The Advocate 06-20-2026

AVOYELLES PARISH REELS FROM FLOODING

Aftermath of tropical storm called worst in living memory

high

Thursday

BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer

SIMMESPORT Patrick Wright stood dismayed at the edge of floodwaters that had just inundated his home in Simmesport along the Atchafalaya River

“We’ve never had anything like this here in our lives,” the at-large alderman said. “We don’t know what we’re gonna do.”

It was a sentiment echoed across Avoyelles Parish after sheets of rain triggered what many are calling the worst flooding in living memory

The downpour began early Thursday morning, when remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur stalled over southeastern parts of the parish.

“That band just kind of stayed there,” said Andy Tingler, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Lake Charles.

Between roughly 4 a.m. and 3 p.m., the system dumped between 20 to 30 inches of rain in some areas, catching most residents off guard. According to Lafayette-based meteorologist Rob Perillo, the numbers point to a potential once-in-1,000-years rainfall event that could break the state’s 24-hour rainfall record.

“The amount of rainfall was simply historic,” said Gov Jeff Landry dur-

ing a news conference in Mansura on Friday afternoon.

Despite sitting above sea level, lowlying delta communities — including Simmesport, Cottonport, Plaucheville, Moreauville and Lettsworth in northern Pointe Coupee Parish — were already saturated from weeks of rain, and their largely bayou-based drainage systems were quickly overwhelmed.

By midmorning Thursday residents like Daren Wells in Lettsworth were stepping out of bed into standing water.

Within hours, much of his home and belongings were soaked. Around 30 other homes in the town were flooded, according to Pointe Coupee Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux.

ä See FLOODING, page 4A

U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on use of six-person juries

Fla. arguments lean on La. case

BY JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer

In crimes where Louisiana’s criminal code does not specify hard labor upon a conviction, sixperson juries can decide a defendant’s guilt. It’s been that way for well over a century But last week, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments in a Florida case that “sixpack” juries like those in Louisiana and a handful of other states are half what the U.S. Constitution requires, based on history

The petitioners in the Florida case lean heavily on the high court’s 2020 decision in Ramos v. Louisiana, banning nonunanimous jury verdicts in criminal cases. In that case, the Supreme Court broke with a 50-year ruling to find by a 6-3 majority that American juries were always meant to be unanimous, scrapping long-standing laws in Louisiana and Oregon. In the Florida case, defendant Hamed Kian argues that a 1970 Supreme Court decision that endorsed six-member juries, Williams v. Florida, “cannot be squared with” the Ramos decision, claiming that a group of 12

ä See JURIES, page 5A

LSU, Hyundai to partner in new steel mill

University will train workers for jobs at high-tech facility

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

The $5.8 billion Hyundai steel mill in Ascension Parish will be, by all accounts, colossal. It will import 3.6 million tons of iron ore and produce 2.7 million tons of steel, according to a news release from Louisiana Economic Development It will create 1,300 jobs on the site. It will rely on a state-of-the-art electric arc furnace to melt steel with electrical currents at thousands of degrees Fahrenheit — a far cry from traditional steelmaking. And now, under a new research agreement announced this week, LSU is throwing its weight behind the mega project.

The university will share scientific expertise and resources with the plant that promises to be one of the first in the U.S. to integrate a hightech furnace with a lower carbon footprint into all stages of steel production. And it will help train workers for the jobs the plant needs to run.

“This does represent, I think, a new beginning for us in the research office to sign a master research agreement of this magnitude, of this importance, of this significance,” said Robert Twilley, LSU vice president for research and economic development. “It matches our research enterprise the entire research enterprise of LSU, with one of the largest industrial investments that’s been made in Louisiana.”

LSU and Hyundai Steel signed an agreement Tuesday finalizing terms for sponsored research and jointly developed technology for the steel mill, set to begin operation in 2029. The dollar amount of Hyundai’s investment in the state’s flagship university remains to be determined, LSU officials said.

“If you look over the 10-year time, you could be talking about $50 to $100 million in research that might come up,” LSU Chancellor Jim Dalton said.

“That would be an aspirational goal for us.”

Dalton called the deal “the most comprehensive industry agreement partnership in LSU’s history.”

ä See PARTNER, page 5A

Republicans running for Senate see positives in the Iran accord

Democratic candidates join Cassidy in criticism

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

The two Democrats running to replace U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy have joined him in condemning President Donald Trump’s deal with Iran, while the two Republican candidates have voiced support for the president.

Farmer Jamie Davis and business owner Gary Crockett are fac-

ing off in the Democratic runoff on June 27, while U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming go head-to-head in the Republican primary that day The winners will meet in a Nov 3 general election. Trump’s deal calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, through which passes 20% of the petroleum liquids consumed worldwide. It also would provide $300 billion to

ä See DEAL, page 4A

Davis

Letlow Crockett Fleming

Residents sit on their front porch surrounded by floodwater on Thursday in Simmesport.

STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Residents walk through

water

following heavy rain from Tropical Storm Arthur in Simmesport. A historic rainfall event triggered severe flooding in Avoyelles Parish, displacing residents damaging homes and prompting emergency rescue efforts.

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Biden’s bid to block transcript release halted

A federal judge on Friday rejected former President Joe Biden’s attempt to block the Trump administration from releasing to a conservative group the recordings that Biden made with a ghostwriter

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich found that the public interest in the material outweighed whatever privacy rights Biden had, but she effectively put her ruling on hold for up to three weeks so Biden could appeal.

The recordings were obtained by special counsel Robert Hur in the course of his investigation into whether Biden improperly retained classified documents while a senator and vice president. Republicans in Congress demanded them after Hur declined to file charges against the then-president.

Biden’s Democratic administration refused to turn over the recordings and transcripts from 2016 and 2017, leading congressional Republicans to hold his attorney general, Merrick Garland, in contempt. President Donald Trump’s Justice Department authorized the release of the materials. That led Biden last month to sue to seek to block the release to a staffer at the conservative Heritage Foundation who had formally requested the records.

Biden objected to the release as an invasion of privacy, saying the recordings included him discussing sensitive personal matters such as the death of his older son, Beau Biden. But Friedrich found that the administration redacted that material.

U.K.’s PM vows to fight after rival wins election

ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD, England

Labour’s Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, won a special election for a seat in Parliament and signaled Friday that he will use it to challenge embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leadership of the country Starmer said he planned to fight for his job, but a growing number of colleagues urged him to make a dignified exit.

“There is this sense of collective movement,” former Labour Deputy Leader Harriet Harman told the “Electoral Dysfunction” podcast “Andy Burnham is going to become prime minister Keir Starmer is going to be leaving office.” Burnham decisively won the seat of Makerfield in northwestern England over Rob Kenyon of the anti-immigration party Reform UK. The result cements the status of Burnham, a 56-year-old politician nicknamed the King of the North, as the top contender to replace Starmer as leader of the Labour Party and the country Burnham won almost 55% of the 45,510 votes cast for a field of more than a dozen candidates, over 9,000 more than runner-up Kenyon.

Burnham’s acceptance speech left no doubt that he wants to lead the country, and not just be one of the more than 400 Labour lawmakers in the 650-seat House of Commons.

Italy’s PM slams Trump’s claim about photo

ROME The Italian government closed ranks on Friday to slam President Donald Trump over his claim that Premier Giorgia Meloni had “begged” for a photo with him during the recent G7 summit, a pushback that suggested America’s longtime European ally had had enough of Trump’s boasting and criticism. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani abruptly canceled a planned trip to the United States this weekend, calling Trump’s claims “serious and offensive” toward Meloni and all of Italy The Foreign Ministry later announced that the business and scientific forum Tajani was to attend in Miami had also been called off. Meloni for her part posted a video calling Trump’s claims “completely fabricated” and expressing astonishment that he would invent such things about an ally “Italy and I do not beg,” she said pointedly

Juneteenth celebrated across the U.S.

Obama’s presidential center opens in Chicago

BY JAMIE STENGLE Associated Press

DALLAS As people gath-

ered across the U.S. to celebrate Juneteenth on Friday, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama welcomed the first visitors to his presidential center

Located on a sprawling campus on Chicago’s South Side, the center honoring the nation’s first Black president has been designed to inspire people to make the change they want to see in their own communities. It’s the kind of contemplation that also comes as Americans gather for Juneteenth, which celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S.

The holiday marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas at the end of the Civil War with an order declaring the state’s enslaved people to be free with “absolute equality.” By then, 2½ years had passed since the Emancipation Proclamation declared the freedom of enslaved people in the South.

“Juneteenth represents not just a commemoration of the end of slavery but it’s also part of the ongoing struggle for absolute equality and that ideal in American life,” said W. Caleb McDaniel, a Rice University professor and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Sweet Taste of Liberty.”

Obama’s center

The grand opening of

the Obama Presidential Center includes days of events following Thursday’s star-studded dedication ceremony In addition to greeting visitors Friday as the center opened to the public for the first time, the couple also read to children gathered there.

Tyrone Sturgis, 62, said it had been a beautiful experience to see all of the people from different walks of life explore the new presidential center on Friday

“For this center to open on Juneteenth, on the South Side of Chicago, it’s extraordinary, it’s awesome,” he said.

The center’s public opening arrives as a symbolic convergence of legacy and liberation. The nation is deeply divided politically and grappling with renewed questions about the arc of racial progress as the Supreme Court hollowed out the Voting Rights Act, endangering Black

political representation in Congress.

The nearly 20-acre campus includes a museum featuring a life-size replica of the Oval Office, a garden designed by Michelle Obama complete with lettuce and strawberry plants, a professionalgrade basketball court, a picnic area with grills and a new branch of the Chicago Public Library Visitors can experience hightech and hands-on exhibits spanning the campaigns, key moments of Obama’s presidency and life at the White House.

The spaces are designed to bring people together on a campus expected to draw as many as 1 million visitors annually, but the center also aims to encourage personal reflection. Louise Bernard, the museum’s director, has said they’re “inviting people to bring change home, however change may be defined,

both small or large.”

The history of Juneteenth

This is the fifth year since Juneteenth was designated as a federal holiday by former President Joe Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president. But the celebrations, which began in Texas and then spread across the country have a rich and long history in Black America, with the day often spent gathering for picnics and cookouts.

The holiday a combination of “June” and “nineteenth” — marks the day when U.S Maj. Gen Gordon Granger and his troops arrived in the Texas port city with the declaration of freedom in General Order No. 3.

As the third year of the Civil War neared, President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring the freedom of “all persons held as slaves” in the

still rebellious states of the Confederacy Though, for many, it did not mean immediate freedom but a promise of liberation, to be secured with a Union victory “It really required the force of arms and the success of U.S. armies to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation,” McDaniel said.

About six months after Granger’s arrival in Galveston, the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery nationwide was ratified.

Celebrations this year

Juneteenth’s birthplace is celebrating with a daylong gathering at a Galveston park with music and fireworks, a parade and a worship service in a historic Black church. In nearby Houston there was a lineup of musical artists and a domino tournament at Emancipation Park, established in 1872 by a group of formerly enslaved men.

Hundreds of other cities across the U.S. announced events over the long weekend, including a parade in Atlanta, a bike ride in Los Angeles and a festival on Martha’s Vineyard. People also gathered for community projects to mark the day including a group of schoolchildren in Vermont.

Several cities across the U.S. will host walks named for Opal Lee, the Texas woman who pushed for years to make Juneteenth a federal holiday Participants will walk 2½ miles to symbolize the 2½ years it took for the Emancipation Proclamation to be enforced in Texas. Lee, known as the “grandmother of Juneteenth,” turns 100 this year

2 trains collide north of London, killing at least 1

BY DANICA KIRKA Associated Press

LONDON Emergency ser-

vices rushed to the scene of a collision between two trains north of London on Friday afternoon that killed at least one person.

A passenger reported that he was thrown forward by the impact then saw fellow travelers with broken bones and bloody injuries.

Both trains were traveling south to London

St. Pancras station when they collided outside the town of Bedford around 5:15 p.m., according to information on rail tracking websites. Emergency services deployed a number of resources to the scene including an air ambulance and hazardous incident team from the East of England Ambulance Service.

“We know that a number of people have been injured and one person has very sadly died,” po-

of people who were unable to speak, had broken legs,” he added. “And then I managed to get out of the train and because I’m quite thin I was able to squeeze out through the gap in the doors.”

Photos and videos posted on social media showed dozens of people, some with bandages but many who appeared uninjured, standing and sitting among emergency vehicles parked on a road that runs parallel to the train tracks. The RMT union, which represents many railway workers, said it was monitoring the situation and expressed its concern over reports of “serious injuries” sustained by both train staff and passengers.

PA PHOTO By JAMIE LASHMAR Emergency personnel work Friday on a train on the tracks outside Bedford, England, after a train from Corby to London St. Pancras and another from Nottingham to London St. Pancras collided. GET IN TOUCH

lice said in a statement “A major incident has been declared, and officers are continuing to respond at the scene alongside colleagues from Bedfordshire Police and the local Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services.”

Peter Knapp said he was a passenger in the rear

train when the collision occurred without any warning.

“There was a moment of being flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke,” Knapp said. “People were crying, screaming. People were so scared and confused.”

“I got up and I saw a lot

James Burrows, director of TV shows including ‘Cheers’ and ‘Friends,’ dies

BY BETH HARRIS Associated Press

LOS ANGELES James Burrows, who helped create volumes of laughter as director of more than a thousand episodes of such classic television comedies as “Cheers,” “Taxi,” “Friends” and “Will and Grace,” died Friday He was 85. His family confirmed his death in a statement to People, saying he “passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family.” No location or cause of death was provided.

Few viewers recognized him or knew his name, other than to see it flash quickly on the screen in the opening credits. But they knew his work.

Burrows

Burrows got his start in television relatively late at age 35 in 1974, directing episodes of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” and “Laverne & Shirley.” He co-created “Cheers,” directing 243 of the 273 episodes, as well as all 246 episodes of “Will and Grace.”

Men” and “The Big Bang Theory.”

“When I direct a television show, I try to reach that sweet spot where the best script meets the best performance and the best chemistry between performers,” Burrows wrote in his 2022 memoir “Directed by James Burrows.” ”Hitting that exact moment, where these factors land in combination, results in the sweetest and most enduring laugh.”

Customer Service: HELP@THEADVOCATE.COMor225-388-0200 News Tips /Stories: NEWSTIPS@THEADVOCATE.COM

Obituaries: 225-388-0289 • Mon-Fri9-5;Sat 10-5;Closed Sun

Advertising Sales: 225-388-0262 •Mon-Fri 8-5

Classified Advertising: 225-383-0111 •Mon-Fri 8-5

Subscribe: theadvocate.com/subscribe E-Edition: theadvocate.com/eedition

Archives: theadvocate.newsbank.com

TheAdvocate(USPS363-040)ispublisheddailyinBatonRougeandatadditionalmailingo

Burrows spent his career behind the camera specializing in situation comedies.

He also helmed multiple episodes of such hits as “Frasier,” “Friends” and “Mike & Molly,” and the pilots of “Two and a Half

His family said, “Burrows understood that great comedy was never simply about laughter It was about humanity, connection, and truth That understanding became the foundation of a career that forever changed television.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JAE C. HONG

A person who declined to give his name stands for a photo on Friday during a Juneteenth celebration in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Officials: Israel,Hezbollah agreetohalt fighting

BY ERIN CUNNINGHAM, JON GAMBRELL and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press

JERUSALEM Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant groupagreedFriday to halt the heavy fighting in southern Lebanonthat had threatened to unravel an interim agreement between the United States and Iran to end their war, officials said. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah immediately confirmed the truce.

It came after aheavy exchange of firekilled 47 people in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers.

Hezbollah and Israel went to warshortly after the outbreak of the wider conflict, with Hezbollah firingrockets and drones at civilian communities in northern Israel and Israel seizing large swaths of southern Lebanon

The interim agreement to end the Iran war has already reopenedthe Strait of Hormuz, which Iran ef-

fectivelyclosed, cutting the global economy off from significantsupplies of oil and natural gas. Thedeal would also relaunch talks on Iran’snuclear program, the core issueover which Israel and the U.S.began thewar on Feb.28. But the accord already faces threats, chiefly from Lebanon, with the fighting there leading to adelay in the start of talksplanned for FridayinSwitzerland. The agreementcalls for ahalt to military operations in Lebanon and for its sovereignty to be respected. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah is aparty to the deal.

IsraeliPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep Israeli forces in southern Lebanon until the threat is eliminated.

Hezbollah has refused to haltits attacks unless Israel commits to withdrawing from Lebanon,whichIran says is also acondition of thedeal.

Hoursafterofficialstold

news organizations about the truce, Israeliartillery fire could still be heardfrom northern Israel alongthe Lebanese border, and alarge explosion was seen erupting inside Lebanon, according to

an AP journalist in northern Israel.

Word of the attempt to halt the fighting camefrom two regional officials and a U.S. official. The effortwas mediated by Qatar,the U.S

and Iran, the regional officialssaid. Thethree officials werenot authorized to comment publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Fighting betweenIsrael

andHezbollahwas supposed to endat4 p.m. local time, according to asecondU.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly and also spoke on condition of anonymity

AHezbollah official said an agreementtostop fighting could be announced soon,but he stoppedshort of confirming it was in place. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly Netanyahu’s office did not immediately comment. However,Netanyahu posted Friday on Xthat, on his orders, the Israeli army had “struck powerfully” 150 Hezbollahtargets, killing dozens of militants.

Militaryspokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said the military hasnot received different instructions fromthe government. He said Israeliforces were operatingina “forward defensezone” andwouldcontinue doing so

U.S. push to getIrantalks startedhitsanearly bump

Vancestays at home,for now

BY AAMER MADHANI, JAMEY KEATEN and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

ZURICH TheAmerican push to quickly begin highstakes talks with Iranhit asnag Friday,just days after the signing of an agreement that opensa twomonth window for negotiations on Tehran’snuclear program and returning oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to prewar levels. Iranian officials did not travel as planned to Switzerland, insisting that Israeli strikes on Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon must stop before the talks can take place, according to three regional officials and aperson familiar with the matter. Theywere notauthorized to publiclydiscuss

theongoing mediation to try to get the talks rescheduled andspoke on condition of anonymity

The situationwas fluid as Israel and Hezbollah agreed on Friday to renew their ceasefire, according to a U.S.official andregional officials. It remains to be seen whether that couldhelp put theU.S.-Iran talks backontrack

In Washington, President Donald Trump lashed out once againinthe midst of the intensified fightinginLebanon and the stalled nucleartalks.

“Wedidn’tmeet outofdesperation,Iran did,” Trump wroteinasocial media post Friday.“They are FINISHED!We’ll play out the 60 days. Theyget no money,not ten cents!”

Trump’svice president, JD Vance,had been prepared to make anovernight flight to meet with hisIraniancounterparts ata mountainside

resort in the tiny Swiss village of Obbürgen and begin the technical talks

Vance’sstaff and asmall group of journalistshad gathered at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington in anticipation of thetrip. DozensofWhite House officials, advance staffers and more mediawere already in Switzerland.

Then the tripwas called off —abruptly and for the time being.

AWhite House statement said Vance, tapped by Trump to lead the negotiations, decidedtopostponehis travel. It made no mention of theescalating violenceinLebanon

“The logistics of thesenegotiations have never been simple or predictable,” the statement said.

But, according to officials, the Iranians made clear to theWhiteHouse that they hadbalkedatstartingthe talks with Vance because of the Israeli action in Lebanon.

While Iranian officials and Vance did not makeitto

Switzerland Friday,amediator from theGulf country of Qatar found his way tothe resort near Lucerne, Switzerland, where theU.S.-Iran talks are to be held. Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister,Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, met with the Swissforeign minister,Ignazio Cassis.

Vance was initially expected to go to Switzerland to sign theagreement at a formal ceremony.Instead, Trump signedthe document Wednesday duringa glitzy dinneratthe Palace of Versailles with French President Emmanuel Macron. Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, separately signed the agreement.

It saysIran’sstockpileof highly enriched uranium, which is believed to be bur-

ied under rubble leftbyU.S. military strikes last year targeting Tehran’skey nuclear sites, must at minimum be dilutedunderinternational supervision.

It also says Iran shallnot procure or develop nuclear weapons —a commitment Tehran has made previously Other commitments remain to be worked out.

Iranians would be going into thetalks with ameasure of confidence after effectivelyshutting down the strait, causing global economic reverberations, said Rosemary Kelanic,director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities in Washington. She said the U.S. is now “essentially trying to negotiate ourway back to the prewar status quo.”

