The Advocate 07-08-2026

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AG, special prosecutor gear up for fight

sexual harassment lawsuit. White Attorneys defend themselves against allegations of conflicts said Monday that she has dropped

BY JOHN SIMERMAN

felony indictment, both the special prosecutor on the case and attorStaff writer neys for Murrill have defended After the Louisiana Supreme themselves over claims of conflicts.

Laurie White, the former OrCourt stepped in last week to stay Attorney General Liz Murrill’s leans criminal court judge ap-

the private law firm that the Attorpointed as special prosecutor in ney General’s Office hired on her the probe of Murrill’s alleged behalf. threats against city officials, faced Though a judge dismissed the complaints from Murrill’s team claims against White last year, that the Attorney General’s Ofä See CONFLICT, page 6A fice represents her in an ongoing

Murrill

White

U.S. launches new strikes against Iran Renewed attacks threaten negotiations

BY JON GAMBRELL, FATIMA HUSSEIN and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The U.S. military launched new strikes against Iran early Wednesday, hours after three merchant ships were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, in the latest exchange of fire to threaten the interim deal to end the fighting between the two countries.

The strikes were expected to hit a variety of military sites and port facilities, U.S. officials said.

The renewed attacks were sure to add to the difficulty CO ONFLICT of the negotiations aimed at fully reIN THE T the strait, MIIDDLE opening rolling back TehEAST AST ran’s disputed nuclear program and reaching a permanent end to the war launched Feb. 28.

In a statement posted to social media, U.S. Central Command said American forces launched the strikes “to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway.”

One U.S. official said the military is targeting Iranian air defense systems, coastal surveillance systems, groundto-air missiles as well as launch sites for anti-ship cruise missiles and drones. Iranian port facilities are also being targeted, the official added.

The second official said the strikes would likely last for hours.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing military operation.

Iranian state media reported the sound of explosions in Qeshm and Bandar Abbas.

A similar spate of Iranian attacks on shipping and U.S. retaliation occurred late last month, while the new strikes

STAFF PHOTOS By ENAN CHEDIAK

Vacationers relax on Biloxi Beach in Biloxi, Miss., on June 26. According to the U.S. Travel Association, transportation costs have risen by about 35% over the past year while hotel prices are up by 5%, leading some families to take shorter trips.

Summer beach escapes not immune to rising prices

‘It’s not as affordable as it was 10 years ago’

BY MARTHA SANCHEZ Staff writer

Amy Roddie plays with her grandchildren, Bentley Richardson and Madelyn Wilkinson, while camping at their summer vacation spot at Sun City RV Park in Elberta, Ala., on June 26. Roddie has taken an RV to the beach each summer for two decades, but rising costs led her to choose a campground farther from the beach this year.

On the Gulf Coast beaches where they have long vacationed, many visitors from Louisiana and around the South are encountering a challenge this summer.

Almost everything, it seems — fuel, food, lodging — is getting more expensive. And that’s forcing vacationers to get creative as they seek affordable escapes.

Travel agents say some visitors are vacationing in bigger groups to split the cost of accommodations, or trading Florida’s beaches for cheaper stays at casinos and

ä See VACATION, page 8A

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2A ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Declared dead, toddler is found alive in hospital morgue

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Police: ICE officer fatally shoots man in Houston

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a man in Houston after he attempted to evade arrest in his vehicle during an operation Tuesday, the agency said.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the man ignored commands to stop and attempted to ram an agent who fired his weapon in self-defense. The man’s car struck an ICE vehicle, according to the department, which oversees ICE. The statement identified the man as a Mexican national, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, and said he was living in the country without legal permission. It said federal agents were conducting a targeted enforcement operation against Araujo and that he died at a hospital.

The FBI’s Houston field office is investigating a potential assault on a federal law enforcement officer, said spokesperson Connor Hagan. In addition, representatives of the office’s evidence response team responded to the shooting at the request of DHS to process the scene, he said.

SPLC pleads not guilty in federal fraud case MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Southern Poverty Law Center, best known for monitoring hate groups, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal charges that it defrauded donors by not disclosing that some of the money would be used to pay informants in extremist organizations.

Attorney Abbe Lowell entered the not guilty plea on behalf of the organization to a superseding indictment that adds details about the charges first announced in April.

The Justice Department has accused the SPLC of funding extremist groups while publicly claiming it was working to dismantle them.

The SPLC has denied wrongdoing and said the informant program provided critical intelligence about the work of the groups — information it regularly provided to law enforcement agencies.

The SPLC has accused the Justice Department of carrying out a vindictive prosecution as part of a retribution campaign against President Donald Trump’s perceived political enemies.

The superseding indictment alleges that $4.1 million in donations were used to pay informants inside extremist groups.

Prosecutors said some of the money was used for recruiting new members and purchasing Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross-burning ceremonies.

Tornadoes, storms in China kill at least 11 BEIJING — Tornadoes and storms hit central China, killing at least 11 people and injuring hundreds, state media reported on Tuesday, while areas in the south suffered record-breaking rain.

Thunderstorms battered parts of Hubei province’s eastern region on Monday night, affecting 14,600 people, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

More than 330 people were injured, and one person remained missing, the agency said, adding that over 20 houses collapsed and 4,800 others were damaged.

A rare EF2 tornado swept through the city of Huanggang, where a logistics company and a warehouse were hit hard and multiple trucks were lifted and displaced by winds as much as 98 feet, Xinhua reported.

A video posted by Shanghai Daily on X appeared to show people on the ground floor of a building screaming as high winds blew open the glass doors, shattering one.

Tornadoes are usually recorded in southern and coastal provinces such as Guangdong and Jiangsu, according to China Weather News, which is run by the China Meteorological Administration.

They are rare in Hubei and multiple factors, including the remnants of Tropical Storm Maysak, contributed to those that swept the region on Monday night, meteorological expert Wang Xiaoling told the Hubei Daily newspaper.

Phoenix boy pulled from backyard pool, police say

BY JACQUES BILLEAUD Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANGELINA KATSANIS

A Manhattan high-rise, located at 235 E. 42nd St. in New york, remained unstable Tuesday after officials found that columns buckled and floors sagged while it was being converted to luxury apartments.

Columns buckle at Manhattan high-rise, forcing evacuations Building was being converted to apartments

BY PHILIP MARCELO and ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE Associated Press

NEW YORK — A Manhattan highrise remained unstable Tuesday after officials found that columns buckled and floors sagged while it was being converted to luxury apartments, forcing evacuations in and around the Midtown construction site.

The former headquarters of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is in a busy corridor just down the street from New York City icons like the Chrysler Building and Mamdani Grand Central train station. Drones and city officials were busy checking out the building.

“This is a minute-by-minute assessment,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters near the scene.

Fire Chief John Esposito said the way the steel-framed build-

ing is constructed, “it would not be a total collapse, it would be more of a localized collapse.”

Firefighters had rushed to the area at around 8 a.m. after reports of falling bricks.

However, the city’s building commissioner, Ahmed Tigani, said officials hadn’t found evidence that anything came off the building.

Later Tuesday, Leila Bozorg, one of Mamdani’s deputy mayors, told reporters that emergency workers were assessing the building “floor by floor” in order to “finalize a plan for how they’re going to reinforce the structure,” adding “it is encouraging.”

Still, nearby buildings and streets remained evacuated, including a school and the Israeli consulate just across the street.

With more than 1,600 units, the developers say the project is the largest office-to-residential conversion in the city’s history. Gensler, the architectural firm leading the project, says on its website that it is transforming a pair of 1970s-era office buildings by adding more than a dozen stories and redesigning an adjoining tower.

Buildings department records show the project has been fined by the city for several safety violations, including glass and metal falling off the

building, along with an incident where a worker fell off a ladder.

Spokespersons for Gensler and MetroLoft, the project developer, didn’t return messages seeking comment. But in a statement to The New York Times, MetroLoft stressed that the building itself is not at risk of collapse and that no debris fell from the building.

Fire officials said two columns appear to have buckled and there were multiple cracks and sagging floors between the 21st and 26th floors. From the street below, a badly bent column could be seen through a large glass window. The fire department also posted images of the column.

First responders and city officials were working closely with the project engineer to develop plans to shore up the impacted flooring, Mamdani said. If it’s deemed to be secure, engineers will enter and begin making repairs.

The building commissioner said workers will need to add emergency beams and columns to stabilize the compromised ones.

“Our top priority right now,” the mayor said Tuesday morning, “is the safety of those who live in this area and the safety of those who work in this area.”

Far right Le Pen says she’ll run for French presidency She’s currently under court-ordered monitor

BY SYLVIE CORBET, JOHN LEICESTER and SAMUEL PETREQUIN Associated Press

PARIS — Far-right leader Marine Le Pen says she’ll run for the French presidency next year despite being sentenced Tuesday to wear a court-ordered electronic monitor for embezzlement.

The decision by the 57-year-old veteran of three presidential races sets up a fourth campaign like no other: potentially seeking votes while subject to monitoring and with a judge possibly deciding how, and for how long, the punishment is applied.

Le Pen said she will appeal the ruling to France’s highest court Le Pen and that the process will suspend the sentence that she be electronically monitored for a year.

“I will therefore campaign without an electronic bracelet,” she said in a television interview Tuesday night. “Tonight, I am a candidate for the presidential election.”

The appeals court ruling earlier Tuesday cleared the way for Le Pen by shortening a ban handed down by a court last year that kept her from seeking public office for five years.

But it also said she must wear an electronic monitor, a constraint Le Pen previously said would make campaigning impossible.

But after huddling for hours with other leading figures of her National Rally party, Le Pen made clear Tuesday night that she believes she won’t be subjected to monitoring at all, and that her appeal to

the Court of Cassation will vindicate her.

“My hands are clean,” she said.

The highest court previously said it would be able to rule before the presidential election, with the first round in April and a knockout round in May. “I want to pursue all the legal avenues available to me so that I can defend my innocence,” she said.

A similar situation arose in former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s corruption case. An appeals court sentenced him in 2023 to serve part of his sentence under electronic monitoring. Sarkozy appealed to the Court of Cassation, which suspended Sarkozy’s sentence pending its review before ultimately upholding the conviction. He wore an electronic ankle monitor last year.

The appeals court ruled that Le Pen oversaw years of misuse by her National Rally party of European Parliament funds by paying staff with money intended for European Union parliamentary assistants. She denied criminal wrongdoing but said during the trial that the party had made a “mistake.”

The ruling upheld guilty verdicts for all 11 accused, including Le Pen and other party members. The party itself also was declared guilty. The court ruled that it embezzled $3.2 million over more than 11 years.

“The facts are serious,” said the chief judge, Michèle Agi. But the court scaled back punishments handed down by a lower court last year.

From five years handed down in March 2025, Le Pen’s ban on seeking office was cut to 45 months, with two-thirds of it suspended. Le Pen has already served 15 months of the ban, meaning that the potential obstacle is now removed.

PHOENIX — A toddler discovered in a backyard pool in a Phoenix suburb in February was declared dead before being found breathing hours later in a room that serves as the hospital morgue, according to recently released police records.

Two Gilbert police officers saw possible signs of life multiple times, but the child was still taken to the hospital’s “cold room” after being treated by staff, according to the documents.

“Please do your thing and let me do my thing,” Dr. Aryan Toosi told an officer at one point, according to the report. “I went to medical school for a reason.”

First responders were dispatched to the home at about 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 in response to a reported drowning. They performed life-saving measures on the child before taking him to a hospital where the boy was pronounced dead about an hour later.

About five hours later, police were notified that the child was indeed breathing, and he was flown to another hospital. The boy ultimately survived and has been released.

Gilbert police are recommending negligence charges against the parents. Investigators said there was a strong odor of marijuana at the home and open doors that could have allowed unsupervised access to the pool. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said it was reviewing the case and declined further comment Monday.

In 911 calls, two relatives frantically reported that the child had been pulled from the pool as people at the scene could be heard shrieking. One caller reported the toddler was unconscious.

No one answered at the home where the near-drowning occurred.

Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where the 18-month-old was taken, said in a statement that the hospital conducted “a thorough review of all aspects of the care provided to learn what happened and to make meaningful changes to strengthen our care.”

The hospital called it “a heartbreaking situation” and declined to release further details.

Scott Holden, an attorney for Toosi, said that he wouldn’t make a full statement on behalf of the doctor “other than to assure you that there is much more to this case, both factually and medically, than has been reported thus far.”

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ 3A

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Landry gives Trump his Greenland recommendations List focuses on economic, military and cultural ties

focused on building relationships with Greenland citizens rather than government leaders.

Last week, during an interview on “The Alex Marlow Show,” Landry said Trump recently told him, ‘‘We need to get Greenland.’”

Landry said Greenland is “unbelievably important” for the U.S. from the standpoint of natural resources like oil and gas and rareearth minerals.

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Gov. Jeff Landry on Tuesday laid out five recommendations on how the United States should approach its relationship with Greenland.

Landry’s list focused on deeper economic, military and cultural ties — and it didn’t mention the U.S. taking over the island territory in the Arctic, as President Donald Trump has previously said.

“A stronger American presence would make both Greenland and the United States stronger,” Landry wrote in a social media post announcing his ideas.

But on the same day, Trump reiterated his desire for control of the autonomous territory of Denmark during a NATO summit meeting the same day, again stirring international controversy.

“That should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark,” the president said.

Landry’s recommendations Landry, whom Trump named as his special envoy to Greenland in December, listed five priorities he said he was recommending to the president.

The priorities are: n Set up direct shipping routes between the U.S. and Greenland. n Expand the “diplomatic presence” of the United States in Greenland. n Strengthen the U.S. military presence in Greenland, and approve Denmark’s application to participate in the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, which connects the National Guard in various states with military forces in partner countries. n Create a joint investment fund between the U.S. and Greenland. n Expand “diplomacy exchanges” between the U.S. and Greenland.

Spokespeople for Landry directed questions about his recommendations — and whether the governor supported a takeover of Greenland — to the U.S. Department of State, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Louisiana governor’s plan comes as Trump is in Turkey for a summit with leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Greenland is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, and Denmark is a NATO ally. The NATO alliance was founded on the principle that its 32 members will defend each others’ territory and not threaten to seize it.

Continuing controversy Landry also said that, after traveling to Greenland in May to meet with ordinary citizens, he believes that they “feel abandoned

by Denmark.”

While Landry has spoken positively of his trip, many international news outlets painted a less optimistic picture.

DR, a Danish public-service radio and television broadcasting company, showed video of Greenlanders rejecting MAGA hats Landry proffered.

The New York Times reported that Landry’s Greenlandic guide heard “Traitor!” shouted at him by some residents.

On Tuesday, Greenland’s foreign minister, Múte B. Egede, wrote in a Facebook post that Trump’s comments show a continued “desire to control our country.”

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ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

U.S. special envoy to Greenland, Gov. Jeff Landry, left, arrives in Nuuk, Greenland, on May 20.

“We must stand together at home and continue the close cooperation with our allies and partners,” Egede wrote. “At the same time, we must insist on finding solutions through dialogue and respect. Our future is decided by us in Greenland.”

According to the news outlet Reuters, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said at the NATO summit she expects allies to respect that Greenland is not for sale.

“It is a well-known position of the United States that it wants to own and take over Greenland. I hope that it is equally well-known everywhere that this is not going to happen,” Frederiksen said, according to Reuters.

Trump’s continued calls for U.S. control of Greenland have been an ongoing source of tension between

the American president and European leaders. They escalated sharply in January after the U.S. military forces entered Venezuela and captured its then-sitting Nicolás Maduro.

A day after Maduro’s ouster, Trump said U.S. control of Greenland was necessary “from the standpoint of national security.”

Other Landry comments Before and ever since Trump on Dec. 21 announced in a social media post that he named Landry the U.S. special envoy, European leaders have bristled at Trump’s approach to Greenland, and the scope and details about Landry’s role in those efforts has been unclear.

The governor does not appear to be directly involved in official diplomatic negotiations. He has said he is

“We’re gonna get it,” Landry said.

That could be accomplished, he said, by increasing U.S. military presence in Greenland and “repopulating our bases” there and opening up shipping and airline routes between the two locations.

On June 21, when Greenlanders celebrated National Day, the Arctic island’s biggest summer festival and a celebration of Greenlandic

culture, Landry marked the occasion with a social media post.

“As America inches closer to her 250th Independence Day, we join in the celebration of liberty and opportunity,” Landry wrote that day.

“Perhaps America’s 251st birthday can be celebrated with the addition of it’s 51st state!”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Shell Norco Welcomes Alex Markos, VP This article is brought to you by Shell.

There’s a new leader - and a new foodie - in St. Charles Parish. You might have noticed Alex Markos turning off River Road into Shell Norco’s main gate, enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, or touring the Norco neighborhood as he gets a feel for life and work in Louisiana. Along the way, he’s been asking an important question: where to find the best gumbo in the parish. So far, his most trusted guides have been Shell Norco employees and nearby neighbors.

That focus on listening and building connections reflects Markos’ approach to leadership, both professionally and personally. “You don’t succeed alone,” he says. “The people closest to the work understand it best, and they are essential to getting it right.”

It’s a mindset he brings to his new role as Vice President of Shell Norco, a key site in Shell’s U.S. operations. The only Shell refinery in the country integrated with chemicals manufacturing, Norco plays a central role in the company’s operations and the Gulf Coast economy.

“I was honored and excited to take on this role,” Markos says. “Shell Norco has a long history and a reputation for great people and a strong culture.

I was excited for the opportunity to become part of that story, while recognizing the responsibility that comes with it. My first priority is getting to know the people, understanding the site, and learning what makes Norco successful.”

Markos joined Shell in 2006 as a mechanical engineer at the Scotford manufacturing site in

Alberta, Canada, a role that shaped the foundation of his career. Early on, he learned the importance of preparation, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to safety - and that expertise can be found in every corner of a site. “Some of the most valuable things I learned came from operators, technicians, and frontline workers,” he says. “People who know the plant inside and out.”

Over the past two decades, Markos has worked in several countries in roles spanning operations, commercial work, and strategy. “Those experiences taught me there is rarely only one way to look at a challenge. They also helped me understand how decisions at a manufacturing site connect to customers, markets, employees, and communities,” he says, emphasizing the value of listening.

His leadership roles at Shell Polymers Monaca in Pennsylvania and the Sarnia Manufacturing Centre in Canada prepared him for balancing large-scale operations with culture, trust, and visible leadership. At Norco, he steps into a workplace widely recognized within Shell for its strong culture, something he quickly noticed.

“There’s a real sense of pride here,” he says.

“People care about the site, about each other, and about doing things the right way.” That culture, built over generations, is one of the site’s greatest strengths. Many employees have spent their entire careers at Norco, and for some families, connections to the site span generations. Preserving and strengthening that sense of ownership is a key priority.

At the core of his leadership philosophy is this

principle: safety comes first. “Nothing is more important than making sure every person who comes to work goes home safely,” he says.

His focus also includes environmental performance, reliability, and developing the people who keep the site running. He sees operational excellence and long-term strategy as inseparable.

“You have to deliver today while preparing for tomorrow,”hesays.Thatfutureincludesnavigating an evolving energy landscape while maintaining competitiveness and relevance. Markos believes Norco is well positioned to do both.

Markos is also focused on strengthening connections with the surrounding community.

“Norco’s impact on St. Charles Parish extends across generations, supporting local jobs, businesses, schools, and a broad network of partners,” he says. “It’s important that we continue to earn that trust every day. “I look forward to meeting people and becoming part of the community. Every community has its own history and priorities, and it’s important to listen first and learn what makes St. Charles Parish special.”

Having recently relocated to Louisiana with his wife, Lauren, their two children, ages 14 and 12, a rescue dog, and a horse, the move represents both a professional milestone and a personal adventure. “We’re excited to make Louisiana our home,” he says. “We’re looking forward to experiencing the culture, the Gulf Coast, local festivals, and everything else the region has to offer. And yes, I’m definitely a foodie - so being somewhere known for great food is a nice bonus.

If I had to pick one favorite today, it would probably be gumbo.”

4A ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

McConnell speaks with GOP leaders, aides say

BY MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Senate’s top two Republicans have spoken individually to Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, according to aides, as the former GOP leader remains in the hospital more than three weeks after being McConnell admitted for undisclosed health issues.

Aides to McConnell have declined to release any information about his condition, fueling speculation about his prognosis and whether he will be healthy enough to be at the Capitol when the Senate returns to Washington next week after a two-week recess. McConnell, 84, is retiring at the end of his term in January.

A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he had spoken with McConnell by phone on Monday and that the two had a “lengthy and substantive conversation that covered a variety of topics, including national security.”

As leader, Thune is generally kept up to date on illnesses and absences in his conference as he has to navigate vote counts and his narrow 53-47 majority.

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the No. 2 Senate Republican, had a 20-minute conversation with McConnell on Tuesday, according to a spokeswoman.

The two discussed Senate races ahead of the midterm elections, the Supreme Court and other topics, the statement said.

“Senator McConnell was fully engaged and is eager to get back to the Senate,” said Barrasso spokeswoman Kate Noyes.

Another McConnell ally, Republican strategist Scott Jennings, posted on X that he had also talked to McConnell for 20 minutes on Tuesday, and that “he’s still recovering in the hospital.” Jennings said they spoke about politics, foreign policy “and even a little bit of Senate history.”

McConnell was admitted to the hospital on June 14, according to a statement from his office that only said he was “receiving excellent care.”

A statement a week later said that he would not be voting that week. And on Thursday, a new statement said that he ”appreciates the outpouring of support he’s receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital.”

“The Senator continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session,” the statement said.

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Senate candidate should drop out, Sanders says Platner accused of sexual assault

BY KIMBERLEE KRUESI, PATRICK WHITTLE and JESSE BEDAYN Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine — Sen. Bernie Sanders on Tuesday became the latest and most notable lawmaker to pull support for Maine Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner following an allegation of sexual assault, adding to a chorus of calls for him to step aside as party leaders scramble to determine the next steps.

Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, has long backed Platner in the high-stakes race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, but he said in a statement that he spoke with the candidate and “in light of these very

Platner has faced and so far weathered since the oyster farmer and Marine veteran entered the race. But the seriousness of the assault claim has put the Maine contest — and Democrats’ ability to win control of the Senate — at risk, with even some of his strongest supporters questioning whether Platner should continue his campaign. If Platner steps down, a possible succession ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO battle would inflame a DemGraham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, and ocratic divide as the party seeks unity ahead of the NoSen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, join hands at an event in vember midterms.

Orono, Maine, in May. Platner became a populist hero among the party’s left serious allegations, I have hall events. flank, pulling far ahead of recommended that he step Platner posted the video an establishment-backed aside.” after reports that a woman candidate, Gov. Janet Mills, Platner, who denies the al- who previously dated the in the primary. Now, if he legation, has not heeded the first-time candidate said quits the contest, progrescalls to resign. Instead, he he drunkenly forced her to sive groups are demanding posted a video on Monday have sex after she told him that the state’s Democratic saying he was considering to stop.

Party choose a similarly The allegation is the latest shake-up-the-system candithe next steps for his campaign while canceling town in a string of controversies date to replace him.

“To the Democratic establishment: This is not your opening,” said Joseph Geevarghese, who leads an organization founded by Sanders, Our Revolution. After withdrawing its endorsement of Platner, the group said Tuesday that it was “rallying behind” another progressive contender.

Joanie Monteith, a passionate supporter from the southern Maine town of York who organized a trivia night about Platner in March, said through tears that she was devastated.

She was waiting for another public statement from Platner before making a decision about whether she could keep supporting him.

“I’m numb, and I’m waiting for what Graham has to say,” she said. “I’m trying not to be a part of this public trial. And I’m heartbroken.

And I’m heartbroken for him and his wife.”

Judge rejects subpoena from DOJ in ’20 election

by the Justice DeIt sought names sought partment could help find who worked for the of Ga. workers people county during the 2020 elec-

BY KATE BRUMBACK Associated Press

ATLANTA — The U.S. Department of Justice cannot have the names and personal contact information for every person who worked during the 2020 election in Georgia’s Fulton County, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

The Justice Department in April served a grand jury subpoena seeking the names and personal contact information of county employees and volunteer poll workers. President Donald Trump has long claimed without evidence that widespread voter fraud in Georgia’s most populous county, a Democratic stronghold, cost him victory in the state in 2020.

Fulton County asked a judge to quash the subpoena, arguing it was meant to “target, harass and punish the President’s perceived political opponents” and that it was “grossly over broad and untethered to any reasonable need.”

“Given the low need for the subpoenaed information and the highly burdensome nature of the disclosure of the same, the Subpoena is unreasonable and must be quashed,” U.S. District Judge William Ray wrote in his ruling, calling the scope of the request “staggering.”

Emails seeking comment were sent to both the Justice Department and Fulton County.

While grand juries often work with federal prosecutors to investigate alleged crimes, “that does not give the DOJ the right to use the Grand Jury to do whatever the DOJ wants,” wrote Ray, who was nominated to the bench by Trump.

Even if the records

tion who support the theory that the election was unfair, the information couldn’t be used to charge anyone, Ray wrote.

“That is because the statute of limitations for any possible crime arising from the 2020 Election has long expired,” he wrote.

The subpoena came after the FBI in January served a search warrant at the Fulton County election hub and seized hundreds of boxes of ballots and other documents from the 2020 election. A federal judge in May denied the county’s request to force the federal government to return the ballots.

The Justice Department argued in a court filing that the subpoena was the “next step in the normal investigative process” and that it seeks “records identifying persons with relevant knowledge.”

Kamal Ghali, a lawyer for the county, argued that the subpoena “will chill participation by election workers” and that the statute of limitations for any of the alleged misconduct had already lapsed.

Justice Department lawyer William McComb argued the statute of limitations issue is not relevant at the investigative stage. The point of the investigation is to figure out what charges can be brought, he said.

“My point is, as we sit here now, we are not sure what charges can be brought. That’s the whole point of the investigation,” he said.

The judge noted that the Justice Department had expressed concern about possible criminal actions in the years that followed the election, including an alleged failure by the county to preserve electronic ballot images.

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6A ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

CONFLICT

Continued from page 1A those state-hired lawyers represented her as recently as last month, asking a judge to toss the case for lack of an appeal, according to court records.

The Supreme Court said Friday that the Attorney General’s Office representation of White posed an ethical conflict in Murrill’s case that “should have been obvious.” Judge Leon Roche appointed White to the case.

Meanwhile, Laura Cannizzaro Rodrigue, a former Orleans Parish prosecutor who is helping defend Murrill, said in a statement that the attorney general has asked to remove her firm, Rodrigue & Arcuri, from civil cases it handles for the office.

White has claimed it’s Rodrigue who has the conflict, as state law bars prosecutors from criminal defense work.

Rodrigue did not concede any ethical lapses, however.

The statement noted that last year, the Louisiana Supreme Court declared an exception for law firms hired by the attorney general to handle civil work — namely, petitions from prisoners.

Rodrigue & Arcuri’s civil caseload with the attorney general is being reassigned “to avoid any confusion,” the statement said.

Those moves came in anticipation of a bitter legal faceoff over the 16-count indictment that an Orleans Parish grand jury handed up last week against Murrill, under White’s guidance.

The charges exploded political tensions that have roiled for months between state Republican leaders and local elected Democrats over control of the New Orleans court system.

The indictment alleges that Murrill committed felonies when she penned warning letters in May to Mayor Helena Moreno, District Attorney Jason Williams and five City Council members, threatening their jobs for backing an election and ap-

lll

pointing an interim leader for a newly unified Court Clerk’s Office in the city.

Murrill claimed the local officials were helping “usurp” the authority of Chelsea Richard Napoleon, the elected civil clerk chosen by the Legislature to lead the combined office.

The new law denied former life prisoner Calvin Duncan the criminal clerk’s seat he’d won handily at the polls.

Murrill argues she was just doing her job as the state’s top lawyer by cautioning the city leaders. The indictment charges her with eight counts each of intimidation and malfeasance in office.

The Supreme Court upheld the law, rejecting the council’s call for a vote.

“This indictment appears to turn the law on its head and flows from what appear to be extraordinary procedural defects and improprieties,” the Supreme Court majority found.

The court set no timetable as it stayed the indictment and invited Murrill to file a motion to quash it. Kyle Schonekas, another attorney for Murrill, declined to comment Monday.

Host of ethical pitfalls The court majority suggested that the case against Murrell could fall on a procedural failure.

It found that “by all public accounts” the criminal court had “violated express provisions of state law requiring that grand jury returns occur in the public eye, ‘in open court.’”

Roche, who ordered reporters out of his courtroom for the indictment, quickly responded with an unsolicited opinion that challenged the court’s view of Article 383, the law governing grand jury returns.

Roche claims that open court “does not mean open to the public. Rather, it means while the judge is present on the bench.”

How the Supreme Court decides that issue could dictate the fate of the case against Murrill, as the grand

jury that charged her has since disbanded.

In the meantime, legal analysts and court watchers have been left to parse a ruling with little precedent.

Legal scholars couldn’t recall the Louisiana Supreme Court stepping in so early to cast shade on a charging document or question how it came to be.

The court focused a share of its criticism on White, the special prosecutor, who left the criminal court bench in 2023.

White said that Roche called to offer her an appointment as a special prosecutor without indicating the subject matter. She later agreed to take the case, returning to the court where she served for more than 15 years.

Before becoming a judge, White worked as a civil rights attorney on highstakes prisoner cases. For years, she represented Duncan as he sat in prison for murder.

“The likely conflicts of interest precluding her involvement in this matter, if accurately stated, should have been obvious,” the Supreme Court wrote.

The majority also found that Murrill “is likely to succeed on the merits of a motion to quash this indictment on either a legal basis or due to apparent procedural irregularities.”

White once managed professional boxers. As a judge, she often sparred with Rodrigue’s father, Leon Cannizzaro, the former twoterm district attorney who recently retired as Murrill’s criminal division chief.

The courthouse she left has changed. Alongside local prosecutors, Murrill’s staff now handles hundreds of felony cases at the courthouse, from arrests made by Troop Nola, the dedicated Louisiana State Police unit set up by Gov. Jeff Landry.

“I’m not the story,” White said. “The attorney general is the headline.”

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Murrill, White insisted in an interview Monday that she’s not conflicted. She said she hasn’t represented Duncan since 1998, and if there’s a conflict over the lawyers who handled her civil case, she said it was Murrill’s concern.

White said she called Murrill’s office last week, after The Times-Picayune | The Advocate first reported about the secret grand jury investigation, to alert them of a possible conflict on the horizon. Murrill’s attorneys argued that the call itself was illegal, with White revealing secret grand jury information.

White argues that it was Murrill who violated grand jury secrecy.

One prominent legal ethics specialist questioned the court’s jaundiced view of White’s involvement.

“I don’t believe the conflict is as obvious as some members of the Supreme Court might think it is,” said Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino.

He said he isn’t so sure that Murrill’s office having furnished lawyers to defend White in her civil case was enough to exclude her from the prosecution. White’s earlier work as a lawyer for Duncan also may not disqualify her.

“Calvin Duncan’s ghost still hangs over this,” Ciolino said, “but I don’t know if that specter is enough to be a conflict of interest.”

The question is whether White has a “personal interest that impairs the fair and impartial administration of justice,” Ciolino said, citing the state law that governs recusals by district attorneys. “That’s a bit of an indeterminate standard.”

Views of the justices differed even among those who agreed to stay of the indictment against Murrill.

Supreme Court Justice Jay McCallum viewed the episode as tawdry and punishable. He wrote that Murrill’s allegations, “if they prove to be even partially

accurate,” would require “additional proceedings” before the state bodies that investigate judges and lawyers for misconduct.

Justice Piper Griffin of New Orleans also agreed on the stay, but only because it “allows this Court to ultimately resolve this rapidly escalating quagmire.”

In dissent, Chief Justice John Weimer and Justice John Michael Guidry argued against preferential treatment for Murrill.

Whether Roche or any of the 12 criminal court judges will play a role in the case is doubtful.

The criminal case against Murrill was allotted to Judge Angel Harris, and an arraignment is set for Wednesday.

But sources said a majority of the court’s judges met behind closed doors Tuesday morning and agreed to recuse. Should all of the judges step aside, the Louisiana Supreme Court would appoint an outside judge.

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were notable for happening while President Donald Trump was in Turkey for a summit of the NATO military alliance.

Hours after the three tankers were struck by projectiles, the United States revoked a license that had authorized the sale of Iranian oil as part of the interim deal to end the fighting between the U.S. and Iran.

The new assaults in the fuelshipping waterway were the most in a single day since late April, according to the U.N. International Maritime Organization. The fresh attacks threatened to choke off the flow of traffic in the strait just as countries hoped to restore normal shipping practices and ease the global economic strain of the war.

A U.S. official said the license was revoked because Iran’s actions in the strait were unacceptable and needed to be met with consequences. The official spoke with The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to share insight into the reasoning behind the move.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. move to revoke the license, saying in a statement that it violates the interim deal and that “the U.S. government bears responsibility for the consequences of this breach of commitment.”

Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, also said in a post on X that the new attacks by the U.S. are a violation of that agreement.

One tanker caught fire after getting hit One tanker was traveling off the coast of Oman when it was hit and caught fire, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. Iranian state television said the liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.

The other two ships sustained some damage, but no one was injured, and both continued on their way, the U.K. maritime agency said.

Tehran, which has repeatedly declared that only its approved route through the strait is safe, is suspected of attacking other ships that have used another route close to the Omani shore.

hotels on the Mississippi Coast.

Visitors are looking at places farther from the beach to cut costs.

