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U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham dies at 71

Close ally of Trump remembered for humor, zest in politics

BY SEUNG MIN KIM, MARY CLARE JALONICK and MEG KINNARD

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress who traveled the globe to advocate for a more aggressive U.S. foreign policy, has died after a “brief and sudden illness.” He was 71.

His office’s statement posted on social media early Sunday said his family “ap-

preciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.” It did not provide any additional details about the circumstances surrounding the Saturday night death of the prominent South Carolina Republican, a former Air Force lawyer who served in Congress for three decades.

Hours later, another statement from Graham’s office said the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia’s preliminary findings are that the senator died of aortic dissection due to arterio-

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died Saturday night. He was 71.

sclerotic cardiovascular disease. That is an aorta rupture stemming from hardening of Graham’s arteries.

Trump, who talked to Graham frequently, said he was “like a member of the family. It’s very tough.” He said on NBC’s ”Meet the Press” that Graham had called him on Saturday night after returning from a trip to Ukraine and “sounded a little bit tired, but perfect.”

The president ordered that flags across

ASSOCIATEd PRESS FILE PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN

ä See GRAHAM, page 5A

Scott’s Destination Pointe still growing 20 years later

Epstein survivors press Kennedy to oppose AG nominee Blanche’s release of the files incomplete, some say

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK

A sign displaying destination Pointe businesses stands at right, not far from La Zamba Mexican Grill and Kartchner’s Specialty Meats just north of Interstate 10 in Scott on July 2.

But more business means more traffic

A bulldozer works on a commerical lot just north of Interstate 10 in Scott on July 2.

BY ADAM DAIGLE

Acadiana business editor

If you’re trying to get in or out of the city of Scott during peak traffic times using Interstate 10, you probably know the routine.

It might take a while.

The section of La. 93 gets backed up in the city just west of Lafayette, and it will likely continue as more progress is made at Destination Pointe, the Super 1 Foods-anchored 44-acre retail development that has about half its lots sold.

Residents in Scott are optimistic about the future of that development, but it’s the traffic that makes some people wince.

“We’ve already got mornings and afternoons a backup from the traffic circle all the way usually around The Best Stop,” said Caleb Lege, president of the Scott Business Association. “An increase in business is always good for the economy and the city, but it creates more people coming into Scott in an already busy area.”

A major upgrade is planned for that area, said Mayor Jan-Scott Richard, but relief won’t come any time soon. It will feature roundabouts at the intersection north of I-10 and at Renaud Drive. The road between the two will be expanded to four lanes.

Construction will likely start in

ä See GROWING, page 4A

WASHINGTON — Based largely on his tough cross-examinations of FBI Director Kash Patel last year, Jeffrey Epstein’s “Minor Victim No. 1” is pressing U.S. Sen. John Kennedy to oppose the confirmation of Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general.

“I feel like he’s somewhat, you know, starting to feel like that there’s something much bigger going on here.

And I think he wants to find out,” Marina Lacerda said of Kennedy, R-Madisonville, in an interview.

Palm Beach, Florida, police be- Blanche gan investigating Epstein after hearing stories about his sexually exploiting and trafficking underage girls. Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution. He served 13 months under a controversial deal offered by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, of Miami, that gave Kennedy Epstein immunity from federal charges.

In 2019, after several of the now-adult women went public with their allegations, federal prosecutors arrested and charged Epstein with sex trafficking minors out of his New York City mansion as well as his estates in Florida, New Mexico and a Caribbean island. Epstein killed himself while in detention.

Lacerda is one of 20 Epstein survivors working to block Blanche’s confirmation as the nation’s leading law enforcement official.

Blanche has been acting attorney general since former Attorney General Pam Bondi stepped down April 2.

Both Kennedy and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, in March 2025 backed Blanche’s appointment as second-in-command of the Department of Justice.

As deputy attorney general, Blanche oversaw

ä See NOMINEE, page 4A

WEATHER HIGH 81 LOW 73 PAGE 10C

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

102Nd yEAR, NO. 13

2A ● Monday, July 13, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Fire breaks out at pub in Bangkok, killing 27

BANGKOK — A huge fire engulfed a pub in Bangkok early on Monday morning, killing at least 27 people before firefighters brought the blaze under control, officials said.

Footage shared online by first responders shows a huge blaze raging and plumes coming out of the front door of the Na Ladprao pub in the northern part of the Thai capital. People are seen trying to flee as thick black smoke billows into the sky. Rescuers said the fire was reported around midnight.

Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters at the scene that 27 people died and that several of the injured have been taken to the hospital. He said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Anutin said a musician who was performing at the pub told him that he saw smoke coming out of a circuit breaker near the stage before the power went out, then an explosion was heard and thick smoke quickly filled the place.

Many of victims were found at the restrooms, at the back of the pub, Anutin added.

Firefighters took about half an hour to bring the fire under control. Photos of the aftermath show charred tables and chairs, and the damaged interior of the pub.

Qatar’s former ruler dies at 74

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who as ruler of Qatar transformed the tiny Persian Gulf nation into a global player in diplomacy, media and investment, and then shattered tradition by voluntarily turning over power to his son, has died, state media reported. He was 74.

The state-run Qatar News Agency reported his death. It offered no cause.

Sheikh Hamad, who stepped down in June 2013 after 18 years as emir, was the architect of energy-rich Qatar’s stunning ambitions that turned it from a backwater into an international crossroads in less than a generation. Qatar owns the Harrod’s department store in London and founded the powerful Al Jazeera satellite news network.

Qatar’s political reach today stretches from North Africa to Afghanistan and it hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the world’s most-watched soccer event.

Sheikh Hamad, though long out of power, received thunderous applause from Qataris attending its opening match.

But Qatar’s rise under Sheikh Hamad also rankled regional and Western allies with its independent-minded policymaking, including its close ties to Shiite powerhouse Iran, the Palestinian militant Hamas group and Egypt’s outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

Al Jazeera’s blunt reporting, though a much-praised departure from the traditionally deferential habits of Arab media, also was criticized and accused of slanting coverage to suit the views of Qatar’s rulers.

Typhoon Bavi weakens, but brings strong winds BEIJING — Typhoon Bavi weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday, hours after making landfall in eastern China‘s Zhejiang province, but was still bringing days of strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the country.

The storm’s intensity continued to weaken as it moved northwestward across eastern China into the province of Anhui on Sunday afternoon, according to China’s national weather center.

Strong winds and heavy rain are expected to impact many eastern and northeastern Chinese cities on Monday, the National Meteorological Center said, adding that heavy to torrential rain was recorded Sunday afternoon in provinces, including Anhui.

In Zhejiang province, more than 2.2 million people were evacuated due to Bavi, according to state media. The city of Shanghai, in Zhejiang, evacuated over 290,000 people from at-risk areas, while Fujian province evacuated more than 180,000 people.

In the coastal city of Yueqing, also in Zhejiang province, more than 1,300 trees were toppled, including at least 700 uprooted, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

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U.S. strikes in Iran again American forces seek to limit attacks on ships on strait

BY JON GAMBRELL, WILL WEISSERT and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States attacked Iran on Sunday over an Iranian strike on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz that set it ablaze and left a crew member missing. Iran responded with attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman — the nation on the other side of the strait that Tehran has pressed to collaborate in managing shipping traffic.

The U.S. struck again later in the day. The governor of Qeshm Island near the strait told Iran’s staterun IRNA news agency that projectiles were fired at military targets, with no casualties. Explosions were also heard in the coastal city of Bandar Abbas and Hajiabad city to the north.

A U.S. official said a few strikes were conducted on missile and air defense systems and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard boats at a couple of locations to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss military operations, Iran and the U.S. are near-

ISNA PHOTO By AMIRHOSEIN KHORGOOI

Commercial vessels sail on June 30 in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran.

The attacks were heavier than in recent days. The U.S. has launched three rounds of airstrikes targeting Iran in the past week over attacks on ships heading through the strait using a route off Oman, seeking to avoid the Islamic Republic’s territorial waters.

“We bombed the hell out of them last night,” President Donald Trump told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Semiofficial Iranian news agencies reported that a navy officer was killed. Iran retaliated by attacking nations in the region hosting U.S. military forces, while insisting it alone must control the strait and potentially charge vessels for traveling through it.

“The era of one-sided

ly at the midway point of the 60-day period of their interim deal aimed at reaching a permanent end to the war.

The strait, a key route for the global supply of oil and natural gas and long considered an international waterway, has become a sticking point in negotiations that seem in danger of collapse.

“A return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences,” United Nations SecretaryGeneral António Guterres said, according to a statement.

The U.S. military earlier Sunday said it hit some 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition dumps, communication equipment and other sites.

deals is OVER,” Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and a main negotiator, wrote. “We told you: keep your word or pay the price.

Reality is knocking.”

Iran said the strait was closed until calm is restored, and Tehran would consider targeting “additional enemy bases in the region” if it faced more attacks. The U.S. military and Trump asserted that the strait remained open.

The U.S. military said over 140 ships had transited over the past week. A multinational body overseen by the U.S. Navy said traffic continued “at reduced levels” off both Oman and Iran, and that nearly 140 vessels transited daily be-

fore the war.

About a fifth of all traded oil and natural gas passed through the strait before the war. Iran’s grip on it led to a global energy crisis, though oil prices have sharply dropped since wartime highs of $120 a barrel.

Missile alerts sounded across several Gulf Arab countries.

Qatar’s military said it intercepted incoming Iranian fire, with explosions heard in the neighboring United Arab Emirates. Three people, including a child, were wounded by shrapnel from the interception of attacks, Qatar’s Interior Ministry said.

Missile alerts sounded in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.

Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said three “land border posts” in the north and an offshore drilling platform of the Kuwait Oil Company were damaged, with one worker wounded.

Three Iranian missiles struck areas across Jordan, causing minor damage but no injuries, Jordan’s state news agency reported.

And the Omani state news agency said drones struck sites in an area on the waterway, a day after Oman and Iran held talks on the strait and agreed to continue discussions. The strait sits in Iran and Oman’s territorial waters.

Oman summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest the strikes, the first such move since the war began, calling Iran’s acts “irresponsible.”

Philadelphia area digs out from storm damage

By The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — Residents in some Philadelphia neighborhoods and surrounding counties were cleaning up Sunday from widespread damage caused by a line of severe, short thunderstorms that passed through.

The storms, called microbursts, passed through Saturday afternoon, downing trees and power lines, flooding a handful of streets and causing structural damage. A building that collapsed in a West Philadelphia neighborhood threw bricks into the street, crushing cars and blocking trolley tracks.

The National Weather Service said at least four of the microbursts brought straight-line wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph to Montgom-

Sunday from Philadelphia officials, Mayor Cherelle Parker said she had toured the damage in multiple neighborhoods in her city throughout Saturday afternoon and evening. The city issued a Declaration of Disaster Emergency related to the storms.

“Every level of government is working together today, tonight, and for as long as it takes to respond to this PROVIdEd PHOTO By WPVI-TV/6ABC storm, restore services, and A broken tree branch blocks a street Sunday after a line help our residents recover. of severe, short thunderstorms passed through the city That is our commitment,”

the day before in Philadelphia. ery and Philadelphia counties between about 2:30 and 3:15 p.m. Saturday. Despite speculation that the damage — including part of a roof torn off a Philadelphia Housing Authority apartment building — had been caused by a tornado, NWS officials confirmed the

straight-line winds were to blame.

The microbursts in Philadelphia were among a range of severe weather across the U.S. this weekend that included heatwaves, flooding and wildfires.

In a news release early

Police: Shooting near Toronto street festival kills 2 people and wounds 4

BY ROB GILLIES Associated Press

TORONTO — A shooting near a Toronto street festival killed two men and wounded four other people Saturday evening, police said, adding that what initially prompted an active-shooter warning was an exchange of gunfire between two people targeting each other.

Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said investigators recovered two firearms after the shooting that was reported at 8:12 p.m. near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where the Salsa on St. Clair festival was underway.

No suspect or suspects had been arrested by the time of a late-night news conference, where Barredo confirmed both of the deceased victims were men.

Officers initially urged the public to avoid the area before later announcing the scene had been secured.

“There was some concern about an active shooter. That turned out not to be the case,” Barredo said. But the two gunmen involved in the shooting “indiscriminately put vast numbers of people in danger.”

Valerie Rodriguez said she was sitting outside a nearby restaurant when people suddenly began screaming and running.

“A bunch of people … told us to lay down onto the floor,” she said. “We got scared because we didn’t know exactly

CANAdIAN PRESS PHOTO By KEITO NEWMAN

Paramedics respond Saturday to an active shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair event in Toronto.

what was happening.”

Festival vendor Patsy Gutierrez said she was serving customers when she saw “a huge wave” of people fleeing.

“Everybody started getting frantic and then we stopped serving,” she said. “I don’t think it should be something that’s happening at these types of events.”

A large police presence remained around the festival, an annual celebration of Latin American culture that draws thousands of people to Toronto’s St. Clair West neighborhood for live music, dancing, food and cultural performances.

“I’m deeply disturbed and angry about this reckless and irresponsible act of violence right in the middle of a festival attended by families,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said.

she said.

Philadelphia Housing Authority officials said 11 residential units were affected by the roof and water damage at its apartment building. All residents were safely evacuated to temporary shelter before being relocated to a nearby hotel.

Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management staff also helped evacuate at least one private residential property because of damage as well, city officials said.

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Keystone Pipeline system’s operator to pay penalty Firm agrees to pay $26.9M over Kansas oil spill

BY JOHN HANNA Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. — A proposed legal settlement with the U.S. government would require the Keystone Pipeline system’s operator to pay a $26.9 million civil penalty over a major oil spill in Kansas in December 2022 and spend about $40 million more to prevent future accidents.

The agreement would resolve allegations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Kansas that South Bow, based in Canada, violated U.S. and state clean water laws. The rupture dumped nearly 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil into a creek running through a rural pasture in Washington County, Kansas, about 150 miles northwest of Kansas City.

The accident was the largest onshore crude pipeline spill in the U.S. in nine years and surpassed all 22 previ-

ous ones on the same pipeline system combined, according to a 2021 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The total amount of oil spilled would have nearly filled an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

South Bow also would pay Kansas more than $3 million for environmental restoration projects under a proposed decree filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Kansas. A judge would have to approve the proposal after a 30-day public comment period.

South Bow also would pay Kansas more than $3 million for environmental restoration projects under a proposed decree filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Kansas.

A judge would have to approve the proposed decree after a 30-day public comment period.

“The oil spill blanketed land and water, rendering the waterway lifeless and useless and requiring extensive cleanup and remediation,” Jeffrey Hall, the EPA’s assistant administrator for its enforcement office, said in a statement. “The substantial

PROVIdEd PHOTO

The ruptured Keystone pipeline dumps oil into a creek in Washington County, Kan., on dec.

9, 2022. penalty reflects the seriousness of the environmental harm.”

South Bow officials did not respond immediately Sunday to a phone message and email seeking comment, but the company told The Canadian Press that it “proactively” began cleaning up

the area before receiving directives from U.S. officials.

The cleanup was completed early in 2024.

The company that built the pipeline, TC Energy, spun off South Bow as a separate firm in 2024, after the Kansas cleanup was done.

No pipeline workers or

area residents were injured, and officials said public water supplies weren’t affected by the spill. However, a complaint filed Friday by the U.S. government along with the proposed settlement said more than 2,700 animals were harmed or killed. The area is home to an endan-

gered species, the long-eared bat.

In a May 2023 report for the U.S. government, an engineering consulting firm said that a bend in the Keystone system where the spill occurred had been “overstressed” since its installation in December 2010 — likely because construction activity itself altered the land around the pipe. The complaint filed Friday in court said soil under the pipe had been “improperly compacted” and that while the company re-excavated the site in 2013, it did not replace that section of pipe.

The 2,689-mile Keystone system carries thick, Canadian tar sands oil to refineries in Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas.

In April, President Donald Trump gave the go-ahead for South Bow and another company to build a second pipeline from Canada to Wyoming, a smaller version of a massive $8 billion pipeline project known as Keystone XL blocked by former President Joe Biden’s administration in 2021 over environmental concerns.

Ga. teen charged in school shooting to appear in court Plea and sentencing hearing set

BY KATE BRUMBACK Associated Press

ATLANTA — A judge has set a plea and sentencing hearing later this month for a teenager accused of killing four people in a September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia.

Colt Gray, 16, had pleaded not guilty to charges including murder in the shooting that killed two students and two teachers, and left several others wounded, at the

high school northeast of Atlanta.

In a court filing Friday, the judge overseeing his case set a “Non-Negotiated Plea and Sentencing Hearing” to begin July 24. The judge had previously said that if Gray wanted to plead Colt Gray guilty ahead of trial, he must notify the state and court by this coming Wednesday.

A non-negotiated plea means that the state and the defense have not reached an agreement on a sentence.

Unlike a negotiated plea, or plea deal, where a defendant reaches an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty in exchange for an agreed upon sentence and possibly reduced charges, this leaves sentencing entirely up to the judge who makes a decision after giving each side a chance to present a summary of the case and a sentencing recommendation.

Gray’s attorney did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Sunday.

Gray’s trial had been set to begin in mid-October in Columbia County, about 100 miles from Barrow County where the shooting

happened, after the judge agreed to a defense request to change the venue.

Gray’s father, Colin Gray, was convicted by a jury in March on charges including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter after prosecutors said he gave his teenage son the assault-style rifle used to open fire at the school. The elder Gray is set to be sentenced later this month.

The Sept. 4, 2024, shooting killed teachers Richard “Ricky” Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Another teacher and eight more students were

wounded, seven of them hit by gunfire. Colt Gray, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, was charged as an adult with 55 total counts, including murder, cruelty to children and 25 counts of aggravated assault.

Investigators testified that Colt Gray carried the rifle given to him by his father onto the school bus with the barrel wrapped in a poster board. They said the teenager left his second-period class and emerged from a bathroom with the rifle, shooting people in a classroom and hallway.