Neil Quilliam, an associate fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House think tank, saidthe “buoyant” Iranian leadership feels it hasthe upperhand. Theendorsement of the talks by the Iranian supreme leader “sends avery strong signal domestically: ‘We’re now on an equal footing with the U.S.’” “‘Trump has gone from calling forregime change on Feb. 28 to this: Now they’re going to sit downwith us directly andtalkabout these bigissues,’” Quilliam said of theIranians’thinking. “So it’sintendedmorefor the domestic audience, and telling them: ‘Weare firmly in control of this. There can be no protests, no revolution: We area newregime andwe’re staying put.’”

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON The U.S. military attacked aboat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday,killing three people, as the Trump administration wages amonthslong campaign against alleged traffickers in Latin America. Thelatest attack brings the number of people who have been killed in boat strikes by the U.S. military to at least 211 since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls “narcoterrorists”in early September

As with most of the military’s statementsonstrikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, U.S. Southern Command said it targeted the allegeddrug traffickers along known smuggling routes. The military didnot provide evidence thatthe vessel was ferrying drugs.Avideo posted on Xshowedaboatspeeding through the water before being struck and bursting into flames.

PresidentDonaldTrump hassaid theU.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America andhas justified

theattacksasanecessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and fatal overdoses claiming American lives. But his administrationhas offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”

Criticshavequestionedthe overall legalityofthe boat strikesaswell as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S. over land from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByHASSAN AMMAR

Barber Wissam Srour,41, holdshis daughter’sbicycle Friday after recovering it from his barbershop in Tyre, Lebanon, which wasdamaged in an Israeli strike.

Vance

rebuild Iran and at least temporarily lift restrictions on the country’s oil exports that have devastated Iran’s economy

The agreement does not immediately address whether Iran would be able to continue working to develop nuclear weapons

Trump lavished praise on the accord and said it left him the option to resume bombing Iran if they don’t hold up their end.

Cassidy however held nothing back Wednesday in reacting to initial information of the deal

Cassidy has freely expressed his opposition to Trump after losing his reelection campaign in the

FLOODING

Continued from page 1A

Across the river in Simmesport, residents described a nearly identical timeline.

“It got dramatic fast,” said Simmesport alderman Alvin Dauzat, 69, a lifelong resident. “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen. We’re just not equipped for that much water in that short of time.”

Local officials estimate roughly 30% of homes in Simmesport took on water

“It was just call after call,” said Simmesport Police Chief Damien Jacobs. By late afternoon, emergency calls had slowed, and Jacobs shifted to recovery efforts near Town Hall, where owners of a local gas station distributed sandwiches and bananas to residents.

First responders waded through waist-deep water to rescue elderly residents, Jacobs said. Meanwhile, neighbors with flatboats joined the effort, according to Tiesha Kennedy, a former council member who documented much of the flooding on Facebook Live.

“I know the Cajun Navy can’t get to all of us,” she said. “We had our own Simmesport Navy We were a community when it mattered most.”

With many residents living under the poverty line and lacking flood insurance, Kennedy said recovery could be difficult, though she was hopeful Landry’s emergency declaration would bring relief. By early evening Thursday, power was restored to most residents, but many roads, yards and homes remained under more than a foot of water

“God knows what could be in this water,” said Simmesport police Officer Eddy Mashni, driving through streets that resembled marsh.

He passed teenagers wading through knee-deep water hours after the storm Headstones at a United Pentecostal Church cemetery barely rose above the water surface. On a porch near Riverside Elementary, a goat stood marooned.

Around 9 p.m. Thursday, a National Guard truck emerged from floodwaters along La. 107 between Cottonport and Plaucheville, two of the hardest-hit communities. Inside were bedridden patients from Avoyelles Manor nursing home in Dupont. Once on higher ground, first responders transferred them by gurney to a fleet of Acadian ambulances. The rain had stopped hours earlier, but the water was still rising. Across the parish, Emergency Preparedness Director Joey Frank

Republican primary last month, following the president’s endorsement of Letlow

“Reagan is rolling over in his grave,” Cassidy wrote on X, referring to President Ronald Reagan.

“Iran’s nuclear ambitions were not curbed, and they have learned that threatening the Strait of Hormuz works and will undoubtedly leverage it in the future. Now, Iran gets to build brand-new infrastructure under this deal.”

Cassidy continued: “Before the war, the strait was open, Iran was being crushed by sanctions, and 13 service members were still alive.

Now 13 Americans are dead, families have paid billions at the pump, sanctions will be lifted, and the bombing has stopped. This is the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.”

Davis said he and Cassidy don’t agree on many things.

“But I do share his concerns,” Davis said in an interview. “We are in a worse place than when this mess began. We’ve spent billions on this. The state as a whole has a lot riding on shipping, especially fertilizers for farmers. The deal they tore up was as good or better.”

Davis was referring to the 2015 agreement forged by then-President Barack Obama that won the support of Congress.

It unfroze $1.7 billion in Iranian funds held in foreign banks and led Iran to remove about 97% of its nuclear stockpile at the time out of the country Trump tore up that deal after he took office.

Crockett, who spent 24 years in the Navy said in an interview that

he agrees with Cassidy

“This was a complete disaster,” Crockett said. “What Trump has done is a complete surrender, after lies and billions of dollars.”

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy offered cautious support for the deal.

“I hope it works out. I’ve got my doubts,” Kennedy said on the Senate floor “I hope our giving peace a chance makes peace possible.”

Letlow expressed support for the accord.

“President Trump has been clear from the beginning that Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon,” she said in a statement. “I trust President Trump to ensure that any agreement protects American interests, supports our allies and leaves Iran with no path to a nuclear weapon.” Fleming, in an interview said

what’s been announced leaves several questions unanswered.

“For instance, who is funding the $300 billion? I suspect that it will be mostly the Middle East countries,” Fleming said. “They want this to go through They want peace.”

Fleming noted that he voted against Obama’s 2015 deal with Iran and believes Trump’s will be better because of the president’s threat to punish the country by resuming attacks.

“He said that if they don’t do what they’re supposed to do, he’ll bomb the hell out of them,” Fleming said. “With Trump staying on Iran, there will be much less loss of life in the Middle East, and we’ll have a permanent good outcome. We cannot allow them to have nuclear weapons.”

estimated more than 270 structures sustained major flood damage, with as many as 200 people displaced though both figures remain fluid. After surveying the damage

Goats stay dry on the porch of a home surrounded by floodwater on Thursday following heavy rain from Tropical Storm Arthur in Simmesport.

He and U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge, urged Avoyelles residents to report flood damage to damage.la.gov

More than 24 hours after the storm, as the heat index soared to triple digits, crews from the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office, neighboring parishes, local fire and police departments, the National Guard and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries continued rescue operations.

Backwater flooding has worsened conditions in Plaucheville and Dupont, Frank said, and water levels continued to climb in the area on Friday morning. He said no deaths or injuries have been reported, and all remaining nursing home patients have been safely evacuated. The Red Cross is operating an emergency shelter at the Cochon de Lait Center in Mansura.

“It is important to understand that this decision was not made lightly,” he wrote in a statement posted on Facebook. “It was made during an emergency with the best information available and with one goal in mind: protecting lives, homes, businesses, farmland and infrastructure.” By Friday afternoon, first responders were still evacuating residents from homes in Dupont. Point Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Spillman, whose office is assisting with recovery efforts, said water levels had yet to recede and that his team had evacuated between 20 and 30 people.

More rain is expected into Saturday, though forecasters say it should not approach Thursday’s totals.

via helicopter and discussing the storm with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, Landry said Friday that it would likely meet the threshold for a federal disaster declaration.

In Cottonport, as Bayou Rouge began to overflow at the height of the storm, the town’s mayor ordered a cut in a ramp separating it from Bayou Dulac to relieve pressure. Some officials say the move worsened flooding downstream in Plaucheville and Dupont. Terry Jeansonne, the Cottonport mayor, defended the decision, saying the ramp was already being overtopped and that cutting it helped prevent a larger surge

Because of the region’s flat terrain, floodwaters could take time to recede said Tingler from the National Weather Service. Bayous in northern St. Martin and St. Landry parishes may also rise in the coming days, as floodwaters in Avoyelles recede.

Landry said the state is deploying mosquito-control measures to curb infestations from standing water and urged residents to avoid traveling at night.

“The water is moving a lot slower than I would like,” he said.

STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Carl Mose sits outside his home surrounded by floodwater on Thursday following heavy rain from Tropical Storm Arthur in Simmesport.

Gov Jeff Landry has championed the project as an economic development win. Records show Louisiana, through the state, Entergy and local governments, offered approximately $2.6 billion in incentives to build the massive steel mill. The size of those incentives — and the secrecy with which they were negotiated, has drawn some criticism. And some local advocates have raised concerns about the plant’s environmental effects and its impact on the Black community of Modeste.

“LSU students should take note of this as a cautionary tale on how not to do business,” Anne Rolfes, director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, said in a statement Tuesday “The state of Louisiana is giving Hyundai $191 million for land and infrastructure, with over a billion dollars more in financial support and tax relief. Now Hyundai gets to paste its name all over LSU.” Tuesday’s deal irons out intellectual property, publications and other details of the partnership so that LSU can contribute research with commercial application.

“We see this not as a simple agreement but as the beginning of a long-term collaboration built on trust, mutual respect and shared goals,” Hyundai Steel Senior Vice President and R&D Division Head Yoo-dong Chung said. “Through this partnership, we hope to work closely together in the years ahead, particularly in the field of joint research and development.”

‘Next-generation facility’

The facility will be the first steel plant of its kind in the U.S. using a fully integrated electric arc furnace, or EAF, Hyundai Steel said. EAFs use electric arcs to generate the extreme temperatures needed to melt steel, which occurs at over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit

JURIES

Continued from page 1A

was also what defined a jury trial when the Sixth Amendment came to pass “Ramos rejected the same kind of ‘cost-benefit analysis’ undertaken in Williams,” wrote Daniel Eisinger public defender in West Palm Beach, Florida, in Kian’s petition. “When the People enshrined the jury trial right in the Constitution, they did not attach a rider that future judges could adapt it based on latter-day social science views.”

He argued that six-member juries and nonunanimous juries both developed under Jim Crow-era efforts to suppress Black voices under the guise of judicial efficiency

Florida has deployed sixmember juries for trials in noncapital cases since 1877, the court record shows.

Louisiana’s split jury law was born at a constitutional convention in 1898 explicitly to advance White supremacy in the state. The result was a splitjury law that discriminated against Black defendants and jurors into the modern

“This next-generation facility will reduce carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to traditional blast furnaces,” local Hyundai Steel spokesperson Blanche Gal-

lagher said in an email. While the specific design of this plant is new, electric arc furnaces are playing an increasingly important role in steelmaking they are

present in over 70% of steel production in the U.S. today, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.

Twilley said much of LSU’s re-

search and development for the steel mill will concern how to produce steel with less carbon output.

“That’s one of the first things that we will be working on,” Twilley said.

Inside the partnership

LSU officials noted the agreement allows the corporation and the university to work together efficiently, with concerns such as intellectual property and talent exchange already addressed.

“It frees us and them, frankly, of the fact that they’re large multinational, and we’re a large public entity,” said Greg Trahan, LSU assistant vice president of strategic research partnerships. “Sometimes it’s hard to get those things to unify.”

Twilley said the partnership will allow LSU to bring on additional faculty, launch new academic programs and create student internships affiliated with the steel plant. LSU has identified metallurgy in particular as an area of opportunity, he said.

“This is mission-oriented research, if you will,” Twilley said. “It’s research to meet the issues associated with the industry, so they will have a large say on these types of projects.”

It also brings the university closer to its goal of becoming a top 50 research spender under the National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey, he said. Achieving the informal top 50 distinction has been a major theme of Dalton and LSU system President Wade Rousse’s time in office since they took the helm last November

The deal with Hyundai Steel reflects how universities should approach raising money for research in the current higher education landscape, Twilley said.

“You’ve been hearing about the turbulence that’s happening around getting those grants,” Twilley said.

“One of the most important pivots that university research programs need to make is to build that connectivity with industry.”

era, according to an exhaustive 2018 analysis by The Advocate of six years of state trial and jury selection data. That research also found more than 100 cases per year being tried before “six-pack” juries in Louisiana at the time. The state once allowed five of six jurors to convict in those trials until the U.S. Supreme Court in 1979 insisted those smaller juries needed to be unanimous.

The conviction rate for six-pack juries was comparable generally to national figures for guilty verdicts from 12-member juries that require unanimity, the data showed.

More recent figures for six-pack juries in Louisiana were not available. A spokesman for Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick’s office said prosecutors tried 13 defendants last year before six-member juries. The 23rd Judicial District Court reported holding 68 total jury trials last year

Convictions by those smaller juries can pack a punch; six-member juries render verdicts on felonies including simple robbery, which carries a maximum seven-year sentence, and simple burglary, with a top sentence of 12 years, among other second-tier felonies.

Louisiana’s habitualoffender law can apply to convictions from either size jury The Advocate’s research in 2017 found 14 Louisiana defendants who were launched to life prison terms from habitual offender sentences based on convictions by six-member juries.

In the Ramos decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch ripped the Supreme Court’s prior endorsement of nonunanimous juries, from 1972, saying the swing justice applied a “functional assessment” to remove an “ancient guarantee.”

Loyola University law professor Will Snowden, who runs a community education initiative called The Juror Project, said the “originalism-stacked court” that doomed split verdicts may also consider that “allowing six-person juries to proceed just for functional purposes, for efficient purposes that’s not consistent with the intentions of the framers of the Constitution.”

Snowden said larger juries increase the likelihood of representation from a broad cross-section of the community

Should the court find sixmember juries unconstitutional, Snowden said it will need to consider then, as

it did with divided juries, whether to make the change retroactive.

The high court declined to make its ban on divided juries retroactive, suggesting retroactivity was an is-

sue left to the states. Oregon took the invitation, granting new trials to hundreds of long-serving prisoners with final convictions by split juries, while Louisiana has refused to do the same.

Snowden said he wonders how the Supreme Court will treat retroactivity if it finds six-packs unconstitutional. “It would be really interesting to see if the tone changes,” he said.

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

LSU Chancellor Jim Dalton, left, is gifted a stuffed animal Hyundai Steel mascot donning an LSU scarf by Soon-Jae Tae, Ph.D with Hyundai Steel, following a news conference at LSU on Wednesday. RENDERING PROVIDED By HyUNDAI STEEL

Trump unveils new Air Force One

Aircraft is converted

Qatari jumbo jet

BY SEUNG MIN KIM and MANUEL BALCE CENETA Associated Press

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. — President Donald Trump on Friday showed off the new Air Force One, a formerly Qatariowned jumbo jet that has been converted into the official U.S. presidential aircraft.

The new aircraft eschews the Kennedy-era robin’s egg blue exterior of the old plane for a bolder look, with the underbelly of the plane painted navy blue with a red stripe above it. The plane’s left side, where the president boards, features the presidential seal, while the tail of the aircraft has a massive American flag on it.

“This plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody has ever seen before,” Trump said from inside the massive Andrews Air Force Base hangar, as a couple hundred assembled Air Force personnel looked on. He spoke after stepping off the new plane in a dramatic flourish, as his signature tune “God Bless the USA” played.

He confirmed that he would be taking the new jet to the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, next month and indicated he would be returning to China “at some point,” presumably a reference to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that China is

Carriage

BY MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press

Horse carriage rides in Central Park are on hold at least until Tuesday, the union representing drivers said, as safety protocols are reviewed in the wake of a death of a young tourist who jumped from a runaway horse carriage.

Alexander Kemp, adminis-

President

hosting in November. His return from the Group of 7 summit in France this week was the last planned trip aboard the old Air Force One, he said.

“Now, when we land at airports in London and in Germany and different places, nobody tops this one, and that’s the way we have to have it for our country,” Trump said, noting that the colors and the design were to “my taste, I will say.”

He added that the new Air Force One will do a flyover during the July 4 celebrations next month.

The gift from Qatar is serving as a so-called “bridge” aircraft to

carry the president until the new planes ordered directly from Boeing arrive. That is currently slated for 2028. The administration formally accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jet from Qatar last year to be used as the presidential airplane, despite questions about the ethics and legality of accepting such an expensive gift from a foreign government. Trump has insisted in the past that he would not fly around in the Qatari jet once he leaves office and said it would instead be donated to a future presidential library

Trump on Friday said the U.S. was in a “little bit of a logjam”

as they awaited the delivery of the new jets directly from Boeing, which had originally been scheduled for 2024 but have been delayed. He recalled asking the emir of Qatar for use of one of their planes.

“See, a normal president wouldn’t do this. A normal president wants to stay away from aircraft,” Trump said Friday “But our country has to be represented properly.”

The Air Force said in a news release Friday that any plane deemed Air Force One “must meet rigorous security requirements” and that the Qatari plane “was modified under a disciplined engineering approach that prioritized these exact core capabilities above all else.” The Air Force also said “much of the previous head of state interior layout” of the plane was kept intact.

The Air Force has said in the past that security modifications to the jet would cost less than $400 million.

Trump’s efforts to re-imagine the presidential airplane date back to his first administration, when he directed that an incoming fleet of new jets would adopt a color scheme that was nearly identical to that of his personal airplane. Then-President Joe Biden reversed the decision in March 2023 as an Air Force review suggested that the darker colors could increase costs and delay delivery of the new jets, but once Trump returned to office, he returned to his desired colors for the plane.

on hold after tourist’s death

trative vice president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, said in a statement Friday that “our hearts go out to the family” of Romanch Mahajan, 18, who died Wednesday after he hit his head while jumping off the four-wheeled carriage as its horse sprinted through the park without the driver “Words can’t express the enormity of this tragedy,” Kemp said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We are taking the first steps towards addressing safety issues.

Among the safety protocols to be reviewed are how to maintain control of the carriage horses at all times, he said.

Kemp said at a news conference Friday that the union is putting together the new safety training protocols with feedback from the horse carriage operators that will be rolled out next

When you’re comparingplans ...

 Look forcoverage that helps pay formajor services. Some plans may limit the number of procedures —orpay forpreventive care only.

 Look forcoverage with no deductibles. Some plans may require you to pay hundreds out of pocketbefore benefits are paid

 Shop forcoverage with no annual maximum on cash benefits. Some plans have annual maximums of $1,000.

Medicare doesn’tpay for dental care.1

That’s

Previous dental work canwear out. Even if you’ve had quality dentalwork in the past, you shouldn’t take your dentalhealth forgranted.Infact,your odds of having a dental problem only go up as you age.2

Treatment is expensive especially the servicespeople over 50 often need.

week and that about 200 carriage owners and drivers will be required to follow Mahajan is believed to be the first person to die in a horse carriage accident since they were introduced in Central Park more than 150 years ago, according to the labor union representing the industry and the Central Park Conservancy, which manages the 843-acre park.

Louisiana State Police superintendent to retire

BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer

Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Robert P. Hodges announced Friday that he will retire this fall.

Lt. Col. Frank Besson, who has been with State Police since 1999, is expected to succeed him.

Hodges has led the agency since 2024, serving about two and a half years as superintendent and more than three decades with State Police. Before taking over as head of the State Police, Hodges oversaw Region 2 Patrol, which encompasses 18 southern parishes and Troop D in Lake Charles and Troop I in Lafayette.

“It has been an incredible honor to serve as the 27th Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police and to wear the uniform of a Louisiana State Police trooper over the last 31 years,” Hodges said in a statement.

Gov Jeff Landry praised Hodges tenure, writing in a post on X, “Louisiana is stronger and safer because of his commitment to this state and its people.” Landry said Besson will transition into the role over the coming months. Besson, who previously served as a Grand Isle Police Officer and a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Deputy has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience.

Landry selected named Hodges as head of the agency shortly after he was elected. Hodges succeeded Col. Lamar Davis, who led the agency through a festering controversy over troopers’ beatings of Black motorists, including the brutal death of Ronald Greene. Davis retired in January 2024.

Hodges pointed to modernization efforts and expanded partnerships as success during his tenure.

“Our agency has modernized its law enforcement tools and technologies, reformed its approach to proactive public safety operations, and built strong partnerships among all law enforcement agencies local, state and federal,” Hodges said. “With these successes, I feel confident in passing the torch of leadership to a new generation.”

Association recommends checkups twice ayear.

Consider these national average costs of treatment. $274for acheckup $299 for afilling $1,471 foracrown.3 Unexpected bills likethis can be areal burden, especially if you’re on afixedincome.