And even some affluent travelers who normally retreat to higherend destinations along Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A say they are choosing less expensive destinations this summer, including nearby Miramar Beach, Florida, or Alabama’s Gulf Shores.

A similar story is unfolding around the country as rising prices force travelers to scale back vacation plans to fit tighter budgets. Transportation costs have risen by about 35% over the past year, and hotel prices are up by 5%, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Some families are taking shorter trips or skipping summer getaways altogether as costs for travel, dining and event tickets soar.

On the Gulf Coast, the changing travel habits are also a sign of how rising populations and strong demand from tourists have transformed once-quiet beach towns.

“It’s not as affordable as it was 10 years ago — nothing is,” said Beth Gendler, president and CEO of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. Still, the tourism agency’s data shows more than 7 million visitors arrived in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan last year and spent a record amount of more than $920 million on lodging.

“There’s great value in it,” Gendler said. “Everyone needs a vacation.”

Continued from page 1A

Vacationers relax on Biloxi Beach in Biloxi, Miss., on June 26. According to the U.S. Travel Association, transportation costs have risen by about 35% over the past year while hotel prices are up by 5%, leading some families to take shorter trips.

Continued from page 1A

Demand and prices For decades, the Alabama and Florida coastlines have attracted middle- and working-class Southerners with promises of mostly affordable vacations in spots like Gulf Shores, Destin and Panama City Beach.

Then the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic led to recordbreaking tourism surges in beach destinations along the Gulf Coast, where many businesses reopened quickly and visitors could enjoy open-air spaces.

The average daily rate for shortterm rentals in coastal Alabama has increased by 9% compared with two years ago, according to Gendler, even though the region’s hotel rates have remained relative-

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK ly flat over that period.

The population across the southeast United States — where Gulf Coast tourism agencies have historically marketed their destinations — is also growing, which means advertisements for Mississippi, Alabama and Florida beaches are reaching more prospective visitors than ever.

And average gas prices amid the Iran war soared almost $1 higher than last year in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, according to AAA, even as the country’s average price per gallon recently dropped below $4 for the first time in months.

To cope with higher costs, some Louisiana families are now renting older properties away from the beachfront or booking properties with kitchenettes to avoid dining out, according to Allyson Breaux, a travel agent based in St. Landry Parish.

“They decide either less is more, or more is worth paying for,” she said.

Amy Roddie, from Meridian, Mississippi, has taken an RV to the beach with her family each summer for two decades. She used to stay at campgrounds closer to Gulf Shores, just a mile or two from the waterfront. But after several campgrounds were redone and prices rose to about $1,600 a month, she began looking farther north.

This year, she is staying with her grandchildren at Sun City RV Park, where the monthly rate is still about $1,000.

“I don’t know how people afford

it,” said Roddie from the RV park several miles north of Orange Beach.

“It’s still cheaper to literally do three months here than a week in some condos,” Roddie added. “It’s crazy.”

Affordable vacations possible?

Tracking the average cost of hotels and vacation rental properties along the Gulf Coast is difficult.

Many accommodations operate like airlines, with dynamic pricing that can change several times a day.

But travel agents say some beachfront condos can cost more than $3,000 a week, compared with less than $2,000 a week about a decade ago.

In some cases, cruises or allinclusive resorts overseas can be similarly priced to some weeklong condo rentals in the Alabama cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, said Stacy Rodriguez, a travel agent who works with clients in the New Orleans area.

“It’s hard to find a hundred and something dollar hotel anywhere along the coast now,” Rodriguez said. “Just a few years ago, it was definitely doable.”

The rising costs are also adding challenges for travel agents, according to LaKesha Cage, an agent who works with families across Louisiana. One client’s family wanted to visit Florida earlier this summer but began considering a cheaper vacation in Dallas to visit the nearby Six Flags amusement park.

“I really haven’t been able to

find them anything” in Florida, Cage said. “Everything is super high.”

Vacation rental property owners are also facing rising expenses, including insurance premiums.

And younger owners buying into the market are paying far more for properties than the owners who bought in decades before them, which often means they must charge higher rents to cover their costs.

In Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, tourism leaders say they are trying to promote the benefits of traveling in the offseason to spread demand and are also advertising free attractions to visitors who often return each year.

Around the region, tourism officials say visitors can save money by booking directly with rental companies to avoid added fees and by visiting during August or the fall when rates drop.

“People can still find affordable Destin vacations,” said Tracy Louthain, director of marketing at Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, which manages more than 300 rentals between Destin and Scenic Highway 30A. “You just have to be a savvy traveler.”

Still — even at cheaper campgrounds and RV parks — surging demand has raised some prices near the beach. Sabe Nicholson, who runs Sun City RV Park, said many families who stay with him are retreating from costs at the shoreline.

“This,” he said, “is an alternative.”

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ 9A

lll

Video shows suspect on roof to kill Charlie Kirk, official testifies alleged movements Handling of crime inson’s before and after Kirk was killed as prosecutors played scene questioned previously unseen campus

BY HANNAH SCHOENBAUM and MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press

PROVO, Utah — The man charged with killing Charlie Kirk strolled Utah Valley University in shorts a n d a Tshirt, bought a meal at Chick-fil-A and made contact with people from T. Robinson Kirk’s organization, before returning in different clothes to shoot the conservative activist from a rooftop, an investigator testified Tuesday.

Former State Bureau of Investigation Agent David Hull described Tyler Rob-

surveillance videos in state court.

The defendant first arrived on campus about four hours before the shooting and returned several times, including when he allegedly went onto the roof to shoot Kirk and again the night after Kirk was killed, Hull said.

Prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty in the case. They are trying to convince Judge Tony Graf that they have enough evidence to bring Robinson to trial on an aggravated murder charge.

Robinson has not yet entered a plea. His attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence. They have, however, sought to get the death penalty taken off the table, so far unsuccess-

on foot, Hull said.

Investigators found the suspected murder weapon — a bolt-action rifle with one spent round — wrapped in a towel in some nearby woods.

DNA on the towel matched to two people.

One was Robinson’s roommate and the other was very likely Robinson, Jennifer Faumuina with the State Bureau of Investigation testified.

This week’s preliminary hearing marks the most significant presentation of evidence to date in the case.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SPENSER HEAPS Authorities allege Robinson, 23, shot Kirk on Sept. 10 Tyler Robinson’s parents, Matt Robinson and Amber while the 31-year-old activist Robinson, second from right, arrive at the Fourth District ally of President Donald Courthouse on Tuesday in Provo, Utah, ahead of a hearing in and Trump was speaking to a the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. crowd of thousands.

Defense attorney Kathryn fully. site overlooking where Kirk Nester questioned Hull’s In a video shown Tues- was speaking, Hull testified. handling of the crime scene day, Robinson climbs over After the shooting, Robinson on the day of the shooting. a railing onto a rooftop, runs back across the roof, She also asked about a bullet crouches down and runs to a drops to the ground and flees that was found on campus at

Charges dropped against dad who drove family off cliff in California

BY OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — All charges against a radiologist accused of trying to kill his family in 2023 by driving his car off a cliff along the Northern California coast have been dismissed by a judge following his completion of a mental health program.

Prosecutors charged Dharmesh Patel, 45, with attempted murder after he drove his Tesla off a 250foot cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway known as “Devil’s Slide,” injuring his wife and two young children.

All four survived the Jan. 2, 2023, crash in what one official called an “absolute

miracle.”

A San Mateo County judge dismissed the charges on Monday after Patel completed a two-year mental health diversion program with a Stanford University psychiatrist and a family therapist this week, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

“The judge was required by the law to dismiss the charges,” Wagstaffe said.

In 2024, a different judge ruled Patel would receive mental health treatment instead of standing trial after his defense attorneys argued he was going through episodic major depression with hallucinations when he drove his family off the cliff and qualified for men-

tal health diversion under California law that went into effect in 2023.

“If the person who’s given mental health diversion follows the treatment plan, there’s nothing that can be done and at the end of the two years he gets it wiped out of his record.” Wagstaffe said.

San Mateo prosecutors unsuccessfully opposed diversion for Patel.

Wagstaffe and other California district attorneys have argued that attempted murder should be excluded from eligibility for mental health diversion, and they are working with lawmakers to amend the law.

“We’ll try again in the future,” he said about the law.

“We’re not giving up.”

A TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS, CLOSER TO HOME.

a different location than the alleged shooting site.

Hull said that bullet was traced back to a law enforcement officer who had “cleared” his weapon, ejecting an unused bullet. He also said a handgun in a backpack was found at the scene.

Robinson’s attorneys also raised questions about the DNA evidence, using testimony from an FBI analyst to demonstrate that finding a person’s DNA on an item doesn’t necessarily mean that person touched the item.

Prosecutors contend the shooting endangered others at Kirk’s campus event — an aggravating circumstance that could make the crime punishable by death under Utah law. Robinson also faces possible sentence enhancements based on the prosecution’s claim that he targeted Kirk because of his political views.

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10A ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

lll

Reform UK’s leader says he’ll quit Parliament Farage to seek reelection amid allegations

BY JILL LAWLESS Associated Press

LONDON — Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced Tuesday that he will quit his seat in Parliament and seek reelection in an effort to clear his name over financial allegations linked to millions of dollars’ worth of donations.

The unexpected resignation is an effort by the anti-immigration politician to preempt a standards Farage investigation that could have seen him ejected as a lawmaker, and to present himself as the victim of a witch hunt by the media and his political foes.

“I have done nothing wrong. I have not broken the law in any way at all. I have not misused public money,” Farage, a prominent ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, said in a statement broadcast

by his party. Media outlets were not allowed to attend the broadcast and he did not take questions.

Farage faces a parliamentary standards investigation about undeclared and potentially rule-breaking donations, including a $6.7 million gift he received from a Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire. A finding of wrongdoing could lead to Farage being suspended or expelled from Parliament. But he has made the first move by triggering an election for his seaside seat of Clacton in eastern England.

“The people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions,” Farage said.

“This will be a people versus the establishment by-election.”

And, he said: “I will fight to win.”

Farage won Clacton comfortably in the 2024 election, taking 46.2% of the vote, and stands a strong chance of winning reelection — not least because he may run largely unopposed. The gov-

CLASSIFIEDS continued from Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE --Notice is hereby given that Entergy Louisiana, LLC has applied for a 401 Water Quality Certifica‐ tion to clear, grade, exca‐ vate, and place fill to es‐ tablish two PermitteeMitigation Responsible sites. One site will be lo‐ cated near LA-20 near and in Thibodaux, and the other site is located near Martinez Lane east of Thibodaux. All work will occur in Lafourche Entergy Parish.

Louisiana, LLC is apply‐ ing to the Louisiana De‐ partment of Environmen‐ tal Quality, Office of Envi‐ ronmental Services for a Water Quality Certifica‐ tion in accordance with statutory authority con‐ in the LAC tained 33:IX.1507.A-E and provi‐ sions of Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. Comments concerning this application can be filed with the Water Per‐ mits Division within ten days of this notice by ref‐ erencing WQC 260626-01, AI 248266 to the following address: Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Water Permits Division P.O. Box 4313 Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313 Attn: Water Quality Certifications Comments may be sub‐ mitted by email to DEQWaterQualityCertifica‐ tions@la.gov.

A copy of the application is available for inspec‐ tion and review at the Public Records LDEQ Center at 602 North Fifth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The available information can also be accessed electronically on the Electronic Docu‐ ment Management Sys‐ tem (EDMS) on the LDEQ public website at www. deq.louisiana.gov.

193517 July 8, 1t $209.16 PUBLIC NOTICE ---

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Office of Environmental Services Waste Permit Division Post Office Box 4313 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-4313 193252 July 8, 1t $142.83 PUBLIC NOTICE The City of Central Plan‐ ning & Zoning Commis‐ sions will hold public hearings on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 6:00 pm at Central City Hall, 11530 Sullivan Road, Central, LA 70818, to consider the following: Planning Commission S-26-0012: Subdivision in the 8800 Range of Joor Road. Request for a pre‐ plat to liminary/final subdivide one lot (A, A.J. Browning Property) into four with a new private servitude of passage.

Comprising 4.623 acres in the R/A (Rural/Agricul‐ tural) zoning district.

(Applicant: Professional Surveyors of Land Louisiana LLC, for HSC Holdings, LLC) Zoning Commission T-26-0003: Floodplain and Stormwater Manage‐ ment. Amend Title 7 Uni‐ fied Development Code to move floodplain and manage‐ stormwater ment regulations from Chapter 15 to Chapter 4, and provide for related matters.

T-26-0004: Performance and Specific Use Stan‐ dards. Amend Title 7 Uni‐ fied Development Code (UDC), Title 12 Nuisances, and Appendix 1 Compre‐ Zoning Code hensive (CZC) to move perfor‐ mance and specific use standards from the CZC to the UDC, make minor adjustments, and provide for related matters.

193361 July 8, 13, 18, 2026 $80.74

NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Article 4, Section 21 (D)(1) of the Constitution, Louisiana that on June 23, 2026, Pierre Part Natural Gas Company, Inc. (“PPNG”) and South Coast Gas Company, Inc. (“SCGC”), natural gas public utili‐ ties distributing natural gas to residential and commercial customers in Lafourche Assumption, and Terrebonne Parishes, filed with the Louisiana Public Service Commis‐ sion ("LPSC") an applica‐ tion seeking with respect to construction of a new North City Gate Meter Station to provide ser‐ vice for PPNG, non-oppo‐ sition to loan financing

by PPNG, approval of cost recovery by PPNG, and approval for SCGC to sign as guarantor on the loan financing. Financing is currently estimated at $1,620,302, with cost re‐ covery through a Genera‐ tor Tariff which would as‐ sess $6 per month to any and all customers having a generator which takes gas service from PPNG, and a Cost Recovery Rider which would as‐ sess an estimated $6 per month to all customers of PPNG subject to an‐ nual true-up to ensure no over or under recovery of annual financing costs.

For questions and com‐ ments please call the LPSC toll free at (800) 256-2397. The filing and its attachments may be viewed in the Records Di‐ vision of the LPSC at 602 N. 5th Street, 12th Floor, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802.

193369 July 8, 2026 1t $158.64 PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUBMIT PERMIT RENEWAL APPLICATION INTERNATIONAL PAPER MANSFIELD MILL MANSFIELD, DESOTO PARISH, LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that International Paper Mansfield Mill intends to submit to the Louisiana Department of Environ‐ mental Quality, Office of Environmental Services, Waste Permits Division, an application for a per‐ mit renewal for the exist‐ ing Type I Landfill and in DeSoto Landfarm Parish, Range 12 West, Township 14 North, Sec‐ tions 25 and 26, which is located at 1202 Highway 509, Mansfield, Louisiana.

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

Legal Notices

concerning Comments the facility may be filed with the Louisiana De‐ partment of Environmen‐ tal Quality at the follow‐ ing address:

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

PUBLIC NOTICE --VISIT BATON ROUGE BOARD MINUTES June 2026 A scheduled Board of Di‐ rector’s meeting of Visit Baton Rouge was held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the Visit Baton Rouge Office located at 359 Third Street.

Present: Rowdy Gaudet Janice DeLerno Karen Soniat Robyn Merrick Jeremy Fontenot Gary Patureau Claude Reynaud Absent: Marty Engquist Stephen Hightower Gary Jupiter Present but not participating in formal actions: Jill Kidder, Staff Lisa Clary, Staff Danielle Prejean, Staff Stacy Simon, Staff Laura Cating, Staff Geraldine Bordelon, Staff Emily Mastrantonio, Staff Chris Meyer, CEO - BRAF Kimberly Littlefield, PM BRAF Eric Dexter, VP - BRAF Kacey Melancon, Operations Director – Sentinel Pension Rowdy Gaudet called the meeting to order and opened the meeting for public comment. There was no public comment.

Rowdy stated that New Business Item A. would be moved up the agenda to follow the Approval of the Minutes.

On a motion by Claude Reynaud, seconded by Robyn Merrick the May 28, 2026, and June 9, 2026, minutes were approved as presented.

Motion carried.

Discussion/Action was held in connection with the amendment of the 457B Visit Baton Rouge Deferred Compensation Plan.

On a motion by Gary Pa‐ tureau, seconded by Claude Reynaud, the fol‐ lowing resolution was approved.

erning Labour Party and opposition Conservatives and Liberal Democrats all said they would not put forward candidates.

Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Farage’s announcement “a desperate stunt” from a man “up to his neck in sleaze.”

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said her party “will not be standing a candidate in the fake by-election that Farage is causing to distract people from what is happening.”

Reform UK said it was willing to pay for the special election, which may deflect claims it is wasting taxpayers’ money.

The gambit may only postpone Farage’s problems.

Even if he wins, the standards inquiry is likely to resume.

The Guardian reported Tuesday that bankers aware of the transaction had reported the 5 million pound donation to the National Crime Agency as potentially laundered money.

The crime agency said it did not confirm or deny the receipt of financial “suspicious activity reports,” which are confidential.

Public Notices Successions p ______, of the Con‐ veyance Records of the Parish of Iberville, State of Louisiana.

The following is a formal record of action taken by the governing body of Visit Baton Rouge (the "Employer").

Municipal address is: Church Street, 24120 Plaquemine, Louisiana

With respect to the amendment of the Visit Baton Rouge Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan"), the following resolutions are hereby adopted:

A certain part and parcel of land lying, being and in Iberville situated Parish, Louisiana, in what is known as Desobry Subdivision to the Town of Plaquemine as laid out into lots by J. C. Klein‐ peter, Surveyor, in 1931, as per map on the file in recorder’s office of the Parish of Iberville in C. B. 44, Entry 417 and C. B. 61, Entry 420 being a part of lots 1, 2 and 13 of square 7 of said subdivision and measuring 130' more or less, bounded on the front or north by Desobry Street, east by property of Kenneth Irwin, west by Lot 3 of Desobry Subdivi‐ sion, and south by Lot 12 of Desobry Blvd. Also see map recorded in C.B. 154, entry 525. Together with all building and improve‐ ments thereon or in any‐ wise appertaining. See C. B. 255, E. 36. See also C. B. 509, E. 157. Said property bears municipal address 58015 Desobry Street, Plaquemine, Louisiana.

RESOLVED FURTHER: That the appropriate officers of the Employer be, and they hereby are, autho‐ rized and directed to ex‐ ecute said amendment on behalf of the Em‐ ployer; RESOLVED FURTHER: That the officers of the Em‐ ployer be, and they hereby are, authorized and directed to take any and all actions and exe‐ cute and deliver such documents as they may deem necessary, appro‐ priate or convenient to effect the foregoing reso‐ lutions including, without limitation, causing to be prepared and filed such reports documents or other information as may be required under applic‐ able law.

Dated this __ day of __ 2026. _______ _______

BY ASTRID SUÁREZ Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia’s President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella on Tuesday suspended the transition process with President Gustavo Petro and accused him of planning a coup to stay in power, after the incumbent Petro leader refused to recognize results of the country’s election.

Petro said Monday that he refused to recognize de la Espriella’s victory in the June 21 presidential runoff election over the Petro coalition’s candidate Sen. Iván Cepeda, alleging fraud without providing evidence.

The conservative, Trump-endorsed de la Espriella said in a video posted Tuesday on social media that Petro and Cepeda had launched a plan to “cling to power at all costs” through “a coup d’état” by refusing to recognize his victory.

Public Notices Successions

VISIT BATON ROUGE FORMAL RECORD OF AC‐ TION

RESOLVED: That the Plan be amended in the form attached hereto, which amendment is hereby adopted and approved;

Colombia’s president-elect suspends his transition, says incumbent planned coup

AND

Municipal address is: 58015 Desobry Street, Plaquemine, Louisiana Any heir or creditor who opposed the proposed sale must file his/her op‐ position within 7 days f h d hi h

Public Notices Successions

p y from the date on which the last publication no‐ tice appears.

CLERK OF COURT 19TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FOR THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE

BY ORDER OF THE COURT Deputy Clerk 191399-jun 17-jul 8-2t $120.12 PUBLIC NOTICE --19TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FOR THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. P-117880 DIVISION “22”

ATTORNEY: Kameron P. Whitmeyer ADDRESS: 909 Poydras Street Suite 1225 New Orleans, LA 70112 (504) 264-1057 service@svlaw.law PUBLICATION: The Advocate (Publish Once) 193237 July 8, 2026 1t $45.94 PUBLIC NOTICE ---

SUCCESSION OF KATHERINE S. BRIDGES

NOTICE:

FILED: DEPUTY CLERK

SUCCESSION OF BOBBY JOSEPH GAUTHIER, SR. PROBATE NO. 118,058 19TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE STATE OF LOUISIANA

NOTICE NOTICE IS GIVEN that TARA K. ELSENPETER, Ad‐ ministratrix of the Suc‐ cession of KATHERINE S. BRIDGES, has filed a peti‐ tion for authority to pay debts and charges of this in accor‐ Succession dance with a tableau of distribution contained in the petition. The petition be homologated can after the expiration of seven (7) days from the date of this publication.

Any opposition to the ap‐ plication must be filed prior to homologation.

BY ORDER OF THE COURT.

Motion carried.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BOBBY GAUTHIER, JR. AND HIS SISTER, DANA CAMPBELL, GAUTHIER CO-EXECUTORS of the Succession of BOBBY GAUTHIER, SR., are apply‐ ing for authority to sell the following described real estate for the price of $118,000.00 and on the terms and conditions contained set forth in the purchase agreement at‐ tached to the petition to sell immovable property:

He did not provide evidence to support the allegation, and Petro did not immediately respond to it.

“As president-elect, I call on Colombia’s armed forces to honor their oath to protect the Constitution and democracy and to disobey any orders from Petro to the contrary,” de la Espriella said.

He also called on the international community to monitor the transfer of power and urged his supporters to “resist” until his inauguration on Aug. 7.

The presidential transition, known in Colombia as “empalme,” in which the outgoing administration provides the president-elect with the information to prepare for governing, has been marked by mutual accusations between political rivals Petro and de la Espriella.

Germán Ávila, Colombia’s finance minister and the Petro administration’s transition coordinator, ordered his team to suspend the handover process in response to de la Espriella’s suspension.

In a televised address, he criticized statements

Public Notices Successions

A certain lot or parcel of ground, together with any buildings and im‐ provements thereon, sit‐ uated in that subdivision of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, known as PARK FOREST, TENTH FILING, and being designated according to the official map thereof on file and of record in the office of the Clerk and Recorder for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as LOT NINE HUNDRED NINETY FIVE (995), said subdivi‐ sion, said lot fronting a total of 80.06 feet on Sunny Cline Avenue, with a depth on its westerly sideline of 159.57 feet, and a depth on its east‐ erly sideline of 161.16 feet, and a width in the rear of 80.0 feet, with a municipal address de‐ scribed as 10402 Sunny Cline Drive, East Baton Rouge Parish, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70814.

Public Notices Successions

WBR Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

Respectfully submitted, FERRARA LAW FIRM TRIAL LAWYERS FOR SUCCESSION OF BOBBY JOSEPH GAUTHIER, SR.

OYO Hotel Port Allen LA I10 West 821 Lobdell Hwy Port Allen, La 70767 Owned by: Property Investments LLC.

By:_________________ FRANK FERRARA, ESQ. ATTORNEY AT LAW LSBA#5539 P.O. Box 159 Walker, LA 70785 Telephone: (225)281-8661 Facsimile: (225)667-3028 frank@ferraralaw.org 193410-jul 8-15-2t $93.84

WBR Public Notices

WBR Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

For information only, said property bears a munici‐ pal address of 10402 Sunny Cline Drive, Baton Rouge LA 70814.

A judgment authorizing the sale may be issued after the expiration of seven (7) days from the last date of publication of this notice. An opposi‐ tion must be filed with the Clerk of Court for the Judicial District 19th Court, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, prior to the Issuance of the Judg‐ ment.

by members of de la Espriella’s transition team, and said that the president’s team had “nothing to hide.”

De la Espriella, a lawyer and businessman whose ventures include a clothing line, alcoholic drinks and a restaurant, earned U.S. President Donald Trump’s endorsement despite never having run for office. He was declared the winner of Colombia’s June 21 runoff election, in which he defeated progressive lawmaker Cepeda by 1 percentage point, or more than 251,000 votes.

The result was effectively an indictment of Petro’s government, whose policies Cepeda had promised to continue, including a largely failed effort to establish dialogue with multiple armed groups.

After the runoff election, a European Union observer mission praised the transparency and efficiency of the vote-counting process.

The Carter Center said the results management system was “reliable, transparent and fully traceable.”

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING West Baton Rouge Public Notice

OYO Hotel Port Allen 3051 La Hwy 1 South Port Allen, La 70767 Owned by: S. Investments LLC. A PUBLIC HEARING will be held by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council relative to the above businesses violat‐ ing WBR Parish Code of Ordinances, Chapter 50, Article VI, Sec. 50-130 and Ordinance 12 of 2026.

Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026 Time 5:30 pm Public hearings will be held at the West Baton Rouge Parish Govern‐ mental Building, 880 N. Alexander, Port Allen, LA 70767 Run Ad in the Advocate: July 8, 15, 22nd 2026 192314-JUL 8-15-22-3T $57.78

Notice Is Hereby Given To All Citizens Of The Parish Of West Baton Rouge, State Of Louisiana, And To All Other Interested Persons, Of The Upcom‐ ing Public Hearing In Re‐ gard To The Following Establish‐ Hotel/Motel ments Operating Without A Valid License.

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Notice

Notice

Jill Kidder presented the President’s Report.

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Article IV, Section 21(D)(1) of the Louisiana Constitution, that on June 1, 2026, Entergy Louisiana, LLC (“ELL”), a public utility providing retail electric and gas service throughout the State of Louisiana, filed with the Louisiana Public Service Commission (“LPSC”) public and confidential versions of its Formula Rate Plan (“FRP”) Rider Schedule FRP Evaluation Report and Workpapers for Test Year 2025.

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Article IV, Section 21(D)(1) of the Louisiana Constitution, that on June 1, 2026, Entergy Louisiana, LLC (“ELL”), a public utility providing retail electric and gas service throughout the State of Louisiana, filed with the Louisiana Public Service Commission (“LPSC”) public and confidential versions of its Formula Rate Plan (“FRP”) Rider Schedule FRP Evaluation Report and Workpapers for Test Year 2025.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned by Rowdy Gaudet, Chairman on a by Jeremy motion Fontenot, seconded by Janice DeLerno.

The filing reflects an earned return on common equity (“EROE”) for the 2025 Evaluation Period/Test Year of 9.63%, which is within the approved FRP dead band and results in no change in FRP base revenue.

The filing reflects an earned return on common equity (“EROE”) for the 2025 Evaluation Period/Test Year of 9.63%, which is within the approved FRP dead band and results in no change in FRP base revenue.

Changes in FRP Revenue include a reduction in credits flowing through the Tax Adjustment Mechanism, additions to transmission and distribution plant in service reflected through the Transmission Recovery Mechanism and Distribution Recovery Mechanism, respectively, and a decrease in credits flowing through the MISO Cost Recovery Mechanism. These changes result in a net increase in FRP Revenue of $226 million.

Changes in FRP Revenue include a reduction in credits flowing through the Tax Adjustment Mechanism, additions to transmission and distribution plant in service reflected through the Transmission Recovery Mechanism and Distribution Recovery Mechanism, respectively, and a decrease in credits flowing through the MISO Cost Recovery Mechanism. These changes result in a net increase in FRP Revenue of $226 million.

The resulting FRP factors to be applied to the respective ELL rate classes effective for customer bills rendered on and after the first billing cycle of September 2026 are as follows:

The resulting FRP factors to be applied to the respective ELL rate classes effective for customer bills rendered on and after the first billing cycle of September 2026 are as follows:

At this time, Chris Freda, with Planner/Designer Sasaki presented the Plan Baton Rouge, III slide show via Teams.

Danielle Prejean pre‐ sented and discussed the May 2026 financials.

Motion carried.

193395 July 8, 1t $47.78

Public Notices Successions

PUBLIC NOTICE --18TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF IBERVILLE STATE OF LOUISIANA IN THE MATTER OF THE SUCCESSION OF LELA MAE BROWN WILLIAMS PROBATE NO: 11321 B NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO SELL IMMOVABLE PROPERTY AT PRIVATE SALE NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Executrix of this succes‐ sion has petitioned the Court for authority to sell immovable property of the decedent’s estate at private sale in accor‐ dance with the provi‐ sions of Article 3281 of the Louisiana Code of Procedure for Civil $155,000.00 cash with the succession to pay all en‐ cumbrances, pro rata taxes and any other proper certificates, The immovable property pro‐ posed to be sold at pri‐ vate sale is described as: The decedent’s 50% in‐ terest in and to: A certain lot or parcel of ground situated in the of Plaquemine, City Parish, Iberville Louisiana, beginning at a point which is One Hun‐ dred Sixty-one Feet, Nine inches (161' 9") from the southwest corner of the intersection of Fort and Church Streets and from said point, measuring Feet (53'), Fifty-three more or less, front on the West side of Church Street, by a depth be‐ tween parallel lines of feet (69'), sixty-nine more or less; bounded North by property of T. J. Scott, now or formerly, East by continuation of Church Street, South by Polizzotto, now or for‐ merly, and West by Dard‐ enne, now or formerly.

Said property is sold to‐ gether with all buildings improvements and thereon being and be‐ longing and all rights, privileges and ways, servitudes thereunto ap‐ pertaining. Being the same property acquired as per C. B. 452, E. f h

Ln No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Rate Class RESIDENTIAL SMALL GENERAL SERVICE GENERAL SERVICE MUNICIPAL PUMPING SERVICE LARGE POWER SERVICE HIGH LOAD FACTOR SERVICE LARGE LOAD HIGH LF POWER SERVICE LARGE INDUSTRIAL SERVICE LIGHTING SERVICE

Total ELL FRP Rate Adj. 100.7855% 93.2446% 96.3035% 102.9310% 82.9259% 82.7593% 80.9583% 86.5556% 94.5556%

Ln No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Rate Class RESIDENTIAL SMALL GENERAL SERVICE GENERAL SERVICE MUNICIPAL PUMPING SERVICE LARGE POWER SERVICE HIGH LOAD FACTOR SERVICE LARGE LOAD HIGH LF POWER SERVICE LARGE INDUSTRIAL SERVICE LIGHTING SERVICE

Total ELL FRP Rate Adj. 100.7855% 93.2446% 96.3035% 102.9310% 82.9259% 82.7593% 80.9583% 86.5556% 94.5556%

It is estimated that the proposed adjustment in rates will have the following effects upon applicable Legacy ELL customers’ typical monthly bills: for a Residential customer using 1,000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $6.35; for a Small General Service customer using 50 kW and 12,500 kWh the bill would change by approximately $80.47; for a Large General Service customer using 1,000 kW and 500,000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $1,887.73.

It is estimated that the proposed adjustment in rates will have the following effects upon applicable Legacy ELL customers’ typical monthly bills: for a Residential customer using 1,000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $6.35; for a Small General Service customer using 50 kW and 12,500 kWh the bill would change by approximately $80.47; for a Large General Service customer using 1,000 kW and 500,000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $1,887.73.

It is estimated that the proposed adjustment in rates will have the following effects upon applicable Legacy EGSL customers’ typical monthly bills: for a Residential customer using 1,000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $6.35; for a Small General Service customer using 5000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $34.62; for a Large General Service customer using 500 kW and 255,500 kWh the bill would change by approximately $897.06.

It is estimated that the proposed adjustment in rates will have the following effects upon applicable Legacy EGSL customers’ typical monthly bills: for a Residential customer using 1,000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $6.35; for a Small General Service customer using 5000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $34.62; for a Large General Service customer using 500 kW and 255,500 kWh the bill would change by approximately $897.06.

For questions and comments regarding ELL’s filing, please call the LPSC toll free at (800) 2562397. Additionally, the filing, including its attachments, the public version of which may be viewed in the Records Division of the LPSC at the following address:

For questions and comments regarding ELL’s filing, please call the LPSC toll free at (800) 2562397. Additionally, the filing, including its attachments, the public version of which may be viewed in the Records Division of the LPSC at the following address:

Records Division 602 N. Fifth Street, 12th Floor Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 Telephone: (225) 342-3157

Records Division 602 N. Fifth Street, 12th Floor Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 Telephone: (225) 342-3157

ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC

ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC

193146-664787-jul 8-1t $ 917.50

193147-664789-jul 8-1t $ 917.50

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ 11A

lll

Monaco bombing suspect Founder of pioneering Black hair care business dies at 99 found dead in Ukraine Woman accused of trying to kill business tycoon

ligence officer said he acted on his own and without the knowledge of his superiors, the SBU said.

Both men were detained on suspicion of murdering BerBY SAMYA KULLAB ezovska, a Ukrainian national whose last known residence and VOLODYMYR YURCHUK was in Germany, accordAssociated Press ing to authorities. They also KYIV, Ukraine — The woman “may have been involved in suspected of trying to kill a planning” last week’s bombUkrainian business tycoon ing, Monaco prosecutor Stéin a bombing attack phane Thibault said in Monaco last week late Tuesday. was found dead in The bombing attack Ukraine with gunat an apartment buildshot wounds to the ing entrance in Monahead, Ukraine’s Seco reportedly injured Vadym Yermolaiev, a curity Service said tycoon with links to on Tuesday.

Russia. A woman and A Ukrainian milia child who were with tary intelligence Berezovska him were also injured, officer confessed to killing the bombing suspect, and the Monaco prosecutor Anastasiia Berezovska, with said last week that one of the the help of a former law en- victims was in a life-threatenforcement officer, said the ing condition. security service, known as The attack shocked Monathe SBU. The military intel- co, a coastal playground for

the rich and famous known for its tax-friendly incentives and royal family.

