoing popes throughout history, Leo has urged the use of diplomacy to keep an international conflict from spiraling into a wider war. “Work for peace” and reject the “madness of war,” he said.

Trump took the pope’s remarks personally.

In response, he wrote, “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” criticizing Leo as if he were an election opponent. Using campaign-style rhetoric, he also Ron went after the pope for being “too liberal.”

Faucheux The drama escalated when Trump posted an image of himself as a Christ-like figure — a move that 71% of Americans disliked, according to the latest Economist/YouGov poll.

Then Vice President JD Vance got into the act. At a Turning Point USA event in Georgia, he said he “kind of” likes it when the pope comments on political issues such as immigration, abortion, war and peace. Then he sternly instructed the pope to “be careful when he talks about matters of theology.” Huh? Perhaps Vance should be more careful when he talks about these matters, especially with this pope. Leo has taught canon law, served as an ecclesiastical court judge and led the worldwide Augustinian order. Wouldn’t you assume the pope is already pretty well versed on theology, including St. Augustine’s theory of a “just war”?

Perhaps Trump should explain to the American people why the conflict with Iran meets the standards of a just war. If he did, maybe his poll numbers would go up.

Right or wrong, most Americans are unhappy with the war: only 31% approve of it, and just 34% support the president’s handling of it. By a two-to-one margin, U.S. adults are more likely to approve the pope’s statements than to disapprove.

Trump’s favorable rating among U.S. voters is 43%; Pope Leo’s rating is 61%.

In 2024, Trump beat Kamala Harris by a 20-point margin among Catholic voters, according to exit polling. That was crucial to his election, and Catholic voters will be crucial in the next one.

But let’s be clear: This does not mean that Catholics necessarily agree with all the pope’s public statements, nor does it mean that non-Catholics disagree with them. It also doesn’t mean that a U.S. president should seek the pope’s approval before he pursues policy goals; John Kennedy made that clear when he became the first Catholic president.

Still, it does a president no good when disagreement with a sitting pope sinks into a political mud fight. Historically, presidents have understood this.

In 1848, President James K. Polk asked Congress to establish diplomatic relations with the Papal States while Pius IX was pope. Woodrow Wilson was the first president to meet a pope, Benedict XV. Franklin Roosevelt appointed a personal envoy to Pius XII. Dwight Eisenhower met John XXIII, helping normalize face-to-face engagement. Kennedy met both John XXIII and Paul VI and was careful not to appear subservient to either. Lyndon Johnson and Paul VI were friendly but often disagreed over peace efforts in Vietnam. Richard Nixon was the third president to meet Paul VI, and Gerald Ford the fourth.

John Paul II was the first pope to visit the White House, doing so during Jimmy Carter’s presidency. Ronald Reagan’s relationship with John Paul II is often considered the most consequential; both worked to limit Soviet power and support Poland’s freedom.

Recent Democratic presidents — Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the second Catholic president — had cordial relations with reigning popes, though they had serious differences over abortion and family issues. George W. Bush and Benedict XVI disagreed over the Iraq War. Trump was the first modern president to publicly feud with a pope. He didn’t hesitate to attack Francis, especially on immigration and climate issues. Trump called the pope’s views “disgraceful” and accused him of being a “pawn” of the Mexican government.

Trump’s supporters are correct to say the president has a right to defend his policies. But how he does it also matters.

Starting an unnecessary fight with the pope could weaken public support for his agenda and that could undermine his party’s chances in November’s elections. That’s why, for Trump and his allies, this matter is no joke.

Ron Faucheux is a nonpartisan political analyst, pollster and writer based in Louisiana

YOUR VIEWS

Don’t shield audience from Cassidy’s TV message falls flat Trump’s crude language On your April 6 front page, you headlined “Trump(‘s) ...fiery new threat against Iran” but failed to describe what was said by President Donald Trump that warranted the description of “fiery.”

Your incomplete report was surprising, as I always expect the complete story from this newspaper. In this instance, your omission failed to notify your readers of the shocking language used by the president, revealing his unsuitability for his position again.

Not quoting Trump’s “fiery” language may have been an attempt to downplay his coarse responses in critical situations, which were

Sen. Bill Cassidy’s TV ad urges us to “call Dr. Cassidy and thank him” for his work with President Donald Trump in getting a fentanyl law passed.

I find the message to be arrogant. We need to call Cassidy and thank him for doing his job?

Does he thank his refuse collector for taking out his trash? Does he thank the folks cooking his meals at restaurants? We thank people when they do an exceptional job, not simply when they’re doing the minimum. Cassidy, in my opinion, hasn’t done anything exceptional since he became a senator. That said, I’ll have to hold my nose and vote for him in November simply because he’s “the devil I know.”

What a mess.

widely reproduced. Or perhaps it was an attempt to shield your readers from his vulgarity? If the latter, permit me to note that almost all television and most print media have used verbatim the vulgar words uttered by Trump (the F-word and others) that, unfortunately, are used repeatedly in the public domain.

Whatever your intention, your incomplete description has deprived your readers again of more evidence of Trump’s inability to deal carefully, coolly and capably with the crises of our world.

ELLEN AND STAN KESSLER Metairie

JOHN SINGLETON Baton Rouge

3-year degree a step in the wrong direction I read your March 29 article “Higher ed leaders OK three-year bachelor’s degree” by reducing Louisiana colleges’ long-existing four-year bachelor’s degree programs to three years.

On that very same day, the New York Times reported that “The economics of degrees have changed.” And that “too many graduate from colleges with useless degrees.”

Several days later, on April 2, you reported that “UNO to see some academic changes” by eliminating and reducing a selected number of courses, programs and even whole

Senate Bill 356, currently before the Louisiana Legislature, is an important bill to pass. The bill, which should be heard in the Senate Environmental Quality committee, requires certain industrial facilities to monitor toxic pollutants. This well-written bill will save the industry and the state significant money and will improve the health of Louisianans.

PHILIP MONTELEPRE New Orleans

Another great year to be part of Crescent City Classic I am writing to thank all those involved with organizing the Crescent City Classic for the flawless execution of the 48th event on April 4.

As a ‘Yat transplant to the Red Stick who ran in the first CCC, I still come back every year for this fun run from Champions Square by Caesars Superdome through downtown New Orleans and the French Market area, and then proceeding

Don’t ignore bill on toxic pollutants

departments.

While Louisiana ranks among the bottom three states (along with Mississippi and West Virginia) in higher education, our so-called “education leaders” persist in “reforms” that, over the intermediate and long term, result in lowering our ranking even more.

The best interpretation is that while Louisiana has made progress in some academic areas, it continues to struggle with overall proficiency rates and long-term student outcomes.

down Esplanade Avenue with an end at the beautiful City Park.

This year, it was great to run as a charity runner for “Ainsley’s Angels” team and to see friends and members of other teams that I’ve run with in the past, like the “New Orleans Musician’s Clinic Team” and “Team Steve Gleason.”

Geaux CCC!

KEITH HORCASITAS Baton Rouge

MARION FREISTADT New Orleans

LSU should remember coaches are also supposed to be role models Are we that desperate in Louisiana? I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw that LSU rehired Will Wade as its new basketball coach. According to the newspaper, he was found guilty of multiple serious NCAA violations, including improper payments and unethical conduct. He also made payments to the fiancee of a player and failed to produce requested documents. He received a 10game suspension to start

the 2023-24 season. All of this information was published.

Sadly, this is the person LSU hired not only to lead its basketball team, but to be a role model to the young men and women that he will come in contact with as a coach. With the thousands of good men and women willing to coach at LSU, how could they settle for anything less?

KIM MINOR New Orleans

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR LOCAL REPORTING

KEVIN HALL

President & Publisher

RENE SANCHEZ

VP/News, Executive Editor

KARYN KEARNEY EVP/Strategic Partnerships

ARNESSA GARRETT Managing Editor/ Opinion

JUSTIN MITCHELL

Managing Editor/ Audience

HANK STUEVER

Managing Editor/ Enterprise

FRED KALMBACH

JENNIFER BROWN

JERRY DICOLO

EMMA DISCHER

Managing Editor

Managing Editor, New Orleans

KRISTIN ASKELSON Managing Editor, Acadiana

BARBARA LEADER Managing Editor, Shreveport

Senior Editor Senior Editor

ANDREA GALLO Senior Editor/ Investigations

JESSICA WILLIAMS Senior Editor

ROGER HOLMES Executive VP, Operations

LOU HUDSON

VP/Majors & Nationals

JIM MYERS

VP/Finance

ROBERT STOLL

VP/Distribution

ASHLEY WHITCHER VP/IT

KYLE WHITFIELD

VP/ Consumer Sales

ROBERT YOUNG

General Manager/ Advertising

G

GEORGES MEDIA GROUP JOHN D. GEORGES Owner

JUDI TERZOTIS

Chief Executive Officer Editorial Page

DAN SHEA

Chairman

ARNESSA GARRETT STEPHANIE GRACE WILL SUTTON QUIN HILLYER FAIMON ROBERTS

OFFICIAL NEWS PARTNER OF THE LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS

SPORTS

T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

|

S at u r d ay, a p r i l 25, 2026

RED -WHI T E SPRING GAME • 11 A .M. SAT URDAy

PEEK

1CN

Saints beef up defense with pick of Georgia DT Miller

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

After using their first-round pick to add an offensive playmaker, the New Orleans Saints kicked off Day 2 by investing in the trenches with Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller.

The 6-foot-4, 321-pound Miller excelled as a run defender, anchoring a defense that finished the 2025 season ä NFL draft as the nation’s No. 4 run Rounds 4-7 defense. He has a stout 11 A..M. SATURDAy, frame and a big reach, with an 80-inch wingspan.

ABC, ESPN, NFLN And the Georgia native is also, apparently, persuasive. After the Saints selected him, he quickly pivoted to changing his family’s long-held rooting interests.

“They gotta convert,” Miller said of his family, who supported the division rival Atlanta Falcons. “They are dirty birds fans, but they ain’t dirty birds no more.”

Originally a four-star recruit, Miller spent his entire college career at Georgia — opting to stay with the Bulldogs after redshirting as a true freshman. He cracked the starting lineup in his redshirt freshman season, then started 24 of his final 26 games.

He considered entering the NFL draft after his redshirt sophomore season, but he

ä See SAINTS, page 2C

UL linebacker Conor McPherson reacts after finishing a drill during spring practice on March 26 at the UL practice facility. STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Cajuns set to show off progress during Red-White game

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

UL starting quarterback Lunch Winfield will participate in the annual Red-White spring game at 11 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.

Just don’t expect to see him get tackled.

Last year, all of the UL quarterbacks were live in the spring game, but only the backups — Daniel Beale, Sam Altmann and Coleman Carter — will be this time around.

“They’ve been live in every scrimmage that we’ve had, which has been good for them,” UL coach Michael Desormeaux said. “They need that. Like I said, a little bit of it with some young guys on the offensive line, they had some pressure — a little bit in their face, and they’ve had to stand in there. And some of the things that, you know, stand in there and make throws, standing there and take hits.”

The format will be two 20-minute halves with no live kicking. The ball will be placed at the 30 after scores.