Investigators have said the teenager carefully plotted the shooting at the high

Israeli fire in Gaza kills 6 people, including young girl, officials say

school of 1,900 students. A Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent testified that the boy left a notebook in his classroom with step-by-step instructions and a diagram to prepare for the assault, including an estimate that he could kill as many as 26 people and wound as many as 13 others.

Colt and Colin Gray were interviewed by sheriff’s deputies about an online threat linked to Colt Gray in May 2023. Colt Gray denied making the threat at the time.

He skipped eighth grade, enrolled as a freshman at Apalachee after the academic year began, and then skipped multiple days of school.

Yo

u ar r M ts o He ve re

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BY WAFAA SHURAFA and NATALIE MELZER

Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli fire in Gaza on Sunday killed at least six Palestinians, including a 9-year-old girl, and wounded over a dozen others, according to local health officials.

A drone strike on a blacksmith shop in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood killed at least four Palestinians, according to officials at Shifa hospital, where the casualties were taken.

The Israeli military acknowledged striking the area, saying it targeted “terrorist infrastructure,” without elaborating. It later said it struck a Hamas weapon production site.

Palestinians received an evacuation order from the military following the first strikes. Roughly an hour later, intense airstrikes targeted the same blacksmith shop. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s ambulance service said the strikes in Gaza City wounded 14 people.

Also on Sunday, Israeli gunfire killed 9-year-old Tala Abu Matar in a displacement camp in central Gaza, according to officials at the

ASSOCIATEd PRESS PHOTO By JEHAd ALSHRAFI

Palestinians gather Sunday around the site of an Israeli military drone strike on a blacksmith shop in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood that killed at least four Palestinians and wounded another, according to officials at Shifa hospital, where the casualties were taken.

Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it was unaware of such an incident.

And an Israeli strike on a displacement tent in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis killed one Palestinian, according to health officials at Nasser hospital, where the body was taken. Israel’s military said it carried out a strike in that area and called it “part of routine activities.”

The military said it was not aware of casualties.

Israeli strikes have less-

ened considerably since a ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, but they continue almost daily. Israel’s military says it targets Hamas and other militants, often asserting they were planning attacks.

The strikes have also killed many civilians.

At least 1,098 Palestinians, including at least 260 children, have been killed since the ceasefire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Five Israeli soldiers have been killed in that time.

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Vietnam police detain captain after boat capsizing kills 15 Indian tourists

By The Associated Press HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnamese police detained Sunday the captain of a speedboat that capsized off southern Vietnam, killing 15 Indian tourists.

The speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members when it overturned less than 0.30 mile from shore

Saturday afternoon, shortly after leaving Hon May Rut Ngoai island near Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, authorities said.

The captain, Nguyen Hong Hai, 57, is under investigation for alleged violations of waterway transport safety regulations, state media reported.

Sixteen survivors of Saturday’s speedboat accident

have been discharged from the hospital and are returning to India, the Indian Embassy in Hanoi said on social media Sunday. One remains in critical condition in a Vietnamese hospital.

The bodies of the victims were being transported to Ho Chi Minh City before being flown to India after official formalities, according to the embassy.

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4A ● Monday, July 13, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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NOMINEE

Continued from page 1A the organization and release of nearly 3 million files gathered by law enforcement looking into allegations that the wealthy financier recruited more than a thousand young girls for sex.

Blanche has said repeatedly that no evidence that adult men had sex with girls was found in the interviews, transcripts, notes and other materials gathered during the investigations into Epstein’s conduct, even though at least one accuser claimed she was sent to have sex with men in Epstein’s circle.

“We can’t allow for this man to come in and gaslight in saying that there’s nothing here to look at,” Lacerda said. “There are things to look at.”

ASSOCIATEd PRESS FILE PHOTO By MANUEL BALCE CENETA

Marina Lacerda, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, speaks outside the hearing room May 29 during the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s closed-door deposition of former Attorney General Pam Bondi at the Rayburn House Office Building on Lobbying to stop nomination Capitol Hill in Washington. With her is Liz Stein, right, also an Epstein victim.

%* 35

Waffle House was the most recent land purchase when it grabbed the land adjacent to the El Paso Mexican Grill lot back in December.

Site work has begun on the two lots that will house a convenience store with fuel pumps and a quick-serve restaurant on property owned by an LLC registered to Lake Charles business owner Gul Awan, who was unsuccessful in opening a Shaq’s Big Chicken in Lake Charles last year.

No work has begun on the site owned by Texas-based restaurant chain Golden Chick. An adjacent site was listed as the future home of a CC’s Coffee House, but the franchisee for that loca-

engine. The big four boudin stops — Billy’s Boudin and Don’s Specialty Meats to the south and The Best Stop and Kartchner’s to the north — bring in lots of travelers from Texas and other areas, Richard noted, but the city’s commercial frontage on the south side of I-10 generates business as well.

The lot across from Destination Pointe remains up in the air. RaceTrac’s application was turned down by the city council, but the company has since filed an appeal in state court.

“We did a traffic study back in 2021 that was saying there was 18,000 cars a day going through that southern roundabout,” Richard said. “That’s five years ago.

I think numbers are way STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK above that now. We have a An available commercial lot is seen just north of Interstate 10 in Scott on July 2. very appealing exit. It’s a nice, clean entrance into our the culture and the things big.” community.” tion has since opened in the and $1.31 million in 2023.

“The city of Scott is very that we offer as a city. We’re Yet it’s the corridor along former PJ’s Coffee space in business-friendly,” said Mi- trying to put infrastructure the I-10 that will continue Email Adam Daigle at West Village.

The development’s inte- chael Roberts, part of the first before we grow too to be the city’s economic adaigle@theadvocate.com. rior sites remain for sale development’s ownership along with two lots west of group. “From the mayor’s the Our Lady of Lourdes office to the city council, everybody over there likes Emergency Center.

Luring franchised brands commercial developments. to the development requires They’re willing to help.” comparing it more to other up ave to I-10 exits instead of what is City’s growth missing in Scott, Pecot said.

Like every other municiThe development’s interior pality in Lafayette Parish, Su lots could be more suited for the city of Scott gained a m mer S a multi-family project. sizable number of residents “Taco Bell and Wendy’s between 2020 and 2025. The Goodbye Clogged Gutters are at (the) Ambassador population rose from 8,170 Caffery (exit),” he said. in July 2020 to 9,635 five Upgrade your gutters this summer!

“They’re going to say, ‘Look, years later, an 18% increase, LeafFilter blocks out common debris. we’re an interchange down. Census data shows.

We don’t need to do this one.’

Not counting for inflation, Scott does well residentially total retail sales in the city because of the proximity to have grown nearly 18% Lafayette, but I think part of since 2024 and 43% since its commercial challenge is 2020, according to data from it’s too close to Lafayette.” the Lafayette Economic DeThe development is sup- velopment Authority. That’s ported by an economic de- similar to gains in Youngsvelopment district that dates ville (58% since 2020) and back to 2007, and city offi- Carencro (38.5%).

Homes are still being built cials expanded the boundarBefore LeafFilter After LeafFilter ies in 2021 to include areas in the West Village developsouth along Apollo Road, ac- ment, but other subdivisions are being built north of I-10 cording to archives.

Save up-to* + Free gutter inspection, quote The district charges a to fuel more growth in the good for 1 year Promo code: 285 1-cent sales tax, which gen- city, Lege said.

“There are definitely peoerated $1.8 million in 2025, according to the city of ple moving in, and we’re *Promotional offer includes 25% off plus an additional 10% off for qualified veterans and/or seniors. Cannot be combined with other offers. See representative for full warranty details. AR 366920925, AZ ROC Scott’s audit from that year excited to see new faces,” 344027, CA 1035795, CT HIC.0671520, DC 4.20223E+11, FL CBC056678, IA C127230, ID RCE-51604, LA 559544, MA 213292, MD MHIC111225, HIC164488, MI 262300331, 262300330, 262300329, 262300328, 262300318, 262300173, MN IR810524, MT 2661922, ND 47304, NE 50145-24, 50145-23, NJ 13VH13285000, NM 408693, NV 86990, OR 218294, PA PA179643, RI GC-41354, TN 10981, UT 10783658-5501, VA filed with the state. That’s he said. “I’d like to say (it’s 2705169445, VT 174.0000871, WA LEAFFLH-763PG, WI No. 537-DCFRR WV WV056912. Promotion exp: 8/31/2026. up from $1.47 million in 2024 due to) the small-town feel, r

The latest

Born in Brazil, Lacerda moved to New York City at the age of 8. Her immigrant family jammed into a small apartment and survived on instant ramen noodles. Lacerda took on small jobs to help out. A friend mentioned “a kind, older man” would pay $300 for young girls to massage him without wearing a top, she said.

Lacerda was 14 in 2002 when she first arrived at Epstein’s Manhattan mansion.

“The moment I w a l k e d i n t o Epstein his house, I was stunned,” Lacerda said.

“Luxury furniture, framed photographs on the walls of famous people, most of them I didn’t recognize but Bill Clinton was there (and) Donald Trump.”

The housekeeper led Lacerda to the third-floor massage room that was decorated with painted clouds and drawings of nude women, she said.

For the next three years,

Supe

late 2027 or early 2028.

“It’s a significant project, but it’s going to help mitigate some traffic concerns in that area,” Richard said.

“And hopefully spur some economic growth. There will be some inconveniences in the short term, but the end goal is always the focus here.”

Nearly a decade since the arrival of that Super 1 store and 20 years since the four property owners bought the land, Destination Pointe could be nearly full by then.

Ten of the 19 lots have been sold, with construction either underway or expected to start soon on five of them.

The El Paso Mexican Grill is expected to open soon, Richard said.

“This interchange is a nice interchange, obviously the best going west from Lafayette,” said Ryan Pecot, senior retail leasing and development adviser with Stirling Properties, which is marketing the site. “It reminds me of what we programmed at Hector Connaly Road up in Carencro. The difference is you had the Walmart that relocated there, but other than that, they’re pretty similar and both took a little bit of time.”

‘I was stunned’

until Lacerda was deemed “too old” at 17, Epstein paid to sexually abuse her, she said. She dropped out of school to work for Epstein.

Lacerda, now 38, filed an anonymous complaint and prosecutors lined her up to testify in 2008, before the trial was averted by the plea bargain, and then again in 2019 before Epstein took his own life.

Lacerda said the release of investigation materials has been sloppy at best.

Blanche’s team struck out the names of wealthy and influential men associated with Epstein but left her name and her address in Florida exposed in at least 46 instances, she said, adding that she and other survivors have since received death threats.

Blanche testified on May 19 that the errors made while blacking out names were inevitable because of the strict timeline required.

The Justice Department was careful not to make public uncorroborated in-

e

Continued from page 1A

for comment.

al

GROWING

to the list after survivors reviewed his questioning of Patel over several committee hearings late last year.

In particular, Lacerda said, Kennedy challenged Patel, who said despite the legal issues raised by the 2008 federal nonprosecution agreement, “all credible information” had been released and that nothing had been found to warrant further prosecutions.

“This issue is not going to go away. I think the essential question for the American people is this: They know that Epstein trafficked young women for sex to himself. They want to know who, if anyone else, he trafficked these young women to. And that’s a very fair question.

I want to know that answer.

And I think you’re going to have to do more to satisfy the American people’s understandable curiosity in that regard,” Kennedy said.

Patel responded, “I agree.”

Neither Blanche nor Kennedy responded to requests

S

Lacerda and 19 other survivors wrote in a letter that they were concerned that Blanche was among senior administration figures who adopted a strategy of minimizing the Epstein files instead of choosing to pursue “investigative leads and try to figure out Patel what actually happened. These revelations confirm our worst fears about the administration prioritizing political expediency over justice for survivors and truth for the American people.”

The survivors need one Republican senator on their side to kill Blanche’s nomination in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hear from the nominee on Wednesday and Thursday. Kennedy is a member of that committee.

Survivors have focused their efforts on two GOP incumbents whose reelections Trump opposed: Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Kennedy, who has a good relationship with President Donald Trump, was added

formation to avoid tarring lease of the Epstein records. innocents, he added.

Senior U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, of WashInvestigations frustration ington, said Blanche essenLacerda says she and her tially admitted to the violafellow survivors are frus- tions by failing to address trated that only two people the lawsuit’s allegations have been prosecuted by that a 13-year-old’s claims U.S. authorities — Epstein against Trump was within 2008 and his longtime held. girlfriend Ghislaine MaxTrump repeatedly has said well in 2022. Maxwell is he ended his relationship serving a 20-year sentence with Epstein years ago and at a minimum security Tex- was unaware of underage as prison camp that usually girls being used for sex. No doesn’t house sex offenders. evidence has been revealed Blanche interviewed her, that Trump or Clinton had then facilitated the move in sex with underage girls.

August 2025 from a Florida penitentiary, where security Other opposition is not as relaxed.

The Epstein survivors Consequences have been aren’t the only opponents of greater for Epstein associ- Blanche’s nomination.

More than 1,200 former ates in other countries. In the United Kingdom, former agents, analysts, immigraPrince Andrew lost his posi- tion judges, lawyers and tion as a British royal and other staffers wrote to the was forced to move out of a Senate Judiciary Commitpalace owned by his family. tee on Monday detailing why Survivors also question they are against making him why investigators aren’t fol- the attorney general.

“Since his confirmation lowing up on the information found in the files and as deputy attorney general, revealed through sworn tes- Todd Blanche has shown timony at the House Com- time and again that his guidmittee on Oversight and ing star is fealty to the PresGovernment Reform. ident, not the Constitution,” “We’re forgetting about Stacey Young, executive the people that we have just director and founder of Jusquestioned,” Lacerda said. tice Connection, a WashingFor instance, Lesley Groff, ton-based organization for Epstein’s assistant for 18 department alumi, said in a years, told the panel in June statement. “That fealty led that she did not know of his to the purge of thousands of sexual predilections and had experienced career employnever met any of the under- ees.”

About 16,000 of the agenage masseuses.

“She’s lying. I have met cy’s 40,000 employees have her in the office plenty of left since Trump’s second times,” Lacerda said. “I was term began. paid by Leslie. Fresh hunSome Democrats and dred bills that came in enve- Republicans also fret that Blanche will act more as the lopes.”

Additionally, Groff’s desk president’s representative was just outside the room than the nation’s top lawthat monitored activity yer. He represented Trump throughout his New York when, in March 2023, he was City mansion. indicted in New York on 34 “We were being watched felony counts for falsifying 24/7,” Lacerda said. “We are business records to hide wondering, as well, where “hush money” paid to porn are those videotapes?” star Stormy Daniels, a BaIn late June, Blanche was ton Rouge native whose real scolded by a federal district name is Stephanie Clifford. judge overseeing a lawsuit He was convicted on all 34 claiming the Justice Depart- counts on May 30, 2024.

“This is not about Trump. ment violated the law Congress passed in November We just want those files to that required the public re- be released and people to be

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Ukrainian prime minister resigns, government faces reshuffle

BY SAMYA KULLAB Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down on Sunday as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced fresh changes to Ukraine’s government, saying he had offered a new and important position to the former premier.

Zelenskyy, who has remained in office under martial law because wartime elections are prohibited, has periodically reshuffled his government in an effort to bring fresh momentum to his administration.

Svyrydenko, who has served as Ukraine’s economy minister, was named prime minister in July 2025 at the age of 39 after playing

a lead role in securing a mineral just peace closer,” she said. agreement between Ukraine and Zelenskyy announced her resigthe United States, seen as an im- nation in a post saying that Ukraine was “changing its political portant way of tying U.S. strategy.” He also said he interests to Ukraine’s sehad offered Svyrydenko curity. the opportunity to lead “a In a statement on social new, important area” in media, Svyrydenko said Ukraine’s relations with a she was “proud to have key international partner. had the honor of leading “Each priority area of the government during foreign policy will be asone of the most difficult Svyrydenko periods in Ukraine’s modsigned to a specific person ern history.” She also said she had with substantial experience who discussed “next steps” with Zelen- is capable of implementing what skyy, but did not provide further we agree on at the leaders’ level and what the Ukrainian people exdetails.

“I remain ready to serve the pect,” Zelenskyy said, describing Ukrainian state and carry out ev- the impending reshuffle.

The Ukrainian leader also said ery task aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position, defending our there would be changes among national interests and bringing a the top ranks of Ukraine’s law en-

forcement agencies.

Zelenskyy met with a series of senior officials following the announcement, including Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

The overhaul, which Zelenskyy has yet to explain in detail, would be the fourth major reorganization of his government since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Elsewhere, a Ukrainian attack in southwest Russia killed one person and wounded three more, local officials said Sunday, as Kyiv’s forces continued to bombard Russia’s oil facilities.

The head of Russia’s Samara region, Gov. Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, said that a child was among the injured. He also said that

residential homes and apartment buildings were damaged in the strike, as well as an unspecified “industrial site.”

Russian media outlets reported that the attack’s target was the region’s Syzran Oil Refinery, with many sharing images that appeared to show plumes of black smoke rising over the site. The refinery, which is owned by oil and gas giant Rosneft and sits some 500 miles east of the border, has been a repeated target for Kyiv’s forces.

Meanwhile the governor of Russia’s Rostov region, Yuri Slyusar, said that a tanker had been damaged in a drone attack in the AzovBlack Sea maritime canal. The tanker was empty and there is no threat of an oil spill, Slyusar said.

GRAHAM

Continued from page 1A the country be flown at halfstaff until Saturday evening.

A noted hawk, Graham was one of the most influential figures in Washington on foreign affairs and he advised Trump on matters such as the Iran war and Russia.

On Friday, Graham had announced an agreement with the Trump administration to move forward on a package of Russia sanctions.

As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Graham also had a central role during Trump’s second term as Republicans pushed major legislation on party-line votes while holding a narrow 53-47 majority in the chamber.

Under South Carolina law, Republican Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement for Graham, who was seeking a fifth term in November.

A new nominee will be selected in a special primary, which is required to be held within weeks of a vacancy.

The winner of November’s general election will start a full six-year term in January.