Authorities have not disclosed possible motives for the bombing attack, or the killing of Berezovska. Based on the sophistication of the remote-controlled explosive device that was used, investigators in Monaco said last week that they believed multiple people were involved in the attack.

In Kyiv, the mysterious events have raised concerns among some lawmakers about how Ukraine’s Western allies are reacting to a possible assassination attempt in Monaco that is now linked to at least one member of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency.

“I hope it will not have a serious impact. But our allies deserve an explanation,” said a lawmaker from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s party.

U.S. shared confidential info on asylum seekers with Iran, suit says

BY SAFIYAH RIDDLE

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — A lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges that the Trump administration’s immigration agencies have been sharing confidential information about Iranian asylum seekers with the Iranian government, violating national immigration regulations and endangering countless Iranians, court filings argue.

The lawsuit depicts a coordinated campaign between the U.S. and Iranian governments to identify Iranians in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and pressure them to return to Iran — a marked departure

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from decades of diplomatic hostility between the two governments and an ongoing war. The Department of Homeland Security denied that it is sharing asylum application records with the Iranian government.

Roughly 600 Iranians were put in immigration detention last year, according to public records obtained by the National Iranian American Council. In June, an Iranian woman was among the two dozen migrants the U.S. deported to the Central African Republic — in a marked departure from a decades-long practice by the U.S. of welcoming Iranian dissidents, exiles and others since the 1979 Islamic Revolution

forced a large number of Iranians to flee.

The U.S. government is allowed to work with government officials of foreign countries to coordinate deportation logistics. However, federal regulations passed in the late 1990s prohibit the government from sharing information that could reveal that the individual getting deported applied for asylum.

“Congress made these confidentiality protections mandatory precisely because lives depend on them, and no agency and no administration, of either party, may set them aside,” said Ali Rahnama, the interim executive director of Iranian American Legal Defense Fund.

BY COREY WILLIAMS and AISHA I. JEFFERSON Associated Press

CHICAGO — George E. Johnson Sr., a pioneer in Black hair care whose multimillion dollar business was the first Black-owned company to be listed on the American Stock Exchange, has died at age 99, according to his family.

Johnson died Monday at his home in downtown Chicago. A cause of death was not released.

Johnson and his late wife, Joan, started Johnson Products in 1954 on Chicago’s South Side after securing a $250 loan. It grew into a hair care empire catering almost exclusively to Black people, with brands like Afro Sheen and Ultra

Sheen. burned the scalp.

His company was a naJohnson worked with F u l l e r ’s c h e m tional sponsor of the hit 1970s music ist to revamp the and dance televibarber’s formula and started his sion show “Soul business after ultiTrain.”

“Johnson Prodmately convincing a bank he needed a ucts became a fix$250 loan to take his ture in homes and wife on a vacation, salons around the Johnson Beard said. That world and a source of pride throughout Black business would become America,” his family said Johnson Products.

Johnson’s company ofin a statement.

As an adult, Johnson fered above-market salaworked for the Black- ries, profit-sharing for its owned Fuller Products workers, healthcare and Co. in Chicago. Beard said other benefits at a time Johnson met a barber who when many companies was distraught because he didn’t provide such perks, couldn’t convince Fuller Beard added. Johnson to back a product he was Products was sold in 1993 working on that straight- to a pharmaceutical firm in ened men’s hair. The a deal worth more than $60 drawback was the product million.

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12A ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Police: Woman crashes, opens fire Landry blasts case, says bail set too low

BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer

A woman was arrested after police said she crashed her car on Interstate 110, exited the vehicle, began shooting at cars and hit one person.

Leila Habib, 63, of New Orleans, was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on counts of attempted second-degree murder, ag-

Man cleared in death of cousin

gravated criminal damage to property, simple damage to property and illegal use of a weapon.

Baton Rouge police said the shooting happened Sunday afternoon on 647 North Interstate 110, near Harding Boulevard, when Habib crashed a black Nissan Altima on the shoulder and blocked one lane of traffic.

The car was reportedly carjacked in New Orleans prior to the crash, police said.

According to Habib’s arrest warrant, she exited the car and ran in between lanes of traffic using a Smith & Wesson handgun to prevent cars from driving past.

Habib blocked a gray Silverado pickup from passing and shot her gun in the air once, police said. As the driver of the truck attempted to get away, he hit Habib, who fell on the front of the car. Habib then shot the windshield of the truck, grazing

the driver’s head, according to the arrest warrant.

The driver crashed into the rear of Habib’s car and stopped in the center lane, police said.

Habib then attacked another victim’s Silverado pickup truck after he told her he would call the police.

Police said Habib started banging on the passenger door of the truck before jumping into the bed of the truck and shooting her gun in the air.

Police said the driver headed to a nearby church to get to a safe place while Habib continued shooting her

gun and damaged his rearview mirror.

Police arrested Habib at the church at 11:10 p.m. and confiscated the gun.

In a statement on social media, Gov. Jeff Landry blasted the bail set for Habib as too low.

Commissioner Kina Kimble gave her a bail of $180,000, according to prison officials, $100,000 for attempted second-degree murder and $80,000 for other counts.

ä See CRASHES, page 2B

FIELD OF GREENS

Jury finds 2024 killing was self-defense

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

Wrapping up a tense murder trial that saw at least one family member removed from the courtroom, a Baton Rouge jury on Thursday found that Terrell Walker acted in self-defense when he fatally shot an older cousin outside a family gathering in 2024.

The 23-year-old Walker was on trial for second-degree murder in the death of 39-year-old Norris Robinson Jr. He also faced a charge of attempted second-degree murder in the nonfatal shooting of Robinson’s then-17-year-old daughter, as well as a count of illegal use of a firearm.

After an uneasy final day of the trial and around three hours of deliberation, jurors found Walker not guilty on all three charges.

The case split the extended family onto both sides of the courtroom’s aisle, with Judge Fred Crifasi even being required to kick one man out of the courtroom after he mouthed “murdered” at the defendant, Crifasi said.

Among the most intriguing elements of the case was the lack of footage from a multicamera security system on the exterior of the

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

A horse grazes Thursday in a field along Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge.

ä See SHOOTING, page 2B

‘Find a purpose again’: Baton Rouge Judge: Livingston librarian owed $50K court gives veterans a second chance Lafayette group accused of defamation

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer

A Livingston Parish judge has ruled that Michael Lunsford and the Lafayette-based Citizens for a New Louisiana owe $50,000 to a librarian in a defamation case that has not yet been tried on its merits.

Twenty-first Judicial District Court Judge Erika Sledge of Livingston Parish on June 15 awarded Amanda Jones, a Livingston Parish school librarian, $50,979 to be paid by Citizens for a New Louisiana and Executive Director Michael Lunsford.

In 2022, Jones spoke at a Livingston Parish Library Board meeting against censorship and the proposal removal of books.

Lunsford, who runs the social media for the conservative Citizens for a New Louisiana, and blogger Ryan Thames blasted Jones on social media, saying she supported books that she didn’t and

that she supported pornography in libraries.

Jones sued in August 2022 for defamation. Lunsford, Citizens and Thames filed a special motion to strike, which was granted.

A motion for a new trial by Jones was denied. She stipulated that, should the defendants win on appeal, she would pay $12,500 to Citizens and $13,000 to Thames.

Sledge wrote in her decision that throughout 2023, Jones went through the appeals process, filing multiple legal briefs in response to the defendants’ two separate oppositions, filing a supplemental brief regarding the jurisdiction of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal and so forth.

The 1st Circuit, in January 2024, ruled that it lacked jurisdiction in the case and dismissed the appeal without considering the merits of Jones’ case.

Jones filed an application for a rehearing, which was denied, followed by a writ to the Louisiana Supreme Court, which found the 1st Circuit did have jurisdiction.

The case was sent back to the appeals court in December 2024.

ä See LIBRARIAN, page 2B

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

Days before the United States celebrated its 250th birthday, two Army veterans commemorated their own milestone: becoming the second-ever class to graduate from the 19th Judicial District Court’s Veterans’ Treatment Court.

Standing in white robes before an assembly of family, supporters, court staff and fellow veterans, graduates Cydney Muhammad and Shaquille Robinson accepted certificates Thursday showing they’d completed the post-conviction program.

The Veterans’ Treatment Court is just one of several recovery courts that operate in the district court, each intended to provide support to inmates or parolees whose crimes were caused in part by some negative contributing condition, like drug and alcohol abuse or mental illness.

“A lot of time, due to their service, (veterans) come back with various disorders, either mental health disorders or substance use disorders, a combination of both.

And the question becomes: What is our obligation to try and meet their needs?” said District Judge

PROVIDED PHOTO

Shaquille Robinson, left, and Cydney Muhammad accept their graduation certificates Thursday at the 19th Judicial District Court’s Veterans’ Treatment Court.

Ronald Johnson, who presides over the program. “We find that some of our veterans are not housed; they’re actually out on the streets.

Some of them are challenged in terms of employment, others are challenged in terms of their relationships, and then others commit crimes as a result of their unique

service-connected disabilities, or just trauma associated with service.”

The program requires a minimum of 14 months of treatment and community transition, including regular court appearances,

ä See VETERANS, page 2B

2B ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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H

Cajun World War II veteran dies at 100 Prigeon Joseph Fontenot Sr., a Rayne native and World War II veteran, has died at age 100.

Fontenot died Friday at Ochsner Acadia General Hospital in Crowley, according to his family.

Just weeks before his death, Fontenot traveled to Normandy, France, where he joined fellow World War II veterans to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of DDay and honor the men and women

VETERANS

Continued from page 1B random drug testing, support group meetings, vocational or job counseling and educational classes.

It stands as a constructive standin for the traditional criminal justice system, giving service members a chance to avoid jail time and have their convictions expunged if they accept responsibility for their crimes and follow through on the program’s requirements.

Robinson said now that he’s graduated and is 18 months sober, he’s excited to return to his job as a correctional officer at the state penitentiary.

“There’s a difficulty adjusting from being in a structured environment for so long, then you come back and you gotta try to find a purpose again,” he said. “Honestly I came home and didn’t know what to do.”

Muhammad said she was home-

SHOOTING

Continued from page 1B residence, with Robinson’s father testifying that the system had broken the day before the fatal shooting.

Not only were jurors then required to rely on eyewitness testimony from Robinson’s father and two daughters, but the defense also claimed the footage was likely erased to avoid showing Robinson acting as the aggressor.

In a case where the positioning of the suspect, victims and bystanders in the seconds before the shooting were vital, and which often required witnesses to sketch on crime scene photos where each person had been standing, the defense argued this footage would have been invaluable.

“We could’ve seen exactly how that started, and the other cameras could have showed us how it proceeded,” said James Manassah, who headed Walker’s defense, “but lo and behold, according to (Robinson’s father), it’s not working the day before.”

Deadly altercation

The appeals court found in October that Jones was likely to prevail in her defamation lawsuit.

Jones has since settled with Thames, who issued a public apology.

The Supreme Court denied a writ application by Lunsford, which is now final, Sledge wrote.

Lunsford, she wrote, did not dispute that fees are owed but argued they are unreasonable. Sledge dis-

Contact Claire Taylor at ctaylor@theadvocate.com.

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District Attorney Hillar Moore said Robinson and Walker were both well-represented during the “highly contentious” trial.

“We recognize the hard work that the jury put into

this trial and their deliberation and respect their decision,” Moore said. “However, we believe that there was proof beyond a reasonable doubt of the defendant’s guilt.”

Continued from page 1B Landry contrasted that with the $400,000 bail set last week for Attorney General Liz Murrill over an indictment in New Orleans charging her with intimidating public officials. The state Supreme Court halted that indictment.

“If anyone wants to know why Louisianans have lost faith in the justice system, start there,” Landry wrote on X. “And these are the same people who accuse us of being the problem.”

Landry identified the woman as an “organizer” of an effort to gather petitions for a recall campaign against him and other public officials.

Leaders of the recall campaign, “Louisiana Deserves Better,” could not immediately be reached for comment on whether or how Habib was involved in their organization. But in a July 2 Facebook post, Marion Gbaiwon, the campaign’s founder, described Habib as a “volunteer” with the group who had left the organization.

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ULE ED

Continued from page 1B

agreed, awarding fees of $50,979 to Jones.

in order to get at Walker.

Walker fired, striking the teen in the chest, and Robinson was hit in the wrist.

Robinson was then shot again, this time in the chest.

Police found him on the other side of the car from where the shooting began.

Prosecutors said he had run around the back of the car to escape, while the defense characterized it as crouching behind the car for cover as he aimed his own weapon.

While that weapon never fired a shot, the defense said Robinson had likely drawn it during the argument.

In addition to the missing security footage and the fact the victim was found next to his own gun, Manassah injected further doubt into the state’s case by mentioning that Robinson had tested positive for methamphetamine in his autopsy.

CRASHES

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ence” as an example of the program’s success.

While Muhammad and Robinson avoided jail time through their graduation, other veterans spoke on the difficulty of facing one’s demons and the commitment needed to rebuild themselves anew.

Retired Navy Cmdr. Dennis Hart congratulated the graduates before the courtroom crowd Thursday, while still ribbing them about “choosing the wrong branch.”

“To me the Navy Creed applies specifically to what y’all did,” Hart PROVIDED PHOTO said. “The Navy Creed is honor, courage, commitment. You had to Judge Eboni Johnson Rose, from left, Cydney Muhammad, Shaquille do the honorable thing to admit to Robinson, Jimecia Williams and Judge Ronald Johnson celebrate what you had got. You had to do Muhammad and Robinson’s graduation from Veterans’ Treatment Court. the courageous thing to seek help, to think to yourself you needed During her program, she worked help. You had to have commitment less and suffering from mental illness when she was arrested. She as a behavior health tech at one of to continue doing what you had to compared her recovery through the same facilities where she was do every day for a year, year and a half, almost two years to get up the program to an old family car: It once a patient.

Muhammad said while working when you fell down.” might break down, it might lose a wheel, but it’s reliable and even if there she was “constantly reminded the route isn’t direct, it’ll get you of where I once was, and then able Email Quinn Coffman at quinn. to inspire people to make a differ- coffman@theadvocate.com. there in the end.

The defense accused the state of using the traumatic footage only to garner sympathy, but prosecutors argued it was important to show there was no time after the shooting for Robinson’s family to have collaborated on an alternate series of events.

“I didn’t show you (Robinson’s daughter) on the ground with the gunshot wound begging for God to save her just to show you.

I have a reason for showing this,” Assistant District Attorney Laura Tracy said. “You heard what (the daughters) are talking about. They’re not talking about what they’re gonna say to police.”

The state’s series of events painted a picture of an older family member trying to intervene in the life of a younger cousin who was going down a dangerous path and whose ego led him to violently reject that help.

Robinson’s father had invited the two to his residence for the gathering, in part hoping that they could overcome the growing animosity between them. But soon after both had arrived, and when no one was outside to see what started the argument, a heated verbal altercation started.

Robinson’s daughters and father then came outside and broke up the argument, with Robinson’s father walking Walker back to his car. Prosecutors said Walker then retrieved his gun from the car.

Robinson’s daughter was standing in front of her father “to protect him,” she testified. The defense argued that Robinson attempted to push her out of the way

PROVIDED PHOTO

Prigeon Fontenot, a Rayne native and soldier during the Great Depression and World War II, died Friday at 100.

YO

The trial had opened with the jury being shown footage from police bodycams of the aftermath of the April 12, 2024, shooting.

It showed Robinson’s 17-year-old daughter praying for her life as she lay in the driveway, with her sister cradling her and crying for police to bring the ambulance sooner.

Nearby, police officers performed chest compressions on Robinson, who was unresponsive and bloody.

wartime experience brought a renewed sense of pride in his Cajun heritage and identity.

Fontenot remained active in the veteran community as a member of American Legion Post 77, VFW Post 9822 and St. Joseph Elderberry’s. The Lafayette-area VFW Post 9822 remembered Fontenot as a beloved member and a source of inspiration.

“Mr. Prigeon was still an active member of our post and always a positive light wherever he went,” the post shared on Facebook. “It was always a pleasure to sit and talk with him and share in his stories. A true treasure who will be missed.”

Funeral services for Fontenot were held Tuesday with a Mass of Christian Burial at Gossen Funeral Home Chapel in Rayne.

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Staff writer

9th Armored Division, known as the “Phantom Division,” according to his obituary. Fontenot landed in France in January 1945 and served as an ammunition carrier, moving with a nine-man crew aboard a half-track as Allied forces advanced through Belgium and into Germany.

But Fontenot’s service was also significant because of the language he brought with him from Louisiana.

A native Cajun French speaker, Fontenot became one of the Louisiana soldiers known as “Frenchies,” who are men with the ability to speak French, making them valuable interpreters and liaisons during the Allied campaign through Europe.

In a previous interview with The Advocate, Fontenot said his

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BY JA’KORI MADISON

who fought during the historic June 6, 1944, invasion.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office shared a tribute following his death, remembering Fontenot as a veteran whose life represented courage and sacrifice.

“Mr. Prigeon Fontenot, a remarkable 100-year-old veteran,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “Just weeks ago, we had the profound honor of escorting him to Lafayette Regional Airport as he prepared to return to Normandy, France, for the 82nd anniversary of D-Day — a powerful reminder of his courage and sacrifice.”

Fontenot was drafted into the U.S. Army at age 18 and served from July 1944 until April 28, 1946, during the final years of World War II. He was assigned to the 52nd Armored Infantry Battalion of the

SCAN

Rayne man served as ammo carrier, French-speaking liaison

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Time running out to cash in on Amazon settlement

BY ZOE KOLENOVSKY

The Dallas Morning News (TNS) Customers have less than a month to file a claim for a share of Amazon’s historic $2.5 billion settlement.

The Seattle-based online retailer settled last year with the Federal Trade Commission over claims that it tricked customers into signing up for its Prime membership and made it difficult to unenroll from the plan. The result was $1 billion that Amazon must pay in civil penalties — the largest such fine in the agency’s history — on

top of another $1.5 billion to be doled out to eligible customers.

Most eligible customers should have received an automatic refund from Amazon in November or December 2025. But affected customers who haven’t received theirs can still file a claim. Here’s what you need to know.

Customers must meet three requirements to be eligible for a payment from the settlement fund.

The first is simple: You must be an Amazon Prime customer in the United States. But you must have also either signed up for the Prime subscription through a “chal-

lenged enrollment flow” or tried and failed to cancel your membership between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025.

The “challenged enrollment flow” refers to sign-up pathways that the government determined deceptive or confusing — places like the shipping selection page or single-page checkout.

You also must have used at most 10 Amazon Prime Benefits in any 12-month period during which you were enrolled. Those include the free shipping and faster delivery rates the program is famous for, as well as other Amazon products

offered to Prime subscribers for free such as Prime Video, Prime Music and Kindle Books.

You are not eligible to file a claim if you already received an automatic refund from Amazon.

Customers can submit claims until July 27 by visiting the settlement website to file a claim online.

You will be asked to either submit your claim ID and PIN number that you received with a settlement notice via email or mail, or to instead enter the personal information associated with your Amazon account, including an email address or phone number.

Amazon expects to send payments for approved claims by September 2026. Amazon has 30 days to review each claim.

Refunds will be sent via check, PayPal or Venmo.

Customers can receive up to $51 for membership fees paid during the settlement timeline. The refund represents membership fees up to that amount, minus any refunds or credits already issued, according to the settlement website.

Customers can contact Amazon at admin@subscriptionmembershipsettlement.com with questions about the settlement.

Want to find a job Wall Street banks that’s AI-proof? sky-high about SpaceX

New research says employees may be safer at companies embracing tech

But investors remain cautious

BY NILESH CHRISTOPHER Los Angeles Times (TNS)

BY DAMIAN J. TROISE AP business writer

NEW YORK — Wall Street banks have high hopes for SpaceX but at the moment shares of Elon Musk’s rocket market appear to be earthbound.

Many of the investment firms that underwrote SpaceX’s initial public offering issued their first research notes about the company Tuesday, and almost all recommended that investors buy the stock and forecast it to trade above $200 in the next 12 to 18 months.

But after topping $200 in its first week of trading, the stock is trading around $150 per share, where it opened on June 12, its IPO day. Investors may be looking cautiously at the same factors that have Wall Street so enthusiastic about the stock.

Analysts are focused on SpaceX’s potential to lead the market for space transportation and infrastructure. The company’s reusable rockets allow it to transport people and cargo into Earth’s orbit and it is aiming for deeper exploration of the solar system.

Most of the company’s revenue currently comes from its Starlink satellites, and AI innovations are expected to advance that technology.

“SpaceX’s ambitions, and potential impact on humanity, are bigger than any company’s we’ve ever seen,” said an analyst from J.P. Morgan in a research report.

The bank expects the stock price to reach $225 by the end of 2027. It cited the company’s competi-

AFP/GETTy IMAGES/TNS FILE PHOTO By TIMOTHy A. CLARy

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, displayed on a screen remotely from SpaceX headquarters in Starbase, Texas, speaks before the launch of SpaceX’s initial public offering June 12 at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New york City. Many of the investment firms that underwrote SpaceX’s IPO issued their first research notes about the company Tuesday, and almost all recommended that investors buy the stock and forecast it to trade above $200 in the next 12 to 18 months. tive advantage in space transportation, with about 670 orbital launches and a nearly 99% success rate with its Falcon rockets.

Most payloads launched into orbit since 2023 were through SpaceX. The company has dominated the reusable space rocket market with its Falcon 9, but its gigantic Starship rocket is the key to launching bigger pieces of cargo, including data centers.

Investment bank Raymond James is by far the most optimistic. Its analysts expect the stock to eventually reach $800 per share and consider SpaceX a key industrial company for the 21st century.

“Just as railroads, electric grids, and the Internet reshaped prior economic eras, we believe SpaceX is

building the foundational platform for the next generation of industrial capacity,” the analysts wrote in a research report.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk decided to take the company public because it needs money to fund its ambitions, including putting more satellites and eventually data centers into space. It’s more ambitious goals include establishing a colony on Mars.

For now, Starship is still in the test phase and no technology exists to put data centers in space or send people to Mars. Wall Street analysts acknowledge that a delay or failure to establish a steady schedule of launches for Starship is a risk that could torpedo their forecasts.

SpaceX ended its first day on Wall Street in June with a

market value of more than $2 trillion and is still sitting around that level. That made Musk the world’s first trillionaire, though his net worth has since fallen back below $1 trillion, according to Forbes.

A few banks on Wall Street are more cautious about the company’s prospects. Equity research firm MoffettNathanson said it sees the potential, but has given the company a more “neutral” rating and sees the stock eventually sitting at $131 per share. The concerns are over many of the unknowns related to regulatory issues, technology and demand.

“It is, in short, a bet on any and all things made possible by a virtual lock on rocket manufacturing and launch,” MoffettNathanson said in a report.

While AI is often cited as one of the reasons for mass layoffs, particularly in the tech sector, for fast-growing companies it also seems to be creating new jobs in many companies, according to a study published Tuesday from financial services company Ramp and employment database Revelio Labs.

“Our early result is that it looks like firms are starting to look for more entry-level hires, likely people who are more AI native,” said Ara Kharazian, the lead economist at Ramp, a financial services company that found a rise in early-career hiring by companies in the period they started spending heavily on AI. The study tracked AI spending and the workforce records of nearly 22,000 U.S. companies between January 2021 and February 2026.

It found that firms that spent more on AI ended up increasing their workforce headcount by an average of 10% over the two years after rolling out the technology. Companies that made the largest AI investment expanded entry-level job hiring by 12%.

“If you are a job seeker, or you are graduating from college, and you’re choosing between two different firms that are otherwise similar, I would choose the one that’s using AI,” Kharazian said. “Our paper shows that that firm is going to grow faster.”

The early and intense AI adopters spent more than $100 per month per employee on AI and had their employees using advanced AI, such as coding subscriptions, as opposed to simple ChatGPT subscriptions.

The low-intensity, casual AI adopters didn’t see any hiring gains and reduced headcount.

The Ramp study showed a positive effect on employment from AI because it focused on firms adopting AI, many of them fast-growing,

venture-backed companies hiring AI-native junior employees.

It reached a different conclusion than a November 2025 Stanford University study, which examined payroll data across the entire labor market and found that employment among young software developers had declined by nearly 20% from its late-2022 peak.

The two findings can both be true, Kharazian said, because the Stanford study was broader and didn’t focus just on the firms that use AI. “While there may be overall weak hiring for young people, what we found is that hiring is actually strong at the firms that use AI, and the firms that use AI intensely,” he said.

In another recent study on the impact of AI on jobs, the California AI-unemployment tracker examined the state across industries, education levels and region and highlighted some worrying trends.

It seemed to disprove the understanding that AI has been hurting mostly younger employees and those in entrylevel jobs.

It found that unemployment insurance claims among college-educated workers in high-AI-exposed jobs, such as customer service and software development, increased after ChatGPT’s release in 2022 and remained elevated through May 2026.

Many companies have said AI was one of the main reasons for layoffs. Meta, Oracle, Microsoft and other big tech companies have laid off tens of thousands of employees, while simultaneously investing billions in AI data centers.

Ramp’s findings that heavy AI adoption can lead to increased hiring suggests that some of the companies announcing large layoffs may be guilty of blaming regular cost cutting on AI, a practice dubbed “AI washing.”

“When you hear CEOs talk about layoffs and they attribute it to AI, I would be skeptical,” Kharazian said.

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

AI stocks drag markets lower worldwide

NEW YORK — The roller-coaster ride for AI stocks snapped back down on Tuesday and dragged Wall Street lower.

The S&P 500 fell 0.4% even though the majority of stocks within the index rose. The drops for stocks in the artificial intelligence industry dragged the Nasdaq composite down 1.2%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 130 points, or 0.2%, from its record.

The weakness began in Asia, where Samsung Electronics tumbled 6.9% in Seoul. The tech giant gave a preliminary look at its performance for the second quarter, and the numbers were strong. Samsung Electronics said it expects to report its operating profit surged roughly 1,800% from a year earlier.

Analysts called the numbers sur-

prisingly good, but they still weren’t enough for investors after Samsung Electronics’ stock had come into the day having more than doubled in the year so far.

On Wall Street, AI stocks have been under similar pressure in recent weeks on worries that their prices shot too high and that AI may not produce enough productivity and profits to make all the investments in chips and data centers worth it.

Drops of 6.5% for Advanced Micro Devices, 9.7% for Intel and 4.7% for Micron Technology were the heaviest weights on the market.

Outside of tech, Vertex Pharmaceuticals slipped 1.4% after saying it agreed to buy Crinetics Pharmaceuticals for $85 per share in cash.

Crinetics, which develops therapeutics for endocrine diseases, soared 98.7%.

Brent crude, the international

standard, rose 3% to settle at $74.16 per barrel.

Higher oil prices put upward pressure on inflation, and Treasury yields climbed in the bond market.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.54% from 4.48% late Monday and from just 3.97% before the war with Iran began.

High yields worldwide have been rattling investors since the war sent oil prices bursting above $100 per barrel in March. The worry is that high inflation may force the Federal Reserve and other central banks to hike interest rates. Higher rates can keep a lid on inflation, but they also slow the economy and hurt prices for all kinds of investments.

bols has cropped up after a court ordered a local tea chain to pay French luxury brand Louis Vuitton $1.5 million over trademark infringement claims.

Chinese state media and online commentators are questioning if the four-petal flower design in the fashion house’s 130-year-old signature monogram is derived from patterns dating back to ancient China.

Some are accusing the company of “monopolizing” traditional Chinese patterns.

A court in the eastern city of Suzhou recently ruled that the logo of Molly Tea, whose signature drinks are based on jasmine and other floral-based teas, infringed on Louis Vuitton’s trademark monogram. It ordered the tea company to pay $1.5 million to the French company, according to local media reports that HONG KONG — A debate over own- carried copies or details of what ership of traditional Chinese sym- they said was the ruling.

Louis Vuitton win stirs debate over copyrights

Microsoft replaces OpenAI, Anthropic in some apps

Microsoft Corp., looking to reduce AI costs, is starting to replace OpenAI and Anthropic with its own models in software products like Excel and Outlook.

Tens of thousands of AI prompts in the widely used spreadsheet and email applications are now being completed each week with Microsoft’s internally built MAI models, according to a person familiar with the work. Previously, Excel and Outlook relied more heavily on models from OpenAI and Anthropic, said the person, who was granted anonymity to discuss an internal matter.

The scale of MAI model usage in Microsoft’s workplace products hasn’t been previously reported. A Microsoft spokesperson declined to comment.

4B ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

Funerals Today Greene Jr., Albert

Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge at 11am.

Losavio, Odette

St. Ann's Church in Morganza LA at 11am.

Martin, William

St. John Methodist Church at 10am.

Millican, James

St. John Baptist Church at 10am.

Sawyer, Diane

Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA at 10am.

Obituaries Babin, Harold Bond

Harold Bond Babin, age 90, of Zachary, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Harold was born on August 7, 1935, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In his early years, he attended elementary school in Clinton, Louisiana. His family later moved to Baton Rouge, where Harold attended Baton Rouge Junior High School, Baton Rouge High School, and Louisiana State University. He completed the Ministerial Course of Study of The United Methodist Church and was ordained a deacon in 1971. Beginning in 1963, Harold served as a local pastor in The United Methodist Church, ministering to the congregations of Angie, Varnado, Day's Center, Darlington, Bluff Creek, Slaughter, Corbin, Wilson Community Church, Tunica, and St. Francisville.

He served St. Francisville United Methodist Church from 1972 until his retirement in 2005. Harold began working in the Road Design Section of the Louisiana

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Department of Transportation and Development in July 1956. At the time of his retirement in 1986, he was a Senior Road Design Squad Leader. Harold is survived by the former Patricia Pope of Zachary, Louisiana, his wife of 70 years.

They lived in Zachary beginning in 1958 and in St. Francisville from 1986 to 2005. He is also survived by his five children and their spouses: Brenda Babin Triche (Glenn), Cliff Babin (Johnnie), Linda Babin Stovall (Greg), Jimmy Babin (Marlene), and Bobby Babin (Janet).

Harold is also survived by his 17 grandchildren: Dr. Jason Triche (Grant Lane), Brandie Triche, Justin Triche (Lacey), Brad Thibodeaux, Mikki Helm, Ben Morgan, Greyson Stovall, Emery Stovall, Brittney Nichols (Dustin), Brooke Hafliger (Adam), Derek Babin (Caitlin), Stephen Babin (Anna Grace), Rebekah Babin, Katie Babin, Bond Babin (Rebecca), Rachael Vince (Patrick), and Bryce Babin (Jensen); 32 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Hunter Babin (Joyce). He was preceded in death by his parents, V.V. and Essie Bond Babin, and his brothers, Clifford Babin (Sis) and Dr. Claude Babin (Barbara).

Visitation will be held at Zachary United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. The service will be conducted by the Reverend Austin Rinehart, Dr. Greg Davis, and the Reverend Chris Andrews.

Burial will follow at Azalea Rest Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons with honorary pallbearers being Dr. Kemp Amacker, Ted Landaiche, Joe Kelley, and the Reverend Mike Clark.

Share sympathies, memories, and condolences at

www.CharletFuneralHome. com.

Carlino, Karen Alicia

The family would like to offer special thanks to her phenomenal care team at Hospice of Baton Rouge. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to St. Joseph's Academy (https:/ /www.sjabr.org/giving/giv e-now), or Our Lady of Mercy Parish (https://olomchurch.com) in Baton Rouge in her memory.

Cooper, Allen B.

Karen Alicia Carlino passed away July 4, 2026, at home surrounded by her family after a battle with cancer. She was born in Baton Rouge on January 19, 1966. She is survived by her two brothers, Randall James Carlino and Jeff Samuel Carlino; sister, Christine Elaine Carlino; sister-in-law, Laurie Carlino-Doughty, and her husband, Kenny; three nieces, Dr. Louren Theresa Carlino, Jennifer Christine Landry, and Lindsay Ann Carlino; nephew, Jason Anthony Carlino; and greatnephews, Jacob Michael Landry, Sawyer Anthony Carlino, and Crew Vincent Carlino. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo Anthony Carlino, Sr. and Lois Lovett Carlino; and a brother Leo Anthony Carlino, Jr.

Gonzales on July 1, 2026, at the age of 88. He was born on September 3, 1937, in Franklin County, VA. He is survived by his wife, Wanda Sue Bradley; son, Philip Coppins; stepsons, Stephen Guitreau, William E. Bradley, Randy L. Bradley, and Michael S. Bradley; and sister, Bobbie Mayes.

Allen is preceded in death by his former wife, Nelda Cooper; parents, Mildred and Benjamin Franklin Cooper; daughter, Tyra Cooper, sons, Michael Cooper and Tommy Cooper; and stepsons, Craig Guitreau and Phil Guitreau.

Visitation will be held at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 7348 Main St., Sorrento, LA 70778, Friday, July 10, 2026, from 10:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in the church.

Burial will follow at Hope Haven Garden of Memory in Gonzales.

Allen B. Cooper passed away at his residence in

Hudson, Thomas

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Mr. Thomas A. Hudson who departed this earthly life on the 21st of June, in the year of our Lord 2026, at the distinguished age of 84. A public viewing shall be held in her honor on Saturday, the 11th of July, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Winnfield Funeral Home. The celebration of life services shall follow at 11:00 AM. His earthly remains shall be laid to rest at Southern

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Karen was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, and aunt. She was a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy, and a member of the Catholic High Band. She also attended LSU, where she performed with the Golden Band from Tigerland.