“We just want to get enough where those guys get to play and kind of get to go out there and get in the rhythm a little bit,” Desormeaux said. “It’ll be pretty short, sweet and to the point. The bulk of the work is done.”

Because of injuries and other depth-chart issues, there will be some positions with crossover players who play on both teams when necessary.

“We’ll try to split it up as evenly as possible,” Desormeaux said. “There will be some of that stuff that will be a little bit different, but really we’re just looking forward to letting the guys go out there one more time this spring.”

Among the top players missing from the spring game

ä See CAJUNS, page 3C

These Tigers having splendid spring

BY REED DARCEY

Staff writer

LSU’s first spring practices under coach Lane Kiffin are almost over.

The Tigers scheduled 15 practices from March 24 through Saturday, and they’ve been using that time to turn a mishmash group of returners, freshmen and transfers into one cohesive unit. After one of the earlier sessions, Kiffin likened his offense to an “expansion team.”

There’s lots of new faces — and not much time to get them all on the same page.

Who from the group has stood out from the rest?

Here’s an alphabetical list of 10 players who have caught our eye during spring practices so far.

S • TY BENEFIELD Benefield was one of the early standouts, and he didn’t even have to make any plays in team drills. He just looks the part.

The Boise State transfer led Mountain West safeties in tackles for loss (8.5) last season, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s long, tall and rangy. LSU is lining him up at free safety next to Tamarcus Cooley, but he could play down in the box at times next season. Kiffin seems open to moving

his top three safeties around the field.

LG • BO BORDELON Bordelon is a fifth-year senior who’s started only one game, yet he’s spent all of spring as the first-team left guard. The Tigers haven’t put anyone else at that spot so far, which means he’ll begin preseason camp as the favorite to land that starting job. It’s a surprise. Last year, Bordelon was a tackle who saw the field only when LSU used jumbo sets. Kiffin and his staff seem to think he can do more.

QB • LANDEN CLARK Clark, a transfer quarterback from Division II Elon, is Kiffin’s developmental project. In the spring, he’s traded firstteam reps with Southern Cal transfer Husan Longstreet while starter Sam Leavitt (foot) is sidelined. Those reps have been valuable for the redshirt sophomore, who’s made steady progress since the Tigers opened practice. He can scramble, and he’s flashed some downfield accuracy, too.

RT • WESTON DAVIS Davis started at right tackle for LSU last season, but he had a rough year. Only three SEC offensive linemen allowed more pressures than he did (33), according to Pro Football Focus. Davis decided

AP FILE PHOTO By PHELAN M. EBENHACK

Georgia defensive lineman Christen Miller heads to the sideline during a game against Florida on Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Miller was selected by the Saints in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday.

Moore’s injury could be boon for 2027 LSU baseball rotation

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU wide receiver Winston Watkins settles under the ball for a catch at spring practice on March 26 at the team’s ä See TIGERS, page 2C practice facility.

LSU’s worst fear on the mound has become true.

Cooper Moore is out for the year. The junior right-hander, who exited his start against Oklahoma on March 20 and hasn’t returned since, will undergo season-ending surgery to repair ä Extras in a fracture in his right Starkville: LSU at elbow, LSU coach Jay Mississippi St. ended Johnson confirmed to The Advocate on Monafter this edition day. went to press. For Basically, Moore has game coverage, visit a stress fracture at the theadvocate.com tip of his elbow. Johnson said he’ll need fourto-five months to recover from the injury.

“The thought was he could throw through it,” Johnson said on his radio show, “but what this does is it allows him to recoup a medical redshirt and allows him to still be a junior next year.”

The big question remaining for Moore is whether he’ll be back in the purple and gold next season. The Kansas transfer is drafteligible in July, even if Johnson said Monday that he will be back in 2027.

ä See ROTATION, page 2C

2C ● Saturday,April 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS On TV

AUTO RACING 7:55 a.m. Spain Grand Prix FS1 9:30 a.m. NASCAR Cup Series PRIME 11:30 a.m.ARCA Menards Series FS1 3 p.m.

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Series CW COLLEGE BASEBALL 11 a.m. Wake Forest at Georgia Tech ACCN 1 p.m.

Georgia at Ole Miss SECN 4 p.m.

Texas A&M at Florida SECN 6 p.m.

Clemson at Louisville ACCN 6:30 p.m. LSU at Mississippi St. ESPN2 7 p.m.

Texas at Vanderbilt SECN COLLEGE FOOTBALL 11 a.m. Minnesota Spring Game BTN 3 p.m.

Oregon Spring Game BTN COLLEGE SOFTBALL 11 a.m. Clemson at Duke ESPN2 11 a.m. Missouri at Arkansas SECN 1 p.m.

Penn St. at Illinois BTN 1:30 p.m. Georgia at Oklahoma ESPN2

ROTATION

Continued from page 1C “He’ll be back and pitching for LSU next year,” Johnson said, “and he’ll still have the junior leverage type deal in the draft.”

The risk of taking Moore in the draft is substantial because of his injury and the fact that he threw only eight innings in Southeastern Conference play. But he did have an impressive campaign last season at Kansas, and he posted a 3.38 ERA this year with just seven walks in 32 innings before getting hurt.

Moore doesn’t have the biggest frame and isn’t the hardest thrower on the staff, but he pounds the strike zone and has one of the best changeups on the team. That skill set was supposed to be a steadying force for a young rotation this season.

“There’s not as many spots in pro baseball, and if he’s not able to pitch, it harms that,” Johnson said Tuesday. “I guess somebody could

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C returned to Georgia and solidified himself as a prospect, earning first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior.

“It was the best decision I ever made,” Miller said. “I could’ve left for the NFL last year, but that was the easy way out for me. I wanted to be challenged. I wanted to come back and see how I can be better in college.”

As a player, Miller had a colorful description for his playing style.

“I want to run through some-

2 p.m.

4 p.m.

4 p.m.

5 p.m.

North Carolina at Virginia Tech ACCN Florida St. at Georgia Tech ACCN Texas Tech at Arizona St. ESPN2 UCLA at Washington BTN GOLF noon PGA Tour: Zurich Classic GOLF noon LPGA Tour: Memorial Park NBC 2 p.m.

PGA Tour: Zurich Classic CBS 2 p.m.

PGA Tour: Mitsubishi Classic CNBC 11 p.m. DP World Tour: Volvo China GOLF HORSE RACING noon America’s Day at the Races FS2 5 p.m.

America’s Day at the Races FS1 MLB 2 p.m.

Cleveland at Toronto FS1 5 p.m.

San Diego vs.Arizona MLBN NBA noon Detroit at Orlando NBCSN 2:30 p.m. Oklahoma City at Phoenix NBC 5 p.m.

New york at Atlanta NBC 7:30 p.m. Denver at Minnesota ABC

IN BRIEF

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

NFL NFL Draft: Rounds 4-7 ABC, ESPN NHL 2 p.m.

Carolina at Ottawa TBS 4:30 p.m. Dallas at Minnesota TBS 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia TBS MEN’S SOCCER 9 a.m.

Crystal Palace at Liverpool NBCSN 9 a.m.

Tottenham at Wolverhampton USA 11:30 a.m.Newcastle at Arsenal USA 3:30 p.m. LAFC at Minnesota United FOX 6 p.m.

Rhode Island at Hartford CBSSN 8 p.m.

Club León FC at Toluca CBSSN 10 p.m. Atlas at Club América CBSSN WOMEN’S SOCCER 11:10 a.m.Barcelona at Bayern Munich CBSSN noon Bay FC at Gotham FC CBS 5:30 p.m. Boston at Chicago ION 7:45 p.m. San Diego at Denver ION UFL 6 p.m.

St. Louis at Orlando ESPN 11 a.m.

MADRID — Carlos Alcaraz won’t play for a third successive French Open title due to a right wrist injury.

Alcaraz posted on X on Friday that he also would not appear in the preceding Italian Open in Rome, where he also won last year.

No. 2-ranked Alcaraz was injured at the Barcelona Open this month during his first-round win and withdrew the day after.

He pulled out of this week’s Madrid Open and attended the Laureus World Sports Awards in the Spanish capital on Monday with his wrist immobilized. Alcaraz was named world sportsman of the year at the gala.

Alcaraz confirmed he was a nogo for Paris after undergoing more medical tests on Friday.

The French Open opens on May 18.

Arkansas to drop men’s, women’s tennis programs

take him, but you’re taking him with no pitching on the horizon.

“I know our conversations, and that’s all I can go off of.”

LSU would benefit from having Moore back for the same reasons that he was valuable to the Tigers this season. The trio of sophomore right-hander Casan Evans, Moore and sophomore right-hander William Schmidt gave LSU its deepest starting rotation in Johnson’s tenure — three true starters for a program that usually operates with only two.

Next year, LSU will hope Schmidt and Evans take steps forward in their development.

Both have showed flashes of their immense potential this season.

Schmidt has 67 strikeouts in 50 innings. Evans has 76 strikeouts in 522/3 innings.

Finding consistency next season will be the key to their success. Evans has a 5.47 ERA, while Schmidt gave up seven earned runs in his last start against Texas A&M. “I think if we get a little bit more out of our starters, not a lot more,”

Email Koki Riley at koki.riley@ theadvocate.com. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/ lsunewsletter

LSU pitcher Cooper Moore skips off the mound after striking out a Milwaukee batter on Feb. 14 at Alex Box Stadium.

body’s face,” Miller said. “I seek physicality, I want physicality.

This is what I was taught, it’s how I’ve always been and that’s … what I live by.”

New Orleans opted to take Miller — considered by some to be a potential first-rounder — rather than bolstering other needs on defense, such as edge rusher or slot corner.

But while there’s not a clear need now at defensive tackle, Miller is an investment in the future. While both starters from last year’s unit — Nathan Shepherd and Davon Godchaux — are returning for 2026, both are into their 30s and entering the final

year of their contract.

The Saints also appeared to add another positive personality to their locker room.

“He’s always got a big smile on his face,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said during the team’s pro day this spring. “He loves football. I think that’s the overarching theme of a lot of teams; he’s been very talkative in meetings. He’s got a big personality, and I think it comes naturally to him. He’s been a great asset for us.”

Miller joins an impressive list of Georgia defensive linemen who have been drafted high in recent years, including first-round picks Jalen Carter, Travon Walker, Jor-

dan Davis and Devonta Wyatt.

Georgia played in the Sugar Bowl twice during Miller’s time there, and through that time he gained an appreciation of the city — so much so that he had told someone before the draft that he needed to make his way back for Mardi Gras.

But he’s also got a bit of a score to settle in New Orleans.

“We lost the Sugar Bowl two times in a row,” Miller said. “So, trust me, I got a bad taste in my mouth. We’re going to turn that around for sure.”

Johnson said, “(combined) with that contribution (from the bullpen), we’re going to be in games.”

Given that LSU will need to replace most of its lineup next season, it’s a promising sign for Johnson that his starting rotation may be set for 2027. Starting pitching is what won LSU a national championship last season, and it has guided the program through its highest highs since 2023, when the Tigers arguably had the best college pitcher of his generation in Paul Skenes.

Moore’s injury, and Evans and Schmidt’s growing pains have resulted in LSU taking a step back in that department this year. But for 2027, Johnson potentially has found himself in an unprecedented spot with his starting rotation since he’s arrived in Baton Rouge — all three arms coming back for another year.