Complicated relationships Graham, elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving in the House, long promoted a policy of robust U.S. military interventionism and strong national defense that in later years would put him at odds with the growing isolationist wing of his party.

Over time, Graham became well-known for his close ties with Trump, whom the senator briefly ran against for the presidential nomination in 2016.

Their relationship would begin on a rough note, with Graham calling the thenNew York businessman “unfit for office.” Graham used a profanity to describe Trump after Trump made disparaging comments about Arizona Republican John McCain, Graham’s best friend in the Senate and a Vietnam War veteran. McCain and Graham, along with Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., were known as the “Three Amigos” and frequently traveled together to promote their foreign policy views around the globe.

During a campaign rally in South Carolina, Trump read out Graham’s personal cellphone number and continued to belittle him throughout the 2016 race as Graham made it clear he would not support Trump.

Graham, however, shifted significantly once Trump won the White House and emerged as one of Trump’s top allies — speaking with him frequently and becoming a regular presence on the golf course alongside the president — even as McCain remained a critic.

In a 2018 interview with The Associated Press, Graham explained his pivot by saying McCain taught him that the country must move forward after elections and that meant “you have an obligation” to help the president. McCain ran twice for the White House.

“And I’ve tried to be helpful where I could because I think he needs all the help he can get,” Graham said of Trump. “You can be a better critic when people understand that you’re trying to help them be successful.”

ASSOCIATEd PRESS FILE PHOTO By ALEX BRANdON

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., left, gestures as President donald Trump speaks with reporters while in flight on Air Force One as they were returning to Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Jan. 4.

PHOTO PROVIdEd By UKRAINIAN PRESIdENTIAL PRESS OFFICE

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., take a photo together in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday.

Graham was a prominent defender of Trump during the president’s two firstterm impeachments — a reversal from Graham’s role as a House prosecutor during Democratic President Bill Clinton’s impeachment in 1998, when he urged senators not to make up their minds before listening to all of the arguments. Both Trump and Clinton were eventually acquitted.

Graham appeared to break with Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, saying in a dramatic speech on the Senate floor that night, “Count me out.

Enough is enough.” But the senator soon returned to Trump’s side and the two remained close during Trump’s second term.

filibuster.

He had previously led the Senate Judiciary Committee when Republicans confirmed Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in 2020. The senator was in line to regain that gavel if the party kept its majority after the midterm elections and had pledged to confirm “as many conservative judges as possible.”

Graham was a key player in the Senate’s efforts to craft a massive immigration overhaul in 2013 as a member of a bipartisan group.

The legislation passed the Senate with 68 votes but was never taken up by the House, so it did not become law.

Graham’s views on immigration, particularly an endorsement of a path to

citizenship for people in the U.S. without legal status, put him at odds with some Republican factions.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat who was his ally on that issue, said Graham was “part of every important policy issue and an indispensable player” in bipartisan negotiations.

An ‘irreplaceable’ force Graham often worked across the aisle, even as he remained fiercely loyal to Trump. Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat, said in a statement that “personal relationships often mattered more to him than the political disagreements of the day.”

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Graham was

“over the moon” with the Russian sanctions deal announced Friday. “The last thing in the world I would have guessed was that he was sick or ill or in any way vulnerable,” Blumenthal said.

Jaime Harrison, a former national and state Democratic Party chairman who unsuccessfully ran against Graham in 2020, said that even during their “fiercest political battles,” the two men “could still share a conversation, a laugh and a mutual respect for South Carolina.”

Graham was unique in the Senate for his influence not only on Trump, but also with his fellow Republicans who were aware of his ability to sometimes move the president’s thinking. He was also known for his sense of humor, often deployed to diffuse tensions.

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the second-ranking Republican, said Graham will be missed for his “quick wit and infectious laughter.”

McMaster said in a state-

ment that Graham was “irreplaceable.” Former Republican President George W. Bush said Graham “understood how the world works” and “was a kind and funny man who loved our country and loved serving it.”

Graham often spoke about his humble roots, growing up in the back of a South Carolina bar and helping to raise his sister, Darline, after his parents died at a young age. Graham was not married and did not have children.

Graham won 57% of the GOP vote in South Carolina’s primary in June and was up against Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, and several minor party and independent candidates in November.

His death will likely prompt a scramble to fill a rare open Senate seat.

A number of Republican names began circulating as possible replacements to serve out the rest of Graham’s term, including Reps.

Nancy Mace and Russell Fry.

Foreign policy a focus Graham had just been in Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said the senator visited his country 10 times during the years since Russia invaded in February 2022. “Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer,” Zelenskyy said.

He was also one of the chief backers of Trump’s war in Iran, having advocated for years for direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran. Graham continued to defend Trump this summer even as many of his fellow Republicans questioned a tentative June ceasefire agreement that they worried could send billions of dollars to Iran.

“I’d rather try diplomacy than take it off the table,” Graham said of Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Tehran.

Graham’s travels made him a familiar face to dozens of world leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Graham understood that the security of Israel and the United States was inseparable.

“Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend,” Netanyahu said.

Multiple committees As Budget Committee chairman, Graham helped oversee a Senate procedure that allowed Republicans to pass significant policies such as last year’s tax law without the threat of a Democratic

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals

p g y y using the following link https://us02web.zoom. us/j/83391950435? pwd=nxjd39BDVrzAUIJ 17743vJ8aCCI6ls.1 Meet‐ ing ID: 833 9195 0435 Passcode: 687638

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received either electroni‐ cally at https://lafayet tecsdgovla.tylerportico. com/va/vendor-access/ registration or in the of‐ fice of the Purchasing Di‐ vision at the Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment Building, located at 705 West University Av‐ Lafayette, enue, Louisiana, until 3:00 pm Central Time on the 28th day of July, 2026 for the following: 2026 OR NEWER 8 INCH PUMP TRAILER and will, shortly there‐ after, be opened and read aloud in City Hall lo‐ cated at 705 West Univer‐ sity Avenue, Lafayette, LA. Bids received after the above specified time for opening shall not be considered and shall be returned unopened to the sender. Bidders are encouraged to attend the bid opening virtually by i h f ll i li k

In accordance with Louisiana RS 38:2212. may submit vendors their bid electronically at the website listed above.

Bidders wishing to sub‐ mit their bid electroni‐ cally must first be regis‐ tered within LCG Vendor Access at the website listed above. The regis‐ tration process can take some time; therefore, LCG recommends regis‐ tering days in advance of the time that bids are due. It is the sole respon‐ sibility of the bidder to ensure their bid is deliv‐ ered (whether electroni‐ cally via Vendor Access, in person, or via mail) to the Purchasing Division prior to the scheduled date and time of the bid opening. Vendors may request the bid package from electronically Thomas Metrejean at tg‐ metrejean@lafayettela. gov.

Vendors submitting bids are re‐ electronically quired to provide the same documents as bid‐ ders submitting through the mail as soon as avail‐

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

able. Only a bid bond, check or certified cashier’s check shall be submitted as the bid se‐ curity. Electronic copies of both the front and back of the check or bid bond shall be included with the electronic bid.

Bids must be signed in accordance with LRS Title 38:2212(B)5. A Cor‐ porate Resolution or Cer‐ tificate of Authority au‐ thorizing the person signing the bid is re‐ quired to be submitted with bid. Failure to sub‐ mit a Corporate Resolu‐ tion or Certificate of Au‐ thority with the bid shall be cause for rejection of bid.

Copies of the bidding documents are available at the Purchasing Office located at 705 West Uni‐ Avenue, versity Lafayette, LA 70506. Tele‐ phone number (337) 2917187 (Attn: Thomas Me‐ trejean). Bidding docu‐ ments shall be available until twenty-four (24) hours before the bid opening date.

Bidder must be properly licensed in accordance with LA RS 32:1254 and must include valid copy of said license in the bid submitted in accordance with LA 38:2212.8.

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Each bid shall be accom‐ panied by a certified check, cashier’s check or bid bond payable to the Lafayette Consolidated Government, the amount of which shall be five percent (5%) of the total bid price. If a bid bond is used, it shall be written by a surety or insurance company currently on the U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Management Service list approved bonding of companies which is pub‐ lished annually in the Federal Register, or by a Louisiana domiciled in‐ surance company with at least an A-Rating in the latest printing of the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide to write individual bonds up to ten percent (10%) of policyholders’ surplus as shown in the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide, or by an insurance com‐ pany in good standing li‐ censed to write bid bonds which is either domiciled in Louisiana or owned by Louisiana resi‐ dents. The bid bond shall be issued by a company licensed to do business in Louisiana and counter‐ signed by a person who is under contract with re‐ siding in this state. The certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond shall be given as a guarantee that the bidder shall exe‐ cute the contract, should it be awarded to him, in conformity with the con‐ tract documents within ten (10) days.

No bidder may withdraw his bid for at least fortyfive (45) days after the time scheduled for the opening of bids. Each bid shall be submitted only on the bid form provided with the specifications.

Bids will be evaluated by the Purchaser based on the lowest responsible and responsive bid sub‐ mitted which is also in compliance with the bid The documents.

Lafayette Consolidated Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause in ac‐ cordance with LA R.S.

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

38§2214.B. The Lafayette Consoli‐ Government dated strongly encourages the participation of DBEs (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) in all con‐ tracts or procurements let by the Lafayette Con‐ Government solidated for goods and services and labor and material.

To that end, all contrac‐ tors and suppliers are encouraged to utilize DBEs business enter‐ prises in the purchase or sub-contracting of mate‐ rials, supplies, services and labor and material in disadvantaged which business are available.

Assistance in identifying said businesses may be obtained by calling 2918410.

PURCHASING DIVISION Lafayette Consolidated Government PUBLISH DATES: 7/13/26, 7/19/26 DPR # 1005738 193720-jul 13-19-2t $103.82

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE --A vacancy will exist on the City of Scott Planning Commission for an unex‐ pired term effective July 1, 2026. This new ap‐ pointment will expire on July 17, 2028.

Individuals wishing to submit a resume for the above vacancy must be a registered voter and a resident of the City of Scott. Yearly ethics train‐ ing for all appointees is required. Resumes are to be forwarded to Bonnie Comprehen‐ Anderson, sive Plan Facilitator, City of Scott, P.O. Box 517, Scott, LA 70583, hand de‐ livered to 125 Lions Club Road, Scott, LA 70583 or emailed to banderson@

Legal Notices

cityofscott.org no later than 5pm, Thursday, July 30, 2026, with appoint‐ ment to be made at the August 13, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Scott City Council. Resume submis‐ sions are public record.

Publication Dates: July 1st, 13th, 22nd, 2026 192925-jul 1-13-22-3t $40.59 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the charter school referenced below has taken all action required by law for the adoption of its operating budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Those ac‐ tions include public no‐ tice that the proposed budget is available and the dates on which the budget will be discussed in open meetings, adop‐ tion of the budget in an open meeting, and sub‐ mittal of the approved budget to the charter au‐ thorizer.

Foundation for Louisiana Students University View Academy Charter School 3113 Valley Creek Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Budget Adoption: 06/23/2026 193671 July 13, 1t $84.65

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Jazz musician James Rivers dies at 89 He performed on soundtracks of several Eastwood films

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

James Rivers, a multi-instrumentalist fixture of New Orleans nightclubs who was fluent on everything from saxophone and clarinet to bagpipes, died July 5.

He was 89.

His saxophone was featured on such classic New Orleans R&B recordings as Al Johnson’s “Carnival Time” and Frankie Ford’s “Sea

Cruise.”

His jazz band, the James Rivers Movement, logged countless gigs everywhere from Tyler’s Beer Garden on Magazine Street to Mel’s Lounge in Faubourg Marigny to annual appearances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

His fans included director and actor Clint Eastwood. Rivers performed on the soundtracks of several Eastwood films, including the New Orleans-shot 1984 thriller

“Tightrope” and 1988’s “Bird,” the biography of jazz musician Charlie Parker.

Rivers also appeared on screen in Eastwood’s “The Bridges of Madison County” in 1995.

Born in the Treme neighborhood on April 18, 1937, Rivers grew up in a close-knit family of six siblings. He first started playing music at age 8.

He attended Walter L. Cohen High School and graduated from

Booker T. Washington High School.

Determined to be a professional musician, he studied at the Houston School of Music. He toured as a backing musician with the Impressions, Jerry Butler and the New Orleans R&B band Huey Smith & the Clowns.

While on tour Rivers with the Clowns, he was badly injured in a car accident.

After being hospitalized, he formed the James Rivers Movement.

In the book “Up from the Cradle of Jazz: New Orleans Music Since World War II,” Rivers recounted to co-author Jason Berry an unconventional musical inspiration.

“Sometimes I used to practice and go out at night to Lake Pontchartrain, in contemplative moments, where it would be quiet and listen at the waves and the water,” Rivers said. “Just to be alone, like to hear the different sounds of the water beating against the seawall, and I could meditate. You’d be sur-

ä See RIVERS, page 4B

Nonprofit wants to acquire battlefield site $1M needed for St. Bernard land related to War of 1812

BY LARA NICHOLSON Staff writer

As a group of tourists stepped off their paddle wheeler in St. Bernard Parish Wednesday afternoon to wander the 145-acre Chalmette Battlefield, park ranger Karley Nugent gathered the group to talk about “one of the most important moments in United States history.”

“The Battle of New Orleans and its overall significance in our nation’s history can’t be overstated,” Nugent told the room of visitors not far from where U.S. forces under Andrew Jackson beat back the British troops. “Yet the reality is seldom people know about it.”

The Battle of New Orleans took place along the Mississippi River at the conclusion of the War of 1812, and now, as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, the historic site may receive a major expansion under a new initiative from a national nonprofit for battlefield preservation.

The American Battlefield Trust is raising funds to purchase 40 acres of land next to the battlefield for $3.6 million by September in hopes of further preserving the site where the Battle of New Orleans took place 211 years ago.

David Duncan, the organization’s president, said the purchase would provide access to land that was used by the British forces during the battle and offer historians a better understanding of the British forces’ actions during the fight, which resulted in a major defeat for the redcoats.

Duncan added they’ve already secured most of the funds through state and federal grants and early donations, but need about $1 million more to complete the purchase.

“It’s very important to save these parts of our country’s history so that future generations can go there and learn what happened, why it’s important and hopefully become better citizens in the process,” Duncan said.

The proposed land is currently zoned for industrial use and owned

by Genie Holdings LLC based in Kenner, according to parish assessor’s office records. It sits between the Chalmette Battlefield and the St. Bernard Port Harbor and Terminal District’s Chalmette terminal.

Duncan said once American Battlefield Trust purchases the land, it will place conservation easements on the property that legally prevent future owners from building on it. From there, Duncan hopes to see the parish or the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, which operates the Chalmette Battlefield, take over the land as an educational site for the public.

St. Bernard Parish President

ä See SITE, page 4B

PHOTOS By ROBIN MAy

dISABILITy PRIdE PARTy The 2026 Disability Pride Celebration was held Saturday at the Yambilee building in Opelousas to recognize the achievements, talents and contributions of individuals with disabilities. ABOVE: Characters join in the celebration. LEFT: Elijah Duplechain, center, grand marshal of the Disability Pride Celebration, receives a special kiss during the event.

ABOVE: Angelica Mitchell, Eurieka Guillory and Luvell Ferguson Jr. enjoy the 2026 disability Pride Celebration on Saturday. RIGHT: Maryrose Charles, 1, sits in her colorful float during the disability Pride Celebration parade.

2B ● Monday, July 13, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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

Stop the circus around executions

In shielding Murrill, court exemplifies dangers of judicial power Oh the irony of it all! The July 3 newspaper included an opinion piece by Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court John Weimer (“Judiciary’s responsibility to fulfill Declaration’s promise”) in which he writes, “Alexander Hamilton metaphorically described the judiciary as the least dangerous branch of government, possessing neither the sword of the executive nor the purse of the legislature. The judiciary’s authority, he explained, rests in ‘neither force nor will but in judgment alone.’”

That same Friday, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued an order in State of Louisiana vs. Murrill, staying the indictment against the attorney general. Five justices voted for a stay order: “Attorney General makes a compelling argument concerning the disturbing defects in the grand jury proceedings and in the trial court’s handling of those proceedings.”

Two justices dissented, saying the appearance of the stay order is that the attorney general is getting special treatment (i.e., getting to “cut the line”). They said, “This perilous and unprecedented action threatens this court’s longterm legitimacy in the eyes of the public.”

Majority and dissenting opinions, though expressing stark disagreement in strong words, don’t threaten the legitimacy of the Louisiana judiciary. But, the concurring opinion by Justice McCallum does exactly that, referring to allegations by the attorney general on the indictment: “At worst, they are indicative of invidious motives; at best, they suggest incompetence. In either case, if they prove to be even partially accurate, then additional proceedings before the newly reconstituted Judiciary Commission and Office of Disciplinary Counsel will no doubt become necessary.”

Maybe this is an example of why Hamilton referred to the judiciary as “the least dangerous” branch of government, not a branch of government without danger.

CATHERINE BREWTON New Orleans

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published identifying name and the writer’s city of residence. The Advocate | The Times-Picayune require a street address and TO SENd US A LETTER, phone number SCAN HERE 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.

In the Opinion section under Our Views, the issue of nitrogen hypoxia executions was discussed. Does anyone ever bring up the suffering of the victims? Any suffering by the prisoner cannot compare to the victims’ suffering. Once the prisoner has exhausted all state appeals, it is time to move forward with the execution. Eliminate federal court appeals. It will save the taxpayers’ legal fees as well as the cost of housing and feeding the prisoners.

Bring back the firing squad in all 50 states. If any prisoner survives the firing squad, then you can ask them if they suffered at all. Let the warden decide when the execution will be and get on with it.

Do not reveal the date or time because no one needs to know. The family can be notified after the execution is over. It’s a two-sided coin: The victim’s family suffers and the prisoner’s family does too. My sympathy to both of the families.

FILE PHOTO

Lilah Bertucci, 4, who has autism, receives speech, language and behavioral therapy practice from line technician therapist Nicole Jordan at Spears Learning Center in Metairie in 2017.