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Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 445 Marquette Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA on Friday, July 10, 2026, from 1:00pm until the Mass of Christian burial at 2:00pm.

Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ 5B

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Memorial Gardens. The distinguished & solemn arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Winnfield Funeral Home of Baton Rouge & Kennard Thomas, General Manager.

Lacoste, Richard Edward 'Red'

his family, spoiling his grandchildren and spending time at his camp on Bayou Choctaw.

Memorial service arrangements are pending and will be announced by the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Richard's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

ning at 10:30 a.m.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthav enbatonrouge.com

Millican, James L.

Thibodeaux, Odile

James L. Millican

Richard "Red" Edward Lacoste, June 21, 1951 - July 4, 2026.

Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Richard "Red" Edward Lacoste passed away on July 4, 2026, at the age of 75. He was a resident of Walker for over 45 years, born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was the owner/operator of RL Drywall.

Throughout life, Richard was authentically and unapologetically himself. He was a very skilled carpenter, if you had a project or needed advice on how to get one done, Richard was the man to go to.

Richard is survived by his devoted companion of 53 years, Mary Ann Lacoste, his three children, daughter Ricki Ann Linarello & Dr. Daniel Linarello, daughter Katherine "Katie" Lacoste Hopkins & Bronson Hopkins, son John Richard Lacoste & Jordyn Ozier. Six Grandchildren, Tyler Bowman, Ryan Bowman, Jillian Bowman, Kadence Hopkins, Khloe Hopkins, and Nolan Lacoste. Three great grandchildren, Elisabeth, Archer, and Evelyn Bowman. One Sister, Violet Inez Coleman & Gerald Coleman. He is preceded in death by his parents, Violet & Warren Lacoste, sister Kathy Lacoste Caston and brother Charles "Teddy" Lacoste.

He was known for his quick wit, infectious laugh, and unmatched humor.

Richard enjoyed cooking, celebrating holidays with

Entered into eternal rest on June 26, 2026 at Grace Rehabilitation. He was a native and resident of Zachary, Louisiana. Visitation at St. John Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 9:00 am until the Celebration of Life Service at 10:00 am conducted

by Pastor Donald Ruth; interment at Southern Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller & Daughter Mortuary.

Shackelford, John Keith

John Keith Shackelford passed away peacefully in Baton Rouge on Saturday, July 4, 2026. He was born in Dallas, Texas on July 13, 1951.

A devoted father, friend, and parishioner at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Keith is remembered with love by many including his sons Adam Swales, John Shackelford (Liz); granddaughter Morgan Swales; sister-in-law Sheila Gordon Shackelford; nephew Cody Shackelford (Sarah); niece Chelsea Shackelford Rich; and his German Shepherd, Raven.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 17510 Monitor Avenue in Baton Rouge. A Visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway on Friday, July 10, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., and on Saturday at the church begin-

Odile Thibodeaux, born on December 29,1952, passed peacefully surrounded by his family and friends on June 30,2026. He was native of Melville, LA and resident of Carencro, LA. Odile was a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, and friend.

Odile is survived by his daughter, Valerie Speyrer (David); son, Justin Thibodeaux; sisters, Victoria Lindsey and Betty Tromblay; three grandchildren Dawsyn Speyrer, Vivyan Speyrer, and Harper Thibodeaux. He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 53 years, Deborah Andre Thibodeaux, and parents Lucy Alphonse Sullivan and Odile Thibodeaux Sr. Visitation will be held July 9, 2026, at Niland's Funeral Home in Livonia, LA from 8:30 AM until mass at 11:00 AM at St Francis Cabrini in Livonia, LA.

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

OUR VIEWS

World Cup reminds us that America can still delight Monday night, in a converted NFL stadium in Seattle, the United States’ dreams of World Cup glory came to an abrupt end in a loss to Belgium’s national soccer team.

In a performance that was stumbling, tentative and prone to massive mistakes, the U.S. gave up four goals while scoring only one.

Millions of fans, in the stadium and watching around the country, were disappointed.

So were we. But we refuse to allow that letdown, albeit significant, dampen our enthusiasm for what has been a fantastic and joyous celebration of the world’s most popular sport.

For nearly a month now, international teams and fans have roamed our country, as well as those of co-hosts Canada and Mexico, occasionally packing themselves into stands to watch their teams play, but also discovering a side of America rarely seen outside our borders.

And for the most part, their reactions have been delightful.

There was the Japanese tourist wowed by the baskets of free chips and salsa at a Tex-Mex restaurant. Or the Swedish visitor who tasted ranch dressing and pronounced her life changed.

And who can forget Freddy, the German soccer fan who chronicled on X his American odyssey, which started with him driving along the East Coast before turning westward for Houston to catch his home nation’s first game.

Along the way, he fell in love with Taco Bell and enjoyed a late-night meal at Waffle House. By the time he got to Louisiana, the Saints reached out to him for a tour of the facility, and he also visited Tiger Stadium.

It wasn’t limited to foreigners discovering our fast food, either. Lawrence, Kansas was the host for the Algerian team. When they arrived, the Desert Foxes, as they are known, were welcomed enthusiastically. Locals turned up to watch practices, stores carried Algerian decorations and festooned trees with green and white lights in support of the North Africans.

In each of these cases, foreign visitors saw a side of America that runs far beneath the headlines and media reports most see. Their reactions in turn serve as a good reminder for us that no matter how bitter our partisan divides, no matter how significant our issues, much of what has made us distinct persists.

And then there have been the games. Pretournament worries about the high ticket prices and Americans’ general indifference to the sport have been allayed by packed arenas full of passionate and joyous fans. Now, as the tournament has only eight of the original 48 teams left, those games will be more intense on the field and more stressful in the stands.

Though the U.S. team is out, we will still be watching. As fans of Louisiana teams, we know that the party doesn’t stop with a loss. And when it’s over, and the international teams and fans have left, we hope the joy, hospitality and wonder will remain.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE ARE OUR GUIDELINES: Letters are published

identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’s city of residence.

The Advocate | The Times-Picayune require a street address and phone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor, The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

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YOUR VIEWS

Keep the historic City Park golf course intact I, along with many others, attended the BREC meeting recently at the McKinley Alumni Canter to hear the proposed changes to City-Brooks Park.

Obviously, BREC underestimated the community interest in the park’s future. The venue was far too small.

Notably, there is not a single proposal that keeps the golf course fully intact.

As Scott Rabalais so eloquently stated in his article, “Numerous reasons why City Park golf course deserves to be preserved as is,” there are only 27 holes for golf in the city limits of Baton Rouge.

Let’s not forget that, along with the closure of the course at LSU, golfers lost 18 holes at Howell Park in 2016.

Just outside the city limits, golfers lost another 18 holes at Dumas when J.S. Clark and the zoo were “reimagined.” The historic City Park is a great place to get in a walkable nine holes for any skill level.

One has to wonder where the

energy to redesign the course originated. Certainly not from golfers or residents of the area. BRAF has been trying to get control of this property for over 20 years.

Some claim the golf course is a oneuse facility. Yes, and Olympia Stadium and Memorial Stadium are oneuse facilities for football games. We have swimming pools for water activities and dog parks for dogs. This isn’t a valid argument, particularly when BREC’s data shows rounds increased from 109,493 in 2016 to 204,127 in 2025 on fewer courses.

While I applaud interim director Janet Simmons for getting BREC’s audits up to date after years of very late financial reports, I know many in the community would prefer BREC to do a better job of maintaining and enhancing existing facilities.

I urge the BREC commissioners to keep the historic City Park golf course intact.

SUSAN E. DIXON Baton Rouge

Decision to allow political gerrymandering favoring White voters was immoral The U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act has resulted in one less Black majority congressional district in Louisiana. My understanding of the court’s decision is that congressional districts may not be drawn based on race, but may be drawn based on politics. Gerrymandering is legal based on politics but not on race.

I can’t argue on constitutional or statutory law, but I do know the Constitution of 1789 does not mention the words race, Black, White or political party. There were no political parties in 1789.

To make a new Republican district, one was created with Republican voters.

In Louisiana, most Republican voters are White, and most Democratic voters are Black. So the Legislature found White voters. Not for a racebased district — that’s illegal now —

but for a Republican district.

So, when Republicans get White people for a majority district, that’s legal, but if Democrats get Black people for a Democratic district, that’s illegal. Sure seems like the same thing to me. A law, be it a Supreme Court ruling or state law, doesn’t make it right.

We have had many immoral laws in the past, but they were the law.

Black people were unable to vote, eat at a restaurant, stay at a hotel, get a library card, buy a house in certain neighborhoods — all that was law, but it was immoral.

The Supreme Court decision sure seems wrong to me, as it is marginalizing some of our own citizens who have been marginalized for so long.

We are better than this, or I thought we were.

If Iran gains nuclear weapons, future generations could live in a different world Iran is run by a theocracy. They are religious zealots. So why is it important to make sure they never have nuclear weapons?

In August 1945, the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima killed an estimated 70,000 people immediately. Another 70,000 died before the end of the year. If Iran has a nuclear weapon, they can and will, at a minimum, control the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting oil production worldwide, and at worst use the bomb against another country.

In June 2022, the average price of gas in the U.S. rose to $5.02 a gallon.

Why? Because Russia had invaded Ukraine. Now imagine the chaos should a rogue nation decide to fire an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead at Israel, Saudi Arabia, London, Paris, etc. (yes, they have proven they have weapons with that range).

The stock market would do a tailspin, and the price of gas would be the last thing the world would be concerned about.

Why would they do that, you ask?

Ask the thousands of Iranian citizens reportedly killed for demonstrating earlier this year. Ask why Iran is financing proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which are terrorist organizations that have had a major role in the deaths of 1,000 Americans.

Reportedly, their goal was to build a drone and missile force that no country could stop without a full-scale war and many casualties.

Finally, our government has weakened Iran militarily without destroying power plants, bridges, etc. Reportedly, this is so as not to punish the Iranian citizens, and that is a civilized approach.

Previous administrations have declared that Iran should never have a nuclear bomb, yet efforts to negotiate an agreement have proven futile.

If current efforts fall short, our children and grandchildren might live in an entirely different world.

JOHN PATRICK MORRIS SR. Metairie

ROBERT TAYLOR Fairhope, Alabama

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COMMENTARY The great America 250 dud It must be said: The Semiquincentennial had all the makings of a dud.

Like all the 50-anniversary predecessors, this big anniversary celebration occurred amid controversy, questions about the character of American life, critiques about the nature of our democratic values and disputes about the meaning of our history. All that occurred in 1826, 1876, 1926 and 1976.

But at least there was ambient joy in those commemorations. There was reason to celebrate the survival for 50 years of the first large democracy, the technological and industrial revolutions present 100 years later, the blooming of American prosperity and promise after 150 years of relative national isolation, and the emergence of a newly optimistic country during the BicentenDavid Shribman nial.

Now the survival of democratic values is uncertain, the technological revolution that has culminated in AI is creating deep uneasiness along with great promise, the national booster hopefulness of the pre-Depression 1920s has no current analogue, and the funk of the 2020s is no match for the relative uplift of the post-Watergate, postVietnam mid 1970s.

Perhaps the sour taste this celebration prompted — or, just as troubling, the feeling of emptiness that seems pervasive in the many commemorations — comes from this moment in the American passage.

Indeed, the British newspaper The Guardian wrote, “If that’s the way America celebrates its birthday, you would not want to be present at its funeral.”

Only about 4 in 10 Americans said they felt “proud” about the country’s 250th anniversary, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey.

Three-quarters believe the signers of the Declaration would be disappointed with how the country has turned out, according to Gallup.

This commemoration isn’t entirely without virtue.

The Atlantic published the score of Julia Ward Howe’s “Battlefield of the Republic” on its cover this month, accompanying it with an essay on its eternal, always evolving, meaning.

The New York Times published a piece examining the changing perceptions of the American Revolution, becoming part of the story as it told the story.

Even Donald Trump’s jeremiad against references in federal historical sites to the struggles of women and minorities had a salutary effect; his attacks prompted an animated discussion about what exactly was

Perhaps Trump’s poodles will finally rouse themselves “And everybody praised the Duke/ Who this great fight did win.”/ “But what good came of it at last?”/ Quoth little Peterkin./ “Why that I cannot tell,” said he,/ “But ’twas a famous victory.”

— Robert Southey, “The Battle of Blenheim” (1798)

STAFF PHOTO By MARK BALLARD

The Great American State Fair on the National Mall on June 25. involved in the telling of history, and whether successes in crumbling ancient barriers should be as much an emblem of national pride as the achievements that for centuries have been celebrated, whether in textbooks, Disney re-creations or popular folklore: in short, did Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass deserve as much attention as, say, William McKinley, whom the president has singled out for special commendation?

But this celebration lacked buoyancy, which is the physical property that allows an object to rise from a submerged state — and there’s little question that the American spirit is under water today. Consider this: 80% of those voters who told the New York Times/Siena University Poll this spring that they were dissatisfied with the state of the country said that they wanted the country’s economic and political system overhauled or even razed.

During the Bicentennial, which is within the living memory of nearly three out of five of Americans today, the country actually was celebrating.

Richard Nixon’s resignation two years earlier prompted the promiscuous employment of the phrase “the system worked,” and The Boston Globe plastered an image of the Constitution across the top of its front page.

Both are inconceivable today. A popular book about Watergate, which Jimmy Breslin published in 1976, was

titled “How the Good Guys Finally Won.” Today, people think the good guys are confined to those in their own party.

It was, perhaps, more than the early-19th century era that bore that phrase, an era of good feeling. Much of it was due to the unelected president Gerald Ford, ridiculed and often reviled while in the White House, punished at the polls for his Nixon pardon, now a subject of reverence in the revisionism that has occurred since.

“Americans in 1876 were living in a time of dynamic economic and technological growth that had already wrought dizzying change within a single lifetime,” Fergus M. Bordewich wrote in Centennial, his chronicle, published recently, of the celebration of 100 years of American independence. The same can be said of our own era.

In remarks opening that Philadelphia spectacle, President Ulysses S. Grant spoke of the country’s achievement in “rivaling older and more advanced nations in law, medicine, and theology; in science, literature, philosophy and the fine art,” adding, “While proud of what we have done, we regret that we have not done more.”

When it comes to the Semiquincentennial, we already regret that we have not done more.

Email David Shribman at dshribman@ post-gazette.com.

Divorce is harder on the family pet Pew Research Center says 51% of In a nation of people who view pets Americans value pets as much as they as family members — and spent $158 do family members. About 95 million billion last year on their best friends households “owned” a pet last — it was inevitable that pet year, with 53% of all homes havcustody would become the next chapter in family law. We love ing a dog and 39% a cat. This is our pets as much as we love our hardly surprising. Ask yourself: people — if not more. The death Who is always ecstatic to see of a pet has shattered my heart you when you reenter a room more than any other loss. from which you totally vanished Kathleen just three minutes earlier?

Take Asheville, a beautiParker The question of who gets the ful, shaggy, black-and-white family pet during a divorce has mutt. In 1993, I rescued her become so common and vexing that and her sister, Brevard, from a North legislatures have begun doling out cusCarolina highway halfway between the two cities that gave them their tody guidelines. names. They were 4-month-old starvThe underlying premise is that since ing sacks of bones with engorged ticks pets are members of the family, their well-being should be considered in dangling from their eyelids, lips and awarding custody. everywhere else. For the rest of her Obviously, dogs and cats can’t choose life, Ashe would sit before me like which parent they prefer, nor would the sphinx and stare into my eyes for they want to, assuming neither human hours that would have extended to days if not for the necessity of moving is abusive. Like children, dogs (and maybe cats) adore both parents and are one’s legs. never more content than when everyWhen she died at age 20, predeceasing Brevard (aka Beezie) by two years, one is together, and no one is mad. My I was so bereft I couldn’t breathe. husband and I should know. We are the Someone said to me, “I know you miss parents of five dogs, three cats (who Ashe so much because you loved her so think they’re dogs), and four birds who much.” And I replied, “No, I miss her so live like royalty and hate us. much because she loved me so much.”

But do we really need courts to settle In the years after, I’ve managed the our personal pet policies? People think grief of burying a best buddy, a mother nothing of sharing custody of their and my brother, but my heart still aches children. Why not the same for pets? most for Ashe and the Beez. (And Ollie For divorcing couples and their pets, the blind poodle, among others.) arbitration should be a first step dur-

ing family disunity. As reported by the Economist, the pet can become leverage for negotiating better terms in other areas. You can have the dog, but I get the tractor. OK! In Delaware, a judge gave an expensive goldendoodle to the highest bidder, which sounds a lot like a property transaction. Some proponents of official custody arrangements have argued for pet support to the custodial parent. A New York divorcée with custody of the couple’s two dogs receives $1,000 per month in financial support. (Let’s see, that would be $2,500 to me just for the pups.)

Admittedly, pet custody isn’t the stickiest wicket of the day, but granting human (not just humane) considerations to pets signals a potentially problematic trend. American birth rates are at a record low — just 1.6 babies per woman, well below the 2.1 replacement rate. Already, there are more households with pets than with children, and 48% of Gen Zers see no difference between their pets and children. It’s easy to imagine pets replacing babies in the future family unit of choice. Of course, the expensive little secret in our household is that we spend more on our pets than we do on ourselves.

On the bright side, if you’re our pets, we can’t afford a divorce!

Kathleen Parker is on X, @kathleenparker.

Deferring gratification can be virtuous, but now is the time for an autopsy of Donald Trump’s presidency. The nation has experienced more than a few failing presidencies, but this flailing presidency is as uniquely unsightly as it is terminal.

Trump’s plummet will intensify George what is causing it, his self-absorption and self-indulgence. RecentWill ly, he has waged war carelessly, pursued a fixation incontinently, and named a building contemptibly.

He unleashed America’s military competence, in conjunction with Israel’s, for a defensible purpose: preventing a genocidal and theologically demented regime from completing the Holocaust (it has called Israel “a one-bomb country”) and punishing God’s foremost enemy, America.

But this worthy U.S. goal became a casualty of presidential frivolousness.

Trump launched this war eight months after declaring that last summer’s U.S. and Israeli bombing “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear weapon program. The general who led the Defense Department’s intelligence agency was fired after its report concluded otherwise.

In February, Trump implicitly affirmed the report’s conclusion by ordering another obliteration. But when, in May, the price of gasoline reached a national average of $4.47 a gallon (the price 70 years ago, adjusted for inflation, was about $3.70), he wobbled. Trumpeting Iran’s assurance, which it has reiterated for decades, that it would not acquire nuclear weapons, Trump accepted a “memorandum of understanding” under which Iran will be bribed (with reconstruction money from undetermined sources) to accept U.S. capitulation. Here are reasons why Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Massachusetts, calls this “the most humiliating national security episode since the British burned the White House”: Restrictions on Iranian exports will be loosened and at least $100 billion in frozen assets will be “fully available” to Iran. The MOU would codify that, contrary to international law, the Strait of Hormuz is “an Iranian river” (Auchincloss). Excluded from negotiations are Iran’s ballistic missile developments, its funding of Hezbollah and other terrorist proxies, and the regime’s slaughter of protesters by the thousands.

If Trump believes that Israel, which was excluded from negotiation of the MOU, and which exists to “never again” depend on others for its security, will allow limits on its measures against Hezbollah, his credulousness is unlimited. Trump, who said he would make Americans “tired of winning,” must, by law, submit a final Iran agreement for congressional review. To him, however, the law is a cobweb; to his many congressional poodles, it is an invitation to evasion. Perhaps, though, they have reached the limits of their canine loyalty.

A figment of Trump’s imagination, the theft of the 2020 election, has produced a congressional train wreck. He is willing to sacrifice national security in order to get a voting-security law that is intended to prevent a repeat of what did not happen in 2020.

The neutering of Trump might continue with the Senate not confirming Todd Blanche as attorney general. National Review, conservatism’s flagship publication, says, “Blanche has been everything President Trump wants in an attorney general, and that’s the problem.” As acting attorney general, he has been “an instrument of Trump’s unworthy and abusive campaign to investigate and prosecute his political opponents.”

Trump’s hunger for flattery, even self-flattery, recently caused him to further miniaturize himself: He tried to appropriate an honor bestowed on an assassinated president. Although Trump’s life has been a long plea of “Look at me!,” he is oblivious to how he looked when he slapped his name on (for 176 days; a court intervened) the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

“What’s in a name?” asked Shakespeare’s Juliet. “That which we call a rose/ By any other word would smell as sweet.” Well.

The Kennedy Center’s name reminds Americans that honors are bestowed on those whom the nation believes are especially worth remembering. By elevating an honored few, this egalitarian nation reminds itself that excellence is both real and rare. By slathering the building with the stench of self-praise, Trump proclaimed that honor is a mere bauble, a prerogative of power.

So, “What’s in a name?” Sometimes a lot, sometimes — for 176 recent days — nothing.

Email George Will at georgewill@washpost. com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE ARE OUR GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the

writer’s city of residence. The Advocate | The Times-Picayune require a street address and phone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor, The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@theadvocate.com.

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Beaumont 93/76 Port Arthur 92/78

Baton Rouge 92/76

Lake Charles 93/77

New Orleans 92/78 Houma 91/76

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90° 75°

YESTERDAY

TODAY

READING 82 MAIN POLLUTANT Ozone

MAIN POLLUTANT Ozone

Baton Rouge through 5 p.m. Tuesday

Jackson 92/74 Many 93/74

HIGH

91° 75°

TEMPERATURE

Longview 95/76

-0s

LOW

Monroe 93/75

Shreveport 93/76

-10s

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91° 76°

Well, we saw some strong thunderstorms yesterday across parts of our area and we may see more of those again today. Some storms could bring excessive rainfall. So expect a partly cloudy, hot and humid day. Temperatures this afternoon will rise to the mid-90s. The humidity level remains high, so feels-like temperatures could get up to 106 in parts of the Baton Rouge area, especially where there is no rainfall. The UV index is at the extreme level, so stay hydrated and wear your hat, shades and sunscreen.

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HIGH

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6:09 a.m.

8:10 p.m.

12:44 a.m.

2:16 p.m.

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

89°/72° 92°/74° 92°/73° 98° in 1960 62° in 1905

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

Hi

TODAY

93 98 78 96 88 99 92 96 110

Lo

76 75 69 75 72 80 61 78 83

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91 98 87 95 84 101 85 96 112

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Lo

74 76 72 74 68 80 59 79 84

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0.01” 1.37” 1.35” 38.09” 33.35”

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HIGH

FT.

--- ----- ----- --10:33a 1.4 --- ----- ----- ---

SOURCE: LOUISIANA DEQ AND AIRNOW.GOV

LOW

City

6:23a 12:11a 6:47p 12:35p 7:11a 12:57a 7:38p 1:24p 8:02a 1:47a 8:31p 2:16p 8:56a 2:40a 9:28p 3:12p 9:55a 3:38a 10:28p 4:12p 10:56a 4:40a 11:29p 5:13p 11:59a 5:43a 12:30p 6:15p

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Los Angeles 86 Miami 93 Nashville 88 New york City 81 Philadelphia 84 Phoenix 114 St. Louis 88 San Francisco 66 Seattle 71

TODAY Lo

65 82 72 70 70 91 74 55 53

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85 94 92 84 83 113 94 70 75

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64 82 75 73 73 90 74 56 55

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

N O R T H A M ER I CA’S

FLOOD

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--- ----- ----- --7:52p 0.3 --- ----- ----- ---

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

MAJOR MINOR MAJOR MINOR

Today Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday

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TUE.

24-HOUR

MISSISSIPPI STAGE STAGE CHANGE Memphis 34 13.30 -2.82 Vidalia-Natchez 48 41.50 +0.21 Red River Landing 48 43.40 +0.30 Baton Rouge 35 26.90 none Donaldsonville 27 17.70 none Reserve 22 13.17 -0.09 New Orleans 17 8.90 +0.08 OHIO Cairo 40 23.07 -3.14 COMITE Near Olive 19 -0.68 +0.63 AMITE Near Darlington 18 0.65 +0.70 Denham Springs 29 12.30 +1.19 Port Vincent 8 1.59 -0.52 TICKFAW Montpelier 13 3.21 +0.32 Holden 15 1.58 +0.04 ATCHAFALAYA Simmesport 47 23.56 -2.68 Melville 34 17.83 +0.22 Krotz Springs 29 15.51 +0.18 Butte La Rose 20 12.25 +0.18 Bayou Sorrel 12 7.10 +0.10 Morgan City 6 3.47 +0.01

data as of 7 a.m. Tuesday

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

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SPORTS

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

|

W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 8, 2026

MLB DRAFT INTEL

USING HER VOICE

Many LSU high school hitters appear on fence

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

“We shouldn’t allow Congress to be the ones to decide who makes those rules.”

JADA WILLIAMS, LSU guard, on Protect College Sports Act

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTOS By MICHAEL WyKE

Iowa State guard Jada Williams dribbles against Houston on Dec. 31 in Houston. Williams transferred to LSU in the offseason.

New LSU point N i t guard g d takes part in national debate, even when it’s ‘scary’

LSU’s 2026 recruiting class has almost every type of hitter.

From speedy center fielders and power-hitting corner outfielders to defensively versatile middle infielders and contact-oriented corner infielders, LSU coach Jay Johnson and his coaching staff have checked nearly every box.

The only question ä MLB draft is how many of these rounds 1-4, talented players will make it to campus.

NOON SATURDAy, NBC, MLB NETWORK That’s an answer LSU won’t have until after the MLB draft, which begins Saturday with rounds 1-4 and ends Sunday with rounds 5-20.

To help preview the draft, The Advocate spoke with six MLB scouts about LSU’s incoming high school class and its own draft-eligible players to paint a clearer picture of what may happen over the weekend. They spoke to The Advocate confidentially.

This story is part one of a three-part series of scouting reports, draft predictions and analysis on every LSU player and signee.

Here’s what you need to know about each hitting prospect in LSU’s 2026 freshman class.

Dominic Santarelli, OF

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

First, she opened the Instagram app and propped up her phone. Jada Williams was swiveling side-to-side in a gaming chair, a couple of racks of colorful hoodies over her right shoulder and a ring light over her left.

That’s when Williams gave the floor to her co-host for this live stream: U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut. He introduced himself to her 570,000 followers — or however many of them were watching — before outlining the federal legislation they wanted to spend about 20 minutes discussing.

Then Williams chimed in.

“Before we start anything,” she told Murphy, “I want to introduce myself to your side as well.”

Williams said she was an LSU women’s basketball player. She started her career at Arizona, she said, then transferred to Iowa State.

“And now I’m here,” she said.

Here is Baton Rouge. Williams has

1Cn

Iowa State guard Jada Williams shoots under pressure from Houston guard Kierra

ä See WILLIAMS, page 3C Merchant during a game on Dec. 31 in Houston.

School: St. Joseph Catholic Hometown: Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Ht/Wt: 6-2, 230 pounds Draft rankings: No. 100, ESPN; No. 135, MLB.com Breakdown: There isn’t a prospect in LSU’s class that has a higher ceiling than Santarelli, a power-hitting corner outfielder who blasted seven balls over 114 mph at the MLB draft combine last month with a wooden bat.

His elite power, generated by his lightning-fast hand speed and linebacker-like physical traits, was an object of fascination for scouts who spoke with The Advocate. Although his size suggests he’s a first baseman, three scouts believe he has the athleticism and speed to play either corner outfield spot.

“Our scout said he would want to try him out in center field because he can run,” one scout said.

Another scout likened Santarelli’s ceiling to Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, a former Wake Forest star who won the American League Rookie of the Year award last season.

“Of all the players in (LSU’s 2026 class), I think he ends up the best,” the same scout said. “If every player in that class went to LSU, I think he would be the top pick out of the class.”

The high praise suggests his odds of

ä See LSU, page 5C

U.S. men’s soccer team stagnant in World Cup results

BY RONALD BLUM AP sportswriter

SEATTLE — For all the growth in American soccer over the past quarter-century, the U.S. men’s national team remains stagnant.

Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie fared no better at the World Cup in 2022 and 2026 than Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore did in 2010 and 2014.

“We want to be able to go and compete with some of the best in the world, and we just still have that next step to come,” Pulisic said after Monday night’s errorfilled 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16.

For all the billions of dollars invested with the goal of boosting the national team into the world’s elite, the Americans remain soccer plebeians.

After reaching the semifinals of the first World Cup in 1930, the U.S. didn’t even qualify between 1950-90. Since then, the Americans

were eliminated in the round of 16 in 1994, 2010, 2014, 2022 and this year; failed to advance past their group stage in 1990, 1998 and 2006; and flopped in qualifying for 2018.

“It’s not like you are in a rocket and you improve and you grow. It’s not linear,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

The U.S. won three games in a World Cup for the first time, beating Paraguay, Australia and Bosnia-Herzegovina while losing to Turkey and Belgium. The Americans benefited as host, a seeded team that didn’t face a top-10 nation before the Red Devils.

By the next World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco (with three games in South America), Pulisic, McKennie and Adams will be 31.

Folarin Balogun led the U.S. team with three goals, looking like a top striker, and gained worldwide notoriety when his red-card suspension for awkwardly landing on an opponent’s ankle was lifted after a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump. A former

Arsenal youth player, the 25-yearold striker is entering the fourth season of a five-year contract with French club Monaco and could be set for a move to a bigger club.

Malik Tillman became the first player since France’s Bernard Genghini in 1982 to have two free kick goals in a World Cup. The 24-year-old midfielder is entering the second season of a five-year contract with German club Bayer Leverkusen. He had a difficult 2025-26, getting dropped from the starting lineup between late March and the season’s final match.

Pochettino said he will speak with the U.S. Soccer Federation after a rest period to discuss whether it wants him to stay beyond the expiration of his contract this summer and whether he wants to commit to a four-year cycle.

“We had positive conversations with Mauricio before the World Cup about the future. We agreed we would continue those conver-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ABBIE PARR

United States forward Christian Pulisic reacts after Belgium scored a goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between the United States and ä See SOCCER, page 5C Belgium in Seattle on Monday.

2C ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS On TV MEN’S AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL 4:55 a.m. (Thu.) Sydney at Fremantle FS2 CYCLING 6 a.m.

Tour de France, Stage 5 NBCSN 5 a.m. (Thu.) Tour de France, Stage 6 NBCSN GOLF Noon U.S. Adaptive Open Champ. Golf

5 a.m. (Thu.) LPGA: Evian Championship Golf MLB 5:40 p.m. N.y. yankees at Tampa Bay Prime 6 p.m.

Philadelphia at Cincinnati ESPN 9 p.m.

Arizona at San Diego ESPN MEN’S SOCCER 6 p.m.

Ottawa at Québec FS2 9:30 p.m. Cavalry FC at Vancouver FS2

IN BRIEF

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

7 p.m.

7 a.m.

7 a.m.

10 a.m.

6:30 p.m.

9 p.m.

SOFTBALL Blaze at Cascade CBSSN TENNIS Wimbledon, Quarterfinals ESPN Wimbledon, Quarterfinals ESPN2 Newport-ATP/WTA Challenger Tennis WNBA Minnesota at Connecticut USA Indiana at Los Angeles CNBC, USA

WIMBLEDON

Djokovic wins marathon match Star, Auger-Aliassime battle for more than five hours to set up semifinal vs. Sinner Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS By MAJA SMIEJKOWSKA

Novak Djokovic celebrates winning against Felix Auger-Aliassime in their quarterfinal match at Wimbledon on Tuesday in London.

Kevon Looney, who spent last season with the New Orleans Pelicans, is headed back to the West Coast.

The veteran center has agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to an ESPN report.

Looney played the first 10 seasons of his NBA career with the Golden State Warriors. He won three NBA titles with the Warriors before signing with New Orleans on a two-year deal in June 2025.

The Pelicans declined the $8 million team option on his deal in June.

Looney played in just 21 games with the Pelicans, starting in eight of them. He averaged 2.8 points and 5.6 rebounds.

Gauff rallies

Coco Gauff celebrates a win over Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon on Tuesday in London. the body will feel tomorrow,” Djokovic said.

“I was telling the kids to go to sleep after the fourth (set) but they didn’t want to listen. I’m glad they stayed because it was honestly one of the best matches I was part of on this court in my career.”

ing changeover and took a medical timeout. The trainer tested the stability of his left ankle and calf before massaging Djokovic’s calf muscle.

Djokovic had earlier leaned over to stretch his leg by pulling back the tip of his sneaker. He also stretched while standing at Medical timeout the back wall.

There was more stretching the In the first set, Djokovic dealt with what appeared to be a lower- rest of the way, too — especially leg issue. He grimaced during late in the fifth set.

“It was really anybody’s game the ninth game, which he held to love for a 5-4 lead. Then he was in the super tiebreak in the fifth,” treated by a trainer on the ensu- Djokovic said.

Down a set after untimely double-faults, Coco Gauff rallied past Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the semifinals for the first time.

With the victory, the 22-yearold Gauff became the youngest player to reach the semifinals at all four Grand Slams since Maria Sharapova, who completed the feat at the 2007 French Open, the women’s professional tennis tour said.

Gauff will face 10th-seeded Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic for a spot in Saturday’s final. Muchova, the 2023 French Open runner-up, eliminated Naomi Osaka 7-6 (4), 6-4 on No. 1 Court.

In Gauff’s six previous appearances at the All England Club, she had never gotten past the fourth round. But perhaps experience at the grass-court major is starting to pay off.

“I think after seven years playing this tournament it’s finally the first time I can walk on Centre Court and I didn’t feel nervous,” Gauff said.

