BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer
A Louisiana judge halted Gov Jeff Landry’s plan to pay for teacher stipends by cutting public school funding by nearly $170 million after advocates filed a lawsuit Thursday arguing that Landry lacks the legal authority to order
the cut.
Judge Richard “Chip” Moore of the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge granted the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order to stop the governor from enacting his executive order, which calls for a $168 million reduction in state education funding this school year to pay for
$2,000 stipends for teachers and
$1,000 for school support staff.
The 11-day restraining order also forbids Landry from continuing to collect ballots from the Legislature, two-thirds of which must approve his plan for it to take effect. The court-ordered delay is likely to push the vote past the deadline for the governor to veto budget
items. Some lawmakers have expressed concern that Landry could slash funding for projects in their districts if they opposed his plan, according to people who have spoken with them. The lawsuit argues that Landry overstepped his constitutional authority by effectively reallocating education funds, which the state
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education controls under Louisiana’s constitution. It also says Landry circumvented the proper legal procedure by issuing the order on June 2, a day after the legislative session ended, and asking
ABOVE: Trey LaFleur, right, teaches young campers how to hold the bat while bunting on Thursday during the University of Louisiana at Lafayette baseball summer camp at M.L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park in Lafayette. Campers learned the ins and outs of playing baseball: bunting, running the bases and the correct way to slide into a base. BELOW LEFT: Camper David Landry, 12, swings his bat. BELOW RIGHT: Campers wait their turn to have their bat speed recorded.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur swept through southeast Louisiana early Thursday with torrential rains and tornado strikes, causing flooding in parts of the New Orleans metro area, injuring at least two people and leaving thousands without power While Arthur did not remain a tropical storm for long after moving ashore in Texas on Wednesday its sprawling bands and severe weather
Counts relate to 2023 Hamas attack in Israel BY MIKE
BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer
New federal charges have been filed against Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi, who resided and worked briefly in Lafayette after allegedly participating in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist attack in Israel that left hundreds of civilians dead. Federal officials with the U.S. District Court in Lafayette on Wednesday filed a superseding indictment against Al-Muhtadi that modifies an
Congressman to return after extended absence
New Jersey Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who’s been absent from Congress since March with an unspecified medical issue, is set to return on June 30, a political consultant to the congressman said Thursday Kean, who represents a battleground district in this year’s midterms, has missed more than 100 votes and hasn’t been spotted in Washington or his district, stirring a mystery that carries potential national consequences.
“Congressman Kean is eager to return to in person work on June 30 and resume a full schedule,” said Kean political consultant Harrison Neely in a text. “He plans to be fully transparent regarding the nature of his health issue and you should expect to hear from him in person June 30th.” Kean’s office has said he is still running for reelection and is set to face Democratic Navy veteran Rebecca Bennett in the state’s premier contest in November.
Kean last voted in the House on March 5, but his absence wasn’t explained. In April, his social media account posted that he had been dealing with a personal medical issue and his doctors expected him to recover Parthenon gets facelift, revealing ancient look
ATHENS, Greece Visitors to the Acropolis can now see the Parthenon’s western side looking whole for the first time in about 220 years.
Officially unveiled Thursday, restorers have slotted two new marble blocks into long-empty gaps high on the temple’s western end — the view visitors see when they first enter the ancient monument in Athens.
The 25-century-old monument overlooking the Greek capital attracted about 4.6 million visitors last year Long-term restoration projects address damage caused by war, weather and looting, including the broken outline of the western side.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni described the sight after the latest restoration as “truly stunning.” The two new stones, she said, do more than fill a gap.
“They allow the unique proportions and the geometric perfection of the Parthenon’s western face to be seen once again,” she said.
The project was funded through a European Union program It is part of a broader restoration effort that began in 1975.
Gunmen attack Niger airport, killing 13
DAKAR, Senegal Gunmen attacked the main airport in Niger’s capital early Thursday, killing 11 soldiers and two civilians in an exchange of fire that also left 22 of the attackers dead, authorities said.
Niger’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that the attack in Niamey was foiled and that 20 suspects were arrested along with weapons and ammunition.
Witnesses reported gunfire and explosions during the attack, and an Associated Press journalist saw soldiers searching people on the road to the airport in the aftermath of the violence.
Hours later, the National Civil Aviation Agency said the airport was operating normally Niger, led by a military junta since a 2023 coup, has struggled to contain deadly jihadi violence that has battered parts of Africa’s Sahel region, including neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali that are also run by military juntas.
It was the second attack at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey this year, after the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a similar attack in January that targeted Niger’s drone assets.
The airport is a strategic hub that hosts a Nigerien air force base as well as the headquarters of the Niger-Burkina Faso-Mali joint military force.
The military has beefed up the airport security following the January attack, but jihadis in Niger and the wider region continue to pose serious threats, analysts say
Moderna’s first-of-its kind mRNA shot could be approved in August
BY LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONE Associated Press
WASHINGTON Anewkindoffluvaccine moved a step closer to the U.S. market Thursday as federal health advisers recommended approval of the first made with the same mRNA technology that was key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Food and Drug Administration is evaluating Moderna’s new shot, dubbed mFlusiva, for older Americans ahead of the winter flu season. Moderna is seeking full approval for the vaccine’s use in people ages 50 to 64 along with authorization for use in those 65 and older while it conducts additional testing.
The FDA’s independent advisory committee evaluated Moderna’s studies of the vaccine and voted unanimously that its benefits appear to outweigh any risks for both
age groups. The FDA will consider that recommendation in making a final decision by early August.
Tens of thousands of Americans die from influenza every year, and older adults are among the most vulnerable. There are various types of flu vaccines already available in the U.S., including three specifically recommended for people 65 and older But vaccines made with the Nobel Prize-winning mRNA technology are faster to manufacture than other types — something experts say might help if the shape-shifting flu virus mutates in a way that requires suddenly brewing new doses to match.
“Having this technology available puts us in a better position to be prepared for emerging strains in the future,” said Dr Flor MunozRivas of Texas Children’s Hospital, one of FDA’s advisers.
In a study of 40,000 people age 50 and older Moderna’s mRNA vac-
cine reduced flu cases by about 27% compared with those given another routinely used vaccine brand. In a smaller study of people 65 and older, Moderna’s shot also generated a strong protective immune response compared with a high-dose flu vaccine already recommended for that age group.
Data showing strong immune reactions “were very compelling,” said FDA adviser Dr Anna Durbin of Johns Hopkins University, adding that “the vaccine looks very promising.”
Moderna’s Dr Rituparna Das told panelists that the company’s ability to quickly manufacture mRNA vaccines that closely match the latest flu strains could prevent thousands of hospitalizations in older Americans.
Severe flu cases in the U.S. generally rise in years when the flu shot doesn’tcloselymatchthecirculating virus. Moderna officials noted that
U.S.-Iran deal sparks hope among sorrow of destruction
BY KAREEM CHEHAYEB MALAK HARB and BILAL HUSSEIN Associated Press
TYRE, Lebanon — Adnan Kaour returned on Thursday to check on his home in southern Lebanon’s coastal city of Tyre — once known as an idyllic summer getaway spot — just a week after Israel issued warnings for all of its residents to evacuate
The warnings were followed by sweeping airstrikes, which Israel said targeted the Lebanese Hezbollah militant group.
What Kaour found back in Tyre shattered his hopes. His dream family apartment overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean Sea was a heap of rubble and shattered glass.
His return came after the announcement of an agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war in the Middle East. The deal also calls for an end to the war in Lebanon, where Israel has been fighting Hezbollah but it’s unclear what that means in practice.
Israel and Hezbollah are not parties to the agreement. Iran insists Israel must withdraw from the large swath of southern Lebanon it is occupying, but the wording of the interim deal doesn’t explicitly require that and only ensures Lebanon’s “territorial integrity.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel’s
military will stay in a “security zone” of southern Lebanon as long as “Israel’s security needs require it.”
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri — a Hezbollah ally — said Thursday that the group was committed to the ceasefire, “provided that Israel adheres to it fully and comprehensively.” Hezbollah has said that it’s committed to resisting any occupation by Israel. Fighting between the two sides, which was still underway in some parts of southern Lebanon, could derail the deal.
An isolated enclave hopes for reprieve
Farther south, the Christian village of Ain Ebel is one of a few enclaves in Lebanon’s border area where residents have remained during the war Christian villages, where Hezbollah has little presence, have been largely spared the destruction of neighboring Shiite villages. But they have their own problems.
The village is cut off from the rest of Lebanon by fighting and Israeli checkpoints, relying on aid convoys that require extensive coordination to get through.
One such convoy organized by the Order of Malta, a Catholic lay religious order, arrived Thursday bearing emergency livestock feed and supplies for farmers.
Cattle farmer Boutros Maroun said people in Ain Ebel are exhausted.
“We don’t care about America and Iran, we want the Lebanese people to live comfortably and happily,” he said. “Every two years there’s a new war, and we can no longer take it.”
Emergency economic plan approved Cuba OKs free-market opportunities
BY ANDREA RODRÍGUEZ Associated Press
HAVANA Cuba’s powerful Communist Party on Thursday approved an emergency economic package featuring unprecedented free-market measures aimed at opening up the struggling island’s economy as pressure from the U.S. and the European Union heightens The document, which has not yet been made public,
will be submitted Thursday to Cuba’s National Assembly It envisions expanding opportunities for private enterprise, greater autonomy for municipalities and state-owned companies and measures to attract additional foreign investment.
In recent days, residents in several Havana neighborhoods staged protests, banging pots and pans as power outages spread across the island.
“Cuba resists heroically and creatively, but has endured for too long a barbaric, undeserved and unbearable punishment, to which is now added the
threat of military aggression,” President Miguel Díaz-Canel said late Wednesday in the closing speech of the Communist Party session. The speech was published Thursday The announcement comes after months of increasing pressure from the U.S. and high-level talks between the two countries that have included Raúl Castro’s grandson, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro. The U.S. has levied numerous sanctions against Cuba and has indicted Raúl Castro in connection with the 1996 downing of two civilian planes operated by Miami exiles.
flu strains for each fall’s vaccines now are chosen several months earlier than the yearly recipe update for COVID-19 shots that mostly are mRNA-based — and there can be a mismatch if the flu virus mutates after the recipe is made.
At the meeting, FDA vaccine reviewer Dr Timothy Brennan suggested the agency was open to approving the vaccine for older adults ahead of the coming flu season, despite the need for more information about its use in frail seniors or people with weak immune systems. If it’s approved, Moderna is planning its required next-step study to include 400,000 people 65 and older, half given the mRNA vaccine and the rest given one of today’s special-for-seniors shots. It’s supposed to repeat that study for two flu seasons.
Moderna’s data showed no major safety issues although the shot did cause some temporary reactions including injection-site pain, fever, headache, tiredness and aches.
BY MICHAEL CASEY and CLAUDIA LAUER Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA The Trump administration can replace a slavery exhibit at George Washington’s home in Philadelphia, a federal appeals court panel said Thursday, striking down a lower court’s injunction that required the National Park Service to reinstall the interpretive panels.
The unanimous ruling by the three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a lower court judge wrongly interpreted Philadelphia’s contract claims involving Independence National Historical Park, saying the city merely having standing to sue did not mean its arguments had merit.
The panel also praised the plans for the replacement installation, writing that they were, “full of historical context,” despite objections from historians and city officials that the content appears
whitewashed. The ruling comes a week after a Massachusetts federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore sites changed under an executive order calling for the nation’s museums, parks and landmarks to not display elements that “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.” The federal government has asked for a stay on that ruling while it appeals. It was unclear how the Massachusetts ruling would affect the restoration or replacement of the panels at the President’s House Site. About half the large panels at the outdoor exhibit had been restored before a February pause in the work.
Phone and email messages left for attorneys representing the city were not returned early Thursday Messages to spokespeople for the Department of Interior and the National Park Service also were not returned.
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Iranian supremeleader endorsesdirecttalks with American officials
BY WILL WEISSERT,SEUNG MIN KIM, MICHELLEL.PRICE
and MARYCLARE JALONICK Associated Press
WASHINGTON The U.S. on Thursday lifted its blockade of Iran,and oil tankers began freely moving through the Strait of Hormuz after months of being unable to use the critical channel, as the tentative agreementtoend thewar took effect.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance announced thathemay postpone atrip to Switzerland that had been planned for Friday and included aceremonial signing of the deal. And aTrump administration envoy told U.S. lawmakers in aprivate briefing that Iran will invite the U.N.’snuclear watchdog agency to inspect its nuclear sites. In other developments, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei endorseddirectnegotiations with the U.S. in astatement read by state media.
“It is obvious that theface-toface negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’sopinion,”hesaid It was Khamenei’sfirstreaction to theagreement, anditindicateda shift in Iran’sapproach. Hard-liners,especiallyKhamenei’sfather, the previous supreme leader,have long opposed direct talks, especially afterthe U.S.pulledout of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
The supreme leader has not been seen in public since he was wounded in astrike at the start of the war
Inspection of nuclearsites
Trump envoySteve Witkoff told lawmakers that Iran will invite the U.N.’snuclear watchdog agencyto inspect its nuclear sites andbegin work on identifying and uncoveringthe locations of Tehran’senriched material, which is believed to be buried under rubble.
Theprivate briefing wasdescribed by two people familiar with theconversation whospoke to The Associated Pressoncondition of anonymity to sharethe closed-
door details.
Witkofftold congressionalleadership and members of national security-relatedcommittees that the agreementthat the U.S. struck with Iran did not include anyside deals, butaside letter was drafted between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agencyextending theinvitation
Witkoff disclosed theexistence of the letter and invitation in the briefing, according to the people.
Witkoffsaidthe letter to IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi would enable him to bring U.S. nuclear inspectors to Tehran.
Theagreement states thatIran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium must at minimum be diluted underinternational supervision. It also says that Iran shall not procure or developnuclear weapons —a commitment it has made previously.
Difficult to promotedeal
Vance’s visit mighthave helped start talksonthe next, potentially even more critical, round of negotiationsbetween the two sides.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif alsopostponed a plannedvisit to Switzerland, where Islamabad officials were to host the ceremony, becausethe agreement hadalready been signed,said two seniorofficialswho spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of thematter
The uncertaintimeline could raise new questionsand make it even more difficult for the Trump administration to promote adeal that many in the U.S. —including some congressional Republicans —have criticizedastoo favorabletoTehran
“Our plan is to go to Switzerland.
Idon’t know exactlywhen,” Vance said during abriefing with reporters at the WhiteHouse when asked aboutnot flying,asplanned, to the
Vice PresidentJD Vance speaks to reporters in the James BradyPress Briefing Room at the White House on Thursday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN
signing ceremony
That injected new doubt into an agreement that President Donald Trump said he signedtoavoid “economic catastrophe”inthe U.S Vance’sannouncement came a dayafter Trumpsigned the pact withIranwhiledining with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles. The deal is slated to take immediate effect and extends aceasefire while giving each side 60 days to hammer outbroader agreementsonlarger issues.
Trumpsaid the deal would avoid continued stress on the U.S. economy after thewar caused oil prices to skyrocket, made financialmarkets skittish and fueledinflation. He repeatedly said he did notwant to be compared to Herbert Hoover, whosepolicies helped exacerbate theGreat Depression of the 1930s.
Vancedefends U.S.-Irandeal
The vice president, who was initially personally skeptical of the U.S.going to war with Iran,has increasingly becomethe administration’sface of the conflict and has been outspoken in defending the deal. Asked about concerns it concedes too much, the vice president said repeatedly that the accord would force Iran to “change their behavior.”
Vanceshruggedoff accusations that its rollout has been piecemeal and sometimes contradictory, saying, “I don’tthink ourpublic messaging has been chaotic.
He alsooffered asurprisingly blunt warning to Israel, whichhas pushed the U.S.totakeaharder stance againstIranand launched attacks on the Iranian-backedHezbollahmilitia in Lebanon throughoutthe war,including just before thedealextendingthe ceasefire was reached. Those attackscomplicated the peace effortswith Iran.
He will no longer be assertinga psychiatricdefense
BY MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press
NEW YORK In astunning reversal, Luigi Mangione ‘s lawyers told ajudge Thursday that he will no longer be asserting apsychiatric defense at his state murder trial in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The retraction came just aday after Mangione’slawyers told Judge Gregory Carro that they planned to pursue adefense involving claims that the 28-year-old Ivy League graduate was suffering from extreme emotional disturbance at the time of the Dec. 4, 2024, killing. Amessage seeking com-
ment was left witha spokesperson for Mangione’slawyers. The Manhattan district attorney’s office, which is prosecutingthe state case, declined to comment Mangione’slawyers had faced adeadline Thursday to provide prosecutors withinformation to support theemotional disturbance claim. Also Thursday, atranscriptofasecret hearing held on thematter on June 3 wasmadepublicafter Carro ordered it unsealed If Mangioneweretohave gone through with theextremeemotional disturbancedefense, he would have effectively been admitting thathekilled Thompson but did so because of mitigating circumstances. It wouldn’thaveabsolved him of responsibility, but couldhave ledtoless time in prison
If ajury accepts the defense, it is obligated to con-
vict adefendant of manslaughter,which is punishable by up to 25 yearsin prison, instead of murder whichcarries apotential life sentence.
In aletter to Carro on Thursday,Mangione lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said thedefense“respectfully withdraws” its notice underNew York’s psychiatric defense statute.
Mangione, 28, has pleaded notguiltytostate andfederal charges. His statetrial is scheduled to start Sept. 8. His federal trial, which involves stalking charges, is set to begin on Oct. 13.
At Wednesday’shearing, Friedman Agnifilo protested Carro’s decision to unseal materials related to hispsychiatric defense, saying it will be “prejudicial to his defense to theexact same facts”in his federal case, where an extreme emotional disturbance defense isn’tallowed.
BY LISAMASCARO AP congressional correspondent
WASHINGTON— More than$350 million fromPresident Donald Trump’s“big, beautiful bill ”has been quietly directed to White House security,anallotment that Democrats warn appears to be helping fund his new ballroom project —despite the president’s insistence that no taxpayer dollars would be used.
The apportionment of funds, whichthe WhiteHouse’sOffice of Management and Budget made lateFriday,comes fromtwo accountsthat were intended to provide the U.S. Secret Service with extra money for hiring andtraining in the aftermath of last year’s assassination attempts on the president, according to Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee. The shift wasmade days after Congress rejected a$1billion request for theWhite House in aHomeland Security bill that Trumpsigned law and as the ballroom project is tangled in legal challenges.
Senate Judiciary Committee chairman ChuckGrassley,whose panel initially drafted the security funding, said Thursday he was unaware of theallocations.
“The president saidthatitwas all going to be paid forwith privatemoney,” said Grassley,R-Iowa. “And that’swhat the country expects.”
Sen. JeffMerkley, of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, charged that Trump’sactions arepotentially illegal.
“After repeatedlytelling the American people that zero taxpayerdollars wouldbespent on his gold-platedballroom boondoggle, now Trumpappears to be usinga smokeand mirrorstactic,” Merkley said in astatement.
“Trump has proven that he can’tbetrusted to follow the law,” Merkley said. “He only cares aboutwastingtaxpayer money on his vanity projects.”
Ballroom projecthitssetbacks
Trumphas faced setbacks in his attempts to build the ballroom on White House grounds, where he ordered the demolition of the storied East Wing to makeway for it. Touring the construction site last month, Trump called the development a“gift” to the American people.Hehas repeatedly said that is beingpaidfor by donations —which has also run into ethics questions from watchdogs concerned about potentialcorruption and conflicts of interest. Congress refusedthe Trumpadministration’s request for$1billion for the ballroom last month. The administration wanted the moneyaspartofaHomeland Security bill, but Republican and Democratic lawmakers rejected effortstotack it on.Itbecame politically toxic at atimewhen Americans are reeling frominflationary high costs of living.