FAYETTEVILLE,Ark. — Arkansas is dropping its men’s and women’s tennis programs following the 2026 season for financial reasons.

“The landscape of college athletics continues to evolve, requiring us to make challenging choices as we balance competitive opportunities, resources and the long-term sustainability of our department,” Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said in a statement Friday. “Ultimately, we concluded that we are unable to provide the level of support necessary for our tennis programs to consistently compete in the SEC and nationally at the standard our student-athletes, coaches, alumni and supporters deserve.”

Discontinuation of the tennis teams leaves Arkansas with 17 sponsored sports.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

TIGERS

Furyk is returning as U.S. Ryder Cup captain for 2027

HOUSTON — Jim Furyk is returning as U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 matches in Ireland as the Americans try to get back on track against a European team that has dominated the last three decades.

The PGA of America on Friday afternoon confirmed an Associated Press report on Furyk’s selection, which makes him the fourth U.S. captain to get a second chance dating to 1979, considered the modern era of the Ryder Cup when continental Europe became part of it.

The Ryder Cup committee chose Furyk once Tiger Woods removed himself from competition after his March 27 arrest on suspicion of DUI. Furyk was the 2018 captain in Paris, a 17 ½-10 ½ win by Europe.

France to step down as chief executive officer of NASCAR

Continued from page 1C to return to the Tigers for his redshirt sophomore year, and now he’s holding off a few transfers for his starting spot. LSU hasn’t put anyone else there in practices open to reporters. Kiffin said Tuesday that Davis has a “high ceiling” and that he’s “done a good job” so far.

DT • DEUCE GERALDS LSU has a few veterans who can shore up the defensive line, but a freshman has run ahead of two of them in spring practices. Geralds signed with the Tigers as one of the nation’s top-60 recruits, according to 247Sports composite rankings, and now it looks like he’s in line for a major role right away.

LSU has been rotating its starting defensive tackles in team drills, but Geralds and Auburn transfer Malik Blocton usually have been the first two on the field.

WR • JACKSON HARRIS LSU has a bunch of newcomers at wide receiver but no clear No. 1 target. Can Harris step into that role? The Hawaii transfer caught three touchdowns in the second spring scrimmage in Tiger Stadium, flashing an ability to pick up yards after the catch and bring down tough grabs against tight coverage. He has size (6-foot-2, 202 pounds) and speed, but time will tell whether he’ll have a starting role. Several wideouts could emerge.

RB • DILIN JONES Jones has run ahead of both Harlem Berry and Caden Durham in spring practices. Things could change in August, and LSU is expected to use a rotation of running backs anyway, but it’s clear that Jones has impressed Kiffin and the coaching staff. The 5-11, 211-pound tailback trans-

Alcaraz to miss French Open with wrist injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR majority owner Jim France is stepping down as chief executive and will be replaced by president Steve O’Donnell, according to multiple reports.

France will remain as NASCAR’s chairman and his majority ownership stake will not change.

O’Donnell will be the first person outside the France family to hold the CEO title of NASCAR. Bill France Sr. founded the United States’ most popular racing series in 1948 and always had a family member in the top role prior to the changes expected to be announced at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama on Saturday.

Ben Kennedy, France’s greatnephew, will be promoted to chief operating officer.

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

LSU wide receiver Phillip Wright makes a catch during spring practice on April 14 at the team’s football practice facility. ferred in from Wisconsin, where he rushed 76 times for 300 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2025 before a toe injury ended his season after seven games.

LT • JORDAN SEATON Seaton made this list only because he recently underwent a physical transformation, and now he looks even leaner and meaner than he did when he starred at Colorado. Will his new physique allow him to tap into more mobility? And will that added athleticism help LSU run the ball? It’s tough to tell in spring practice because the Tigers aren’t tackling yet, but it’s easy to envision the possibilities that the transfer por-

tal’s top offensive lineman brings with him to Baton Rouge.

WR • WINSTON WATKINS Watkins, a true sophomore, might be primed for a breakout year. He already knows Kiffin’s offense, which gives him an edge over the other wideouts who have been jockeying for snaps in spring practices. The Ole Miss transfer is a slot receiver, and he’s shown that he knows how to create separation on his underneath routes. In the second scrimmage LSU held in Tiger Stadium, Watkins caught a teamhigh 10 passes. He was all over the field.

WR • PHILLIP WRIGHT Don’t overlook Wright, the

only wide receiver who reupped with LSU through the coaching change. The Destrehan product can fly, and he’s shown off his speed a few times in spring practices. The problem for Wright is that the Tigers signed three veteran wideouts who already have proven that they can burn defenses over the top: Jayce Brown (Kansas State), Tre Brown (Old Dominion) and Harris (Hawaii).

Tre Brown sat out spring with an apparent foot injury, giving Wright an opportunity to push for snaps. It looks like he took advantage of it.

Email Reed Darcey at reed. darcey@theadvocate.com.

Raptors’ Quickley to miss rest of 1st-round series vs. Cavs

TORONTO — Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley aggravated his strained right hamstring while working his way back from the injury and will not be available during Toronto’s first-round playoff series against Cleveland, the team said Friday.

Quickley averaged 16.4 points, a career-high 5.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 70 games in the regular season. He scored at least 20 points in 20 games and recorded eight double-doubles.

After missing several lateseason games because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot, Quickley injured his hamstring in Toronto’s regular-season finale against Brooklyn.

Jamal Shead has started in Quickley’s place against the Cavaliers.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Saturday, April 25, 2026 ● 3C

H H

lll

SCOREBOARD Hole-in-one Mark Whelan

Course: Bayou Oaks South Hole#: No. 7 Yardage: 126 yards Club: 7 iron Witnesses: Jack Clegg, Sid Kornick, Ken Lass

Prep track & field District 5-3A BOYS TEAM STANDINGS

1. Acadiana Renaissance 156, 2. Erath 118, 3.

Kaplan 57, 4. Abbeville 46, 5. St. Martinville 12.

BOYS RUNNING EVENTS

100 — 1. Kodi Clement, Kaplan, 11.39; 2. Braxton Savoie, Acadiana Renaissance, 11.54; 3.

Sean Herrington, Erath, 11.55; 4. Dewaune Peters, Acadiana Renaissance, 11.65.

200 — 1. Kodi Clement, Kaplan, 22.05; 2. Sean Herrington, Erath, 22.90; 3. Braxton Savoie, Acadiana Renaissance, 23.27; 4. Aiden Pineda, Acadiana Renaissance, 23.35.

400 — 1. Kodi Clement, Kaplan, 48.74; 2.

Joshia Porter, Acadiana Renaissance, 51.49; 3. Landon Romero, Erath, 51.62; 4. Landon Gary, Acadiana Renaissance, 52.94.

800 — 1. Ian Dalton, Acadiana Renaissance, 2:04.16; 2. Christopher Schexnaider, Acadiana Renaissance, 2:04.37; 3. James Mendez, Kaplan, 2:07.39; 4. Aiden Greig, Erath, 2:09.28.

1600 — 1. Jackson Kosmer, Acadiana Renaissance, 4:55.08; 2. Mason Soirez, Erath, 5;00.90; 3. Parker Blanchard, Erath, 5:01.79; 4. Karsen Buggs, Acadiana Renaissance, 5:19.05.

3200 — 1. Jackson Kosmer, Acadiana Renaissance, 10:48.92; 2. Mason Soirez, Erath, 10:58.11; 3. Parker Blanchard, Erath, 11:05.01; 4. Parker Kosmer, Acadiana Renaissance, 11:27.31.

110H — 1. Terry Matthews, Acadiana Renaissance, 14.61; 2. Sean Herrington, Erath, 14.69; 3. Kohen Clues, St. Martinville, 16.53; 4.

Kohen Babineaux, Erath, 18.41.

300H — 1. Sean Herrington, Erath, 39.98; 2.

Jaden Cormier, Acadiana Renaissance, 4.73; 3. Terry Matthews, Acadiana Renaissance, 47.17; 4. Kohen Babineaux, Erath, 50.50.

BOYS RELAYS

4x100 — 1. Erath 44.11, 2. Abbeville 44.49, 3. Acadiana Renaissance, 44.68, 4. Kaplan 45.36.

4x200 — 1. Erath 1:32.16, 2. Acadiana Renaissance 1:33.24, 3. Abbeville 1:33.92, 4. Kaplan 1:34.24.

4x400 - 1. Acadiana Renaissance 3:29.16, 2.

Kaplan 3;33.44, 3. Abbeville 3:42.65, 4. Erath 3:42.85.

4x800 - 1. Acadiana Renaissance 8:28.80, 2. Erath 8:52.31, 3. St. Martinville 9:29.41, 4.

Kaplan 10:10.94.

BOYS FIELD EVENTS

High jump — 1. Daylon Turner, Abbeville, 5-8; 2. Karsen Buggs, Acadiana Renaissance 5-8; 3. Kipten Landry, Erath, 5-4; 4. Carter David, Acadiana Renaissance, 5-2.

Long jump — 1. Nathan Nguyen, Erath, 21-5; 2. Cameron Samuels, Abbeville, 20-11; 3.

Aiden Pineda, Acadiana Renaissance, 19-4; 4. Ky’lun Skipper, St. Martinville, 19-2.

Triple jump — 1. Cameron Samuels, Abbeville, 43-0; 2. Ayden Tallmore, Erath, 42-10; 3.

Aiden Pham, Acadiana Renaissance, 40-0; 4.

Darrell Harris, St. Martinville, 39-4.

Pole vault — 1. Brylon Toups, Erath, 13-0; 2.

Pierceson Pierre, Acadiana Renaissance, 10-0; 3. Connor Toups, Erath, 10-0; 4. Cooper Miller, Kaplan, 9-6.

Discus — 1. Kevin Small, Kaplan, 163-11; 2. Chance Landry, Acadiana Renaissance, 153-3; 3. Parker Robinson, Acadiana Renaissance, 126-9; 4. Triston Brewer, Abbeville, 126-4.

Javelin — 1. Chance Landry, Acadiana Renaissance, 153-2; 2. Parker Robinson, Acadiana Renaissance, 139-3; 3. Ayden Tallmore, Erath, 117-9; 4. To’Ryon Alfred, Erath, 111-2.

Shot put — 1. Clayton Randolph, Acadiana Renaissance, 46-6.5; 2. Kevin Small, Kaplan, 48-7; 3. Zalen Hopkins, Abbeville, 41-5; 4.

Aivyn Tyra, Acadiana Renaissance, 40-5.

GIRLS TEAM STANDINGS

1. Acadiana Renaissance 162, 2. Kaplan 123, 3. Erath 79, 4. Abbeville 16, 5. St. Martinville 6.

GIRLS RUNNING EVENTS

100 — 1. Corinne Knatt, Acadiana Renaissance, 12.71; 2. Maci Gautro, Acadiana Renaissance, 12.96; 3. Kayleigh Perro, Erath, 13.01; 4. Emily Roy, Kaplan, 13.42.