In the completion of a fourthround match, second-seeded Alexander Zverez beat Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (6) to set up a quarterfinal Wednesday against sixthseeded Taylor Fritz.

Former Cowboys DE had early stage CTE Kneeland killed himself after police chase in November

BY JIM VERTUNO

Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas — Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died by suicide in November after a high-speed chase with police, had early stage chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain abnormality linked to repeated head trauma, his family announced Tuesday.

The Boston University CTE Center, which investigates the long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma in athletes and others, analyzed Kneeland’s brain tissue after his death. Researchers determined Kneeland, who was 24, was in stage one of four of CTE. CTE is a degenerative brain disease that has been found in athletes in contact sports, combat veterans and others who experience repetitive blows to the head.

It has been known to cause violent mood swings, impulsive behavior and depression. It can be diagnosed only after death.

“While this diagnosis does not change the tragedy of his pass-

Lane Kiffin and LSU scored a win over Ole Miss — on the recruiting trail.

Jayden Anding, a four-star safety in the 2027 class, picked the Tigers over the Rebels on Tuesday.

The Ruston native is the younger brother of LSU defensive back Aidan Anding, a four-star cornerback in the 2025 class.

Anding is ranked as the No. 311 prospect in the 2027 class by the 247Sports Composite. He’s the third defensive back in the Tigers’ haul.

The 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back has held an LSU scholarship offer since August, but Ole Miss put itself in the mix with an offer in January. Anding visited the Rebels a month ago but, ultimately, he decided to stay in state and join his brother at LSU.

Former Pelicans center Looney signs with Lakers

BY ANDREW DAMPF and KEN MAGUIRE LONDON — Novak Djokovic was pushed to play more than five hours by Felix Auger-Aliassime before the seven-time Wimbledon champion prevailed 7-6 (10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4) on Tuesday to set up a semifinal against reigning champion Jannik Sinner.

When a forehand from AugerAliassime sailed wide after a long rally to give Djokovic a 9-4 lead in the final-set tiebreaker, both players leaned on their rackets in exhaustion. Djokovic, while he was leaning over, still found energy to encourage the crowd to cheer louder, waving his racket for more noise.

Then, on his first match point, a big forehand from Djokovic led to another error from his 25-yearold Canadian opponent to end it after 5 hours, 15 minutes — and just before the All England Club’s 11 p.m. curfew took effect.

To celebrate, Djokovic raised his arms high and wide and took in the applause as he walked to the net to shake hands with Auger-Aliassime. Then Djokovic performed a little elbows-toknees dance. He often mentions that his daughter tries to teach him moves.

“These,” Djokovic said, “are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for.”

Djokovic continues to break records as he chases a 25th Grand Slam title. He’s reached a recordsetting eighth consecutive Wimbledon final four — moving him one ahead of Roger Federer for most consecutive men’s singles semifinal appearances at the grass-court tournament.

Sinner spent less than half the amount of time on court as Djokovic did when he beat JanLennard Struff 7-5, 7-6 (4), 6-3 much earlier in the day on No. 1 Court.

Sinner beat Djokovic in straight sets in last year’s Wimbledon semifinals, and Djokovic outlasted the Italian over five sets in the last four of this year’s Australian Open.

“I wish it was finals, so I don’t need to worry about how

Four-star safety Anding picks LSU over Ole Miss

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JACOB KUPFERMAN

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland looks on during a game against the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 12 in Charlotte, N.C. ing, it provides important context about some of the struggles he may have been facing. We share this information to help people understand what NFL and other high-contact-sport athletes might be struggling with,” Kneeland’s family, including his girlfriend, Catalina Mancera, said in a statement issued through the Concussion and CTE Foundation.

“Raising awareness is important to us. We continue to remember

Marshawn with compassion for the person he was, rather than defining him by the final moments of his life. One Love,” the family said.

The abnormality has also been linked to deaths in the NFL, as well as in hockey and soccer.

Kneeland shot himself after evading authorities in his vehicle and fleeing a car crash on foot.

The chase happened after police said Kneeland didn’t stop

for Texas Department of Public Safety troopers over a traffic violation. Authorities lost sight of the vehicle before locating it crashed minutes later.

As authorities were looking for Kneeland after he fled the crash site on foot, a dispatcher told officers that people who knew him had received a group text from Kneeland “saying goodbye,” indicating he might be suicidal.

Dr. Chris Nowinski, CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation, noted Kneeland’s diagnosis comes even amid a modern era of concussion protocols in professional and college athletics and better safety equipment.

Kneeland started playing tackle football when he was 7 years old.

He played at Western Michigan University before he was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We have no reason to believe the current generation is at a lower risk of CTE than previous generations. Concussion protocols do not prevent CTE, because CTE is caused by repeated head impacts, not just concussions,” Nowinski said. “If we want to reduce CTE risk, we must implement CTE prevention protocols and aggressively reduce the number and strength of head impacts at every level of the game.”

Belgium’s Onana out for remainder of World Cup

RENTON, Wash. — Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana, who injured his right knee in the 19th minute of Monday’s 4-1 win against the United States in the round of 16, will miss the remainder of the World Cup. In a statement released by the Belgian soccer federation, team doctor Brahim Hacene confirmed Onana ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

“This is devastating news,” Hacene said, “both for him personally and for the team.”

The 24-year-old Onana appeared in four games at the World Cup for Belgium and made his second start of the tournament against the Americans. Onana also played in two games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Knicks star Brunson has surgery on his left wrist

NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson has undergone surgery on his left wrist and is expected to be back on the court when the New York Knicks begin defense of their NBA title, a person with knowledge of the details said Tuesday.

The NBA Finals MVP is expected to resume basketball activities later this summer, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Brunson, who is left-handed, didn’t let the wrist injury slow him down on the Knicks’ run to their first championship since 1973. He scored 45 points when the Knicks won the title in Game 5 in San Antonio, after finishing with 36 when they made a record-setting comeback from a 29-point deficit in Game 4. The point guard averaged 32.6 points in the finals.

Pirates star rookie SS Griffin out 8-10 weeks

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to try to stay in postseason contention without rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin.

The club placed the 20-year-old rising star on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday due to an issue with a knuckle on the ring finger on his left hand. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Griffin is expected to miss 8-10 weeks.

Griffin, who made his major league debut in April before signing a lengthy extension, injured the finger in a victory over Washington on Sunday.

Tomczyk said the injury was to the sagittal band, which stabilizes the ring finger. Griffin will keep the hand in a splint for about six weeks before resuming baseball activities.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ 3C

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LSU men to play Houston on Dec. 13

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

AP PHOTO By MICHAEL CONROy

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese plays against the Indiana Fever in the second half of a game in Indianapolis on June 18.

Atlanta’s Reese among WNBA All-Star reserves

BY DOUG FEINBERG AP basketball writer

Angel Reese felt that Atlanta Dream teammates Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray were snubbed by not being selected as All-Star starters.

Now the Dream trio will get to play together in Chicago at the WNBA All-Star Game on July 25 after all three were selected as reserves by the league’s coaches on Tuesday.

Reese had said after the All-Star starters came out that she felt her two Dream teammates should have been starting. It’s the fourth time that Atlanta has had three AllStars.

Joining the Dream players as re-

serves are Washington teammates Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. Both made the All-Star Game as rookies last season.

Toronto’s Marina Mabrey will be making her first All-Star appearance and gave the expansion franchise a player in the game. She matched the WNBA record with a 53-point game last month.

Other players selected by the coaches were New York’s Jonquel Jones, Minnesota’s Courtney Williams, Las Vegas’ Jackie Young and Seattle’s Dominique Malonga, who will also be making her AllStar debut.

Los Angeles teammates Nneka Ogwumike and Kelsey Plum also were picked. Ogwumike has been an All-Star 11 times and moved

into a second-place tie with Diana Taurasi for most All-Star appearances, trailing only Sue Bird’s 13.

Coaches couldn’t vote for their own players.

Plum has been sidelined for the last few weeks with a leg injury and will be evaluated again later this month. If she can’t play, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will choose a replacement.

New this year, WNBA greats Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will serve as honorary general managers and select the two teams from the pool of AllStars. The pair will select the teams at some point soon.

Chicago, Portland, Connecticut and Phoenix all don’t have AllStars.

One of LSU’s most anticipated matchups for the 2026-27 season has a date.

Coach Will Wade’s team will face powerhouse Houston on Dec. 13 at the Toyota Center, the home arena of the Houston Rockets, according to the game contract.

The last time LSU faced Houston was on Dec. 12, 2019. The Cougars won 82-76, and the programs are tied 5-5 in the all-time series.

Houston is expected to field a competitive team, as it has for the last several seasons under 12-year coach Kelvin Sampson. His program has won at least 30 games each season since 2021-22.

The Cougars are coming off a Sweet 16 appearance and, the year before, a national championship game appearance. They have reached at least the Sweet 16 in six straight seasons.

An additional layer of intrigue is that one of Houston’s premier transfer portal additions is former LSU point guard Dedan Thomas.

The 6-foot-1 lefty was the Tigers’ best player last season as a junior, averaging 15.3 points, 6.5 assists and 1.6 turnovers per game before having season-ending foot surgery in February.

Thomas, who started his career at UNLV, injured his left foot on Jan. 2, the day before the Southeastern Conference opener.

Houston isn’t the only elite team LSU has agreed to play in the nonconference slate. The Tigers will face Gonzaga on Nov. 14 in Spokane, Washington, according to the game contract. It will be the first meeting between the programs ever.

Gonzaga has been a preseason

AP Top 25 team every year since the 2009-10 season and has finished a season outside the final poll only four times in that span.

LSU also has agreed to participate in the Palm Springs Classic, a multiteam event at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California, according to the game contract.

The tournament runs from Nov. 21-26 and LSU will face two of the three other teams in the field: SMU, Arizona State or Southern California. LSU’s first opponent and game times were not listed.

SMU was the only team in the group to make the NCAA Tournament last season, losing 89-79 to Miami (Ohio) in the First Four.

Arizona State finished 17-16 last season and enters its first year under coach Randy Bennett, who left Saint Mary’s after leading the Gaels to five straight NCAA Tournament berths. One of his associate head coaches is David Patrick, a former LSU assistant under Matt McMahon (2024-26) and Johnny Jones (2012-16).

The Sun Devils also have former LSU forward Marcus Vaughns.

The 6-8 Australian enrolled early at LSU in December and redshirted after not appearing in any games.

USC went 18-14 last season and is expected to improve with three top-30 recruits, including Christian Collins, the No. 9 player in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports.

LSU has also agreed to nine other nonconference games against midmajor teams, all at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

The Tigers also will face UNO (Nov. 3), Texas Southern (Nov. 6), Louisiana Tech (Nov. 9), UL-Monroe (Nov. 17), Queens University (Nov. 20), Hofstra (Dec. 5), High Point (Dec. 18), UL (Dec. 22) and Washington State (Dec. 28).

Mitchell signs massive deal to stay with Cavaliers

BY JOE REEDY AP sportswriter

CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell has agreed to a four-year, $273 million contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The seven-time All-Star had two seasons remaining on his contract and could have waited to re-sign until next summer, when he would be eligible for a five-year supermax deal worth $350 million.

The extension includes a $76 million player option for the 2030-

WILLIAMS

Continued from page 1C lived here for only a few weeks, and she’s devoted that time to a pair of new challenges she’s taken up ahead of her fourth year as a college basketball player.

Running point for coach Kim Mulkey’s Tigers.

And doing what she can to prevent Congress from passing the Protect College Sports Act. Williams is one of only a few college athletes who have spoken publicly about the new bipartisan legislation, which was written and introduced in late May to establish a “national framework” of rules in college sports. She told Murphy that “we need structure” but that “we shouldn’t allow Congress to be the ones to decide who makes those rules.”

Collective bargaining is Williams’ preferred path forward. She doesn’t want athletes to “have to take the passenger seat,” she told Murphy, because if their voices are excluded from the process and a new set of rules is written into federal law without their input, then they’ll lose “a lot of our power” and “everybody will be taking pay cuts.”

It’s a thorny topic. Most decisionmakers would rather see Congress restore the NCAA’s authority to enforce its own rules. Collective bargaining faces basic practical issues, too, though Yahoo Sports reported around the time the Protect College Sports Act was introduced that some leaders in the SEC, Big Ten and elsewhere were warming up to the possibility that collegiate athletes could unionize one day.

What is clear is that Williams is eager to speak up, and that willingness should serve her well in the new role she’ll fill at LSU once the 2026-27 season tips off in November.

The Tigers cycled through five

31 season and a full trade kicker, the person said.

“I love it here.

I don’t know how else to say it. I have no doubt these guys can get Mitchell there. We have unfinished business,” Mitchell said on May 25 after the Cavaliers were swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.

For now, it is the fourth-biggest contract in terms of total value in NBA history behind the $314 million contract Boston gave to Jay-

son Tatum, the $285 million deal that the Celtics gave to Jaylen Brown — who now plays for Philadelphia — and the $276 million deal that Nikola Jokic currently has with Denver.

That assumes Mitchell will pick up a player option worth nearly $76 million for 2030-31. The average annual value of just over $68 million is an NBA record, barely passing the $67.9 million average value of the deal that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has with Oklahoma City.

“When we have a superstar of his caliber that wants to be in Cleveland, that’s our best ambas-

sador, that’s our best recruiter.

There’s guys that are here that wouldn’t be here without him, quite frankly,” Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman said about Mitchell and an extension on May 29. “So I think the bigger question is, the one that’s been answered is, does he want be here and does he want to be here long term? And I think he’s answered that.”

The 29-year-old Mitchell led the Cavaliers this past season to their first conference final since 2018. He averaged 27.9 points, 5.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds during the regular season, along with 26

points in the playoffs.

Mitchell is averaging 26.7 points in four seasons with Cleveland since he was traded by the Utah Jazz in 2022.

Mitchell’s extension is the first in what is likely to be a series of moves for the Cavaliers. There is the possibility LeBron James could return to his hometown franchise, which he led to its first championship in 2016. James Harden — whom the Cavaliers acquired at the trade deadline — also is considering a new deal to remain with Cleveland after turning down his player option for 2026-27.

starting point guards in five years before they signed Williams. It’s a tough gig, one that two incumbent starters have walked away from before they exhausted their eligibility under Mulkey at LSU. Williams seems suited for it.

“A lot of college athletes don’t know what’s going on,” Williams told The Advocate in a recent interview, “and it’s hard to learn because who’s gonna tell you that?

We don’t sit down as a team and talk about those things, so it’s kind of on us to educate ourselves.

“I think that’s just why I’m passionate. Because we should be able to be in the driver’s seat of the things that we go through in our day-to-day life.”

So Williams jumped into the transfer portal in 2025 and landed closer to home at Iowa State.

The move paid off. Not only did she play alongside All-American forward Audi Crooks but she also figured out how to improve important parts of her game.

In her lone season with the Cyclones, Williams scored 15.3 points per game and posted the nation’s third-highest assist average (7.7) — two reasons why she became one of the top transfers of the 2026 cycle when she decided in April to switch teams for a second time. Eight of her Iowa State teammates joined her in the portal.

Jill McIntyre, Williams’ mother, said LSU was one of about five schools on her daughter’s initial “short list” of destinations.

The problem, though, was that Jada Richard was already the LSU starting point guard, and Mulkey had said in an interview with WAFB-TV that her program was losing only one player to the transfer portal: freshman Divine Bourrage.

That’s when things changed for LSU. Mulkey told The Advocate that she was in a children’s hospital in Temple, Texas, helping her 7-yearold grandson, Kannon, get ready for surgery to remove his appendix when Richard called to tell her she had decided to put her name into the portal. The LSU coaches, Mulkey said, were “certainly caught off guard” by Richard’s move, but they had to act quickly.

“I then immediately turned around,” Mulkey said, “and thought of who was in the portal that could come in here and help us immediately, and it was Jada Williams.”

Mulkey called Williams and told her she wanted to invite her to LSU’s campus for a visit and add her to the roster. The two had a prior relationship — Mulkey recruited Williams when she was coaching at Baylor, and she used to

run into her at the Big 12 Tournament in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri.

Williams still made sure she did her homework. She said she reached out to DiJonai Carrington and DiDi Richards — two former Baylor players under Mulkey who are like “big sisters” to her — as well as Mikaylah Williams and even some ex-LSU players who have left the Tigers via the portal during Mulkey’s tenure. She wanted to “pick their brains,” she said, and talk to them “about the fit” and “how (Mulkey) coaches.”

“Things like that,” Williams said.

“And they told me the truth. We had some really good conversations.”

Richard announced she was transferring on April 9. Williams landed in Baton Rouge 48 hours later, then committed to the Tigers the next day, giving them a polished, experienced veteran at a position of need. LSU spent only three days in the market for a point guard.

“It wasn’t like it was a hard sell,” Mulkey said, “because she already knew about me. She knew about LSU’s success, my success at Baylor. And the rest is history.

“She’s just a young lady that’s personable. Everybody’s gonna love her. She’s got a lot of energy.

She’s going to share the basketball.

She takes as much pride in her assists as she does scoring, and she’s going to be one that the fans really, really enjoy.”

legislation. About the practicalities, and complications, of a governing model based on collective bargaining. UCAA leaders help them grasp the issues first so they can untangle them later to the public.

“We agree on the issues that are going on within us,” Williams said, “and then we go and we do the scary thing of speaking out and letting other people know our opinions.”

Williams and her fellow UCAA members want to make it clear: They don’t want Congress to set the rules. They’d rather unionize.

Williams shared that sentiment with Murphy a few weeks after Maryland guard Oluchi Okananwa, former UCLA guard Charlisse Leger-Walker and ex-Michigan forward Brooke Quarles Daniels did the same in an online panel with U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Massachusetts.

Still, as of Wednesday, a collective bargaining model looms as only a remote possibility. The Protect College Sports Act must first fail, and if leaders then decide to explore the possibility of classifying athletes as employees who can unionize, then they’d still face opposition from key figures, significant legal hurdles and a complex web of competing interests. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington — one of the Senate bill’s authors — said in a June 18 hearing that the model “isn’t going to happen anytime soon.”

That belief won’t stop Williams, a savvy veteran who likes to do her homework and say what she thinks — even if she steps into some thorny subjects along the way.

“It’s not an easy thing to do,” Williams said. “It’s definitely very scary. But we kind of feel like it’s our duty with the platforms that we have. God gave us a purpose, and we’re gonna use it for those reasons, and I’m very, very grateful that I got the opportunity.

“It’s not every day you’re on live with a senator.”

An early start When she was in high school, Williams was one of the earliest beneficiaries of the NIL era. She was a high-profile recruit with a large social media following, so it didn’t take long for the brands to start lining up. Spalding. Move insoles. SLAM magazine.

Williams moved from Missouri to California ahead of her junior year in part so she could work with those companies. Had she stayed in her home state, where prep athletes weren’t allowed to strike NIL deals, she wouldn’t have picked up some of the experience that informs her stances today. She’s been navigating this new world for five years now.

“She’s a really grounded kid,” said Terri Bamford, Williams’ high school coach at La Jolla Country Day School in San Diego.

“Really smart kid, and I think she really understands the landscape, especially having received NIL deals so young.”

When Williams was playing for Bamford, she was committed to UCLA. She later dropped that pledge and enrolled at Arizona instead, kick-starting what she described to Murphy as “the worst two years of my life.”

‘The scary thing’ These days, Williams is devoting most of her time to summer workouts and Zoom meetings. She’s part of the United College Athletes Association (UCAA) — a nonprofit players’ advocacy group that aims to “build representation structures” for college athletes.

The first step, Williams said, is learning. About the current state of collegiate sports. About the NCAA’s years-long push for federal

4C ■ Wednesday Wednesday, July 8, 8 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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WORLD CUP 2026 W C A N A D A

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U N I T E D S T A T E S

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M E X I C O

TODAY’S GAMES NO GAMES WEDNESDAY. QUARTERFINALS BEGIN THURSDAY.

Argentina stuns Egypt with 3 late goals

BY JAMES ROBSON

GLANCE

Associated Press

ATLANTA — It was another World Cup epic from an Argentina team that simply doesn’t know when it’s beaten.

Trailing 2-0 against Egypt with 11 minutes of regulation time to play on Tuesday, the reigning champions rallied for an improbable 3-2 victory and a spot in the quarterfinals.

“We have a phenomenal group, a group that never gives up no matter the difficulties and adversity.

We’re always together,” said Enzo Fernandez, who scored the winning goal in stoppage time.

Argentina will play Switzerland in the next round on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri.

For much of Tuesday’s game, it looked like it would be a painful exit for the 39-year-old Lionel Messi in what might be the last of his six World Cups.

Egypt led after goals in each half from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico and could have been ahead 3-0 if not for a video review that ruled out another score.

Argentina looked down and out, its bid to be the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 all but dead.

Cue a monumental comeback.

“The heart of Argentinians is always something that pushes, that we keep going no matter what, that we give everything until the end.

And honestly, with the score 2-0, we looked a bit beaten,” Argentina striker Julian Alvarez said. “There was little time left, but we always manage to get something more by fighting until the end.”

Cristian Romero started the rally by scoring with a header in the 79th minute. Messi, who was in tears after the final whistle, scored

Scores, schedule ROUND OF 16 July 4

Morocco 3, Canada 0 France 1, Paraguay 0

July 5

Norway 2, Brazil 1 England 3, Mexico 2

July 6

Spain 1, Portugal 0 Belgium 4, United States 1

Tuesday

Argentina 3, Egypt 2 Switzerland 0 (4-3 PK), Colombia 0

QUARTERFINALS Thursday

France vs. Morocco, 3 p.m.

Friday

Spain vs. Belgium, 2 p.m.

Saturday

Norway vs. England, 4 p.m.

Argentina vs. Switzerland, 8 p.m.

SEMIFINALS July 14

France-Morocco winner vs. Spain-Belgium winner, 2 p.m.

July 15

Norway-England winner vs. ArgentinaSwitzerland winner, 2 p.m.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Argentina’s second goal during the World Cup round of 16 match against Egypt on Tuesday in Atlanta. his eighth goal of the tournament and record-extending 21st goal at the World Cup in the 83rd to level the score at 2-2 and Fernandez completed the comeback in injury time.

“Four years have passed since Qatar, and we’ve come to enjoy another World Cup — and we want to win it again. That’s what we’re aiming for,” Fernandez said.

Argentina is no stranger to heroic matches at the World Cup. There was the 3-2 win over West Germany in the 1986 final. Then

the 3-3 draw and eventual shootout victory against France to reclaim the title four years ago.

Cape Verde pushed Argentina to the brink in the last round before eventually winning 3-2 in extra time.

Tuesday’s match was even more dramatic, with Messi having a first-half penalty kick saved and another effort hit the post.

“I’m so emotional,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “What a group of players, brother.”

Egypt took a surprising lead in

the 15th minute when Ibrahim got ahead of Lisandro Martinez to meet Marwan Attia’s cross and head the ball into the bottom corner.

Argentina was quickly given the chance to level the match when Haissem Hassan tripped Nicolas Tagliafico in the box moments later. Referee François Letexier pointed to the penalty spot and Messi stepped up with an expectant crowd waiting for him to score.

Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Sho-

beir had other ideas, diving to his left to block the shot for Messi’s second penalty miss of the tournament after also failing from the spot against Austria in the group stage.

Despite being the all-time leading scorer at World Cups, Messi has now missed four of eight penalty kicks at the tournament.

After Messi hit the post later in the half, Shobeir pulled off another great save to stop Julian Alvarez from close range.

Egypt thought it had doubled its lead in the second half when Mostafa Zico finished off a sweeping attack. But the wild celebrations were cut short when a foul earlier in the move was confirmed on video review and the goal was disallowed.

That second goal for Egypt did come in the 67th from a similar break, and this time Zico’s effort counted. It just wasn’t enough.

Switzerland in quarterfinals after Egypt furious after winning shootout over Colombia squandering lead Vargas converts winning penalty kick after scoreless draw

BY PAUL NEWBERRY Associated Press

BY ANNE M. PETERSON Associated Press

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — In a match with few fireworks, the Swiss were patient against the Colombians and their enthusiastic fans.

After a scoreless draw, Ruben Vargas converted the decisive penalty and Switzerland advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals, beating Colombia 4-3 in a shootout on Tuesday.

Switzerland will face reigning champion Argentina on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2 earlier in the day.

Switzerland had not reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup since hosting the tournament in 1954.

And the Swiss were short-handed Tuesday without young midfielder Johan Manzambi, who was injured in training on Monday.

Vargas, who has scored two goals in the World Cup, also left Monday’s training early but came on in stoppage time at the end of regulation.

In the shootout, Colombia defender Davinson Sánchez’s penalty attempt hit the crossbar and Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved an attempt by Cucho Hernández.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was among those at BC Place, where the sellout crowd of 52,497 was overwhelmingly clad in yellow in support of Colombia.

“They had the crowd on their side, so it was a tough game for us,” Kobel said. “We know we had some stretches of the game where we had to defend and stay strong mentally. Obviously we had a few players missing so, yeah, it was a big challenge for us.”

Colombia failed to qualify for the last World Cup in 2022. Los Cafeteros made the quarterfinals at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, defeating Uruguay in the round of 16 before losing to the host country 2-1.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By LINDSEy WASSON

Colombia’s Luis Suárez, left, and Switzerland’s Nico Elvedi battle for the ball during a World Cup round of 16 match on Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“The dream was enormous,” Colombia midfielder John Arias said. “The country showed us that it believed in us, that it lived every moment with us, and I think that only makes the pain even greater.”

The Swiss reached the round of 16 at the past three World Cups but failed to advance with a smaller field of 32 teams.

“We worked very hard, and now we have this opportunity,” Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said. “This is going to be a very interesting matchup from our point of view.

We will try to compete against the reigning champions and it’s going to be amazing. Switzerland against Argentina in a quarterfinal. I am so excited. I think that I need maybe a couple of hours more or another day to process what just happened, and then tomorrow we will start focusing on Argentina.”

The match was tightly contested by two teams with contrasting styles, the Swiss with a more organized and methodical approach and Colombia more attack-oriented and physical. Switzerland had a slight edge in possession.

Manzambi, a 20-year-old midfielder who plays for German club Freiburg, has three goals in the World Cup, becoming one of

the tournament’s breakout stars.

The Swiss were also without Luca Jaquez and midfielder Michel Aebischer.

Gustavo Puerta had the first good chance for Colombia with a shot from distance in the 21st minute that was pushed away by Kobel.

The Swiss got one of their best opportunities in the 30th with Fabian Reider’s blast at goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, who punched the ball down. Minutes later, Vargas smothered another attempt from Dan Ndoye.

The Swiss had a free kick in the 52nd minute, but Reider’s attempt curled around the wall and went into the side netting.

In the first extra time period, Jhon Lucumi’s header hit the crossbar and caromed away as Colombia put pressure on Kobel.

“I don’t think you can overstate what a huge success this is — for us, for this team, for Switzerland, for such a small country. To be among the top eight teams in the world is incredible,” Kobel said.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. I’m incredibly proud.”

Colombia and Switzerland also met in the group stage at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, with Los Cafeteros winning 2-0.

ATLANTA — For Mohamed Salah and Egypt, what could have been a glorious celebration turned ugly at the end.

On the cusp of upsetting the reigning World Cup champions, the Pharaohs squandered a twogoal lead late in the game and lost to Lionel Messi and Argentina 3-2 in the round of 16 Tuesday.

The winning tally came two minutes into stoppage time and set off a wild scene in front of the Egyptian bench. A red card was shown to goalkeeping coach Saafan Elsaghir, who had to be physically restrained from going after French referee Francois Letexier. Two players on the field received yellow cards for griping vehemently about Argentina’s final goal.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan crossed his arms — the signal for calling out racial abuse — and stated flatly that his upstart squad was victimized by a soccer establishment that wanted Messi and Argentina to advance.

“We have been treated unfairly today,” Hassan said. “We have suffered injustice.”

In a tournament already marred by allegations that U.S. President Donald Trump influenced FIFA to overturn a one-game suspension for an American player, Egypt turned up the heat on soccer’s governing body.

“I just would like to say that we would have deserved to earn this win,” Hassan said, “but we are leaving with honor, with pride, regardless of this defeat.”

Hassan, who has been outspoken in his support of the Palestinians during the tournament, was upset that a potential second goal was overturned by a video review that showed a foul on Egypt at the start of an end-to-end play.

Egypt came back to take a 2-0 lead anyway on Mostafa Zico’s goal in the 67th minute, but there was still enough time for Argentina to pull off a comeback for the ages in the stadium that is the home of the NFL’s At-

lanta Falcons.

Cristian Romero gave the champions hope in the 79th. Messi blasted in the tying goal off the crossbar just four minutes later.

And Enzo Fernández won it for Argentina in the second minute of stoppage time — a play that began at the opposite end of the field with Salah being stripped of the ball as he tried to dribble into the penalty area, winding up face down on the turf.

Even retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady took note of the comeback, going on social media to point out this rivaled the one he pulled off against the Falcons in the 2017 Super Bowl, when the New England Patriots rallied from a 28-3 deficit late in the third quarter to win 34-28 in overtime.

“Yeah so that might top 28-3,” Brady wrote on X. Hassan couldn’t care less what Brady had to say. The coach was still seething that the video-assisted referee didn’t feel a need for Letexier to review what Egypt felt was a foul in the penalty area, denying what could’ve been a shot at a tying kick in the waning seconds.

“The effect of this outcome goes way beyond the defeat itself because we haven’t seen neither respect nor fair play,” Hassan said. “There has not been respect or fair play because a penalty was ruled out. A second ball that should have been called as a penalty for us was not even checked by the VAR.” It was all too much for Hassan and his players to bear.

“What I told the referee was just that this is unfair,” the coach said. “I was saying maybe he’s carrying a scar, maybe he has something to hide. Whoever has something to hide sometimes fails to hide what he is hiding and this was exactly what I felt during that conversation.”

For Hassan, the tournament is over. He has no intention of watching any more soccer.

“I promise you, from the moment I go back, I’m not going to continue following the matches of this FIFA World Cup,” he said.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ 5C

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SOCCER

Continued from page 1C

sations following a chance to rest and reflect post World Cup,” the U.S. Soccer Federation said in a statement Tuesday. “We have a great deal of respect and gratitude for Mauricio, his staff and everyone part of the program. We have shared excitement about our potential and also shared clarity about the amount of work at all levels still required to achieve our ambition.”

The Argentine took over from Gregg Berhalter in late 2024 after a first-round elimination at the Copa America. His first year included failures to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Nations League.

“We were in a mess,” he said.

“I’ve seen this team show that we can play football. We can play soccer. We can compete. That we need keep improving — a lot of young players with a lot potential and future.”

Goalkeeper has gone from the United States’ biggest strength from 1990 through 2014 to a huge weakness in the past decade and appears to be at its weakest since the 1980s.

Long gone are the days when

Tony Meola, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, Tim Howard and Brad Guzan inspired confidence.

Zack Steffen and Matt Turner both failed to establish themselves with big European teams. Matt Freese, who supplanted Turner as the first-choice starter last year, gifted a goal in the loss to Belgium that will be replayed on blooper reels.

Gabriel Slonina, Chris Brady, Patrick Schulte and Roman Celentano, who head the next generation, have the next cycle to establish themselves as possible No. 1s.

Central defense also is a concern.

Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards is the only American playing at a top club and his World Cup partner, Tim Ream, at 38 became the oldest U.S. player at any World Cup. With the expansion of the field to 48 nations, including six from North and Central America and the Caribbean, World Cup qualifying is not likely to be challenging for CONCACAF’s powers: Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.

All three were eliminated in the round of 16 after Curaçao, Haiti and Panama were eliminated with last-place finishes in their groups.

Unless the U.S. shows vast improvement, it will not be seeded for the 2030 World Cup and likely will face a world power in the first round.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By LINDSEy WASSON

United States midfielder Weston McKennie reacts during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle on Monday.

LSU

Continued from page 1C ending up at LSU are slim to none, but three scouts believe his chances of making it to campus are basically a coin flip. That’s, in part, because of his potentially high asking price for MLB clubs.

“Those types of traits with that type of power, I would be shocked if someone didn’t take him. I have no idea what it’s going to require,” one scout said. “If he needs $3 million, I don’t know that someone does it. But I would bet you every team would offer $1.5 million. I bet half the teams would offer $2 million. Would he do it?”

Another scout who was familiar with Santarelli’s thinking said that “if his number’s met, he’s going to be ecstatic to go play pro ball, and if it’s not, he’s going to be ecstatic to go to LSU.” He also said that Santarelli, who decommitted from Louisville before signing with LSU, made his pledge to the Tigers with the expectation he’d play for the school.

He wasn’t using his commitment as potential leverage against teams during the draft. The scout added that he is familiar with Santarelli’s agent, and he doesn’t expect his agency to let him “sign for cheap.”

PROVIDED PHOTO “I’m not necessarily saying I got the vibe that he wanted the college Glynn Academy outfielder Wessley Roberson plays in a game last season. experience,” the scout said. “But I Roberson is signed to play at LSU, but many MLB scouts who talked with think he definitely was making decisions (picking LSU over Louis- The Advocate expect him to get drafted and turn pro instead. ville) based on the fact that he was going to end up at school.” municating.” scouts is the right-handed hitOdds of reaching campus: 50/50 Odds of reaching campus: Less than ter’s hit tool. As one scout told The 50% Advocate, “the concern mainly Malachi Washington, OF comes from the fact that he kind Will Adams, 1B/OF of swings at everything.”