“Medicare&You,”Centersfor Medicare&Medicaid Services,2025. 2 “Aging changesinteeth and gums”, medlineplus.gov,4/17/2022. 3 FairHealth, Inc. National average dentalfees. Datacurrent as of July 2025;subject to change

“Absolutely love” “I absolutely love my dental insurance. My dentaloffice files the claims,leaving me with very little balancetopay.” Dorothy P.,TN

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MANUEL BALCE CENETA

Donald Trump speaks Friday after touring the newly designated Air Force One presidential aircraft at Joint Base Andrews, Md.

Hodges

State creates ATV task force

Goal is to reduce fatalities among young people

BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer

Safety advocates from across the state have established a new task force to help reduce deaths and injuries among youth using ATV and UTV vehicles by creating new policies and safety courses.

The Louisiana Youth ATV/UTV Safety Task Force’s mission is to disrupt the high number of fatalities among young people by offering statewide education, awareness and policy initiatives to prevent injuries and fatalities.

“Four-wheelers and side-bysides carry equal and significant dangers. They don’t care if the rider or driver is responsible, mature, intelligent or loved by their family; physics does not make excep-

El Niño years have impacted

La.

Devastating hurricanes have still struck, despite low predictions

BY KASEY BUBNASH Staff writer

Blossoming El Niño conditions are expected to reach historic proportions this year, helping to limit hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean and altering weather conditions across the globe.

Federal scientists said last week that 2026 could “rank among the largest El Niño events in the historical record going back to 1950,” with conditions expected to intensify through the remainder of the Atlantic hurricane season and into the winter El Niño tends to increase vertical wind shear across the Atlantic, helping to break up storms and prevent hurricane formation and intensification. Those effects aren’t a given, but stronger events improve the odds for lower tropical activity across the Atlantic and Gulf.

The potential for what some are calling a “super” El Niño is what led forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to predict slightly below average activity this season, which ends on Nov 30. But here in Louisiana, where some of the most memorable hurricanes in history have hit during El Niño years, experts like state climatologist Jay Grymes are warning residents to stay vigilant and get prepared.

“So that’s my first point, is to tell people, wait a minute, we’re reducing the number of storms a small amount,” Grymes said. “We’re not taking storms out of the game.”

Here’s a look back at some of the El Niño years that made history and how they stack up.

NOAA determines the strength of an El Niño event by measuring how far above average sea-surface temperatures are in a specific region of the Pacific Ocean relative to the rest of the tropics. NOAA forecasters sort El Niño events into four categories of intensity: n Weak: Sea-surface temperatures are between 0.5 and 1 degrees Celsius above average n Moderate: 1 to 1.5 degrees above average

tions,” said Lacey McManus, who lost her son in an ATV accident.

ATVs and UTVs are common modes of transportation and serve many people in rural off-road areas. Many families in rural Louisiana have the vehicles or know people who do, but are not properly educated about the dangers they pose, said Tyler Boseworth, secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Right now, parents can enroll their child in a hands-on ATV safety program through the LSU Ag Center The task force hopes to bring the program statewide.

Law enforcement officers filled a conference room at a launch event in early June to introduce new safety and education tactics for teaching young people to use off-road vehicles.

Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges said that even if this task force saves only one life, the effort was worth it.

Hodges said that for young children to hunt and boat independently, they must complete safety and education courses. However, there is a gap in the education on ATVs.

“Too often young riders venture out without fully understanding the risks involved and begin to view themselves as indestructible without the proper knowledge, skills and respect for these powerful machines,” Hodges said.

McManus’ 11-year-old son Caleb died in 2023 when he suffered a severe head injury after crashing in a UTV He was at a friend’s house when the accident happened and was not wearing a

helmet.

In Louisiana, children 10 to 14 years old are at the highest risk of injury or death in these kinds of crashes, said Donice Fletcher of the Louisiana Emergency Response Network.

In 2024, trauma centers across the state saw 469 ATV/UTV-related injuries and nine deaths. Fletcher said these numbers are often not representative of the true rate of injuries, since many patients may not receive medical care for them.

“Those numbers are not improving when we compare Louisiana trauma data to the national level. ATV injuries remain a consistent mechanism of serious trauma, particularly in Southern and rural states,” Fletcher said.

The task force has partnered with outside organizations like the LSU Ag Center, Destination Zero Deaths and the Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.

However, stakeholders like the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and city police departments statewide pressed the notion that this education starts at home with the parents. By educating parents on the dangers of these vehicles, they in turn, pass the information on to their kids.

“If the parents set the right example, more often than not, you have some success there,” said Jay Cripple, of the Destination Zero Deaths in New Orleans.

Cripple said this task force is not a quick fix; it will take time and dedication to see true results.

“This isn’t a one-time thing; this is long-term maintenance. Every worthwhile thing takes a decade; that’s just the way it is We have to be able to put the work in and continue to talk about it to have a long-term effect,” Cripple said.

ON TO THE NEXT

Woman wanted for cruelty to minors

Police: Toddler had life-threatening blood alcohol content

BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer

A Baton Rouge woman is wanted by police after her 14-month-old son was brought to a local hospital last month with a life-threatening level of alcohol in his system.

Genesis Harrell, 27, is wanted in connection with one count of second-degree cruelty to juveniles. According to police, she called 911 around 6 p.m. May 18, saying she was concerned that her son was “not behaving normally” when he woke up from sleeping, according to an arrest warrant.

The toddler was rushed to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital where his initial blood alcohol content was 0.305%, more than four times the legal driving limit and a level that doctors say is po-

tentially-life threatening. He was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation.

The boy was diagnosed with alcohol intoxication with complications and stupor, and was suffering from acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and hypercapnia, which comes from having too much carbon dioxide in the blood. Medical officials said that without emergency intervention, the toddler was at risk for respiratory arrest, brain injury and death.

Harrell told police at the hospital her son was normally active but had gone limp when she picked him up that night. Harrell said the child ate breakfast at 11 a.m. and remained awake until he fell asleep at 1 p.m., according to the arrest warrant.

Harrell told police she lived at the apartment of her boyfriend, in the 11900 block of Longridge Avenue and that he was working from home at the time of the incident. However, the arrest warrant stated

her boyfriend was not responsible for the child and that Harrell was the sole guardian of the toddler

The woman said she was inside the apartment at the same time as the toddler and that she did not know how he could have ingested the amount of alcohol in his system. She told police there was alcohol in the residence but that it was in a secure location.

During a follow-up investigation, Harrell refused to tell police the type of alcohol in the home, where it was stored, who handled it last and her own actions during the time of the incident.

Police said they believe Harrell demonstrated disregard for her son’s safety and her conduct constituted “a gross deviation” below the standard of care expected from a reasonably careful parent of caregiver

The child was placed into the custody of the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services. He remains in the pediatric intensive care unit.

BY TIMOTHY BOONE Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Lamar Advertising worker Trevor Gomez takes down a billboard ad for Schmolke Law Firm before replacing it with a new ad along Government Street on Thursday.

N.O. S&WB names Tymrak operations chief

Career engineer picked as general superintendent

BY BEN MYERS Staff writer

The Sewerage & Water Board named Kaitlin Tymrak as its new general superintendent earlier this week handing the career engineer the responsibility for overseeing the technical operations of New Orleans’ water utility and making her the first woman to hold the role in the S&WB’s 127-year history Tymrak, who had served as interim superintendent since earlier this year, received her formal appointment from the utility’s governing board on Wednesday. The po-

sition reports directly to the board and manages all of the S&WB’s drainage, sewerage and water operations

The board was unanimous in their vote of approval, with members jokingly trying to race each other to be the one to make the motion.

Tymrak replaces Steve Nelson, who left to join Mayor Helena Moreno’s administration as deputy chief administrative officer for infrastructure. Her annual salary will be $235,000.

Although Tymrak is the first woman to serve as general superintendent, another woman, Marcia St. Martin, served as executive director — which oversees the agency’s administrative functions and long-term planning — from 2004 to 2013. In an interview Tymrak said she is “building on a real legacy

of women who have been trailblazing already in the utility.”

“Women are typically underrepresented in the public works and engineering fields,” Tymrak said. “I hope that this is inspirational to a lot of people.”

Tymrak has a master’s of engineering in water resources planning and management from Colorado State University She moved to New Orleans in 2008 to work for CH2M Hill, an engineering firm that works on S&WB infrastructure. She joined the S&WB in 2020, eventually rising to be Nelson’s deputy four years later Her interest in switching over from the private sector grew as she “got to know the system and the incredibly important role that it plays in the city.”

“I really just fell in love with the people, I fell in love with the process, I fell in love with the whole system,” Tymrak said. “The trust of the employees is something that is important to me. It’s not something I take for granted. It’s something that I have to earn every single day.”

The S&WB is structured so that Tymrak works alongside Executive Director Randy Hayman, but not under his supervision. They both report directly to the board. Tymrak said she and Hayman work “very, very closely” together Tymrak’s promotion comes at a critical juncture for the S&WB. The New Orleans City Council, with new powers over the agency granted by state lawmakers, will soon consider major changes to

its governance, funding and operations, with the intent of making it work more closely with City Hall. Moreno appointed Tymrak to an advisory committee tasked with recommending ordinances to guide those changes. Nelson, in an interview, said Tymrak is wellsuited for her new leadership role.

“If an issue came up, she was first to be able to figure out how to (fix it),” Nelson said. “Not just by herself through brute force, but working with a team to motivate the people around her to get to an end goal.”

The S&WB is also facing huge infrastructure challenges, with critical upgrades needed to the drainage and drinking water systems that will cost billions of dollars — funding the S&WB

Man admits helping fake father’s death

Drowning was staged to evade charges in N.C., authorities say

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

Three years ago, Seth Emde called 911 to report that his father had a heart attack and fell in the water on a fishing trip in St. Charles Parish. The U.S. Coast Guard spent days scouring parts of the Mississippi River in Hahnville before halting the search.

Emde, 23, stood in a federal courtroom last week and admitted it was all a lie concocted to help his father evade the law.

Melvin Phillip Emde, 43, was facing sexual misconduct charges in North Carolina when he and his son devised a scheme to fake his death in Louisiana, federal authorities allege. The staged drowning culminated a plan that spanned five states. In southern Louisiana, it cost the Coast Guard nearly $100,000 on search and rescue efforts.

EL NIÑO

Continued from page 1B

n Strong: 1.5 to 2 degrees above average

n Very strong: 2 degrees or more above average.

Grymes said that while “very strong” is the official scientific terminology for the highest order category, some “media-driven scientists” have started using the term “super” El Niño.

“If we look back to 1950, there probably have been something like five or six events that would qualify for this super rating,” he said, adding that this year, “there seems to be very little question that we’re going to hit that super phase, that extra strong phase.”

According to NOAA’s Relative Oceanic Niño Index, the following years saw the strongest El Niño events going back to 1950.

n 1957-58: 2.0 degrees

n 1965-66: 2.0 degrees

n 1972-73: 2.3 degrees

n 1982-83: 2.5 degrees

n 1991-92: 2.3 degrees

n 1997-98: 2.4 degrees

n 2015-16: 2.4 degrees.

The last robust El Niño

The last moderate to strong El Niño was in 2023, when the Pacific peaked at 1.5 degrees above normal from November through January according to the Relative Oceanic Niño Index.

Still, 2023 was one of the Atlantic’s most active seasons in the last 70 years, with a total of 20 named storms, seven of which were hurricanes, three of them major An average season ends with 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. It was one of the most prolific El Niño seasons in modern history, partly because record-warm ocean temperatures helped to fuel storm formation and development, counteracting El

Last week Seth Emde pleaded guilty in federal court in New Orleans to conspiracy to commit a federal offense and communication of false distress messages to the U.S Coast Guard. Prosecutors claimed the father and son hatched their rambling plot after authorities in Brunswick County, North Carolina, jailed Melvin Emde on suspicion of statutory rape and indecent liberties with a juvenile in 2022.

He was released 30 days later on $150,000 bail and made to wear an ankle monitor Instead of remaining in the Tar Heel State, Melvin Emde began plotting his faked death, according to the feds.

He and Seth met up in Kenner and rented a hotel room on Aug. 5, 2023 The next day, they bought twine, worms, bobbers, angling rods and other fishing gear from the Walmart in Boutte, prosecutors allege. They also purchased two prepaid “burner” phones and calling cards to evade tracing

That night, they took two kayaks to the Mississippi River near Matis Road in Hahnville. Melvin Emde cut off his ankle monitor and later tossed it in the water

In his 911 call on Aug. 7, Seth Emde falsely claimed his father fell overboard into the river. He doubled down on the drowning story when St. Charles Parish deputies questioned him hours later

But court records indicate Melvin Emde fled back to Oklahoma that day and spent more than a month on the run under an assumed name, “Michael Smith.”

The elder Emde was using that alias when he and his son reunited in Martin County, Florida, to do hurricane relief together in early September 2023.

St. Charles Sheriff Greg Champagne said then that detectives became suspicious after learning of Melvin Emde’s child rape case in Brunswick County, N.C., and began working with North Carolina officials.

That month, a Georgia state trooper spotted Melvin Emde riding a motorcycle with no license plate. He tried to escape but crashed, and his fingerprints revealed his true identity He went on to plead no contest to two counts of indecent liberties with a juvenile in April 2025, North Carolina

court records show A judge sentenced him to serve between 32 and 58 months in prison.

Melvin Emde’s federal trial over allegedly faking his death is scheduled to begin Aug. 4 in New Orleans.

When it became clear he was alive, Coast Guard officials questioned Seth Emde, who told agents he hadn’t seen his father since the day he fell into the river Seth Emde faces up to 15 years in prison on his two federal charges. U.S. District Court Judge Greg Guidry set sentencing for Sept. 16.

“Seth Emde deeply regrets his involvement in his father’s scheme and takes full responsibility for his actions,” Chief Federal Defender Claude Kelly said in a statement. Kelly added that his client has cooperated with the feds “and will continue to assist the government going forward.”

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment Wednesday

Email Matt Bruce at matt. bruce@theadvocate.com.

Bruxelles and Broad streets are flooded

1965.

Niño’s usual effects. Louisiana was left unscathed by named storms that year, but three hit the U.S., including two tropical storms and Hurricane Idalia. Colorado State University hurricane forecasters said earlier this spring that temperatures in the Atlantic present mixed signals for the 2026 hurricane season, with warmer-than-normal waters in the western tropical Atlantic and slightly cooler-than-usual temperatures in the east Matthew Rosencrans, a meteorologist with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, said Gulf sea-surface temperatures early this month were hovering around 82.8 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a little less than a degree above normal. In July 2023, the Gulf and the Caribbean Sea were about 1.8 to 5.4 degrees warmer than usual, and water temperatures surrounding Florida trumped records set in 1981.

Below-average It’s been 11 years since the Atlantic saw below-av-

erage tropical activity, and 2015 was the last of three consecutive slower-thannormal seasons.

That year, one of the strongest El Niño events in recorded history took hold, leading to extreme weather pattern changes across the globe. The Caribbean and Ethiopia saw widespread drought, much of the world saw record-breaking heat and scientists recorded a spike in atmospheric car-

bon dioxide levels due to overactive fire seasons.

The Pacific, where El Niño conversely promotes increased storm activity, saw what NOAA called a “record-smashing hurricane season.”

But the Atlantic was quiet in 2015, with a total of 11 named storms, four of which became hurricanes, including two that reached major strength. Only two tropical storms made land-

doesn’t currently have. Those issues became immediately apparent in Tymrak’s first few weeks as general superintendent when a succession of major water mains burst and caused four neighborhood floods. More recently, brand-new equipment meant to stabilize power for drainage pumps failed when the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur lashed the area with heavy rainfall. Tymrak said she is looking forward to working through all of the S&WB’s challenges. “We need to be looking forward for the next 20 to 30 years of investment in a lot of different systems,” she said. “It’s water, sewer, drainage. All those systems need that.”

Email Ben Myers at bmyers@theadvocate.com.

CLINIC

Continued from page 1B

rehabilitation and advanced imaging services, said Kate Bradshaw, a BROC spokesperson. Plans are to open the new facility by the end of the year BROC’s main campus is at 8080 Bluebonnet Blvd. Roux 61 closed in June 2025 after nearly 10 years in business. The owners said they shut down the restaurant to concentrate on the Roux 61 in Natchez, Mississippi. Is there a building under construction or renovation in your neighborhood and you want to know what it is? Send an email with a picture or the location to ianne.salvosa@theadvocate.com

Email Timothy Boone at tboone@ theadvocate.com.

fall in the U.S. that year Grymes the state climatologist, said such conditions also often lead to a wetter than normal winter and spring in south Louisiana, enhancing flood risk.

Hurricane Audrey

Grymes said there are periods when the impacts of El Niño either shrink dramatically or disappear entirely, whether it’s for days or weeks.

It’s in those windows that storms have the most potential to strengthen into damaging hurricanes.

“To me the best example of why we need to be ready during El Niño — it’s been awhile, I’ll admit — but it’s ’57’s Audrey,” Grymes said.

Despite a strong El Niño that year, Hurricane Audrey was still able to form over the western Gulf in June, exploding in intensity and reaching Category 4 strength within two days, catching many in southwest Louisiana off guard.

The hurricane hit Cameron as a Category 3 with winds of 125 mph, sending 12 feet of storm surge over the area and taking an estimated 400 or more lives.

Overall, the season was quieter than usual for the time. Eight tropical storms developed in 1957, three of which reached hurricane force. The average season at that time ended with 10 storms and five hurricanes, according to NOAA.

Betsy and Andrew

A similar “it only takes one” lesson can be learned from 1965’s Hurricane Betsy which initially formed as a tropical wave off the coast of Africa in August of that year

1965 was a strong to very strong El Niño year that produced just six tropical storms, including four hurricanes, making it one of the slowest seasons in a decade. Still, Betsy the only storm to hit land that year

— followed an erratic path across the Atlantic, eventually hitting Grand Isle as a Category 4 storm with winds of 130 mph. Several levees protecting New Orleans failed and the city suffered catastrophic flooding, leading the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assume responsibility of rebuilding and maintaining the city’s levee system. Roughly 80 people are estimated to have been killed in the storm.

While very strong El Niño conditions had been present in 1991 and early 1992, neutral conditions the phase between El Niño and La Niña — had returned by the time Hurricane Andrew formed in August 1992. Still, the National Hurricane Center that year tracked just six tropical storms and four hurricanes, well below the average at that time of 9.8 tropical storms and 5.7 hurricanes.

The only storm to hit the U.S. during the slowerthan-usual season was Andrew, a devastating storm that slammed into Florida as a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 165 mph before hitting Morgan City at Category 3 strength. It remains one of the strongest hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. and at the time, NOAA called it the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history

Email Kasey Bubnash at kasey.bubnash@ theadvocate.com.

Many took shelter at St. Dominic School in Lakeview during Hurricane Betsy

STAFF PHOTO By TIMOTHy BOONE

The former Roux 61 building at 8832 Bluebonnet Blvd.

2111 NorthStreet,at11a.m

Phillips, Billie Claire Rabenhorst FuneralHome, 825 Government Street,atnoon.

Riche' III, Hypolite

St.James EpiscopalChurch,208 N. 4thStreet, at 11:30a.m

Rosamond, Carrie Greenoaks FuneralHome, 9595 FloridaBoulevard, at 2p.m

Thomas Jr., Robert Comite BaptistChurch,12250 Greenwell Springs Road,at2 p.m

Young, Eddie NazareneBaptist Church ,6571 La Highway 1S.at11am.

Obituaries

Duke, Stuart William

Stuart William Duke, age

62, passed away on Monday, June 15, 2026. He was born on October 4, 1963,in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and spent most of his life in his hometown before moving to Butte LaRose, Louisiana, about ten years ago. Stuart was agraduate of Belaire High School and attended Southeastern LouisianaUniversity.After spending several years workinginconstruction throughout the United States, he returned home to Baton Rougeand began alifelong career in the chemical manufacturing industry, specifically at both Formosa Plastics and Shintech.

Above all else, Stuart's greatest love and sourceof pride were his two sons, William Sidney Duke and Zachary Stuart Duke. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life,such as fishing, spending peaceful hours on the water, and tending his garden. He was known for his playful spirit quick wit, and wonderful sense of humor. Whether sharing ajoke, telling a story, or simply enjoying the company of friends and family, Stuart was often the life of the party. He is survived by his beloved sons, William Duke and Zachary Duke and their mother, Anne Church; his father, Alton Eugene Duke; his brothers, Stacy Duke and his wife

Rickie,and Steve Duke and his wifeBarbara;his nieces and nephew, Taylor Deutsch and her husband Carter, Leighton Duke, Hunter Duke, Haley Babb and herhusband J.D. Heather Pocic and her husband Ethan, and Hannah Greerand her husband Austin; along with his great-nieces and greatnephews. Stuart is also survived by his chocolate lab, Charlie. He was precededindeath by his mother, SylviaSullivan Duke. Visitationwillbeheldat 10:00amatFirstUnited MethodistChurch 930 North Blvd.Baton Rouge on Monday,June 22, 2026, followed by afuneralservice at 11:00am conductedby the Rev. BradyWhitton. In lieu of flowers, please make acharitable contribution to acharity of your choice.