200 — 1. Corinne Knatt, Acadiana Renaissance, 26.76; 2. Selena Alexandria, Kaplan, 26.92; 3. Maci Gautro, Acadiana Renaissance, 27.14; 4. Emily Roy, Kaplan, 27.15.

400 — 1. Lexi Greene, Kaplan, 59.06; 2, Martia Levene, Abbeville, 1:02.26; 2. Aubrey Hopton, Acadiana Renaissance, 1:03.39; 4. Isabel Mendez, Kaplan, 1:04.41.

800 — 1. Liberty Greene, Kaplan, 2:26.45; 2.

Isabella Hargrave, Kaplan, 2:30.13; 3. Samantha Padilla, Acadiana Renaissance, 2;42.20; 4. Sophie Romero, Erath, 2:43.09.

1600 — 1. Cheyenne Earnest, Erath, 5:40.55; 2. Ava Lebouef, Acadiana Renaissance, 6:04.37; 3. Sophie Romero, Erath, 6:11.18; 3. Sophie Romero, Erath, 6:11.18; 4. Emily Landry, Acadiana Renaissance, 6:18.30.

3200 — 1. Cheyenne Earnest, Erath, 12:44.70; 2. Ava Lebouef, Acadiana Renaissance, 13:38.47; 3. Vedika Patel, Acadiana Renaissance, 13:54.83; 4. Breah Harrington, Kaplan, 14:03.75.

100H — 1. Kinsley Templet, Acadiana Renaissance, 16.72; 2. Alicia Bouillion, Erath, 18.05; 3. Riley Duhon, Kaplan, 19.18; 4. Ava Parish, Acadiana Renaissance, 19.20.

300H — 1. Ava Parish, Acadiana Renaissance, 49.26; 2. Kinsley Templet, Acadiana Renaissance, 51.68; 3. Riley Duhon, Kaplan, 54.33; 4. Alicia Bouillion, Erath, 56.70.

GIRLS RELAYS

4x100 — 1. Acadiana Renaissance 48.82 ,2.

Erath 54.04, 3. St. Martinville 56.25.

4x200 — 1. Acadiana Renaissance 1:45.73, 2.

Kaplan 1:45.94, 3. Abbeville 1:49.82, 4. Erath 1:58.87.

4x400 — 1. Kaplan 4:11.24, 2. Acadiana Renaissance 4:25.75, 3. Erath 4:44.64.

4x800 — 1. Kaplan 10:37.58, 2. Acadiana Renaissance 11:01.69, 3. Erath 11:34.27.

GIRLS FIELD EVENTS

HIgh jump — 1. Reace Richard, Kaplan, 5-0; 2. Kaileigh Broussard, Erath, 5-0; 3. Gabrielle Braus, Kaplan, 4-6, 4. Kinsley Templet, Acadiana Renaissance, 4-6.

Long jump — 1. Treasure Matthews, Acadiana Renaissance, 17-9; 2. Kaileigh Broussard, Erath, 16-1.5; 3. Selena Alexandria, Kaplan, 16-1; 4. Dezinah Girouard, Abbeville, 15-7.

Triple jump — 1. Treasure Matthews, Acadiana Renaissance, 36-7; 2. Kaileigh Broussard, Erath, 35-6.25; 3. Selena Alexandria, Kaplan, 35-0; 4. Dezinah Girouard, Abbeville, 31-10.75.

Pole vault — 1. Rachel Owens, Acadiana Renaissance, 10-0; 2. Mylee Toups, Erath, 7-6; 3.

Ainslyn Harrington, Kaplan, 6-6.

Discus — 1. Ashton Lasseigne, Acadiana Renaissance, 119-5; 2. Aija Comeaux, Kaplan, 98-2; 3. Cedera Edwards, Kaplan, 91-9; 4. Mia LeBlanc, Erath, 78-7.5.

Javelin — 1. Madison McManus, Kaplan, 110-7; 2. Chloe Painter, Kaplan 94-8; 3. Maya Girouard, Acadiana Renaissance, 86-4.5; 4.

CAJUNS

Continued from page 1C are wide receivers Shelton Sampson and KeDarius Wade, tight end Caden Jensen, and reserve offensive linemen Jackson Hammond and Jakoby Isom.

That’s added to other offensive linemen Cooper Fordham and George Jackson, who were already declared out for the spring.

“None of these injuries are any kind of prolonged type of injuries that are going to keep guys out a long time,” Desormeaux said.

Breighlynn Nelson, Acadiana Renaissance, 83-2.5.

Shot put — 1. Ashton Lassigne, Acadiana Renaissance, 34-8; 2. Samaria James, Acadiana Renaissance, 28-7; 3. Aija Comeaux, Kaplan, 28-4.5; 4. Malaya Goodie, Kaplan, 26-9.5.

Prep baseball Prep Baseball Playoff Pairings NONSELECT DIVISION II

(Best-of-3) Regional Schedule No. 17 Cecilia at No. 1 Brusly (G1: 6:30 p.m. Friday; G2-3: 1 p.m. DH Saturday) No. 9 Iota at No. 8 Minden (G1: 6 p.m. Friday; G2-3: 11 a.m. DH Saturday) No. 5 Lakeshore 6, No. 12 North Vermilion 0 (G2: 4 p.m. Friday; G3: 11 a.m. Saturday) No. 13 Breaux Bridge at No. 4 Pearl River No. 6 Eunice 12, No. 11 West Feliciana 2 G2: 6 p.m. Friday; G3: 1 p.m. Saturday) No. 10 Belle Chasse at No. 7 Rayne (G1: 6 p.m. Friday; G2-3: 11 a.m. DH Saturday)

Lakeshore 6, North Vermilion 0

North Vermilion 000 000 0 — 0 3 3 Lakeshore 101 130 0 — 6 7 0 WP — Alex Duvieilh (7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K), LP — Blaze Duhon (5 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K). Top Hitters — LAKE: JJ Velthouse 1-3, 2 RBIs; Mason Lomanaco 2-4, 2B, RBI; Cohen Trosclair 1-2, 2B, RBI; NV: Kevin Marix 2-3, 2B; Avery Stutes 1-3.

DIVISION III

(Best-of-3 series) Regional Schedule No. 13 Port Barre at No. 4 South Beauregard (G1: 6 p.m. Friday; G2-3: Noon DH Saturday) No. 3 Doyle 8-7, No. 10 Church Point 2-1 (Doyle wins series 2-0) No. 5 Erath 8, No. 12 Pine 2 (G2: 6 p.m. Friday; G3: 11 a.m. Saturday) No. 11 Kaplan at No. 6 Kinder (G1: 6 p.m. Friday; G2-3: 11 a.m. DH Saturday)

Erath 8, Pine 2

Pine 100 100 0 — 2 5 3 Erath 103 013 x — 8 9 1 WP — Landen Derouen (5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 4 K), LP — Levi White (5.2 IP, 9 H, 8 ER, 3 BB, 2 K). Top Hitters — ERA: Jack Landry 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBIs; Cade Francis 1-2, 2 RBIs; Tate Collins 1-3, RBI; Carter Champagne 1-4, RBI; PINE: Trace Steele 1-2, RBI.

DIVISION IV

(Single elimination) No. 22 Plain Dealing at No. 11 Delcambre, 6 p.m., Friday

SELECT DIVISION I

(Best-of-3 series) Regional Schedule No. 4 St. Thomas More 2, No. 13 Lafayette 1 (G2: 6 p.m. Friday; G3: 1 p.m. Saturday) No. 10 Acadiana at No. 7 Holy Cross (G1: 6:30 p.m. Friday; G2-3: Noon DH Saturday)

St. Thomas More 2, Lafayette 1

Lafayette 010 000 000 — 1 9 1 St. Thomas More 001 000 001 — 2 6 1 WP — Ethan Bodin (2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K), LP — Andy Perez (2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K). Top Hitters — STM: Eli Clark 1-3, 2B, RBI; Brennan Leblanc 2-4, 2B; Noah Gauthier 1-3, 2B; LAF: Parker Abshire 2-4; Ryan Cahanin 2-4; Tagg Trahan 2-4.

DIVISION II

Regional Schedule No. 4 Acadiana Renaissance 13, No. 13 Willow School 3 (G2-3: 4:40 p.m. DH Friday) No. 14 Leesville at No. 3 Teurlings Catholic (G1: 4 p.m. Friday; G2-3: 11 a.m. DH Saturday)

Acadiana Renaissance 13, Willow 3

Willow 002 01 — 3 6 4 Aca Renaissance 20(11) 0x — 13 12 3 WP — Sebastian Rideaux (5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K), LP — Oscar Strattner (2.2 IP, 10 H, 11 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K). Top Hitters — ARCA: Beau Cormier 1-3, 3B, 2 RBIs; Emric McAdams 2-3, 2 RBIs; Sebastian Rideaux 3-4, 2B, 2 RBIs; Micah Porche 1-2, 3 RBIs; WILL: B. Braunig 1-2, 2B, RBI; V. Cerrone 1-2, RBI.

DIVISION III

Regional schedule No. 5 Catholic-NI 4, No. 12 Menard 3 (G2: 6 p.m. Friday; G3: 11 a.m. Saturday) No. 11 Dunham 7, No. 6 Lafayette Christian 1 (G2: 7:15 p.m. Friday; G3: 1 p.m. Saturday) No. 10 Notre Dame 5, No. 7 St. Louis 4 (G2: 4 p.m. Friday; G3: 6:30 p.m. Saturday)

Dunham 7, Lafayette Christian 1

Dunham 000 034 0 — 7 14 3 Laf Charistian 000 001 0 — 1 2 1 WP — Gavin Blanton (7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K), LP — Ayden Welch (5.1 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K). Top Hitters — DUN: Brooklyn Gremillion 1-4, 3 RBIs; Jackson Peyton 2-4, 2 RBIs; Reid Baron 2-4, RBI; LCA: Kaleb Simon 1-3, RBI; Kyzer White 1-2, 2B.

DIVISION IV

(Single elimination) Bi-District Schedule No. 20 Westminster at No. 13 Ascension Episcopal, ppd.

Regional Schedule No. 9 St. Mary’s at No. 8 Vermilion Catholic, 6 p.m., April 29 CCMC-Hanson winner at No. 1 Opelousas Catholic No. 10 Sacred Heart-VP at No. 7 St. Edmund

CLASS C

Regional Schedule No. 9 Northside Christian at No. 8 Simpson, 5 p.m., April 30

Prep softball Area Prep Softball Playoff Schedule

NONSELECT DIVISION II

Quarterfinal Pairings No. 5 Iota vs. No. 4 North Vermilion, 4:30 p.m.

Friday

DIVISION III

Quarterfinal Pairings No. 10 Doyle at No. 2 Kaplan, 4 p.m. Friday

SELECT

DIVISION I Regional Schedule No. 8 Alexandria 11, No. 9 Teurlings 5 No. 4 John Curtis 10, No. 13 Lafayette High 0 No. 6 St. Thomas More 12, No. 11 St. Joseph’s 2 No. 7 Tioga 7, No. 10 Acadiana 5 Quarterfinal Schedule No. 6 St. Thomas More at No. 3 Chappelle, 5 p.m. Friday

DIVISION II

Quarterfinal Pairings No. 9 Acadiana Renaissance at No. 1 Vandebilt, 4 p.m. Friday

DIVISION III

Quarterfinal Schedule No. 6 Northlake Christian at No. 3 Notre Dame, 1 p.m. Saturday CLASS C Quarterfinal Pairings No. 8 St. Joseph’s at No.1 Northside Chris-

The biggest statement from the spring on the offensive line has been Tulane redshirt sophomore transfer Jayce Mitchell.