School: Park View High Questions surrounding Murphy’s Hometown: Stone Mountain, GeorSchool: Hoover High approach and swing tendencies gia Hometown: Hoover, Alabama make him a raw prospect, even Ht/Wt: 6-1, 203 pounds Ht/Wt: 6-2, 203 pounds Draft rankings: No. 83, ESPN; No. Draft rankings: No. 57, The Athletic; though he checks some significant boxes as a power-hitting center 111, MLB.com No. 91, ESPN; No. 103, MLB.com Breakdown: Washington, a center Breakdown: Adams is a polished fielder.

“He’s for sure a center fielder. fielder by trade, is an excellent left-handed-hitting (and throwathlete who possesses a combina- ing) first baseman who is athletic And he can throw. The only real tion of speed and power that will enough to potentially play a corner concern is hitting enough to stay on the field,” the same scout said. certainly intrigue MLB clubs. outfield spot.

Washington has quick hands and “Sees the ball, manages counts, “And he has enough power to get is a twitchy athlete. His right- puts the bat on the ball,” one scout away with it. He’ll run into enough handed swing could use some said. “He can get hits all over the balls to have hit a ton of homers. work — one scout described his field, and he has a little bit of pow- You’re just hoping he’s not a guy who strikes out 30% of the time in overall game as somewhat raw er.”

— and he struggled against betPower isn’t his best trait, and the minors.”

Two scouts said they believe ter competition, but he only turned he doesn’t have the speed to play 18 in June. center field, but Adams has gar- Murphy likely will get drafted “He’s got a chance to be really nered enough interest from MLB and sign with a club. One scout good because it is different,” one clubs that his odds of making it to said “everybody that I’ve talked to scout said. “It is different hand campus are up in the air. One scout thinks he’s signing,” while the othspeed, bat speed and force output believes his chances of getting to er noted that Murphy’s rawness as for a kid that size. Ridiculously school are 50/50, while another a prospect means that he wouldn’t strong. It’s just a matter of him thought there was a 60% chance be guaranteed playing time as a freshman at LSU. transferring that strength into he’d go to LSU. If he were to join the Tigers, he’d power.”

Johnson also told WBRZ that The same scout also said he has he met with Adams in Hoover be eligible for the draft again after a strong arm and “makes it look during the same week the Tigers his sophomore season.

“The guys who may end up easy” whenever he’s tracking were set to play at the SEC Tourchoosing to sign for a lesser down balls in the outfield, leading nament. the scout to believe he can stick in “You just have no idea. And this amount are typically the guys who center field. guy, to me, he’s not a slam-dunk are sophomore eligible, who, for “It’s pretty easy when the ball draft pick, and he’s not a slam one reason or another, are scared gets hit to him, almost like bor- dunk going to LSU,” one scout said. of the ramifications of not playing derline nonchalant, and you “I could honestly see this going ei- next year,” the scout said. “… He’s got to hit like .300 to play every question whether he cares on ther way.” day. I don’t know if he can hit .300 defense,” the scout said. “But Odds of reaching campus: 50/50 in college.” that’s not the case. Once you get Odds of reaching campus: Low to know the kid, he’s happy-go- Anthony Murphy, OF lucky.”

School: Corona High Nathaneal Davis, OF One scout described the odds of Hometown: Corona, California Washington ending up at LSU as Ht/Wt: 6-0, 185 pounds School: Bishop Moore Catholic 50/50 because “he wants a lot of Draft rankings: No. 107, MLB.com; High money.” Another scout believes No. 146, ESPN Hometown: Orlando, Florida he’ll more than likely choose proBreakdown: Murphy is a plus deHt/Wt: 6-0, 184 pounds fessional baseball over LSU. fensive center fielder and has Draft rankings: No. 125, ESPN; No. “I think his number fully puts plenty of power in his bat. Last 138, MLB.com him in the ballpark of him prob- season at Corona — a program Breakdown: Last week, Davis joined ably getting picked,” the scout that had three first-round picks in left-hander Braxton Beaty as the said. “It’s not a small number, but last year’s draft — Murphy led the second LSU signee to officially I think there’s enough interest, team in home runs and batting av- withdraw from the draft and join enough teams that are going to be erage while hitting leadoff. the program for the 2027 season. in at the number that they’re comThe only notable red flag for Davis has a chance to immedi-

ately start in center field for the Tigers as a freshman. He has excellent speed and is a plus athlete with a strong arm, stealing 78 bases in high school.

“Davis is kind of like (Chris) Stanfield,” one scout said, “but he hits left-handed.”

Davis doesn’t have much power and struggled a bit against top competition nationally, but his speed and athleticism should help an LSU team that lacked both a year ago.

Odds of reaching campus: 100%

Wessley Roberson, OF School: Glynn Academy Hometown: Brunswick, Georgia Ht/Wt: 6-0, 175 pounds Draft rankings: N/A Breakdown: Roberson is a speedy outfielder who has a strong knack for putting the bat on the ball. He could hit for more power in the future, even though his approach at the plate currently is contactoriented.

Injuries slowed him down this spring, but Roberson heads into the draft without many obvious holes.

“I think he’s kind of an average bag of fives across the board,” one scout said, “outside of the fact that he’s a solid runner.”

Despite a profile suggesting he could make an immediate impact in college, two scouts said they expect Roberson to sign with an MLB club. Three scouts suggested that’s largely because he’d be willing to put pen to paper for a lower number, with one scout saying that could be $500,000.

“It’s probably only like five or six teams that are really seriously going to draft him,” another scout said. “And it probably helps that the family is willing to sign for less.”

Odds of reaching campus: Low

Parker Loew, SS School: Trinity Christian Academy Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida Ht/Wt: 6-0, 180 pounds Draft rankings: N/A Breakdown: Loew is an athletic shortstop who is expected to stick at the position going forward. Offensively, he is a work in progress.

“I’m willing to (go through that) development to clean stuff up,” one scout said. “But he’s also just not super consistent, and there’s definitely some needed polish in the way he does things at a consistent level.”

Two scouts said they expect Loew to make it to LSU. One scout said that between Loew and Jordan Martinez, his high school teammate and a fellow LSU signee, Loew has the better chance of making an immediate impact on the field.

Odds of reaching campus: High

Jordan Martinez, INF School: Trinity Christian Academy Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida Ht/Wt: 6-0, 195 pounds Draft rankings: N/A Breakdown: Martinez is listed as a shortstop on Perfect Game, but unlike Loew, the infielder’s future is likely at third base. There are also questions surrounding his offensive game.

“I saw him strike out so much,” one scout said. “He just really cannot handle spin.”

As with Loew, the expectation is that Martinez will wind up at school. His playing time could be sparse next season after the Tigers added Texas State transfer Dawson Park last month.

“I would expect both of them to make it (to school) pretty handily,” a scout said.

Odds of reaching campus: High

Luke Tucker, INF School: Krum High Hometown: Krum, Texas Ht/Wt: 6-4, 210 pounds Draft rankings: N/A Breakdown: Tucker is a power-hitting infielder whose future likely will be at first or third base. He played shortstop in high school, but his size likely limits him to a corner infield spot.

At the plate, Tucker has a smooth swing, but he’s raw and didn’t face great competition in high school.

“He’s got some feel to hit,” one scout said. “It was a tough evaluation because he’s facing guys throwing 82 mph every day.”

The scout also noted LSU’s strength and conditioning staff could further his development if he made it to school.

“He’s a thicker kid. He needs to get in the weight room and trim himself down a little bit,” the scout said. “I think when he does, he’ll just naturally have more bat speed because it’s not the fastest bat.”

Tucker isn’t expected to be selected in the first two rounds, but the same scout said that he wants to sign with an MLB team. If he did end up at LSU, the scout could see him redshirting as a freshman.

“He’s already thrown out like a million (dollars),” the scout said.

“And if kids are starting at a million, they’ll come down to half a million, probably. I think there’s only like two or three teams that would do it, but the teams that would do it, it’s not crazy money that he’s asking for.”

Odds of reaching campus: Less than 50%

Masen Belding, C School: Del Oro High Hometown: Grass Valley, California Ht/Wt: 6-2, 215 pounds Rankings: N/A Breakdown: Belding is a big catcher with the potential to be an impact power hitter in college, but he has work to do defensively to stick behind the plate. One scout believes his future position is first base.

“He kind of fits in that Omar Serna, (Cade) Arrambide mold,” the scout said. “He can throw, and he has really good offensive tools, but the actual overall catching needs a lot of work.”

Belding is likely to make it to campus, but his playing time in Year 1 could be limited as he’d be fighting for reps with Serna, Arrambide and Eddie Yamin. But his bat does make him an intriguing option for the Tigers whenever the three veterans ahead of him move on to professional baseball.

Odds of reaching campus: High

Dylan Minnatee, 1B School: Franklin High Hometown: Elk Grove, California Ht/Wt: 6-0, 195 pounds Draft rankings: N/A Breakdown: Minnatee is a contactoriented first baseman who, as a left-handed hitter, lacks power and positional versatility.

One scout does not believe he has the agility and speed to play in the outfield.

“You love what Tre Morgan did, and you think that this guy is the next one,” the scout said. “It’s a first baseman with an unreal hit tool. But I think Tre Morgan is an anomaly, and you shouldn’t look for Tre Morgans.”

Minnatee isn’t expected to be taken in the draft and will likely end up at LSU. Finding early playing time could be a challenge with Mason Braun returning for his sophomore year.

Odds of reaching campus: High

6C ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

lll

SCOREBOARD Odds

New York Central Division

MLB Wednesday

American League FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG at DETROIT -160 Athletics at TAMPA BAY -125 N.Y Yankees at WHITE SOX -129 Boston at MINNESOTA -136 Cleveland at TEXAS -160 LA Angels National League FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG at PITTSBURGH -120 Atlanta at CINCINNATI OFF Philadelphia Milwaukee -136 at ST. LOUIS at LA DODGERS -227 Colorado at SAN DIEGO -157 Arizona Interleague FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG Toronto -120 at SAN FRAN. Chicago Cubs -119 at BALTIMORE Seattle -138 at MIAMI at WASHINGTON -138 Houston at N.Y METS OFF Kansas City

LINE +132 +103 +106 +112 +131 LINE -102 OFF +112 +182 +128 LINE -102 -103 +118 +114 OFF

Pro baseball MLB Glance American League

East Division

Tampa Bay New York Toronto Boston Baltimore Central Division Chicago Cleveland Minnesota Detroit Kansas City West Division Seattle Texas Houston Athletics Los Angeles

Monday’s Games

W 53 50 42 41 42

L 36 41 49 48 50

Pct GB .596 — .549 4 .462 12 .461 12 .457 12½

W 47 47 45 41 38

L 43 45 47 50 54

Pct .522 .511 .489 .451 .413

GB — 1 2½ 6½ 10

W 47 46 46 41 36

L 45 45 48 50 56

Pct .511 .505 .489 .451 .391

GB — ½ 2 5½ 11

Kansas City 15, Philadelphia 1 N.Y. Yankees 5, Tampa Bay 1 Washington 12, Houston 11 San Francisco 10, Toronto 1 Tampa Bay 6, N.Y. Yankees 4 Detroit 6, Athletics 2 Chicago Cubs 5, Baltimore 2 Miami 6, Seattle 5, 10 inn.

Houston 6, Washington 3 Kansas City 16, N.Y. Mets 12 Boston 8, Chicago White Sox 1 Minnesota 3, Cleveland 1 Texas 8, L.A. Angels 3 Toronto at San Francisco, n

Wednesday’s Games

National League

W 52 50 50 47

L 38 41 42 46

Monday’s Games

.413

15

W 58 51 47 47 41

L 33 40 43 45 48

Pct GB .637 — .560 7 .522 10½ .511 11½ .461 16

W 60 45 44 38 37

L 32 45 46 52 55

Pct .652 .500 .489 .422 .402

GB — 14 15 21 23

Kansas City 15, Philadelphia 1 Washington 12, Houston 11 Milwaukee 4, St. Louis 3 San Francisco 10, Toronto 1 N.Y. Mets 7, Atlanta 6, 10 innings Arizona 8, San Diego 0 L.A. Dodgers 8, Colorado 7, 11 innings

Tuesday’s Games

Milwaukee 4, St. Louis 3, 1st game Chicago Cubs 5, Baltimore 2 Pittsburgh 12, Atlanta 4 Miami 6, Seattle 5, 10 inn.

Houston 6, Washington 3 Kansas City 16, N.Y. Mets 12* Philadelphia 4, Cincinnati 1 Milwaukee 10, St. Louis 2, 2nd game Toronto at San Francisco, n Arizona at San Diego, n Colorado at L.A. Dodgers, n

Wednesday’s Games

Toronto (Cease 5-4) at San Francisco (Webb 5-6), 2:45 p.m.

Chicago Cubs (Rea 6-5) at Baltimore (Kremer 1-1), 5:35 p.m.

Atlanta (Holmes 5-4) at Pittsburgh (Jones 1-1), 5:40 p.m.

Seattle (Kirby 7-7) at Miami (Phillips 1-3), 5:40 p.m.

Houston (Arrighetti 7-4) at Washington (Griffin 9-2), 5:45 p.m.

Kansas City (TBD) at N.Y. Mets (Scott 2-1), 6:10 p.m.

Philadelphia (TBD) at Cincinnati (Burns 101), 6:10 p.m.

Milwaukee (Harrison 8-1) at St. Louis (McGreevy 3-7), 6:45 p.m.

Arizona (Cabrera 0-1) at San Diego (King 5-7), 9:10 p.m.

Colorado (Feltner 3-2) at L.A. Dodgers (Sasaki 3-5), 9:10 p.m.

Wimbledon Results

Toronto (Cease 5-4) at San Francisco (Webb 5-6), 2:45 p.m.

Chicago Cubs (Rea 6-5) at Baltimore (Kremer 1-1), 5:35 p.m.

Athletics (Springs 3-8) at Detroit (Melton 4-1), 5:40 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees (Cole 3-3) at Tampa Bay (McClanahan 7-5), 5:40 p.m.

Seattle (Kirby 7-7) at Miami (Phillips 1-3), 5:40 p.m.

Houston (Arrighetti 7-4) at Washington (Griffin 9-2), 5:45 p.m.

Kansas City (TBD) at N.Y. Mets (Scott 2-1), 6:10 p.m.

Boston (Bennett 3-3) at Chicago White Sox (Martin 9-3), 6:40 p.m.

Cleveland (Cecconi 4-6) at Minnesota (Prielipp 2-5), 6:40 p.m.

L.A. Angels (Ureña 5-7) at Texas (Gore 5-7), 7:05 p.m.

Atlanta Philadelphia Miami Washington

Los Angeles Arizona San Diego San Francisco Colorado

54

Pro tennis

Tuesday’s Games

East Division

Milwaukee Chicago St. Louis Pittsburgh Cincinnati West Division

38

Pct .578 .549 .543 .505

GB — 2½ 3 6½

Tuesday At All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club London Purse: £30,060,000 Surface: Grass Men’s Singles Quarterfinals Jannik Sinner (1), Italy, def. Jan-Lennard Struff, Germany, 7-5, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Novak Djokovic (7), Serbia, def. Felix AugerAliassime (3), Canada, 7-6 (10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4).

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals Coco Gauff (7), United States, def. Jessica Pegula (4), United States, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Karolina Muchova (10), Czechia, def. Naomi Osaka (14), Japan, 7-6 (4), 6-4.

Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals Thanasi Kokkinakis, Australia, and Aleksandar Kovacevic, United States, def. Nikola Mektic, Croatia, and Austin Krajicek (14), United States, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Harri Heliovaara, Finland, and Henry Patten (1), Britain, def. Guido Andreozzi, Argentina, and Manuel Guinard (8), France, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6).

Women’s Doubles Third Round Taylor Townsend, United States, and Katerina Siniakova (1), Czechia, def. Asia Muhammad, United States, and Fanny Stollar (16), Hungary, 6-3, 6-3.

Gabriela Dabrowski, Canada, and Luisa Ste-

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fani (2), Brazil, def. Storm Hunter, Australia, and Caty McNally (14), United States, 6-1, 6-4.

Katarzyna Piter, Poland, and Anna Siskova, Czechia, def. Rebecca Sramkova, Slovakia, and Linda Noskova, Czechia, 7-5, 6-4.

Mixed Doubles Semifinals Storm Hunter and Marc Polmans, Australia, def. Mate Pavic, Croatia, and Fanny Stollar, Hungary, 7-6 (5), 6-3.

Marcelo Arevalo, El Salvador, and Jelena Ostapenko (2), Latvia, def. Zhang Shuai, China, and Christian Harrison (3), United States, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

Pro basketball WNBA Glance EASTERN CONFERENCE New York Indiana Atlanta Washington Toronto Chicago Connecticut

W 13 12 12 10 9 6 5

L 9 8 9 10 11 14 16

Pct .591 .600 .571 .500 .450 .300 .238

GB — — ½ 2 3 6 7½

Minnesota Las Vegas Golden State Dallas Portland Los Angeles Phoenix Seattle

W 15 15 15 14 9 8 8 6

L 6 6 7 8 12 11 13 17

Pct .714 .714 .682 .636 .429 .421 .381 .261

GB — — ½ 1½ 6 6 7 10

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Monday’s Games

Golden State 62, Washington 49 Connecticut 90, Minnesota 89 Seattle 82, Los Angeles 64

Tuesday’s Games

Dallas 88, New York 77 Chicago at Phoenix, n

Wednesday’s Games

Golden State at Toronto, 6 p.m.

Minnesota at Connecticut, 6:30 p.m.

Indiana at Los Angeles, 9 p.m.

Golf PGA Tour FedEx Cup Leaders Through Monday 1. Scottie Scheffler 2. Matt Fitzpatrick 3. Cameron Young 4. Wyndham Clark 5. Collin Morikawa 6. Chris Gotterup 7. Si Woo Kim 8. Ludvig Aberg 9. Sam Burns 10. Akshay Bhatia 11. Tommy Fleetwood 12. Jacob Bridgeman 13. Rory McIlroy 14. Russell Henley 15. Xander Schauffele 16. Kristoffer Reitan 17. Alex Fitzpatrick 18. J.J. Spaun 19. Justin Rose 20. Viktor Hovland 21. Alex Smalley 22. Ryan Gerard 23. J.T. Poston 24. Gary Woodland 25. Min Woo Lee 26. Nicolai Hojgaard 27. Aaron Rai 28. Rickie Fowler 29. Bud Cauley 30. Kurt Kitayama 31. Ben Griffin 32. Sepp Straka 33. Adam Scott 34. Robert MacIntyre 35. Hideki Matsuyama 36. Justin Thomas 37. Jake Knapp 38. Ryo Hisatsune 39. Sahith Theegala 40. Nicolas Echavarria 41. Patrick Cantlay

Points 3,511 3,195 2,586 2,199 2,176 2,132 1,860 1,773 1,728 1,723 1,677 1,665 1,631 1,510 1,426 1,410 1,397 1,351 1,333 1,284 1,239 1,238 1,193 1,168 1,161 1,145 1,114 1,107 1,101 1,099 1,097 1,089 1,058 1,026 996 944 938 878 868 857 831

Money $15,124,575 $13,317,608 $12,103,452 $9,722,736 $8,389,937 $7,400,969 $6,639,361 $5,916,891 $6,402,540 $7,473,999 $5,421,655 $7,374,048 $8,124,581 $5,446,955 $5,438,650 $6,018,764 $4,488,234 $4,644,643 $4,853,356 $5,975,476 $4,662,250 $5,158,268 $5,590,029 $4,117,512 $4,619,127 $4,618,918 $5,001,155 $4,350,461 $3,941,167 $4,501,296 $3,990,382 $4,163,137 $3,424,607 $3,818,683 $3,661,107 $3,381,826 $3,127,963 $3,219,428 $3,054,952 $3,119,154 $3,199,708

42. Eric Cole 827 43. Matthew McCarty 807 44. Keith Mitchell 788 45. Harris English 776 46. Maverick McNealy 753 47. Sam Stevens 736 48. Sudarshan Yellamaraju 731 49. Max Homa 729 50. Alex Noren 726 51. Daniel Berger 709 52. Pierceson Coody 708 53. Jordan Spieth 694 54. Shane Lowry 640 55. Harry Hall 628 56. Patrick Rodgers 600 57. Nick Taylor 599 58. Tom Kim 597 59. Aldrich Potgieter 582 60. Sungjae Im 570 61. Ryan Fox 568 62. Corey Conners 563 63. Michael Kim 549 64. Matti Schmid 531 65. Andrew Putnam 526 66. Ricky Castillo 522 67. Jason Day 495 68. Mac Meissner 491 69. Keegan Bradley 484 70. Austin Smotherman 462 71. David Lipsky 460 72. Brian Harman 459 73. Jordan L. Smith 444 74. Tom Hoge 438 75. Stephan Jaeger 433 76. Brandt Snedeker 431 77. Michael Thorbjornsen 428 78. Jackson Suber 424 79. Tony Finau 409 80. Andrew Novak 404 81. Brooks Koepka 404 82. Taylor Moore 379 83. John Parry 358 84. John Keefer 356 85. Zachary Bauchou 353 86. Matt Wallace 350 87. Doug Ghim 343 88. Lucas Glover 333 89. Christiaan Bezuidenhout 333 90. A.J. Ewart 328 91. Max Greyserman 328 92. Lee Hodges 326 93. Denny McCarthy 308 94. Davis Thompson 305 95. Kevin Roy 286 96. Billy Horschel 283 97. Taylor Pendrith 280 98. Chandler Blanchet 274 99. Steven Fisk 273 100. Ben Kohles 262 101. Mark Hubbard 257 102. Michael Brennan 256 103. Emiliano Grillo 251 104. Marco Penge 251 105. William Mouw 248

$2,709,444 $2,926,873 $2,714,929 $2,654,553 $2,949,917 $2,598,477 $2,554,527 $2,410,121 $2,595,165 $3,325,228 $2,534,492 $2,730,334 $2,364,204 $2,144,445 $2,295,890 $2,186,140 $2,287,986 $1,882,981 $1,886,627 $2,158,896 $2,092,515 $1,993,284 $1,592,827 $1,912,137 $1,510,564 $1,864,529 $1,546,113 $2,001,569 $1,801,055 $1,517,037 $1,858,211 $1,493,748 $1,634,861 $1,513,623 $1,135,371 $1,556,736 $1,478,025 $1,583,180 $1,505,790 $1,538,155 $1,283,441 $1,085,741 $1,241,041 $1,050,065 $1,241,499 $984,021 $1,265,453 $897,746 $948,191 $1,331,006 $1,052,060 $1,157,158 $857,663 $879,554 $1,001,086 $1,052,773 $818,714 $972,519 $813,334 $732,571 $913,668 $818,555 $943,413 $890,571

Transactions Baseball MLB

American League ATHLETICS — Optioned C Brian Serven and RHP Kade Morris to Las Vegas (PCL). Reinstated SS Jacob Wilson from the 10-day IL. Recalled LHP Jacob Lopez from Las Vegas.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Recalled LHP Nick Raquet from Norfolk (IL). Optioned RHP Cameron Weston to Norfolk.

BOSTON RED SOX — Sent 3B Nick Sogard on a rehab assignment to Worcester (IL).

CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Sent 1B Munetaka Murakami on a rehab assignment to Charlotte (IL).

DETROIT TIGERS — Sent RHP Jackson Jobe on a rehab assignment to Lakeland (FSL).

HOUSTON ASTROS — Sent RHP Ronel Blanco and SS Jeremy Peña on rehab assignments to Sugar Land (PCL). Optioned RHP Mike Burrows to Sugar Land. Recalled RHP Alimber Santa from Sugar Land.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Sent 1B Vinnie Pasquantino on a rehab assignment to Omaha (IL). Agreed to terms with RHP Justin Topa on a minor league contract.

MINNESOTA TWINS — Selected the contract of RHP Woo-Suk Go from St. Paul (IL).

TAMPA BAY RAYS — Sent RHP Jesse Scholtens on a rehab assignment to FCL Rays.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Recalled RHP Chad Dallas from Buffalo (IL). Optioned OF Yohendrick Piñango to Buffalo.

National League ATLANTA BRAVES — Agreed to terms with 1B Rowdy Tellez on a minor league contract.

Placed RHP Tyler Kinley on the paternity list. Recalled RHP James Karinchak from Gwinnett (IL). Optioned RHP Owen Murphy to Gwinnett. Selected the contract of LHP Connor Thomas from Gwinnett.

CHICAGO CUBS — Sent RHP Bryse Wilson outright to Iowa (IL).

CINCINNATI REDS — Sent 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes on a rehab assignment to Louisville (IL).

LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Sent C Chuckie Robinson outright to Oklahoma City (PCL).

MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Secalled LHP Robert Gasser from ACL Brewers. Optioned CF Blake Perkins to Nashville (IL). Recalled CF Luis Lara from Nashville. Transferred LF Brandon Lockridge to the 60-day IL. Placed 3B David Hamilton on the 10-day IL. Sent RHP Carlos Rodriguez on a rehab assignment to Nashville. Selected the contract of LF Greg Jones from Nashville.

NEW YORK METS — Sent CF Luis Robert Jr. on a rehab assignment to Binghamton (EL).

Designated RHP Guillo Zuñiga for assignment. Reinstated 1B Jorge Polanco from the 60-day IL. Designated RHP Alex Carrillo for assignment. Selected the contract of RHP Matt Seelinger from Syracuse (IL). Optioned SS Ronny Mauricio to Syracuse.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Recalled RHP Max Lazar from Lehigh Valley (IL). Optioned LHP Kyle Backhus to Lehigh Valley.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Placed SS Konnor Griffin on the 10-day IL retroactive to July 6.

Recalled SS Jack Brannigan from Indianapolis (IL).

SAN DIEGO PADRES — Recalled RHP Jhony Brito from El Paso (PCL). Optioned RHP Alek Jacob to El Paso.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Transferred RHP Max Rajcic to the 60-day IL. Selected the contract of LHP Bruce Zimmermann from Memphis (IL). Recalled RHP Hunter Dobbins from Memphis. Optioned RHP Ryan Fernandez to Memphis.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Activated LHP Matt Krook. Optioned RHP Cole Henry to Rochester (IL).

Basketball NBA

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS — Re-signed C Thomas Bryant to a contract.

HOUSTON ROCKETS — Signed G Bruce Thornton to a contract.

PHOENIX SUNS — Re-signed C Mark Williams and G Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie to multi-year contracts.

SACRAMENTO KINGS — Re-signed F Precious Achiuwa to a contract.

UTAH JAZZ — Signed G Trey Alexander to a two-way contract.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS — Signed C Felix Okpara to a two-way contract.

WNBA

ATLANTA DREAM — Signed G Shatori Walker-Kimbrough to a rest-of-season contract.

Waived G Indya Nivar.

LAS VEGAS ACES — Signed G/F Justine Pissott to a rest-of-season contract. Waived G Chennedy Carter.

MINNESOTA LYNX — Waived F Liatu King.

PHOENIX MERCURY — Waived F Quionche Carter.

Football NFL

NEW YORK GIANTS — Claimed DE C.J. Ravenell off waivers from Tennessee.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Signed DT Gracen Halton to a rookie contract.

Hockey NHL

ANAHEIM DUCKS — Signed D Tyson Hinds to a two-year contract.

MINNESOTA WILD — Signed D Roman Schmidt to a one-year contract.

OTTAWA SENATORS — Signed F Claude Giroux to a one-year contract.

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LIVING

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

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W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 8, 2026

H

1dn

Lauren Cheramie BON VIVANT

Cajun hot dog is July’s feature at Jed’s Local New food on the block The July po-boy of the month at Jed’s Local, 672 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, is the Cajun hot dog, made with grilled alligator sausage, sautéed onions and peppers, melted provolone cheese and Creole mustard spread on a toasted brioche bun. It’s served with housemade chips for $16.

PROVIDED PHOTO

The July po-boy of the month at Jed’s Local, 672 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, is the Cajun hot dog.

PINK

PJ’s Coffee, with multiple locations around the city, has debuted three craft sodas: peach strawberry, blue raspberry and coconut banana.

There’s a new summer menu at Josephine’s Italian Cuisine, 5350 Government St., Baton Rouge.

Here’s what you can expect: n Pesce scottato, made with Gulf fish, grilled peach, heirloom tomato, focaccia panzanella salad and trout roe n Oyster fagottini, made with lemon cream sauce, pancetta, parsley oil and seasoned bread crumbs n Gamberi e risotto, made with roasted Gulf shrimp, primavera risotto, zucchini basil puree and pecorino n Panna cotta, made with toasted sesame, seasonal fruit and caramelized sugar shards Josephine’s also officially debuted its executive chef, Logan Gaspard, a Louisiana native and graduate of the John Folse Culinary Institute. Gaspard most recently served as executive sous chef at Restaurant R’evolution in New Orleans, where he worked with a Michelin-star chef and helped to develop tasting menus.

PARADISE

BR’s newest Mexican restaurant features $5 tacos, quality margaritas, distinctive decor

BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer

In the know In support of Sarcoma Awareness Month, Bin 77, 10111 Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge, will feature drink specials for the month — both cocktails and mocktails. Bin 77 owners Brian and Tiffany Dykes’ daughter was diagnosed with sarcoma in 2023. The proceeds from the July specials will go toward MD Anderson.

Pizza Art Wine, 7673 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, will be closed for summer break until Sept. 1.

STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Tacos, elotes and empanadas are popular items at Vals in Baton Rouge.

The pink theme at Vals is carried through the interior.

Cauliflower, fried Gulf shrimp and beef barbacoa tacos are among the choices at Vals.

ä See BON VIVANT, page 2D

Inside Baton Rouge’s newest Mexican restaurant, pink walls and tropical plants give a summer-hideaway feel, a fitting backdrop for $5 tacos paired with a margarita.

Vals, at 7242 Perkins Road, opened its second location inside the former Rock Paper Taco building.

The New Orleans-born business opened its original location on Freret Street in 2020 and became known as a fast-casual taco spot.

“The goal is, when you enter the building, to sort of forget where you are and be transported into a different place, a different feeling,” said partner Matthew Kohnke.

The menu has seven $5 tacos, each with different toppings, served on housemade tortillas.

There’s the fried fish taco, topped with chipotle mayo, cabbage, cilantro and spicy pickled onions. The beef

barbacoa features salsa tatemada, cilantro and onions. Others include the chicken tinga, fried Gulf shrimp and cochinita pibil, which is made with pork shoulder.

For those who don’t eat meat, the menu has two vegetarian tacos: one with cauliflower, sikil pak, cilantro, sesame seeds and green hot sauce; another with sweet potatoes, salsa macha, crema, cotija cheese and cilantro.

“If you’ve never been here, order chips and all the dips,” said executive chef Braden Messinger. “It’s essentially a salsa flight, and you also get our guacamole and queso with that. Something for everybody in there.”

One of Messinger’s favorite dishes is an appetizer: the beef picadillo empanada, a Cuban dish with crema, pickled onions, cabbage, cotija cheese and hot sauce, made with fresh corn

ä See PINK, page 3D

International flavors take center stage Staff report

STFF PHOTO By MADDIE SCOTT

fery Parkway, Lafayette

I have a love-hate relationship with brunch. While I love a leisurely approach to breakfast n Chow Yum, 2363 Hollydale Ave., citrus from the little lime wedge. with friends, I hate how sluggish Baton Rouge There’s also chili garlic shrimp, I feel after a heavy meal at the start of the day. When confronted Chow Yum is one of those gems fried garlic bits, grilled yu choy with Bistrology’s huge menu on where I can order something new and scallions. I’m glad I discovand I know it’ll be good. This Mid ered this dish, because I think it’s Sunday morning, I was certain I’d City spot is one of my go-tos when my new favorite at Chow Yum. It soon be in a food coma.

Enter the Peruvian ceviche I’m grabbing dinner with a friend. also holds well in the fridge if you stuffed avocado.

It has a fun drink selection, cool have leftovers.

The dish included a generous atmosphere and undeniably great Maddie Scott, food. features reporter portion of ceviche shrimp on an avocado with red onions, peppers, For the entree, I ordered the cilantro, lemon juice, arugula, dan dan noodles, a dish bursting chives and microgreens with a with several flavors. There’s smokiness from the pork belly, spice n Bistrology, 3905 Ambassador Cafä See BEST, page 2D from the Szechuan sauce and

Dan dan noodles

Dan dan noodles are a favorite from Chow yum.

THE BEST THINGS WE ATE THIS WEEK

Peruvian ceviche stuffed avocado, bombon coffee

2D ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Can sewing hobby become a business?

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have always liked to experiment with sewing my own garments. In my culture, it is common for people to make their own clothes or at least be able to repair what they buy. As time goes on, skills like sewHarriette ing have become more uncommon, Cole especially here in SENSE AND the United States.

SENSITIVITy However, developing these skills at such a young age helped shape my relationship with clothes. I have been able to hone this craft over time, turning something I

did as a hobby into a skill. I find myself eager to learn more about business and potentially open my own retail store. I know it’s a big dream; however, I think it would be something I would be interested in as a career. What are some questions you think I should ask myself before moving forward with entrepreneurship?

— Sewerpreneur DEAR SEWERPRENEUR: Being able to sew is a clear asset and a skill that can be turned into a business.

Think big. What would you like to do with your skill? The choices vary widely. You can work in a production space for a designer, making clothes or finishing pieces. You can specialize in al-

terations and work for a bridal designer or a dry cleaner or tailor. Or what about being a fashion designer yourself?

Getting training is a good idea, either from a vocational or a design school. Look for businesses that you admire, and find out if you can get an internship there to learn what they do.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am someone who tries to be as independent as I can be. I do not like to rely on others since you never know what can happen in a relationship.