The Washington Post reported earlier this week thatthe price tagfor the project hasballooned to $600 million,according to a project summary preparedby the contractor,with more than half of that funding coming from taxpayers. Roll Call first reported on the apportionment of new funds forWhite House security At its core, arguments are swirling over how much of the White House project is to bolster security underground, with bomb shelters and amedical facility, and how much of the costs are related to the president’spromised 999-seat ballroom on top. Aspokesman forthe White House said that Trumpand donors are funding some$400 million forthe ballroom development, and that the coordination with the Secret Service had been noted in the initialannouncement of the project.
Former presidents, celebritycrowd celebrateopening
BY SCOTT BAUER Associated Press
Former President Barack Obama formally opened hispresidential center in Chicago on Thursday with acall to defend democracy as three former presidentsjoined him on stage in an extraordinary event featuring politicians, A-list celebrities, athletes and other internationally known figures.
“I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just howspecial, how precious our democracy truly is and remind us what we can achieve when we embrace our shared responsibilities as citizens,” the nation’sfirst Black president told thecrowd.
Jennifer Hudson, Bono, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony and Eddie Vedder took turns on the stage ahead of Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder,who closed the show singing “Higher Ground” as the former presidents, world leaders and others danced along.
President Donald Trump was conspicuousboth in his physical absence and by not beingmentioned by any of the speakers or performers. Trump called the $850 million center a“total disaster” in asocial media post in February Obama voiced his supportfor character,honesty,integrity, kindness, compassionand sense of duty,praising both Democrats and Republicans, including those he defeated.
“Every president here today,as different as we are, has tried our best to uphold values that John McCain and Mitt Romney believed in no less thanI did,” Obama said.
“Itisour greatest inheritance.”
Reflecting on his arrival in Chicago in 1985 as an untested political organizer,hesaid he could not have built the Obama Presidential Center anywhere else. He met his future wife Michelle nearby,their wedding reception waswithin walking
PABLOMARTINEZMONSIVAIS
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By
Former President JoeBiden and former first ladyJillBiden, from left, former President Barack Obama and former first ladyMichelle Obama, former President GeorgeW.Bush and former first ladyLaura Bush, and former President Bill Clinton and former SecretaryofState Hillary Clinton, stand together before Thursday’s dedicationceremonyatthe Obama Presidential CenterinChicago.
distance, his childrenwere born in the neighborhood and he launched his first candidacy not far away
“It’sanexpression of thanks, an acknowledgment that so much of what Ihold most dear Iowe to the people of this cityand thepeople of the surrounding neighborhoods,” Obamasaid.
Emotionalwords
The Obamas andtheir daughters shared the stage with former presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton along with former first ladiesJillBiden,LauraBush and Hillary RodhamClinton. Former Vice PresidentKamalaHarris and many other leading Democrats were in theaudience.
Michelle Obama spoke directly to herhusband when shestepped up to the podium. “Eight yearsin thecrucible and not once did you melt in theheat. Not once did you let it harden you.
“Instead, you used it to reveal your truest essence,” she said.
“Your stubborn optimism and unflinching courage. Your dazzling brilliance andunpretentious decency.Yourferocious workethic and absolutely unshakable moral fiber.And to do it all as afirst.”
She ticked off highlights from her husband’seight years in office, including ordering theraid thatled to thekilling of Osamabin Laden, “standing up for marriageequality” and “listening to science.”
“And you did it all withsuch grace and class and cool,” she said.
“You made thehardestjob in the world look like awalk in this beautifulpark.”
Obama appeared to wipe away a tear as she praised him.
Weekendofcelebration
Thethree-hourinvite-only celebration includedcommentary from anearby park where thousands gathered, and it was livestreamed to manymore. It kicks off aweekend of eventsas the center openstothe general public on Juneteenth.
“This is nota monument to the Obamas,” said Valerie Jarrett, theObama Foundation’s chiefexecutive and former Obama top adviser.“This is atributetoall those who made this journey possible.”
General admission tickets for the center aresold out through the end of October. More thana million visitorsa year areexpected at the nearly 20-acre campus.
Ocean-monitoring equipment will be redeployed
By The Associated Press
The National Science Foundation on Thursday reversed adecisiontodismantlea sprawling ocean monitoringnetworkafter vigorous objections from Democratic lawmakers and scientists who rely on it to track everything from ocean circulation to extreme weather
The NSF issued astatement saying thatit“appreciates the concerns raised by the range of stakeholders” and would halt efforts to remove or disable equipment. It also said it will redeploy equipment that alreadywas removedfrom the water and convene an ex-
BY LINDSAYWHITEHURST Associated Press
WASHINGTON TheSupremeCourt ruled Thursday against abroad federal ban on gun ownership by marijuana users, the latestina line of firearmcases from acourt that has expanded gun rights.
Thejustices decided unanimously in favor of AliDanialHemani,a Texasman who arguedthatalaw barring guns from anyone who regularly uses illegal drugs violates the Second Amendment JusticeNeil Gorsuch wrote that his opinion narrowly limits the government’spowertotake guns away from drug users who arenot considered dangerous. Hemani, who was notchargedwith any other crimes or accused of using the weapon underthe influence, is thankful he “finallyhas closure,” lawyer Zachary Newland said.
The decisionisa loss forPresident DonaldTrump’s Republican administration, which had defended the 1968 law despitearguing againstother gun restrictions. Its coreargument “fails under every measure,” Gorsuchwrote.
The law was originally meantto keep guns away from dangerous people, but the millions of people whonow use marijuana can’t allbe characterized that way,Gorsuch wrote. While recreational useisillegal under federal law, about half of states allow it and cannabis use for health purposes is widespread
“Whatever one thinks of these developments, the federal government has not just tolerated them; it helpedfuelthem,” Gorsuch wrote. “All of which leaves it awkwardly positioned to suggest that themillions of Americans who now regularly use marijuana are categorically and unusually dangerous.”
The law was also used in acase against Hunter Biden, whowas convicted in Wilmington,Delaware, of buying agun while addicted to cocaine in 2018. He was later pardoned by his father, Democratic President Joe Biden. Someone addicted to an illegal
pert panelto determine the future of the network.
The Ocean Observatories Initiative is anetworkof more than 900ocean sensors built at acost of $386 million.
Over thelast decadeithas tracked ocean circulation, marine ecosystems,climate change and extremeweather,producing data available to the public and informing more than 500 scientificpublications. The projectwas slated to run another 15-20 years.
TheNational Science Foundation had directedthe removal of most of the system’s instruments from waters off Oregon,Washington, Alaska, North Carolina and Greenland by 2027 —adecision scientistssaidcame with no warning and no scientificreview
Theindependent federal agency,establishedbyCon-
gress, described the move notasa cancellation but as a“descoping” alignedwith a strategy to prioritize “evolving scientific prioritiesand emerging technologies.” The Trumpadministration’sproposed 2026 budget had included a55% cut to the agency
On Monday,a groupof Democratic senators and one Republican, as well as two DemocraticHouse committees, sent letters to theNSF asking it to reverse course on itsplan. House lawmakersaccusedthe agency of acting illegally “Dismantlingthe OOI was supremestupidity, and we’ll keep fighting to ensure scientists, fishermen, and coastal communities can continue to utilize the critical data the OOI provides,” Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley,ofOregon, said in astatement Thursday
drug could potentially still be prosecuted after Thursday’sdecision “Wedonot address efforts to banaddicts, or thosepresently intoxicated, from possessing a firearm,” Gorsuch wrote. Prosecutors could charge amarijuana user if they had evidence the person wasdangerous, he said.
Recreationaluse remainsillegal on afederal level even after the Trumpadministration reclassified medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug in April.
Groups join forces
The case madefor some unusual political alliances.
TheAmericanCivil Liberties Unionand the National Rifle Association supported Hemani’s case, as did cannabis legalization groups such as NORML. On the other side were gun safety groups including Everytown that usually oppose the administration on Second Amendment issues.
The ACLU applauded the ruling, saying that nearly half of Americanshavereported using marijuana at some point in their lives.
“The court has sent astrong message that the government cannot criminalize the conduct of large numbers of people by making categorical and unfounded assumptions aboutwhetherthey aredangerous,”saidCecillia Wang, legal director at the ACLU.
NORML applauded the decision as a“vindication of personal freedom”and theSecond Amendment Foundationcalled it a“major victory forgun owners.”
The group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, whichopposes legalizationofthe drug,condemned it
“While the justices in this case appeartobemostconcerned with historical battles over Second Amendment rights, public health andsafety arethe collateral damageinthis decision,”saidCEO Kevin Sabet.
Gun controlgroups were more measured, withEverytown saying the decision still recognizes that “drugs and guns can make foradangerous mix.”
lingered and raked across a broadswath of theregion. Canals were overtopped in Kenner while street flooding occurred in other areas of Jefferson Parish as well as inSt. Charles.
Trees were downed throughout the area and more than 20,000 people were without power in New Orleans and Jefferson Parishby6:45 a.m., thoughthat number dwindledthroughout the day.InSt. Tammany, authorities kept aclose eye on rising rivers and gathered information on apotential tornado strike in Eden Isles, where buildings were damaged and debris was strewn across streets.
Warning sirens kept residents up in St. Charles Parish throughout the night as thestorm pounded the region. Not far away in Avondale, on theWest Bank of Jefferson Parish, two people were injured when an EF1 tornado with 90-mph winds tossed amobilehome into a neighboring modular home in the600 blockofGeorge Street, completely destroying the former,authorities said.
Preliminary National Weather Service reports showed three separate tornadoes,including theone in Avondale and another in the Houma area. Athird —ifit is ultimately confirmed to be adifferent twister than the Avondale tornado —ripped its way from the OldJefferson area intoNew Orleans, ending up around Lakefront Arena.
The Houma and New Orleans tornadoes were also EF1s with winds of 95 mph
The east bank tornado’s winds sheared the side off the Republic Services Recycling Center in the1000 block of Harimaw Court in Metairie, near where Land ARoad meets Airline Highway. Notfar fromthatbuilding, 13 empty rail cars on the nearby tracks tipped over Across Airline Highway, the privacy fence running the length of the golf course at Metairie Country Clubhad been blown to the ground.
Severalemployeesat Ochsner Medical Centerin the same area on Jefferson Highway reported damage to parked vehicles, according to Jefferson Parish spokesperson Rachel Strassel. Trees were also downed there.
Ochsner also saw “minor exterior wind damage and limited water intrusion,” a spokesperson said. The facility remainedfully operational.
New Orleans itself seemed to have avoided major havoc despite the Sewerage & Water Board losing power to seven drainage pump stations fornearlyanhour at theheight of thestorm, afailure that anew $300 million power complexis designed to guard against. Relatively low rainfall totals in the city meant that there were no serious repercussions, but New Orleans officials pressed the S&WB to move quickly to figure out what went wrong.
That failure, coupled with the flooding in Kenner, may raise further questions over theeffectiveness of the area’sdrainage systems. The Kenner flooding wasreminiscent of canal overtopping that occurred during 2024’s HurricaneFrancine, which provoked pointed questions overpumping systems in the parishand at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng said,however,that pumps belonging to both the parish and the airport operated normally
‘Fared pretty well’
Arthur’s remnants were a far cry from that 2024 hurricane, and New Orleans Mayor HelenaMoreno spoke Thursday of the city avoiding significant damage. “I am overall gladto see thatwedon’thave significant flooding in our area,” shesaid.“We don’t have significant damage.Wefared pretty well compared to what other parishes are seeingatthistime.”
Addressing thepump failure, Moreno said: “Mymessage to them is figureitout andfigure it outnow.”
Gov.JeffLandry told WWL radio that he was monitoring the aftermath statewide. He said that while the current situation should not be downplayed, the stormcould also serve as atestrun for emergency and drainage systems as the regionmoves deeper into hurricaneseason.
He later declared astate of emergency in Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry,St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes in response to the storm. Jefferson Parish faced a more complicated dilemma than NewOrleans.The storm’spath left Jefferson with far higher rain totals, inundatingitwith up to 9 inches in comparison toless than 3in thecity
That led to overflowing canalsand stranded drivers, with Loyola Drive and Williams Boulevardflooding hotspots.KennerCity spokespersonValerie Brolin said there were about five confirmed reportsofflooded homes, but thatpostsonsocial media appeared to show manymore impacted.
Kenner police said50to 70 cars stalled outoverthe course of the storm.
“Wehave not had major injury or loss of life, is what I’m told,”Lee Sheng said while visiting tornado damageinAvondale,whichshe called “heartbreaking.”
“We’re very,very,very fortunatefor thatinthis parish,” she said.
Also in Jefferson Parish, the RedCross said it was assisting nine families after fire destroyed their Hancock Street homes in Gretna on Thursday morning. It was unclear if the fire was directlyconnected to thestorm.
While the storm did not approach the level of dangersouth Louisianans are too familiar with from past hurricanes, therewere still instancesofclose calls and frightening conditions.
Kirk Derokey awoke around 5:30 a.m. to the sound of thudsfromdebris hitting the outside of his homein the Lake Terrace neighborhood of New Orleans.
“It was just gushes of wind and debris just flying everywhere,” Derokey,who lives near St. Bernard Avenue andNew York Street, said once thesun rose andthe rains died down.
In Metairie,onVeterans Boulevard near TranscontinentalDrive, Toby Forman stood with his grayHonda Civic, waiting for atow truck as his car tiltedinto thecanal. He was on his way to his 6a.m. shift as asecurity guard for East Jefferson General Hospital when he noticed he could no longer tell how high the floodwaterswereand decided to
Path of twoofthree area tornadoes that struck overnight,
turn around.
Forman attempted to turn around on the grassy median, but his tires lost traction.Hewas stuckfor over an hour on the median alongsideLakeside Hospital nurse Clinisia London, whohad parked next to him
while she waited for floodwater to clear so she could head to her 12-hour shift.
“I’m very frustrated, because Idrove all the way from home, Ihad to drop my kids offatmyparents’ home,and thenget out here only to findout that Ican’t
get to my job because my street is flooded,” London said. “Now I’mlosing out on payand I’mliterally right here by my job.” With reports from Ben Myers, Blake Paterson, Marco Cartolano, Justin Mitchell and Willie Swett.
Allegiant Air eliminates 61 routes from network Allegiant Air,the Las Vegasbased discount air carrier that is the seventh-busiest airline operating at HarryReid InternationalAirport, haseliminated 61 routes from its system.
“While it is accurate that Allegiant has discontinued 61 routes, it’simportant to note that these changes occurred overapproximatelya one-year period and are consistent with our longstanding business model,” an Allegiantrepresentative saidinanemailed statement Wednesday Allegiant routinely withdraws from markets quickly whenticket salesdon’t perform as well as executives expected, but recent headlinesabout Allegiant suggest recent withdrawals were unexpected.
“Allegiant’snetwork is intentionally flexible, andwe consider all of our routes to be seasonal,” the representative said. “Weroutinely evaluate demand, operationalrequirements,and market conditions to determine where wecan best serve our customers. As aresult, routes may be added, paused,resumed or discontinued over time.”
U.S. student loan defaults rise to 9.2M
The number of student loan borrowers in default soaredto arecord 9.16million in April after the government ended a four-year pause on collections that was instituted during the COVID pandemic, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Education
The figure, announced bythe department on Thursday,isan increase from 7.7 million people in default in December and 6 million reported for Augustlast year.That means about 20%of the 43 million Americans with federal student debt are more than ayearbehind on their payments. In addition, about 3million people areatleast 90 days behind on payments
The jump in defaults comes as borrowersbracefor theJuly 1implementation of twonew repayment programs set to replaceBiden-era plans that came with more forgiving rates,like the SAVE program, whose morethan 7million enrollees will have 90 days to choosea newplanorbere-assigned involuntarily.Sofar,only 400,000 borrowers in SAVE have transferred to another plan. More defaults couldalso meanmore headaches for the Treasury Department, which began assuming responsibility for the $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio earlier this year
U.S. filings for joblessbenefits fall
WASHINGTON The number of Americans applying for jobless aid fell modestly lastweek as layoffs remained in the same historically low rangeofrecent years.
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits in theweek ending June 13 dropped by 4,000to226,000,the Labor Department reported Thursday
That’sinline with the 225,000 new applications forecast by analysts surveyed by the data
firm FactSet.
Weekly filings for unemployment benefits are considered representativeofU.S. layoffs and are close to areal-time indicatorofthe health of thejob market
Despite concerns that the conflict in the Middle East would further squeeze aflagging labor market, hiring has picked up inrecent monthsfollowing amiserable 2025 that saw fewer than 200,000 job gains. For comparison, about 1.5 million jobs wereadded in 2024.
U.S. employers delivered a surprising 172,000 new jobs in May andthe economy is averaging188,000 jobgains in the three months since the Iran war began in lateFebruary That’sthe best threemonths of hiring sinceearly 2024.The unemployment rate remains historically low at 4.3%.
BY DAMIAN J. TROISE AP business writer
NEW YORK Stocks rose on Wall StreetThursdayand erased most of their lossesfromaday earlier to notchweeklygains
Themarket’sreversal was powered by sharpgains for big technologycompanies.The decline on Wednesday was driven by anticipa-
tion that theFederal Reservewill likely raise interest rates this year in an effort to fight inflation.
On Thursday,stocksfaced less pressure as bond yields eased and oil prices spent most of the dayfalling. The S&P 500 rose 80.48 points,or 1.1%, to 7,500.58. The Dow Jones IndustrialAverage rose 72.15 points,or0.1%, to 51,564.70.The Nasdaqcomposite surged 496.28 points, or 1.9%, to26,517.93. Every major index notched weekly gains. U.S.markets will be closed Friday for Juneteenth. Technology stocks had some of
thebiggest gains and the most influence on the broader market’srise Intel surged 10.6% after President Donald Trump announced that the semiconductor giant will make chips for Apple in the U.S. Other big semiconductor companies gained ground. Nvidia rose 3% and Micron Technology jumped 8.7%.
On the losing end, SpaceX fell for the second straight daysinceits ballyhooed debut on the U.S. stock market last week. The Elon Muskled rocketmaker and AI company was down 3.6%following a4.9% loss Wednesday Oil prices wavered afterthe
UnitedStates and Iran signed an agreementtoend theirwar and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tanker traffic. Brent crude, the international standard, spent most of theday lowerbefore settling 0.4% higher at $79.85 per barrel. U.S.
BY MATTHEW DALY and MARCLEVY Associated Press
WASHINGTON— Federal regulatorsonThursdayordered regional grid operators to help large energy users connect more quickly to thenation’s inefficient and aging electric transmissionsystem, asteptheysaid is needed to accommodate surging demand from powerhungry artificial intelligence data centers.
EnergySecretary Chris Wright had urged theFederal Energy Regulatory Commission to act in an effort to help the United States better competewith China forsuperiorityinthe fastgrowing AIsector Tech companies and data center developers welcomed thechancetoconnect fastertothe country’spower supply for the biggest energy users ever built in the United States, includingsomethat consume more electricity than asmall city
Utilities, states andregional grid operators had worried that the Republican administration’s plan wouldremove their authority to manage the process, but FERC said the order leaves states incontrol of retail electric rates, terms and conditions. Clean energy advocates have urged regulators not to undermine statelevel effortstorequire the useofrenewable energies.