Sr., John

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Evans, Sr., who enteredeternal rest on June 8,2026,atthe remarkable ageof100. Born May15, 1926,John lived a long, fulllifedefined by his wisdom, love, and dedication to his family and friends. He is lovingly rememberedbyhis remaining children, grandchildren, extendedfamily, and dear friends. Please join us as we celebratehis 100 yearsoflife this Saturday, June20, 2026,atPromisedLand Baptist Church, 7234Plank Rd. Baton Rouge, LA 70811. Visitation9:00 AM-11:00 AM, followed by the funeral serviceat11:00. Interment willfollow at Winnfield Memorial Park,7221 Plank Rd. Baton Rouge, LA 70811. Services Entrusted by Winnfield Funeral Home of Baton Rouge, Kennard Thomas,General Manager.

Lewis, Odelia 'LuLu'

OdeliaP.Lewis,a warrior for Christ, was blessed with 95 yearsbyGod. She was affectionally called LuLu by her family, friends, and the community. Born to Wilson Pryer Sr. and Lubritha Narcisse Pryer on August22, 1930.She departed this life on June 12, 2026,atthe residence of her son Clarence (Hattie) Pryer Sr. in Baton Rouge, LA, surroundedbyfamily

Odelialeaves to cherish her legacy five (5) children Clarence (Hattie) Pryer, Sr, and Charles (Shana) Lewis, Lynette Stockman,Cheryl James McCall,and EmmanuelJames, three(3) sisters,DorotheaMyers , AnnieMae (Willie)Griszell, and Betty P. Anderson, one (1) sisterinlaw, Darlene Pryer. She leaves 28 grandchildren, 22 greatgrandchildren, three(3) great greatgrandchildren, ahost of nieces, nephews and otherrelatives and friends. CelebrationofLife willbe held at Rose HillBaptist Church- 14470 Hwy 77, Rosedale, LA 70772 Wake Service-(viewing 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) Friday, June 19, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Service-(viewing 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

For with God nothing shall be impossible-Luke 1:37 Kenrick (Mucky) Nixon Sr.,60, anativeofBaton Rouge, passed June 10, 2026. He was a1984 IstroumaHighgraduate. A dedicatedemployeeof Turner Industries forover 26 years. He was also an advocate golf player.Heis survivedbyhis wife of 37, Regina Nixon; son, Kenrick Nixon Jr.; daughter Kenyette' Nixon; his chosen son, Kenrick (Tyquincia) James; brothers Tony (Monique) James, Ray (Shantel)James, Michael (Easter) James; sisters Terry(Dudley) Gipson, Lynette Sharper;his work buddy, Derrick Mitchell; all 50 of his beloved golfing buddies, Marvin,Kenneth, Cedric, Cleveland, Calvin, Steven, Stephan, just to name afew.Kenrick will be missed by allthose of lovedhim. Avisitationwill be held from 9:00 am until religious service at 11:00 am on June 20, 2026 at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church, 2111 North Street.

Oehrle,James Francis'Jim'

is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of JamesFrancis

Oehrle,aged92, on June 10, 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Jim was born on December5,1933, in Dyersville, Iowa, to Lawrence "Wink" and Henrietta(Goerdt) Oehrle. He grew up in Dyersville, graduated from Dubuque HighSchool and theUniversity of Iowa, was amember of SAEfraternity, and proudly served in theAir ForceatBergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas.While working as abuyer and manager for R.H. Macy's in Kansas City, Missouri, he met hiswife of 65 years, Nancy.Three childrenlater, he moved hisyoung family to BatonRouge, Louisiana, where he became theassistant store manager for Goudchaux's. He and Nancy laterowned several businesses in distributionand real estate. Known for his outgoing nature, Jim touched many livesthrough his involvement in theSertoma Club, theApartment Association of Baton Rouge, Knightsof Columbus, and was avolunteerfor thesuicide hotline,The Phone. He served as King BraggiXXI in 1981 for theKrewe of Iduna. He enjoyed becoming an amateur archaeologist,even working at adig site in Ashkelon, Israel,through theUniversity of Chicago. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, taking leisure coursesatLSU,playing bridge,fishing,cooking, gardening, and making pottery

He is survivedbyhis wife, Nancy Gamsjager Oehrle,his threechildren, Chris(Joanne Rotondi) Oehrle, Adrienne (Rene') Mire, and Matt(Lynn Haase) Oehrle, his six grandchildren(Winter, Seneca,Abby, Anna, Erin, and Kate), his nieces and nephew Janet Niehaus, JudyVan Handel,and Dan Oehrle, and family dogLillie. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brotherJohn Henry (and

Evelyn) Oehrle, his Aunt Martha, AuntEmma, Uncle Will,and first cousin Lela Jane, as well as many familydogs (Dutch, George Mac, Cameo, andMolly).

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on June 23, 2026, at St.Thomas More Catholic Church.A Liturgy service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Friends and loved ones are welcome to attend andshare memories.

In lieu of flowers, the familyrequestsdonations be made to St.Jude in Jim's honor Forever loved, neverforgotten

Talbot, Dan Charles

DanCharlesTalbot passedawayathome in Baton Rouge on June 11, 2026, at the age of 74. Born on February 9, 1952, in Baton Rouge,Dan wasthe son of Aldwinand Mary Talbot.

Danwas adedicated church musician forhis entire lifetime.Heoriginally started playing for School Stationsofthe Crossin second grade while in school at OurLady of Mercy.Heaccompanied church choirsand school choirs throughoutthe city. He became afull-time organist/choirmaster in sixth gradeatOur Lady of Mercy.Heplayedhis first wedding at First United Methodist ChurchinBaton Rouge whileinthirdgrade He attendedhighschool at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge,graduating in 1970. He designed thenew organ for OurLady of Mer-

cy in 1974 whileattending LSU, graduating in 1975 with hisBachelorofMusic He hada pianoand organ studio for 12 years. In 1989, Danhad theprivilegeof playing thefamous Mormon Tabernacle organ, spending fivehours practicingonthe instrument. He also hadthe honor of demonstrating theorgan at Rice University with the builder Dansubstitutedand played at many churches in Baton Rouge,frequently at First United Methodist ChurchBaton Rouge.Over theyears, he played for thefollowingLouisiana churches: OurLady of Mercy (35 years), Episcopal Church of Ascension Lafayette (10 years), First Baptist Baton Rouge (22 years), St.Luke'sEpiscopal Church (2 years). Danretiredin2023 from St Luke'sEpiscopal Church after completingthe organ project. In addition to hispassion as amusician, Dan wasa loverofanimals and hisdogs Wolfgang"Wolfy", Nate, Mikey, andBruiser.Dan enjoyed diningout with friends, LSUsports, andbowling,having won awards for threeperfect games.

Amemorial service to remember Danwas held on June 17th at First United Methodist ChurchindowntownBaton Rouge.Inlieu of flowers, donationscan be made to the First United Methodist Church (Baton Rouge)music ministry fund.

Wyble,Alfred

Nixon,Kenrick Tyrone 'Mucky'

OPINION

Lookingback at America’s bicentennial

As we move toward the nation’s250th birthdaynextmonth, this column has looked back at earliermilestone celebrations, beginning with the 50th, to provide historicalcontext forwhere we are now

July 4, 1976, marked the 200th anniversaryofAmericanindependence. President Gerald Ford, in officethen, used the occasion to reflectonthe meaning ofmilestones throughouthistory

“The American settlers hadmany,many hardships, but they had more liberty than any other people onEarth,” Ford said.“Theverse from Leviticus on theLiberty Bellrefers to the ancient Jewish yearofJubilee. Inevery 50th year,the Jubileerestoredthe land and the equalityofpersons.”

The population of the United States was 218 millionin1976. Today, it’s342 million. Bicentennialmerrimentincluded the customary festivities— parades,picnicsand fireworks —aswellastelevision specials and re-enactments of thesigning of theDeclaration of Independence. Operation Sail brought more than 200 tall ships and naval vesselsintoNew York Harbor,where they paradedaround the Statue of Liberty and drew 6million spectators. Philadelphia, birthplace of theDeclaration,staged numerous patriotic events,includingafive-hour parade with floats from every state.

That week in Washington, President Fordand first lady BettyFord hosted aglamorous state dinnerfor Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, PrincePhilip. Of course, it wasthe queen’sgreat-great-great-great-grandfather,King George III, whohad been forcefully defiedbythe Declarationof Independence for having“plundered our seas,ravaged ourCoasts, burnt outtowns,and destroyedthe Livesofour people.”

But by 1976,that was ancient history

“For the Queen’sdinner,” recalled Mrs.Ford, “we had violinists stationed along the paths, and to be out in thegorgeousnight air, with the moon shining down and the violins playingasyou walked by,was unforgettable.” Shecontinued, “Anhour and ahalf before theQueen’sdinner, there was asudden downpourwith torrential rain,thunder,lightning.Three treesonthe White Housegrounds were struck. Fortunately,I’d insisted that our (outdoor) tent have afloor.”

Dinner guests included Vice PresidentNelsonRockefeller,Secretary of StateHenryKissinger,Chief Justice Warren Burger,Lady BirdJohnson,D.C. MayorWalter Washington, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Cary Grant,Ella Fitzgerald, Willie Mays, Bob Hope and Telly Savalas, along with spouses and escorts.Musical duo Captain&Tennille played their hits.

Ford was the only commanderinchief who was never electedpresident or vice president. He wasappointed vice president by Richard NixonafterSpiro Agnew,charged with corruption, resigned. Later,whenNixonresignedin 1974, Ford moved into the White Houseand pledged to bring an end to what he called “our long nationalnightmare” of theWatergate scandal.

In New Orleans, abicentennial concertwas held atthe Superdome, quickly becoming apopular venue for major national events.Jimmy Buffett, EmmylouHarris, John Sebastian, Jerry Jeff Walker,the Charlie Daniels Band, George Carlinand Cheech&Chong performed. Acrowd gathered in JacksonSquare for theunveiling of astatue of Louis Armstrong, whichwas latermoved to Armstrong Park, and a“Bicentennial Mardi Gras”was celebratedonBourbon Street featuring 1776 themes.Earlier, the American Freedom Train, showcasing an exhibitofhistorical artifacts, stopped near the OldState CapitolinBaton Rouge Just eightdays after the Fourth, the Democratic Party nominated Jimmy Carter forpresidentand Walter Mondale for vice president in New York.Later that summerinKansas City, Ford won the Republicannomination for afullterm by defeating formerCaliforniaGov.RonaldReagan in a close contest. Not longafter, Hank Aaron hithis 755th home run, amajor league baseballrecordthatheld for more than three decades. In 1976, Edwin Edwardswas serving the second of what would become four terms as governorofLouisiana.Moon Landrieu was in his second term as mayor of NewOrleans andWoodrow Wilson “Woody” Dumas wasinthe third of his four terms as mayor-president of BatonRouge. The Saints hiredHank Stram as head coachand posted adisappointing 4-10 record. Coach Charlie McClendon led the LSU Tigers to a6-4-1 season.

That’s how it was on July 4, 1976 —ahalf-century ago. This column is fourth in an occasional seriesabout America’smilestonebirthdays. Readprior columns at www.nola.com/opinions/ron_faucheux Ron Faucheux is anonpartisan political analyst, pollster and writer based in Louisiana.

Cassidyacautionary tale forLetlow, Fleming

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy was ousted by Republican challengers Rep. Julia Letlow andstate Treasurer John Fleming.

While Cassidy recognizedthe fairness of democracy,hemade comments about online “attacks” on the internet, stating, “Insults only bother me if they come from somebody of character and integrity...” Cassidy once showedintegrity when he,along with six other Republicans, voted to convictPresident DonaldTrump following the Jan. 6attack on the U.S. Capitol. He hadthe support of Democrats, independents andconservatives, who realizedthe faulty alignment of Trump with the Republican Party and American democracy Then,hedid the worst thing he could have;Cassidy backed down. He backed down so muchhewas essentially publiclygroveling for forgiveness —evengoing so far as to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr., completelytanking hisown medical, vaccinelegacy as aphysician

As Jamahl Mosley takes over as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, the praise has been predictable: great person, defensive mindset, accountability, player development, hard-working, reflective. All admirable qualities. Butnone of them addresses the real problem facing basketball in New Orleans. Mosley isn’tinheriting afirst-tier franchise. He’sinheriting asecond-tier,maybe even third-tier NBA team with along history of talented playerswho seemed more interested in collecting apaycheck than competing for achampionship. Why do Pelicans playerswalk off the court after losses laughing, smiling and joking with opponents like it’s apickup runataneighborhood park? Where’sthe passion? Where’sthe urgency? Where’sthe firethat championship cultures demand?

Maybe it’s our party-first culture, ourlaid-back nature or our

Cassidy said those attacking him online have no integrity When people are desperate, disenfranchised, sick and poor,online “attacks” are their viable recourse to express their anger and frustration. Integrity means not aligning oneself with aperson (Trump) found liable for sexual assault in acourt of law.Integrity means notshrinking before athreat to democracy,remaining silent or supportive,then announcing that democracy and “our country is notabout one individual” when it’s too late andthere is nothing left to lose, all thewhile throwing your own citizens and constituents down as carpeting for awannabe dictator to walk over Integrity.Interesting choice of words from the defeated man, who bent the knee and lost his own.

If Letlow and Fleming have any integrity,they’llremember that. If Cassidy had any integrity,hewould have known better TIERNEY BRINKMAN NewOrleans

laissez-faire attitude toward everything from politicstopotholes. Who knows?What Idoknow is that from theHornets to the Pelicans, this city has never built abasketball identityrooted in hungeroraccountability Andthat’s notonthe coaches. We’ve cycled through nine of them Mosley is the 10th. At some point, theblame has to fall where it belongs:onthe players who take the floor and too often play without edge, without intensity,and without pride. Certainly notasateam. Ihope Mosley succeeds. But until theplayersdecide winning matters more than being liked or drawing a check, New Orleansbasketball will remainexactly what it has been for decades —talented, entertaining andultimately irrelevant. If that draws ire from the players and the fans, so be it.

NICHOLAS PERSICH Metairie

wealth inequality erodes trust in U.S.

Wealth inequality in the United States has reached levels that should concern every American. While millions of working families struggle to afford housing, healthcare, childcare and higher education, asmallpercentage of the population continues to accumulate enormous wealth at a historic pace. Hard work should provide stability and opportunity,yet manyfull-timeworkers live paycheck to paycheck. At the sametime, large corporations and the wealthiest Americans often benefit from tax loopholes and economic policies that widen the gap between rich and poor Historically,federal income tax rates forthe top earners in 1965 were 70%. Today,the top federal rate is 37%, and the top corporate rate is 21%, a decrease from over 52% in the 1960s. These massive decreases in tax rates on the rich and corporations occurred under the Reagan, Bush and Trump administrations.

Extremeinequality weakens our democracy and undermines social trust. Ahealthy economy depends on astrong middle class, fair wages, affordable education and equal opportunity We should support policies that empower workers, ensure fair taxation, expand access to healthcare and education and create economic opportunity foreveryone, not just those at the top.

America succeeds when prosperity is shared more broadly.Itistimetoaddress wealth inequality before the divide growseven larger Please reach out to your elected officials and demand that they increase taxation of the rich and corporations to makeitmore equitable forall Americans, and pay

Ron Faucheux

KNOCKOUT PERFORMANCE

Australia on FridayinSeattle. The U.S. won2-0 to advance to the

teammate Auston Trusty celebrate after

U.S. advances to WorldCup eliminationround despiteinjured Pulisic

BY ANDREWDESTIN AP sportswriter

SEATTLE Christian Pulisic’sinjury absence didn’thurt theAmericans one bit.

The U.S. national soccer team found away to advance tothe knockout round without the injured forward on the field, beatingAustralia 2-0 on Fridayfor itssecond straightvictory at the largest World Cupinhistory

“C.P.isafantastic player —the quality and the leadership that he gives us,” saidFolarin Balogun, who scored two goals in the 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June12. “Wedidn’t have himtoday,but Ithink you saw

MOROCCOADVANCES:

we’re still capable to go out there and get aresult and put up aperformance.”

Pulisic,who plays forACMilan and has 33 goals in 87 international appearances, missed Friday’smatch because of acalf injury

To playwithout asuperstar like Pulisic could have derailedprevious American teamsinWorldCup play But much haschangedsince the last time they served as World Cup hosts in 1994, when they advanced by being one of the best third-place teams. Theythenlost to eventual champion Brazil in their next match,which was in the round of 16.

Projecting howSaints will look afterearly camps

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

The NewOrleans Saints have roughly six weeks off before they reconvene fortraining camp in late July

To pass the time, howabout away-too-soon 53-man roster projection? It maybepremature to predicthow the Saints will narrow their 90-man roster to 53 by the fall, but with five offseason practices open to reporters—and there was plenty to observe —let’stake astab at it, anyway

Quarterbacks (2)

Tyler Shough, SpencerRattler

In this projection, Zach Wilson is the odd man out. Despite the Saints signing the formerJets starter this offseason, coach KellenMoore’sfirst year featured New Orleans keeping only two quarterbacks because the team needed therosterspotelsewhere Numbers could be equally as tight this year Wilson, the second overall pick in 2021, wasuneven throughout the offseason workouts open to reporters.While that couldbe chalkeduptothe quarterback adjusting to anew system,he’ll have to show moreconsistency to push Rattlerfor the backupjob behind Shough.

Runningbacks (4)

Travis Etienne,Devin Neal,Audric Estime,Kendre Miller That Alvin Kamara is stillonthe roster after theconclusionofmandatoryminicamp does not mean the running back’ssituation

ä See SAINTS, page 6C

Saints running backTravisEtienne AP PHOTO

ä See WORLD CUP, page 5C

Clarkbuilds4-shotleadatU.S.Open

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. WyndhamClark keeps leaving his mark on Shinnecock Hills.Hefinished off the lowest opening round in aU.S. Open on thisfearsome course Friday morning, and then he delivered two big birdie putts and set the 36-hole standard to build a four-shot lead going into the weekend With so much chaos and cringingaround him, Clark playedasteady hand— afar cry from where he was at the U.S.Open last year when he missed the cut and smashedupalocker at storied Oakmont. His last act was a35-foot birdie putt down the slope on the 18th green that dropped for a1-under 69. That put him at 7-under 133, one shot better than Phil Mickelson and Shigeki Maruyama at the halfway point in 2004 at Shinnecock Hills. And he thinks he could bebetter “I really felt like Icould beindouble digits (under par),” Clarksaid. “But you know, the great thingabout that isIdidn’tfeel like Ihad my best, and Istill am leading as of rightnow.Hopefully, Ican bring my A-game on the weekend.”

Xander Schauffele, with thebest U.S. Open record of anyone without aU.S. Open title over the last 10 years, had a66tofinish at 137 along with Matt Fitzpatrick, aformer U.S. Open champion whobirdied two of his last three holes to salvage a70.

They were joined at 137 in the afternoon, when the course began to dry,bySam Stevens (69) and TomKim (67).

Former LSUgolfer Sam Burns is at 1under in atie for seventh place after he shot a2-under 68 on Friday

Scottie Scheffler still has the career Grand Slam in hissights. He missedonly two fairways and hit his last 10 greens for a68thatleft him in thegroup at 140, along with Rory McIlroy (71) who was closing in on Clark until starting theback nine with three straight bogeys.

Both feel they are right in the thick of it, though somuch depends on Clarkand what theUSGA has in mindfor aShinnecock course that only figures to get drier,faster andscarier over the next two days.

“Ifthere’sa coursewhere youfeellike you still have achanceifyou’re seven back

ä See OPEN, page 3C

Former LSUstarwants to look forward, notbackward

BY NOAH TRISTER AP sportswriter

ASHBURN, Va The start of the 2026 season is less thanthree months away forthe Washington Commanders, and it’snosurprise that JaydenDaniels wants to look forward, not backward. “I’m done talking about last year.Last year’slast year,” the 25-year-old former LSU quarterback said at minicampthis week. “Moving on to this season, and whatever happened last year is what happened last year.Can’t do anything formebut just continue to get better.”