“I would say, Jayce Mitchell was a really good get for us,” Desormeaux said. “He’s played really well. Like, extremely well to the point where it’s like, ‘Well, man, I don’t know if we’re better off moving George (Jackson) inside or moving him in and George at tackle.’

“So we’ll figure all that out as we get there — get the best five out there, but Jayce has been really good for us.”

The most interesting battles for spectators to monitor throughout

tian, 5 p.m. Friday

Odds

Saturday

MLB

LINE 2½ 9½ 1½ 1½

O/U (213½) (214½) (214½) (229½)

UNDERDOG at ORLANDO at PHOENIX at ATLANTA at MIN

Saturday

American League FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG Boston -112 at BALTIMORE at TORONTO -138 Cleveland at TAMPA BAY -126 Minnesota at TEXAS -142 Athletics N.Y Yankees -154 at HOUSTON at KANSAS CITY -162 LA Angels National League FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG at SAN FRAN -132 Miami at N.Y METS -196 Colorado San Diego -114 at ARIZONA at MILWAUKEE -130 Pittsburgh at LA DODGERS -162 Chicago Cubs Philadelphia -120 at ATLANTA Interleague FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG Seattle -152 at ST. LOUIS at WHITE SOX -136 Washington Detroit OFF at CINCINNATI

NHL

Saturday

FAVORITE LINE Carolina -126 at MINNESOTA -135 at PHILA -120

12 10 8

13 15 17

.480 .400 .320

1½ 3½ 5½

Athletics Texas Los Angeles Seattle Houston

W 13 13 12 11 10

L 12 12 14 15 16

Pct .520 .520 .462 .423 .385

GB — — 1½ 2½ 3½

West Division

Sports Betting Line NBA FAVORITE Detroit Oklahoma City New York Denver

Minnesota Chicago Kansas City

UNDERDOG at OTTAWA Dallas Pittsburgh

LINE -104 +118 +108 +120 +129 +136 LINE +112 +164 -104 +110 +136 +102 LINE +128 +116 OFF

LINE +105 +114 -100

Pro basketball

Thursday’s Games

FIRST ROUND (Best-of-7; x-if necessary)

Eastern Conference Atlanta 2, New York 1

Saturday, April 18: New York 113, Atlanta 102 Monday, April 20: Atlanta 107, New York 106 Thursday, April 23: Atlanta 109, New York 108 Saturday, April 25: New York at Atlanta, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28: Atlanta at New York, 7 p.m. x-Thursday, April 30: New York at Atlanta, TBA x-Saturday, May 2: Atlanta at New York, TBA

Saturday’s games

Detroit at Cincinnati, n Boston at Baltimore, n Cleveland at Toronto, n Minnesota at Tampa Bay, n L.A. Angels at Kansas City, n Washington at Chicago White Sox, n Athletics at Texas, n N.Y. Yankees at Houston, n Seattle at St. Louis, n

Prairie View at Southern (DH), noon Nicholls at Northwestern State, noon UIW at Southeastern, noon LSU at Mississippi State, 2 p.m.

UL at Marshall, 2 p.m.

Sunday’s games

LSU at Mississippi State, 11 a.m.

UL at Marshall, noon

Saturday’s Games

Seattle (Woo 1-2) at St. Louis (Liberatore 0-1), 1:15 p.m.

Cleveland (Cantillo 1-0) at Toronto (Gausman 1-1), 2:07 p.m.

Boston (Crochet 2-3) at Baltimore (Rogers 2-2), 3:05 p.m.

Minnesota (Ober 2-0) at Tampa Bay (McClanahan 1-2), 3:10 p.m.

Washington (Irvin 1-3) at Chicago White Sox (Schultz 1-1), 3:10 p.m.

Athletics (Springs 3-1) at Texas (Gore 2-2), 6:05 p.m.

L.A. Angels (Ureña 0-2) at Kansas City (Ragans 0-4), 6:10 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees (Weathers 1-2) at Houston (Burrows 1-3), 6:10 p.m.

Detroit (Flaherty 0-1) at Cincinnati (Singer 1-1), 6:15 p.m.

Detroit 1, Orlando 1

Sunday, April 19: Orlando 112, Detroit 101 Wednesday, April 22: Detroit 98, Orlando 83 Saturday, April 25: Detroit at Orlando, noon Monday, April 27: Detroit at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29: Orlando at Detroit, TBA x-Friday, May 1: Detroit at Orlando, TBA x-Sunday, May 3: Orlando at Detroit, TBA

Boston 1, Philadelphia 1

Sunday, April 19: Boston 123, Philadelphia 91 Tuesday, April 21: Philadelphia 111, Boston 97 Friday, April 24: Boston at Philadelphia, n Sunday, April 26: Boston at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28: Philadelphia at Boston, 6 p.m. x-Thursday, April 30: Boston at Philadelphia, TBA x-Saturday, May 2: Philadelphia at Boston, TBA

Cleveland 2, Toronto 1

Saturday, April 18: Cleveland 126, Toronto 113 Monday, April 20: Cleveland 115, Toronto 105 Thursday, April 23: Toronto 126, Cleveland 104 Sunday, April 26: Cleveland at Toronto, noon Wednesday, April 29: Toronto at Cleveland, TBA x-Friday, May 1: Cleveland at Toronto, TBA x-Sunday, May 3: Toronto at Cleveland, TBA

Western Conference

L.A. Lakers 2, Houston 0

Saturday, April 18: L.A. Lakers 107, Houston 98 Tuesday, April 21: L.A. Lakers 101, Houston 94 Friday, April 24: L.A. Lakers at Houston, n Sunday, April 26: L.A. Lakers at Houston, 8:30 p.m. x-Wednesday, April 29: Houston at L.A. Lakers, TBA x-Friday, May 1: L.A. Lakers at Houston, TBA x-Sunday, May 3: Houston at L.A. Lakers, TBA

Minnesota 2, Denver 1

Saturday, April 18: Denver 116, Minnesota 105 Monday, April 20: Minnesota 119, Denver 114 Thursday, April 23: Minnesota 113, Denver 96 Saturday, April 25: Denver at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, April 27: Minnesota at Denver, 9:30 p.m. x-Thursday, April 30: Denver at Minnesota, TBA x-Saturday, May 2: Minnesota at Denver, TBA

W 18 12 11 9 8

L 8 13 15 16 17

Pct .692 .480 .423 .360 .320

GB — 5½ 7 8½ 9½

Chicago Cincinnati St. Louis Pittsburgh Milwaukee

W 16 16 14 14 13

L 9 9 10 11 11

Pct .640 .640 .583 .560 .542

GB — — 1½ 2 2½

Pct .680 .680 .560 .440 .385

GB — — 3 6 7½

West Division Los Angeles San Diego Arizona San Francisco Colorado

W 17 17 14 11 10

Thursday’s Games

L 8 8 11 14 16

Atlanta 7, Washington 2 Detroit 5, Milwaukee 4 Chicago Cubs 8, Philadelphia 7, 10 innings L.A. Dodgers 3, San Francisco 0 San Diego 10, Colorado 8 Chicago White Sox 4, Arizona 1 N.Y. Mets 10, Minnesota 8 Texas 6, Pittsburgh 1

Friday’s Games

Detroit at Cincinnati, n Colorado at N.Y. Mets, n Philadelphia at Atlanta, n Pittsburgh at Milwaukee, n Washington at Chicago White Sox, n Seattle at St. Louis, n Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers, n Miami at San Francisco, n

Saturday’s Games

Seattle (Woo 1-2) at St. Louis (Liberatore 0-1), 1:15 p.m.

Miami (Pérez 2-1) at San Francisco (Ray 2-3), 3:05 p.m.

Colorado (Quintana 0-2) at N.Y. Mets (Senga 0-3), 3:10 p.m.

Washington (Irvin 1-3) at Chicago White Sox (Schultz 1-1), 3:10 p.m.

San Diego (Márquez 2-1) at Arizona (Gallen 1-1), 5:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh (Keller 2-1) at Milwaukee (Misiorowski 1-2), 6:10 p.m.

Chicago Cubs (Rea 3-0) at L.A. Dodgers (Sasaki 0-2), 6:15 p.m.

Detroit (Flaherty 0-1) at Cincinnati (Singer 1-1), 6:15 p.m.

Philadelphia (Wheeler 0-0) at Atlanta (Elder 3-1), 6:15 p.m.

Sunday’s Games

Philadelphia at Atlanta, 12:35 p.m.

Colorado at N.Y. Mets, 12:40 p.m.

Detroit at Cincinnati, 12:40 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Milwaukee, 1:10 p.m.

Washington at Chicago White Sox, 1:10 p.m.

Seattle at St. Louis, 1:15 p.m.

Miami at San Francisco, 3:05 p.m.

San Diego at Arizona, 3:05 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers, 3:10 p.m.

Pro football 2026 NFL Draft selections, order Thursday-Saturday Pittsburgh Round 1

New York Tampa Bay Baltimore Toronto Boston

W 16 13 12 10 9

L 9 11 13 14 16

Pct .640 .542 .480 .417 .360

GB — 2½ 4 5½ 7

Cleveland Detroit

W 14 14

L 12 12

Pct .538 .538

GB — —

1. Las Vegas, Fernando Mendoza, qb, Indiana.

2. N.Y. Jets, David Bailey, lb, Texas Tech.

3. Arizona, Jeremiyah Love, rb, Notre Dame.

4. Tennessee, Carnell Tate, wr, Ohio State.

5. N.Y. Giants, Arvell Reese, lb, Ohio State.

6. Kansas City (from Cleveland), Mansoor Delane, cb, LSU. 7. Washington, Sonny Styles, lb, Ohio State.

8. New Orleans, Jordyn Tyson, wr, Arizona State.

9. Cleveland (from Kansas City), Spencer Fano, ot, Utah.

10. N.Y. Giants (from Cincinnati), Francis Mauigoa, ot, Miami.

11. Dallas (from Miami), Caleb Downs, s, Ohio State.

12. Miami (from Dallas), Kadyn Proctor, ot, Alabama.

13. L.A. Rams (from Atlanta), Ty Simpson, qb, Alabama.

14. Baltimore, Olaivavega Ioane, g, Penn State.

15. Tampa Bay, Rueben Bain Jr., lb, Miami.

16. N.Y. Jets (from Indianapolis), Kenyon Sadiq, te, Oregon.

17. Detroit, Blake Miller, ot, Clemson.

18. Minnesota, Caleb Banks, dt, Florida.

19. Carolina, Monroe Freeling, ot, Georgia.

20. Philadelphia (from GB through DAL), Makai Lemon, wr, Southern Cal. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers, Max Iheanachor, ot Arizona State.