Thecommission’sactions come as aback-
lash grows against data centers over concerns about the massive amounts of energyand water theyuse and fears about noise andair pollution, water shortagesand aloss of open space or farmland.
Unanimousvoteand affordability
FERC membersvoted unanimouslytodirect sixregionalgridoperators to ensure that AI datacenters and other large power users are “able to connect to the transmission system in atimely and orderly manner.”
Laura Swett, an appointee of President Donald Trump who chairs thecommission, called thevote“historic” andsaiditwould push the country’selectricity marketinto the future while respecting states’ rights, protecting reliable electric service and shielding ratepayers from shouldering the costs of connecting big power users to the grid.
“I know that Americans across the country are concerned aboutaffordability, andsoare we,” Swettsaid, referring to the five-member commission. As chair,“Iamtaking extremely seriously the mission that Congress hasentrusted us to ensure that rates are reasonable,” she said.
Thevotecomes eightmonths afterWright askedthe independent agency to take more control over ensuring that the vast network of massive computing warehouses needed to
power AI are connected quicklytohigh-voltagetransmission lines.
Wright hailed the commission’saction, saying it would “remove barriers, accelerate development andensure Americahas the affordable, reliable and secure energy needed to poweranew era of prosperity.”
Data centers would pay the full cost of any grid upgrades needed for their connection, underthe commissionorder. But thatorder can do little to address the tightening energy suppliesthat are drivingupelectricity bills in someareas andraising warnings of blackouts as the construction of data centers outpaces the speed of new power plants coming online to serve them
Robert Montejo, alawyerwho represents data centers, said the mostimportant messagefrom FERC’s action is that AI “has fundamentally changedthe electricity landscape. Thegridand priorpolicywerenot built forthe pace andscale of demand we’reseeingfrom AI infrastructure, and FERC is signaling that standing still is no longer an option.”
The six regional grid operators under the order serve 200 millionAmericans,ortwothirds of FERC’s jurisdiction.FERC, meanwhile, invited utilitiesthathandle their regional transmission systems to also participate andanalystssaidthe agency could eventually pressure them,too.
BY BREANA NOBLE The Detroit News (TNS)
Ford Motor Co. recently marked amajor milestonetowardits nextgenerationelectricvehicleplatform with thestart of production in Michigan of its first full prismatic cells: from slurry to coatingand formation, all the way through aging and final inspection. The launch in Marshall, Michigan, putsthe automakerontrack to be the first to deliver lithiumiron phosphate batteries made in the United States for mainstream consumer automotiveuse.That, executives have said, will pave the way foramore resilient sup-
ply chain and safer,more affordable EVsthat could be competitive with low-cost Chinese products if built undersimilarconditions in the United States.It, however,isn’t being accomplished without some help from theChinese. BlueOval Battery Park Michigannow employsmorethan 500 people. It’sramping up productionof“D-sample” cells made with production-intent material that will be used for testing and validation. Throughoutthe spring, theplant was making “C-sample” cells that used someprototype content to train and qualify machines.D-sample manufacturing beganearlier this month after thoseparts passed
safetyand quality testing.
The step puts the plant on track to launchbefore the end of the year production-ready cells for the new Universal ElectricVehicle platform, whose first vehicle is an electric midsize truck coming in 2027.
“We’vebeen really building our team,building up allofour processes and everything, preparing us for launch,” BlueOval Battery Michigan CEO Scott Davis said.
To accomplish the speed of delivering theLFP batteries, Ford licensed technology fromContemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., the world’slargest EV battery manufacturer.Although thedevelopmentofLFP technologyorigi-
natedinthe United States, further advancementand patenting of the technology happened in China. Unlike other automotive-battery company partnerships, this is not a joint venture. Operations and employees are all under Ford alone, though CATL employees are helping to train the workers on the technical process of LFP battery manufacturing, andFord is using CATL quality standards in itspreparation for launch of production batteries. Nonetheless, the company has received criticism from some Republican lawmakers forthe agreement.Fordhas said it hasallowed it to reshore asupply chainthat otherwise would comefrom China.
lawmakers to vote remotely without apublic hearing or debate.
“The Executive Order is a glaring abuse of executive powerinviolation of the state constitution,” says the June 18 petition. If the cutisallowed to proceed, thepetition adds, it will cause “irreparable harm” to the state’spublic schools, and “will eliminate funding for programs and staff of the schools that has already been appropriated.”
The petition was filed by KatieBaudouin, an Orleans Parish School Board member; Belinda Davis, aformer state board of education member; and Mike Faulk, a former school superintendent. All three have children or grandchildren in public schools.
“I have deep concern for the lack of adeliberative process in the Governor’s action, especially in that it excluded anypubliccomment,debateortestimony that would have occurred through an appropriate legislative process,” said a statement from Faulk, who has four grandchildren in the Monroe City school system and previouslyled the Louisiana Association of SchoolSuperintendents.
The plaintiffsare represented by the law firm Baker,Donelson,Bearman, Caldwell &Berkowitz.
In astatement issued before the lawsuit was filed, a
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existing charge and adds two others to the original two-count indictment issued in October of 2025.
An original count against Muhtadi accused theGaza native of conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting
spokesperson for the governor said the Landry administration feels “very confident aboutour legal position.”
Landry’splan to use state funding for public schools to pay forthe teacher stipends was alast-ditch effort after voters rejected aballot measure to finance permanent teacher raisesand the Legislature didnot includethe stipends in the statebudget
Thegovernor has argued thatschool districtscan afford the roughly 5% reduction in state dollars, sayingit’stime fordistrictsto “tighten their belt.” OnTuesday, the state’slegislative auditor told lawmakersthat most school systems have enoughmoney in their rainy day funds to cover thecut.
But school board members and superintendents have strongly opposed Landry’s order,which they say will force some schools to eliminate staff positions or programs.They also argue that theproposal unfairly shifts thefinancialburden from the state, which previously has covered thecostofthe teacher stipends,to local school systems.
“This is going to cause complete devastation in many districts,”saidLeila Jacobs Eames, president of the Orleans Parish School Board, during ameeting Wednesday when the board called on lawmakers to reject the plan.
“It is your responsibility at the state to find theresources there,” she added. “Ifwe can take it from our funds,
in death. The superseding indictmentremoves “resulting in death” fromthe charge.
Asecondcount of conspiracy to providematerial support to adesignated foreign terroristorganizationwas added with Wednesday’ssuperseding indictment.
Count3 of the newindictment retains avisa fraud charge contained in the original indictment.
Afourthcount,which is
why can’tyou take it from yours?”
School districtleaders have urgedtheir state representatives to vote against Landry’splan. But some lawmakers said theywere reluctanttovote against the stipends,which teachers have receivedthe past few yearsinstead of statewide
new,accuses Al-Muhtadi of making afalse statement within the jurisdictionofthe United States. He allegedly told arepresentative of the Department of State that he did not have specialized skills or training in thingslikefirearms and explosives when he did have such skills and training due to his longtimeaffiliation with the Democratic Front for theLiberation of Palestine and its paramilitary
raises, and wary of defying Landry,who could veto state funding for local projects
In private, some education leaders also discussed taking legalaction to block the funding cut.Several said they wereapproached about joining astatewide lawsuit, but no school boards or districts agreed to sign on.
wing, the National Resistance Brigades whichhas ties to Hamas, according to theindictment.
Al-Muhtadi also allegedly toldthe StateDepartment representative that he had neverbeen involved in any paramilitary-style group, hadnever engaged in terrorist activities, had never intendedtoprovide financial or other support to terrorists and had not committed, ordered, incited or assisted
“It was asituation where very fewschool systems, out of fear of retaliation, want to take that avenue,” said St. Tammany Parish schoolsSuperintendent Frank Jabbia.
Legalargument
Thelawsuitthatadvocates
filed Thursday argues that Landry exceeded hislegal
in killings or other acts of violence.
The superseding indictment allegeshedid allof the above and participated in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack and massacre in Israel.
The visa fraud charge stemsfrom lies Al-Muhtadi allegedly toldwhenapplying fora visa,namelythat he had no involvementwith paramilitary groups and had no specialized skill or training in firearms or explo-
authoritybyordering the funding cut.
Louisiana’sConstitution allowsthe governor to reduce the overallamount of education funding with legislative approval. But Landry’s order goes beyondthatby saying$168million taken from public school budgets must go toward educators stipends, the lawsuit argues.
“The Governor hasnoauthority,constitutional or otherwise, to redirect appropriated funds from the MFP,” says the petition, referring to the Minimum Foundation Program, the school-funding formula that the state constitution says must be set by the state education board.
The lawsuit also alleges that the ballot lawmakers were asked to submit electronically by June 23 is deficient because it onlyasks whether they approve of the funding reduction, not the reallocation of the money to payfor theeducator stipends.
The ballotdeprives “the legislatorsoftheir vote on a legislative issue,” thelawsuit says, “and the legislative process that involves committee hearings, floor debate,and public testimony.”
Baudouin, whose two children attend New Orleans public schools, said in astatement thatLandry should call aspecial legislative sessiontoaddress the funding issue, whichwould include public testimony and debate.
“This is what the legislative process is for,”she said, “and this is what the people of Louisiana deserve.”
sives, according to the new indictment. Al-Muhtadi’strial, which will take place in Lafayette, is set forNovember.His attorney wantsitdelayed until February as he fights federalprosecutors over the validityand admissibility of an Israeli government expert anddocumentsretrieved from the battlefield. Contact ClaireTaylor at ctaylor@theadvocate.com.
BY JA’KORIMADISON Staff writer
Six months after welcoming her first child, Sarah Mac turned amaternity leave passion project into agrowing syrup business crafting unique flavors ranging from bananas Foster and Chantilly to wellness-inspiredblends.
The founder of Sarahtonin Syrups launched thebusiness in Januaryafter motherhood reshaped the way she thought aboutwellness and the products she consumed.
Sarahtonin Syrups produceshandcrafted, small-batchsyrups forcoffee, tea, cocktails and other beverages. In the beginning she offered vanilla brown sugar cinnamon, bananas Foster andsugarcookieflavors buthas since expanded to interestingblends such as lemon basil, lavender,sea salt caramel and more.
“I remember my first marketIdid this year,wesoldout of bananasFoster and brown sugar cinnamon,” she said. “That’sapopularflavor still.”
Aformer mobile home salesperson in Carencro, Mac saidshe struggled withpostpartum anxiety at the thought aboutleavingher son and returningto work. During maternity leave, she began refining syrup recipes she had been experimenting with since 2022 and decided to turn the hobby into abusiness.
The brand’sname comes from anickname friends gave heryearsago
“My friends startedcallingme‘serotonin’because Iwas alwayssuper positive,” she said. “It just kind ofstuck.”
She said the experience of building drink menuswhile workingasa barista, includinghelpingopena cof-
feeshop in Grand Coteau, helped build her confidence in flavor development.
She said much of her flavors are developed mainly through experimentation
AVille Platte man has been arrested in connection withthe allegedsexual abuseof achild that investigators said occurred several years ago. Scotty Joe Richard, 37, is charged with firstdegree rape,according to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office. His bail was set at $1 million. Deputies received acomplaint in February and learned the alleged offense had notbeen reported at the timebecausethe victimwas afraid tocome forward, authorities
Lafayettezoning commission advances Johnston Street plan
BY NORMAN RENE II Contributing writer
A237-lotsubdivision plannedalong
Johnston StreetnearEast Broussard Road cleared its first hurdle Monday when it got approval from the Lafayette city zoning commission.
Commissioners voted unanimously to rezone most of the 54-acre property to residentialand the JohnstonStreet frontage to commercial, despite objectionsfromatleastthreepeople who spoke against the matter The project nowgoes to theLafayette City Council for final approval. Initial renderings of the development, which would be built adjacent to Keeneland Lane, include 250 feet along Johnston Street for commercial property.Notenants have been secured forthose spots, said Tradd Trahan, engineer and managing partner with Stillwater Development, the project’s developer Renderings show astreet within the development would connect to Wadsworth Drive, but Trahan said the group would not object to not connecting the two neighborhoods. Severalresidents told commissioners they opposed the project, including NeilBroussard, whoidentified compatibilityand annexation concerns andthe lack of aformal guaranteepreventing aphysical connection to the nearby subdivision.
and trialand error all while she creates small batches by hand.
One of hermost popular flavors, creme brulee, was created by accident after she burnedabatch of caramel.
“I remember tasting it, and it tasted like creme brulee topping,” shesaid. “From there Iwas like, yep, creme brulee it is.”
Sharing some insight intowhat makes those recipe flavors, Mac stated she primarily uses cane sugar-based recipes and emphasizes high-qualityingredients, including organiccacao powder in herchocolate syrup andunsulfured molasses in her brown sugar blends.
One of her cookie-based syrups incorporates scratch-made gingersnap cookies thatare ground intoafine powder.
She also produces wellness-focused syrups, including acitrus blend made withorange,cinnamon, ginger,pepper and turmeric, as well as alemonhoney ginger syrup.
Macsaid customerscontinue to find new uses for thesyrups beyond coffee and tea, including cocktails, protein shakes, dessertsand frozen ice cubes for water
“It’smyfavorite thingwhen people send me pictures of how they use them,” she said.
Productsare sold through Facebook; 16-ouncebottles are $14 andsampler packs of four smaller bottles are $20
The businessalso includes abottle return program that offerscustomers a10% discount whenthey return reusable glass bottles for cleaning and reuse Mac saidshe is settojointhe Lafayette Artisans andFarmers Marketat Moncus Parkbeginning Saturday.
“So Ithink thatneedstobeconsidered with respect to the total assessment on compatibility,and that’swhy Idisagree with the assessment of the recommendation of the board,” Broussard said. “Inaddition, Idon’tknowif it went into the record, but we are not here alone.” Broussard submitted to the board four pages of signatures of residents who areopposedtothe project. He questioned why residential concerns were not given greater weight and urged considerationoflower-density zoning to avoid encroachment and preserve neighborhood character Kendall Broussard also voiced concerns, suggesting using part of the property for neighborhood amenities likeparks and greenspacestoserve the neighborhood.
Staff report
The CornerPantry will closelater thismonth before the property transitions to newowners, who planon building agas station on thesite.
The 60-year-old store,at801 Foreman Drive, will closeonJune 30, according to apost on the store’sFacebook page.The storeisowned by Connie Dubose.
“For 60 incredible years, we have hadthe honorofbeing astaple in this wonderful community,”the post read “We’vewatched generationsgrowup, sharedcountless memories andbuilt relationships that we will carry with us forever.While we are sad to say goodbye, our family thanks you for your loyalty, trust andsupport over thepastsix decades.”
The move comes months after the Lafayette City Council voted in favor of aconditional use permit to allow a Grab-N-Geauxconvenience store to open on thesite. Council members put restrictions on the development, including allowing only right-in and right-out movements onto DullesDrive to minimize traffic congestion.
The store will have six fuel pumps alongDullesDrive,renderings show.
To the people of Louisiana:
This year’slegislative session built on the historic progress we’ve made together over thepasttwo years.And boy, we have come along way.Together,wehave made our state safer,opened newopportunities for people lookingfor work improved our infrastructure, tackled insurance costs and strengthened how government serves you.
Ithank the legislators and other government officials, including those in my cabinet and agencies, who have supported change. Change is not easy,but it had to be done.The people of Louisiana demandedit. We started where it matters most: public safety.Every family in Louisiana deserves to feel safe in their own community.This year,wetook strong action to crackdown on violent crime and make surethose who harm our neighborhoods facereal consequences. After the tragic shooting atthe Mall of Louisiana, Isaid thatanyone threateningour children or bringing violenceinto ourpublic spaces would facethe fullweight of the law.And we meant it, by passing the toughest penalties for gang-related violence in public areas in recent memory.That’s delivering on promises.
structureinNew Orleans.Leadersinside and outside the city have long agreed that consolidating theclerks of court and reforming thecriminaljudicialsystem was thefairthing to do.The changes made will create asystem that’s more efficient, data-driven and accountable. Simply put, we did not need threepeople to screwinalight bulb, and it was timefor meaningfulreformtoprotect the taxpayers. With over $100 billion in private investment,our economyisbuilding historic momentum. Companies are choosing our state over other states in the country becauseour policiesmake us competitive, consistent and welcoming of new ideas.Wedon’tmove the goalposts anymore. We sit down withall stakeholders, public and private, and find a path forward. It’s anew way of doing things here,and it’spaying off.
ready for the jobs that come with them That’swhy we launched the Office of the LouisianaTalent Accelerator,which connectsworkers with training and employers who need them. This strengthens our promise of keeping our families closer to home.
We addressed an issue thathas been out of balance for decades: the criminal justice
The proof is in thepudding. Businesses are investinginLouisiana, new facilitiesare being built across our stateand good-paying jobs are being created for our people.For the first time in along time, moreLouisianans areseeing opportunity righthereat home and choosing to stayand raise their families in our state Butbig investments are only part of the story.Wemust ensure our people are
We continued our commitment to infrastructure improvements. Creating the State Infrastructure Bank andthe Rural Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund giveslocal leaders the tools needed to quickly complete projects. The result: 64 bridgesacross Louisiana are either being built or replaced right now. These aren’tjust promises on paper; they’re real improvements. Louisiana families and senior citizens now keep moreoftheir money.Weenactedhistoric taxreform, which included the largest taxcut in statehistory,ensuring that people acrossall income levels get to keep more of their hard-earned money instead of sending it to the government Insurance has long been achallenge, and we didn’tshy away from it. This year,we invested $80 million intoour fortified roof program —the largest investment of its kind in Louisiana’shistory.Stronger roofs mean less storm damage, which means lower costs for you.
It’s asmartinvestment that protects people today and helps lower premiums
The Republican legislative supermajority’s targeting of New Orleans threatens to undermine yearsofhard-fought public safety progress. For months, district attorneys and legislators from across Louisiana workedcollaboratively on nonpartisan legislationdesigned to increase the number of prosecutors statewide in order to improve public safety in every jurisdiction.
There was broad agreement around one basic reality: Louisiana needs more prosecutors,not fewer. The demands placedon modern prosecutors’ offices,particularlyin violent crime jurisdictions,continuetogrow whileresources remainstretchedthin.
there were repeated efforts to undermine local officials and local institutions rather than support the workbeing done.
over time. Ipledged to make government work better for you. Our efficiency efforts have already uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars in savings that belong to the people of Louisiana. And to keep those improvements going, we made Louisiana DOGE a permanent part of state government under the Office of the Inspector General. And yes, after decades of complaints, jokes and frustration, we finally endedthe outdated inspection sticker.Ittook far too long, but we got it done.
As we look ahead, I’m reminded of a simple truth: Real opportunity comes when we’re willing to step outside our comfort zone. Progress asks us to be bold, to choose courage over complacency and to believe that tomorrow can be better than today That belief is something Louisianans have always had. It has helped us rebuild after storms and push past anything that triesto hold us back.
That same spirit is carrying us into anew era —one defined not by the things that have limited us, but by the possibilities that are lifting us forward. Our best days aren’t behind us; they’re right in front of us. And Itruly believe they’re ours to reach for,together with asmile Jeff Landry is the governor of Louisiana.
Yetatthe eleventh hour,Republican legislative leadership advanced amendments stripping approximately half amilliondollars from the Orleans Parish District Attorney’sOffice, reportedly with the support and blessingofGov.Jeff Landry’s administration. The move occurred without meaningful discussion, supporting data or consultation with local stakeholders.
This was not simply abudgetary adjustment
It was adecision with direct public safety consequences forNew Orleans.