Afterreaching the NFCchampionship gametwo seasonsago whenDaniels was a rookie, Washington stumbled to 5-12 in 2025. The Commanders wereatrendy pick to regress before the season started, andwhile injuries played asignificant role, the naysayers ultimately hadthis oneright when Washington went on an eight-game losing streak in the middle of the season.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOSByLINDSEy WASSON United States defender Alex Freeman scores theteam’ssecond goal during the WorldCup Group Dmatch against

round of 32. Below: United States goalkeeper Matt Freese, left,and

winning the WorldCup Group Dmatch against Australia on Friday.

AP PHOTO By DAVID J. PHILLIP Wyndham Clark hits his teeshot on the 17th hole during the second round of the U.S. Open on Friday in Southampton, N.y

COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

N. Carolina vies for 1st national title

Oklahoma on a season-best 8-game streak going into Game 1

BY ERIC OLSON AP sportswriter

OMAHA,Neb Scott Forbes had just wrapped up a College World Series news conference Friday when Skip Johnson walked into the room to pose with him for an annual picture of the head coaches next to the national championship trophy, a longtime tradition the day before the start of the finals.

“Hey, buddy,” North Carolina’s Forbes said, beaming and extending his hand to the Oklahoma coach.

“You thought we were going to fight?” Johnson said, turning to reporters.

The college baseball lifers have known each other for decades, since they spent long days and nights scouting the same talent showcases and engaging in recruiting battles during long runs as assistants.

“I always thought if we met up together,” Forbes told Johnson “we’d be hunting.”

Oh, they’re hunting together all right.

North Carolina will be looking for its first national title in baseball and Oklahoma for its third when the schools square off in Game 1 of the best-of-three series at Charles Schwab Field on Saturday The start of the game was moved up five hours to 2 p.m. because of a forecast calling for storms at night.

The Tar Heels and Sooners have taken different routes to reach the same destination.

North Carolina (53-12-1) has lost consecutive games just once, in early March, and has been ranked no lower than No. 4 by D1Baseball com the last two months.

Oklahoma (41-22) was ranked as high as No. 8 and then lost six of nine series in Southeastern Conference play The Sooners finished 11th in the SEC and were unranked when they entered the national tournament off losses in seven of nine games.

“I think the SEC just offers a great preparation, period, for this type of tournament,” OU’s Trey Gambill said. “There’s no breaks. Just like in this tournament, you’re not playing any bad teams. You’re

ä Oklahoma vs. North Carolina.

2 P.M. SATURDAy, ESPN

not playing any mediocre teams

You’re playing the best of the best. So the SEC just prepared us for always being ready to put our best out there.”

Both teams went 3-0 in CWS bracket play The Tar Heels have won five straight, and the Sooners are on a season-best eight-game streak.

The Game 1 pitching matchup pits North Carolina ace Jason DeCaro (11-2) against 6-foot-6, 237-pound left-hander Cord Rager (6-3), one of three freshman starters for the Sooners. DeCaro went 62/3 innings and struck out nine in Carolina’s 6-2 win over Mississippi last Friday. Rager walked none and struck out eight in seven innings of a 9-0 win over Alabama last Saturday.

SEC streak on line

Oklahoma will be going for the Southeastern Conference’s seventh straight national title and 18th overall, which would tie the Pac-12 for most.

The SEC is assured of having the champion, runner-up or both for the 20th time since 2000. The Sooners are the 10th different SEC team to reach the finals over that span.

ACC’s first finals since 2015 North Carolina is the first Atlantic

Oklahoma pitcher Xander Mercurius throws during a College World Series game against Georgia on Monday in Omaha, Neb Oklahoma won 4-3.

Coast Conference team to make the CWS finals since Virginia in 2015.

The Tar Heels are trying to become the third ACC program to win a national title in baseball. Wake Forest won the first in 1955 and Virginia the second in 2015.

North Carolina (2006-07, 2026) and Virginia (2014-15) are the only ACC programs to play in the finals since the best-of-three format started in 2003.

Power surge

DeCaro will face a Sooners team that’s averaging 10.4 runs per game

with 22 homers during their eightgame win streak They’ve gone deep eight times in the CWS, including five in an 11-4 win over Georgia on Wednesday OU has 45 homers in its 20 games since May 1 after hitting 46 homers in its first 43.

“What Jason’s going to do is what he’s been doing,” Forbes said. “We don’t care what the offense has been, what they’re doing, how hot they are. He’s going to go right after them with his stuff. You start being tentative, you start getting negative counts, then that offense gets even better.”

Tar Heels’ title win would fulfill ex-coach’s dreams

BY ERIC OLSON AP sportswriter

OMAHA, Neb Mike Fox was part of almost every major milestone North Carolina has achieved in baseball, either as a player or coach. A national championship was all that eluded him. He retired six years ago as the program’s all-time wins leader but his attachment to the Tar Heels remains strong as ever Fox, 70, watched from the Carolina fan section at Charles Schwab Field as the Tar Heels swept through three games at the College World Series to reach the championship round for the first time since he led them to their first two finals in 2006-07.

As he enjoyed some down time at the team hotel Thursday, his emotions began running high as he thought out loud about how he would react if Carolina beat Oklahoma in the best-of-three finals starting Saturday

“Somebody’s probably going to have to grab me to keep me from jumping on the dogpile,” he said, laughing.

Fox is a Tar Heel through and through. The Asheville native was Carolina’s second baseman 50 years

ago and made the All-CWS team in 1978. That year he led the Tar Heels to their first-ever CWS win, homering on the second pitch of the game and going 3 for 5 with three RBIs in a 9-5 victory over Michigan.

Fox

After coaching 15 years at Division III North Carolina Wesleyan, Fox returned to the Tar Heels in 1999 and won 948 games, had five 50-win seasons and took seven teams to the CWS. His No. 30 jersey was retired in 2022.

Fox’s influence is still felt. Coach Scott Forbes, his handpicked successor, played for him in the 1990s at North Carolina Wesleyan and was his assistant at Carolina from 2006-20 Assistants Bryant Gaines, Jesse Wierzbicki and Scott Jackson played for or coached with Fox, as did staffer Jason Howell and undergraduate assistants Kyle Datres and Brandon Martorano.

“They are my boys,” Fox said. “I knew them when, as kids. Now I see them walking through the lobby pushing strollers with 3- and 4-yearolds on their shoulders. That’ll make you cry, if nothing else.

Fox has attended most, if not all, home games since he retired, but intentionally kept some distance his first two or three years of retirement because he wanted to give the coaching staff space. Now he attends some practices and has worked as third-base umpire during intrasquad scrimmages and will throw batting practice if he’s asked

“I never want to be a burden to them or get in the way of certainly what they’re trying to do,” he said, “so I’m very thankful I can just get in my truck and drive to the stadium and hang out for a couple hours and go home.”

Fox retired just before the start of college athlete compensation and the liberalization of transfer rules.

Forbes’ pitching staff is mostly homegrown, but six players in the everyday lineup did not start their careers at Carolina. Fox said Forbes and his staff have adjusted to the new era magnificently, as evidenced by the Tar Heels having made super regionals three straight years and four of the last six.

“The trick now is when you bring in all these kids from the portal, they all come from different places and you still need to be a team, and he’s been able to master that at the highest level,” Fox said. “We’ve

LSU softball picks up first portal commitment

LSU softball received its first transfer portal commitment when Notre Dame outfielder Mickey Winchell picked the Tigers to play for in her senior season, according to a post on her Instagram account Tuesday A four-year starter and ACC Freshman of the Year in 2023, Winchell batted .335 with a teambest 59 hits in 2026. She also had a .418 on-base percentage and a team-best 14 stolen bases. She received a redshirt season after missing all but 17 games of her junior season with an injury Winchell, a native of Livermore, California, appears to be a fit to replace former center fielder and leadoff hitter Jalia Lassiter, who completed her eligibility in 2026. Thus far, LSU has lost nine players to the portal.

Blue Jays right-hander Bieber rejoins team

CHICAGO Toronto Blue Jays righthander Shane Bieber rejoined the team on Friday and could be activated from the injured list in the next few days, manager John Schneider said.

Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner, hasn’t pitched this season. He was placed on the 15day injured list in March with elbow inflammation.

The 31-year-old Bieber just completed a five-game rehab stint with a start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday Bieber allowed five runs and 11 baserunners in fiveplus innings, throwing 80 pitches with his velocity reaching 93 mph. Bieber then went 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in five postseason games as AL champion Toronto advanced to Game 7 of the World Series.

Seven expletives cost tennis player $40,000

LONDON French tennis player Corentin Moutet has been fined $40,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct after using profane language in a post-match interview at Queen’s Club this week, the men’s tennis tour said Friday Moutet used an expletive seven times during an on-court interview after a first-round win on Tuesday against countryman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the ATP 500 grass-court event in London. After using the expletive for a first time, he was asked by the interviewer not to use bad language, but instead Moutet repeated the expletive a further three times before doing so three more times at the end of the interview

The 27-year-old is ranked No. 36 and has yet to win an ATP title.

Toronto Tempo’s Sykes, Rice out with injuries

TORONTO Toronto’s Brittney Sykes suffered a plantar fascia injury on Tuesday, the team announced Friday, and will be reevaluated in the coming weeks.

Sykes was hurt in a non-contact injury in the third quarter of the team’s loss to Indiana on Tuesday She was helped off the court. Sykes was the league’s thirdleading scorer in averaging 20.7 points a game coming into the Fever matchup.

been probably the best program consistency-wise since ’22. And that’s extremely hard to do in this day and age when there’s so many good programs.”

North Carolina has won a total of 52 NCAA championships across eight sports, and the baseball team will try to make it 53 across nine sports by Sunday or Monday

“This is something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time, certainly since I became the coach there,” Fox said. What would make it especially meaningful to Fox is that he would be able to celebrate it with so many people he knows and loves.

“Raising a trophy over your head would be incredible. It’s the ultimate,” he said. “But, boy, those relationships and memories, all coaches are going to find that out. The day after you retire, it hits you like a ton of bricks. The wins and losses are gone poof.

“Those relationships and memories are what you’re really doing this for and it’s hard to see that when you’re in the middle of it. I’m so thankful I have relationships with those coaches and they’ve allowed me to still be a small part of this program because it’s a big part of my heart.”

The expansion Tempo also announced Friday that Kiki Rice had suffered a grade 3 left ankle sprain on June 3 in a loss at New York. She hasn’t played since and the team said she also would be re-evaluated in the upcoming weeks. Both are expected to return this season

Royals’ Witt avoids IL for now with MCL sprain

KANSAS CITY,Mo.— Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr was out of the lineup for Friday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals with a grade-1 MCL sprain. He left Thursday’s game at the end of the fourth inning after earlier fielding a ground ball. Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said Friday the Royals were “fortunate” that it was just a mild sprain.

The plan was to give Witt Friday off. The teams are scheduled for a rare Saturday off day because a World Cup match between Ecuador and Curaçao will be played at neighboring Kansas City Stadium (GEHA Field at Arrowhead) on Saturday night. Quatraro was hopeful that Witt could return for Sunday’s game.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By VERA NIEUWENHUIS

North Carolina infielder Jake Schaffner bats during a College World Series game against West Virginia on Sunday in Omaha, Neb North Carolina won 5-2

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By VERA NIEUWENHUIS

GOLF

Johnson advances despite blowup

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

SOUTHAMPTON N.Y Dustin John-

son was one shot out of the lead

Friday in the U.S. Open as he walked onto the tee on the par3 11th, looking like the major contender he once was instead of someone who had been MIA on golf’s biggest stages since leaving for LIV Golf.

And then it all changed in a New York minute.

Four holes later, he was 11 shots behind and scrambling just to make it to the weekend at Shinnecock Hills.

“Just rocks,” Johnson said.

It was a little more than pebbles in the sand that caused this stunning meltdown in the second round, but it left him a little dazed and more than a little frustrated.

His mishaps started on the 11th when a gust knocked down his tee shot and it wound up in the right bunker The next shot came out soft, rolled back down the false front into another bunker, and he failed to get up-anddown, making double bogey

“Where I was standing it felt firm, but it came out soft,” he said of the first sand shot.

“These bunkers are very difficult or at least I’m having a hard time with it.”

Two soft bogeys followed, one of them on the 13th hole when he had a lob wedge from a 117 yards that went so far it landed on the slope at the back of the green. His pitch went past the pin and off the green and he had to scramble from there.

But the real damage came on the 15th from the right rough, and a shot that wound up in the right bunker guarding the green. He thought that would be fine, an easy place to make par, until it was anything but that.

Alternate

BY BRIAN MAHONEY AP sportswriter

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y Harry Higgs

was ready to quit golf, burned out by the mental beatings he gave himself, shortly before becoming what he believes was the last of the 156 players in the U.S Open field.

It was only Monday that he was added to the tournament as an alternate, so late that he never unpacked after arriving in New York. With his clothes still in his suitcase, he pulled the wrong item out Thursday morning, which is why he mistakenly showed up at Shinnecock Hills in shorts before a frantic wardrobe change allowed him to play Good thing. The Big Rig is trucking into the weekend with his first made cut of the year on the PGA Tour

“I let the day build and build and build, and man, I felt like a rock star out there,” Higgs said Friday “I felt like I could do anything.” Higgs shot a 3-under 68 in the second round, boosted by a 75-foot putt for birdie after missing the 11th green, the kind of bad miss that for so long caused him to spiral Higgs acknowledged that his

Continued from page 1C

going into the weekend like I am, it’s definitely this one,” McIlroy said. It’s a better chance than Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, the two biggest stars from LIV Golf who missed the cut. DeChambeau left early from his third straight major

The shocker was Rahm, a runner-up at the PGA Championship last month. He didn’t make a bogey until his 21st hole. But he shot 41 on the back nine for a 78 to match his highest score in a U.S. Open, also at Shinnecock Hills in 2018. The cut came at 4-over 144. The 10 players who remained under par were one short of the record for Shinnecock in 2004. That was the year the field averaged 78.7 in the final round.

The most remarkable day belonged to Joaquin Niemann. He made a 9 on No. 6 his 15th and final hole of the fog-delayed first

His first shot took a hard turn to the left, went down the false front and into the left bunker

The next shot stayed in the bunker The third one was a rocket that sailed over the green and caused two volunteers sitting next to the grandstand to scramble for cover

“Three in a row with rocks,”

Johnson said. “I hit a rock coming out and it shot it straight left. The next one hit a rock and it came out soft. And the third one hit rock and went into the ball.”

When he chipped cautiously to avoid going back into the bunker, he had a 25-foot putt that nervously ran 3½ by the hole.

He made that for 8.

The upside is he made the weekend by one shot at 3 over, his third straight cut in the majors. But he couldn’t help but wonder where he could have been except for the rocks.

“It’s the ones you can’t see,” Johnson said. “Obviously, the big ones on top you can move them. I could see them but those in the sand, it’s one of those things whether you can move them. If I move them it would improve my lie.”

At least he bounced back by hammering a drive — his ball speed has measured as high as 194 mph this week — and a 7-wood to 25 feet on the 615-yard 16th hole for a two-putt birdie He finished with a pair of pars

for a 77 and was at 3-over 143. Most frustrating is Johnson, who is in the last year of his U.S. Open exemption from winning in 2016 at Oakmont, felt like he was on the right track. He made a rash decision to change back to the old loft on his irons before the LIV event in South Korea, finished fourth and then tied for fifth in Spain. And here he was, chasing Wyndham Clark until he was hanging on by the seat of his pants. He lost an opportunity but not all hope.

“The swing is good. I feel good,” Johnson said. “On this golf course, you’re never really out of it A couple of good days, I can get back in the mix.”

Yan takes lead at Meijer LPGA Classic

The Associated Press

BELMONT, Mich. — Jing Yan shot a 6-under 66 on Friday to take the second-round lead in the Meijer LPGA Classic, the final event before the major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship next week at Hazeltine.

Yan had a bogey-free afternoon round to get to 10 under in breezy conditions at Blythefield Country Club. The 30-year-old American is winless on the LPGA Tour

“I feel like I struck it pretty well the last two rounds,” Yan said. “And I putted well, so that kind of adds up to birdies.”

Lottie Woad of England and Cassie Porter of Australia were a stroke back. Woad shot 66, and Porter had a 68.

“Definitely challenging,” Woad said. “Wasn’t as windy as yesterday, but definitely still there. So I think the pins were maybe a little more tricky so just had to play smart to a few of them.”

First-round leader Yan Liu of China was 8 under with Minji Kang of South Korea. Liu had a 70, and Kang shot 68.

Two-time winner Brooke Henderson was 5 under, following an opening 73 with a 66. Defending champion Carlota Ciganda was 3 under after a 69.

Second-ranked Jeeno Thitikul missed the cut, shooting 74-70.

University of Oregon star Kiara Romero also dropped out with rounds of 72 and 73. She’s the No. 1 amateur in the world and was the low amateur at the U.S. Women’s Open, where she tied for sixth.

Higgs brings the right attitude to U.S. Open

tee shot was “the worst place you can hit it” but said he only had about a “3 out of 10 freakout.”

“That would have been, hell, even a week ago, that probably would have been an 8, 9, 10 out of 10 freakout that I would have blamed something or someone else,” Higgs said. Not this week. Higgs told him-

round that was halted by darkness — only for it to become an 11 when the USGA penalized two shots for bad behavior

Niemann hit two drives off the property, chopped his way up the fairway and finally lost it by heaving his club. The majors are cracking down on behavior this year — the Masters was the first to use the policy this year — and the USGA deemed it serious enough to skip the warning and go straight to the harsh two-shot penalty Niemann headed out for his second round, made five birdies in six holes and shot 65 to make it to the weekend at 3-over 143. It was the first time in 97 years at the U.S Open someone made 10 or worse in and still made the cut.

self he was going to stop berating himself and play like he belonged. He goes into the weekend at 1 under, six shots behind leader Wyndham Clark.

“Again, there’s a lot of golf left, but I can just choose to be a factor,” Higgs said. “If the golf goes my way and the result goes my way, great, but I can choose to just,

like, ‘Hey, you don’t have to be a small insignificant piece of the 156 that was playing here,’ even though I think I was 156 of 156.”

Higgs has seen the highs of golf, with a tie for fourth in the 2021 PGA Championship and a top15 finish a year later at the Masters. But he was having trouble dealing with the lows, and lately there have been many of them as he plays on the Korn Ferry Tour missing the cut in all six of his PGA Tour starts.

He was ready to give it up while playing in a U.S. Open qualifier on June 8. He thought he was out of it early and this time perhaps never coming back.

“Through six holes in the 36-hole day, I was really close to quitting golf,” Higgs said. “It went the same way as it’s always gone. I missed a bunch of putts from short range early for birdie and then made a terrible bogey on 6. Took my phone out, booked a flight back home to Kansas City from Charlotte.

“We were playing just outside Charlotte and was, like, I’m just going to go home. I’m going to walk off after the ninth hole. I’m just going to go home. I don’t even know if I’m going to go to Amaril-

lo and play the Korn Ferry, and I don’t know that I’m going to keep doing this.”

He stuck around and played well over the final 27 holes. It wasn’t good enough to qualify, but he did secure one of the alternate spots. When Bud Cauley won the Canadian Open last weekend and became automatically into the field, Higgs got his spot, getting the official call when he was preparing to fly from Texas.

The flight was delayed, so he didn’t get to Shinnecock until Monday afternoon. Then came the fashion faux pas, when he grabbed gray shorts instead of gray pants after his 3:30 a.m. wake-up Thursday He borrowed a pair until his wife rushed his own to him, which was good, because the golfer who is listed at 235 pounds and leaves unbuttoned the top two on his golf shirt with the Dude Wipes logo thinks the other pair would have ripped.

He stayed positive then and thinks that can continue.

“I haven’t had that feeling in a while,” Higgs said. “I would love to recreate it over the next two days, and if I don’t, I’m just going to try my damnedest and see what happens.”

“All the frustration that came inside me and had my club in my hand, and I couldn’t resist to throw it away,” Niemann said. “There was no people, obviously No one there I’m not proud of it, but yeah, sometimes all the expectation of trying to play well and things doesn’t go your way, you get frustrated. And that was me there.” Collin Morikawa also shot 65 to match Niemann for the low score Friday, only his performance put him in sixth place, five

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GERALD HERBERT

Dustin Johnson reacts after missing a putt during the second round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Friday in Southampton, N.y.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SETH WENIG

Harry Higgs watches his tee shot on the 11th hole during the second round of the U.S Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Friday in Southampton, N.y

WORLDCUP 2026

Dual eligibilitymakes forhardchoice

Playerswho have immigrantparents must decide which countrytorepresent

BY GRAHAM DUNBAR Associated Press

GENEVA— Almost every World Cup matchup has astoryline of a player who could have represented another country

Take Folarin Balogun, who scored twice in the United States’ opening win over Paraguay.He chose to playfor theU.S.where he was born instead of England where he grew up or Nigeria where his parents came from.