22. Los Angeles Chargers, Hakeem Mesidor, edge, Miami.

23. Dallas Cowboys (From Philadelphia Eagles), Malachi Lawrence, edge, UCF. 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars), KC Concepcion, wr, Texas A&M 25. Chicago Bears, Dillon Thieneman, s, Oregon.

26. Houston Texans (From Buffalo Bills), Keylan Rutledge, g, Georgia Tech.

27. Miami Dolphins (From San Francisco 49ers), Chris Johnson, cb, San Diego St. 28. New England Patriots (From Buffalo Bills)

the spring game are at wide receiver and cornerback.

With no Sampson or Wade, young targets such as Trenton Chaney, Russell Babineaux and Rahji Dennis have a window to impress, as well as veteran Jaydon Johnson.

Landon Strother already has impressed the staff through the spring.

Desormeaux said the receivers “haven’t been consistent enough.”

“What I’ve told them is we’re going to play the ones that I know are going to go out there and make the plays,” he said.

It’s a similar scenario in the secondary.

Sophomore Brent Gordon is a

constant. Redshirt sophomore Avery Demery also has shined this spring, while redshirt junior Jeremiah Moses looks ready to make an impact. Redshirt junior transfer Curley Reed of Lake Charles is another to watch.

“I think Brent and Avery have been really, really good this spring,” Desormeaux said. “Jeremiah has been really good. I think Curley’s been right on the edge of saying that. He’s one of those guys who has to get in the mix for you.

He’s got to keep doing what he’s doing, keeping his eyes in the right place.”

Another big position that’ll need to develop before the season open-

Oklahoma City 2, Phoenix 0

Sunday, April 19: Oklahoma City 119, Phoenix 84 Wednesday, April 22: Oklahoma City 120, Phoenix 107 Saturday, April 25: Oklahoma City at Phoenix, 2:30 p.m.

Monday, April 27: Oklahoma City at Phoenix, 8:30 p.m. x-Wednesday, April 29: Phoenix at Oklahoma City, TBA x-Friday, May 1: Oklahoma City at Phoenix, TBA x-Sunday, May 3: Phoenix at Oklahoma City, TBA

San Antonio 1, Portland 1

Sunday, April 19: San Antonio 111, Portland 98 Tuesday, April 21: Portland 106, San Antonio 103 Friday, April 24: San Antonio at Portland, n Sunday, April 26: San Antonio at Portland, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28: Portland at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. x-Thursday, April 30: San Antonio at Portland, TBA x-Saturday, May 2: Portland at San Antonio, TBA

Major League Baseball American League East Division

Central Division

College baseball State scores, schedule Thursday’s games

No games scheduled.

Friday’s games

LSU at Mississippi State, n UL at Arkansas State, n Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Southern, n Houston Christian at Southeastern, n Lamar at UNO, n Texas-San Antonio at Tulane, n

Saturday’s games

Lamar at UNO, 2 p.m.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Southern, 3 p.m.

Houston Christian at Southeastern, 6 p.m.

UL at Arkansas State, 6 p.m.

Texas-San Antonio at Tulane, 6:30 p.m.

LSU at Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday’s games

Atlanta Miami Washington New York Philadelphia

Central Division

State scores, schedule UIW at Southeastern (DH),n Nicholls at Northwestern State (DH), n LSU at Mississippi State, n Prairie View at Southern, n Marshall at UL, n

Friday’s Games

East Division

College softball Friday’s games

Detroit 5, Milwaukee 4 Chicago White Sox 4, Arizona 1 N.Y. Yankees 4, Boston 2 N.Y. Mets 10, Minnesota 8 Texas 6, Pittsburgh 1

National League

NBA Playoff Glance

Caleb Lomu, ot, Utah.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams), 30. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos), 31. New England Patriots Keldrick Faulk edge, Auburn.

32. Seattle Seahawks, Jadarian Price, rb, Notre Dame.

Texas-San Antonio at Tulane, noon LSU at Mississippi State, 1 p.m.

Houston Christian at Southeastern, 1 p.m.

Lamar at UNO, 1 p.m.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 1 p.m.

UL at Arkansas State, 1 p.m.

Golf Zurich Classic of New Orleans Friday

At TPC Louisiana New Orleans Purse: $9.5 million Yardage: 7,425; Par: 72 Second Round A.Smalley/H.Springer 58-70—128 A.Eckroat/D.Thompson 59-70—129 A.Fitzpatrick/M.Fitzpatrick 64-65—129 T.Hoge/B.Horschel 61-68—129 D.Ghim/J.Kang 61-69—130 E.Cole/H.Lebioda 60-70—130 K.Reitan/K.Ventura 63-67—130 M.McCarty/M.Meissner 61-69—130 N.Dunlap/G.Sargent 60-70—130 Z.Bauchou/S.Stevens 60-70—130 A.Hadwin/A.Svensson 63-68—131 B.Garnett/L.Hodges 63-68—131 S.Power/M.Schmid 63-68—131 T.Crowe/B.Martin 61-70—131 A.Rai/S.Theegala 62-70—132 A.Ewart/C.Jarvis 64-69—133 C.Bezudnhout/E.Van Rooyn 65-68—133 D.Brown/J.Parry 66-67—133 D.Chatfld/A.Dmnt De Chssrt 64-69—133 M.Couvra/M.Pavon 64-69—133 M.Penge/M.Wallace 64-69—133 M.Thorbjornsen/K.Vilips 67-66—133 N.Hardy/D.Riley 63-70—133 T.Kanaya/W.Mouw 62-71—133 W.Clark/T.Moore 65-68—133 B.Brown/L.Clanton 66-68—134 B.Griffin/A.Novak 65-69—134 C.Phillips/C.Young 64-70—134 J.Lower/C.Ramey 66-68—134 K.Mitchell/B.Snedeker 63-71—134 L.Griffin/B.Kohles 63-71—134 M.McGreevy/K.Roy 64-70—134 R.Gerard/S.Yellamaraju 65-69—134 R.Hoey/D.Lipsky 63-71—134 R.Nrgard-Petersen/J.Olesen 63-71—134 Missed Cut B.Koepka/S.Lowry 66-69—135 C.Blanchet/J.VanDerLaan 67-68—135 G.Sigg/V.Whaley 63-72—135 H.Higgs/J.Paul 66-69—135 R.Campos/A.Tosti 67-68—135 T.Finau/M.Greyserman 67-68—135 T.Montgomery/S.Piercy 66-69—135 T.Mullinax/D.Skinns 63-72—135 Z.Blair/P.Fishburn 63-72—135 A.Cook/J.Dufner 67-69—136 A.Putnam/A.Smotherman 66-70—136 B.Hossler/S.Ryder 63-73—136 C.Davis/G.Ogilvy 66-70—136 L.List/H.Norlander 64-72—136 M.Brennan/J.Keefer 61-75—136 M.Hughes/T.Pendrith 62-74—136 R.Brehm/M.Hubbard 65-71—136 R.Knox/P.Malnati 65-71—136 Z.Dou/D.Wu 64-72—136 H.Li/J.Smith 67-70—137 M.Rozo/C.Villegas 66-71—137 P.Nyholm/J.Svensson 61-76—137 S.Jaeger/J.Suber 61-76—137 T.Duncan/A.Schenk 67-70—137 W.Gordon/P.Peterson 65-72—137 C.Lamprecht/N.Shipley 67-71—138 J.Dahmen/K.Streelman 64-75—139 J.Hahn/K.Stanley 64-76—140 T.Kim/K.Yu 66-74—140 K.Hirata/K.Nakajima 68-73—141 T.Merritt/R.Streb 66-75—141 C.Champ/B.Silverman 64-78—142 C.Hoffman/N.Watney 67-75—142 C.Kim/R.Palmer 67-75—142 G.Higgo/M.Kuchar 65-77—142 J.Stanger/D.Walker 66-76—142 C.Kirk/P.Kizzire 72-71—143

-16 -15 -15 -15 -14 -14 -14 -14 -14 -14 -13 -13 -13 -13 -12 -11 -11 -11 -11 -11 -11 -11 -11 -11 -11 -10 -10 -10 -10 -10 -10 -10 -10 -10 -10 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -9 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -8 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -6 -5 -4 -4 -3 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -1

Transactions Major League Baseball

American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Reinstated RHP Andrew Kittredge from the 15-day IL. Reinstated OF Tyler O’Neill from the seven-day IL. Optioned OF Johnathan Rodríguez and RHP Jose Espada to Norfolk (IL).

MINNESOTA TWINS — Reinstated LHP Kody Funderbunk from the paternity list. Optioned LHP Kendry Rojas to St. Paul (IL).

National League ATLANTLA BRAVES — Sent RHP Ian Hamilton outright to Gwinnett (IL).

CINCINNATI REDS — Sent C Jose Trevino to Dayton (ML) on a rehab assignment.

COLORADO ROCKIES — Placed RHP Ryan Feltner on the 15-day IL. Recalled LHP Sammy Peralta from Albuquerque (PCL).

MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Designated OF Luis Matos for assignment. Recalled LHP Shane Drohan and 3B Tyler Black from Nashville (IL). Optioned RHP Carlos Rodriguez to Nashville.

NEW YORK METS — Optioned RHP Christian Scott to Syracuse (IL). Selected the contract of Carl Edwards Jr. from Syracuse.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Recalled RHP Alex McFarlane from Reading (EL).

WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Recalled RHP Riley Cornelio from Rochester (IL). Optioned RHP Julian Fernández to Rochester.

er is inside linebacker after the Cajuns lost leading tackler Jaden Dugger.

“The guys that have been in the system — like Micah Johnson, Jake St. Andre, Ethan Veal, Conor McPherson and Pup (Kailep Edwards) — I mean, they are communicating and they are over communicating, which is good on the back end.

“You’ve got guys coming back that have played a lot, and there’s a lot of communication back there pre-snap — kind of what they’re expecting.”

Email Kevin Foote at kfoote@theadvocate.com.

4C ● Saturday,April 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

SUPPLIER PRICING Plus REBATES

COSTCO MEMBER PRIVATE OFFER

2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ STK 26059

2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT STK 26131

2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT STK 26086

Disclaimer : Only on select inventory. Costco Member Private offer: Must be a Costco Member as of 3/2/26. See Dealer for details. Offer Ends 4/30/26.

90 YEARS OF HANDSHAKES ZERO ADD ON’S - ZERO HIDDEN FEES! Pre-Owned Inventory SUV

TRUCK

231841 2016 Chevy Traverse LT.......................................... $6,995 260262 2020 Lincoln Corsair Reserve ............................... $15,995 261411 2018 Nissan Rogue ...............................................$16,995 261441 2019 Chevy Suburban LT ..................................... $18,995 260841 2025 Chevy Trax LS ................. 1-Owner ............. $19,995 21274P 2021 Chevy Equinox .............................................$21,940 25198P 2025 Chevy Trax LT............................................... $22,995 22173P 2022 Chevy Equinox ............................................ $22,995 22178P 2022 Chevy Equinox................ Low Miles ............ $23,940 25200P 2025 Chevy Equinox LT .........................................$24,995 23188P 2023 Chevy Equinox LT ........... Low Miles .............$26,995 24228P 2024 Chevy Blazer ................................................$27,995 24229P 2024 Chevy Blazer ................................................$27,995 24211 2024 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 .........Only 6k Miles ..........$58,555

23196P 2023 Chevy Colorado.............................................. $25,995 231942 2023ChevySilverado ......................... 4x4.................$32,995 261001 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500.................................... $34,995 24230P 2024ChevySilveradoCrewCab ..... Low Miles ........... $38,995 261381 2022 Chevy Silverado LT 2500 HD ..... 4x4 ............... $42,995 251861 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax ...............$53,980

CAR 23195P 2023 Chevy Malibu ................................................ $16,995 22167P 2022 Chevy Malibu LT ........................................... $22,540 Serving Acadiana for over 90 years...