It is important for the public to understand exactly what was cut. This is not unrestricted operational funding. Under Louisiana law, this “warrant” fundingcan only be used for prosecutor salaries.In practical terms, the reductionmeans fewer prosecutors in courtrooms, fewer attorneys reviewing cases, fewer lawyers handling violent crime prosecutions and ultimatelyfewerresources devotedto fighting for victims and protecting public safety
The decision comes at aparticularlytroubling time because New Orleans hasexperienced oneof the most dramatic reductions in violent crime in modern city history.Byvirtually every account, homicides and violent crime are nowat theirlowestlevelssince the1970s.EvenPresidentDonald Trump has publicly acknowledgedthe city’s public safety progress. That progress did not happenbyaccident. It was built through five years ofdifficult work by police officers, prosecutors, judges, jurors, witnesses and community members who continuedtobelieve in the rule of law and the importance of rebuilding trust in the justice system.
It is also no coincidence thatthe Orleans Parish District Attorney’sOfficehas tried significantly more violent crime casessince the end of thepandemic than prior administrations. Trialdockets were rebuilt, courtroom operations wererestored andconfidence in the system was gradually strengthened. That trust matters. It means more people increasingly believe justicecan and should be pursued in acourtroom rather than through retaliation in the streets. And yet, despite that measurable progress, Republican-controlled state leadership continues to pursue policies that weakenthe very institutions responsible for maintaining public safety in New Orleans. During this year’slegislative session,
The recent decision to eliminatemultiple judgeshipsfrom Orleans ParishCriminal DistrictCourtisanother example. Removing judgesfromone of the busiest criminal court systemsinLouisiana will not make New Orleans or the surrounding parishes safer.Itrisks slowing prosecutions, increasing delays for victims, prolonging case resolutionand placing even greater strain on an already overburdened justicesystem. Particularly troubling was the targeting of Judge Rhonda Goode-Douglas,who was blindsided by legislation eliminating the seat to which the citizens of Orleans Parishelected her in 2020. Regardless of political affiliation, voters in NewOrleans chose theirjudges through democratic elections.Overriding thosechoices from BatonRouge sends adangerous message about local self-governance and judicial independence. It also removes one of the mostefficient and effective judgesfrom thecriminalcourthouse.
At atimewhen New Orleans is finally making measurable progress in reducing violent crime, the state should be strengthening theinstitutions responsible for delivering justice, notdismantling them piece by piece.
This is not simply aNew Orleans issue. Hurting NewOrleans hurts Louisiana.Crimedoes notstop at parishlines, and when one parish is weakened, surrounding communities inevitably feel the ripple effects. Republicans and Democratsalike,across all 64 parishes, should understand thatpublic safety in Louisiana is interconnected.
That is why these funding reductions are so troubling. At thevery moment prosecutors handling homicide, armed robbery,domestic violence andchild abuse cases are losing resources, state leaders were prepared to commit millions of taxpayer dollars towardsubsidizing an international golf eventconnected to one of the wealthiest foreign-backed organizations in the world. The contrast raises legitimate questions about priorities.
The goal of public policy should be to strengthen the criminal justice system where measurable progress is occurring, not weaken it for political or partisan reasons. New Orleanshas worked too hardand sacrificed too much to reverse course now But New Orleans has endured far worse than political hostilityfromBaton Rouge.This city has survivedhurricanes, economic collapse, national neglect and generations of challenges to its independence and resilience. Each time, itspeople rebuilt strongerthanbefore. We will do soagain.
The people of New Orleans will not allow political agendas crafted in Baton Rouge to undo years of progressearned through sacrifice, persistenceand an unwavering commitmenttopublic safety
Jason Williams is thedistrict attorney in Orleans Parish
The newspaper recentlypublished acolumn from Gregory Kiley,accusing theAlliance for Affordable Energyof being funded by theChinese government to undermine Louisiana’seconomy and national security.This accusation was first made by the Pelican Institute, Louisiana’slocal affiliate of anational network of right-wing “thinktanks” historically supported by the Koch brothers andother conservative or corporate donors. While we fail to see how our work threatensanything other thanobscene profits forWallStreet shareholders or bonuses forcorporate utility CEOs, we do think it is important to provide somefacts.
—you can findall this information on ourwebsite. It is OK —albeitembarrassing —toget these thingsconfused.Due diligencecan be tough, especially whenyou have a political narrative to push Butthat bringsustoour thirdfact. UnlikeKiley— who fails to disclose he is aWashington, D.C.-based political consultant— or thePelican Institute, which doesn’t publishits funder information,the Alliancehas advocated for moretransparency in regulatory andother policymaking processes fordecades.
First, the Alliancewas founded by and for Louisianans. We are not part of some coordinated project to manipulate state policyfor the interests of theuber-wealthy, corporatesponsors or “foreign adversaries” —we’re alocal organization that’sbeen fighting to keep your monthly electric bill affordable for over40years.
Second, we have neverreceived —nor would we accept— funding from entities connected to theChinese government. The accusation specifically made by Kiley andthe Pelican Institute relates to funding for the Alliance, which they claim camefrom theEnergyFoundation China. Thisisfalse. Butwemay be able to explain howtheygot their factssowrong. The Alliance hasreceivedfunding from theEnergyFoundation, awell-respected philanthropic organization,for many years as far back as 2014. In 2019, the Energy Foundation split intotwo entities: theU.S.EnergyFoundationand EnergyFoundation China During that separation,Energy Foundation China kept theoriginal Employer Identification Number (EIN) and theU.S.EnergyFoundationwas created as anew entity, withanew EIN.
The Alliance did receive funds from the EnergyFoundation under thatoriginal EIN —back whenit was only used forthe American legal entity.And allgrants to the Alliance receivedsince2019 are from the U.S. EnergyFoundation EIN. But don’ttakemyword forit
That’swhy Iwenttothe April Public ServiceCommission meeting to speak in favorofthe rule-making proposed by Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, whichKiley urgesthe commission to adopt. In fact, we workedwithLPSCstaffto ensure those ruleswill maximize transparency without violating constitutional rightsorprevent regularpeople from participating in theregulatory process.
It should be noted that these attacksagainstuscome at atime when Louisiana is preparing to give away morestate dollars than ever to someofthe world’swealthiest andmost powerful peopleand corporationsinthe name of “economic development.” It comes at a time when many of ourstate’sappointed andelected officialshave signednondisclosure agreements to keep crucial facts about those “economicdevelopment” dealssecret from thepublic Perhapsthe Pelican Institute and Kileyhopetheir accusationswill distract from this.But theAlliance will notbeintimidated by selfproclaimed “think tanks.” We will notbow downtothe corporate special interests who fund them,and who want to make youpay more andmore fortheir benefit,while youget less andless in return Andunlike ouraccusers, we have nothing to hide.We’re here to fight forthe rights and well-being of all Louisianans— and we’re notgoing anywhere.
JacksonVossisgovernment affairsand policycoordinator forthe Alliancefor Affordable Energy
peopleunderstoodwhatfreedom meantmorethanthose whowereenslaved
The history of America is written in blood, civil strife, rebellion,resistance, treachery anddeception It is also written in bravery,heroism, sacrifice andslavery.America was built on thebacks of our ancestors and throughthe wombs —that were claimed, owned and enslaved —of our grandmothers. Thebirth of America did not start with abang or with abullet. It started with apetition for redress of grievances.
By Kaye Whitehead
On June 7, 1776, Richard Lee of Virginia stood up in the Pennsylvania State House to read his resolution.This was amomentousoccasion that marked what was alreadyhappening in the 13 colonies. One year earlier,onMay 10 1775, when King George III failed to respond to the Second ContinentalCongress’spetition, the colonists began to assume national duties, which included establishing anational currency,a Continental Army anda post office for the “United Colonies.
At that time, around 2.5million colonists lived in America. Among them were 500,000 enslaved men, women and children. It is ironic that while White colonists were calling for their independence, they were actively enslavingBlack colonists. They would continuetodosofor the next 89 years until theratification of the 13th AmendmentonDec. 6, 1865.
Before White colonists formally declared their independence in 1776, Black people had been declaring and fighting for theirs since at least 1526,whenthe first 100-plus enslaved people revolted and escaped from San Miguel de Gualdape, the first European settlement in the continental U.S. This was the first rebellion of enslaved people fighting to be free.
One hundred andeighteen years later,in1644, 11 enslaved men and women in the Black communityof New Amsterdam, theprincipal port city and capital, petitioned forand won their freedom andland.They had completed 17 of their 18 years of indentured servitude. They argued that they should be freed and not subject tothe 1625 Virginia law spreading across the colonies.
This law distinguished between Black servitudeand Black slavery It helped lay the foundation forthe harsher slave laws enforced from 1657 onward. Althoughthiswas the
first documented legal racial protest (that we know of), it was likely notthe first ever,and it was certainly notthe last.The earliest account of arebellion by enslaved men and women in the 13 colonies occurred in 1687 on aVirginia plantation. Although their plan was discovered before it happened, the idea that Black people were organizing back then to aggressively challenge the system is important to note. There have always been multiple movements and ideas within the Black community around resistance. This means that protests happened in thestreets and in the courtroom. They happened in theschools and in thepublic square. They happened when we chose to stay,and when we chose to run or ride on atrain, or stow away on aboat, or mail ourselves to freedom.
Understanding all these realities helps framethe Black American experience not just for thepast 250 years but for thepast 500 years (San Miguel de Gualdape, or 407 years if you date back to 1619 in Jamestown, Virginia).The struggle anddesire to be free, write our history and pursue our destiny have alwaysbeen part of that experience. Despite laws that were crafted to restrict our rightsand freedoms, ourdesire to be free remains central to America’sstory. The questions have never been about whether we should join thestruggle for civil rights, but when, where and to what extent.
As America advanced from its early beginnings to its position as aworld power,Black people have contributed significantly,yet we have not always shared equally in its progress. Ourstruggles have included not just fighting for land and physical freedom, but also forcing this nation to fulfill its promises as outlined in our founding documents. Thequestions these strugglesraise —about liberty and justice —have existed since America’sstartand persisttoday.Inthe 21st century, these questions may seem simple, but history reveals how deeply they shape our identity and who belongs in the American narrative. Black history is American history, afact we strive to affirm within a society constructed on Whiteness. We commit to these self-evident truths and have consistently shown
our willingness to fight and die for them. As my father once asked, “How can you face thetruthof America and not be angry enough to wanttoburn it all down?” My mother added, “How do you burn down thehouse you live in?” For manyBlack Americans, this is the core experience: fighting to savea burning house while living in it.
Frederick Douglass, in 1851,argued that after 230 years of chains, lashes, bloodhounds and utter insecurity, we learned to live on. We learned to smile through it all. We sang through our pain and laughed through our tears. Even when we thought we made it, we were reminded again and again that Americahad never been America to us. This is theland of the free and the homeofthe brave. It is theplace that at one time claimed to welcome thepoor,huddled masses and guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Yetithas never offered or kept those promises to us. Although America has been “independent”since 1776, we have not. We have been tormented,enslaved, and killed for being Black in America. We watched as our neighborhoods were terrorized, our children frightened, our sisters violated and our brothers incarcerated.
On theeve of the celebration of the Declaration of Independence, while our cries still struggle to be heard above the noise, we must remember that we arethe heart and soul of America. We have always— and will always —matter Sit withthat for amoment.
Andthen, Beforewecelebrate, Beforewedance, Beforeweraise any flags, Beforewelight fireworks, Beforewehear more lies about thetruthofthe American promise, Beforewelisten as they spin the horror and terror of our past, Beforethey conveniently forget oursacrifice and try to makeusforget,again.
Take amoment to rememberand then share that the birth of America is the birth of our nation, too.
Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead (todaywithdrkaye@gmail.com) is a professor of communication and African and AfricanAmericanStudies at Loyola University Maryland.She is thepresident of theAssociation for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)
The imageabove features ascene from “American Revolution,”which made its United Statesdebutatthe Historic New Orleans Collection in March and will remain featureduntil Jan. 17.Thisfree, interactive experience utilizes360-degree augmented reality to immerse visitorsin20defining moments of the nation’sfounding,fromthe sparks of the Boston TeaParty to the victory at yorktown.Developedbyleading historians and scholars, this exhibition celebrates the figures whoshapedthe United States and sharesthe Revolution in afreshway that speaks to the hearts and minds of the American people today.The exhibition serves as afocal point of the Louisiana America 250 commemorations and coincideswith HNOC’s60thanniversary. Locatedinthe heartofthe French Quarter,its campus spans 14 historic buildings which serve as acatalyst fordialogue and historical understanding “American Revolution” is producedand designed by Histovery with promotional supportfrom NewOrleans &Companyand Louisiana America 250.The exhibition offers afresh, technologically driven waytoexplore the American story. For more information, visit hnoc.org
Throughout the year,the Opinion pages are featuring columns and conversations from historians, scholars, politicians and others about what this 250thanniversaryofAmerica means.To read previous pieces, go to the Opinion section of our website.
Livingston Parish didn’t geta chance to dryout
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
Before the remnants of Tropi-
cal StormArthur movedthrough south Louisiana early Thursday morning, rainwater was already overflowing ditches andfront yards in rural parts of Livingston Parish.
Thestorm, whichdowngraded quickly after moving ashore in Texas on Wednesday,did bring torrential rains and suspected tornadoes to the NewOrleans area. Avoyelles Parish, north andwest of the Baton Rouge area, received more than 20 inches of rain, and state officials were evacuating and rescuing familiesfrom rising water Thursday afternoon.
While less rain fell on the Capital
Region than predicted, Livingston Parish didn’tget achance to dry out between rainstorms throughout the wet week leading up to Arthur —and more rain was expected late Thursday
Livingston Parish Council memberJoe Erdey,whose district covers anortheast part of theparish, saidroads and homes near Blood Riverand itstributariescan bear theworst of the conditions during aweekofheavyrainfalllikethis one. The worst was actually two days before Arthur brushedLouisiana.
“That river comesupsoquick, so fast,”hesaid. “It winds up in a yard, in agarage.”
Water flooded into some residents’yardsonMary Kinchen Road in Independence on Tuesday, accordingtoresidents’ photos and videos. Oneresident even had water comeupthe driveway and into ashed.
The councilmember said local leadership and theparish’s
Department of Public Works are potentially going to use drones to survey partsofthe parishtocreate aplan to help drainage issues. The parish government is also working on aparishwide drainage master plan, set to be completed in 2027.
On Thursdaymorning, some roadsand yards still held anotable amount of water from the rains, including KinchenRoad in theeastern part of theparish, but the amountsweresignificantly less than from earlier in the week.
LivingstonParishPresident RandyDelatte saidina statement Thursdaythatmostofthe river gauges along the Amiteand Tickfaw rivers had crested and are beginning to fall.
“At thistime, LivingstonParish Government has not received any reports of homes flooding as aresult of this storm,” Delattestated
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s
Office said it did not receive any weather-related reports of incidentsonThursday
Speakers focused on getting outthe vote
BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer
Hundreds of community members, alums andstudents gathered Thursday to observe Juneteenth on the Southern University campus in Baton Rouge.
The theme of the festivities was “celebrating freedom through culture and community,” but weeks after Louisiana’s bitter redistricting battles, the speakers Thursday morninghad onemessage driving their remarks: Get out and vote.
“Freedom does not come in on the wheels of inevitability,” Louisiana Supreme Court Associate Justice John Michael Guidry said to the crowd. “But it takes the prodigious workand thetirelessefforts of those who are willing to continue the fight.”
The speech kicked offa day of discussions and cultural events centered on theholiday of Juneteenth, which commemorates June
19,1865,when UnionGen Gordon Grangerbrought news of emancipation to enslaved people in Texas
Aformer Mississippi Coastblackjackdealer indictedinHarrison County is charged with one count of cheating at gambling, according to records filed in the case.
Huynh Chi Kang Nguyen, 27, of Biloxi, waived his arraignment in May and pleadednot guilty to the offense Nguyen is accusedof committing the crime on or around July 16, 2025. He was arrested the same day of the alleged offense. According to the records, Nguyen was working asa dealer at Boomtown Casino Biloxi when he allegedly exposed thecards to patrons before they placed bets.In addition, he’saccused of failing to collect losing bets from patrons.
Nguyen is currently being screened for pretrial diversion. If he is eligible for the program and successfully completesthe terms ofhis sentence, he would not have afelony conviction on his record. Otherwise, his case would go trial, which is tentatively set in July
The gambling offense car-
and up to$10,000 in fines, or both. Nguyen is currently out of jail on a$25,000 bond.
The Mississippi Gaming Commission investigated thecase. Harrison County Assistant District Attorney Meaghan Smith is prosecuting.
more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
SpeakersatSouthern emphasized the need forprotection of hard-won rights forBlack Americansinthe context of redistricting.
Thesentiments followed a contentiousstate legislative session that endedwiththe elimination of one of Louisiana’stwo majority-Black congressional districts afterthe U.S. Supreme Court’sruling in Louisiana v. Callais.
“That Voting Rights Act is underattack,” Guidry said “There’svoter intimidation, there’svotersuppression, there arevoter ID laws and alltypes of laws and legal decisions that are trying to deny us our right to vote, and we are the ones who have to go forward andlitigate these issues.”
The day opened with alibationceremonyand aren-
ditionof“Lift Every Voice and Sing” by Southern University student Claire Floyd.
SouthernUniversity alum Jeanet Cazenavesaid shefelt it wasimportant to celebrate Juneteenth on campus as notonlya relative of the first dean of Southern University but also adescendantofthe GU272, agroup of enslaved individuals who were sold to plantationsinLouisiana in 1838 by Jesuit priests to pay the debts of what is now GeorgetownUniversityin Washington, D.C. Juneteenth “means everything,” Cazenave said. “It means the past, the present andthe future.”
BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer
Jay Johnson didn’tmessaround.
With about amonthbefore theMLB draft, the LSU baseball coachalready has filled out most of his starting lineup for next season, addingfour bats out of the transfer portal and persuadingstarshortstop Steven Milam to return to schoolfor his senior year
Here’sanearly projection of what the order will looklike, howall of the new pieces fit together and adeeper look at the
BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer
one hole remaining in thelineup for 2027.
Lineup projection
1. Mason Braun, 1B
2. Cade Arrambide, C
3. Steven Milam, SS
4. OmarSerna, DH
5. Bino Watters, LF
6. Dawson Park, 3B
7. Cade Kurland, 2B
8. Jason Wachs, RF 9. TBD, CF
Cesar Ruiz said he does not use his social media accounts, so perhaps the NewOrleans Saints offensive lineman did not see the level of vitriol directed at him when he struggled this past season. He did not read the series of tweets that called for his job, ridiculed his performanceand,on occasion,got personal. But Ruiz wasn’t blind to the fact that expectations —including his own —weren’t met in 2025. And the criticism didn’tjustcomefromthe internet. It was even levied by Saints general manager Mickey Loomis when he acknowledged the Saints had to get “more out of” their 2020 first-round pick.
“Challengeaccepted,” Ruiz said. When the Saints return for training camp next month, one of the more under-the-radar items the team will haveto monitorishow Ruiz responds to what was arguably the worst year of his career The pads will come on, and the 27-year-old understands he must be better than he was ayear ago. Ruiz may not be in danger of losing hisstarting jobatright guard just yet, but he is entering acontract year. TheSaintsalso drafted his potentialreplacementwhen theyselected former Auburn player Jeremiah Wright in the fourth round in April. Fairly or not, Ruiz now is seen as theweaklinkofa startinglinethat the Saints have remodeled over thelast few years.