Or Yasin Ayari, who picked Sweden over his father’snativeTunisia, adecision that came into focus as Sweden defeated theNorth African team 5-1 with two goals from Ayari.

And there’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, an 18-year-old standoutwho switched national teams from France to Morocco just weeks before the tournament kickedoff.

TheWorld Cupinthe U.S., Mexico and Canada is thebiggest melting pot in the tournament’s history.Decades of migration are reflected in the rosters of major European teams like France, England and Germany.Meanwhile, many teams in Africa andthe Caribbean rely heavily on their diaspora, made easier by arelaxation of FIFA’seligibility rules.

Dozens, if not hundreds,ofplayers at this World Cup areplaying for acountry other than the one in which they were born. Manywith mixed backgroundsswitched allegiances when turningsenior, following their heart —ortheir ambition

France-bornplayers everywhere

Nearly 100 playersatthis World Cup were born in France, but only 23 of them play forthe French national team. Theothers —France-born players with family ties worldwide —make

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANDRE PENNER

up significant partsofthe squads of Algeria, Cape Verde,Congo, Ghana, Haiti, Ivory Coast,Morocco and Tunisia. Bouaddi, one of the top performersinMorocco’s 1-1draw with Brazil,was born in France and nurtured attop-tier club Lille. He played for France at the youthlevel andwas captain of France’sunder-21 team as recently as March, but switched to Morocco, where hisfamily came from, just in time for the World Cup

“I’mvery proudofmydecision andvery happytorepresent my country,Morocco,” he said before thetournament. “My family is happy,and Ihope great things will comein the upcoming competitions.”

Moroccan soccer federation president Faouzi Lekjaapersonally visitedBouaddi at his home and met with the president of Lille to outlinethe North African kingdom’ssoccer ambitionsand the professional environment it offers, accordingtoMoroccan state television Morocco, which in 2022 became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals, relies heavily on players from its diaspora in Spain, France, Belgium

Tunisiatried to recruitAyari, the Sweden midfielderwho plays for Brighton in the Premier League, for itsnational team based on hisfather’sTunisian background. However,his father, Azzouz Ayari, pushedback.He told Swedish media that he felt his son should represent the country in which he was born and raised.

“I am an immigrant, but my children, no.Yasin is aSwede, with Tunisian background,” Azzouz Ayaritold newspaper Aftonbladet.“Iwant him to play for Swedenbecause Iwanthim to feel that he is giving back to the countrythat really took care of him.”

Sweden fans won’t argue with thatdecision. Ayari scored twice in the team’sopener against Tunisia but muted his celebrations out of respect for his father’shome country

U.S. over England

and the Netherlands. It has 19 foreign-bornplayers in its26man squad.

DefenderAchrafHakimiwas born in Madrid, andReal Madrid forward Brahim Diaz played one gamefor Spain beforehis FIFA switch toMorocco was processed in 2024.

Acomplex choice

Some of the biggest profiles of soccer had to makeachoice. Kylian Mbappé was eligible to play for Cameroon or Algeria because of his family background but chose France, where he was born and raised. Spain’sLamine Yamal could have played for Morocco, his father’shomeland.

Brothers Désiré and Guéla Douétook separate paths. Both wereborninFrance but Désiré plays for France while Guéla chose to represent Ivory Coast, where their father is from They’re not the only brothers whohaveendeduponseparate WorldCup teams. John Souttar represents Scotland while his brotherHarry plays for Australia. Nico and Iñaki Williams were born in Spain to Ghanaian parents andwhile Nico chosetoplay for Spain, Iñaki picked Ghana.

Balogun’stwo goals in the 4-1 win against Paraguay made him —and his background —more widely known to the American public.Heplayed forEngland at theyouth level, except forabrief stint withthe U.S. under-18 team, but switched to representthe United States in 2023.

That was possible because of birthright citizenship rules in the U.S. —Balogun was born in New York,while hisNigerian parents were visiting.

Balogun has cited the passion of U.S. soccer fansthat he experienced while visiting atraining camp in Florida in March 2023 as partofthe reason why he decided to represent the United States. When they found out he was in Florida, manyfans urged him to play for the U.S. national team. He also metwith U.S. team officials.

“I’ve always said thefansgave me so much motivation and showed mesomuch support. The mostimportant thing has always been to be able to repay that,” Balogun said after the Paraguay game last week. “I just want to continue to show thefansImade theright decision.”

Saibari’searly scorelifts MoroccooverScotland

BY KYLE HIGHTOWER Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. It tookIs-

mael Saibarionly21minutes to score agoal for Morocco in his World Cup debut.

Barely aminute was enough time for him to get on the scoreboardinhis second outing

Saibari drilled ashot into the top corner of the net amere72 seconds into Friday’s1-0 win over Scotland at Gillette Stadium, keeping alive Morocco’schances of advancing to its second straight World Cup knockout round.

“Wewanted three points, and we got them,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said.

Morocco’sball movement caught Scotland on its heels at the very start.

Saibari slipped behind two Scotland defenders and Brahim Diaz dropped the ball over the top to him. The 25-year-old forward gathered andblasted it into the top left corner,well outside the

United States strikerFolarin Balogun, center,and teammates celebrate hisgoal against Paraguayduring aWorld Cupmatch on June 12 in Inglewood, Calif. Hostsare

BY DAVID BRANDT Associated Press

This summer’ssupersized World Cup is about to reach the halfway point of its48-team group stage schedule. By the end of Saturday,there will have been 36 games played with 36 moretogobefore the 32team knockout stage begins June 28. Achampion will be crowned on July 19. The Netherlands —often described as the most talentedsoccer nation to never win aWorld Cup —facesacrucialgame against Sweden in Group F. The Dutch fought to a2-2 draw against Japan in their opener Germany and IvoryCoast

reach of goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

Morocco, which reached the semifinals at the last World Cup in Qatar,drew 1-1 with Brazil in its GroupC opener withSaibari scoringthe lone goal. Scotland, which hasn’tgotten out of the group stage in its eight previous World Cupappearances, beat Haiti 1-0 in its first match.

Scotland was outshot 12-6 on Friday, strugglingtoget clear looks against Morocco’sdefense.

The negative result didn’taffect Scotland coach SteveClarke’s confidence in his team.

“Wegavethem agame,” Clarke said. “We’re sure we can compete at this level.”

Morocconearly scored another in the 52nd minute when aheader by Bilal El Khannoussoff Achraf Hakimi’scorner kickwas batted down by Gunn. Scotland hadachance in firsthalfstoppage timewhenAndy Robertson senta cross at John McGinn, who couldn’tget afoot on it near theback post.

Morocco’sIsmael Saibari, left, is congratulated after scoring during a WorldCup match against Scotland on FridayinFoxborough, Mass.

As Scotland pressed for an equalizing goal in theclosing minutes, Morocco had apair of good chances to add to its lead, but both missed thetarget “I thought the performance

didn’tmatch the result, if I’m honest,” Scotland midfielderLewis Ferguson said. “Wetook the game to them. So there arepositives fromboth games that certainly we can take into this last game.”

LOOKAHEAD

square off for potentialcontrol of Group Eafter both squads won their first game. Also on Saturday, Curacao facesEcuadorwhile Tunisia takes on Japan.

Happyhosts aftergood results

The three host countries for this World Cup are feeling good about themselves after two matches

The U.S. earnedits second straightwin and aspotinthe knockout round, beating Australia 2-0 on Friday.The Americans will win theirgroup if Paraguay and Turkey draw or Paraguay wins late Friday night Canada is in excellentshape to

qualify for the knockout round after a6-0 win over Qatar on Thursday.Mexico has already wrapped up the Group Atitle thanks to its 1-0 win over South Korea.

Pressure on Netherlands

The Netherlands —ranked No. 8inthe world —isunder aconsiderable amount of pressureto beat Sweden on Saturday after it blew two leads in its draw against Japan. Coach Ronald Koeman faced several pointedquestions about strategy after theJapan game and shot back with cryptic replies. Meanwhile, 34th-rankedSweden put on ashow in its5-1 win over Tunisia, starting its World Cupwitha flourish afternot quali-

fying in 2022.

“It’sabout how we perform and the mentality we have,” Sweden coach Graham Potter said Friday “Weknow that we are awork in progress andwe’re improving. We have to play better against a better opponent and Ithink we’re ready to do that.”

Germanylooks to buildonrout

The Germans did what they were supposed to do in theiropener: win decisively over Curaçao.

The 7-1 victory was awarmup for Saturday’sgame against Ivory Coast, which should be amuch moreformidable opponent.

IvoryCoastscored alategoal against Ecuador for a1-0 win in its opener

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MARTIN MEISSNER

SCOREBOARD

8-5), 3:10 p.m. San Francisco (McDonald 2-4)atMiami (Meyer 7-0), 3:10 p.m. Washington (TBD)atTampaBay (TBD)

3:10 p.m. N.Y. Mets (Peralta 5-5)atPhiladelphia(Sánchez 8-3), 6:15 p.m. Pittsburgh (Skenes 6-6)atColorado (Sugano 7-4), 8:10 p.m. Baltimore(Rogers3-7) at L.A. Dodgers (Yamamoto 7-4), 9:10 p.m. Minnesota (Bradley 5-3)atArizona (Gallen 3-5), 9:10 p.m.

College baseball

College World Series glance At CharlesSchwabField;Omaha, Neb. Doubleelimination; x-if necessary

June 12

Game 1—West Virginia 7, Troy 5 Game 2—North Carolina6,Ole Miss 2 June 13 Game 3—Oklahoma 9, Alabama 0 Game 4—Georgia 7, Texas1

June 14

Game 5—Troy 12,Ole Miss 8

Game 6—North Carolina 5, West Virginia 2

June 15

Game 7—Texas 14, Alabama 7

Game 8—Oklahoma 4, Georgia2

June 16

Game 9—West Virginia 12,Troy 5 Game 10 —Georgia 2, Texas0

June 17

Game 11 —NorthCarolina12, West Virginia 7

Sungjae Im,South Korea74-68—142+2

Kurt Kitayama, United States 74-68—142+2

John Parry,England 71-71—142+2

J.T. Poston, United States 71-71—142+2

Andrew Putnam, United States 74-68—142+2

Spencer Tibbits, United States 68-74—142+2

Jackson VanParis, United States 70-72—142+2

Cameron Young, United States 72-70—142+2

Michael Brennan,United States 72-71—143+3

Pierceson Coody, United States 72-71—143+3

Ryan Fox, New Zealand 70-73—143+3

Emiliano Grillo, Argentina 73-70—143+3

Russell Henley,United States 70-73—143+3

Angel Hidalgo,Spain 69-74—143+3

Dustin Johnson,United States 66-77—143+3

Michael Kim,United States 71-72—143+3

Jackson Koivun, United States 72-71—143+3

James Nicholas, United States 71-72—143+3

Joaquin Niemann, Chile 78-65—143+3

Patrick Rodgers, United States 72-71—143+3

Miles Russell, United States 72-71—143+3

Jordan Spieth,UnitedStates73-70—143+3

Jacob Bridgeman,United States 73-71—144+4

Laurie Canter, England 72-72—144+4

Bud Cauley,United States 72-72—144+4

Nicolas Echavarria,Colombia 71-73—144+4

Marek Fleming, United States 72-72—144+4

Chris Gotterup,United States 75-69—144+4

Eric Lee, United States 74-70—144+4

Hideki Matsuyama,Japan 71-73—144+4

Neal Shipley,United States 71-73—144+4

CalebSurratt, United States 75-69—144+4

Peter Uihlein, United States 74-70—144+4

Dylan Wu,United States 73-71—144+4

Missedcut

Filippo Celli, Italy 75-70—145+5

Bryson DeChambeau,U.S.70-75—145+5

Harris English, UnitedStates72-73—145+5

Rickie Fowler, United States 71-74—145+5

6:15

L.A. Angels (Ureña 4-5) at

(Ginn 5-3), 9:05 p.m. Baltimore(Rogers 3-7) at L.A. Dodgers(Yamamoto 7-4), 9:10

3:05 p.m. Milwaukee (Harrison 8-1) at Atlanta (Sale

Game 12 —Oklahoma 11, Georgia 4 Championship series (Bestof3) Saturday

Game 1—North Carolina vs.Oklahoma, 2p.m. Sunday Game 2— N. Carolinavs. Oklahoma, 1:30 p.m.

Monday x-Game 3—N.Carolinavs. Oklahoma, 6p.m.

Golf

U.S. Open

Friday At Shinnecock Hills GolfClub Southampton, N.Y. Purse: $22.5million Yardage: 7,440; Par: 70 Second Round Wyndham Clark,United States

MattFitzpatrick, England

TomKim, South Korea70-67—137-3

Xander Schauffele, United States

Sam Stevens, United States

Collin Morikawa, United States

Sam Burns, United States

Harry Higgs, United States

Sahith Theegala, United States

Justin Thomas, United States

AkshayBhatia, United States

RyderCowan, United States

Alex Fitzpatrick, England

Brian Harman, United States

RyoHisatsune,Japan

Rory McIlroy,Northern Ireland

MaverickMcNealy, United States

Keith Mitchell, United States

William Mouw,United States

Scottie Scheffler, United States

Gary Woodland, United States

Ludvig Aberg, Sweden

ZacBlair, United States

Keegan Bradley,United States

Corey Conners, Canada

TommyFleetwood, England

Benjamin James, United States

John Keefer,United States

Ben Kohles, United States

Max McGreevy, United States

Niklas NorgaardMoller, Denmark

Aaron Rai, England 74-67—141+1

Justin Rose,England 71-70—141+1

A. Dumont De Chassart, Belgium 71-71—142+2

Max Greyserman, United States 69-73—142+2

Ben Griffin, United States 72-70—142+2

Tyrrell Hatton, England 74-68—142+2

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By MANU FERNANDEZ

U.S. playerHaji Wright runs withthe ball during the WorldCup Group Dmatch against

WORLD CUP

Continued from page1C

At this year’s48-team tournament, the U.S. has won consecutive gamesfor the first timeataWorld Cup since 1930.The Americans have scored six goals, one offtheir record formost in asingle World Cup, and received contributions throughout their roster.

Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the teamat 21 and son of Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, gave the Americans a 2-0 lead in the43rd minute off aset piece. Freeman headed in adeflected shot by Sergiño Dest forhis first career World Cup goal. The goal was confirmed after a video review

“(He) is doing afantastic job,” coach Mauricio Pochettino said of Freeman.

“The evolution is massive.

He’s so humble. He wants to learn. He always listens.

He’saplayer that you really enjoy being withhim. Not only coaching, but

being with him.”

The U.S. took a1-0 lead in the 11th minute aftera run down the left sideline by Balogun.

He directed acentering pass toward striker Ricardo Pepi, who started in place of Pulisic. Theball never reachedPepi, deflectingoff Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own goal.

“I want to be dangerous Iwantto create opportunities,” Balogun said. “It might not always be myselfthat scores, but if Ican force an error that gives us the lead, then for me it’s like agoal as well. It was a special start to the game to give us the momentum.”

TheAmericans did not score again afterhalftime, but the manner withwhich they so thoroughly dominated Australia in the opening 45 minutes lefta lasting impressiononSocceroos coach Tony Popovic.

“It didnot surprise us because their quality is clear,” Popovic said. “Their power is clear.Their athleticism is

clear.They are not surprising in what theydid.

Expectations will only increasefor the U.S. as it racks up morevictories and momentum builds around the team. The way the Americans have started the tournament in dominant fashionhas notchangedPochettino’s perception of the team and what it is capable of, though.

“I think it’smuch better when you show good performances andwin the games,” Pochettino said. “I think that makes it easier,everything. But,atthe same time, it’s (important) to keepbelieving.”

Still, theU.S. learned it can get out of the group stage withoutPulisic.And, they have the roster to make a deep run in the tournament.

“Weknowhow vital Christian is to theteam andhow much he can contribute in the game,” Freeman said. “Forusitwas, we have RicardoPepi, who came in and had an amazing game. Ithink that just showshow (good) ourroster is.”

Ryan Gerard, United States 73-72—145+5

Billy Horschel, United States 73-72—145+5

Viktor Hovland, Norway 76-69—145+5

Matthew Jordan, England 72-73—145+5

Andrew Novak, United States 73-72—145+5

Patrick Reed, United States 72-73—145+5

Jackson Suber, United States 74-71—145+5

NickTaylor, Canada74-71—145+5

Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Canada73-72—145+5

Patrick Cantlay, United States 74-72—146+6

Cole Hammer, United States 73-73—146+6

LucasHerbert, Australia 74-72—146+6

Si WooKim, South Korea77-69—146+6

Nathan Kimsey,England 76-70—146+6

Shane Lowry,Ireland 73-73—146+6

Alex Noren, Sweden 74-72—146+6

Carlos Ortiz, Mexico 72-74—146+6

Jon Rahm,Spain 68-78—146+6

KristofferReitan, Norway 70-76—146+6

Jack Schoenberger,United States 73-73—146+6

Cameron Smith,Australia 75-71—146+6

Min WooLee, Australia 74-73—147+7

Bryan Lee, United States 73-74—147+7

Kaito Onishi, Japan77-70—147+7

Giuseppe Puebla, United States 74-73—147+7

AdrienSaddier, France 72-75—147+7

ManavShah, United States 73-74—147+7

Jimmy Stanger, United States 74-73—147+7

Sepp Straka, Austria 72-75—147+7

Brandon Wu,United States 78-69—147+7

Mason Howell, United States 78-70—148+8

JakeKnapp, United States 77-71—148+8

Marcelo Rozo,Colombia74-74—148+8

Adam Scott, Australia 73-75—148+8

Ben Silverman, Canada 74-74—148+8

J.J. Spaun, United States 77-71—148+8

AlejandroTosti, Argentina 78-70—148+8

Ugo Coussaud,France 76-73—149+9

Jackson Herrington, United States 75-74—149+9

Nicolai Hojgaard, Denmark 74-75—149+9

J.B. Holmes, United States 75-74—149+9

Chris Kirk,UnitedStates78-71—149+9

Chandler Phillips, United States 74-75—149+9

David Puig, Spain 77-72—149+9

Kevin Roy,United States 72-77—149+9

Taihei Sato, Japan 75-74—149+9

Alex Smalley,United States 76-73—149+9

Preston Stout, United States 72-77—149+9

Carl Yuan, China 77-72—149+9

Daniel Berger, U.S. 77-73—150 +10

Brandon Holtz, United States 76-74—150 +10

Brooks Koepka, United States 73-77—150 +10

Ryuichi Oiwa, Japan78-72—150 +10

Jayden Trey Schaper,S.Africa 75-75—150 +10

Davis Thompson, United States 74-76—150 +10

Hamilton Coleman, U.S. 81-70—151 +11

Reese’s double-double propels Dream over Fever

Former LSU star notches 21 points, 11 rebounds in victory over Indiana

The

INDIANAPOLIS Angel Reese had 21 points and 11 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season, Jordin Canada added 18 points, and the Atlanta Dream beat the Indiana Fever 108-101 on Thursday night.

Naz Hillmon and Allisha Gray each scored 17 points, and Rhyne Howard added 16 as all five Atlanta starters scored in double figures.

Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana (9-6) with 26 points apiece. Aliyah Boston had 23 points and eight rebounds, missing her fifth straight double-double. Mitchell became the eighth player in WNBA history to make 700 ca-

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

is settled. Far from it. The lack of a hard commitment to Kamara — and that it doesn’t appear the Saints have approached him yet about taking a pay cut — suggests he may not be on the roster Elsewhere, it remains to be seen when Miller will be ready to return from the torn ACL he suffered in October If it turns out he’s a candidate to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, that might open a roster spot for running back Ty Chandler Wide receivers (6)

Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, Devaughn Vele, Ja’Lynn Polk, Bryce Lance, Barion Brown Is wide receiver the deepest position on the roster? Players such as Kevin Austin and Ronnie Bell had impressive moments this offseason, but yet they could very well face a numbers crunch. The top four seems solidified, while Lance and Brown make it as rookies. Brown gives the Saints an option at returner Tight ends (4)

Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant, Oscar Delp, Moliki Matavao Tight ends are going to be a bigger part of the offense in 2026. And there’s a strong case to be made for keeping four of them. Matavao, a seven-round selection last year, has flashed nicely as a receiver and seems to keep improving. The Saints might not want to risk putting him on waivers.