Speech therapists, audiologists in schools also deserve raises

Thirty years ago, in 1996, I wrote to this newspaper on the topic of teacher pay raises and the exclusion of communication professionals. It was based on a narrow reading of personnel categories and ignorance of the services provided to students. Back then, the point was acknowledged and the pay raise was amended, with a promise that future raises and stipends would include educational professionals who provide direct services to students.

That inclusion has continued until today.

The current stipend does not include professionals who provide critical services that allow students to progress educationally, including speech therapists and audiologists, who are not recognized for their daily contributions to student achievement, their qualifications or the critical role they play within schools.

SLPs and audiologists provide essential support for students with challenges in hearing, listening, understanding, speaking and expressing themselves. They work with students throughout all school settings to support them. They use specialized knowl-

edge to help teachers and families support students. Their services are mandated by state and federal law, which recognize that communication is a basic right and forms the basis for all educational skills.

SLPs and audiologists are paid on the teacher pay scale, and they perform many of the same duties as teachers within a school.

In schools, they are generally accepted as professional peers of the teachers. Their qualifications often exceed those of teachers: master’s and doctoral degrees, state licenses to practice, teacher certifications and national credentials.

There is a critical shortage of SLPs and audiologists, and school settings are among the most needy. They are not less deserving than teachers, nor are their contributions less.

The governor and the state Legislature were wrong to structure this stipend according to a narrow definition of “teachers.”

Thirty years, and here we are again. We can do better, Louisiana.

MICHAEL BOWEN Baton Rouge

Ukraine support not incompatible with MAGA I trust that our president is aware that it is possible to be MAGA and also a decided supporter of Ukraine. Polling has consistently shown overwhelming American sentiment not only for Ukraine’s survival but for meaningful material aid in its defense. The parallels between Russia’s terror bombing tactics and Adolf Hitler’s 1940 Blitz on Britain seem obvious, and with the same result. The senselessness of targeting innocent victims only hardens their nation’s resolve — another strategic and tactical failure of the aggressor.

Putin has ridden this tiger nearly to an end. Russian military collapse and civilian disenchantment seem closer than ever. To use President Donald Trump’s card game metaphor, Ukraine now holds the stronger hand. I suggest that he channel the soul of Winston Churchill and encourage all peace-loving people that while we may not be seeing “the beginning of the end” for Vladimir Putin, we have clearly witnessed “the end of the beginning.”

ROSEMARY KERRIN past president, Speech Pathologists and Audiologists in Louisiana Schools

Socialism isn’t what we should fear

An op-ed by Megan McArdle on June 24 warns of socialism. What we should fear is plutocracy, which is the form of government we live under today. Republicans say we can’t afford funding for education, healthcare, infrastructure, reducing the deficit or paying down the national debt. But they keep giving tax cut after tax cut to the wealthiest among us and big corporations. We apparently can afford that.

Starting in 1981 (Ronald Reagan’s presidency), the wealthiest people and big corporations have had their taxes slashed. They have also benefited from numerous complex tax avoidance loopholes. Dozens upon dozens of big, profitable corporations have paid zero taxes on profits year after year. Many received millions (and sometimes billions) in

tax rebates.

Since 1989, the wealthiest one-tenth of 1% of Americans increased their share of U.S. wealth 13% to 25%. The rest of the top 1% saw their share of U.S. wealth increase from 22% to 30%. The wealthiest 1% of the population holds 55% of the total wealth of the nation. Everyone in the bottom 90% saw their share of total wealth decrease.

Meanwhile, Republicans wring their hands about fraud and waste while the current president pardons multi-millionaire white collar criminals and the Pentagon has “lost” (can’t account for) hundreds of millions of dollars in equipment. A change in taxes and oversight is long overdue.

PETER MEISNER River Ridge

Politicians should pay for teacher raises out of their own pockets

ANDREW GALLIEN Harahan

What is wrong with our Gov. Jeff Landry in that he is cutting funding for education to pay for a teacher pay raise? The issue is that it has not been thought out clearly, in that the reduction in funding will hurt everyone in the long run.

The ones who are really going to suffer are the children of this great state. What Landry should do is take some of the money that is being paid not only to him as governor but also to all the administrators who are making a pretty penny. That is where the teacher pay raise should come from and not take money from the education budget.

World Cup visitors made us look at America anew As a relative novice to the world of soccer, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with my World Cup exposure.

The games themselves have been inspiring.

The athletes are so obviously proud to represent their countries. Instead of bored looks and/or kneeling during national anthems, they show not only respect but genuine emotion.

They sing those anthems proudly and show the depths of their emotions without shame.

During the games, their camaraderie with not only their teammates but also their opponents is refreshing.

And the reaction of fans from around the world to our United States is a wonderful reminder of the blessings we have. Whether it’s Buc-ees, Bass Pro Shops, Waffle House, free drink refills, ranch dressing or just the friendly and welcoming nature of our people, the reviews are overwhelmingly favorable.

As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday year, perhaps we should take a fresh look at, and embrace a new appreciation for, the wonderful country our Founding Fathers brought forth — one of availability, abundance, opportunity, ingenuity and freedom.

TRUDY BORDELON Metairie

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COMMENTARY Government overreach won’t fix youth gender medicine The Trump administration’s policythat it would be unethical to do ranmaking apparatus is often a chaotidomized controlled studies that might have provided proof of effectiveness, cally uncoordinated mess. The White because how can we deny the House issued a well-designed control group treatments that road map for American domiare the standard of care? nance in artificial intelligence, Then some of WPATH’s inand then the Defense Department launched a quixotic ternal deliberations became attack on Anthropic, one of public via leaks and lawsuits, the nation’s frontier AI firms. and gosh darnit, I am running Megan ega Immigration and Customs out of synonyms for “absoluteMcArdle ly gobsmacked.”

Enforcement went back and forth on workplace raids after WPATH seems to have axed the Agriculture Department secretary minimum-age guidelines at the resaid that rounding up farm laborers quest of a Department of Health and would make it hard to deliver the Human Services official in the Biden lower food prices President Donald administration. The official, who is a Trump promised on the campaign pediatrician and a transgender womtrail. an, argued that setting minimum ages But there’s one policy area where might spur “devastating legislation.” the administration is united and This is not how serious medical monomaniacally on-task: the war on professionals behave. It is not how scipediatric medical transition (PMT). ence works. It is activism dressed up From Trump’s executive order titled in a lab coat. Is it a deceptive business “Protecting Children from Chemical practice, though? and Surgical Mutilation” to the recent I can make the argument: WPATH Federal Trade Commission lawsuit members earn quite a lot of money against the World Professional Asfrom these interventions, and the FTC sociation for Transgender Health, the lawsuit alleges that the organization crafted its guidelines to maximize administration has done everything insurance reimbursement, “including in its power — and some things that by replacing objective criteria with weren’t — to halt these treatments. provider discretion, removing age True conservatives regard these minimums, and issuing broad ‘medical efforts with uncomplicated glee. But necessity’ declarations for nearly evwe more libertarian-minded skeptics have something of a quandary. On the ery medical-transition intervention.” one hand, some of the administration’s However, I don’t think they’re misinactions have been novel — and dubiforming the public for fun and profit.

I think they are convinced these ously legal — expansions of regulatreatments work, and that confirmatory power. On the other hand, as the medical nonprofit Do No Harm wrote, tion bias and groupthink led them to “WPATH deserves it.” behave like political activists rather I’ve been covering this issue for than dispassionate scientists. It defour years with growing dismay at the serves a reckoning, but it shouldn’t shoddy research and obvious confircome from the FTC. Because this mation bias of clinicians who insisted, topic has been so politicized, cracking down in this way comes uncomfortbased on thin observational studies, that these treatments were “evidence- ably close to free speech restrictions. based, medically necessary care.” I False confidence isn’t the same thing was stunned when doctors claimed as false advertising.

And where, the skeptics might justly ask, will that reckoning come from?

They believe that PMT amounts to grotesque medical experiments on children. It will be the “next lobotomy,” I have been told many times since I wrote a column on the sordid history of that medical horror story.

I have sympathy for those who believe PMT is a disastrous medical mistake. That practitioners seem to ardently believe in their interventions doesn’t mean they work: Medical history’s most destructive quacks weren’t charlatans selling snake oil, but people who believed with all their heart that they could cure patients by dunking them in ice baths or scarring the prefrontal regions of their brains.

Given how little we know, I can’t rule out this becoming another one of those episodes.

That said, medical history also contains pioneers who were wrong about small things and nonetheless right about something important: The 19th-century Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis didn’t understand the germ theory of disease, but he was still absolutely correct that doctors should wash their hands before touching patients. Gender clinicians may turn out to be prematurely confident in treatments that eventually prove out, rather than grievously wrong.

The cure for bad science is better science, not lawsuits. Yet of all the frenetic action, the one thing the administration has not done is to fund serious clinical trials with long-term follow-up to provide answers patients need.

Instead, the government canceled grants for youth gender research.

Perhaps those studies were shoddy, and grants for better-controlled trials are forthcoming. But they should have been the first resort, not the last.

Megan McArdle is on X, @ asymmetricinfo.

Some French say ‘non’ to air conditioning; others say ‘oui’ Europe is now the fastest heating continent, and Paris is suffering greatly under 100-plus Fahrenheit temperatures. That has inspired some conservative Americans to politicize the French aversion Froma to air conditioning. In Harrop return, many in France are blaming Americans’ burning of planet-warming fossil fuels to power their ACs. Whose voice hits the high note? Both, really.

The Wall Street Journal holds that the easy answer for France is to install air conditioners. It got all huffy when Paris Deputy Mayor Audrey Pulvar remarked, “As the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, you bear a significant responsibility for global warming and the consequences we, in France, are experiencing.” She specifically cited the energy Americans use to run their ACs. Pulvar neglected to name the No. 1 emitter of greenhouse gases, which is China. And blaming the U.S. for the oppressive heat that is closing schools and offices — and endangering the health of the very young, old and those with certain medical conditions — does nothing to ease the current suffering.

The French right is making that same argument.

All that said, air conditioning has become much more energy-efficient. The popular mini-splits — separate units in different rooms — use far less energy than central air. Owners can thus cool only the room they’re using.

However, the French antipathy to air conditioning has its reasons. Northern cities like Paris have traditionally experienced relatively cool summers.

Air conditioning units hanging out the windows mar the historic streetscapes.

They make noise and send indoor hot air outside where it’s already sweltering.

And climate change is something that previous American administrations have addressed but the current

ASSOCIATEd PRESS PHOTO

A woman shields herself from the sun with an umbrella as she walks in the garden of the Palace of Versailles, outside Paris, during a heat wave with temperatures soaring above 104 degrees. one denies even exists, despite evidence to the contrary. It’s wreaking havoc on much of this country as well, bringing massive wildfires, flash flooding, withering crops and water shortages in the West. The list goes on.

It’s not true that there’s nothing we Americans can do about this long-term threat. But there’s little the French can do about this and last summer’s heat.

Barring a sudden spell of cool air, they will have to start bringing relief to the people.

Otherwise, the economy will suffer along with the Parisians. The American South knows the importance of air conditioning to its economic viability.

Air conditioning takes much credit for the Sun Belt boom following World War II. Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix and Miami became acceptable places for corporate offices. Before the advent of AC, Southerners relied on architecture and nature to make high temperatures bearable. The older houses feature high ceilings, sleeping porches and shade trees.

(In the 19th century, many foreign dignitaries refused to visit Washington, D.C. in the summer because of the humid heat, not to mention mosquitoes

and malaria.)

Proposals for our cities, northern as well as southern, include digging up more of the urban hardscape. Pocket parks, putting greenery in schoolyards and on medians, and installing rain gardens to capture water are in the plans.

Paris has tree-lined boulevards but not much more in the way of green spaces.

Chicago and New York both do a lot better on that front. An impervious surface covers 75% of Paris, whereas even Manhattan is only 63% enclosed by asphalt, parking lots, concrete sidewalks and other surfaces that water cannot easily soak through.

Paris, by the way, has a plan to incorporate more plants into the city’s landscape. That could help. And international efforts to seriously confront the threat of rising temperatures would save the entire planet. In the meantime, air conditioning can get the people through this and the torrid summers to come.

But what Parisians do is ultimately up to the Parisians, not partisans in the United States. N’est-ce pas?

Follow Froma Harrop on X, @FromaHarrop.

Supreme Court errs in immigration ruling The pungent odor of Kristi Noem lingers in Washington. Nearly four months after she was fired as homeland security secretary, a facet of her tenure produced a Supreme Court case, decided last month.

Her behavior egregiously violated the pertinent law, but was shielded from judicial rebuke by the court majority’s too-mechanical textualism about the secretary’s “determinameaning decision. And by a George tion,” blinkered nonrecognition of the aniWill mus behind Noem’s action.

A 1990 statute allows the DHS secretary to grant temporary protected status, shielding aliens in America from having to return to nations afflicted by natural disasters, wars or persecuting regimes. When the Trump administration moved to end TPS for more than 350,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians, five of the former and seven of the latter sued, charging that procedural requirements had not been followed, and that the TPS denial was tainted by racism.

The court ruled 6-3 for the Trump administration, with Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., joined in the judgment by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Clarence Thomas, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Neil M. Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. The majority noted that the 1990 statute shields the DHS secretary’s “determination” from judicial review. And that the plaintiffs were unlikely to prevail regarding racism, because the Trump administration’s denial of TPS renewal was facially “race-neutral”: The administration has terminated every TPS designation that has come up for renewal.

Justice Elena Kagan, joined in dissent by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, agrees that the TPS statute prevents judicial review of the DHS secretary’s final decision about TPS, but does allow judicial review of whether the secretary, in reaching that decision, “adhered to the procedures it mandates.” And Kagan noted that although previous DHS secretaries had “repeatedly” found Haiti and Syria “too dangerous to permit safe return,” Noem declared them safe without complying with specific statutory procedures that deny the DHS secretary “unfettered discretion.”

In February, this column noted: The law required Noem to review conditions in Haiti after consulting with appropriate government agencies (note the plural). Instead, she made her decision, then conducted a make-believe “consultation.” A Noem staffer sent a two-sentence email to a State Department staffer who, 53 minutes later, sent a comparably brief judgment that Noem’s policy triggered no foreign policy concerns.

Kagan, however, noted the irrelevance of this: The law requires consultation not about foreign policy implications but about whether conditions are safe in the pertinent country. And Kagan refuted the majority’s claim to see “no evidence that race played any role in the Haiti decision.”

Noem was implementing the president’s proclaimed animus even against immigrants who are in America legally, but whom he considers icky.

Kagan says prior court rulings establish that the Haitians needed to show only that “a racially discriminatory purpose” was “a motivating factor” (emphasis added) in the termination of Haiti’s TPS designation. Well.

Noem’s former employer has said Haitians were eating Ohio pets (see below). He has said migrants such as they are “poisoning the blood” of America and Haitians “probably have AIDS.” Was race on the president’s mind? Donald Trump has clarified this: “Why is it we only take people from shithole countries” like Haiti and Somalia? “Why can’t we have some people from Norway [and] Sweden?”

Kagan: “Haitians are Black. (Norwegians and Swedes not so much.)”

Three days after Noem terminated TPS for Haitians and Syrians, she recommended “a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies” who “slaughter our heroes” and “suck dry our hard-earned tax dollars.” She refrained from echoing Trump’s assertion about kitten-cooking Haitians in Springfield, Ohio. This marks her as a MAGA moderate. JD Vance spread the pet-eating fiction because he said creating “stories” (his word) makes the media notice Americans’ suffering.

Surely justices are not required to ignore such rhetoric? And although thoughtful people disagree about whether, or how much, justices should consider the downstream consequences of their rulings, Kagan writes: One of the Haitian plaintiffs, an Alzheimer’s researcher, has Type 1 diabetes, which can be easily treated in America but can be a “death sentence” in Haiti “given that country’s collapsed health-care infrastructure.” And a Syrian plaintiff will have to return with her 17-year-old daughter, who has lived here most of her life and “will have no future in Syria because she speaks little Arabic.”

Time and freshening breezes will cleanse Washington, dissipating the legacies of appointees like Noem, and of the president who chose them. The court’s mistaken ruling she provoked will be more lasting.

Email georgewill@washpost.com.

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An 18-year-old’s death and family’s search for answers Family commissions autopsy

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK and CLAUDIA LAUER Associated Press

NEW YORK — A week ago, 18-yearold Nolan Xavier Wells took a boat trip with friends to celebrate the Fourth of July on an island off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. He never came back.

Two days later, he was found dead. What happened, Wells’ parents say, is a mystery riddled with conflicting stories, implausible explanations and missing details. It is a case shadowed by the state’s fraught racial history and lingering distrust in law enforcement.

At a news conference Friday in New York City, Christine and Elmore Wonsley called for a thorough and transparent investigation into their son’s death, skeptical of claims that Wells told his friends to leave the island without him and suggestions that he, an elite athlete who knew how to swim, had accidentally drowned.

Wells’ body was found early Monday along the shore of Horn Island, about 7 miles off the Mississippi coast, more than a day after he was last seen alive. The roughly 11-mile long spit of land is near the Alabama state line. The island is uninhabited and accessible only by boat. About 200 people were there on July 4, the family’s lawyers said.

“We just want to know what happened and why our baby didn’t come home,” Christine Wonsley said, looking upward several times as she stood alongside her lawyer, Ben Crump, and the Rev. Al Sharpton, who will officiate Wells’ funeral.

Crump said Wells’ family has commissioned an independent autopsy, performed by a forensic pathologist in Washington, D.C. with no ties to Mississippi law enforcement, while they await the results of an official autopsy, which could take weeks. They also plan to employ experts to recover messages that appeared to have been deleted from his cellphone, Crump said. They will eventually turn the device over to authorities, he said.

Wells’ family also encouraged witnesses to come forward and asked people to submit any video they recorded that may show him on Horn Island, echoing a call by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office to help shed light on the moments before Wells’ disappearance and death.