“I got alot of disrespect,” Ruiz said. “And ultimately, I’m notaguy who goes into his turtle shelland
BY JOEY CAPPELLETTI Associated Press
WASHINGTON Abill that top lawmakers and athletic leaders have described as the best chance to stabilize college sports cleared akey vote in the Senate on Thursday with bipartisan support after weeks of input from schools, conferences and athletes.
The bipartisan Protect College Sports Act aimstoregulate payments to players, limit them to one free transfer over theircareers and create arule to restrict coaches from changing jobs during aseason. It advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee on a19-9 vote and now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Thursday’s vote came hoursafter the Southeastern Conference and Big TenConference, the twomost powerful in college sports, reiterated their position that “revisions are needed to secure our support forthe bill.” Several senators who voted against it cited concerns raised by the two conferences, which could spell trouble for its chances.
BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff writer
TerronArmstead and MarkIngram are the newest membersof the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. The former star left tackle and running back wereintroduced as the 58th and 59th player inductees at anews conference at theSaints’ training facility in Metairie on Thursday
SalLaRock,adevoted Saints fan and longtime press box supervisor at the Superdome, is the recipient of the Joe Gemelli Fleur de Lis Award, which is given to individuals whohavemadesignificant, lasting contributions to thebetterment and support of the Saintsfranchise.
“I’mthankful to the Saintsorganization forbelieving in me, and I’m thankful to the city of New Orleans for embracing me and
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who supported the bill, said he would like to bring it up for avote in the Senate next month, before the August recess. He said the legislationwill “continue to get refined as timegoes on.”
“It was areally strongvote coming out of the committee,” Thune said.
The committeevote advancing the bill followed endorsements from several athletic conferences,the NFL and its players union, and the United States Olympic &Paralympic Committee. The Olympic committee backed the revised measure after lawmakers added additional protections forwomen’sand Olympic sports.
“The new agreement also reflects the critical importance of Olympic sports,” TexasSen.Ted Cruz, the Republican chairman of the committee, saidin opening remarks. “That is amajor part of what this bill is about. College athletics is not only football and men’s basketball.”
NCAA president Charlie Baker applauded the Senate action Thursday, saying it was a“powerful statement to the growing bipartisan support fortargeted intervention.”
In an interviewwithAPafter the vote, Washington Sen. MariaCantwell —the top-ranking Democrat on the committee —saidthe vote result felt “pretty darn good.” The legislation is the product of months of negotiations between Cruz and Cantwell as other attempts in Congress to intervene in college sports have failed to advance far.
“This is abig milestone,” Cantwell said.
Texas hires SLU’s Fremin as associate head coach
Just weeks after winning its second softball national championship Texas announced the hiring of Southeastern Louisiana coach Rick Fremin as its associate head coach on Thursday
Fremin, a three-time Louisiana Coach of the Year, led Southeastern to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 202426. He is 698-410-1 (.630) as a head coach, including a 348-197 record leading the Lions.
New york celebrates first NBA championship in 53 years
BY ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE, JAKE
OFFENHARTZ and STEPHEN WHYNO
Associated Press
NEW YORK Jalen Brunson held up the golden NBA championship trophy for a forest of outstretched hands to touch as fans celebrated the New York Knicks’ first title in 53 years with a booming parade through Manhattan’s skyscraperflanked “Canyon of Heroes.”
“Damn, New York, we really did it,” Brunson, the finals MVP said at a celebration at city hall. “Somehow, someway, I knew we were going to find a way to get this done.” Moments later, Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented keys to the city to the Knicks’ players, coaches, owners and staff. Wearing a team jersey under his suit jacket, Mamdani said he and other fans “waited because we knew deep down in our sick, suffering hearts” the Knicks would someday win. Blue and orange confetti swirled through the air during the parade. Massive cheers of “Let’s go, Knicks!” and “Knicks in five!” kept erupting.
And OG Anunoby who scored the go-ahead basket in Game 4 of the finals on a tip-in with 1.2 seconds left, left his parade float to interact with fans, holding the NBA Cup inseason championship trophy in one hand and a bottle of Patron tequila in the other Director Spike Lee, perhaps the team’s most iconic fan, was on a float with Brunson, savoring the moment. “I’ve never been to a parade — ever — and I’m glad it’s this
one,” Lee said. The MVP’s mom, Sandra Brunson, wore a shirt with photos of Jalen and husband Rick, who played for the Knicks and is an assistant on coach Mike Brown’s staff. She echoed her son’s words, saying: “It was all worth it.” Karl-Anthony Towns hoisted the Eastern Conference championship trophy and a cigar on top of a parade bus while Mamdani danced. Later Towns approached a group of kids with the NBA trophy to let them get their hands on it, bringing joyful screams.
Knicks fans turn out in force
People streamed into lower Manhattan on crammed subways. Several blocks from the parade route, fans stood shoulder to shoulder — sometimes on each other’s shoulders — or climbed traffic lights and sanitation trucks. Far away on the
Brooklyn Bridge, people gathered just to hear the loudspeakers.
“I had to be here today,” said Shareefa Wallace, 34, who got up at 3 a.m. to make her way from suburban Long Island. She grew up in the city going to Knicks games, and she sported the souvenir jersey of a legend from that era, Patrick Ewing.
Owner James Dolan thanked fans for waiting more than a half-century Brown encouraged fans to keep their energy going “because this championship is about you guys.”
‘The New York vibe’
Nearby bars and delis filled with fans, some wishing they’d arrived at dawn. But many seemed at peace with only experiencing the parade from a distance.
“We just want to be with the New York energy and the New York vibe,” said Jean Strong, who came
to the parade from Harlem with his nephew and sister Terrell Emerson, a chef who grew up in Queens, said he drove from Maryland with his daughter Madison — named in honor of the Knicks’ home arena, Madison Square Garden.
Beaming, Madison held a handwritten sign announcing she’d skipped her fifth-grade graduation to be there.
Stars and Knicks legends Knicks great Walt “Clyde” Frazier — a member of the ’70s champion teams led the parade in a stylish convertible, wearing his NBA title rings. Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, Jon Stewart, Mariska Hargitay, Tracy Morgan and other celebrities joined the party, while Knicks playby-play announcer Mike Breen emceed the City Hall ceremony. Alicia Keys, the singer who collaborated with Jay-Z on the 2009 hit “Empire State of Mind,” performed a medley that mixed her song with the classic “New York, New York.”
Decades in the making
The mere fact that the parade is happening is historic in itself Although the Knicks won the championship twice in the 1970s, the city didn’t host a parade for them either time. Then-Mayor John Lindsay had cut down on ticker-tape extravaganzas for financial and other reasons. Instead, he held a 1970 reception at the mayoral mansion and a jam-packed ceremony in 1973 outside City Hall.
This time, the city went all out. A police officer could be seen holding a sign reading, “This is really happening.”
The Knicks’ parade was the 210th, coming after a ticker-tape bash for the WNBA’s New York Liberty in 2024.
BY RONALD BLUM AP baseball writer
NEW YORK Baseball owners proposed banning high school players from signing with major league teams, raising the age for international amateurs and slashing the money spent on signing bonuses in negotiations Thursday for a new collective bargaining agreement
The amateur draft for players residing in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico would be cut from 20 rounds to 12 beginning in 2027 under the proposal Major League Baseball made during a bargaining session with the players’ association. An identical 12-round draft would be started for international prospects, a proposal the union has rejected in the past. Starting in 2028, a prospect for the amateur draft would have to be at least 20 years old by Sept. 1 of his signing year and two years
removed from the graduating year of his high school class a restriction that also would eliminate players who completed their first year of junior college.
The amateur draft started in 1965, and high schoolers have been eligible along with college players who are in or have just finished their junior years.
Raising signing ages would likely lead to players being older when they become eligible for free agency, which currently requires six years of major league service.
MLB cited increased revenue in college baseball as reasoning. In addition, MLB said 75% of high schoolers signed from 2012-19 did not reach the major leagues.
“By creating a draft system centered around college-aged players and making most college players eligible one year earlier, more players will benefit from both a college education and an elite
development environment while reaching professional baseball and ultimately the major leagues more quickly,” MLB said in a statement. “MLB made another set of proposals that are flat-out bad for baseball, ones that would cripple the next generation of players and damage the future of our game,” the union said in a statement.
MLB said it will not seek to reduce the 120 minor league teams in the top four levels when it negotiates new professional development licenses in 2030 to replace expiring 10-year deals. It would cap bonuses for undrafted players at $10,000 — Middle Tennessee two-way player Trace Phillips was bypassed in the draft last July and signed with Tampa Bay for $629,200.
For international amateurs, the age to sign would be raised to 18 on the Sept. 1 of their signing year up from 17
“The game’s greatest stars are precocious talents. We always want to have a great window for them,” said Scott Boras, baseball’s most high-profile agent. “International markets recognize this, as well When you bar a labor force from opportunity in America, it is not an American concept.”
Each separate draft would have $200 million in signing pools in 2027. There would be hard caps for each draft. Teams would be able to trade draft picks but a club couldn’t trade its first-round pick in consecutive drafts. A team couldn’t acquire more than three additional selections among the first three rounds.
Each team would have the same amount to spend under the proposal rather than the current system which gives higher pools to teams with poorer records in the previous year
In 2026, Fremin led Southeastern to a 46-16 record and 24-3 mark in the Southland Conference and claimed the school’s first at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament since 2003.
Under Fremin, the Lions were one of eight Division I programs to win 40 or more games in each of the past five seasons.
Ex-LSU pitcher Peever elected to college HOF
Former LSU right-handed pitcher
Lloyd Peever has been elected for induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the College Baseball Foundation announced on Thursday Peever played only one season with the Tigers, but during that season in 1992 he posted a 14-0 record with a 1.92 ERA and was named the Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
He becomes the fifth Tiger elected into the Hall of Fame, joining Skip Bertman (2006), Ben McDonald (2008), Todd Walker (2009) and Eddy Furniss (2010).
Peever joins a 2026 Hall of Fame class that includes Barry Bonds, Buster Posey and Huston Street. The induction ceremony is set for Feb. 11 in Overland Park, Kansas.
Bender becomes Wade’s first high school pledge
LSU men’s basketball has picked up its first commitment from a high school recruit since Will Wade began his second stint as head coach. Jordan Bender, a 6-foot-8 forward, announced Thursday that he will begin his collegiate career with the Tigers this upcoming season. He spent his senior year of prep hoops in St. Petersburg, Florida, and does not have a profile on any major recruiting sites.
Wade and his staff have secured commitments from 10 players for the 2026-27 season. The group is comprised of four transfers, four international players, one former NBA G League forward and Bender LSU football commitment Ahmad Hudson, a five-star tight end who’s expressed interest in playing both football and basketball, also could be on the roster
Sorsby drops suit vs. NCAA, officially ending college career
Brendan Sorsby has dropped his lawsuit against the NCAA, making the quarterback ineligible again and ending his college career because of gambling.
The expected motion for dismissal of the suit was filed Thursday by the 99th District Court in Lubbock County That was three days after Texas Tech said he wouldn’t play this fall, and exactly a month after Sorsby filed his lawsuit that set off a legal saga that rattled college sports.
That Texas court issued a temporary injunction June 8 that made the transfer quarterback eligible to play even after admitting that he placed bets on his own team while at Indiana as a freshman four years ago.
Phillies OF Garcia to undergo season-ending surgery
PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Adolis García is out for the rest of the season with a lat injury
The Phillies announced Thursday that García will undergo latissimus dorsi repair surgery on Wednesday The Phillies estimated his recovery would take six to eight months, enabling him to be ready for the start of the 2027 season. García signed a one-year $10 million contract with the Phillies in December after playing six seasons with the Texas Rangers. The two-time All-Star began his career with St. Louis in 2018. The 33-year-old
By The Associated Press
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Some teams at this year’s World Cup have blamed FIFA’s new hydration breaks for killing momentum. Switzerland used the break to seize it. Coach Murat Yakin said he timed a triple substitution of speedy players for the second-half pause Thursday, betting that plucky Bosnia-Herzegovina couldn’t handle an abrupt change of pace in what had been a nervy, scoreless match Johan Manzambi and Rubén Vargas made their coach look awfully clever while they led a spectacular barrage of goals that put the Swiss in control of the game and atop their group.
Manzambi scored his first World Cup goal on an outstanding volley in the 74th minute, and Switzerland erupted late for a 4-1 victory over Bosnia.
Despite controlling possession deep into the second half, Switzerland couldn’t break through against the Dragons until Yakin used the FIFA-mandated pause to turbo-charge its attack with the 20-year-old Manzambi and the dynamic Vargas. Both substitutes immediately altered the tempo, and both played roles in multiple goals while Bosnia went down to 10 men “It was very important that af-
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Piecing together the top of the lineup became much simpler once Milam decided to return With him in the picture, LSU has four of its top five hitters back from the end of this season. The offense was one of the Tigers’ few strengths, and Milam, Serna, Arrambide and Braun were their top four hitters in terms of on-base plus slugging percentage against Southeastern Conference competition (Milam’s .949 mark being the lowest).
Braun leads off after settling into the role by the end of May Arrambide is the catcher in part because he is draft-eligible next season. Serna and Arrambide are both right-handed, so sliding Milam (a switch-hitter) in between them makes the top of the lineup tougher to plan for Transfers take over
Insufficient lineup depth separated LSU from the top offenses in the conference this season. Johnson made sure to fix that issue by aggressively adding Watters from Notre Dame, Park from Texas State, Kurland from Florida and Wachs from Tulane out of the portal.
Watters was the top hitter on the market, according to Baseball America, after he hit .362 with a 1.057 OPS. He’s a corner outfielder defensively, but his left-handed bat makes him a contender to hit even higher in the order. Among the portal additions, Watters has
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blames the world for what’s going on. You’ve got to go figure out how to change the narrative and how to go out there and make it happen
“So that’s what I’m doing and I’ve made it happen.” Ruiz’s coaches have been encouraged by his approach. Head coach Kellen Moore said Ruiz came into the offseason program in “really good shape,” while offensive line coach Brenden Nugent said the
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welcoming me and loving on me,” said Ingram at a standing-roomonly news conference that included Saints owner Gayle Benson, general manager Mickey Loomis and team president Dennis Lauscha, among many others. “Black and gold bleeds forever through my blood.” Ingram, who had two different stints with the team from 2011–18 and 2021–22, ended his career as the club’s second all-time leading rusher with 6,500 yards. A 2011 first-round pick and Heisman Trophy winner, Ingram originally broke Deuce McAllister’s career rushing record in late 2021 before eventually passing the torch to his close friend and “Boom and Zoom” partner Alvin Kamara (7,250
Johan
ter the second hydration break, we would change a few things, because then the opponent can’t react immediately,” Yakin said through an interpreter “Maybe that was the edge we had We brought in very fast players, and our opponent couldn’t run (with them), and it opened up gaps on the edge. That was my strategy I waited until the break.”
Vargas scored in the 84th minute shortly after Tarik Muharemovic
the best chance to become a star Park never played third base at Texas State, but he’s a good candidate to slide to the position because of his arm strength and athleticism. As a right-handed hitter, he has power (13 home runs) and a strong glove, but he needs to cut down on the whiffs. His strikeout rate ballooned to 24.4% despite a big sophomore year Kurland is a four-year starter in the SEC who was one of Florida’s top hitters as a freshman, the year when the Gators faced LSU in the College World Series final back in 2023 Injuries have hampered his progress since then, but he’s coming off a solid year in which he hit .273 with an .809 OPS in SEC play Wachs is the latest portal addition. He’s a right fielder who has some experience playing in center, and he has everything Johnson wants in a hitter He hit .327 and managed to raise his OPS and hit more home runs while lowering his strikeout rate this spring. He also fills a need as a left-handed bat.
Returning second baseman Jack Ruckert played like a future starter at the end of last season. He’s a strong backup option on the infield if something were to happen to Kurland John Pearson, who started most of this year at third base, could be a useful right-handed hitter off the bench
Remaining spot
If LSU were to play tomorrow, center field likely goes to William Patrick. As a true freshman, he earned more playing time after Jake Brown’s injury and used his athleticism to his advantage in the field. But he’s still a raw player
guard came in with the right attitude.
Asked what went wrong last year, Nugent said Ruiz’s technique “wasn’t as clean” as the guard wanted it to be. The lineman particularly struggled in the run game Though Pro Football Focus grades are subjective, Ruiz posted the worst run-blocking grade of his six-year career with a 44.7. ESPN also rated Ruiz as having the sixth-worst run block win rate (66.1%) among all guards. His four penalties also were a personal worst. Factor in ankle injuries that
yards). The former University of Alabama All-American earned three Pro Bowl invitations while with the Saints.
Ingram is the ninth running back to earn induction into the Saints Hall of Fame, joining McAllister (2012), Fred McAfee (2022), Reggie Bush (2019), Pierre Thomas (2018), Rueben Mayes (2004), Dalton Hilliard (1998), George Rogers (1992) and Tony Galbreath (1991).
“Today is such a great honor, and to be able to go in (to the Hall of Fame) with my brother, my friend, my left tackle, it means the world to me,” Ingram said of Armstead, who he played with for seven seasons in New Orleans. “I’m grateful, humbled and appreciative of everyone in the Saints organization and the city of New Orleans for this.”
Ingram said he remembers seeing the poster-sized images of Saints Hall of Famers on the walls of the team facility during his play-
tive matches. Backed by tens of thousands of raucous fans in the Los Angeles area, Bosnia capably hung with Switzerland into the second half — until the hydration break led to a moment of brilliance from Manzambi, a 20-year-old Geneva native who plays for German club Freiburg.
“This is probably the best moment of my career so far,” Manzambi said. “We knew we didn’t start the match in the best way, but we had to be patient. We know we’re a good team, and we showed it.”
scored three goals and Canada won its first World Cup match while all but securing a spot in the knockout round with a victory over Qatar Qatar was reduced to nine players because of red cards in the chaotic match. Homan Ahmed was sent off in the first half for a challenge on Tajon Buchanan and Assim Madibo was handed a red early in the second half after a tackle on Ismaël Koné, who was carted off with a serious injury to his lower left leg.
Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the match after missing the team’s opener in Toronto last week because of the G7 summit in France.
was sent off for a dangerous tackle Manzambi scored again in the 90th on a pass from Vargas, and captain Granit Xhaka converted from the penalty spot with the final kick of the game in stoppage time. Switzerland opened the World Cup with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Qatar last week, stoking concern about the team’s mental state. The Swiss then struggled to get loose from the Dragons, who were unbeaten in their last nine competi-
who needs more at-bats to firmly earn an everyday role.
Besides Patrick, LSU has commitments from four high school signees who have enough speed to play center field. Malachi Washington, Anthony Murphy, Nathaneal Davis and Wessley Roberson are all strong athletes with the potential to be top of the order hitters someday The issue is that there’s a strong chance three of them get scooped up by Major League Baseball next month in the draft. Washington, Murphy and Davis all cracked the top 140 of MLB. com’s draft rankings. That trio and Roberson also plan to attend the MLB draft combine next week in Arizona. Johnson would be happy to add those freshmen, but there’s also a chance he wouldn’t want to start any of them at a premium defensive position right out of the gate. If he decided to do that, he could fill the hole in center with Patrick, another transfer or by convincing Brown or Derek Curiel to return to school for another year That third scenario is unlikely Curiel is only a draft-eligible sophomore but he’s expected to be picked in the first round. Brown could be picked in the second round after hitting 16 home runs in just 42 games. Neither player is flawless heading into the draft. Brown is coming off an injury, and he struggled in SEC play this year Curiel’s power and overall ceiling have come into question by some talent evaluators. But both players will land seven-figure signing bonuses if they choose to sign, regardless of where they get picked.
caused him to miss a total of three games, and it’s no wonder that Ruiz wants to turn the page. Nugent said the Saints still have confidence Ruiz can return to form. For one, they’ve seen him do it before. That’s why New Orleans gave Ruiz a four-year, $44 million extension in September 2022, even months after the black and gold turned down his fifth-year option. And as poorly as Ruiz played last season, he still had his moments as a pass protector His 19 allowed pressures were the third-fewest of his career, ac-
ing days and being inspired by their legacies.