CHEVROLET DISCOUNT PROGRAMS $

500 BONUS CASH

There is a reason!

STACKABLE WITH MOST CURRENT OFFERS. SEE DEALER FOR FULL DETAILS.

John “JC” Carpenter Sales Manager

929 North Main St., Opelousas, LA 337-942-9701 • 1-800-960-6537 www.roychevy.com

Burley Lemon

Joseph Mouret

LIVING

T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

|

S at u r d ay, a p r i l 25, 2026

5CN

“The company itself has not only made me a more confident performer, but it’s also helped me become a more well-rounded person and a better teacher.”

Terry Robinson

MARy-BETH BLANCHARD-LOFTIN, on the Louisiana Shakespeare Company

FAITH MATTERS

Minister shares life story, lessons To know Brusly minister Eva Lloyd Collins’ life story is to understand the foundation that has shaped her into a strong woman of faith.

That foundation is reflected in the title of her new book, “My Life Story: Memories Living Southwest of Button River” (Hawes and Jenkins Publishing), a reference to the area southwest of Kentwood where Collins grew up.

Collins, 79, shares a story that is Collins sometimes humorous and engaging and at other times deeply personal, provocative and even a bit uncomfortable.

While “My Life” may not be classified strictly as a faithbased book, it offers meaningful insight into the experiences that have informed her spiritual journey. Collins, who has been in the ministry for 30 years, is a member of the Israelite Baptist Church in Brusly.

“The church was a great part of my upbringing. I found solace in God’s Word, friendship and fellowship that was genuine,” writes Collins.

PHOTOS By MAGGIE MARONEy

Jeff Wolfthal as Shakespeare, KristiAnne Lyons as Puck and Jules Schrader as Queen Elizabeth I at the Louisiana Shakespeare Festival

MUCH ADO ABOUT SOMETHING

The Louisiana Shakespeare Festival brings ‘The Bard’ to Baton Rouge

BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer

Collins begins with vivid reflections on her childhood, drawing readers into her early life grounded by Christian principles.

Her father exemplified a life of service by planting acres of produce and sharing with others.

“My daddy used to always say everything comes from God, and don’t make a God of anything. Now I realize that my daddy plowed, planted and cared for his garden and fields, but it was God who gave the increase,” she writes.

She effusively extols the godly women mentors who helped shape her upbringing, including her mother, aunts and numerous educators — among them music and Sunday school teachers — who sparked her interest in reading and writing and sparked her desire to pursue a career in education.

From there, Collins captures attention with stories from her college experiences at Southern University, where she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in education.

She then transitions into the beginnings of her 33-year career in public education, highlighting the dedication and perseverance that defined her professional life. Though semiretired, Collins remains active with a tutoring business.

The remainder of the 113page book shifts in structure with a collection of poems, songs, devotionals and class assignments from her time at Christian Bible College, where

ä See MATTERS, page 6C

Taking Shakespeare to the streets is one of the main missions of the Louisiana Shakespeare Company, and they’re bringing “The Bard” to downtown Baton Rouge 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9 at the Capitol Park Museum for the second annual Louisiana Shakespeare Festival.

The festival will include short scenes from the 2025-2026 season, library program scenes, sword and hand-to-hand combat demonstrations, STEM ink-making experiences, Renaissance dance, an Elizabethan costume exhibit and a season preview of the company’s upcoming productions.

Jennifer Bouquet, the talented theater teacher at Glasgow Middle School and one of the founders of the Louisiana Shakespeare Company, says the four-hour festival is a free day of Shakespeare.

“Our motto for the company is that Shakespeare belongs to everybody,” Bouquet said, “and we intentionally use that word ‘belongs’ because not everybody is

Rayna Meyers and Kaylon Willoughby sword fight in a combat demonstration at the Louisiana Shakespeare Festival in 2025. into Shakespeare, and that’s OK.” Bouquet, Katy Truluck and Liz Odom-Dalton founded the Louisiana Shakespeare Company in September of 2023. By December, they had their 501(c)(3) status and premiered the company. Through free library programming, theater productions and the festival, the

company provides access to Shakespeare in Baton Rouge.

“When people think of Shakespeare, they automatically get triggered because they think of English class. But, if you’ve never had a fair shot at understanding

ä See FESTIVAL, page 6C

Henry Turner Jr. launches new internet TV channel ‘Music was a part of my life when I realized who I am,’ Henry Turner Jr. says in an episode of ‘Henry’s Listening Room.’

SCREENSHOT FROM HENRyTURNER.TV

Staff report Music man Henry Turner Jr. is expanding his scope again — into television.

The Baton Rouge musician, producer and music entrepreneur has launched Turner TV, a new i24/7 family-friendly internet television channel available at www.henryturner.tv.

In addition to music, the new

channel will offer classic movies, westerns, comedies, documentaries, cartoons and podcasts.

Music programming will include: n Turner Film Studios’ “Henry’s Listening Room,” a 50-episode series centering on the talent that appears at Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room and various

ä See CHANNEL, page 6C

6C ● Saturday,April 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

Psst: People don’t want to go to your kid’s party anyway Dear Miss Manners: I am planning ents, which affected the social a birthday party for my 3-yearscene for everyone. old daughter. Last year, I was really busy with for her second birthday, all the activities for kids, we did a small event and also with the cake at home, and she was and food. Even though my pleased about it. I only daughter really enjoyed invited friends from her the party, it lacked social day care to make it spevalue.

Judith For this year, we have cial for her.

Martin booked a kids’ venue for For her first birthday, MISS the party and are careI invited her friends MANNERS and their parents to our fully choosing people to home. I also invited her invite, rather than ask evday care teachers. But it was a ery colleague and acquaintance lot of preparation to do on my of ours. For instance, I chose not own, and the guests were not to invite some friends of my husreally friends of ours. Also, the band’s because I didn’t want it to day care staff sat with the parbe a reunion for them. But I am

TODAY IN HISTORY

By The Associated Press Today is Saturday, April 25, the 115th day of 2026. There are 250 days left in the year.

Today in history: On April 25, 1898, the United States Congress declared war against Spain. The 16-week Spanish-American War resulted in an American victory, after which the U.S. took possession of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam.

Also on this date: In 1507, a world map produced by German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller contained the first recorded use of the term “America,” in honor of Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci.

In 1859, ground was broken in Egypt for construction of the Suez Canal.

In 1915, during World War I, Allied soldiers invaded the Gallipoli Peninsula in an unsuccessful attempt to take the Ottoman Empire out of the war.

In 1945, during World War II, delegates from 50 countries opened a conference in San Francisco to create the Charter of the United Nations.

In 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway opened to commercial traffic, connecting all five Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

In 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was deployed in orbit from the space shuttle Discovery.

(It was later discovered that the telescope’s primary mirror was flawed, requiring the installation of corrective components to achieve optimal focus.)

In 2014, city officials in Flint, Michigan, changed the source of its water supply from Lake Huron (provided by the city of Detroit) to the Flint River in a cost-cutting move.

The river water exposed Flint residents to dangerous levels of lead and bacteria, leading to a public health crisis that took five years to resolve.

In 2015, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people, injuring more than 22,000 others and damaging some 1 million houses and buildings.

In 2022, the world’s richest person, Elon Musk, reached an agreement to buy Twitter for roughly $44 billion, promising a more lenient approach to policing content on the social media platform that he would rebrand as X. Today’s birthdays: Actor Al Pacino is 86. Musicianproducer Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA) is 81. Actor Talia Shire is 80. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is 64.

Actor Hank Azaria is 62.

Sportscaster Joe Buck is 57. Actor Gina Torres is 57. Actor Renée Zellweger is 57. Actor Jason Lee is 56. Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Duncan is 50. Singer and actor Sara Paxton is 38. NFL safety Jordan Poyer is 35. Actor Allisyn Snyder is 30.

RELIGION BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

Sounds of CommUNITY Concert

The Annual Sounds of CommUNITY Concert of the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge will take place at 3 p.m.

Sunday at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 185 Eddie Robinson Dr., Baton Rouge.

The concert will feature a wide variety of cultures and faith musical performing groups and soloists.

The event is free and open to the public.

Rev. Fred Jeff Smith of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church will make introductory remarks.

This year’s theme is dedicated to the federation’s mission of Unity, Justice and Pease, according to Errin Gaines, Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge board of directors president. This concert series was established in 1991 by the late Rev. Charles T. Smith, who was pastor at Shiloh.

The Interfaith Federation board of directors invites all congregations to attend and reminds the community of the importance of bringing the interfaith community together.

“Music and art are ways that we express ourselves and our faith, no matter our tradition,” said Gaines.

Participating congregations include Shiloh, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Heritage Choir, Trinity Episcopal Church, Living Faith Christian Center, Episco-

pal Church of the Nativity and others.

Donations will be accepted to support the ongoing work of the federation’s Holy Grill and the children’s Kids Café initiative.

No registration is necessary.

Go to ifedgbr.com for more information.

Mother’s Day at St. James Baptist St. James Baptist Church, 1105 N. 44th St., Baton Rouge, will hold a special Mother’s Day celebration at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 10.

The Youth & Children’s Ministry will highlight “The Value & Victorious View of Godly Mothers.”

Breakfast will be served following the worship experience.

The public is invited.

Free gospel concert on May 1 The Rev. Mike Vaughn will lead a “Southern and Country Gospel Fest” at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, at Good News Fellowship Church, 13101 La. 442 West, Tickfaw.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and singing will start at 6:30 p.m. with Vaughn, followed by Danny Ray Bishop of Magee, Mississippi, at 7:30 p.m.

This is a free concert, but a love offering will be received. A concession stand will serve desserts.

For further information, contact Barbara Vaughn at (985) 974-0507 or mvmgoodnews.com.

having a lot of nervousness and cannot stop thinking about who to invite.

I do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but at the same time, I don’t want our efforts to go in vain. I don’t want to lose social status at this party again.

I need some guidance on navigating the social dynamics of a birthday party. How do I balance inviting people who are helpful to me as friends with inviting people who have more social value?

Gentle reader: How about not using your 3-year-old daughter’s birthday as a way to further your own social clout?

You seemed to state that as a goal at the beginning and then we quickly lost the plot.

Using family events to network is unseemly, if all too common.

It leads to awkward interactions such as you describe, when really the focus should be on the children. Social value should not be measured by a child’s birthday party. (Or bat mitzvah. Or quinceanera. Or wedding.) Your child’s friends and their parents are the only ones who should be invited.

Dear Miss Manners: I have a close friend who is obsessively on her phone at restaurants and concerts — she checks her so-

cial media feeds constantly. My daughter-in-law is even worse: She is on social media openly during family gatherings. I am appalled by both, but at a loss as to how I can politely ask for their full attention.