It is honestly not anyone else’s responsibility to take care of you.

Oddly enough, my partner enjoys the traditional masculine role of being a provider, and this is one

of the reasons we argue often — I do not always leave space for him to show his love. This takes a lot of adjusting and feeling safe around your partner. I am not sure why he feels that this is the only way he can show up for me, though I try to meet him where he’s at. I know I can come off a bit strong, so I’m trying not to change him, but I want him to recognize a more holistic view of himself. How do I work on being more comfortable with relying on people? — Lean on Someone DEAR LEAN ON SOMEONE: Being a good partner and even simply a good friend requires being a good listener and learning what makes the other person tick. You

are learning what makes you happy. What about him? If gestures of protection and care are important to him, can you find a way to make space for some of that? Take a breath and observe the moment. How can you best show up in this relationship?

Sometimes it may be by simply being present and watching how things unfold. This way, you will learn what you like about your partner’s attentiveness and what doesn’t work.

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

Steel wool can work in garden Dear Heloise: This is the time of year when many “DIYers” use hand clippers and cutters to trim flowers, bushes and small branches. Often, they become coated with dried sap and plant material from use. While there are products that are available for this purpose, I’ve found Hints from that kitchen Heloise steel wool pads and water can quickly and completely remove the material. — Bob S., in Kenosha, Wisconsin STAFF PHOTO By MEGAN WyATT

The Peruvian ceviche stuffed avocado from Bistrology is served with breakfast potatoes and fried green plantains.

BEST

Continued from page 1D side of fried green plantains and breakfast potatoes. I opted to pair it with the bombon — a layered Spanish coffee drink made with espresso and sweetened condensed milk.

The bright, fresh ceviche balanced the perfectly ripe avocado. While the plantains and potatoes were crispy and fine on their own, I wouldn’t have minded the addition of seasoning or sauce. The bombon was my kind of coffee — perfectly intense and rich. I could have easily had a second serving.

Perhaps my favorite part of the meal was that I left the restaurant feeling satisfied and energized instead of ready for a nap.

— Megan Wyatt, investigative reporter

Cheeseburger and bread pudding

n Lillie’s Kitchen, 5068 Airline

Highway, Baton Rouge

This was some of the best bread pudding I’ve had. My first visit to Lillie’s Kitchen was unexpected after I first tried visiting a restaurant down the street, only to see it was closed impromptu. The original plan foiled, but the outcome turned sweet.

BON VIVANT

Continued from page 1D Follow the celebration of America with the celebration of France at Eliza Restaurant and Bar, 7970 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge. The restaurant’s annual threecourse Bastille Day prix fixe menu includes gruyère gougères, seared redfish and peach tart (with optional wine pairings), available July 14-16.

Wine and spirits Cocktails of South America: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday at The Tipsy Librarian, 7450 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge

I arrived at lunchtime, so I ordered a bacon cheeseburger combo with fries and a Dr Pepper. The bacon had a great bite to it, the cheese was perfectly melted, and the patty was savory. It hit the spot, but the bread pudding was the star of the show.

The texture was a little less chunky than most bread puddings I’ve had. It had more of a stuffing feel.

The sticky, sugary taste was just delightful.

I believe there were golden raisins in it, which I’m not usually a fan of, but I enjoyed them that day. A testament to how good this dish was.

Maddie Scott, features reporter

Read all about it!

Dear Heloise: Printed news doesn’t depend upon a battery or electricity. It can be taken whole or in part to read while waiting in line or waiting for customer assistance at a bank or store.

Most of the puzzles can be filled in, unlike the online versions. Newspapers can be used for other purposes, including cleaning windows or in the garden,

and it can be recycled.

Finally, newspapers can be read for long periods of time without the breaks that should be taken when viewing computer screens.

— Alan S., via email Alan, no one can argue with your logic; however, the cost of producing a newspaper has gone through the roof. It’s not just paper and ink, it’s machinery, repairs, staff, insurance and much more.

As much as many of us love our newspapers, it’s slowly dying, and digital news is here to stay. — Heloise

Don’t dip!

for 30 minutes (on average) has as much nicotine as three to five cigarettes, according to the American Lung Association. Since nicotine goes through the mucous membranes in the mouth, the hit is quicker and more intense.

Oral cancer isn’t something that you want to deal with if you can avoid it.

Doctors have had to operate and, at times, remove half of a patient’s face.

This isn’t an exaggeration.

— Heloise

Treating insect bites Dear Heloise: Years ago, a doctor who was treating me for a fire ant bite told me to soak my foot in hot water — as hot as I could stand. It intensified the itch unbearably, but afterward, I was no longer bothered by the constant itch. I’ve done this for mosquito bites, chigger bites and spider bites by using a hot compress. It works every time. — Mary H., in Texas

Dear Heloise: My husband has taken up chewing tobacco instead of smoking cigarettes. I find it repulsive, and I believe that it’s just as dangerous as smoking. He doesn’t believe that it causes cancer. — Donna F., in Racine,Wisconsin Donna, chewing tobacco affects the mouth, heart and internal organs, and it contains 28 cancer-causing chemicals. A dip of tobacco Send a hint to heloise@ that is held in one’s mouth heloise.com.

Explore three traditional South American cocktails through the lens of two spirits, cachaça and pisco.

The cocktail lineup includes a caipirinha, pisco sour and batida. Tickets are $115 per person, available for purchase at thetipsylibrarian.com.

Food adds so much to the equation of living well. It can be all the things — luxurious, cheap, communal, intimate, simple and complex. In Baton Rouge, the culinary scene ranges the complete spectrum of senses.

This weekly space brings you insider foodie news, helpful tips and details of food/ wine events for all of your bon vivant aspirations. Email Lauren Cheramie with food news at lauren.cheramie@theadvocate.

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ 3D

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PINK

Continued from page 1D masa. While training at the New Orleans location, Messinger had the dish four days in a row.

“I could not get tired of it,” he said, and he still has it for lunch often.

Also an appetizer, the elotes is a crowd favorite, Messinger said, served as corn on the cob covered in chipotle mayo, cotija cheese, cilantro and ancho chili powder.

The menu as a whole isn’t complex, he said, and the kitchen doesn’t cut any corners. All of the tortillas are housemade, nixtamalized corn tortillas. This is a process where dry corn is boiled for an hour and soaked in water and calcium hydroxide overnight.

“The next day, we come in, we strain that corn of all its liquid and rinse it before running it through our masa mill to make our corn masa,” Messinger said. “That process is called nixtamalization.”

The restaurant is currently offering its base menu, but specials will eventually roll out, like at the New Orleans location. Customers can expect to see tuna tostadas (Messinger’s favorite special), various ceviches and Murder Point oysters with housemade habanero hot sauce, pickled red onion and avocado.

Across 5,200 square feet, the interior of Vals can seat up to 180 diners.

Kohnke and his team collaborated with local architect James Deshotel to design a space that fuses tropical flair with blush pink. The chairs and walls run in pink,

Beard award-winning cocktail bar in Uptown New Orleans.

“In regards to the drinks, we still bring the Cure cocktail philosophy,” Dietrich said. “We will not use lowgrade ingredients. We’re juicing limes every day.

We’re using high-quality tequilas.”

Because Vals has a casual atmosphere, diners can dress for any sort of occasion.

“You can come in your flip-flops and T-shirt, and you can come dressed well for your 30th anniversary,” Kohnke said. “We wanted to appeal to everyone. We think that it does in the way we present the building.”

Kohnke said the staff, including himself, is very excited about being part of Baton Rouge.

“It’s been important for me to work with subcontractors STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS and architects and as many Vals can seat up to 180 diners at its Baton Rouge restaurant. people from Baton Rouge as possible,” he said, “because Dietrich and Kohnke are we want Baton Rouge to feel complete, said partner Turk Dietrich, with touches like also behind Cure, a James like this is theirs.” hanging plants and wall art still to come.

The back of the restaurant has a family room, where sliding doors connect to a turf-covered patio that’ll eventually be fenced in and used to host outdoor games. That way, families can enjoy the restaurant environment while still having an area for their children to run around and have fun, Dietrich said.

The daily happy hour at Vals runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., which includes $6 Executive chef Braden Messinger prepares beef barbacoa at palomas, margaritas and Vals in Baton Rouge on Thursday. more like beers and wines.

Also included in the happy booths in navy blue leather, ing rooms, a large shelf is hour are nonalcoholic drinks and green plants sit in near- decked with illuminated li- like Mexican or diet Cocaly every corner. Acting as quor bottles and cookbooks. Cola and Agua De Piedra a divider wall between dinThe interior is about 80% sparkling water.

Living Waters has affordable rooms and houses for rent.

Please call our office for more information at 225-356-7142

TODAY IN HISTORY

By The Associated Press Today is Tuesday, July 8, the 189th day of 2025.

There are 176 days left in the year.

Today in History: On July 8, 2018, divers rescued four of the 12 boys who had been trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand with their soccer coach for more than two weeks. (The remaining eight boys and their coach were rescued over the next two days.)

Also on this date: In 1776, Col. John Nixon gave the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, outside the State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia.

In 1853, an expedition led

by U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Edo Bay, Japan, on a mission to seek diplomatic and trade relations with the Japanese.

In 1889, the first issue of The Wall Street Journal was published.

In 1947, a New Mexico newspaper, the Roswell Daily Record, quoted officials at Roswell Army Air Field as saying they had recovered a “flying saucer” that crashed onto

a ranch; officials then said it was actually a weather balloon.

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman named Gen. Douglas MacArthur commander-in-chief of United Nations forces in Korea.

(Truman would fire MacArthur for insubordination nine months later.)

In 1972, the Nixon administration announced a deal to sell $750 million in grain to the Soviet Union. (However, the Soviets were also engaged in secretly buying subsidized American grain, resulting in what critics dubbed “The Great Grain Robbery.”)

In 1994, Kim Il Sung, North Korea’s communist leader since 1948, died at age 82.

In 2000, Venus Williams beat Lindsay Davenport for her first Grand Slam title, becoming the first Black female champion at Wimbledon since Althea Gibson in 1958.

In 2011, the 135th and final space shuttle mission began when space shuttle Atlantis launched from Kennedy Space Center.

In 2021, President Joe Biden said the U.S. military operation in Afghanistan would end on Aug. 31; in a speech in the White House

East Room, Biden made an impassioned argument for exiting the nearly 20-year war without sacrificing more America lives, but acknowledged that there would be no “mission accomplished” moment to celebrate.

In 2022, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated on a street in western Japan by a gunman who opened fire on him from behind as he delivered a campaign speech.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor Jeffrey Tambor is 82. Drummer Jaimoe Johanson (The Allman Brothers Band) is 82. Actor Kim Darby is 79. Children’s musician Raffi is 78. Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck is 77. Actor Anjelica Huston is 75.

Writer Anna Quindlen is 74. Author and politician Marianne Williamson is 74.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Jack Lambert is 74. Actor Kevin Bacon is 68. Singer Joan Osborne is 64. Actor Lee Tergesen (TV: “Oz”) is 61. Actor Billy Crudup is 58. Actor Michael Weatherly (TV: “NCIS”) is 58.

Musician Beck is 56. Actor Kathleen Robertson is 53.

Christian rock musician Stephen Mason (Jars of Clay) is 51. Actor Milo Ven-

timiglia is 49. Actor Lance Gross (TV: “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”) is 45.

Actor Sophia Bush is 44.

Actor Maya Hawke is 28.

Actor Jaden Smith is 28.

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4D ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

FrAnK And erneSt

roSebUdS

zItS

For better or For WorSe

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zodIAC CANCER (June 21-July 22) Consider your options and what the pros and cons are.

Let your emotions filter through consequences and what's worth it to you and what isn't. Stretch your imagination.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Pay attention; retaining what you hear will be essential if you want to get ahead. Use your Leo charm to captivate your audience and to gather pertinent information regarding different lifestyles.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Sit back, wait for the right moment and prepare to take a stance that positions you for success. Take care of financial, medical and legal matters with confidence.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Put everything in its place, and avoid criticism. Reach out to someone who needs help or a cause that concerns you, and do your part to make a difference. Someone you meet will touch your heart.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Engage in conversations, and invest more time in learning and personal growth. Consider how you can use your knowledge and reputation to teach others to make better decisions.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) You'll be pulled in different directions by the people you have the most contact with.

Surround yourself with those you trust and those who aren't trying to separate you from your cash.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You may think you have everything in place, but continue to refine and define what you

want and how you plan to make it happen. Trying to do the impossible will set you back.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) A vigilant approach to your work responsibilities will help you excel. Don't trust anyone to do something for you that lives up to your standards. Focus on your responsibilities.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Choose to have fun. Distance yourself from those who put pressure on you or take advantage of you. Focus on conversations that give you hope for a brighter future.

Don't limit what's possible.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Keep your thoughts to yourself. Refuse to let your emotions take over and your words lead to trouble. Bide your time and work on self-preservation and improvement.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Take care of small details, and invest more time and effort in exploring and expanding your interests. Activities that encourage you to use your physical and mental attributes will help you meet people.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Bringing about change will be simple if you use your strengths to consolidate your thoughts and charm your way into the hearts of those who can help you achieve your objective.

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

WonderWord

peAnUtS

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY CeLebrItY CIpher Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

TODAy'S CLUE: F EQUALS D

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

dooneSbUrY

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ 5D

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CurTiS

Hi and LoiS

Sudoku InstructIons: Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers.

The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

BaBY BLueS

BLondie

THe wiZard oF id

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La TimeS CroSSword

6D ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Bridge

BY PHILLIP ALDER Robert Fritz, who developed Structural Dynamics, said, “If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want.”

I have mentioned before that it pays to pause and consider your options, not just play on autopilot. This deal is another good example. South is in four spades.

How should the defense proceed after West leads the heart ace?

When you have 5-4-2-2 distribution and the right count for one no-trump, open in your five-card suit when it is a major. If the five-card suit is a minor, open one notrump with strong doubletons or when your rebid might be uncomfortable if you start with one of your long suit. Here, if North opens one diamond and South responds one heart, North has an easy one-spade rebid. So North should open one diamond.

After South actually bid one spade, North had just enough to raise to four spades.

But if North had settled for three spades, South would probably have raised to game, although he might have rebid three no-trump, the game contract that is unbeatable.

After taking the first trick, West will continue with the heart king. But what does he do next?

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

hagar the horriBle

There are two answers to that question: Cash the club ace to save the overtrick or take two club tricks! East should realize that his side needs two heart and two club winners. So it must be right to ruff his partner’s heart king and shift to a club.

As you can see, this is the only way to defeat the contract. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD = GOOD AFTERNOON

PiCKles

Previous answers:

mallard fillmore

word game InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3.

Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

toDAY’s WoRD — REGuLAR: REG-yu-ler: Normal; standard.

Bizarro

marmaduKe

Average mark 18 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 29 or more words in REGULAR? YEstERDAY’s WoRD — sAMEnEss same sane sans seam seamen seem seen sense sesame

amen mane manse mass mean mesa mess ease enema

name ness nesses

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1

You can depend on the Lord! G.E. Dean

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ 7D

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classifieds.theadvocate.com Search Search& &Place PlaceAds AdsOnline Onlineatatclassifieds.theadvocate.com classifieds.theadvocate.com* Call * Call -Friday Us Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM at 225-383-0111 8AM-5PM at 225-383-0111

Announcements BUSINESS PERSONAL New to Baton Rouge Area looking to service your delivery needs. No package too big or too small, call 225 620-9145 more info

the Parish of (list parish) at the following address: 30082 HIGHWAY 21 ANGIE, LA 70426 AP QUICK STOP LLC ANGIE QUICK STOP 1 members: PARMINDER SINGH 50% AMRITPAL SINGH 50% 193080-July 8, 1t $61.50

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Helen Molden and Sherita U. Molden and or their relatives, please contact Ivy L. Graham, Attorney at Law, 171 Del Orleans, Ste B, Denham Springs, Louisiana 70726 phone (225) 663-8959.

193235-July 7-9, 3t $200.50

AP QUICK STOP LLC d/b/a ANGIE QUICK STOP 1 is applying to the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control of the State of Louisiana for a permit to sell beverages of (high and low) alcohol content at retail in

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

be binding upon the prin‐ cipal until specifically re‐ scinded and canceled from the records of the office.

y g System; Approach Obsta‐ cle Removal for Runway 18; and Site Clearing, Grubbing and Grading on the 39.28 acre parcel be‐ tween Big Bayou and LA Hwy 1.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Port of South Louisiana hereby adver‐ tises for bids for: Project: Port of South Louisiana New Security Guard Building and Entrance Reserve, LA Description of Basic Work: Scope of work con‐ sists of the construction of a new security en‐ trance building and con‐ sist of removal and re‐ placement of concrete paving, new asphalt dri‐ veway, gravel parking area, and paved handi‐ cap stalls.

Description of Alternate No. 1: Includes gas line extension, generator and generator pad.

Description of Alternate No. 2: Includes paving the parking lot in lieu of gravel.

Sealed Bids must be re‐ ceived by the Port of South Louisiana, 1720 Louisiana Highway 44.

Reserve, Louisiana 70084, either by mail, hand de‐ livery or electronic bid, NO LATER THAN 11:30 AM, local time July 22, 2026, Attn: Julia FisherCormier, Sealed Bid En‐ closed- New Security Guard Building and En‐ trance, Contractor’s Li‐ cense Number and Con‐ tractor’s name should be printed outside of the sealed bid.

Promptly thereafter, the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the Port of South Louisiana, 1720 Louisiana Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana 70084.

Electronic bids are ac‐ cepted on the Central Auction House Bidding www.central Website: auctionhouse.com Complete Bidding Docu‐ ments may be examined at the Port of South Louisiana, 1720 Louisiana Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana 70084 or at www.centralauctionh ouse.com Complete Bidding Docu‐ ments may be obtained from: Linfield, Hunter & Junius, Inc. 3608 18th Street Suite 200 Metairie, Louisiana 70002 Telephone: 504-833-5300 Fax: 504-833-5350 E-mail: dmorales@ lhjunius.com upon deposit of $250.00 for each set of docu‐ ments. Deposit on the first two sets are fully re‐ fundable to all bonafide prime Bidders upon re‐ turn of the documents, in good condition, no later than ten (10) days after receipt of bids. Fifty per‐ cent (50%) of the deposit of all other sets of docu‐ ments will be refunded upon return of docu‐ ments as stated above.

Electronic copies can be requested for a fee of $25.00.

All bids shall be accom‐ panied by bid security in an amount of five per‐ cent (5.0%) of the sum of the base bid and all al‐ ternates. The form of this security shall be as stated in the Instructions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project.

The successful Bidder shall be required to fur‐ nish a Performance and Payment Bond written as described in the Instruc‐ tions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project.

In accordance with La R.S. 38:2212 B. (5) Written evidence of the authority of the person signing the bid for public works shall be submitted at the time of bidding. The authority of the signature of the person submitting the bid shall be deemed suf‐ ficient and acceptable if any of the following con‐ ditions are met: (a) The signature on the bid is that of any corpo‐ rate officer listed on the most current annual re‐ port on file with the sec‐ retary of state, or the signature on the bid is that of any member of a partnership, limited lia‐ bility company, limited li‐ ability partnership, or other legal entity listed in the most current busi‐ ness records on file with the secretary of state. (b) The signature on the bid is that of an autho‐ rized representative as documented by the legal entity certifying the authority of the person. (c) The legal entity has filed in the appropriate records of the secretary of state of this state, an affidavit, resolution, or other acknowledged or authentic document indi‐ cating the names of all parties authorized to submit bids for public contracts. Such docu‐ ment on file with the sec‐ retary of state shall re‐ main in effect and shall

All required Certificates of Liability Insurance shall list the Port of South Louisiana as “addi‐ tionally insured”.

A MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD On July 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Port of South Louisiana | Administra‐ tive Building | Board Room 1720 LA Highway 44, Re‐ serve, LA 70084.

Prospective bidders who fail to attend or remain in attendance for the du‐ ration of the pre- bid conference shall be pro‐ hibited from submitting a bid for the project.

Bids shall be accepted from Contractors who are licensed under La. R.S. 37:2150-2192 for the classification of Building Construction. No bid may be withdrawn for a pe‐ riod of forty-five (45) calendar days after the actual date of open‐ ing thereof except as provided by La R.S. 38:2214(C). The parties may mutually agree to extend the bid for addi‐ tional days.

Pursuant to La R.S. 38:2214(B) the Owner re‐ serves its right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In accordance with La. R.S. 38:2212(B) (1), the provisions and requirements of this Sec‐ tion, those stated in the bidding documents shall not be considered as in‐ formalities and shall not be waived by any public entity.

Contractor employees must be able to legally work in the United States – either a U.S. citizen or foreign citizen who has the necessary authoriza‐ tion.

The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsi‐ ble bidder without dis‐ crimination on grounds of race, color, sex or na‐ tional origin. Disadvan‐ taged businesses are en‐ couraged to submit bids.

When a project is fi‐ nanced either partially or entirely with State Bonds, the award of this Contract is contingent upon the granting of lines of credit, or the sale of bonds by the Bond Commission. The State shall incur no obligation to the Contractor until the Contract Between Owner and Contractor is fully executed.

OWNER BY: Julia Fisher-Cormier TITLE: Executive Director Advertisement Dates: 06/24/2026; 07/01/2026; 07/08/2026 191724-jun 24-jul 1-8-3t $272.11

PUBLIC NOTICE --ADVERTISEMENT OR INVITATION TO BID ENGLAND ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA EXTENSION OF RUNWAY 18 OBSTACLE REMOVAL PHASE 3 AND PRECISION APPROACH NAVAIDS PHASE 4 AT ENGLAND INDUSTRIAL AIRPARK AND COMMUNITY Separate sealed bids for the EXTENSION OF RUNWAY 18 OBSTACLE REMOVAL PHASE 3 AND PRECISION APPROACH NAVAIDS PHASE 4 will be received by the ENGLAND ECO‐ NOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, 1611 ARNOLD DRIVE, ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA 71303, in the England Au‐ thority Board Room, Building 1803 (England Authority Administration Building), at the ENG‐ LAND INDUSTRIAL AIR‐ PARK AND COMMUNITY, until 10:00 A.M. (Central Time), on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud. The In‐ structions to Bidders, Bid Form, Agreement Be‐ tween Owner and Con‐ tractor, Forms of Bid Bond, Performance and Payment Bonds, Draw‐ ings and Specifications, and other Contract Docu‐ ments may be examined at the following location: PAN AMERICAN ENGINEERS, LLC (Design Professional) 1717 JACKSON STREET (P.O. BOX 8599, 71306) ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA 71301 (318) 473-2100 The scope of work for this Project is as follows: The Base Bid includes a New Localizer System, Glide Slope System and Runway Visual Range h b

Additive Alternate No. 1 includes a New MALSF Approach Lighting Sys‐ tem.

Additive Alternate No. 2 includes the Upgrade of the proposed MALSF Ap‐ proach Lighting System to a MALSR Approach Lighting System.

Additive Alternate No. 3 includes Site Grading & Drainage Improvements on the 39.28 acre parcel between Big Bayou and LA Hwy 1.

Copies of the bidding documents shall be ob‐ tained at the office of Pan American Engineers, LLC upon deposit of $150.00 for each set of documents; or from the electronic bid submittal option as noted in the advertisement. The de‐ posit on the first set of documents furnished to bonafide prime bidders will be fully refunded upon return of the docu‐ ments, in good condition, no later than ten (10) days after receipt of bids. On other sets of documents furnished to bidders, the deposit less actual cost of reproduc‐ tion will be refunded upon return of the docu‐ ments, in good condition, no later than ten (10) days after receipt of bids.

Pursuant to L.R.S. 38:2212.E.(1), Bidders have the option to sub‐ mit bids and bid bonds electronically. Electronic bids for this project may be submitted through Central Bidding at www.

CentralAuctionHouse. com. To register, or for assistance with complet‐ ing an e-bid, contact Central Bidding at 225810-4814 or 866-570-9620.

The OWNER reserves the right to reject any or all Bids for just cause. Such actions will be in accor‐ dance with Title 38 of the L.R.S. In accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes 38:2212(B)(1), the provisions and re‐ quirements stated in the bidding documents shall not be considered as in‐ formalities and shall not be waived.

A Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held at the England Authority Board Room, Building 1803 (the England Au‐ thority Administration Building), 1611 Arnold Drive, England Industrial Airpark and Community, Alexandria, Louisiana at 10:00 A.M., THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026.

Each bidder must de‐ posit with his Bid, secu‐ rity in the amount of at least five percent (5%) of the total bid price, as de‐ scribed in the Instruc‐ tions to Bidders. Bid bonds shall be written by a surety or insurance company meeting the re‐ quirements noted in L.R.S. 38:2218.

Sureties used for obtain‐ ing Bonds must appear as acceptable on the De‐ partment of Treasury Cir‐ cular 570 and comply with other specified re‐ quirements included in‐ volved in the Instruction to Bidders.

The contract is to be fi‐ nanced in whole or in part by federal or other funds which will not be readily available at the time bids are received. In accordance with LA. R.S. 38:2215D, Bidders may not withdraw their bid within ninety (90) days after the actual date of opening thereof.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause in accor‐ dance with Louisiana R.S. 38:2214B. This contract is subject to the requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act (DOL 29 CFR Part 5), as amended. The Contractor is required to comply with wage and labor pro‐ visions and to pay mini‐ mum wages in accor‐ dance with the schedule of wage rates estab‐ lished by the United States Department of Labor.

Award of contract is also subject to the following Federal provisions: Executive Order 11246 and DOL Regulation 41 CFR PART 60 – Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employ‐ ment Opportunity DOT Regulation 49 CFR PART 29 – Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension and Government-wide Re‐ quirements for Drug-free Workplace DOT Regulation 49 CFR PART 30 – Denial of Public Works Contracts to Sup‐ pliers of Goods and Services of Countries that Deny Contracts to Suppliers of Goods and Services of Countries That Deny Procurement Market Access to U.S. Contractors (Foreign Trade Restriction).

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals

TITLE 49 United States Code, CHAPTER 501 – Buy American Preferences The England Economic and Industrial Develop‐ ment District, in accor‐ dance with the provi‐ sions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4), 28 CFR § 50.3, and 49 CFR Part 21, hereby notifies all bid‐ ders that it will affirma‐ tively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this adver‐ tisement, all contractors will be afforded full op‐ portunity to submit bids in response to this invita‐ tion and will not be dis‐ criminated against on the grounds of the owner’s race, color, na‐ tional origin, sex, creed, age, or disability in con‐ sideration for an award.

It is the policy of the Eng‐ land Economic and In‐ dustrial Development District (EEIDD) that Small Business Enter‐ prises (SBEs) as defined in 49 CFR Part 26.39 shall have the maximum op‐ portunity to participate in the performance of projects advertised by the EEIDD. All bidders shall make good faith ef‐ forts, as defined in Ap‐ pendix A of 49 CFR Part 26, Regulations of the Of‐ fice of the Secretary of Transportation, to sub‐ contract 5.2% of the dol‐ lar value of the prime contract to small busi‐ ness concerns owned and controlled by SBEs. All bidders (proposers) will be required to sub‐ mit information concern‐ ing the SBEs that will participate in this con‐ tract. The information will include the name and address for each SBE, a description of the work to be performed by each named firm, the dollar value of the con‐ tract (subcontract), writ‐ ten documentation of the bidder (proposers) com‐ mitment to utilize the SBE firm and written con‐ firmation from the SBE firm that it is participat‐ ing in the contract as provided in the commit‐ ment made by the bidder (proposer). If the bidder fails to achieve the con‐ tract goal as stated herein, it will be required to provide documenta‐ tion demonstrating that it made good faith ef‐ forts in attempting to do so. A bid that fails to meet these requirements will be considered nonresponsive.

DBE Required Provisions:

Contract

Contract Assurance (§26.13) - The contractor, subrecipient or subcon‐ tractor shall not discrimi‐ nate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex in the performance of this contract. The con‐ tractor shall carry out applicable requirements of 49 CFR Part 26, includ‐ ing any amendments thereto, in the award and administration of DOTassisted contracts. Fail‐ ure by the contractor to carry out these require‐ ments is a material breach of this contract, which may result in the termination of this con‐ tract or such other rem‐ edy, as the EEIDD deems appropriate, which may include, but is not limited to: (1) withholding monthly progress pay‐ ments, (2) assessing sanctions, (3) liquidated damages, and/or (4) dis‐ qualifying the contractor from future bidding as non-responsible.

Prompt Payment (§26.29) - The prime contractor agrees to pay each sub‐ contractor under this prime contract for satis‐ factory performance of its contract no later than 15 days from the receipt of each payment the prime contractor re‐ ceives from EEIDD. The prime contractor agrees further to return re‐ tainage payments to each subcontractor within 15 days after the subcontractor's work is satisfactorily completed.

(The England Authority will hold retainage from prime contractors and provide for prompt and regular incremental ac‐ ceptances of portions of the prime contract and pay retainage to prime contractors based on these acceptances). Any delay or postponement of payment from the above referenced time frame may occur only for good cause following written approval of the EEIDD. This clause ap‐ plies to both SBE and non-SBE subcontractors.

Award of contract is also subject to the following Federal provisions: 1) Buy American Preference 2) Foreign Trade Restriction 3) Davis Bacon 4) Affirmative Action 5) Governmentwide Debarment and Suspen‐ sion 6) Governmentwide Requirements for Drug free Workplace The successful bidder will be required to sub‐ mit a Certification of Nonsegregated Facilities prior to award of the contract, and to notify prospective subcontrac‐ f h i

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals p p tors of the requirement for such a Certification where the amount of the subcontract exceeds $10,000. Samples of the Certification and Notice to Subcontractors ap‐ pear in the Specifica‐ tions.

Women will be afforded equal opportunity in all areas of employment.

However, the employ‐ ment of women shall not diminish the standards or requirements for the employment of minori‐ ties.

For contracts of $50,000 or more, a contractor having 50 or more em‐ ployees, and his subcon‐ tractors having 50 or more employees and who may be awarded a subcontract of $50,000 or more, will be required to maintain an affirmative action program within 120 days of the com‐ mencement of the con‐ tract.

Preaward Equal Opportu‐ nity Compliance Re‐ views. Where the bid of the apparent low respon‐ sible bidder is in the amount of $1 million or more, the bidder and his known all-tier subcon‐ tractors which will be awarded subcontracts of $1 million or more will be subject to full on-site, preaward equal opportu‐ nity compliance reviews before the award of the contract for the purpose of determining whether the bidder and his sub‐ contractors are able to comply with the provi‐ sions of the equal oppor‐ tunity clause.

Compliance Reports.

Within 30 days after award of this contract, the Contractor shall file a compliance report (Stan‐ dard Form 100) if: 1) The Successful Bidder has not submitted a complete compliance re‐ port within 12 months preceding the date of award; and 2) The Successful Bidder is within the definition of "employer" in Para‐ graphs 2e(3) of the in‐ structions included in Standard Form 100.

The Successful Bidder shall require the subcon‐ tractor on all-tier sub‐ contracts, irrespective of dollar amount, to file Standard Form 100 within 30 days after award of the subcontract if the above two conditions apply. Standard Form 100 will be furnished upon request.

Bidders are hereby ad‐ vised that the Owner, England Economic and Industrial Development District, has employed the services of Eddlemon & Associates LLC to ad‐ minister the Small Busi‐ ness Enterprise Program for this project. The SBE Administrator’s address is 5237 Raphael Drive; Alexandria, Louisiana 71303 and the telephone number is (318) 613-8143.

If Bidders encounter problems locating a SBE, they should notify the SBE Manager, Lynne Ed‐ dlemon.

The Bidder must supply all information as re‐ quired in the Instructions to Bidders.

ENGLAND ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT SCOTT GAMMEL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR AVIATION & CAPITAL PROJECTS 1611 ARNOLD DRIVE ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA 71303 PLEASE PUBLISH THREE (3) TIMES: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Wednesday, July 8, 2026 191942 June 24, July 1, 8, 2026 3t $530.18 PUBLIC NOTICE --INVITATION TO BID Sealed bids will be ac‐ cepted until July 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST for custo‐ dial services at South Louisiana Community College in Lafayette, LA. A mandatory meeting will be held at South Louisiana Community College’s Ardoin Building in Room 102 located at 1101 Bertrand Dr Lafayette, LA 70506 on July 23, 2026 at 10:00am CST. Bid forms and speci‐ fications may be ob‐ tained online at www. solacc.edu/bids, by phoning 337-521-8898, by purchasing@ e-mailing solacc.ed, by faxing a written request to 337521-9067, or by visiting the Purchasing Office at 1101 Bertrand Dr., Lafayette, LA 70506.

Please refer to bid# 26003. Bids must be sub‐ mitted in accordance with LA State Purchasing Rules and Regulations and within the terms and conditions set forth in the bid.

192597 July 8, 15, 22, 2026 3t $68.62

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

PUBLIC NOTICE --REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RFP 0517 Jefferson Parish Depart‐ ment of Purchasing is so‐ liciting Request for Pro‐ posals (RFPs) from quali‐ fied firms to provide To Provide a Pre-Placed Emergency Contract for Fuel Delivery During a Declared Disaster from an Area Outside of Southern Louisiana for the Jefferson Parish De‐ partment of Fleet Man‐ agement.

A pre-proposal confer‐ ence will be held at 10:00 AM on July 17, 2026 at Joseph S. Yenni Building located at 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd. Room 303, Jef‐ ferson, LA 70123.