Offensive linemen (9) Kelvin Banks, David Edwards, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Taliese Fuaga, Asim Richards, Dillon Radunz, Jeremiah Wright, Torricelli Simpkins

The main question about this group centers around what the Saints do at ahem center behind McCoy After McCoy dealt with back-to-back season-ending injuries, the Saints know they need to be prepared. For now, Simpkins earns the nod over William Sherman.

Defensive ends (6)

Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cam Jordan, Chris Rumph, Anfernee Jennings, Tyree Wilson

Maybe this is one too many defensive ends, but a team can never have enough pass rushers. The

reer 3-pointers. Atlanta (10-4) led by as many as 13 points in the second half. But Indiana went on a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter to tie it at 93-all on Sophie Cunningham’s layup with 5:07 remaining. Mitchell scored the first seven points of the run, including her milestone 3-pointer Atlanta took advantage of Indiana’s 17th turnover late in the fourth with a fast-break layup to take a 99-95 lead with 2:08 left Then, Howard scored on Atlanta’s next two possessions to make it 103-97.

Reese sealed it by making a layup while being fouled with 23.1 seconds left, completing the threepoint play

Reese played the entire second half without picking up a foul after being called for four in the first half. She went to the bench with 5:45 left in the second quarter, but Atlanta responded by outscoring

Indiana 19-11 the rest of the half for a 58-49 lead.

Clark put her new signature shoes in game action, one day after Nike announced it was releasing the “Caitlin 1” this fall.

But Clark, and the racer blue shoes that feature her initials on the tongue, did not log as many minutes as planned after picking up her fifth foul with 8:41 remaining in the fourth.

Clark came back into the game at the 3:28 mark, with Indiana trailing 95-93, but she did not attempt another shot to go scoreless in the frame.

Clark had been hinting at the shoe’s long-anticipated arrival recently on social media posts.

“I think even yesterday, like knowing I was going to post that early in the morning, I didn’t sleep very well because I was just so excited,” Clark said before the game. Clark finished 8 of 17 from the floor, with two made 3-pointers.

Saints re-signed Jordan this week and previously added Wilson and Jennings. For now, all three make it to complement Young, Granderson and Rumph.

Defensive tackles (5)

Bryan Bresee, Christen Miller, Vernon Broughton,Nathan Shepherd,John Ridgeway Davon Godchaux would be a notable cut after starting 14 games last year But his playing time decreased as the season went along, and the Saints have two young interior defensive linemen in Miller and Broughton whom they’d like to give more playing time. This is a very crowded position, as it was last year when the Saints ended up trading Khalen Saunders for center Luke Fortner

Linebackers (5)

Kaden Elliss, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman, Isaiah Stalbird, Jaylan Ford

This seems pretty clear-cut. Elliss, Werner and Stutsman are the top three, while Stalbird and Ford serve as valuable special team contributors.

Cornerbacks (5)

Kool-Aid McKinstry, Quincy Riley, Martin Emerson, Isaac Yiadom, Lorenzo Styles

It will be interesting to see whether the Saints do more at this position between now and the start of the season. McKinstry and Riley are the unquestioned starters, but the depth is relatively thin behind them. Emerson did appear to perform well in his snaps with the second team, but the former Browns starter is coming off a torn Achilles. Yiadom and Styles could factor

New york Jets

quarterback Geno Smith looks to make a pass during practice on June 10 in Florham Park, N.J

AP PHOTO By SETH WENIG

QB Smith getting rave reviews in Jets sequel

BY DENNIS WASZAK AP pro football writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J Frank Reich

played with Jim Kelly and coached Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, Andrew Luck and Matt Ryan during an NFL career that has spanned more than four decades. He knows an outstanding quarterback when he sees one.

That’s what made the New York Jets offensive coordinator’s effusive praise of Geno Smith on Wednesday so noteworthy If not a bit surprising.

“IamjustsoimpressedbyGeno,” Reich said before minicamp practice. “I cannot express that enough. I know we haven’t played any games yet. We’ve got a long way to go. We’ve got a lot to prove and everybody’s got a lot to prove.

“But man, he is on point. His preparation is top notch. His football mind is elite.”

The 64-year-old Reich certainly knows how that looks. And it has taken Smith just a few months to make a believer of his new coordinator

“The way he’s communicating in the huddle, at the line of scrimmage, the way he communicates in the quarterback room,” Reich said of Smith. “I’ve been around a lot of really smart and good quarterbacks. All I’m going to say is, we’re in good shape.”

Smith’s long and winding NFL journey has returned him to the place where it started in 2013. He was the face of the franchise then, a second-round draft pick and a big-armed passer with unlimited potential. Inconsistency, injuries — including a broken jaw suffered from a punch by a teammate in a locker-roomdispute andperhaps some immaturity derailed his first stint with the Jets, who moved on after the 2016 season. Now 35, Smith was an unlikely offseason priority for New York, which wanted a seasoned veteran who could help Reich jumpstart its stagnant offense. The Jets traded a sixth-round pick in March to Las Vegas for Smith and a seventh-rounder, creating a reunion that even the two-time Pro Bowl pick couldn’t have imagined.

“I’m in a good place,” Smith said after practice Tuesday, “and we just have to keep working and keep getting better every single day.”

DANIELS

Continued from page 1C

more into special teams.

In this projection, seventh-round corner T.J. Hall misses out as the Saints’ lone pick from their most recent draft class to not make the roster But he could very well earn his spot in training camp.

Safeties (4)

Justin Reid, Jonas Sanker Julian Blackmon, Jordan Howden

Sanker will serve as the nickel corner so he’ll spend a lot of time on the inside. That leaves Reid and Blackmon on the back end, with Howden behind them for depth. If the Saints do keep five safeties, perhaps they’ll trim down on the number of edge rushers

Kicker, punter and long snapper (3)

Tanner Brown, Ryan Wright, Zach Wood

The Saints didn’t just sign Brown this week to be a camp body By giving the UFL standout a twoyear contract worth nearly $2 million, the Saints ensured there will be a legitimate competition between Brown and incumbent Charlie Smyth.

It feels foolish to predict that Brown will beat out Smyth without seeing him kick in a Saints uniform yet, but let’s go out on a limb. The 26-year-old went 29-of-32 for the Louisville Kings this past season, including in the UFL playoffs. He’s the first kicker to have made two attempts of at least 60 yards in a single game, too. If he translates that consistency to the NFL, it could give him the edge over Smyth.

Email Matthew Paras at matt paras@theadvocate.com

The big question this year is whether Daniels can stay healthy after he played only seven games last season, but there’s more to rebounding than just that.

Across the board, Daniels’ numbers were down in 2025 when he did play: passer rating (100.1 to 88.1), completion rate (69% to 60.6%), yards per pass attempt (7.4 to 6.7) and yards per rush attempt (6.02 to 4.79). Washington went 2-5 in the games Daniels played after a 12-5 mark the previous regular season.

Commanders fans already have seen one promising quarterback — Robert Griffin — have a sensational rookie season in 2012 and then never reach those heights again. They don’t want a repeat with Daniels. After last season, the Commanders overhauled coach Dan Quinn’s staff. David Blough replaced Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator D.J. Williams, the son of Super Bowl-winning Washington quarterback Doug Williams, is now the quarterbacks coach.

“When D.J. got here was my first time meeting him Obviously, I heard about him through Doug,” Daniels said “It’s been cool. He’s been pushing me We’ve been having conversations, not even just about football but about life.”

Daniels and the Commanders have to adjust to a new offense under Blough. Of course, Daniels adapted quickly when he was a rookie and new to the NFL, so the

The first day of minicamp practice offered a vivid reminder of what once was for the Jets with former head coach Rex Ryan, whose son Seth is the team’s pass game coordinator, watching from the sideline in green and white gear in practice — and reconnecting briefly with Smith.

“It was so special man,” a beaming Smith said. “Any time I get to talk to coach, it just brings back the nostalgia, man, all those games we fought together Obviously he was part of the staff that gave me my first opportunity in the NFL and I’m forever grateful for that. Any time I get to see coach, I’m excited.”

Smith has acknowledged he has grown mentally since those rocky early days of his NFL career and learned a lot in subsequent spots, where he was a backup to players such as Eli Manning with the Giants, Rivers with the Chargers and Russell Wilson with the Seahawks. Much like Reich, Smith’s new Jets teammates rave about the quarterback’s presence.

“From the first day that Geno came in, you could just feel the senseofconfidencecomeintotheoffense,” left tackle Olu Fashanu said.

“Geno’s special,” wide receiver Isaiah Williams added. “One of the biggest things that stood out to me when I first met him, he didn’t try to be a leader Like, a lot of guys try to come in and try to be leaders. He was just himself. He’s a natural leader.” Reich repeatedly used the word “impressive” while talking about Smith, who he said has the “it factor” for success: a combination of confidence and humility

Many assume Smith is merely a placeholder at quarterback for the Jets, who are likely to search for their eventual next signalcaller in next year’s NFL draft Whether this second stint in New York lasts just one season or a few more beyond, Smith has insisted he’s focused on the present.

“I think all of us are just, we’re always trying to be the best version of ourself,” Reich said. “But this league is about winning and that’s what we all came here to do We want to put a winning product on the field and excellence in everything we do off the field. You put those two things together, I think everything will take care of itself.”

hope is that he’ll pick things up rapidly this offseason as the system is installed.

“(The offense is), I would say, let’s say 80% in. But knowing it and then making the plays come to life, that’s different,” Quinn said. “The thing that he works at, and you can tell so quickly, is his ability to process. So for him, the reps of doing it over and over is helpful.”

Minicamp was just a small part of Washington’s preparation for the season The Commanders open Sept. 13 at Philadelphia. “On this day of installs, you have a certain set of plays. Then we do another one on the next day and another one. So you don’t get continuity — ‘I want to run that concept 15 times,’ “ Quinn said. “That will take place in camp. And then when we get back to camp, that install process isn’t new.” Right now the offense is a work in progress, but at least the focus is on next season and not the previous one.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave catches a pass during minicamp on Wednesday at the team’s outdoor practice facility in Metairie.

AP PHOTO By NICK WASS Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels works out during practice on June 9 in Ashburn, Va

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MICHAEL CONROy

Indiana Fever forward Makayla Timpson defends Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese in the second half on Thursday in Indianapolis. The Dream won 108-101.

PROVIDED PHOTO By PHILLIP R. LEE

Apair of Pelecanusoccidentalis, or brown pelican, eggs are included in the bird collection in the Department of Vertebrate Zoology at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History.

‘FROM THESE LANDS’

Brownpelican eggs from Louisianapartof Smithsonian exhibit

Staff report

To mark the nation’s250th,the Smithsonian’sNational Museum of Natural History openedanew exhibition, “From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage,” on Thursday in Washington,D.C. The space stretches across 5,000 square feet and includes more than 600specimens and cultural objects fromacross all 50 states,the District of Columbia and five United States territories.

Among the 600specimensare brown pelican eggs from Louisiana.

Drawing from the museum’s collection of more than 148 million objects, the exhibition highlights items that showcase the rangeofAmerican nature,geology and cultural traditions.

Some of the other items include ancient fossils, minerals, cultural belongings and scientific discoveries.

“This exhibition brings the entire country into one gallery— letting visitors encounterthe extraordinary breadth of America’s natural and cultural heritage,” said Kirk Johnson, the Sant Directorofthe National Museum of Natural History,inanews release “As the country marks its250th anniversary, ‘From These Lands’ presents an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our landscapes, the depth of our history andthe connections that link people and the natural world across borders.”

“From These Lands” will exhibit 11 objects from Louisiana, including brown pelican eggs.

Museum collections provide insight into environmental challenges and recovery.Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), Louisiana’sstate bird,were nearly driven to extinction by the pesticide DDT, which caused their eggshells to thin and break.

The exhibit’sdisplay showcases an egg on the left, from Florida, containing DDT,whilethe egg on the right, from Louisiana,is free of thepesticide, showing

Children work their waythrough the ice

After 10 years in operation, Palermo Ristorante, 7809 Jefferson Highwayin Baton Rouge, has closed.

MONEYMATTERS

BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer

Walking into the Knock Knock Children’sMuseum in Baton Rouge last weekend offered an unusual sight: children wondering around with money Tokens, that is, as alesson to learn aboutmoney management. It’snever too early

TheSocietyofthe LouisianaCertified Public Accountants ledthe annual Earn and Learn Financial LiteracyWeekend, whichtaught children financial lessons through play and interactive stations

“Our museum is geared towards children ages8and under,and children have to have hands-on activities,” said Christina Melton, the executivedirector of theKnock Knock Children’sMuseum. “Activities really help them make the connections between what you’retrying to teach themand what they’re learning, so this type of activity givesthem the opportunity to do jobsthat they see their parentsdo.” By completing “jobs” scattered throughthe museum and collecting “money” in the form of wooden tokens,children connect thedots.

Children’sMuseum on June 13 ä See MONEY, page 2D

BYMADDIE SCOTT Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By MADDIE SCOTT

ä See LANDS, page 3D

JeffreyShah, 5, shopsatthe market, picking foods to ‘donate’ to complete atask during Earnand LearnFinancial Literacy Weekend.

STAFF PHOTOSByMICHAEL JOHNSON

cream shop station during Earnand LearnFinancial Literacy Weekend at the KnockKnock

Ignore messagefromold girlfriend

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

Dear Miss Manners: Whenmy husband died,his oldgirlfriend crawledout of the woodwork and wrote atribute on his memory page about their“relationship from years in the past.” This was extremely hurtful to me.I feel like writing a response to herin the comment section of what she wrote.

Gentle reader: Please don’t. Let your friends be outraged onyour behalf while you take the high ground. This woman is entitled to her experience, if indelicate about where and how she expressedit.

By The Associated Press

Today is Saturday,June20, the 171st day of 2026. There are 194 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On June 20, 1967, boxer Muhammad Ali was convicted in Houston of violating Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted and was sentenced to fiveyears in prison.(Ali’sconviction would ultimately be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court).

Also on this date:

In 1782, the Continental Congressapproved the Great Seal of the United States, featuringthe emblem of the bald eagle.

In 1837, Queen Victoria acceded to the British throne following the death of her uncle, King William IV In 1893, ajury in New Bedford, Massachusetts, found Lizzie Borden not guilty of the ax murders of her father and stepmother

In 1943, race-related rioting erupted in Detroit; federal troops were sent in by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to quell the violencethat resulted in more than 30 deaths.

In 1947, gangster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel was shot dead at the Beverly Hills, California, home of his girlfriend, Virginia Hill, likely at the order of mob associates.

In 1972, three days after the arrest of the Watergate burglars, President RichardNixonmet at the White House with his chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman; thesecretly made tape recording of thismeeting ended up with anotorious 181/2-minute gap.

In 2002, in Atkins v. Virginia, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that executingpeoplewith intellectual disabilities qualifiedascruel andunusual punishment and was therefore in violation of the Eighth Amendment.

In 2025, apowerful tornado tore across southeastern North Dakota with winds topping 200 mphand an EF5 category, the strongest classification foratornado and the first of thatstrength confirmed on U.S. soil in adozen years. The tornado killed three people and heavily damaged aregional airport

Today’sBirthdays: Filmmaker StephenFrears is 85. Singer Anne Murray is 81.TVpersonality Bob Vila is 80. Musician Lionel Richie is 77. Actor John Goodman is 74 Rock bassist Michael Anthony (Van Halen) is 72. Rock bassist John Taylor (Duran Duran) is 66. Actor NicoleKidman is 59. Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez is 58. Actor Josh Lucas is 55. Actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse is 37. Actor Kayla Maisonet is 27.Actor David Iacono is 24.

This may,inMiss Manners’ mind, be an excellent reason for keeping those memory books confined toa private audience.

Dear MissManners: Ihave agood friend whonow has two children. Wheninvitedfor meals at my house,she nowarrives with an alternate meal for at least one child, in caseeither does not care forthe food being served. For instance, Iinvitedthe threeofthem over forhomemadewaffles, and the mother brought cereal for her youngest.This wasnot due to any dietary restrictions.

The friend’sunwittingrudeness doesnot astonish me as much as the poor modelshe is setting for herchildren about responding to hospitality.One should eat the food offeredand not expect to be

MONEY

Continued from page1D

Purchasing power

On Saturday,toddlers andpreschoolers mingledamongelementary-aged children, holdingsmall canvas pouches that filled with tokens throughout the day as they moved fromstation to station.

Some of thejob stations included writingdown theirdream jobs, identifyingthe difference between wantsand needsthrough a memory-stylegame, cleaning pennies, decorating dollars, working at afauxice creamshopand sorting coins by size and value.

They took breaks andplayedat other Knock Knock exhibits between theirjob duties.

Oncethey arrived at the“store,” trinketsawaited. The childrenused their purchasingpower to made their own decisions. If something theywanted was more than what they made, the tiny participants had the opportunity to go backand make more money at their jobs.

“Kids love being able to make choices,” Melton said. “Having that discretionto make decisionsisreally good for young children. So many things for little kids are determined for them, so for them to be able to come and do this means alot.”

Children,parents learnlesson

Layne McDaniel, CPAand president of theCreditBureau of Baton RougeFoundation, was manning thestore and helping the children make choices. He noted that the Earn andLearn events open up initial discussions with children about financial responsibility

“It’s one of those subjects that’s hardtoapproach, especially duringhardeconomic times when it’salittle more difficult,”McDanielsaid, “but thisbreaks the ice to have that discussion. Then to watch them come in here and actually shopand spend theirown money is atreat.”

McDaniel observed while workingthe store that the children get reallythriftywhen it’s their own money to spend.

AnnLupo, director of communications and public relations for Society of Louisiana CPAs, says Earn andLearn focuses on community outreach, whichisone of the organization’smissions.

“I get choked up about it because we love to see the kids be so engaged,” Lupo said.“Our volunteers dosucha good job, and when children can take away somebasic foundationalskills aboutmoney management,that’sawin. It’snot just the kids who learn, but the parents can learn as well.

As childrenpretendedinthe grocery store and farmers market sections, some laughed. Somewere intently focused. Others were curious. They asked questions. All the

catered to.The even morebasic etiquette is, when invited for a meal, one does not bring one’sown food to the host’s house.

Can you suggest any communication Icould offer to fend off similarbehavior in the future?

Gentle reader: “Coltonissodiscerning and Iwant to pleasehim. What was that brand of cereal you brought for him? I’ll make sure to have it on hand. Any other preferences Ican accommodatefor your children?”

While not guaranteed to work

(Colton no doubt hates that brand of cereal now and has moved on to only eating stringcheese),Miss Manners hopes it will at least put themother on blast that you have noticed thechildren’spickiness and are trying to guard against it

As should she. Dear Miss Manners: Ihave been sober for 26 years, and every now and then Ihave to decline alcoholic beverages at agathering or at a meal. Usually the host or hostess understands, but sometimes they might persist in wanting me to have an alcoholic beverage. Iwill just give ahalf-smile, and repeat as often as necessary,“No, thank you.”

Butthe reasons and persuasions given by the host or hostess might include, “Oh, it’sjust one glass of wine,” or “This is aspecial occasion —come on” and they give a disappointed look.

Anysuggestions or advice on how to politely decline these kind offers of hospitality and, sometimes repeated pressure, would

be appreciated. Gentle reader: If kind offers turn into repeated pressure, they are no longer hospitable. Miss Manners had thought, perhaps naively,that abstinence had become morecommonplace and coercion less so, and she is sorry to hear otherwise.

“I really can’t” can be added to your “No, thank you” rotation for emphasis —followed by suggesting acommon alternative: “But if you have sparkling water,that would be lovely.” As alast resort, you may offer to get it yourself —orsuddenly see someone else you know Sendquestions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com or email dearmissmanners@gmail.com.

while, theywere learning through play

Each Earn and Learn station was designedbyKnock Knock’s early childhood learninginnovations team, whichismadeupofearly childhood educators.

Melton said theteam understands the levelofdevelopmentally appropriate activitiesfor children of various ages. In the nine years since Knock Knock opened and Earnand Learn began, the team tweaks the activities each year,but they repeat the ones that are effective in helping kids make

those connections.

Afew of those activitiesthatare brought back each year focuson teaching children about currency —particularlypaper money and coins

Thecolor of money

In aworld where adults pay with cellphones and debit cardsmore often than cash, Melton says that it’simportant to show children what money actually looks like.

Severalofthe Earn andLearn stations specialized in just that exposing children to paper bills

and metal coins. At onestation, children were able to color and design adollar bill replica. They learned about the different values of different bills while getting creative withdecorating

At another station, children identified the coins and sorted them into theirproper value.