Gentle reader: Invite them out together. They will have so much to not talk about.

Send questions to Miss Manners at her website, missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

FESTIVAL

Continued from page 5C Shakespeare or being exposed to good Shakespeare, you don’t know if it belongs to you,” Bouquet said.

This year, the company is expanding the festival to include more vendors like Cavalier House Books and Loveday Funck Art. And they are still accepting more vendor applications.

Festival happenings Mary-Beth Blanchard-Loftin, the elementary theater teacher at Math, Science and Arts Academy-West Elementary School, has been a member of the company since starring as Viola in the first production, “Twelfth Night,” in 2024.

She says her favorite part of the festival is showing parts of the past season’s plays, which will be scenes from “The Tempest” and “Comedy of Errors.” These scenes allow people who couldn’t come to the shows to see little snippets of the plays.

A historical hands-on activity for children and adults is the “Write Like Shakespeare” ink-making experience, led by Nathalie Roy, Latin and Roman Technology teacher at Glasgow Middle School. Roy will teach festivalgoers how to make oak gall ink, also known as iron gall ink, through a process she uses in her Roman Tech classes.

“This ink was used from the classical period up until the 1800s. Shakespeare likely used this ink to write his plays and poems. It has several connections to periods in history,” Roy said.

The experience will include making the ink, writing with a quill and erasing with a sponge. Each person will take home a quill, a container of ink and their writing.

PHOTO By MAGGIE MARONEy

Jeff Wolfthal as Shakespeare and Jules Schrader as Queen Elizabeth I at the Louisiana Shakespeare Festival in 2025 Bouquet and BlanchardLoftin are excited to share company-made trailers of the upcoming 2026-2027 season. This year, they will premiere the entire season with posters and dates at 11 a.m. May 9 at the festival.

The company will also perform their children’s library demonstrations led

by Courtney Calato, who has years of children’s theater experience and stunt performance.

Productions provide access When Bouquet, OdomDalton and Truluck founded the company, it was most important to them to reach kids and offer free Shakespeare in a way that kids could grasp. The first order of business was to start a library program at the East Baton Rouge Parish Delmont Gardens library for children 5 to 11.

They wrote an original script that included “Romeo

and Juliet” scenes and went once a month for six months.

They started with one child and finished the term with 21.

Calato is the head of education for the company, and she adapts the plays into fun, interactive 30-minute shows that are 50% narration and 50% Shakespeare.

“Because it’s a community program, not only are we trying to promote literacy and introduce kids to these characters and these plot lines at an early age, we also provide snacks and water for any person that attends these little performances,” Bouquet said.

The company has also started preparing for the Shakes Squad Summer Camp, a camp for young performers ages 12 to 17 from June 8 to 12.

Over the course of a week, students will explore Shakespeare’s language through audition workshops, ensemble-building theater games,

CHANNEL

Continued from page 5C festivals in Baton Rouge n The new half-hour series “Have You Seen My Video?”, hosted by Henry Turner Jr. and produced by Turner Film Studios, features domestic and international music videos of various genres.

Some of the modern country acts include Celeste Marie and Uncle Rayno. Reggae artists are Michael Black, Ben Hunter and Jeff Gebre.

To submit your music video, visit https://hitcitydigital. wixsite.com/hlrtv.

Both shows feature original, multi-genre music and are scheduled for Monday through Friday, along with the Don Corenlius’ “Soul Train,” a music-dance show which first aired from 1971 to 2006.

MATTERS

Continued from page 5C she graduated with a degree in Christian education. Each piece offers readers a window into Collins’ thoughts, joys, challenges, personal reflections and faith.

Readers may particularly enjoy Collins’ short selections “I Believe,” “The Baby’s Bottom,” “In Him” and her powerful meditation on Romans 3.

SCREENSHOT FROM HENRyTURNER.TV

Baton Rouge blues artists Miss Mamie and Smokehouse Porter are featured in an episode of ‘Henry’s Listening Room.’ Mamie Porter died in 2025.

The channel’s classic comedies will have blast-fromthe-past stars like Buddy Epsen, Louisiana’s Donna Douglas, Don Adams, Barbara Stanwyck, Lee Majors, Lorne Greene and Michael Landon, among others.

Documentaries will include “Music Dreams: An

American Story” and “We’re Going Down to the Mardi Gras.”

Look for classic cartoons from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, followed by vintage films starring John Travolta, Bruce Lee, Richard Lawson, John Wayne, Burt Lancaster and Terence Hill.

Despite being a relatively quick and pleasant read, “My Life Story” had a few difficult moments. Collins recounts being raped at age 14 in her mother’s bedroom by a neighbor while she was home alone.

Collins’ strong writing skills were evident in the detailed manner in which she described the traumatic incident with a “grown man.”

“I could not run away because he had arms like antennae that reached out

and caught me. I couldn’t fight because his upper torso was like a raging bull pressing against its prey,” she writes. “I screamed and begged him to stop. He continued until I couldn’t scream anymore. I felt so scared, so violated, and betrayed.”

Collins said she suppressed that moment for decades and finally found strength through faith. She shares a difficult lesson on finding liberation through forgiveness.

movement-based storytelling and coached monologue and scene work. On the last day of camp, performers will present monologues and short scenes for their families in the Shakes Squad Showcase.

Blanchard-Loftin knows firsthand how the company can impact a performer. She drives from Plaquemine to be part of the Louisiana Shakespeare Company.

“I will gladly drive the hour to go and spend time and perform with these people,” she said. “The company itself has not only made me a more confident performer, but it’s also helped me become a more well-rounded person and a better teacher.”

For more information, visit lashakes.org or the Louisiana Shakespeare Company Facebook or Instagram page.

Email Joy Holden at joy. holden@theadvocate.com.

Current podcasts are “Geaux Play E Sports,” hosted by Christopher Turner.

“I am overwhelmed with the power of television. I believe we have been given the power to make new TV stars with our original shows and plan to make as many as I can,” Turner said.

Henry Turner Jr. has been in the music industry for more than 40 years. He is the founder of Henry Turner Jr. Listening Room Foundation, Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room and the band Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor.

Production began on “Henry’s Listening Room” in 2022. The show originally ran in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and is currently in national and international syndication.

For the programming schedule and more information, visit Henry Turner TV at www.henryturner.tv.

“Thank God for Jesus. Today I am able to forgive the molester because I have Jesus in my life. The molester died without ever saying he was sorry,” she writes. “I thank God that he has plans for me in spite of my past.”

And thank you, Minister Collins, for sharing your life story of hope, instructions, encouragement and wisdom.

Contact Terry Robinson at terryrobinson622@gmail. com.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Saturday, April 25, 2026 ● 7C

lll

FrAnK And erneSt

bIG nAte

zItS

zodIAC tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Think before you react. Use your intelligence and call on experts to back your claims. Preparation is essential if you want to take care of matters quickly and efficiently.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Call the shots and make things happen. Make physical changes that enrich your life and boost your confidence. Rearrange your living space to accommodate your needs, and you'll flourish. cAncER (June 21-July 22) Forget about what others are doing and concentrate on what's best for you. Protect your reputation, position and your peace of mind. Put your emotions aside and let facts and figures dictate how you proceed.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Turn your dream into a reality. Gather information and set aside what you need financially, physically and emotionally to finish what you start. Socialize, use charm and explore the possibilities.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Make physical changes for the right reason. Refuse to be coerced into altering your looks to appease someone else. Avoid unnecessary costs and expensive entertainment.

LIBRA (sept. 23-Oct. 23) Learn from your experiences, and don't make the same mistake twice. Rely on your instincts and people with your best interests at heart to get you where you want to go. scORPIO (Oct. 24-nov. 22) You need to distance yourself from the hustle and bustle and give yourself time to think.

Refuse to let emotions lead you astray or cost you financially. You can't buy love. sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Put your differences with someone aside and get your emotions under control. A change at home will influence your personal preferences. Acceptance and productivity are your path to peace of mind and happiness. cAPRIcORn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Be careful with whom you share information and personal thoughts. Stick close to home and put your energy into self-preservation and taking better care of yourself.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Changing your location or rearranging your space to meet your demands will ease stress.

Don't hibernate when interactions will bring out the best in you and attract someone interesting.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Relax and watch the world go by. Refuse to buy into someone else's dream when you have your own plans to make. Simplify your life and let go of what causes you grief.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Participate; be a player, a mover and a shaker. Let your quick wit and engaging appeal resonate throughout whatever room you enter.

Pump it up, and you won't be disappointed.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

For better or For WorSe WonderWord

peAnUtS

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY CeLebrItY CIpher Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

tODAy's cLuE: u EQuALs M

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

dooneSbUrY

8C ● Saturday,April 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

CurTiS

Hi and LoiS

lll

Sudoku InstructIons: Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers.

The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 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.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

BaBY BLueS

BLondie

THe wiZard oF id

nea CroSSwordS

La TimeS CroSSword

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Saturday,April 25, 2026 ● 9C

lll

B.C.

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER Henry David Thoreau, a writer who, inter alia, railed against taxes, said, “A simple and independent mind does not toil at the bidding of any prince.”

Here is a deal in which an opponent’s bidding helps declarer to find the winning line of play.

South is in three no-trump. West leads the spade queen. What should declarer do?

When West’s one-spade opening was passed around to South, he made a takeout double. West rebid in his second fivecard suit. Then North bravely advanced with three clubs. And South took a shot at three no-trump, knowing it was extremely unlikely that this contract would fail and five clubs would succeed.

Declarer starts with six top tricks: two spades, two hearts and two clubs. If he can play the clubs without loss, he will be home. But who has the club queen?

There are only 15 high-card points missing, which might lead South to think West holds that key card. However, West’s bidding suggests that East is the favorite because West has so many more spades and diamonds than East.

To try to cover all bases, declarer should lead the club jack from his hand.

First, if West has queen-doubleton, he might cover. And in case West is void of

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

hagar the horriBle

clubs, South is unblocking the suit. Here, when West discards, declarer wins with dummy’s king, runs the club nine, plays a club to his 10, and cashes the club ace.

Then South leads a heart to dummy’s ace and cashes the last club. With two majorsuit winners still nestling in his hand, the contract is home. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

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

PiCKles

Previous answers:

mallard fillmore

word game 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” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

tODAy’s WORD — LAunDER: LAWN-der: To wash something in water.

Bizarro

marmaduKe

Average mark 35 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 44 or more words in LAUNDER? yEstERDAy’s WORD — IMMEDIAcy iced idea idem imam mace made maid maim maimed mead media

medic mica mice midi mime mimic dace dame decay dice dicey

dime aced acid acme aide aimed amid came

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “O Lord, I have heard your speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive your work in the middle of the years, in the middle of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.”

Habakkuk 3:2 We need to pray for revival too. Oh how we need the Lord. — G.E. Dean

10C ● Saturday, April 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

Redesigned + reimagined.

Best app ever?

Best app ever.

Y’all see Stephen Marcantel’s new story?

We did! On the new Acadiana Advocate app!

Wait, you’re reading it on the app?

We are!

Best app ever?

Best app ever!

DOWNLOAD

HERE