A photo posted on social media, purportedly from the boat ride to the island, shows Wells with his arms around three White male friends. Sheriff John Ledbetter said Wells’ friends were cooperating and that investigators don’t suspect foul play. Crump said those friends now have lawyers and that his investigators haven’t attempted to speak with them yet.

Wells’ death has led to rampant speculation and suspicion as people grapple with Mississippi’s history of racial tension and what it means to be a Black person in a majority White space.

Actor and producer Tyler Perry is helping pay for Wells’ funeral, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is helping pay for his independent autopsy, and filmmaker Spike Lee showed up to the news conference to show support

for Wells’ family.

Family doesn’t trust authorities Crump said Wells’ parents hired him to conduct an independent investigation into their son’s death because they don’t trust that law enforcement officials will perform a fair inquiry in a state still reckoning with its Jim Crow past, including the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till and the murders of three civil rights workers in the 1960s.

“The history of Mississippi is something that they don’t just read about in books,” Crump told reporters at Sharpton’s National Action Network headquarters in Harlem.

It is the second case that Crump has taken on in the state in recent months. He also was recently retained by the family of a Mississippi 1-year-old who was killed when police fired into a moving car.

Ledbetter told The Associated Press this week that investigators suspect that Wells “chose to stay on the island with the assumption that he was going to ride back to the mainland with someone else.”

Didn’t have cellphone or keys But Wells didn’t have his cellphone or his keys — his friends did.

“What teenager would leave their phone behind if they’re going to stay on this island? What teenager wouldn’t take their phone?” Crump said. “It’s not adding up at all.”

Crump said bystander video from the island showed a person he said was Wells arguing with someone to give him his phone back. In another discrepancy, Crump said that a witness reported Wells had planned to leave on the boat with

his friends, contradicting the sheriff’s theory.

“The friends come back and he’s left there with some story about how he said leave him behind,” Sharpton said. “But then by some magic one of the friends has his keys and his phone.”

The sheriff did not return The Associated Press’ messages seeking his response to the family’s concerns.

Parents try to track down son Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, said she started to worry when a friend of his called her just after 11 p.m. on July 4.

After trying to track him down on her own, she reported him missing to police and went with her husband to meet an officer in a McDonald’s parking lot, she said, a process exacerbated by a dispute over which law enforcement agency had jurisdiction over the island. One of Wells’ friends had also reported him missing to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Wells’ father, Elmore Wonsley, said he went out on a boat on the morning of July 5 looking for his son near Horn Island. Crews from multiple local and state agencies began an extensive search, and his body was recovered early Monday, family members confirmed.

“If he’s drowning, nobody sees him drown? Nobody offers assistance? Nobody tries to help? I mean, obviously he stands out,” Crump said. “I think he’s the only Black person I saw when I’m looking at the videos.”

Christine Wonsley said she used an app to track his phone and, after a friend went to where it was

on land to pick it up, noticed that some of his messages appeared to be deleted.

As they searched for their son, Elmore Wonsley went to retrieve Wells’ keys from the home where he stayed with his friends from the boat the night before their island trip. He said his son’s car was still parked in the yard.

Had football aspirations Wells, who would have turned 19 next month, played wide receiver on the football team at Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit, Mississippi, and had aspirations of playing at a high-level Division I program.

His coach, Les George, told WAPT-TV that Wells “was a guy that never had a bad day. Never.”

“He was very sociable with everyone, didn’t meet a stranger,” George said.

Christine Wonsley said she and her husband schooled Wells in history and talked to him about navigating the racial tensions that still permeate the South.

Wells was a peacemaker who didn’t like division, once breaking into a dance while still in diapers to ease tensions while his parents were arguing, they said. He wanted everyone to be included and shied away from confrontation.

“Nolan is a person with a big heart,” Elmore Wonsley said.

As people mourn and protest Wells’ death, Christine Wonsley urged them to follow his example.

“Please be peaceful,” she said.

“Nolan was not someone who liked fights, physical fights. He didn’t even really like arguments. Don’t go out there trying to be tough.”

Business First Bancshares acquires financial consulting firm not disclosed.

The move expands Business lished to help community banks Move will help expand services.

Business First Bancshares CEO First’s financial services, which be- manage their risks, served 190 American Planning Corp. will become a part of Smith Shellnut Jude Melville said the two compa- fore the acquisition included inter- banks before the acquisition and services, it says Wilson, Business First’s invest- nies had an established relation- est rate swaps and providing Small now serves about 250. American

BY IANNE SALVOSA

ment advising arm that manages $5.7 billion in assets. American Planning Corp. offered a variety of Business First Bancshares Inc., financial services including capital the holding company for Baton planning and providing outsourced Rouge-based b1Bank, has ac- chief financial officers, specialquired a local financial consulting izing in aiding community banks. firm to expand its community bank Financial terms of the deal were

Staff writer

SITE

Continued from page 1B Louis Pomes said in a statement that he fully supports the organization’s efforts to expand on the historic site.

“The American Battlefield Trust’s proposed land acquisition in St. Bernard Parish represents an investment in preserving one of the most significant chapters of our nation’s history,” Pomes said.

Meredith Hardy, spokesperson for the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, said the National Park Service was not involved in the land acquisition but that it “appreciates the interest many organizations and individuals have in protecting resources associated with that (Battle of New Orleans) history.”

Over the past 25 years, the American Battlefield Trust has preserved nearly 63,000 acres of land from former battlefields across the country from the Revolutionary

RIVERS

Continued from page 1B prised at the things you can work out.”

His repertoire of instruments included the tenor, soprano and alto saxophones, clarinet, flute, harmonica, piano, organ and guitar.

A school band’s performance during a televised football game first piqued his interest in bagpipes. He ordered one from the music store Werlein’s and taught himself how to play from listening to bagpipe records.

During an interview with Berry at the 2017 Jazz Fest, Rivers clarified, “I am not really a bagpiper, but a musician who learned how to play one.”

Rivers was a regular at Tyler’s Beer Garden, which opened on Magazine Street in the 1970s and burned in 1990. That was reportedly where Eastwood first heard him.

A favorite at jazz brunch-

ship after American Planning CEO T. Jefferson Fair helped charter b1Bank in 2006.

Discussions on acquiring American Planning began after Smith Shellnut Wilson started to “gain momentum” a few years ago, Melville said.

Business Administration loans.

Business First acquired Smith Shellnut Wilson in 2021, which had $3.5 billion in assets at the time.

“Now we have a good critical mass and can help Jeff grow what he started,” Melville said.

Smith Shellnut Wilson, estab-

Planning will add nine staff members to the 20 employees with Smith Shellnut Wilson.

At the beginning of this year, Business First acquired Progressive Bank, its seventh bank acquisition, bringing $800 million in assets to the company.

Americans to oppose the United States’ westward expansion.

The British sought to take over New Orleans and its port to block the United States from using the Mississippi River and therefore choke off its already fragile economy, Nugent said.

U.S. troops under Jackson, then a major general for the U.S. Army, set up a line of defense along a canal on the Rodriguez Plantation in Chalmette using weapons and other resources supplied by French privateer Jean Lafitte in exchange for a presidential pardon.

On Jan. 8, 1815, British forces led by Gen. Sir Edward Pakenham attempted to attack the American STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEdIAK troops from multiple sides Ranger Karley Nugent moves a sign outside for the daily Battle of New Orleans ranger talks but were quickly devastated by gunfire.

Wednesday at the Chalmette Battlefield in Chalmette.

In a matter of only 30 minutes, about 2,000 British War, Civil War and War of was one of the final conflicts ain had taken thousands of soldiers were wounded, cap1812. in the War of 1812 between American sailors to work tured, missing or killed, inthe fledgling United States for the Royal Navy through cluding Pakenham, compared History and Great Britain, which impressment and also al- to only 71 U.S. casualties.

The Treaty of Ghent, The Battle of New Orleans started after Great Brit- lied themselves with Native

which would end the war, had already been signed by the time the Battle of New Orleans took place, and was ratified a month later to formally cease hostilities.

The Chalmette Monument and National Cemetery were both built on the land decades later.

After the Civil War, a free man of color and New Orleans grocer named JeanPierre Fazende bought land in the middle of the battlefield and turned it into a thriving independent community for free people of color and emancipated slaves called “Fazendeville.”

However, the government decided in the 1960s to tear down the community to restore the battlefield to its 1815 appearance for war’s 150th anniversary.

The Chalmette Battlefield later became part of the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park in 1978.

Email Lara Nicholson at lnicholson@theadvocate. com.

Protection your loved ones deserve ... es, he also had a standing gig at Fat Harry’s on St. Charles Avenue. His robust bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace” inspired drinkers to sing along with the religious standard.

Beyond the many recordings by other artists to which he contributed, Rivers’ own discography includes the 1978 album “Olé” and 1981’s jazz-funk collection “Thrill Me.” Recorded at Allen Toussaint’s Sea-Saint studio in Gentilly and released on J.B.’s Records, “Thrill Me” consisted mostly of songs written by producer Senator Jones.

He also issued 45 rpm singles for J.B.’s Records and other labels, including 1976’s “Disco Lady.” His 1996 CD “I’m the Man” included “Amazing Grace,” “Ave Maria,” “Cherokee” and “All These Things.”

Berry, a friend for more than 50 years, recalled the spontaneous energy of Rivers’ 1970s gigs at the Freret Street club Sylvia’s.

“He sometimes led pa-

trons out of Sylvia’s, secondlining down the street,” Berry said. “Once he got on the Freret bus, serenaded the driver for a few blocks, got off at Napoleon Avenue and met his dancing tribe on the way back.

“He was a showman of seamless ease. Offstage, he was an easygoing gentleman, a delight to hang with.”

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Email Keith Spera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

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SPORTS

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

|

M o n d ay, J u ly 13, 2026

1Cn

Brasch selected

by S.F. Giants

UL ace picked in eighth round of MLB draft

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU wide receiver Winston Watkins settles under the ball for a catch during spring practice on March 26 at the team’s practice facility.

TOP TARGETS

UL ace right-hander Cody Brasch may have had to wait a little longer than he would have preferred, but there was absolutely zero regret when the San Francisco Giants called with the 238th pick in the eighth round of Sunday’s MLB draft.

Just a sense of appreciation and gratitude.

“Oh yeah, it was awesome,” Brasch said.

“It was unreal.

“We were watching and my agent was texting me, ‘All right, you’re going this pick,’ so we kind of had the anticipation going too. It was just really cool.”

It was a bit surprising because San Francisco wasn’t one of the teams Brasch had talked to much in the predraft process.

“At first, I was, ‘Oh really, the Giants?’ All right, come on,” said Brasch, who expects to learn of his first assignment in the next few days.

It’s going to be a new experience for Brasch, who has never been on the West Coast.

“It’s all the Lord’s doing, too, man. I’m so thankful — thankful for what God has done in my life, and I’m thankful for all the blessings that he’s put in front of me.

“I’m just going to continue to trust him and just continue to try to live out my dream of

ä See BRASCH, page 3C

Breaking down LSU’s revamped wide receiver room

BY JON BLAU Staff writer

A reliable tight end and a strong running game can be a quarterback’s best friend.

LSU’s Sam Leavitt should have his security blanket in 6-foot-7, 237-pound tight end Trey’Dez Green, who is expected to have a standout junior season.

A rushing attack is more of a hope, based on an expectation, because Lane Kiffin leaned so heavily on the run at Ole Miss. But it remains to be seen how quickly the Tigers’ 124th-ranked rush offense turns around in one season.

The rest of Leavitt’s posse? It’s a completely revamped receiving corps, which the ex-Arizona State quarterback has started building a chemistry with this summer after missing most of spring practice.

Will any of them prove to be best-friend material? Here’s how the Tigers’ top receivers could earn Leavitt’s trust.

Jayce Brown

Arizona State, throwing eight touchdown passes that traveled more than 20 yards in the air during his 2024 playoff season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Brown, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound receiver who reportedly runs a 40-yard dash in the low 4.4 seconds, went deep for Kansas State regularly.

The Florida native finished just shy of 2,000 yards in three seasons, averaging 17.1 yards per reception — top 10 in program history. The speedster was targeted, on average, 14.4 yards down the field in 2025, according to PFF. That’s a lot of deep routes for a receiver who lined up in the slot 70 percent of the time, catching more than a few bubble screens and racking up yards after the catch.

The only issue for Brown: He had five drops on on-target throws last season, and came down with just six of his 12 contested-catch attempts.

He isn’t exactly a jump-ball receiver, but Brown can separate and run under a deep pass if Leavitt puts some air on it. As he’s been known to do.

Leavitt loved to push the ball downfield in his time at

Pierre, Dia lead Pelicans past Suns

Eight LSU players, nine signees picked in draft

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

N.O. earns second straight Summer League victory

BY ROD WALKER

Staff writer

Jaron Pierre celebrated his 24th birthday Saturday, which included a cupcake in the tunnel before tip-off.

Then he went out and helped the New Orleans Pelicans celebrate their second straight Summer League ä Pelicans vs: victory in two days.

Cavs 4:30 P.M. Pierre scored 16 points WEdNESdAy, PRIME and the Pelicans led from start to finish in an 81-75 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Las Vegas.

Pierre, a New Orleans native and St. Augustine High graduate drafted in the second round in June’s draft, has steadily seen his minutes and productivity increase in

ä See PELICANS, page 3C

ä See RECEIVER, page 3C

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAd KEMP

UL pitcher Cody Brasch was picked by San Francisco in the eighth round of the MLB draft on Sunday.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU pitcher Gavin Guidry flips a baseball before a game against Sacramento State on March 8 at Alex Box Stadium. Guidry was selected by the New york Mets in the 16th round of the MLB draft on Sunday.

More surprises were in store for LSU baseball on Day 2 of the 2026 MLB Draft.

The Tigers had nine signees and eight players selected over the 20-round draft on Saturday and Sunday, but the biggest news for LSU was who didn’t get picked on Day 1 or in the early rounds of Day 2.

Top high school signees Dominic Santarelli (OF), Malachi Washington (OF), Kolby Stringer (RHP), Cooper Sides (RHP) and others were not selected in the first half of the draft, paving the way for all of them to join LSU’s roster in 2027. The five top recruits were all top-150 prospects in the MLB Draft, on either MLB.com, ESPN or The Athletic’s draft rankings.

Washington was taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 18th round, and Santarelli was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the same round. But it’s unlikely either will end up at their respective clubs. Pittsburgh and Seattle, in all likelihood, would have to fail to sign one of their top selections to have the money needed to sign Washington or Santarelli.

Washington and Santarelli also posted on social media that they were going to LSU on Sunday, not long after they were taken in the draft.

With the draft complete, LSU is on track

to have 16 incoming freshmen in next year’s class. LSU coach Jay Johnson told The Advocate before the draft that they expected approximately 14 signees to make it to school.

The Tigers did not get through the draft unscathed on Sunday with their high school signee class. They had six signees selected by teams on Day 2 of the draft after losing three recruits to the draft on Saturday.

The Chicago Cubs took right-hander Dylan Blomker in the fifth round with the 159th overall pick, and two more signees were snatched up in the 11th round. The Pirates took left-hander Spencer Evans at No. 318 overall and the Detroit Tigers selected first baseman Will Adams at No. 336 overall.

The Washington Nationals also took outfielder Anthony Murphy in the 16th round, but there’s a better chance than not that he never signs for reasons similar to those involving Washington and Santarelli.

Logan Schmidt (LHP), Jensen Hirschkorn (RHP) and Wessley Roberson (OF) were the three signees taken in the draft on Day 1. Schmidt was taken in the second round by the Cleveland Guardians, Hirshkorn was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the third round and Roberson was

ä See LSU, page 3C

2C ● Monday, July 13, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Sinner wins Wimbledon again Top-ranked star defeats Zverev for second straight Wimbledon title

BY ANDREW DAMPF Associated Press

LONDON — Jannik Sinner is starting to make a habit of responding to adversity in Paris with titles at Wimbledon.

The top-ranked Sinner beat Alexander Zverev 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 Sunday for his second consecutive title at the All England Club after his German opponent appeared bothered by a knee issue following a slip to the grass on a key point in the third set.

Sinner’s fifth Grand Slam title came in his first tournament since a second-round meltdown at the French Open, when he wilted in a Paris heat wave.

When Sinner ripped a forehand winner up the line on his first match point, the Italian dropped to the grass on his back in celebration.

“There’s no better place to play tennis,” Sinner said during the trophy ceremony.

A year ago, Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in the final at the All England Club after wasting three match points against his rival in the Roland Garros final.

It was Sinner’s 10th straight victory over Zverev, who was coming off his first Grand Slam title at the French Open.

Zverev’s previous best performance at Wimbledon was reaching the fourth round three times.

“I’m 29 years old and this is the first time I actually believe I can win this trophy,” Zverev said.

Prince William joined his wife, Kate, and two of their children for the final in a star-studded Royal Box that also included actors Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman and Ben Stiller.

Linda Noskova beat Karolina Muchova in an all-Czech women’s final on Saturday for her first Grand Slam title.

Zverev slips The top two seeds appeared perfectly matched until Zverev earned his only break point of the match at 3-3 in the third set — 2 hours and 42 minutes in. Sinner produced a drop shot and Zverev slipped and appeared to hyper-extend his right knee as he attempted to change directions

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — A second major title in a three-week stretch.

The lowest round — an 11-under 60 — in an LPGA major.

It was quite the weekend at the Evian Championship for Haeran Ryu, the latest South Korean sensation in women’s golf.

Ryu, the winner of the Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine on June 29, gave up a three-shot overnight lead, birdied No. 18 to make a playoff, and beat Brooke Henderson on the first extra hole Sunday to win the fourth women’s major of the year.

“This,” said the 25-year-old Ryu, drenched in Champagne and cradling the trophy in her left arm, “is just a dream right now.”

Henderson was looking to be the first repeat winner of the Evian Championship since it became women’s golf’s fifth major in 2013.

Johnson wins at Firestone for first senior major title

ASSOCIATEd PRESS PHOTOS By KIN CHEUNG

Jannik Sinner celebrates after winning a point against Alexander Zverev in the men’s singles final at Wimbledon on Sunday in London. behind the baseline.