Phyllis Sicard brought her two grandchildren, Ella andHunter,to the Knock Knock Museum for their birthdays andhappeneduponthe financialliteracy weekend.

Sicard saidthe kids complete chores and earn money at home, but this experience was helpful to learn andearn in differentareas. Ella said she learned that “cleaning penniesisa thing,”and her brotherenjoyedoperating the mechanical cranelikehis grandfather While theEarnand LearnFinancial Literacy Weekend began at the Louisiana Children’sMuseum in NewOrleans, the Society forLouisiana CPA’sbrought it to Knock Knock 2017.

“It’ssuch asuccess, and the parents say every year,‘Are y’all gonna do this again?’ Generous sponsors makeitpossible to have the free day on Sunday.Wewant to make sure everybody gets an opportunitytolearn andexperience it,” Lupo said. “Itreally is agood feeling to be able to give back to the community.”

Email Joy Holdenatjoy holden@theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTOSByMICHAEL JOHNSON

mother,Adelene Columbia,while placing aleaf with afuture career on

Friend embarrassedafter goat yoga fiasco

Dear Harriette: Irecently went to goat yoga, and it was ahorrible experience. The goats were going wild and defecating everywhere. Ihad seen so many cute videos online of people doing yoga with baby goats climbing on theirbacks, and Ithoughtit would be afun and relaxing way to spend aSaturday with some friends. Instead, it felt chaotic from the moment we arrived. Ifeel horrible because Iwas the one who begged my friendsto go with me, and they told me early on that this wasn’ta good idea. Instead of focusing on yoga, everyone spent the class watching where they stepped and trying to avoid getting knocked over. My friends have mostly laughed it off, but Ican’t stop feeling embarrassed. Partofmewants to

contact thecompanyand explainhow disorganized and unsanitary theevent felt. Another part of me wonders whether Ishould simply accept that this is the risk youtakewhen animals are involved. More than anything,Ican’t seem to get over the embarrassment ofbeing the person whopushed for this outing in the first place. Am Ioverreacting, or is it reasonable to feel upsetabout howthe eventturned out? Andhow do Istopbeatingmyselfup for convincingmyfriends to comealong? —Goat Yoga Gone Wrong Dear Goat Yoga Gone Wrong: Forgive yourselffor makinga mistake and convincingyour friends to jump on atrend.(No disrespect to those whohave goat yoga businesses, but …) Contact the establishment and lodge acomplaintabout hygiene andsafety. Then let it go.Your friendsknow youdidn’tcreate thechaos. They havemoved on;you should,too.

Dear Harriette: Ifeel horrible that one of my students is going to have to stay back this year.Itfeels like I failed him, and Idon’twant him to be embarrassed that next year he will see all his friends in 3rd grade while he is in 2nd grade again. Itried so hard to help him get thegrades that he needed to pass, but unfortunately,hewasn’tgrasping the concepts we were learning, and Ididn’twant to pass him through just for thesake of it. All year, Ispent extra time working with him one-on-one, communicated regularly with his parentsand looked for different ways toteach the material when the traditional methods did not seem to be working. Even though Iknow academically he is not ready for thenext grade level, emotionally Iamstruggling withthe decision. Part of me wonders whether keeping him back is truly in his best interest or if it will create challenges that

outweigh the academic benefits. Ibecame ateacher because Iwanted to help children succeed, and this feels like one of thehardest decisions Ihave ever had to be part of. How do Ideal with the guilt of feeling like afailure of ateacher? —Failing Student Dear Failing Student: Passing achild who is unprepared may be thecruelest act of all. Youdid the right thing This child should be tested to evaluate his learning capacity. He may need adifferent school that can better help him.Ifhestaysat his current school, he will have to makenew friends, but hopefully he will thrive academically.Itcould be bumpy socially,but being able to learn at capacity is moreimportant.

Send questions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO 64106.

The exhibition ‘FromThese Lands: Sharing OurNatural and Cultural

Institution’sNational

LANDS

Continued from page1D

howpopulations rebounded after DDT was banned in 1972. Museum collections like these reveal hidden

impactsofhuman activity on wildlife, serving as warning signs and documenting the success of conservation efforts.

Theexhibition will remain on view throughDecember 2029. The NationalMuseum

RELIGION BRIEF

FROM STAFFREPORTS

Women’sEmphasis Day set for Saturday

Thewomen of Berean

of Natural History is one of themostvisitednatural history museums in the world. Openedin1910, the museum is dedicatedto maintaining and preserving the world’smost extensive

collection of natural history specimens andhuman artifacts.

The museum is open daily, exceptDec. 25, from 10 a.m to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Dear Heloise: Plastic bags are so hard to open at grocery stores, and I don’tlike licking my fingers to open bags either.What Idoisuse water from where they spray the produce, then open the bags. It works every time! —Pamela W.,via email

Wash them yourself!

room in the line closet, and dry faster afterward. Frequently washing towels is anew idea to me. —KarenMcV via email

Dear Heloise: Mrs. W.,in New Milford, Connecticut, asked how often bath towels should be laundered, as her husband didn’tthink that once aweek wasoften enough. At the end of your reply,you indicated that the husband should grab afresh towel and put the other one in the laundry basket.

Amuch better solution would be forthe husband to do the laundry himself Ilearned fartoo late in my marriage that this was the perfect solution! —MaryH., in Richmond,Virginia Mary,very true! There really is no set timeor amount of usage that is written in stone for washing your towels. It all depends on what the person likes, how fresh they want their towels to be, and whether the towels always seem to be damp. Most people like afresh towel, but somejust don’tcare as long as the towel doesn’t have any visible dirt or makeup on it. Personally,beautiful, softand clean linens are a weakness of mine. I’mforever washing and folding towels. —Heloise

Thin hand towels

Dear Heloise: If you wash your bath towels frequently,consider using athin hand towel instead. You really aren’tsowet that you need abig fluffy towel. Plus you can get more thin hand towels done in aload of laundry.They are cheaper,take up less

Makeup remover

Dear Heloise: Andi wrote about storing baby wipes upside downtokeep them moist. Idothe samething with makeup remover towelettes. —Patricia R., in Bellaire,Texas Skim milk hint

Dear Heloise: Ilive alone. (My children were launched from homelong ago.)

Berean will also observe Holy Communion at 11 a.m. Saturday,June 27.

Seventh-day Adventist Church, 5100 Osborne Ave., Baton Rouge, will observe Women’sEmphasis Day at 11 a.m. Saturday Berean Women’sMinistries Coordinator Irma Martin will speakonthe theme “Jesus:The First Women’s Liberator,” based on Genesis 1:27. Womenare invited to wear pastel colors. Theprogram willhighlight thespiritual, emotional,physicaland social supportofferedthrough women’sministries andis open toall.

PROVIDED PHOTO By JAMES D. TILLER

Heritage’ opened Thursdayatthe Smithsonian

Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Breathe, relax, separate yourself fromdrama anddo what makes you feel comfortable. Distanceyourselffromthosewhoplaymind games or trytotake advantage of your generosity.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Gettingmoney, approving contracts and making your way forward will require patienceand precisiontoensureyou avoidinterference.Verifythe information you receive.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Learn, and gain experience by doing. Volunteer or take on responsibilities that will educate othersand help youhead in an interesting direction.Aphysicalchangewillenhance your persona.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) You'll have plenty of emotional energy to gather momentum and pursueyour dreamsifyou don't letyour overthinkingspin out of control, creating havoc and troubleatapersonal level.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Go wherethe action is, anddosomethingthat elates you. Take control of your lifeand your happiness by following your heart and letting go of what no longer serves you.

scoRPIo (oct.24-nov. 22) Consider your objective, and look at the broad scope of what you are dealing with.Engage in discussions that can help you manage your responsibilities. Having aplan in place is half the battle.

sAGIttARIus(nov. 23-Dec. 21) Concentrate on home, your personal responsibilities and what you can do to increase your

income. Look inward, and ignorethose trying to lead you astrayoruse emotional blackmailtotake advantage of your skills.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Find your bliss, but don't stretch the truth or take on more than you can handle. Be vocal; let othersknow how you feel and what you want, and find out what theywant in return.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Push for what you want. Comeupwith solutions,and present what you have to offerwith afriendlydemeanor, and you'll make progress. Put aroutine together that helps you get back to basics.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March20) Honesty and integrity areessential when trying to sort out differences. Take aconversation to the next level.Speak your mind, andgenerateadialoguethatwillhelpyou understand the needs of others.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Creativityand discipline go together. Venture out and participateinsomethingthatexcitesyou. You areoverdue fora change of scenery and direction. Consider what makes you feel good about whoyou are.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Implementing an efficient, convenient and comfortable space to relax and to execute your plans will offer peace of mind and insight into the possibilities. Don't take arisk

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. ©2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By

Andrews McMeel Syndication

CelebrityCipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

toDAy'scLuE:o EQuALs W

CeLebrItY CIpher

beetLe bAILeY

GooSe And GrIMM

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers The object is to place thenumbers1to9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box containsthe same number only once. The difficulty level of theSudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

nea CroSSwordS La TimeS CroSSword

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS CurTiS

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Robert J. Sawyer, aCanadian science fiction writer, said, “General principles shouldnot be based on exceptional cases.”

Thisweekwearestudyingthirdhand’s finessing against hispartner at trick one. The general principle is that when dummy has one honor, third hand holds ahigherhonor, and dummy plays low, third hand saveshis honor when he can insert anineorhigher.

However, bridge still exists because of exceptional cases. Is this deal one of them?

South is in three no-trump. West leads hisfourth-highestheart. What should East do after declarercallsfor dummy’s five?

After South opened one no-trump, responder was right to raise to threenotrump. With along minor, no singleton or void, enough points to think about game, but insufficient for aslam,gofor the nine-trick game.

If East blindly follows the finesseagainst-partner rule, he will put in his heart 10.

However,Southwillwinwithhisqueen andrun the diamond jack. East can win with hisking, but declarer has 10 tricks: three spades, one heart, five diamonds andone club.

Now let’s go back to trick one. If East tallies the high-card points, he will realizethathis partner is destitute. And if he stopstosurveyhis hand and thedummy, he will noticethat hisclubsuit is asource of three tricks. East must take the first trickwith his heartace andshift to the club king. Whatever declarer does, he can no longermake the contract. Whether you are declarer or adefender, take time at trick one to plan your campaign.

By AndrewsMcMeel

©2026 by NEA, Inc., dist.

Syndication

wuzzles

Each Wuzzleisaword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words mustbeoffour or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by

Average

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard

fordrive‐way/parking. CUPNUM‐BER: P20260493 Name: Bourgeois, Greg 17252 SummerfieldRoadSouth Prairieville,LA70769 Attn:GregBourgeois Lo‐cation:Ascension Parish LA;Lat.30-19-5.6N,Long. 90-50-10W;Amite River; 17252SummerfieldRdS Prarieville, 70769 Descrip‐tion:Repairexisting bulkhead,widen existing boat ramp,add 1boat slip and1 fishingpier. Approx.130 cy will be ex‐cavatedand placed on‐site.* CUP NUMBER:P20260497 Name:ConradShipyard, LLOC c/oAptim 7910 Main Street Suite460, Houma, LA 70360 Attn: Charlotte LinerLocation: SaintMaryParish, LA; Lat. 29- 39-11.5N,Long. 91-7-3.5W; Section45 T16S R13E;995 Duhon Blvd.Amelia, 70380 De‐scription:The proposed activity consists of clear‐ingareas within an exist‐ingshipyardfor shipyard expansion. Area 1is355' x280',Area2 is 370' x 280' (previously permit‐tedunder P20220513 & P20121216),and Area 3is 750' x140'.The areaswill be clearedand leveled with approx.1,000 CY of crushedstone/gravel and2,500 CY of hauled in topsoil/dirt 191801-jun20-1t $46.92

PUBLIC NOTICE BatonRouge Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) TheBaton Rouge, LA Ur‐banizedAreaMetropoli‐tanPlanningOrganiza‐tion’s Transportation Pol‐icyCommittee is sched‐ulinganemergency meetingonThursday, June 25, 2026, at 10:30 am to be held at CRPC Main Conference Room,14734 S. Harrell’sFerry Rd Suite#B, BatonRouge LA 70816. Agenda 1. CALL TO ORDERAND QUORUM CONFIRMATION Mayor DarnellWaites –h i

DRAFT ORDINANCE

As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At The Regular Meeting of June 11, 2026

An Ordinance To Amend And Reenact The West Baton Rouge Parish Code Of Ordinances, Part III (“Unified Development Code”), Enacting Chapter 107 (“Building Regulations”), Article I(In General), Section 107-10 “(Pipelines and Similar Facilities)”, and Amending Chapter 111 “(Administration and Enforcement)”, Article VII “(Site Plan Approval Procedure)”, Section 111-136 “(General)” To Establish Pipeline Approval Procedures andUpdate Site-Work Requirements

WHEREAS Part III (“Unified Development Code”) of the West Baton Rouge Parish Code of Ordinances provides for the health, safety and welfareofproperty owners in West Baton Rouge Parish including, but not limited to, providing for building codes that governthe construction of buildings; AND

WHEREAS Chapter 107 (“Building Regulations”) of the same Part provides for the adoption of policy,and proceduretoestablish minimum requirements for areasonable level of safety,health and general welfare of the public; AND

WHEREAS the Parish seeks to remain currentwith state requirements, and establish procedures for permitting, inspecting and enforcement of these policies and procedures. THEREFORE

BE IT ORDAINED BY THIS COUNCIL,that the West Baton Rouge Parish Code Of Ordinances, Part III (“Unified Development Code”), Enacting Chapter 107 (“Building Regulations”), Article I(In General), Section 107-10 “(Pipelines and Similar Facilities)”, and Amending Chapter 111 “(Administration and Enforcement)”, Article VII “(Site Plan Approval Procedure)”, Section111-136 “(General)”be amended and readopted to read as follows:

(NOTE: underlined words areadditions and strikethrough words are deletions. Three asterisks -* ** -indicate sections of the code skipped for brevity of this ordinance. Such sections aretoberetained by the code editors.):

PART III –UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE CHAPTER 107- BUILDING REGULATIONS ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL Sec. 107-10 -PIPELINES AND SIMILAR FACILITIES

(a) Permit required.

No pipeline or other similar facility shall be constructed or installed in public rights-of-way or over and across any public or private property within the parish unless apermit therefor shall first have beenobtained from the permit division of the department of public works. (b) Submission for approval.

The installation and constructionofall such pipelines or other similar facilities shall be in accordance with plans approved by the department of public works and the department of public works may requirethe applicant for such apermit to submit such plans as may be necessary to affect the provisions of this chapter (c) Requirements.

Whenever any pipeline is to be installed in, over or through any public road or street right-of-way or public

2)

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that apublichearing will be held on June 30, 2026, at 8:00 A.M. in theClerk of Court’soffice,Room #179 of theGovernmen‐talBuilding, 222 St.Louis Street,Baton Rouge, Louisiana, forthe pro‐posedbudgetofthe East BatonRouge Parish Clerk of Courtfor the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Theproposedbudgetwill be availableinthe Clerk of Court’soffice forin‐spectionMonday throughFridaybetween 8:00 A.M. and4:30P.M 191863 June 20, 1t $8.81

LEGALNOTICE NOTICE IS GIVENthatAn‐toinette CampoBellah, Executor of theSucces‐sion of ClaraMae Hart‐zog, ProbateNo. 117,079, Div. 25, 19thJDC,East BatonRouge Parish Louisiana, hasapplied forauthority to sell at privatesalethe Dece‐dent’s immovableprop‐erty situated in East BatonRouge Parish and bearingmunicipalad‐dressof364 Wingate Drive, BatonRouge Louisiana70815 forno less thesum of TWO HUNDREDFIFTY THOU‐SAND AND00/100 ($250,000.00) DOLLARS subjecttothe termsand conditions setforth in thepetition. Anyopposi‐tion to the proposed sale b fil d i hi

7)

NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING West BatonRouge Public Notice Notice Is Hereby GivenTo AllCitizensOfThe Parish Of West BatonRouge StateOfLouisiana,And To AllOther Interested Persons, Of TheIntroduc‐tion At TheRegular Meet‐ingOfThe West Baton RougeParishCouncil Of TheProposedOrdi‐nance(s) Introduced By TitleJune11, 2026 As Set ForthHereinafter An OrdinanceTo AmendAnd ReenactThe West BatonRouge Parish Code Of Ordinances,Part III (“Unified Development Code”),Chapter 101 (“GeneralProvisions”), Section101-1(“Defini‐tions”); AndChapter 105 (“Subdivisions”),Article I (InGeneral), Section1057“(Minor Subdivisions)” Chapter111 “(Adminis‐trationand Enforce‐ment)”,Article IV “(Zon‐ingEnforcement)”,Sec 111-83 –“(Power Of The Parish PresidentAnd Parish CouncilToIssue AndExtendTemporary SpecialUse Permits)”. An OrdinanceToAmend AndReenactThe West BatonRouge Parish Code Of Ordinances,PartIII (“Unified Development Code”),Chapter 106 (“SITE PLANNING”),Arti‐cleVI(ASTHETICS),Sec‐tion 106 -224 thru 229 (“Sign Regulations”)to Update Sign Regulations In West BatonRouge i h

and permitfees shall be collected at the rate of twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) per day

8) Beforeany permitshall be issue under this section, the applicant shall post bond in favorofthe parish in the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), plus the cost of filling and maintaining excavations as required by this chapter.That cost estimate shall be review and approved by the director of public works prior to the receipt of the bond. a. The bond shall be written by asurety company authorized to transact business in the state and shall be approved as to form by the parish attorney.The bond hereby required shall be conditioned upon the permittee’scompliance with this chapter and to secureand hold the parish harmless against any and all claims, judgmentsorother costsarising from the excavation and other work covered by the permit, or for which the parish, or any officer or employee thereof,may be made liable by reason of any accident or injury to persons or propertythrough the fault of the permittee either in not properly guarding the excavation or forany other injuries resulting from the negligence of the permittee, and further conditioned to fill up, restore, and place in good and safe condition, as near as may be to its original condition, and to the satisfaction of the department of public works, all openings and excavations made in public roads, street rights-of-way or public servitudes, including drainage and sewerage facilities and servitudes, and to maintainany road, street or servitude whereexcavation is made, in as good condition for aperiod of thirty-six (36) months after the work shall have been completed, usual wear and tear excepted, as it was in beforethe work started. Any settlement of the surface within the said three(3) year period shall be deemed conclusive evidence of defective backfilling by the permittee. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to requirethe permittee to maintainany repairs to pavement made by the parish. Recovery on the bond hereby required for any injury or accident shallnot exhaust the bond

ground coverage or soil stabilization methods). Site workdoes not include the removalofvegetation,trees, stumps, roots, trash, and/or debris from aproposed nonresidential development or site.

** * THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council thatthis ordinanceshall become effective pursuant to Section 2-12 (C) of the Home Rule Charter

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, thatall otherordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealed in their entirety.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge,Louisiana,thatifany provision or itemofthis ordinanceorthe application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect otherprovisions, items or applications of this ordinancewhichcan be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications of this ordinanceare hereby declared severable.

THEFOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTERHAVINGBEEN SUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER _______________, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER______________. THEORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED TO AVOTE AND RESULTEDINTHE FOLLOWING:

YEAS:

NAYS:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN: WHEREUPON the ordinance was declared adopted on the 25THDay of June, 2026.

ATTEST:

Michelle Tullier, Council Clerk CERTIFICATE

I, Michelle Tullier, hereby certify thatIamthe duly qualified Council Clerk of the West Baton Rouge Parish Council.

Ifurthercertify thatthe above andforegoing is atrueand correct copy of an ordinanceadopted by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council in regular session on the 25thDay of June, 2026

Ifurthercertify thatthe above andforegoing ordinancewas submitted to the Parish President at ________o’clock ______on the day of June, 2026 IN FAITH WHEREOF witness my official signatureand the official seal of the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, Louisiana on the day of June, 2026

Michelle Tullier, Council Clerk

PARISHPRESIDENT’S APPROVAL OR VETO

I, Jason P. Manola,Parish President, West Baton Rouge Parish,State of Louisiana,dohereby  approve  veto the foregoing ordinanceonthe _____day of June, 2026

Jason P. Manola,Parish President

COUNCIL CLERK’S RETURN RECEIPT

Icertify thatthe above andforegoing ordinancewas returned from the Parish President at o’clock on the day of June, 2026

Michelle Tullier, Council Clerk