Prospective proposers may participate in the conference to obtain clarification of the re‐ quirements of the RFP and to receive answers to relevant questions thereto. Any proposer in‐ tending to submit a pro‐ posal is encouraged to attend and should have at least one authorized representative attend the Pre-proposal Confer‐ ence.

RFP specifications may be obtained by visiting the Jefferson Parish Pur‐ chasing Department http:// webpage at purchasing.jeffparish.net and selecting the LaPAC Tab. RFPs may also be viewed and submitted online free of charge at: www.jeffparishbids.net or www.centralbidding. com.

Submissions will only be accepted electronically via the Parish’s e-Pro‐ curement system, Cen‐ tral Bidding. Responses will be received until 3:30 P.M. on August 6, 2026.

Jefferson Parish no longer accepts manual submissions. All vendors will be required to regis‐ ter with Central Bidding.

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

p p and assistance programs

Q about this procedure shall be directed to the Designer at M&E Consult‐ ing, LLC, 1304 Bertrand Drive Suite F7, Lafayette, LA 70506. Phone (337) 234-7474.

Attention: David Carrol. E-Mail Ad‐ dress: david@meconsu lting.com.

Renny Simno Director Purchasing Department Misty Camardelle Assistant Director Purchasing Department Baton Rouge Advocate: June 24, July 1, and 8, 2026 For additional informa‐ tion, please visit the Pur‐ chasing Webpage at http://purchasing. jeffparish.net or call 504364-2678.

191931 June 24, July 1, 8, 2026 3t $119.17 PUBLIC NOTICE --Sealed Bids for the Lake Charles Solar Discon‐ nect, 3650 Sen. J Bennett Johnston Avenue, Lake Charles Louisiana 70615 will be received at the Lake Charles Readiness Center, (Classroom), 3650 Sen. J Bennett Johnston Avenue, Lake Charles Louisiana 70615, until 1:00 p.m. CT on Wednes‐ day, August 12, 2026.

A Mandatory Pre-Bid conference and site visit is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

CT on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Lake Charles Readiness Center, (Class‐ room), 3650 Sen. J Ben‐ nett Johnston Avenue, Lake Charles Louisiana 70615. Attendance at this Conference is manda‐ tory. Prospective bidders must attend the entire mandatory Pre-Bid con‐ ference in order to sub‐ mit a bid. The Construc‐ tion and Facilities Man‐ agement Office point of contact is Karr A. Benoit, Email: karr.a.benoit.nfg@ army.mil CFMO Building #3022, Office #220, 6400 St Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117, 504278-8047.

BIDS SHALL BE ACCEPTED ONLY FROM CONTRAC‐ TORS THAT ATTEND THE ENTIRE MANDATORY PREBID CONFERENCE.

ANY PERSON REQUIRING SPECIAL ACCOMMODA‐ TIONS SHALL NOTIFY KARR A. BENOIT OF THE TYPE(S) OF ACCOMMO‐ DATION REQUIRED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS BEFORE THE BID OPENING.

ANY PERSON REQUIRING SPECIAL ACCOMMODA‐ TIONS SHALL NOTIFY KARR A. BENOIT OF THE TYPE(S) OF ACCOMMO‐ DATION REQUIRED NOT LESS THAN FIVE (5) DAYS BEFORE THE MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE.

Complete Bid Documents for this project are avail‐ able in electronic form.

They may be obtained without charge and with‐ out deposit from CFMO Energy LAANG. Printed copies are not available from the Project Man‐ ager, but arrangements can be made to obtain them through most re‐ prographic firms. Plan holders are responsible for their own reproduc‐ tion costs. Questions b hi d

All Bids must be accom‐ panied by Bid Security equal to five percent (5%) of the Base Bid and Additional Bid Items (ABI) and must be in the form of a certified check, cashier’s check or bid bond.

Bids shall be accepted from Contractors who are licensed under LA. R.S. 37:2150-2192 for the classification of BUILD‐

Late proposals are not accepted.

Jefferson Parish and its partners as the recipi‐ ents of federal funds are fully committed to awarding a contract(s) to firm(s) that will provide high-quality services and that are dedicated to di‐ versity and to containing costs. Thus, Jefferson Parish strongly encour‐ ages the involvement of small businesses, minor‐ ity businesses, women's business enterprises, and veteran-owned busi‐ nesses to stimulate par‐ ticipation in procurement and assistance programs Renny Simno Director Purchasing Department Misty Camardelle Assistant Director Purchasing Department Baton Rouge Advocate: July 1, 8, and 15, 2026 For additional informa‐ tion, please visit the Pur‐ chasing Webpage at http://purchasing. jeffparish.net or call 504364-2678.

192713 July 1, 8, 15, 2026 3t $115.38 PUBLIC NOTICE --REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RFP 0517 Jefferson Parish Depart‐ ment of Purchasing is so‐ liciting Request for Pro‐ posals (RFPs) from quali‐ fied firms to provide To Provide a Pre-Placed Emergency Contract for Fuel Delivery During a Declared Disaster from an Area Outside of Southern Louisiana for the Jefferson Parish De‐ partment of Fleet Man‐ agement.

RFP specifications may be obtained by visiting the Jefferson Parish Pur‐ chasing Department webpage at http:// purchasing.jeffparish.net and selecting the LaPAC Tab. RFPs may also be viewed and submitted online free of charge at: www.jeffparishbids.net or www.centralbidding. com.

Submissions will only be accepted electronically via the Parish’s e-Pro‐ curement system, Cen‐ tral Bidding. Responses will be received until 3:30 P.M. on July 24, 2026. Jef‐ ferson Parish no longer accepts manual submis‐ sions. All vendors will be required to register with Central Bidding.

Late proposals are not accepted.

Jefferson Parish and its partners as the recipi‐ ents of federal funds are fully committed to awarding a contract(s) to firm(s) that will provide high-quality services and that are dedicated to di‐ versity and to containing costs. Thus, Jefferson Parish strongly encour‐ ages the involvement of small businesses, minor‐ ity businesses, women's business enterprises, and veteran-owned busi‐ nesses to stimulate par‐ ticipation in procurement d i

CLASSIFIEDS.THEADVOCATE.COM Public Notices Bids/Proposals

ING CONSTRUCTION and/or ELECTRICAL. Bid‐ der is required to comply with provisions and re‐ quirements of LA R.S. 38:2212(B)(5).

The successful Bidder will be required to fur‐ nish a Performance and Payment Bond written by a company licensed to do business in the State of Louisiana, equal to 100% of the Contract amount, including Addi‐ tional Bid Items (ABI), if required.

No Bid may be with‐ drawn for a period of forty-five (45) days after receipt of Bids except under the provisions of LA R.S. 38:2214.

Electronic Bid Docu‐ ments may be submitted

by Contractors to the Construction & Facilities Management Office by submitting their bid along with their bid secu‐ rity to https://www.cen tralauctionhouse.com/.

Electronic bids must be submitted so as to be posted prior to 11:00 a.m.

CT on Wednesday, Au‐ gust 12, 2026. Hard copies of the contrac‐ tor’s electronically sub‐ mitted packet must be sent to ATTN: Karr A. Benoit, Construction and Facility Maintenance Of‐ fice Building #3022, Of‐ fice #220, 6400 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117, telephone 504-2788047. Contractors MUST attend the mandatory Pre-Bid conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

CT on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the listed above location in order to submit an electronic bid.

The Owner reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Bids for just cause. In accordance with directives and guid‐ ance published by Facil‐ ity Planning and Control, the Louisiana Revised

Notice Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Article IV, Section 21(D)(1) of the Louisiana Constitution, that on June 1, 2026, Entergy Louisiana, LLC (“ELL”), a public utility providing retail electric and gas service throughout the State of Louisiana, filed with the Louisiana Public Service Commission (“LPSC”) public and confidential versions of its Formula Rate Plan (“FRP”) Rider Schedule FRP Evaluation Report and Workpapers for Test Year 2025.

The filing reflects an earned return on common equity (“EROE”) for the 2025 Evaluation Period/Test Year of 9.63%, which is within the approved FRP dead band and results in no change in FRP base revenue.

Changes in FRP Revenue include a reduction in credits flowing through the Tax Adjustment Mechanism, additions to transmission and distribution plant in service reflected through the Transmission Recovery Mechanism and Distribution Recovery Mechanism, respectively, and a decrease in credits flowing through the MISO Cost Recovery Mechanism. These changes result in a net increase in FRP Revenue of $226 million.

The resulting FRP factors to be applied to the respective ELL rate classes effective for customer bills rendered on and after the first billing cycle of September 2026 are as follows: Ln No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Rate Class RESIDENTIAL SMALL GENERAL SERVICE GENERAL SERVICE MUNICIPAL PUMPING SERVICE LARGE POWER SERVICE HIGH LOAD FACTOR SERVICE LARGE LOAD HIGH LF POWER SERVICE LARGE INDUSTRIAL SERVICE LIGHTING SERVICE

Total ELL FRP Rate Adj. 100.7855% 93.2446% 96.3035% 102.9310% 82.9259% 82.7593% 80.9583% 86.5556% 94.5556%

It is estimated that the proposed adjustment in rates will have the following effects upon applicable Legacy ELL customers’ typical monthly bills: for a Residential customer using 1,000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $6.35; for a Small General Service customer using 50 kW and 12,500 kWh the bill would change by approximately $80.47; for a Large General Service customer using 1,000 kW and 500,000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $1,887.73.

It is estimated that the proposed adjustment in rates will have the following effects upon applicable Legacy EGSL customers’ typical monthly bills: for a Residential customer using 1,000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $6.35; for a Small General Service customer using 5000 kWh the bill would change by approximately $34.62; for a Large General Service customer using 500 kW and 255,500 kWh the bill would change by approximately $897.06.

For questions and comments regarding ELL’s filing, please call the LPSC toll free at (800) 2562397. Additionally, the filing, including its attachments, the public version of which may be viewed in the Records Division of the LPSC at the following address: Records Division 602 N. Fifth Street, 12th Floor Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 Telephone: (225) 342-3157 ENTERGY LOUISIANA, LLC 193148-664790-jul 8-1t $ 917.50

8D ■ Wednesday, July 8, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Legal Notices

Statutes, the provisions and requirements of those stated in the ad‐ vertisement for bids and those required on the bid form shall not be waivered. The Louisiana Military Department Deputy Director for Con‐ tracting and Purchasing and the State Contract‐ ing Officer do not pos‐ sess authority to waive any informality inciden‐ tal thereto. The Owner shall incur no obligation to the Contractor until the Contract between Owner and Contractor is fully executed.

The Louisiana Military Department is a partici‐ pant in the Louisiana Ini‐ tiative for Small Entre‐ preneurships (SE) Pro‐ gram (the Hudson Initia‐ tive) and the VeteranOwned and Service-Con‐ nected Disabled VeteranOwned Small Entrepre‐ neurships Program (the Veteran Initiative). Bid‐ ders are encouraged to consider participation.

191832-JUL 1-8-15-3T $210

PUBLIC NOTICE --and Compliance (OPC) has received the follow‐ ing application(s) for a Coastal Use Permit (CUP) in accordance with La. R.S. 49:214.21 et seq., and the rules of the Coastal Program.

Management Applications for coastal use permits may be in‐ spected at 617 North 3rd Street, Room 1078, Baton Rouge, LA or on the OPC at: https:// webpage denr.louisiana.gov/page/ public-notices.

Copies available, costs are apply. Written comments are solicited from the public and must be re‐ ceived within 25 days of the date of this notice.

Comments must be up‐ loaded directly to our record electronic through the OPC web‐ page or mailed to: OPC Kyle Administrator, Balkum, P.O. Box 44487, Baton Rouge, LA 708044487. All comments must contain the appropriate CUP number and the commenter's full name and contact information.

lll

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

Below are the referenced application(s): ***** CUP NUMBER: P20250932 Name: Venture Global LNG c/o K&M Project Ser‐ vices, LLC 1000 COUNTRY ROAD LAKE CLUB CHARLES, LA 70605 Attn: Mitch Thomas Location: Cameron Parish, LA; Lat. 29-47-37.05N, Long -93-1838.97W; Section 32, 41, 42, 43 T14S R09W; Section 12, 13, 14, 15 T15S R09W; De‐ scription: Proposed road improvements to State Highway No. 27/82 that includes widening and reinforcing the existing concrete side‐ road, walks, driveways, and driveway aprons. In addi‐ tion, drainage improve‐ ments along the road that includes improved installations, culvert basins, yard catch drains. Approx. 1456 cy of material will be exca‐ vated and hauled offsite and 16008 cy of road base, Non-plastic em‐ bankment will be placed onsite. ****** CUP NUM‐ BER: P20260553 Name: Dow Chemical c/o Miller Engineers & Associates, Inc. 601 MAIN STREET

FRANKLIN, LA 70538 Attn: Joel J. Miller Location: Assumption Parish, LA; Lat. 30-0-47.07N, Long -91-7-6.22W; Section 13 T12S R13E; Shell Pipeline CT off Hwy 70 Belle Rose, 70341 Description: Instal‐ of temporary lation earthen berm from exist‐ ing access road around to existing well pad in order to dewater interior area, install trench box, excavate contaminated soil and expose ruptured pipeline, repair pipeline, backfill with offsite ma‐ terial, remove trench remove earthen box, berm, and bring site back to original elevations.

Approx. 29 cy. of material excavated and was hauled offsite and ap‐ prox. 86 cy. of material was hauled in and used as fill.

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PUBLIC NOTICE --Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in Wetlands To: All interested Federal, State, and Local Agen‐ cies, Groups and Individ‐ uals This is to give notice that the Town of Jonesboro (TOJ) has determined that the following pro‐ action under posed Louisiana Watershed Ini‐ tiative Community Devel‐ opment Block Grant Miti‐ gation program B-18-DP22-0001 is located within wetland areas, and TOJ will be identifying and practicable evaluating alternatives to locating the action within the wetland areas and the potential impacts on the wetland areas from the proposed action, as re‐ by Executive quired Order 11990 and in accor‐ dance with HUD regula‐ tions at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations l d l i

Legal Notices

g on Floodplain Manage‐ ment and Protection of Wetlands. The proposed project location is the total project area will be approximately 4.86 acres and is located within the Jonesboro town limits.

The proposed project will include the clearing of accumulated sediments, overgrowth, vegetative and urban litter, which has resulted in a signifi‐ cant loss of hydraulic ca‐ pacity in the conveyance.

Additionally, the pro‐ posed activities will re‐ shape the existing chan‐ nel in an effort to return it to measurements more consistent with those present prior to the degradation caused by the accumulation of the foreign materials. Ap‐ proximately 0.16 acres of wet‐ non-jurisdictional lands will potentially be impacted by the pro‐ posed activities.

There are three primary purposes for this notice.

First, people who may be affected by activities in wetlands and those who have an interest in the

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protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Com‐ menters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the wetlands, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the [floodplain/wetland].

Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important pub‐ lic educational tool. The dissemination of infor‐ mation and request for public comment about wetlands can facilitate and enhance Federal ef‐ forts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will partici‐ pate in actions taking place in wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

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d Crosswor oku d u S i n i M Sudoku ote Cryptoqu ze Mega Ma olve Point & S uth Word Sle er Challeng rs Scramble Wuzzles t Fear Kno

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Sudoku Sudoku is a numberplacing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

Multi-Sudoku Each puzzle consists of two or more Sudoku grids overlapping each other in various configurations. The grids may be Classic Sudoku or a mix of different Sudoku variants. The object is to solve all grids according to their variant rules. Note that overlapping areas comply with the rules of more than one grid.

2

Premier Crossword

By Frank A. Longo

3

Cryptoquip The Cryptoquip is a substitution cipher in which one letter stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Single letters, short words and words using an apostrophe give you clues to locating vowels. Solution is by trial and error.

Q

Z H C C D Z N

R N I Q M N I Z

T N I B Y N U Q N S J Q E J

B F D H A

E P D Z N

Y U D H I R

T Q Y JA

M D D

E U B S P A D

F N

A J N

E B P P N R

G W

O Q W G LB G

P M I

J P Q A ,

Today’s Cryptoquip Clue: M equals Z

K N

T Y Q H Y A H

F Y G P

P H B L F

I C B I

I C H P H ’T

K ’ L

T B F

B W W

Q Y A H F

C H ’ T

B

T Y

H P G

G Y L G B Z

U TAYU X W

B G J X G M W .

4

LV G

B PQ Q S LH

N O Q P I .

W O R C M

N G A L -

Z C K D A

L C K W K

P K E W J K G

L E A Z E W U :

M H

M C K T Y K P

T O P P - E - J H D E

Y J O D K W U O MA. Today’s Cryptoquip Clue: H equals O

I G C XAYH

B G A G X J X H P

G C L B G I G U Z

LYAT

O S O L Q

U M Y G K J M U

Today’s Cryptoquip Clue: T equals S

H G M

N B W G G S N J

Z H P P K R K

W H N I,

P B S Y P .

LVYL

K Q WA

Today’s Cryptoquip Clue: G equals T

G T H T

S H PY

G J L

S M N G QYALM G PT S N G P Q WY M H

E U N N C N U Z .

J SAN LT K

P B G Y L

X L ’ W

LT M H .

Today’s Cryptoquip Clue: L equals T

L V G

Q G P M

M K M M Z

D F D D N M V

S X P K I P O

G P X

E K B N S K J

S K X F L V P J ,

Q F L J O

V K Z

V D P S N K J

N I

Q K V

E K X Z - B F - X F L M O .

Today’s Cryptoquip Clue: M equals N

N K

CROSSWORD THOMAS JOSEPH

ACROSS 1 Fragment 6 Relaxing resorts 10 Embassy worker 11 Used up 12 Stock unit 13 Be a sponge 14 Gofer’s assignment 15 Last number 16 Actor Wallach 17 Common verb 18 Was in front 19 Making merry 22 Stagger 23 Roman censor 26 Razing 29 PC key 32 Word of accord 33 Road sealer 34 Like a short play 36 Kismet 37 Pebbles’ mom 38 Kayak’s cousin 39 Spot in the ocean 40 Hunter in the stars 41 New driver, usually 42 Pulses

DOWN 1 Annoy 2 Asthma sufferer’s device 3 Difficult to pin down 4 Bottle plug 5 Storm center 6 Reach across 7 Bike part 8 Trig topic 9 Spirited horse 11 Academic area 15 Work wk.’s end 17 Urban prowler 20 Slippery one 21 Lass 24 Fairy queen 25 Barhopping 27 Horse healer 28 Salad makeup 29 Namely 30 Ouzo flavor 31 Southern lass 35 Prayer end 36 Flight cost 38 Corn core 5

Point & Solve In this crossword puzzle variety, the clues appear in the diagram itself. Simply enter the answers in the directions indicated by the arrows.

CROSSWORD THOMAS JOSEPH

ACROSS 1 Maze choices 6 Rocker setting 11 “The Waste Land” poet 12 Moscow setting 13 Circus performer 14 Tag line?

15 Paper worker 17 Quirk 19 Lobster trap 20 Pointer 23 Devotee 25 Old Italian coin 26 Charlie Chaplin film 28 Entreated 29 Passionate 30 Braying beast 31 Foofaraw 32 Last letter 33 Cave 35 Mexican money 38 Goes under 41 Baja buddy 42 Prepare to propose 43 Ungrammatical type of sentence 44 Like some questions

DOWN 1 Favorite 2 Copying 3 Video editing aids 4 Worked the garden 5 American bass 6 Wine grape 7 Stench 8 Sewer rodent 9 Letter before psi 10 Very popular 16 Transport to Oz 17 Lightning setting 18 Pop stars 20 Global strips 21 Tony winner Worth 22 Art class staple 24 Roulette bet 25 Top 27 Russian Revolution leader 31 Fiery crime 33 Kind of boot or dancer 34 Fork feature 35 Golf goal 36 Outback bird 37 Sermon subject 39 Writer Kesey 40 — -mo

7

Sudoku

Cryptoquote A X Y D L B AA X R is L O N G F E L L O W One letter stands for another. In this sample, A is used for three L’s, X for the two O’s, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, and length and formation of words are all hints. The code letters are different for each puzzle.

L

R F D S

R F Y ,

I T V

U N N P U N Z

U F O X V D

X S

R X N

F D

X L D

E N D D F I PS

P N T F D Z

K L Y

V R F B S Y N

L

E P L Y

AS U S LV .

—

P ’L K N T Z

K G A B

L F B U O

V G L O Z S B L

G L

V Z S G U M

U E O

E U K C

V E J B

I E U E J Z P K B ,

P W O

V E J B

W L B A W K

K G A B

L F B U O

U E O I G U M .

P B J U Z J T H S I

H P

J E I

P H B X Q

H P

Y E W J

X U KAF F

Z

T E G U M

—

M B E J M B

X H Q J

QAS U I B I

B I Q T I U J

A Q

F A Q J I S A S K

J H

W S H J E I B

Q W V .

O I Z U

L I Z H

W U J L W F F V

8

V N

—

E W Q

J H

Z B V W S J

E .

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the same number only once

Word Sleuth Find the listed words in the diagram. They run in all directions - forward, backward, up, down and diagonally. Every puzzle has one unlisted clue.

Challenger Fill each square with a number, 1-9. Horizontal squares should add to the totals on the right, vertical squares should add to the totals on the bottom and diagonal squares should add to the total in the upper and lower right.

CLUE LIST Balance beam Ball Clubs Floor High bar Hoop Parallel bars Ribbon Rope Still rings TeamGym Trampoline Tumbling Uneven bars Vault

CLUE LIST Adriatic Apache Biwa Brook Brown Bull Cutthroat Flathead Gila Lake Marble Ohrid Rainbow Sea Sevan

9

Wuzzles Each Wuzzles is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc.

For Example, NOON GOOD = GOOD AFTERNOON

Unscramble these twelve letter strings to form each into an ordinary word (ex. HAGNEC becomes CHANGE). Prepare to use only ONE word from any marked ( ♥ ) letter string as each unscrambles into more than one word (ex. ♥ RATHE becomes HATER or EARTH or HEART). Fit each string’s word either across or down to knot all twelve strings together.

1

2

10

CROSSWORD

Word Sleuth Find the listed words in the diagram. They run in all directions - forward, backward, up, down and diagonally. Every puzzle has one unlisted clue.

THOMAS JOSEPH

CLUE LIST Acetone Anyone Birthstone Bone Cellphone Cone Corn pone Cyclone Done Gone Halftone Hormone Monotone None Saxophone

CLUE LIST Big Joe Emmanuel Great Abel Great Bede Great George Great John Great Paul Great Tom Hosanna Little John Lutine Bell Major Matthew Peter Victoria

ACROSS 1 Battery makeup 6 Office sights 11 Lawman Ness 12 “Three Sisters” sister 13 Hayek of “Frida” 14 Nev. neighbor 15 Golf position 16 Julep need 18 Second person 19 TV’s Curry 20 Silent assent 21 Volleyball need 22 Hunting dog 24 Minuscule 25 Social facade 27 Do a checkout chore 29 Like New Year’s Day 32 Ship sealer 33 Historic time 34 Busy one in Apr. 35 Quantity: Abbr.

36 Guitarist Paul 37 Stroller user 38 Kidney-related 40 Pitcher Satchel 42 Sweet liqueur 43 Some woodwinds

44 Flying monster of myth 45 Principle DOWN 1 Magnetic induction units 2 “Seinfeld” role 3 Business investor, of a sort 4 Huck’s friend 5 Woodworker, at times 6 Chopped up 7 Historic time 8 It involves written bids 9 Cutlery 10 Protection from harm 17 Prom date’s gift 23 Toe count 24 Tavern 26 Ace 27 Stiffness 28 Phone feature 30 Orbit point 31 Current fashion 33 Bowling spot 39 Band blaster 41 Tad’s dad

11

Sudoku Sudoku is a numberplacing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

Multi-Sudoku Each puzzle consists of two or more Sudoku grids overlapping each other in various configurations. The grids may be Classic Sudoku or a mix of different Sudoku variants. The object is to solve all grids according to their variant rules. Note that overlapping areas comply with the rules of more than one grid.

12

Premier Crossword

By Frank A. Longo

13

CROSSWORD THOMAS JOSEPH

ACROSS 1 Chair wheel 7 Successful songs 11 Refer 12 Skip 13 Came down 14 Painter Cassatt 15 Jordan’s capital 16 Permitted 17 Low digits 18 Live 19 Previously owned 21 Outlaw Kelly 22 Online shows 25 Tennis star Shriver 26 Script unit 27 Annie, for one 29 Ailurophobe’s fear 33 Recoils 34 Tycoon 35 Garr of “Tootsie” 36 Yacht spot 37 Aphrodite’s love 38 Lucky charm 39 Misplaced 40 Fix

DOWN 1 Garnet unit 2 Crockett’s last stand 3 Snail trail 4 Deli order 5 Perfect place 6 Danger signal 7 Abodes 8 John Lennon song 9 Diatribes 10 Did salon work 16 Enticed 18 Amber, originally 20 Miserly Marner 22 Medal recipient 23 Dominions 24 Propriety 25 Mail-related 28 Bank job 30 Like tumblers 31 Ready to play 32 Grayish 34 Jerry Herman musical 36 Impair

15

Word Sleuth Find the listed words in the diagram. They run in all directions - forward, backward, up, down and diagonally. Every puzzle has one unlisted clue.

CLUE LIST Amalgam Assistant Care Cavity Crown Decay Enamel Hygienist Implant Plate Practice School Surgeon Surgery Tools

CLUE LIST Beale Buckley Dover Eglin Eielson Hill Little Rock Luke Maxwell Robins Scott Shaw Tinker Travis Whiteman

16

Challenger Fill each square with a number, 1-9. Horizontal squares should add to the totals on the right, vertical squares should add to the totals on the bottom and diagonal squares should add to the total in the upper and lower right.

Point & Solve In this crossword puzzle variety, the clues appear in the diagram itself. Simply enter the answers in the directions indicated by the arrows.

CROSSWORD THOMAS JOSEPH

ACROSS 1 Mouse chasers 5 Girder metal 10 Fairy tale monster 11 “Catch-22” author 13 Slimming plan 14 Prison resident 15 Went by 17 Nervous habit 18 Responds to a busy signal 19 Call — day 20 Finish 21 Corn cores 22 Rough hut 25 “Water Lilies” painter 26 Mandolin’s cousin 27 Lawn material 28 Little rascal 29 Paper fasteners 33 Buck’s mate 34 Long-suffering 35 Pencil part 37 Simplicity 38 Modern 39 Rock’s Motley — 40 Title documents 41 Looked over

DOWN 1 Programming pro 2 Like a gymnast 3 Tire feature 4 Bit of stage scenery 5 Gladiator’s need 6 Watches over 7 Shade tree 8 Great joy 9 Beatles classic 12 Get a new actor for 16 Went under 21 Feature of old breeches 22 Fast pitch 23 Indulged 24 Tranquil 25 Ring around a castle 27 Begins 29 Forgo frugality 30 TV’s Dennis 31 Follow as a result 32 Spirited horse 36 Look upon

17

Wuzzles Each Wuzzles is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc.

For Example, NOON GOOD = GOOD AFTERNOON

Unscramble these twelve letter strings to form each into an ordinary word (ex. HAGNEC becomes CHANGE). Prepare to use only ONE word from any marked ( ♥ ) letter string as each unscrambles into more than one word (ex. ♥ RATHE becomes HATER or EARTH or HEART). Fit each string’s word either across or down to knot all twelve strings together.

1

2

18

Wuzzles

CROSSWORD THOMAS JOSEPH

Each Wuzzles is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc.

For Example, NOON GOOD = GOOD AFTERNOON

ACROSS 1 Story 5 Electrician’s concern 10 Verdi creation 12 Love, to Luigi 13 Cheap restaurant 15 Ventilate 16 Soak up 17 Young one 18 Ski event 20 Print measure 21 Long-legged bird 22 Job for a plumber 23 City of New York 25 Englishman, for short 28 Irrational fear 31 “Why don’t we!”

32 Fiancée’s agreement, for short 34 One — time 35 Regret 36 “Fifth Beatle” Sutcliffe 37 Symbol of wealthy beginnings 40 Attempted 41 Port — (French cheese) 42 Bus units 43 Brooklyn basketball team

DOWN 1 Frat party costumes 2 Busy months for accountants 3 Ogle 4 Memorable period 5 Hornet’s kin 6 Little devil 7 League newbie 8 Beethoven symphony 9 “In the Night Kitchen” writer 11 Classify 14 Jewish high holy day 19 Brutish ones 20 Flat surface 24 Loving touch 25 Wild parties 26 Stop working 27 Roma’s land 29 Sneaker part 30 Depart hastily 33 Fourth-down plays 35 Cincinnati team 38 Old soldier 39 Skillet 19

Page 5

Page 2 Sudoku 1

Multi-Sudoku 1

Sudoku 2

Scramblers 1

Scramblers 2

Scramblers 3 Multi-Sudoku 1

Joseph Crossword

Page 3 Premier Crossword

20

Page 4

Cryptoquip

1

I SUPPOSE MENAGERIE DENIZENS WHICH CRAWL ABOUT CLOSE TO THE GROUND MIGHT BE CALLED ZOO CREEPERS.

2

TO PROTECT HIMSELF FROM ANY HARM, THE SCOTTISH INSTRUMENTALIST CARRIED AROUND PIPER SPRAY.

3

IF SOMEONE USES ALL YOUR READY MONEY SO THAT THERE’S ZERO LEFT, I’D SAY HE’S A FUND-RAZOR.

4

OLD COLLEGE WHERE STUDENTS LEARNED THE RIGHT WAY TO FUEL CHEVY CARS: FILL-A-NOVA UNIVERSITY.

5

THAT NEW LOCAL MEXICAN EATERY IS RECEIVING EXTREMELY GREAT REVIEWS. IT’S THE TACO THE TOWN.

6

WHEN NANNY POPPINS CREATED HER SPECIAL MAGICAL CAROUSEL, I WOULD SAY IT WAS A MARY-GO-ROUND.

Page 6

Page 9

Page 7 Point & Solve 1

Word Sleuth 1 Joseph Crossword

Challenger

Word Sleuth 2 1

2

3

Point and Solve 2

Page 8

Cryptoquote

1

A WISE MAN FIGHTS TO WIN, BUT HE IS TWICE A FOOL WHO HAS NO PLAN FOR POSSIBLE DEFEAT. — LOUIS L’AMOUR

2

A LIFE SPENT MAKING MISTAKES IS NOT ONLY MORE HONORABLE, BUT MORE USEFUL THAN A LIFE SPENT DOING NOTHING. — GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

3

ONE OF THE MOST SINCERE FORMS OF RESPECT IS ACTUALLY LISTENING TO WHAT ANOTHER HAS TO SAY. — BRYANT H. MCGILL

Sudoku 1

Sudoku 2

All puzzles are syndicated by King Features Syndicate Inc. and have been previously published.

21

Page 10

Fear Knot 1

Fear Knot 2

Page 11 Word Sleuth 1

Wuzzles 1

Word Sleuth 2

Wuzzles 2

Joseph Crossword

Page 12 Sudoku 1

Sudoku 2

Multi-Sudoku 1

Multi-Sudoku 1

Page 13 Premier Crossword

22

Page 14

Page 15

Page 16

Scramblers 1

Scramblers 2

Word Sleuth 1

Word Sleuth 2

Scramblers 3

Challenger 1

2

Joseph Crossword

Page 17

3

Point & Solve 1

Page 19

Page 18 Point and Solve 2

Joseph Crossword

Wuzzles 1

Fear Knot 1

Wuzzles 2

Fear Knot 2

Wuzzles 1

Wuzzles 2

Joseph Crossword

23

Made from a single tree trunk – pirogue –

TRIVIA WITH A LOUISIANA FLAVOR

A new game every day.

Four tries to answer.

Four clues to help.

PLAY IT TODAY!

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When the Power Goes Out,

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Our 12-Year Power Plus Warranty picks up where other warranties end.

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A: The 12-year warranty is included on all Generac Air Cooled unit purchases.

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easy application 18 MONTHS 0.00%

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1

Meet With an Install Designer & Complete the In-Home Assessment • Location of generator • Size required • How it works • How install happens • Qualify for financing • Answer questions • Location of generator • kW sizer report • Install details • Total Price

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Air Cooled Generators (Most Common) Ai

• Reliable backup power for essential home systems • Coverage for a typical-sized home during occasional outages

steps to completion

Receive a Written Quote

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Best for homeowners who want:

GENERATOR INSTALLATION

Air-cooled standby generators make up about 90% of the systems Airinstalled inst in our area. They use an engine similar to what you’d find in a lawn law mower or motorcycle.

• Pick install date • Pay Down Payment • Sign Agreement

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Air-cooled units run at 3600 RPM and are designed for emergency use lasting days to a couple of weeks. During extended outages, they may consume more oil and require more frequent oil checks.

2

• Engineering Review • Apply for permits • Contact Utilities • Get Approvals Required

Installation Day

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• Install Pad or Stand • Install Transfer Switch • Install Gas Lines • Install Generator • Complete electrical • Complete gas work

After installation Day • Have inspections done • Inform utilities • Gas meter upgrade by utility • Schedule final walk through

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Final Walk Through

Not sure which type is right for your home? Our team can size the perfect generator based on your electrical load, lifestyle, and outage history. Call us today.

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Before Mother Nature throws her worst,

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Covington | Scott Baton Rouge | Kenner Offers valid on new customers only and cannot be combined. Financing subject to qualification. Warranty included with purchase of Generac aircooled system plus maintenance plan. Terms and conditions apply and subject to change. See dealer for details. Must be installed by 8/31/2026.

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