Zverev grasped his knee in apparent discomfort and Sinner went around the net and helped his opponent up off the grass.

Zverev quickly resumed playing but he appeared slightly hampered and slung his racket across the baseline in frustration when he missed a forehand and handed Sinner the first break of the match and a 5-3 lead in the third. Sinner then served it out.

Zverev had also lost 14 straight sets to Sinner and when he claimed the opening set of the final with a forehand winner up the line to conclude a tight tiebreaker, he let out a loud roar toward his box as he bent over in celebration.

Zverev cranked out serves at up to 139 mph, while Sinner produced a series of well-placed aces at a slightly lower speed.

But Sinner began to read Zverev’s serve better in the second-set tiebreaker, and Zverev started to miss forehands.

“He showed once again why he’s the best player in the world,” Zverev said.

Sinner produced 58 winners to Zverev’s 49 and had only 25 unforced errors to Zverev’s 45.

Zverev led 17-15 in aces.

Jannik Sinner kisses the winner’s trophy after defeating Alexander Zverev at Wimbledon on Sunday in London.

30-match winning streak ended after coming within one game of a straight-set victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who was ranked No. 56.

Conditions were cooler in southwest London for the final, with clear skies and a temperature of 82 degrees, but it was also breezy — which led to a series of shanked shots from both players.

Sinner went in for medical exParis meltdown ams in Milan after the Paris deAmid stifling heat and humidity feat and didn’t play an official in Paris in late May, Sinner had his match again until he arrived at

drillers win opener of American Legion state tourney 12-2

BY MIKE COPPAGE Contributing writer

STAFF PHOTO By BRAd KEMP

Lafayette drillers baserunner Kaleb Simon crosses home plate for a run during a win over St. Landry Bank on Saturday at Miller Field in Crowley.

The drillers won their American Legion state tournament opener 12-2 in six innings. based Indians in the regular season and spinning a four-hitter with seven strikeouts on Saturday.

“Everybody knows it’s all about pitching,” Knight said of the key to winning the double-elimination tourney. “To only use one arm today, that’s really big and sets us up pretty good down the road.”

The Drillers scored all five runs in the fifth inning with no outs. Catcher Owen Domingue, who had two hits, got things started with a single. Ashton Ce-

AKRON, Ohio — Zach Johnson won his first PGA Tour Champions major in the final event at Firestone Country Club, closing with a 2-under 68 for a six-shot victory Sunday in the Kaulig Companies Championship.

Johnson had a 63 in the third round that staked him to a fourshot lead entering the final round, and even with a pair of bogeys in his opening four holes, no one came particularly close. Johnson chipped in from 20 feet on his last hole.

It was Johnson’s third win in his rookie season on the 50-and-older tour, allowing him to close the gap on Stewart Cink in the Charles Schwab Cup. The win makes Johnson eligible for The Players Championship next year.

Kim gets back on track with Scottish Open victory

Wimbledon, where he twice had to come back from a set down in a five-set marathon against Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round.

Sinner then didn’t drop a set the rest of the way until the final, having dominated against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

Despite the defeat in the final, Zverev will leapfrog Alcaraz into the No. 2 spot in the rankings on Monday.

Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon this year due to a right wrist injury.

Lafayette Drillers off to good start at state

Every year, the Lafayette Drillers coaching staff preaches the importance of winning the first game of the American Legion state tournament.

The Drillers got that done in emphatic fashion on Saturday in Crowley, pounding the St. Landry Bank Indians 12-2 in six innings to advance in the winners’ bracket, where they faced GautierAmedee on Sunday. The rest of the tourney will be at Fabacher Field in Youngsville.

“The last two years, we underproduced and lost the first one,” Drillers coach Kason Knight said.

After two scoreless innings, Lafayette posted a pair of threerun frames before breaking the game wide open with a five-spot in the fifth. Six players had multiple hits.

“Our guys do a really good job of buying into our approach,” Knight said, “On top of that, our starting pitcher (Ace Dupuis) gave us a helluva performance.”

Dupuis defeated the Indians for the second time this season.

The pitcher from Southside High threw a complete game both times, blanking the Opelousas-

Ryu wins Evian in playoff for 2nd straight major title

lestine, Camren Roberts, Jackson Breaux, Braxton Boudreaux and Kyzer White each finished with at least two hits.

“Our lineup does a really good job of playing the game the right way,” Knight said. “We play fast; we play small ball when we have to, but we also put it in the gaps. I think we saw that today.”

Leadoff hitter Celestine and White each drove in three runs.

White ripped a ball to the deepest area of the park in center field to score Breaux (three hits) and end

the game with one out in the sixth inning.

In the third inning, Kaleb Simon opened the scoring with a double that brought in Celestine.

Domingue added a single that scored two runs.

“Owen is a huge piece of our offense,” Knight said of the rising senior from St. Thomas More.

“He’s gotten consistently better week after week.”

The Drillers are expected to start left-hander Beau Cormier, the clean-up hitter, on the mound on Sunday.

“He knows how to pitch,” Knight said. “He throws five pitches for strikes. He won a lot of games for Acadiana Renaissance and has won a lot of games for us.”

In addition to a stellar offensive performance, Roberts was big defensively at second base. The rising junior at Lafayette Christian robbed the Indians of a hit with the bases loaded in the fourth inning and later snagged a line drive that ended in a double play.

“I get to coach him at LCA,” Knight said of Roberts. “He’s our starting shortstop. He does a great job defensively, and he is really putting his at-bats together right now. It’s fun to watch.”

“This group of guys is something special,” Roberts said. “One through nine, we hit, and whenever you play the defense like we played today, it’s unmatched.

“We have a chance to go deep in this tournament.”

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland — Tom Kim played bogey-free during a tight race to the finish Sunday and closed with a 6-under 64 for a twoshot victory in the Scottish Open, his first PGA Tour title since the fall of 2023.

It was the latest and best sign the 24-year-old Kim had his game on track after spending all season outside the top 100 in the world.

He finished with a 4-foot par putt on the 18th as his closest pursuer, Min Woo Lee, watched from the 18th fairway and realized he needed to hole out from the fairway to force a playoff. Lee closed with a par for a 67 to finish alone in second.

Matt Fitzpatrick, who shared the 54-hole lead with Robert MacIntyre, had a 69 and tied for third with MacIntyre (69), Keita Nakajima (67) and Johnny Keefer (67).

D’backs place RHP Gallen on 15-day IL due to elbow

LOS ANGELES — The Arizona Diamondbacks placed right-hander Zac Gallen on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, while left-hander Mitch Bratt was recalled to start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

Gallen was supposed to start the final game before the All-Star break before manager Torey Lovullo announced a change late Saturday.

Gallen, 30, has struggled for more than a month, going 0-5 with an 8.24 ERA over his past eight starts, going back to May 29. He is 3-9 on the season with a 6.34 ERA over 19 starts.

A 2023 All-Star and veteran of eight major league seasons, Gallen is 69-61 with a 3.83 ERA over 195 career starts.

McGregor had no prior knee injury, manager says

LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor’s manager said in a social media post Sunday that fighter did not have a previous knee injury prior to his shortened UFC 329 fight with Max Holloway.

McGregor’s first fight in five years lasted just 1:09 due to a knee injury sustained while attempting an opening roundhouse kick.

“That opening jump switch kick was drilled daily for months, multiple times in warmup. Never an issue,” John Kavanagh wrote on Facebook. “Knee went when he (threw) the very first kick. Doesn’t get any worse than this.”

McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the octagon ended in disappointment when he awkwardly landed on his right knee in the opening seconds of Saturday’s fight.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Monday, July 13, 2026 ● 3C

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PELICANS

Continued from page 1C Summer League play.

In Thursday’s opening loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, he played just 12 minutes and finished with two points.

He scored 12 points in 25 minutes in Saturday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets. He was 0-for7 on 3-pointers in the first two games, but finally knocked down some treys (3-for-10) Sunday. He also recorded three rebounds.

“I feel like I’ve shown my resilience, my toughness,” Pierre said. “Just me being from New Orleans, I’m showing that dog that I’ve got.”

Malik Dia, a 6-foot-9 undrafted forward from Ole Miss, led the Pelicans with 18 points and eight rebounds in his best game in Las Vegas. Dia, who came off the bench, shot 6-of-12 from the floor.

“It’s just being confident in who I am.” Dia said.” I love this game.

I spend so much time on it and I’m just coming out here playing another game.”

Kobe Bufkin, who has been the Pelicans’ most productive offensive player in Summer League, chipped in 15 points. Bufkin, drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the No. 15 overall pick in 2023, is averaging 21.3 points through the first three games.

That includes a team-best 30 points in the opener.

New Orleans native Solomon

RECEIVER

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.

Florida wide receiver Eugene Wilson runs with the ball after a catch against Kentucky on Oct. 19, 2024. Wilson signed with LSU during the transfer portal period.

Continued from page 1C

Jackson Harris

There is some projection with Harris because the former Stanford receiver returns to the Power Four after an All-Mountain West season at Hawaii.

But as far as body type and skill set, Harris is similar to one of Leavitt’s favorite receivers of yesteryear, Jordan Tyson, who regularly sprinted his 6-2, 200-pound frame down the field and won his share of 50-50 balls.

Harris, at 6-2, 200 pounds, came down with 16 of 22 throws that were contested in 2025, according to PFF. He averaged 19.7 yards per reception, along with an average depth of 15.7 yards on his targets.

Those are numbers a gunslinging QB loves to see.

He has to prove he can do it in the SEC before Harris is in the discussion with Tyson, picked No. 8 by the Saints in April, as Leavitt’s all-time favorite pass catcher. But there’s a readymade role for Harris to play, if he can seize it.

Same for Old Dominion transfer Tre’ Brown, another outside receiver who stands 6-2, 190 and averaged 20 yards per catch in 2025.

Washington, a former Carver High standout who was named Louisiana’s Mr. Basketball in 2022, got his first action in Summer League play. The undrafted rookie missed his only shot attempt in his nine minutes of play, but recorded three rebounds and two assists.

Melvin Council dished out a teambest four assists to go with his nine points.

Phoenix rookie forward Koa Peat, the younger brother of former Saints’ offensive lineman Andrus Peat, finished with 12 points and four rebounds for the Suns.

The Pelicans play their fourth game Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

AP FILE PHOTO

By GARy MCCULLOUGH slot for nearly 83 percent of his snaps, flashing his potential as a route-runner extraordinaire.

Those skills were on full display in a road win at Oklahoma. Watkins finished with 111 yards on just four catches, gliding across the middle for a 40-yard catch-and-run to set up a go-ahead score. Then he crossed up a defensive back on a 43-yard slant and go.

Watkins is still young, but he really fits the bill as a reliable, sure-handed slot receiver who not only offers Leavitt an outlet in the quick passing game but also finds open space when the scrambling QB goes off-script.

than he produced in his next two seasons combined (46 receptions for 505 yards).

But if the former top-50 recruit rediscovers his playmaking potential, he’s a versatile athlete who can line up just about anywhere, comes in and out of his breaks efficiently, and flashes an ability to make tough catches.

The 5-11, 190-pound wideout lined up in the slot 52% of the time last season, but he was also brought in motion and stretched defenses horizontally on jet sweeps.

He’s just been on a downward trajectory since 2023, posting an Winston Watkins 81.8 PFF grade as a freshman, then a 71.9 as a sophomore, then a 57 as Watkins has a head start, endeara redshirt sophomore. ing himself to his new quarterback Eugene Wilson Maybe a fresh start helps. Maybecause he should know Kiffin and Wilson was a Freshman AllCharlie Weis Jr.’s offense better American in 2023, but injuries be a more aggressive scheme than anyone. limited the 5-11, 190-pound wide- — he averaged just 7.4 yards of The 5-10, 182-pound sophomore out to nine starts over the past two depth on his targets last season — better suits him. played his freshman season at Ole seasons at Florida.

Wilson is more of a dark horse, Miss, hauling in 26 passes for 373 He had more catches (61) and yards and a score. He was in the yards (538) as a true freshman but he’s very much in the running.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAd KEMP

UL pitcher Cody Brasch throws to first to get an out against Cincinnati during a game in the NCAA Starkville Regional on May 29 at dudy Noble Field in Starkville, Miss. Brasch was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the eighth round of Sunday’s MLB draft.

BRASCH

Continued from page 1C

becoming a Major League Baseball player.”

The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder began his only season with the Cajuns after transferring from Tyler Junior College as the team’s closer, before moving to the Friday night starter the second half of the season.

In 742/ 3 innings, Brasch allowed 53 hits, walked 21 and struck out 82. Opponents hit .197. He finished 6-3 with six saves and a 2.77 ERA. After not having a player drafted last summer for the first time in UL program history since 2013, Brasch started a streak with his selection in the eighth round on Sunday.

In 2024, Kyle DeBarge became the highest draft pick in program history when he was taken with the No. 33 overall pick in the first round by the Minnesota Twins.

LP Langevin was later taken in the fourth round that season by Kansas City.

In 2023, UL made more noise in the first eight rounds with Car- Email Kevin Foote at kfoote@ son Roccaforte selected at No. 66 theadvocate.com.

LSU

Continued from page 1C snatched up by the Miami Marlins in the fourth.

On Sunday, five LSU relievers were taken in the later rounds.

Right-hander Grant Fontenot was picked in the 10th round by the Kansas City Royals at No. 299 overall; left-hander Santiago Garcia was taken in the 12th round by the Toronto Blue Jays at No. 372 overall; and the Marlins took righthander Connor Benge in the 13th round at No. 385 overall.

The New York Mets also picked right-hander Gavin Guidry in the 16th round with the 480th overall pick, and the Guardians selected right-hander Zac Cowan with the No. 573 overall pick in the 19th round.

Outfielders Derek Curiel and Jake Brown, and right-hander Deven Sheerin were the Tigers taken on Day 1 of the draft. Curiel was the No. 5 overall pick, selected by the Pirates, while the Seattle Mariners took Brown in the second round and the Philadelphia Phillies snatched up Sheerin in the fourth.

High school signees lost Blomker was the first Tiger of any kind to be taken before the 10th round. At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, he attended Las Cueva High in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has a fastball that reaches the mid-90s, but his strength on the mound is his ability to throw multiple breaking balls at a high level.

One scout who spoke with The Advocate said that he’s the best prospect to come out of New Mexico since LSU star Steven Milam.

“He has all the ingredients if you read it on a piece of paper,” the scout said. “That sounds like it’s a starter with four pitches, and they flash average or better, and there are outings where you show up one time, and he’s throwing 65% strikes. And then you show up another time, and you read everything, and you’re like, this guy has nothing.”

Evans was the only left-handed pitching signee from LSU taken in the draft. He attended TNXL Academy in Ocoee, Florida, and is from Ocoee. He was the No. 194 player in MLB.com’s draft rankings and throws a fastball that

STAFF FILEF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU pitcher Grant Fontenot delivers a pitch against South Carolina in the ninth inning on May 2 at Alex Box Stadium. Fontenot was picked in the 10th round of the MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals. reaches the mid-90s, along with a slider.

His biggest issue, according to scouts, was his inability to consistently throw strikes. Two scouts who spoke with The Advocate before the draft thought he’d make it to LSU. “I think he kind of falls in the bucket of the high school guy that you have to scout in case he ends up being signable or in case he comes out and has like a huge spring or something,” one scout said. “Everybody knew who he was, obviously. And there’s some upside in him, but I think he ends up at school.”

Evans’ TNXL teammate and fellow LSU signee Coleton Brady announced Saturday night that he’d be going to school and withdrawing from the draft. Brady was one of four LSU signees to withdraw their name from the draft before Sunday.

Adams was the top-ranked recruit in MLB.com’s rankings who was selected after the 10th round.

He attended Hoover High in Alabama and is one of the top recruits

in LSU’s 2026 class. He was the No. 57 player in The Athletic’s draft rankings and a top-130 player in ESPN and MLB.com’s lists.

He won the Gatorade Player of the Year Award in Alabama, hitting 13 home runs with a .489 batting average. He has some power, but is mostly known for his strong contact skills and patience at the plate. Adams is one of the most polished players in LSU’s class.

“Great kid, good hitter. Probably going to be like a corner type of defender. Left field, right field, first base, because he’s a lefthanded thrower,” a scout said.

“Good, good hitter. He could go there and play well as a freshman. He would really help him if he made it to school.”

The Nationals and Pirates took fliers on two of LSU’s top signees in the later rounds, in case they couldn’t sign one of their top picks.

LSU players in later rounds Fontenot had a career year as a fifth-year senior this spring.

He spent three seasons with the Tigers, redshirting as a freshman

overall in the second round by the Royals, before the Texas Rangers selected Julian Brock in the eighth round.

In 2021, Spencer Arrighetti was scooped up in the sixth round by Houston In 2020, Hayden Cantrelle was taken by Milwaukee in the fifth round.

Two years before that, pitcher Hogan Harris was taken in the third round (85th overall) by the Oakland Athletics.

In 2015, shortstop Blake Trahan was also a third-round pick by Cincinnati at No. 84 overall.

The only other top eight picks this century were catcher Jonathan Lucroy No. 101 overall in the third round by Milwaukee in 2007, outfielder Corey Coles No. 139 overall in the fifth round by the Mets in 2003, outfielder Seth Harrison in the seventh round by the Giants in 2014, pitcher Patrick Green in the seventh round

by Kansas City in 2004, catcher Danny Massiatte in the sixth round by Tampa Bay in 2000 and Scott Dohmann in the sixth round

by Colorado in 2000.

in 2022 before leaving the program for two years and returning to LSU in 2025. He posted a 7.20 ERA in limited work in his return to Baton Rouge, but posted a 4.18 ERA in 321/ 3 innings as a key piece in the Tigers’ bullpen this year.

“He got to pitch more this year than he ever had,” one scout said.

“So it kind of told you they believed in him more.”

Fontenot transferred to McLellan Community College after his freshman year at LSU. He then spent the 2024 season at Texas before returning to Baton Rouge.