“I remember hoping that one day I would leave a legacy and have a similar impact during my career to garner that kind of recognition,” Ingram said. “I can’t thank the Saints organization and the city of New Orleans enough for this honor.”
Armstead established himself as one of the premier left tackles of his generation after being drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. During a 12-year NFL career that included nine with the Saints, he anchored some of the most explosive offenses in NFL history Armstead started 93 of 97 games for the Saints from 2013-21 while earning three Pro Bowl invitations. He was regularly ranked among the best left tackles in the league by Pro Football Focus and was named second-team All-Pro in 2018.
Three minutes after Manzambi replaced standout winger Dan Ndoye, he jumped and connected perfectly on Amar Memic’s attempted clearing header The volley set off a wild celebration in the nervous Swiss sections of SoFi Stadium.
“He’s a boy who learned how to play football on the streets, but on defense he also has a lot of discipline,” Yakin said. “He still needs to learn how to be more structured, but we are making progress. We try to give him a lot of freedom to play and he handles it very well.”
CANADA 6, QATAR 0: In Vancouver, British Columbia, Jonathan David
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Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz was among the six Democrats who voted with mostly Republicans in advancing the bill.
“It took me awhile to get there, and I think there’s more work to be done,” he said. The SEC and Big Ten said hours before Thursday’s committee meeting that their “critical revisions have not been accepted.”
Among their concerns, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has argued the bill could invite the very litigation it is intended to prevent. Both conferences also have objected to a provision allowing conferences to pool media rights, saying they are unconvinced it would generate the additional revenue supporters say it could.
“What we did today was say we’re not going to let the most powerful, richest conferences dictate to the rest of America what’s going to happen to 500,000 athletes,” Cantwell said after the committee vote.
Support and opposition for the bill does not fall neatly along party lines, reflecting the national reach of SEC and Big Ten schools and broader divisions in Congress.
While President Donald Trump has backed the bill, multiple Republicans opposed the legislation Thursday, while several Democrats supported it.
Some of the senators who voted against the bill represent states that are home to prominent SEC
cording to PFF
“I know it’s in there,” Nugent said. “That’s our job to work together and let’s get it back to what it can be and what it was.”
Ruiz also cited his track record as evidence that last year was an aberration. That history includes overcoming a slow start to his career, when he spent his first two years playing inconsistently before settling in for a breakout 2022. Ruiz largely has been reliable since then, though last year’s regression could call that into question.
Ruiz said he didn’t look at last
“Being in this Hall of Fame, representing this team in this city I couldn’t write a better story,” Armstead said. “It’s perfect for me, it’s perfect for my family This is everything for me This is, I made it. This is the pinnacle, this is the goal.
Armstead is the ninth offensive lineman and fourth offensive tackle to gain induction, joining Willie Roaf (2008), Jim Dombrowski (2003) and Stan Brock (1997).
“When I got that call (from hall officials), it was truly unbelievable,” Armstead said. “This feels like I’m entering into a room of immortality It’s special. I’m humbled and honored.”
La Rock has been employed by the Superdome for almost three decades, starting in 1998. He started in event services for public safety and was promoted to supervisor of the press box two years later
SOUTH AFRICA 1, CZECH REPUBLIC 1: In Atlanta, Teboho Mokoena started the game with tears in his eyes and finished it with a smile on his face after converting a second-half penalty in South Africa’s draw with the Czech Republic.
Thapelo Maseko’s long range shot late in the match caught the hand of Czech opponent Pavel Sulc in the area. Mokoena, who was shown on camera with tears rolling down his cheeks during the pregame national anthem, stepped up to the penalty spot and sent his shot low past Czech Republic goalkeeper Matej Kovar in the 83rd minute. Michal Sadilek had given the Czechs the lead in the sixth minute.
“What we did today was say we’re not going to let the most powerful, richest conferences dictate to the rest of America what’s going to happen to 500,000 athletes.”
MARIA CANTWELL, U.S. senator
and Big Ten programs, including Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat; and Republican Sens. Todd Young of Indiana and Roger Wicker of Mississippi.
“Universities in Mississippi and around the SEC are concerned that some further progress needs to be made on the media rights,” Wicker told the AP Clearing the committee is just the first step in a long process. Passage through the Senate is far from guaranteed, as leaders already have a packed schedule and a dwindling number of legislative days left before the November election. The bill would need to clear a 60-vote threshold in the 53-47 Republican-controlled chamber
The bill also will still need to clear the House. Earlier this year, the House Republican leadership had been working toward a vote on its own college sports bill, known as the SCORE Act, before the Congressional Black Caucus announced its unanimous opposition.
Still, supporters on Thursday called the committee action a massive step forward.
“Today we are proving that we are resilient in keeping this product moving,” Cantwell said.
season as if he was a “horrible football player.” He said he knows that he’s not that, which also could be why he wasn’t tempted to wade into the online discourse or check his mentions.
As for the contract, Ruiz said he isn’t worried about that, either Before earning another payday, he has some respect to earn back first.
“I got to go out there and (be) like, ‘I’m Cesar Ruiz, man,’ ” he said. “I’ve got to go out there and ball. You don’t want to be overshadowed by the negativity My job is to go out there and ball.”
He leads a 14-member staff and is viewed as an unofficial “ambassador” for the club and city of New Orleans.
“We have fun, but we have a serious responsibility because everyone that enters that press box you are my responsibility,” La Rock said. “I have to get you in and out of the press box safe, I have to give you a quiet working relationship, I have to make sure that the media have a quiet environment to work in. Why is that? Because they have to turn in a quality story. Their quality story will affect what the court of public opinion thinks of the Saints and their future. And in the meantime, I have to make sure that I give a New Orleans welcome to all of the visiting teams, their owners and their staff. We treat them like family.”
The Class of 2026 will be enshrined at a ceremony later this fall.
happy to land at Kaplan afterbriefly taking PorteBarre job
BY MIKE COPPAGE
Contributing writer
Coming off the shortest stint of his career,veteran football coach Vinnie Bullara said he thinks he’s found apermanent home at Kaplan High School.
Entering his 30th year in coaching, Bullara was hired during the offseason to take over thePort Barre program.But when Port Barre switched principalsinMay —about the same time the Kaplan job came open —Bullara had second thoughts.
“Weshared the same vision,” he said of Port Barre’soriginal principal. “I heard therewerechanges coming from the St. Landry Parish School Board. Iwas uncomfortable with some things.”
The next morning, Bullara fielded three phonecalls pertaining to the Kaplanjob, which has had several recent coaching changes.
“It went just like that. bang, bang!” he said of getting hired at the Vermilion Parish school. “They have agreat administration, tough, hard-working kids and agreat coaching staff already in place.” Bullara brought in only one coach: offensive coordinatorTrenton Guay,who worked withhim at Port Barre and Sulphur,where Bullara was the offensive coordinator and interim head coach Assistant coaches Codey Mire, DonaldRichard, Dillon Briggs, Brandon Johnson and Nathan Sistrunk,agroup with Kaplan roots, stuck around to join Bullara’sstaff.
“The community support has been so great,” Bullara said. “From 30 years on the outside looking in at Kaplan,itwas everything I
“Nobody can predict the future, but Iwould love to retire from here. It’s that kind of place. Icouldn’tbehappier.”
VINNIEBULLARA, Kaplan football coach
thought it would be.”
Mire, thedefensive coordinator, haspassion, knowledge and alove for the game, Bullara said of the Kaplan native who “bleeds (Kaplan) black and gold
“Nobody can predict the future but Iwould love to retire from here,” saidBullara, who resides nearWestminster Christian Academysouth of Opelousas. “It’s that kind of place. Icouldn’t be happier.
Bullara,who also coachedat Catholic of Pointe Coupee,said he’sbeen impressed with Kaplan’s personnel
“The transitionhas been super easy,” he said. “These kids are fast learners. They’vebought in, andit’sbeen much easier than an-
ticipated. We got alot of stuff installed very quickly.”
The Pirates’ nondistrict schedule will notbeeasy,however Kaplan has games against Baton Rouge powers UniversityLab and Parkview Baptistalong with Class 4A Assumption, Catholic of New Iberia, Ascension Episcopal, Loreauville and St.Louis.
“During my interviews, the administration expressed that they’d like me to get settled in here,” he said. “They don’twant to make another coaching change.
“I told them (jokingly), ‘Let’sreevaluate in two years after Iface this schedule’ (which includes league rivals Erath, Abbeville and St.Martinville). Intriguing is one way to put it.”
BY ERICOLSON AP sportswriter
OMAHA, Neb.— Jason Walk and Dasan Harris each hit two home runs and Trey Gambill also went deep to lead Oklahoma to the College World Series finalswith an 11-4 win over Georgia on Wednesdaynight.
The Sooners (41-22) will meet North Carolina in the best-ofthree championship round beginning Saturdaynight.They’rein the finals for the first time since 2022 and will be playing for a third national title in baseball.
Oklahoma’sfive homers were a season high and acontinuation of the heaterthe Sooners have been on since the second week of May. OU hashit 43 of its91homers in thepast 16 games, including 26 in 10 NCAA Tournament games. The Sooners had48intheir first 47 games. “When you go back and look at what we’ve done in thefalland spring, we never stopped believingand thoseguys really turned around our year,” said coach Skip Johnson, whose team onemonth ago was coming out of arun of sevenlossesinnine gamesand on itsway to an 11th-place finish in the Southeastern Conference. Walk and Harris wereimprobable power sources. Each entered thegame with four homers. Walk sent awind-aidedflyball 417feet over the wall in straightaway center field leading off the third inning. In the fourth, Gam-
bill andHarriswentdeeptomake it 4-0 andchase Georgia starter PaulFarley (8-2). Harris and Walk connected againinthe eighth to give the Sooners asix-run lead. Harris’ five RBIs were his most in 107 career games, and three of hissix homers have comeinthe last four games.
OU freshman starter Nick Wesloski (2-1) held the Bulldogs (53-14) to one runinthe first five innings but ran into troublein the sixth and was pulledwith two outs andtwo men on base. An error loaded the bases, and reliever LJ Mercurius walked in two runs. Mercurius earned his fourth save after allowing one run on two hits in 31/3 innings.
“OU is playing real hotbaseball right now,”Georgia coach Wes Johnsonsaid.“They’re at their peak.”
Georgia had oneofthe nation’s most potent offenses allseason but struggled at thecavernous Charles SchwabField.
The Bulldogs arrived at the CWS leading the nation with a program-record 174 homers and was in the top five with 9.4 runs per gameand a.326 battingaverage. They got aninth-inning homer fromKolby Branch to finish with five in four CWS games. They averaged four runs per game and batted .183.
Daniel Jackson, whowon the Dick Howser Trophy as the nation’s player of the year, batted .157 with ahomerun Monday that gave him 32 forthe year “The offensekind of struggled at times,” Branch said. “That hasn’tbeen us all season. Sometimesyou’rerolling, and sometimes youlose alittle mojo.
(Brown3-2), 1:20 p.m. Chicago White Sox(Fedde 2-5)atDetroit (Skubal 3-3), 5:40 p.m. Cincinnati (Lowder 3-3) at N.Y. Yankees (Schlittler 7-3), 6:05 p.m. Washington (Cavalli 4-4) at TampaBay (Jax 1-5), 6:10 p.m. San Diego (Vásquez 6-4) at Texas(deGrom 5-4), 7:05 p.m. Cleveland(Bibee 2-7) at Houston (Imai 3-3), 7:10 p.m. St. Louis (McGreevy 3-5) at Kansas City (Lugo 2-4), 7:15 p.m. L.A. Angels (TBD)atAthletics (Springs 3-7), 8:40 p.m. Minnesota (Prielipp 2-4) at Arizona (Soroka 8-3), 8:45 p.m. Baltimore(Gibson 1-2) at L.A. Dodgers(Sasaki 3-4), 9:10 p.m.
(Suarez 2-3) at
3-0), 9:10 p.m.
Sunday Game 5—Troy 12,Ole Miss 8 Game 6—North Carolina 5, West Virginia 2 Monday Game 7—Texas 14, Alabama 7 Game 8—Oklahoma 4, Georgia2 Tuesday Game 9—West Virginia 12,Troy 5 Game 10 —Georgia 2, Texas0 Wednesday Game 11 —NorthCarolina12, West Virginia 7 Game 12 —Oklahoma 11, Georgia 4 Championship series (Bestof3) Saturday Game 1—North Carolinavs. Oklahoma, 7p.m. Sunday Game 2—North Carolinavs. Oklahoma, 1:30 p.m. Monday x-Game 3—North Carolinavs. Oklahoma, 6p.m. Soccer World Cup glance GROUP A GP WD LGFGAPts Mexico 11 00 20 3 South Korea1 10 02 13 Czechia2 01 12 31 South Africa2 01 11 31 June 11 Mexico 2, South Africa 0 KoreaRepublic 2, Czechia 1 Thursday Czechia 1South Africa 1 Mexico vs.Korea Republic,n June 24 Czechia vs.Mexico, 8p.m. South Africa vs.Korea Republic, 8p.m. GROUP B GP WD LGFGAPts Switzerland 21 10 52 4 Canada2 11 07 14 Bosnia-Herz. 20 11 25 1 Qatar 20 11 17 1 June 12 Canada 1, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 June 13 Qatar 1, Switzerland 1 Thursday Switzerland 4, Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 Canada 6, Qatar 0 June 24 Switzerland vs.Canada, 2p.m. Bosnia and Herzegovina vs.Qatar, 2p.m.
June 25 Ecuador vs.Germany, 3p.m. Curacao vs.Ivory Coast, 3p.m.
GROUP F GP WD LGFGAPts
Sweden 11 00 51 3
Japan 10 10 22 1
Netherlands 10 10 22 1
Tunisia 10 01 15 0
June 14
Netherlands 2, Japan 2
Sweden 5, Tunisia 1
Saturday Netherlands vs.Sweden, noon
June 20
Tunisia vs.Japan, 11 p.m.
June 25
Tunisia vs.Netherlands,6p.m.
Japan vs.Sweden, 6p.m.
GROUP G GP WD LGFGAPts
Belgium 10 10 11 1
Egypt 10 10 11 1
Iran 10 10 22 1
New Zealand 10 10 22 1
June 15
Belgium 1, Egypt 1 Iran 2, New Zealand 2
June 21
Belgium vs.Iran, 2p.m.
New Zealand vs.Egypt, 8p.m.
June 26
New Zealand vs.Belgium, 10 p.m.
Egypt vs.Iran, 10 p.m.
GROUP H GP WDLGFGAPts
Uruguay1 01 01 11
Saudi Arabia 10 10 11 1
Spain 10 10 00 1
CapeVerde 10 10 00 1
June 15
Spain 0, Cape Verde0
Saudi Arabia 1, Uruguay1
June 21
Spain vs.Saudi Arabia, 11 a.m.
Uruguayvs. Cape Verde, 5p.m.
June 26
Uruguayvs. Spain, 7p.m. Cape Verdevs. Saudi Arabia, 7p.m.
GROUP I GP WD LGFGAPts
France 11 00 31 3
Norway 11 00 41 3
Senegal 10 01 13 0 Iraq 10 01 14 0
Tuesday France 3, Senegal 1 Norway 4, Iraq 1 June 22
France vs.Iraq, 4p.m. Norway vs.Senegal,7p.m.
June 26
Norway vs.France, 2p.m.
Senegal vs.Iraq, 2p.m.
GROUP J GP WDL GF GA Pts
Argentina 00 00 00 0 Algeria 00 00 00 0 Austria 00 00 00 0 Jordan 00 00 00 0
Tuesday Argentina vs.Algeria,8p.m.
Austriavs. Jordan, 11 p.m.
(Lowder 3-3) at N.Y.
(Schlittler 7-3), 6:05 p.m.
Francisco(Roupp 5-7) at
(TBD) 6:10 p.m. Washington (Cavalli 4-4) at TampaBay (Jax 1-5), 6:10 p.m. Milwaukee (Misiorowski 8-2) at Atlanta (Pérez 5-3), 6:15 p.m. San Diego (Vásquez 6-4) at Texas(deGrom 5-4), 7:05 p.m. St. Louis (McGreevy 3-5) at Kansas City (Lugo 2-4), 7:15 p.m. Pittsburgh (Chandler 2-7) at Colorado (Freeland 1-7), 7:40 p.m. Minnesota (Prielipp 2-4) at Arizona (Soroka 8-3), 8:45 p.m. Baltimore(Gibson 1-2) at L.A. Dodgers(Sasaki 3-4), 9:10 p.m. College baseball CWSglance
Charles SchwabField; Omaha, Neb.;
June 22
Argentina vs.Austria, noon
Jordan vs.Algeria,10p.m.
June 27
Jordan vs.Argentina, 9p.m.
9p.m. Paraguayvs. Australia,9p.m.
GROUP E GP WD LGFGAPts
Curacao 10 01 17
June 14 Germany7,Curacao 1 IvoryCoast1,Ecuador
noon Colombiavs. Congo DR, 9p.m. June 27 Colombiavs. Portugal, 6:30 p.m. Congo DR vs.Uzbekistan, 6:30 p.m
GROUP L GP WD LGFGAPts England 11 00 42 3 Ghana 11 00 10 3
4p.m. Tennis
ATPWorld Tour Cinch Championships At The Queen’s Club; London Surface: Grass Men’ssingles Round of 16 AlejandroDavidovich Fokina(4),Spain,def CorentinMoutet, France, 6-4, 6-3. TommyPaul (8), United States,def.Botic VandeZandschulp, Netherlands, 7-6(5),6-3. ATPWorld Tour WortmannOpen At Gerry WeberStadium; Halle,Germany Surface: Grass Men’ssingles Round of 16 TaylorFritz (5), United States,def.Fabian Marozsan, Hungary,6-2,6-4 BenShelton(3),United States, def. Ethan Quinn, United States,6-4, 5-7, 6-4. AlexanderZverev(1),Germany, def. Yannick Hanfmann, Germany, 6-3, 7-6(4) Raphael Collignon, Belgium, def.MattiaBellucci, Italy,4-6,6-4,6-3 WTABett1Open At Am Rothenbaum Rot-Weiss TennisClub; Berlin Surface: Grass Women’s singles Round of 16 Linda Noskova(8),Czechia,def.DianeParry France, 6-2, 6-2. ElinaSvitolina(6),Ukraine,def.Eva Lys, Germany, 6-3, 6-2. Madison Keys,UnitedStates, def. Karolina Muchova (7), Czechia,6-4,7-5 AlexandraEala, Philippines, def.Elena Rybakina(2),Kazakhstan, 7-5, 6-4. Transactions
Major League Baseball American League BALTIMOREORIOLES—Optioned RF Dylan Beaversonarehab assignment to Chesapeake(EL) CHICAGOWHITESOX —Placed RF Everson Pereiraonthe 7-dayIL. Recalled CF Junior PerezfromCharlotte (IL) LOSANGELES ANGELS —OptionedCLogan Porterand RHP BrettKerry to Salt Lake (PCL). TORONTOBLUEJAYS—AcquiredOFEdgardo Villegas from Trois-Rivieres (Frontier League). National League ATLANTABRAVES—OptionedCJair Camargo to Gwinnett (IL) CINCINNATI REDS —SentRHPsHunter Greeneand Pierce Johnson on rehab assignments to Louisville (IL).Sent CP.J.
Projectprepares forJuneteenth performance
‘I take myself back in time.’
BY JOHN WIRT Contributing writer
When his bandperforms at Juneteenth celebrations, Michael Foster keeps the holiday’s meaning in mind.
“I take myself back in time,” the leader of the Michael FosterProject said. “I think about the music that was playedwhen theygot that news (ofthe Emancipation Proclamation).That must have been some amazing music.I’m sure they played like they’dnever played before.” Juneteenth, anational holiday since 2021,celebrates the day enslaved people in Texas learned that President Abraham Lincoln’sEmancipation Proclamation had proclaimed all enslaved people in Confederate stateswerefree.Although Lincolnissuedthe proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, the news wasn’t announced in Texas until 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay on June 19, 1865.
The Michael Foster Project’s 2026 Juneteenth gigs includeFriday’scelebration at L’Auberge Event Center in Baton Rougeand last weekend’s Juneteenth MusicFestival at the River RoadAfrican American Museum in Donaldsonville. Special though Juneteenth celebrationsare for Foster, his Michael Foster Project aims to please everywhere it plays. A New Orleans-style brass band, thegroup’ssets include traditional brass band music (“Little Liza Jane,” “I’ll FlyAway,” “A Closer Walk with Thee”), songs byLouis
ä See PROJECT, page 6C
JUNETEENTH
With Lil’ Nathan and the ZydecoBig Timers, the Michael Foster Project and Universal Language
8p.m. Friday l L’AubergeEvent Center,777 L’AubergeAve Baton Rouge l $43-$135 l lbatonrouge.com
James LandryHébert, aLouisiana native and actor,recently portrayedHarley, a tattooed, mulletsporting country man with ties to the drug underworld in the HBO series ‘Euphoria.’
The Rainbow Carnival Ascension Parish Pride’sannual celebration will return to Lamar-DixonExpo Center,Gonzales, on Saturday, focusing on community,inclusion, entertainment and family-friendly fun. Sensoryhoursare from 10 a.m.to11:30 a.m.The main festival will runfromnoon to 7p.m. ascensionparishpride.org
Maggie
PROVIDED PHOTOFROMNNM MARKETING
left, and Gerard Byrne areprincipal dancers with ‘Riverdance30.’
BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer
Withthe attention span of atypical 5-year-old, Maggie Darlington recalls watching “Riverdance” for thefirst time on TV with herfellowdance school studentsinCamarillo, California
Although she sensed it wasa bigdeal, herchild’s mindquickly movedontothe next thing that grabbedher eye. Fastforward to her teen years, and seeing the mesmerizingly precise Irish dance moves, stirring musical performance and the stories within again hit differently
“I was like, oh,this is cool. It’s still going. It’sstill got itsmagic,” Darlington, 37,said recently from Davenport, Iowa, astoponthe “Riverdance 30” tour,which began
in late January.“It’s like getting to look at it through adifferent lens.” Her perspective is even more differentnow.Darlington’snot in theaudience, but is a“Riverdance 30”principaldancer.She’sbeen with the troupe since 2011. This tour celebratesthe show’s threedecades of traveling the globe,bringing the spectacletoeverywhere from Radio CityMusic Hall in New York City to the World Expo in Dubai.
Here, Harlington discusses her “Riverdance” years and why this tour is so special.
Theinterview hasbeeneditedfor clarity and brevity
Foraudiences that have never seen a “Riverdance” show,what can they expect?
It’s an updated version of the original, because it’sacelebration of 30 years of Irish music and dance. There’salittle something in there foreverybody.Wealso have tap dancers andfolkdancers and flamenco. So we bring in other cultures. We have alive band on stage if you lean moreinto the music side,aswellasall thelightsand the costumes and everything to give it that nice sparkly feel.
About how longdoes the performance last? It’s just abouttwo hours, maybe just over
BYPOET WOLFE Staff writer
James Landry Hébert has built acareer playing outcasts, criminals and cultists, but he’ll be the first to tell you: He’s the nicest bad guy you’ll ever meet Somemay recognize Hébert from theHBO series “Euphoria,” where he plays Harley, atattooed, mullet-sporting country man with ties to the drug underworld. In the “Yellowstone” prequel“1883,” he played Wade, a blunt-spoken cowboy.InQuentin Tarantino’s“Once Upon aTime... in Hollywood,” he appeared as achip-toothed Charles Manson acolyte who is brutally suckerpunched by Brad Pitt. Those are only twoexamples of lawless, complicated and morally bankrupt men he’sembodied onscreen. Offscreen, however, Hébertsaid he couldn’t be further from those characters. To put it simply,headded, “It’s
been ahell of aride for aCajun kid from Lafayette.” Despite his growing Hollywood fame, Hébert is as Louisiana as they come. His mother’sfamily is from Acadiana; his father hails from Baton Rouge. He attended LSU and lived Uptown in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Hébert is part of agrowing group of Louisiana artistswhose
FRIDAY
LIVE MUSIC: Cane River Pecan Company Pie Bar, New Iberia, 5 p.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT JAM: La Maison de Begnaud, Scott, 6 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s
Brick Oven Pizza & Brewery, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-nDuson, Duson, 6 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6 p.m.
PAUL TASSIN: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
THE GRAY WALKER TRIO: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
CONNIE G: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m.
RIVER SMOOTH BAND: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m.
LA PHANTOMS, CHEATER
PIPE, TRAIN WRECK
METHOD & BLOOD SHOW: Feed N Seed, Lafayette, 7 p.m.
HORACE TRAHAN: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 7 p.m.
MARCO & THE MOONLIGHTS: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 7 p.m.
NEXT GEN ZYDECO: Silver Slipper, Arnaudville
7 p.m.
THE JUNETEENTH STORY: Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m.
JAKE KNOTT: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard 8 p.m
MAGIC CRAWFISH ALBUM RELEASE PARTY FEATURING THE DEBTORS: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m
ROUGE KREWE: Rock ’n’ Bowl de Lafayette, Lafayette, 9 p.m.
SATURDAY
CURLEY TAYLOR & ZYDECO TROUBLE: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 8 a.m.
CAJUN JAM: Moncus Park, Lafayette, 9 a.m.
SATURDAY MORNING
JAM SESSIONS: The Savoy Music Center, Eunice, 9 a.m.
CAJUN JAM: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.
JUNETEENTH FOLKLIFE
CELEBRATION: Farmers Market Pavilion, Opelousas, noon
CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC
JAM: Vermilionville Liv-
By The Associated Press
Today is Friday, June 19, the 170th day of 2026. There are 195 days left in the year This is Juneteenth.
Today in history:
On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War was over and that all remaining enslaved people in Texas were free — an event celebrated as the Juneteenth national holiday in the U.S. Also on this date: In 1910, the first-ever Father’s Day in the United States was celebrated in Spokane, Washington. (President Richard Nixon would make Father’s Day a federally recognized annual observation through a proclamation in 1972.)
In 1953, Julius Rosenberg, 35, and his wife, Ethel, 37, convicted of conspiring to pass U.S. atomic secrets to the Soviet Union, were executed at Sing Sing Prison in Ossining, New
Continued from page 5C
And so about how many numbers would that be?
It’s funny, I do this every night. You’d think I’d know it off the top of my head. It’s probably about 10 numbers in the first act, and then probably a similar eight-10 in the second, you know including musical numbers and everything.
What is the age range of the dances?
I’m the oldest in the troupe. It’s pretty much 18 to me, at least for the Irish troupe. I think one of the folk dancers might be in their 40s, but the average age, I would say, is closer to 25. Is there an age where you retire out of it? Or what are your feelings on that? I think it’s when it doesn’t feel like you belong there anymore. I think probably it varies for everybody like how your body’s feeling, how the travel affects you, and other life factors like, would you rather be setting up a home versus living on the road. I think for some people at some point the desire to be more kind of, I guess, quote unquote, stable or at least in one spot starts to outweigh doing all the traveling. I still enjoy it. It’s fun. You started dancing at 3.Tell us a little bit about growing up and your dance education and everything. Well, it’s always been Irish dancing primarily I started dancing when I was 3 because I had two older sisters. So my oldest sister was probably 6 when she started, and that’s because she saw the costumes in a postcard from our family over in Ireland. So she and my middle sister started dancing, and then I just was always around it and copying them and wanted to do everything that they did. So I started pretty much as
ing History Museum & Folklife Park, Lafayette, 1 p.m.
JAMMIN’ ON THE BAYOU: St. Landry Visitor Center, Opelousas, 1 p.m.
JULIAN PRIMEAUX: Cypress Cove Landing, Breaux Bridge, 3 p.m.
NITE OWLZ: Pat’s Atchafalaya Club, Henderson, 4:30 p.m.
AUDREY BROUSSARD: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
CAJUN BREAKFAST: Naq’s-n-Duson, Duson, 6 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza & Brewery, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6 p.m.
THE LAST MANGOS: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
AARON HEBERT:
SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m.
PAUL PIAZZA: The Tap Room, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.
12/16 TRIO: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 7 p.m.
GAIS DODO: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 7 p.m.
JAXON MECHE: Silver
York; they were the first American civilians to be executed for espionage. In 1963, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova completed her historic flight as the first woman in space, landing safely at the conclusion of the Vostok 6 mission.
In 1964, the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 was approved by the U.S Senate, 73-27, after surviving a lengthy filibuster In 1975, former Chicago organized crime boss Sam Giancana was shot to death in the basement of his home in Oak Park, Illinois; the killing has never been solved In 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Edwards v. Aguillard, struck down a Louisiana law requiring any public school teaching the theory of evolution to teach creation science as well.
In 1991, the last Soviet troops withdrew from Hungary after a decadeslong presence, retreating
Slipper, Arnaudville, 7 p.m.
GENO DELAFOSE & FRENCH ROCKIN’ BOOGIE: Lakeview Park, Eunice, 8 p.m.
HIGH PERFORMANCE: La Poussiere Cajun Dancehall, Breaux Bridge, 8 p.m.
RODDIE ROMERO AND THE HUB CITY ALLSTARS: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m.
TRAVIS MATTE AND THE KINPINS: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30 p.m.
5TH AVENUE: Rock ’n’ Bowl de Lafayette, Lafayette, 9 p.m.
SUNDAY
LIVE MUSIC: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.
THE SUNDAY PEOPLE: Whiskey & Vine, Lafayette, 11 a.m.
BAL DU DIMANCHE — HORACE TRAHAN & THE OSSUN EXPRESS: Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park, Lafayette, 1 p.m.
LEROY THOMAS: Cypress Cove Landing, Breaux Bridge, 3 p.m.
SHADOW ROAD BAND
amid the collapse of the Soviet bloc and under pressure from Hungary’s new democratic government.
In 2018, President Donald Trump signed the nation’s 10 millionth patent, awarding it to a California employee of the Raytheon Co. who found a new way to get real-time readings from large laser radars. Today’s birthdays: Hall of Fame auto racer Shirley Muldowney is 86. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is 81. Author Tobias Wolff is 81. Author Salman Rushdie is 79. Actor Phylicia Rashad is 78. Rock singer Ann Wilson (Heart) is 76. Actor Kathleen Turner is 72. Singerchoreographer-TV personality Paula Abdul is 64. TV host Lara Spencer is 57.
Actor Jean Dujardin is 54. Actor Robin Tunney is 54. Basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki is 48. Actor Zoe Saldaña is 48. Rapper Macklemore is 43. Actor Paul Dano is 42.
PROVIDED PHOTO FROM NNM MARKETING
The ‘Riverdance 30’ tour celebrates the show’s three decades traveling the globe, bringing the spectacle to everywhere from Radio City Music Hall in New york City to the World Expo in Dubai.
soon as they would let me into a class. After high school, did you go straight to more dance education or did you pursue something else in college?
I did two years of community college, at which point I had decided I wanted to study dance. So I was at the time taking ballet and jazz and some just general theater classes and exploring my options in that realm. I got into “Riverdance” and I had taken a summer to go do a couple of other shows, one of which is at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. That show is still going, it’s called Celtic Fyre. So I went and did that and then came back to California and did a couple, like a dinner theater show and I worked at Knotts Berry Farm, I was a can-can dancer And then a spot opened up for me in “Riverdance,” and that was kind of the end of the story
How long do you rehearse a day?
Every day we do anywhere between like 20 minutes to about 45 minutes of kind of review and touchups for the show And so say maybe you’re doing a new spot and you need to know where you’re going, or just maybe this number needs a little bit of attention today, so let’s focus on this part. So, as opposed to doing big,
long rehearsals every day, especially with all the traveling, it’s kind of focused small bits every day
Do you do any other kind of physical workout besides that?
Yeah, we all kind of monitor ourselves. Some people like to go and take fitness classes. Most of us are kind of DIY We’ll go to the gym a couple of times a week. But it can be a hard balance to find, balance your energy so there’s time at work where you can kind of implement your strength training and everything into what you’re already doing at work. So you’re not necessarily having to carve out more time in your day somewhere else. To what do you attribute the longevity, and popularity of “Riverdance” for 30 years?
I mean, the music is fantastic, but there’s something about the way Irish dances to the music that I think people, it just grabs people’s attention in a different way It’s also generally a happy experience. There are some numbers of course that touch more on the lower points, but in general, you know, people are smiling at the end of the show and I think it’s just that joy that it brings.
Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate. com.
FEATURING KYLE DUGAS: Pat’s Atchafalaya Club, Henderson, 4:30 p.m.
AUDREY BROUSSARD: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
ELEVATOR PITCH, DAIRY FREE, & DOUBLE KNOCKOUT: The Loose Caboose, Lafayette, 7 p.m.
THE SUNDAY PEOPLE: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 7 p.m.
VIDRINE FAMILY BAND W/ HORACE TRAHAN: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 7 p.m.
LIL NATHAN: Rock ’n’ Bowl de Lafayette, Lafayette, 9 p.m.
MONDAY
PATRICIO LATINO SOLO: Cafe Habana City, Lafayette, 11 a.m.
ALYSSA MCMURRAY: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
BLUEGRASS JAM: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m.
TUESDAY
Continued from page 5C
Armstrong, Fats Domino and Allen Toussaint and the latest pop and R&B hits.
Summer can be slow for the band, but the other three seasons are busy Fall’s tailgate parties dovetail into Thanksgiving and Christmas parties. Carnival time, the group’s busiest season, segues to spring weddings and events such as downtown Baton Rouge’s Live After Five! Their most recent LAF! performance drew close to 9,000 attendees. The band plays conferences, too and grand openings and outof-town events such as Mardi Gras in the Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Foster moved to Baton Rouge from Dallas in 1985, drawn by his family’s roots in Pointe Coupee Parish and a music scholarship offered by Southern University’s late band director, Isaac Greggs. He also studied with the school’s beloved jazz master, Alvin Batiste.
“My favorite Mr Bat story,” Foster said, “is when I was learning to play upright bass, he told me after a rehearsal, ‘Yeah, I like how you sound. You play with the Holy Ghost.’ Because I didn’t have a formal teacher for strings, I told Mr Bat, sticking my chest out, ‘Hey, I’m selftaught.’ He says, ‘So was the
Continued from page 5C
upbringing in what was once dubbed Hollywood South continues to shape their work. His characters embody the elements that have long made the state, from its swamps and bayous to its charismatic personalities and dark political undercurrents, compelling to storytellers.
Every day he tends his horses — because “they don’t care what directors you work with” — and would even ride his horse, Moose, from his ranch in Los Angeles to the set of “Euphoria.”
His Cajun accent remains thick, though his family back home thinks he has lost some of it after all those years in California.
Yet his childhood was far different from that of many Louisianans. At a young age, Hébert was adopted and raised on the Chitimacha Indian Reservation in Charenton an experience that cultivated his worldview
“Growing up around the bayou you learn that everything’s connected. The land, the water, the animals, the people, the stories,” he said. “That shaped how I see behavior like nobody exists in a vacuum People come from an ecosystem.”
Living in Louisiana
Though he had always loved movies, Hébert couldn’t pinpoint a single moment when he knew he wanted to be in them. While attending LSU and “trying to figure out what I wanted
TERRY HUVAL & FRIENDS: Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
GREENLIGHT SESSIONS OPEN MIC: The Jefferson Street Greenroom, Lafayette, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
DULCIMER JAM: St. Landry Visitor Center, Opelousas, 10 a.m.
ANDREW WAIN & LOGAN
TURNER JAZZ: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
DION PIERRE: Park Bistro, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
WANTED WEDNESDAY
KARAOKE NIGHT: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 6 p.m.
LEIF MECHE: The Tap Room, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m.
ALYSSA MCMURRAY: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. ROB SAXXY: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m.
THURSDAY
SUNSET SESSIONS FEATURING DYER COUNTY: Moncus Park, Lafayette, 5 p.m.
GARY CATHY TRIO: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
first cat who played bass.’ ” Foster formed the Michael Foster Quartet in 1992 and then the larger Michael Foster Project in 1996 Playing sousaphone, electric and upright bass, he’s a bandleader who likes letting his bandmates shine.
“I love being the foundation,” he said. “Because without that bass, the other instruments don’t have anything solid to sit on. My job is to play a solid groove that helps that horn player go to another level.” Foster’s original band members, all of whom were, like himself, Southern University students from other places have long since returned to their points of origins. His current lineup has been with him for years, even decades: John Gray, trumpet; Rod Jackson, alto saxophone; Charles Williams II, trombone; Justin Rendell, tenor sax; C.J Trusclair, drums; and auxiliary percussionist and poet Chancelier Xero Skidmore.
“All these guys are superamazing,” Foster said.
In 1998, the Michael Foster Project’s popularity at M’s Fine and Mellow Café in Baton Rouge helped the band land its New Orleans debut. Donna Sims, co-owner of Donna’s Bar and Grill, booked the Project for multiple monthly engagements at her place and other New Orleans venues such as Margaritaville, Levon Helm’s
to do with my life,” he took a theater class as an elective.
The course eventually became a minor, then a major
While in college, Hébert was managing bands when Katrina struck, forcing him to pack up and evacuate to Nashville, where he recorded music. When he returned home, he took a job on an oil rig to help support his family
The entertainment industry eventually came to him. After Louisiana expanded its film tax incentives, productions surged across the state, creating more opportunities for aspiring actors like Hébert.
Shortly after moving to New Orleans, he was offered a role as a stand-in for Brad Pitt in the 2008 film
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Hébert quit his job at the rig, knowing, he said “that was the beginning of the end of me doing anything I didn’t love for money.”
Working on movie sets and in casting, Hébert learned the mechanics of the film industry: how crews worked, how equipment was handled, and how veteran New Orleans actors like Doug Griffin and Lance Nichols carried themselves on set.
In 2016, after a film he appeared in screened at the Sundance Film Festival, Hébert “decided to ride my horse out west and chase the dream.” Filming ‘Euphoria’
His character Harley was created specifically for Hébert. He originally auditioned for the role of Wayne, portrayed by Toby Wallace. But director Sam Levinson was so drawn to Hébert and
JACK WOODSON: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m.
LADIES NIGHT WITH DJ DONOVAN IN THE MIX: Cowboys Nightclub, Scott, 6 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-nDuson, Duson, 6 p.m.
KIP SONNIER: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m.
KARAOKE PARTY — PANDA ENTERTAINMENT: Black Bull, Youngsville, 8 p.m.