After transferring in from Oregon, Garcia posted a 5.96 ERA in 222/ 3 innings in his lone season with the Tigers. He produced plenty of swings and misses — striking out 35 batters — but walks were an issue for the junior. He issued 17 of them and threw eight wild pitches during his time in Baton Rouge.

He transferred to LSU from Oregon last offseason, posting a 4.20 ERA as a sophomore in his only year with the Ducks. Before Oregon, Garcia spent his freshman season at Central Arizona Commu-

nity College, where he had a 3.04 ERA in 232/ 3 innings.

“He has a solid floor with that breaking ball; his velocity even ticked up later in the year,” a scout said. “And they actually started using him more.”

Benge had a 9.00 ERA in seven innings this season for the Tigers. He walked three batters and struck out 13 as a senior, spending two seasons with LSU after transferring in from Dallas Baptist.

In his first season at LSU, Benge had a 6.75 ERA in 16 innings. He owned a 5.73 ERA in his only season at Dallas Baptist and spent his freshman year at LSU Eunice.

“It’s hard to pitch when you’re looking over your shoulder right when you get in the game,” one scout said. “I don’t know how Jay (Johnson) didn’t know that, but if you throw one ball, and you’re like, ‘Okay, I’m already going to be out for the next guy.’ I just think, as someone who played, that’s no way to pitch.”

In four seasons with the Tigers, Guidry had a 4.66 ERA in 962/ 3 innings. He began his collegiate career as an infielder but moved to the mound midway through the year, ending the season with a 3.77 ERA and recording the final out of LSU’s national championship in 2023.

“I could see somebody taking him; he’s been around a while.

He’s worn the (number) eight at LSU, so there are probably some trustworthy traits there,” a scout told The Advocate. “He was a prospect in high school, and I could see if somebody’s just kind of taking a stab at him and getting him back to what they thought he could be.”

Cowan, meanwhile, was one of LSU’s most important pitchers over the past two seasons. He helped guide the Tigers to a national championship in 2025 and was one of their top relief pitchers this spring.

“Cowan kind of runs into the no fastball (problem). He’s a good changeup guy,” one scout said.

“But someone should give him a chance. He throws strikes. He’s a veteran guy. He can pitch in multiple roles.”

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

4C ● Monday, July 13, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

Alvarez’s 112th-minute goal helps lift Argentina

BY DAVE SKRETTA

AP sportswriter

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Perhaps it is in Argentina’s character that the reigning World Cup champion always finds a way to win.

Perhaps it is simply its ability to suffer.

Whether it was tiny Cape Verde taking them to extra time, or Egypt burying them in a two-goal hole late in their match, Lionel Messi and La Albiceleste have always been able to survive. And that was the case once more on Saturday night, when Julián Alvarez’s longrange strike in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martínez’s finish later in extra time sent them back to the semifinals with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Switzerland at raucous Arrowhead Stadium.

“We’re among the best four,” Alvarez said, “so we’re meeting our objectives, and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. The whole match was hard, and we would have loved to have the win earlier, but we tried to get the win however we could.”

“It seems like if there’s no suffering, it doesn’t count,” Argentina’s Leandro Paredes added, “but as long as the results come through.”

Alexis Mac Allister had the other goal off a corner kick from Messi for La Albiceleste, helping to send them into a showdown with England on Wednesday in Atlanta. The Three Lions beat Norway 2-1 earlier in the day.

Messi’s nine-game World Cup scoring streak ended, but his pursuit of a second World Cup title continues. With Argentina and England joining France and Spain in the semifinals, it’s the first time the top four teams in the FIFA rankings have advanced that far.

“A match is coming up,” Paredes said, “that every kid dreams of playing.”

The game against Switzerland swung on a call sure to rile up those

ASSOCIATEd PRESS PHOTO By CHARLIE RIEdEL

Argentina forward Julian Alvarez, center, celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup quarterfinal match against Switzerland on Saturday in Kansas City, Mo.

LATE SATURDAY who think Argentina has been favored by World Cup officials.

The Swiss had just tied the game on Dan Ndoye’s goal in the 67th minute when Paredes was shown a yellow card for a tackle on Breel Embolo. But video showed the Swiss player falling before the Argentina midfielder made contact with him, and since Embolo received a yellow card earlier in the match, he was sent off and Switzerland was left to defend with 10 players.

It was the second time a yellow card has been overturned using the “mistaken identity” protocol at the World Cup. The rule allows

the video assistant referee to intervene when an incorrect player is shown a yellow or red card.

“We were punished because of a rule that in my opinion is completely unacceptable,” Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said. “I don’t understand. It’s very painful that we were eliminated that way.

I don’t think we deserve that today, in my opinion.”

It was a maddening end to the Swiss’ first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 1954. They still have never made a semifinal, nor have they beaten Argentina in eight meetings — three of those in the tournament that matters the most.

“It was just a disaster,” Switzerland’s Remo Freuler said of the red

card.

Argentina has made its base for the past month in Kansas City, training at the home of Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City while winning over thousands of new fans. And on Saturday night, they filled Arrowhead Stadium for the second time this tournament, hoping to see Messi make more magic after his hat trick against Algeria in the same building a few weeks ago.

It was brutally hot and humid throughout the day, but the temperatures began to fall with the setting sun, producing a picturesque setting for the 100th match of an expanded World Cup, and the final match of the quarterfinal round.

The defensive-minded Swiss had

only conceded three goals in five games, and they dominated the ball in the opening minutes. But leave it to Messi, whose eight goals in the tournament are tied for the most with France’s Kylian Mbappé, to send a jolt through that heavily pro-Argentina crowd which included Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

He helped to earn an early corner kick with some nifty footwork, then delivered the ball that Mac Allister turned into a 1-0 lead.

For most of the match, the Swiss struggled to break down an Argentina back line that had conceded two goals apiece in its last two games. And it didn’t help their cause that they were playing without Johan Manzabi, one of their best goal-scorers, who remained out with a knee injury after missing their round of 16 penalty shootout win over Colombia.

But after forcing Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez into making a couple of tough secondhalf saves, the Swiss broke through when Ricardo Rodriguez slipped a tidy pass to Ndoye and he easily found the back of the net.

Whatever momentum the equalizer gave the Swiss disappeared with Embolo’s red card a few minutes later.

Argentina turned up the pressure with Mac Allister missing wide with a header in the 89th minute, and Messi creating an opportunity in front of the goal that he sent just wide in the second minute of stoppage time, leaving the game tied into extra time.

There, just as they have all tournament, La Albiceleste found a way to keep their quest for backto-back championships alive.

“We knew this could happen,” Argentina midfielder Thiago Almada said. “They have top players, very good position, they were trying to find people inside. We knew how to hold up and we made it through.”

SCOREBOARD Hole-in-one Mike Gill Course: Pelican Point Golf Club Hole number, yardage: #4, 174 Yards Club used: 7 Hybrid Witnesses: Tim Carmouche, Scott Decoteau, Shane Waguespack, Lucas Zimmerman

World Cup QUARTERFINAL Thursday

France 2, Morocco 0

Friday

Spain 2, Belgium 1

Saturday

Norway 1, England 2, OT Argentina vs. Switzerland, n

SEMIFINAL Tuesday

France vs. Spain, 2 p.m.

Wednesday

England vs. Argentina, 2 p.m.

THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF July 18

TBD, 4 p.m.

FINAL

July 19

TBD, 2 p.m.

Odds MLB Sunday

American League FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG at BALTIMORE -150 Kansas City at TAMPA BAY -146 Seattle at MINNESOTA -137 LA Angels at CHI. WHITE SOX -132 Athletics at TEXAS -138 Houston National League FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG at PITTSBURGH -129 Milwaukee Chicago Cubs -131 at CINCIN. at ST. LOUIS -129 Atlanta at SAN FRANCISCO -145 Colorado at LA DODGERS -323 Arizona Interleague FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG N.Y Yankees -116 at WASHINGTON Cleveland -115 at MIAMI at DETROIT -130 Philadelphia Boston -111 at N.Y METS Toronto -111 at SAN DIEGO

LINE +123 +119 +112 +108 +114 LINE +106 +108 +105 +119 +252 LINE -106 -107 +107 -110 -110

Pro basketball WNBA Glance EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlanta Indiana New York Washington Toronto Chicago Connecticut

W 13 13 13 10 9 7 5

L 9 9 10 10 13 15 18

Pct .591 .591 .565 .500 .409 .318 .217

Minnesota Las Vegas Golden State Dallas Los Angeles Portland Phoenix Seattle

W 17 16 17 15 10 9 8 6

L 6 6 7 8 11 13 15 18

Pct GB .739 — .727 ½ .708 ½ .652 2 .476 6 .409 7½ .348 9 .250 11½

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Saturday’s games

Minnesota 90, New York 85 Portland 102, Atlanta 92 Las Vegas 106, Phoenix 58

Sunday’s Games

Washington 84, Seattle 79 Toronto 93, New York 91 Chicago at Dallas, n Indiana at Las Vegas, n

Monday’s games

Los Angeles at Atlanta, 6 p.m.

Phoenix at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Pro golf Genesis Scottish Open par scores Sunday

At The Renaissance Club North Berwick, United Kingdom Purse: $9 million Yardage: 7,282; Par: 70 Final Round

GB — — ½ 2 4 6 8½

Tom Kim, South Korea 65-66-68-64—263-17 Min Woo Lee, Australia 66-66-66-67—265-15 Matt Fitzpatrick, England 67-65-66-69—267-13 John Keefer, USA 68-68-64-67—267-13 R. MacIntyre, Scot.

67-66-65-69—267-13 Keita Nakajima, Japan 67-66-67-67—267-13 Rory McIlroy, N. Ireland 65-66-73-64—268-12 M. Thorbjornsen, USA 66-68-65-69—268-12 Si Woo Kim, South Korea 70-67-66-66—269-11 Victor Perez, France 69-64-70-66—269-11 Chris Gotterup, USA 68-65-66-71—270-10 Kevin Roy, USA 67-68-65-70—270-10 Wyndham Clark, USA 67-67-66-71—271 -9 Tommy Fleetwood, Eng. 67-70-66-68—271 -9 Viktor Hovland, Norway 68-70-69-64—271 -9 Patrick Reed, USA 68-67-68-68—271 -9 Francesco Molinari, Italy 68-69-67-68—272 -8 Alejandro Del Rey, Spain 72-66-65-69—272 -8 Tyrrell Hatton, England 70-66-67-69—272 -8 Joost Luiten, Netherlands 67-66-70-69—272 -8 Cameron Davis, Australia 70-66-70-67—273 -7 M. Schmid, Germany 68-69-67-69—273 -7 Jordan L. Smith, England 68-63-72-70—273 -7 Danny Willett, England 67-67-67-72—273 -7 Casey Jarvis, South Africa 68-68-68-69—273 -7 Ryan Gerard, USA 68-67-68-71—274 -6 N. Hojgaard, Denmark 68-66-70-70—274 -6 Nick Taylor, Canada 70-67-69-68—274 -6 M. Armitage, England 68-67-67-72—274 -6 Austin Eckroat, USA 70-66-69-70—275 -5 Ryan Fox, New Zealand 71-65-69-70—275 -5 Mac Meissner, USA 71-67-64-73—275 -5 Karl Vilips, Australia 70-64-68-73—275 -5 Tom McKibbin, N. Ireland 67-71-67-70—275 -5 Andy Sullivan, England 68-68-69-70—275 -5 N. Echavarria, Colombia 68-70-69-69—276 -4 Max Greyserman, USA 69-69-69-69—276 -4 Brian Harman, USA 70-68-70-68—276 -4 R. Hojgaard, Denmark 65-73-70-68—276 -4 R. N.-Petersen, Denmark 68-68-65-75—276 -4 Oliver Lindell, Finland 66-69-69-72—276 -4 Shaun Norris, S. Africa 68-70-71-67—276 -4 Jon Rahm, Spain 73-65-68-70—276 -4 Ricky Castillo, USA 70-66-70-71—277 -3 Kurt Kitayama, USA 66-72-71-68—277 -3 J.J. Spaun, USA 68-70-67-72—277 -3 Calum Hill, Scotland 67-69-69-72—277 -3 Mikael Lindberg, Sweden 69-68-68-72—277 -3 Darius Van Driel, Neth.

70-65-70-72—277 -3 Justin Thomas, USA 69-67-69-73—278 -2 Laurie Canter, England 69-68-70-71—278 -2 Michael Brennan, USA 67-71-71-70—279 -1 Corey Conners, Canada 67-70-71-71—279 -1 Andrew Putnam, USA 71-65-70-73—279 -1 Jesper Svensson, Sweden 70-68-67-74—279 -1 S. Yellamaraju, Canada 68-65-69-77—279 -1 E. Lopez-Chacarra, Spain 70-68-73-68—279 -1 N. Von D., Germany 69-64-72-74—279 -1

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship par scores Saturday

At Hazeltine Chaska, Minn.

Purse: $13 million Yardage: 6,760; Par: 72 Third Round Hae-Ran Ryu Brooke Henderson Ina Yoon A Lim Kim Dewi Weber Nelly Korda Alison Lee Karis Davidson Auston Kim Dongeun Lee Allisen Corpuz Isabella Fierro Ayaka Furue Nataliya Guseva Esther Henseleit Jeeno Thitikul Miyu Yamashita Amy Yang Nasa Hataoka Aki Iwai Sei Young Kim Jenny Shin Patty Tavatanakit Jing Yan Pajaree Anannarukarn Manon De Roey Lydia Ko Andrea Lee Alexa Pano Mao Saigo Weiwei Zhang In Gee Chun Minami Katsu Grace Kim Hyo Joo Kim Shiho Kuwaki Somi Lee 7 Gaby Lopez Carolina Melgrati Shannon Tan Robyn Choi Perrine Delacour Anna Huang Jin Young Ko Nanna Koerstz Madsen Sung Hyun Park

73-64-68—205 -11 69-68-69—206 -10 63-69-75—207 -9 67-70-71—208 -8 70-70-68—208 -8 70-68-71—209 -7 69-72-68—209 -7 65-74-71—210 -6 71-70-69—210 -6 69-69-72—210 -6 71-70-70—211 -5 72-72-68—212 -4 69-71-72—212 -4 70-72-70—212 -4 69-74-69—212 -4 69-71-72—212 -4 72-70-70—212 -4 69-72-71—212 -4 70-67-76—213 -3 70-72-71—213 -3 72-71-70—213 -3 71-69-73—213 -3 71-68-74—213 -3 69-71-73—213 -3 71-72-71—214 -2 72-72-70—214 -2 76-69-69—214 -2 69-72-73—214 -2 67-76-71—214 -2 72-71-71—214 -2 71-68-75—214 -2 73-71-71—215 -1 72-72-71—215 -1 72-71-72—215 -1 71-72-72—215 -1 72-71-72—215 -1 1-71-73—215 -1 71-73-71—215 -1 72-71-72—215 -1 72-72-71—215 -1 72-71-73—216 E 71-71-74—216 E 73-70-73—216 E 72-71-73—216 E 69-76-71—216 E 72-73-71—216 E

Pornanong Phatlum 74-71-71—216 E Maja Stark 73-67-76—216 E Hye Jin Choi 68-77-72—217 +1 Gemma Dryburgh 73-72-72—217 +1 Wei-Ling Hsu 69-72-76—217 +1 MinJi Kang 72-73-72—217 +1 Leona Maguire 75-69-73—217 +1 Ruoning Yin 71-73-73—217 +1 Briana Chacon 73-72-73—218 +2 Nastasia Nadaud 7 1-74-73—218 +2 Anna Nordqvist 73-72-73—218 +2 Rose Zhang 73-72-73—218 +2 Saki Baba 73-71-75—219 +3 Yan Liu 74-71-74—219 +3 Jessica Porvasnik 70-75-74—219 +3 Pauline Roussin-Bouchard 72-73-74—219 +3 Celine Boutier 75-69-76—220 +4 Jiwon Jeon 72-71-77—220 +4 Megan Khang 68-73-79—220 +4 Hinako Shibuno 71-73-78—222 +6 C. Lopez-Chacarra Coto 76-69-79—224 +8 Aline Krauter 68-76-81—225 +9 Nicole Felce 75-70-81—226 +10 Angel Yin 71-71-WD Ryann O’Toole 74-75-WD

Tennis

Saturday’s games

48 55 59

.500 .427 .398

12½ 19½ 22½

Pittsburgh 7, Milwaukee 6, 1st game San Francisco 4, Colorado 2 Pittsburgh 3, Milwaukee 2, 2nd game Cleveland 4, Miami 1 N.Y. Yankees 4, Washington 2 Boston 4, N.Y. Mets 0 Philadelphia 4, Detroit 2 St. Louis 4, Atlanta 1 Chicago Cubs 5, Cincinnati 3 San Diego 8, Toronto 7 Arizona 9, L.A. Dodgers 2

Sunday’s games

Pittsburgh 14, Milwaukee 5 Boston 3, N.Y. Mets 2, 10 innings Philadelphia 5, Detroit 0 N.Y. Yankees 5, Washington 3 Chicago Cubs 8, Cincinnati 4 Cleveland 5, Miami 2 Atlanta 4, St. Louis 3 San Francisco 3, Colorado 1 San Diego 5, Toronto 4 Arizona 5, L.A. Dodgers 3 None scheduled.

League Leaders

Sunday

AMERICAN LEAGUE

At All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club London Purse: $30,327,600 Surface: Grass

Women’s Doubles

Championship Kristina Mladenovic, France, and Hanyu Guo (10), China, def. Gabriela Dabrowski, Canada, and Luisa Stefani (2), Brazil, 6-3, 7-5.