MUNICIPAL BATS + LUNG BURNER + HOT RAM: Feed’n’Seed, Lafayette, 8 p.m. THE COLLABORATORY OPEN JAM NIGHT: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m.
Compiled by Marchaund Jones. Want your venue’s music listed? Email info/photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY for the following Friday’s paper.
Classic American Café and Snug Harbor Sims also released the Michael Foster Project’s first album, 1999’s “Kick Some Brass,” via her Rampart Records label.
“Donna got us on TV shows, on the radio,” Foster remembered. “We ordered a thousand CDs and she packed us in her old van and drove us across the country touring.” Upon the release of “Kick Some Brass,” Sims praised the Baton Rouge band she chose to be the first act on her New Orleans record label.
“I like that they play the traditional (brass band) really well, but they aren’t afraid to write songs that don’t follow that track,” she said. “They’re real funky with their music, too I just like what they do.”
The Michael Foster Project’s place in Donna’s Bar & Grill history earned the group pages in Sims’ recently published book, “Donna’s Bar & Grill New Orleans.” “I’m in this book with Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band, Tuba Fats, Preservation Hall, all these guys who played at Donna’s Bar and Grill,” Foster marveled. “It’s a cool piece of New Orleans history.” The band has a new recording in the works. Meanwhile, Foster owns a construction company that specializes in renovations and operates a beekeeping business with his daughter
Wallace that he decided to make them a dysfunctional father-son duo in the show Hébert said working with Levinson was comparable to his days with Tarantino, who would often play music in between takes, share tales about Hollywood, and puff on the oversized calabash pipe from “Inglorious Bastards.” “I always say you’ll never have more fun than working with Tarantino, Hébert said, “And then I met Sam Levinson.”
Levinson brought that same creative freedom to the set, at one point leaping onto a desk and chaotically acting out an entire robbery scene himself. When he learned Hébert could ride horses, he approached him with a question: “If Zendaya tried to get away, could you chase her down on horseback?”
Soon after, the idea made its way into the script. In the finale, Harley chases Zendaya’s character on horseback and lassoes her Hébert admits it: He loves playing the bad guy But in reality, he said, that usually means “the bad guy has got to get his comeuppance and die, and what that means for James is that I gotta get a new job.”
In “Euphoria,” however, Harley doesn’t die Hébert said Levinson wanted to keep him alive in case a spinoff of the show ever comes That gave him hope that Harley could live again in a show “more about surviving yourself,” he said, where everyone is chasing their own version of euphoria — sex, drugs, attention, power when life feels too painful.
GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Putyour energy whereitcounts, and forge ahead. Domestic improvements require attention to avoid emotional interference. Choose your battles wisely. Embrace what's yours to discover.
cAncER (June 21-July 22) Be realistic about what youcan and cannot do before you make promises. Being precise and finding out whatothers want from you will help you negotiate your way forward.
LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) You'll discover something about yourcapabilities that will point you in an interestingdirection. Aperson you encounter today will play arole in helping you shape what's to come.
VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) An unexpected turn of events will lead to an emotional challenge. Don't act in haste. Size up situations, consider options and put your energy into taking care of your responsibilities first.
LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Keepaclose watchover your investments, possessions and reputation. Not everyone will be on Team Libra. Hold your cards close to your chest, andfact-check every piece of information that comes your way.
scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Staying power, along with vision and being able to reach your goals, will lead to satisfaction and gratitude. Look for unique outlets to disperse anxiety and anger.
sAGITTARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Achange is heading your way that may not be to
your liking,but hindsightwill make you think otherwise once the dust settles. Go with theflow, stickclose to home and protect what matters most to you.
cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan.19) Search for opportunities, and speak passionately about how you feel, what you care aboutmost andhow youintendtoproceed. Refuse to let your emotions lead to financial or personal loss.
AQuARIus (Jan.20-Feb. 19) Shift your attention to what's necessary before youmake amove. Getting things right the first time is essential if you want to makethe most of avolatile situation.
PIscEs (Feb.20-March 20) Conversations with those with commongoals will offer insight into how youcan expand your interests andcreate asustainable lifestylethatsatisfies your needsand intellectual growth.
ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Take advantage of an opportunity to mingle withindustry people who can help you further your professional journey or explore the possibilities of using your skills to generate extra income.
TAuRus (April 20-May 20) Persistence and good ideas will get you where you want to go, but not without emotional issues tagging along. Separate personal and professional dealings. Know your target.
The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientificfact. ©2026 by NEA, Inc., dist.ByAndrews McMeel Syndication
InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 gridwith several given numbers The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe 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 PuzzleAnswer
By PHILLIP ALDER
MichioKaku,aprofessoroftheoretical physics,madethisvalidpoint:“It’spointless to have anice clean desk, because it meansyou’re notdoing anything.”
Whocould disagree with that?
There are some plays that seem pointless, but upon closer inspection prove that you are doing something vital. In this deal, the “pointless” playoccurs at trick one.
Southisinfourhearts.Westleads the spadetwo.Afterdeclarerplayslowfrom thedummy, why does it make adifference whether East plays his 10 or king?
Nowadays many Wests would have made atakeout double over one heart.
Iamstill not convinced it is agood idea with arelatively weak 4-3-3-3. South’s jump to fourhearts was aslight overbid withsuchabalancedhand,butwhenever yousmell agame, bid that game.
If East plays the spade king at trick one, it does notcostthe defense aspade trick, but declarer can then make his contract.Hewinswith his ace and drives outthe heart ace.
West takes hisace and cashes the spade queen, but even if he leads another spade, Southruffs in the dummy, plays offhis two top clubs, draws trumps endingonthe board, and runs theclubs. Now let East “finesse againsthis partner” by putting in the spade 10 at trick one. Then West, when he gets in withhis heart ace, canleadanotherlowspade.Eastcantake the trick and shifttoadiamond, giving the defenders one spade, one heart and two diamonds. Thefinesse againstpartner retains an entrycardfor East ©2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication
Each Wuzzle is awordriddle which creates adisguisedword, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOONGOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON
Previous answers:
word game
InsTRucTIons: 1. Wordsmust be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” maynot be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
ToDAy’s WoRD InTERVEnE: in-ter-VEEN: To occur, fall or come between points of timeorevents.
Average mark 28 words
Time limit50minutes
Canyou find 45 or more wordsinINTERVENE?
yEsTERDAy’s WoRD —ADMIRE
today’s thought “Jesus saidtohim, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38
PUBLIC NOTICE DECLARATIONOFELEC‐TION RESULTS PROCÈS VERBAL OF THE CANVASSOFTHE VOTES CAST AT THESPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THE PARISH OF LAFAYETTE STATEOFLOUISIANA,ON
SATURDAY,MAY 16, 2026. BE IT KNOWNAND RE‐MEMBERED that on Tues‐day, June 16, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.,atits regularmeet‐ingplace,the CouncilAu‐ditorium,705 West Uni‐versityAvenue Lafayette,Louisiana,the Lafayette Parish Council (the "Governing Author‐i ) i h
PROCEEDINGS OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCILMEETINGOFTHE CITY OF LAFAYETTE, STATEOFLOUISIANA, TAKEN AT AREGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 16, 2026 HELD AT 705 W. UNIVERSITY AVENUE, LAFAYETTE, LA.
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL: Kenneth Boudreaux (Chair, District 5),Liz Hebert(Vice-Chair District3)Elroy Broussard(District 1), Andy Naquin (District2)and Thomas Hooks (District 4)
ABSENT: None
COUNCIL STAFF: Joseph Gordon-Wiltz (Clerk of theCouncil), Jeremy Richardson (Associate Clerk for Operations &CitizenAdvocacy),Cindy M. Semien (Associate Clerk for Legislative Affairs) and KellyComeaux (Assistant Clerk for LegislativeAffairs)
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: Monique B. Boulet (Mayor-President),Rachel Godeaux (Chief Administrative Officer), Karen Fontenot (ChiefFinancial Officer), Robert A. Mahtook,Jr. (City-ParishAttorney) and Paul Escott (Assistant City-Parish Attorney)
(7:30:00) COMMENCEMENT
Call to order
Chair Boudreaux called the Regular City CouncilMeetingofJune 16, 2026 to order
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
TheChair called upon Councilmember Naquin to cite an invocation and uponCouncilmember Broussardtolead thePledge of Allegiance.
WELCOME AND CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Boudreaux made the following announcements:
•Item #8 –CO-048-2026 –Utilities has requested an amendment to the title of the ordinance and budget revision to add one (1)capital line item and to reclassify an existing vacant position.
•Reminded those in attendance that therewouldbenovote or action on any discussion item.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS No Council Announcements weremade.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: EXECUTIVE/MAYOR-PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Boulet’sannouncements:
•Regarding Item #6 (CO-046-2026) -Senator Brach Myers allocated the $500,000. She announced her gratitude of Senator Myers partnership.
•Urged all to use caution and stay weather awarewhen traveling and to stay informed as conditions develop regardingthe widespread storms;
•Sandbags areavailable to Lafayette Parish residents at the LCG Compost Facility and Picard Park.Residentsshouldbring their own shovel as it is self-bagging;
•LafayetteStars &Stripes July4th celebrationwill be at Parc International from 5PM– 10 PM and is afreefamily event.Food will be available for purchase and therewill be aFat Pat’sHot Dog Eating Contest. Live music from DJ Digital, Rusty Metoyer and Zydeco Crush.
REPORTAND/OR DISCUSSION ITEM
AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Bertrand Drive (Revitalization)& University Avenue Improvements Projects Progress Review
Godeaux presented a39-page PDF presentation to the Counciltitled “Can Lafayette Improve, Modernize &RetrofitIt’sInfrastructure?”.The presentation outlined several recommendations, includingmeasures to enhance infrastructureperformance, modernizepublic systems and improve long-term sustainability
Martin Poirrier,Capital Improvements Director was introduced andnoted as working in conjunction with others on the improvement projects.
Boudreaux reported that the projected cost is $13-$15 millionand that the project itself is not fully funded to complete the construction.
Broussardnoted that the drivinglanes on North University are toonarrow to drive on now
Naquin thanked the Administration for bringing clarity and stated that the businesses on Bertrand Drive arecurrently happy with theway theroad currently is.
Boulet stressed that thereisa critical need to address theconcerns of the intersection of Johnston Street and Bertrand Drive. She announced that she will not force the Bertrand Drive Revitalization project. She thanked all for their comments and passion.
Hebert requested an email to the Council with the list of businesses that the Administration will be requestingright-of-way from and theamount of right-of-way that is needed.She also requested acopy of Godeaux’s presentation.
Boudreaux explained that theoverlay districtfor Bertrand Drive is not a goodidea. Boulet affirmed that notingthe overlaydistrictwas an errorthat was overlooked and apologized for the inaccuracy
Boulet noted that the delay of completing the striping and asphalt of University Avenue is due to the rain. Sherecognizedthe challenges the project has created.
77 citizens who did not wish to speak, signed in opposition of the project.
Two(2) citizens who did not wish to speak, signed insupportofthe project.
115 citizens called the Council Office in opposition.
Two(2) citizens called the CouncilOffice in support.
Tim Metcalf, Phillip Martin, Dean Simon, Terry Delhomme, Richard Byrd, CPA, Jared Doise, Lexi Grace, Bruce Odell, Brandon Malaxonis, Randy LeBlanc, Sarah Watson, AnnieDelhomme, TJ Delhomme and Bill Leyendecker spoke in opposition of the Bertrand Drive Revitalization
Greg Grace distributedhandouts to the Counciland requested that the Council and Administration haltthe Bertrand Drive Revitalization process. Matthew Holland announced that bikers support the project and noted the
to reappraisal) over the 2.91 millstax authorized to be levied throughthe year 2026 pursuant to an election held on Novem‐ber8,2016? g ity ),acting as thegov‐erning authorityofthe Parish of Lafayette,State of Louisiana(the "Parish"), andbeing the authorityorderingthe specialelectionheld thereinonSaturday, May 16, 2026, with aquorum beingpresent,did exam‐inethe official certified tabulationsofvotes cast at thesaidelection, and didexamine andcanvass thereturns of said elec‐tion,there having been submittedatsaidelec‐tion thefollowing propo‐sition to wit: LIBRARYTAX CONTINUA‐TION PROPOSITION Shallthe Parish of Lafayette,State of Louisiana(the"Parish")
i h continue to levy aspecial taxof3.12mills on all property subjecttotaxa‐tion in theParish(an es‐timated$8,894,400 rea‐sonablyexpectedatthis time to be collectedfrom thelevyofthe taxfor
need for connectivity forpedestriansand bicyclists. He noted that there aremany safety concerns regarding the intersection of Johnston Street and Bertrand Drive.
ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: CO-045-2026 An ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Councilamending the FY 25/26 operating budget and adjusting the manning tables of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government to make various personnel adjustments per Civil Service recommendation within theCommunications Department, motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, andthe vote was as follows:
YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: CO-046-2026 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Councilauthorizingthe Lafayette Mayor-President to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreementbetween the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government, the Louisiana Department of Treasury and the State of Louisiana concerning Act 461 of 2025 Regular Legislative Session of the Louisiana Legislatureand amending the FY 25/26 capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasing revenues in the amount of $500,000 received from the State of Louisiana Department of Treasury and appropriating within the Capital Improvements Department for Kaliste Saloom Road andthe I-49Intersection, motion to adopt by Hebert, seconded by Hooks, andthe vote was as follows:
YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: CO-047-2026 An ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Councildeclaring the Concrete Lined Coulee Maintenance-Repairs 2025 Project apublic necessity and authorizing the acquisition of the necessary rights-of-way,immovable property and other property rights requisite to the construction of said project, either on an amicable basis or through the proper useofthe expropriation process if necessary,motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, andthe vote was as follows:
YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: CO-048-2026 An ordinanceofthe Lafayette City Councilamending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasingthe use of retained earnings reserve in the amount of $4,513,220 and using prior year fund balance in the amount of $2,743,325 within theUtilities Department, motion to adopt by Hebert, seconded by Naquin.
Amotion to amend to add one (1) capital line item titled “Sewer Line Repairs” for an amount of $150,000 and to reclassify an existing vacant Electrical Engineering Aide Specialist II position to an Electrical Engineer III position in Division 7086, by Hebert, seconded by Broussard, and the vote was as follows:
YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to amend wasapproved.
The Chair then called for avote to adopt, as amended, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux NAYS: None ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt, as amended, wasapproved.
JOINT ORDINANCE FOR FINALADOPTION
AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: JO-019-2026 Ajoint ordinanceofthe Lafayette City
Counciland the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget and adjusting the manning tables of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government to provide funding for salary adjustments within the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer,Human Resources Division, motion to adopt by Hebert, seconded by Naquin, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux
NAYS:None ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.
APPEAL
AGENDA ITEM NO. 10: Appeal of the decision by the Office of Alcohol &Noise Control for Lush Daiquiris, Inc. located at 2520 Moss Street, Lafayette, LA: a. Noise Violation dated January31, 2026; and b. Noise Violation dated February 17, 2026.
a. Noise Violation dated January31, 2026; and Motion to upholdthe rulingofthe department by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, andthe vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux
NAYS:None ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to uphold the rulingofthe department wasapproved.
b. Noise Violation dated February 17, 2026. Motion to upholdthe rulingofthe department by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, andthe vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux
NAYS:None ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to uphold the rulingofthe department wasapproved.
Antonio Wheeler,Owner,announcedthatthe noise
Sally Leger,CommunityDevelopment and Planning Alcohol and Control Manager reminded that citations can be writtenata laterdate. Boudreaux stressed that therehave been numerous meetingstoaddress theissues with thebusiness and it has been an ongoing problem.
Amotiontointroduce agenda items 11 thru 17, in globo, wasoffered by Hebert,seconded by Naquin.
11. CO-049-2026 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil amending the Lafayette Development Code so as to reclassify thepropertyofCase No. 2026-5-REZ 2000 Block SouthCollege Road Rezoning, located generally northofSouthCollege Road, west of MarketPlace, and southofOak Branch; being rezoned from CH (Commercial-Heavy) to RM-1 (ResidentialMixed).
12. CO-050-2026 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil approving a conditional Use Permit to allowabar/lounge in aD (Downtown) Zoning District, Case No. 2026-10-REZ 403B SouthBuchanan Street CUP (Conditional Use Permit), located generally northofJefferson Street west of Garfield Street,and southofSouthBuchanan Street
13. CO-051-2026 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil amending theLafayette Development Code and theofficial map of theCity of Lafayette,providing forthe annexationofadditional land into the CorporateLimits of theCity of Lafayette,Louisiana, Case No. 202611-REZ 111 PorterLane, Lot 1Annexation, located generally north of PorterLane, west of Saint Margarite Street,and southofMarcelle Drive; and assigning azoning classificationofRS-1(Residential Single-Family) (District5).
14. CO-052-2026 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil declaring theW.BroussardRoad at Duhon Road Roundabout Project apublic necessityand authorizing theacquisitionofthe necessary rights-ofway, immovableproperty and other property rightsrequisitetothe constructionofsaidproject,eitheronanamicablebasisorthrough the proper use of theexpropriationprocess if necessary
15. CO-053-2026 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasing revenues in theamount of $15,000 in AARP Flagship Grant Funds and appropriatingwithin theParks, Arts,Recreation, and Culture (PARC) Department for infrastructure improvementsand outdoor ADA-compliant benches at theGreenhouse Senior Center
16. CO-054-2026 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil authorizing theLafayette Mayor-President to enter into aCooperativeEndeavor Agreement by and between theCity of Lafayette and City of Lafayette Aquatics, Inc.concerning themanagement and staffing of theEarlJ Chris Pool.
17. CO-055-2026 An ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasing revenues in theamount of $1,200,000 in MayorsChallenge Funds received from BloombergPhilanthropies and transferring $582,049 in Net Loss-Use of Fund Balance from Fund 1010, and appropriatingfunds within theCommunityDevelopment and Planning Department
The Chair then calledfor avotetointroduce theordinances (items 11 thru 17), in globo, and thevotewas as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None
Motiontointroduce, in globo, was approved.
Item#15 –Boudreaux requested research to clarify outside funding Noted theneed to tie together existingcapitalimprovementsasthereare prevailing needs.
JOINT INTRODUCTORYORDINANCE
AGENDA ITEM NO.18: JO-020-2026 Ajoint ordinance of theLafayette CityCouncil and theLafayette ParishCouncil amending theFY25/26 operating budget and adjusting themanning tables of theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government to provide funding forasalary adjustment forthe LegislativeAssistant to theParishCouncil position within theCouncil Office, motiontointroduce by Naquin, seconded by Hebert,and thevotewas as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None
Motiontointroduce was approved.
COMMENT(S) FROM THE PUBLIC
AGENDA ITEM NO.19: Commentsfromthe public on any other matter(s) not on an agenda and arewithin thelegislativepower of theLafayette City Council.
IAMsigned in to speak, but wasnot present whencalled.
Henry Hooks and Simon Hooks requested that Councilman Hooks, theirfather,givethem asubstantialincrease in theirmonthly allowance. Henry wasasked by Boudreaux who is his favorite Councilmember and he bravely responded that Councilmember Hebertwas preferred. Henry expressed that theCouncil did agreat joband to keep it up. Henry also announced that during thesummer,hewould be watching theWorld Cup, relaxing and swimming.
(10:10:00) ADJOURN
Therebeing no furtherbusiness to come beforethe Council, Chair Boudreaux declared theRegular Meeting adjourned.
/s/Joseph Gordon-Wiltz
JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ, LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