Major League Baseball American League glance East Division Tampa Bay New York Boston Baltimore Toronto

W 56 54 46 46 45

L 38 42 48 51 50

Pct .596 .563 .489 .474 .474

GB — 3 10 11½ 11½

Cleveland Chicago Minnesota Detroit Kansas City

W 51 50 48 44 38

L 46 45 49 52 59

Pct .526 .526 .495 .458 .392

GB — — 3 6½ 13

Texas Seattle Houston Athletics Los Angeles

W 49 48 47 41 38

L 47 49 51 55 59

Pct .510 .495 .480 .427 .392

GB — 1½ 3 8 11½

Central Division

West Division

Saturday’s games

Chicago White Sox 1, Athletics 0 Minnesota 5, L.A. Angels 3 Tampa Bay 6, Seattle 1 Cleveland 4, Miami 1 N.Y. Yankees 4, Washington 2 Boston 4, N.Y. Mets 0 Philadelphia 4, Detroit 2 Baltimore 6, Kansas City 1 Houston 9, Texas 3 San Diego 8, Toronto 7

Sunday’s games

Boston 3, N.Y. Mets 2, 10 innings Philadelphia 5, Detroit 0 N.Y. Yankees 5, Washington 3 Chicago White Sox 9, Athletics 1 Seattle 8, Tampa Bay 2 Baltimore 8, Kansas City 2 Minnesota 4, L.A. Angels 2 Cleveland 5, Miami 2 Texas 6, Houston 5 San Diego 5, Toronto 4

Monday’s games None scheduled.

National League glance East Division Atlanta Philadelphia Miami Washington New York

W 55 54 52 48 40

Central Division

West Division Los Angeles Arizona

48 41 39

Monday’s games

Wimbledon results

Milwaukee Chicago St. Louis Pittsburgh Cincinnati

San Diego San Francisco Colorado

W 59 54 50 50 43

W 61 49

L 40 43 45 49 57

Pct .579 .557 .536 .495 .412

GB — 2 4 8 16

L 37 42 45 47 52

Pct .615 .563 .526 .515 .453

GB — 5 8½ 9½ 15½

Pct .629 .510

GB — 11½

L 36 47

BATTING—Y.Díaz, Tampa Bay, .322; Alvarez, Houston, .318; Jo.Jung, Texas, .298; Aranda, Tampa Bay, .297; Clement, Toronto, .296; Greene, Detroit, .288; Antonacci, Chicago, .287; Arozarena, Seattle, .286; Witt, Kansas City, .286; Contreras, Boston, .285.

RUNS—Neto, Los Angeles, 67; Alvarez, Houston, 65; Rice, New York, 64; Vargas, Chicago, 64; Caminero, Tampa Bay, 61; Kurtz, Athletics, 61; Alonso, Baltimore, 59; Arozarena, Seattle, 59; McGonigle, Detroit, 58; Trout, Los Angeles, 58.

RBI—Alvarez, Houston, 70; Rice, New York, 68; Kurtz, Athletics, 66; Alonso, Baltimore, 65; Aranda, Tampa Bay, 64; Okamoto, Toronto, 62; Contreras, Boston, 61; Dingler, Detroit, 60; Bell, Minnesota, 60; Vargas, Chicago, 59; Caminero, Tampa Bay, 59.

HITS—Alvarez, Houston, 111; Y.Díaz, Tampa Bay, 111; Clement, Toronto, 106; Witt, Kansas City, 103; Aranda, Tampa Bay, 101; Jo.Jung, Texas, 100; Caminero, Tampa Bay, 99; Greene, Detroit, 99; McGonigle, Detroit, 99; Rafaela, Boston, 96.

DOUBLES—Clement, Toronto, 23; Jo.Jung, Texas, 23; Rafaela, Boston, 22; Witt, Kansas City, 22; Arozarena, Seattle, 21; Bell, Minnesota, 21; Nimmo, Texas, 21; Soderstrom, Athletics, 21; W.Abreu, Boston, 20; Neto, Los Angeles, 20; Peters, Chicago, 20; Vargas, Chicago, 20.

TRIPLES—C.Simpson, Tampa Bay, 6; Taveras, Baltimore, 5; Nimmo, Texas, 4; W.Abreu, Boston, 3; Bellinger, New York, 3; Clemens, Minnesota, 3; McGonigle, Detroit, 3; Peters, Chicago, 3; Rafaela, Boston, 3; Rice, New York, 3.

HOME RUNS—Alvarez, Houston, 31; Rice, New York, 29; Caminero, Tampa Bay, 28; Buxton, Minnesota, 25; C.Montgomery, Chicago, 23; Okamoto, Toronto, 22; Vargas, Chicago, 21; Langeliers, Athletics, 21; Alonso, Baltimore, 21; Murakami, Chicago, 20; Contreras, Boston, 20; Kurtz, Athletics, 20; C.Walker, Houston, 20.

STOLEN BASES—Witt, Kansas City, 30; Chisholm, New York, 26; Ramírez, Cleveland, 24; Caballero, New York, 22; C.Simpson, Tampa Bay, 22; Arozarena, Seattle, 19; J.Naylor, Seattle, 18; Acuña, Chicago, 15; Rocchio, Cleveland, 15; J.Duran, Boston, 14; Mullins, Tampa Bay, 14.

PITCHING—S.Gray, Boston, 11-1; G.Williams, Cleveland, 10-4; Bradley, Minnesota, 9-3; D.Martin, Chicago, 9-4; Schlittler, New York, 9-5; Eovaldi, Texas, 9-7; N.Martinez, Tampa Bay, 8-2; Cantillo, Cleveland, 8-4; Messick, Cleveland, 8-5; Lambert, Houston, 8-5; McClanahan, Tampa Bay, 8-5.

ERA—Schlittler, New York, 2.048; S.Gray, Boston, 2.540; Cease, Toronto, 2.563; N.Martinez, Tampa Bay, 2.649; Messick, Cleveland, 2.732; Ryan, Minnesota, 2.855; Hancock, Seattle, 3.171; Rasmussen, Tampa Bay, 3.262; L.Gilbert, Seattle, 3.316; Montero, Detroit, 3.329.

STRIKEOUTS—Cease, Toronto, 148; Schlittler, New York, 137; G.Williams, Cleveland, 134; Ryan, Minnesota, 128; Detmers, Los Angeles, 123; deGrom, Texas, 122; Eovaldi, Texas, 120; L.Gilbert, Seattle, 119; Bradley, Minnesota, 118; Gausman, Toronto, 116.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

BATTING—O.Lopez, Miami, .334; Arraez, San Francisco, .330; Gonzales, Pittsburgh, .308; X.Edwards, Miami, .303; J.Lee, San Francisco, .302; Johnston, Colorado, .301; Marsh, Philadelphia, .301; McCarthy, Colorado, .301; Harris, Atlanta, .296; Rumfield, Colorado, .296.

RUNS—Wood, Washington, 89; Reynolds, Pittsburgh, 68; Turang, Milwaukee, 66; Olson, Atlanta, 64; Crow-Armstrong, Chicago, 63; Ohtani, Los Angeles, 63; Turner, Philadelphia, 62; J.Walker, St. Louis, 62; Albies, Atlanta, 61; O.Lopez, Miami, 61.

RBI—J.Walker, St. Louis, 74; L.García, Washington, 68; Abrams, Washington, 67; Burleson, St. Louis, 67; Pages, Los Angeles, 66; S.Stewart, Cincinnati, 65; B.Lowe, Pittsburgh, 64; Wood, Washington, 64; O’Hearn, Pittsburgh, 63; Turang, Milwaukee, 60.

HITS—O.Lopez, Miami, 127; Arraez, San Francisco, 119; X.Edwards, Miami, 107; J.Walker, St. Louis, 105; Crow-Armstrong, Chicago, 104; Gonzales, Pittsburgh, 104; F.Freeman, Los Angeles, 103; Tatis, San Diego, 103; Wood, Washington, 103; Marsh, Philadelphia, 102.

DOUBLES—O.Lopez, Miami, 26; Devers, San Francisco, 25; Olson, Atlanta, 24; Burleson, St. Louis, 23; F.Freeman, Los Angeles, 23; Hoerner, Chicago, 23; Johnston, Colorado, 23; Turang, Milwaukee, 23; Wood, Washington, 23; Reynolds, Pittsburgh, 22; S.Stewart, Cincinnati, 22.

TRIPLES—Carroll, Arizona, 10; Arraez, San Francisco, 7; X.Edwards, Miami, 6; O.Lopez, Miami, 6; McCarthy, Colorado, 6; CrowArmstrong, Chicago, 4; Stott, Philadelphia, 4; 16 tied at 3.

HOME RUNS—Schwarber, Philadelphia, 32; Wood, Washington, 28; Goodman, Colorado, 27; Olson, Atlanta, 25; J.Walker, St. Louis, 22; J.Soto, New York, 21; Ohtani, Los Angeles, 21; B.Lowe, Pittsburgh, 21; Crow-Armstrong, Chicago, 21; L.García, Washington, 20; Harper, Philadelphia, 20; Abrams, Washington, 20.

STOLEN BASES—Nuñez, Washington, 34; Crow-Armstrong, Chicago, 24; Tatis, San Diego, 23; Cruz, Pittsburgh, 21; K.Griffin, Pittsburgh, 20; E.Ruiz, Miami, 20; Marsee, Miami, 19; Merrill, San Diego, 19; D.Hamilton, Milwaukee, 18; Mangum, Pittsburgh, 18.

PITCHING—Ashby, Milwaukee, 12-2; Burns, Cincinnati, 11-1; C.Sánchez, Philadelphia, 11-4; Wheeler, Philadelphia, 10-1; F.Griffin, Washington, 10-2; Wrobleski, Los Angeles, 10-2; Misiorowski, Milwaukee, 10-4; S.Alcantara, Miami, 10-5; Pallante, St. Louis, 10-6; Meyer, Miami, 9-1.

ERA—Misiorowski, Milwaukee, 1.622; Sale, Atlanta, 2.204; E.Rodriguez, Arizona, 2.289; Burns, Cincinnati, 2.542; Meyer, Miami, 2.583; C.Sánchez, Philadelphia, 2.615; Wrobleski, Los Angeles, 2.691; F.Griffin, Washington, 2.773; Yamamoto, Los Angeles, 2.846; McGreevy, St. Louis, 3.010.

STRIKEOUTS—Misiorowski, Milwaukee, 167; C.Sánchez, Philadelphia, 144; Luzardo, Philadelphia, 136; Skenes, Pittsburgh, 130; B.Ashcraft, Pittsburgh, 128; McLean, New York, 125; Burns, Cincinnati, 118; Sale, Atlanta, 117; Meyer, Miami, 116; Cavalli, Washington, 110.

Transactions BASEBALL

Major League Baseball American League BOSTON RED SOX — Reinstated 3B Nick Sogard from the 10-day IL. Designated LHP Danny Coulombe for assignment. Recalled RHP Brayan Bello from Worcester (IL). Optioned 3B Nick Sogard to Worcester.

DETROIT TIGERS — Placed LHP Framber Valdez on the bereavement list.

MINNESOTA TWINS — Optioned RHP Jack Anderson to St. Paul (IL).

TEXAS RANGERS — Placed RHP Chris Martin on the 15-day IL. Recalled RHP Emiliano Teodo from Round Rock (PCL). Sent LHP Cody Bradford on a rehab assignment to Frisco.

National League ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Placed RHP Zac Gallen on the 15-day IL, retroactive to July 9.

Recalled LHP Mitch Bratt from Reno (PCL).

CINCINNATI REDS — Placed LHP Nick Lodolo on the 15-day IL. Recalled RHP Chase Petty from Louisville (IL).

MIAMI MARLINS — Placed RHP William Kempner on the 15-day IL. Recalled LHP Dax Fulton from Jacksonville (IL).

MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Transferred RHP Brandon Woodruff from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL. Reinstated RHP Coleman Crow from the 15-day IL. Designated LF Greg Jones for assignment. Acquired SS Braden Shewmake from the Houston Astros.

Optioned RHPs Coleman Crow and Garrett Stallings to Nashville (IL).

NEW YORK METS — Recalled LHP Zach Thornton from Syracuse (IL). Optioned RHP Tobias Myers to Syracuse. Sent 2B Marcus Semien on a rehab assignment to Binghamton.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Optioned RHP Noah Murdock to Indianapolis (IL).

LIVING

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

|

M o n d ay, J u ly 13, 2026

5Cn

EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS

Who was William Bartram and what are all the signs for?

PHOTO PROVIdEd By APPLE TV+

‘Widow’s Bay’ received 19 Emmy nominations, including star Matthew Rhys.

Runaway leader, surprise snubs

Several William Bartram Trail Markers are in the Baton Rouge area.

STAFF PHOTO

By ROBIN MILLER

‘The Pitt’ receives the most nods

BY ALICIA RANCILIO

Associated Press

MARKING

HISTORY

The Primetime Emmy Award nominations are out and not-sosurprisingly “The Pitt” is an early winner with more nods than any other show. Also, it’s a great start for the cast of “Widow’s Bay” who enter with 19 nominations for its freshman season.

There were plenty of surprises and some snubs from Wednesday’s nominations, including some hits and misses for “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette” and a first nom for Connor Storrie – just not for the show most people know him for.

If “The Bear” star Jeremy Allen White attends the Emmy Awards this year, it won’t be as a nominee.

The acclaimed series got several nominations for its final season, just not an acting nod for its head chef.

Read on for more noteworthy nominees and those who got overlooked.

‘The Pitt’ an Emmys juggernaut Last year, Shawn Hatosy won best guest actor in a drama for “The Pitt.” This year, he’s gotten bumped up to supporting actor status and has an Emmy nomination to show for it. He is competing against co-stars Patrick Ball and Gerran Howell in the same category. Taylor Dearden, Fiona Dourif and Sepideh Moafi received their first nominations for best supporting actress in the HBO Max medical drama.

While the cast racked up numerous nominations, two actors ended up being their own best cheerleaders. Brittany Allen and Jeff Kober each guest starred as ER patients on Season 2 and self-submitted their work for nominations. Now, they’re Emmy nominees in the guest-acting categories.

ä See EMMY, page 6C

STAFF PHOTO By LAUREN CHERAMIE

LSU Hilltop Arboretum director Tara Titone passes the Bartram Trail Marker along the William Bartram Trail at the arboretum.

BY ROBIN MILLER

Staff writer

Ask Louisianans to name a famous naturalist, and John J. Audubon’s name will top the list.

It’s understandable, with Audubon’s name prominently attached to everything from zoos and aquariums to bridges and parks and, yes, even a golf trail.

Audubon visited Louisiana often, spent lots of time in New Orleans and even based his portfolio, “Birds of America,” on many of the birds he collected and documented while living in St. Francisville.

But Audubon wasn’t the first naturalist to document Louisiana’s natural landscape and its inhabitants. That dis-

tinction goes to William Bartram, who made his way through the Louisiana territory in 1775, a year before the Declaration of Independence was signed and 10 years before Audubon’s birth.

Doubts? Well, proof is found in the historic markers documenting Bartram’s trail through the Baton Rouge area, each bearing a local passage from his book, “Travels of William Bartram.”

One of these markers piqued Cynthia Jardon’s curiosity about the legendary naturalist.

“I saw a marker relating to William Bartram on a visit to the Burden Center,” the Alexandria reader said. “I’ve been told there are more markers in

American naturalist William Bartram made his way through the ä See MARKING, page 6C Louisiana territory in 1775.

Former spy reveals why ex-spies become spy novelists

BY ERIK PEDERSEN

Please tell readers about your new book,“Spies and Other Gods.”

The seed of the idea for “Spies and Other Gods” lies in James Wolff is not his real an official report written by the name, but the former spy who writes under that nom de plume U.K. parliamentary committee is the author of “Spies and Oth- that oversees the spy agencies.

In this report, the committee er Gods,” a splendid mystery complained that spy chiefs set in the world of espionage. were blocking their staff from It’s got a unique way of telling whistleblowing directly to the its story, which we won’t spoil, committee, instead forcing and characters who are unexthem to make their complaints pectedly more than you first through internal channels. This imagine. started me thinking along two Wolff agreed to answer our lines. The first was that spies questions, and left his encoded responses at a secret dead drop can be extremely obstructive and unhelpful! The second was location. Or did he?

The Orange County Register (TNS)

PROVIdEd PHOTO FROM HBO MAX

Louisiana native Katherine LaNasa is again nominated for an Emmy for her role in the HBO Max medical drama ‘The Pitt.’

a question: what would complaint number 1 look like? From there, my story took me to an Iranian assassin, an international manhunt and an awful lot of dark secrets.

You worked in intelligence (as have other authors in your genre): Why do you think former intelligence officers write books (and do you all get together in an undisclosed location to compare notes)?

Great question! I wish I could give you a definitive answer.

For me, the answer lies in the way that spying is all about character, psychology and motive — which are things that preoccupy fiction writers too.

Spies are natural observers, natural watchers. They like to collect details that allow them to build up a profile of an individual. As for the secret meetings with other spies-turned authors in an undisclosed location, I can’t possibly comment …

A follow-up to the previous question: You write,“Anyone who chooses writing spy novels over spying can’t have been much good in the first place,” and I’d love to hear more about that. (While I’m sure it’s a winking joke, if you have more to add on the subject, that’d be great.)

I’m really just poking fun at

ä See SPY, page 6C

6C ● Monday, July 13, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

TODAY IN HISTORY

By The Associated Press Today is Monday, July 13, the 194th day of 2026.

There are 171 days left in the year.

Today in History: On July 13, 1985, the “Live Aid” benefit rock concerts were held simultaneously in London and Philadelphia, raising millions for famine relief in Ethiopia.

Also on this date: In 1793, French politician, physician and journalist Jean-Paul Marat was assassinated by Charlotte Corday, who stabbed him to death in his bath.

In 1863, deadly rioting against the Civil War military draft erupted in New York City. (The insurrection was put down three days later.)

In 1923, a sign consisting of 50-foot-tall letters spelling out “HOLLYWOODLAND” was dedicated in the Hollywood Hills to promote a real estate subdivision (the last four letters were removed in 1949).

In 1930, the first FIFA World Cup began in Uruguay.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy won the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot at his party’s convention in Los Angeles.

In 1973, former presidential aide Alexander P. Butterfield revealed to Senate Watergate Committee staff members the existence of President Richard Nixon’s secret White House taping system.

In 1999, Angel Maturino Resendiz, suspected of being the “Railroad Killer” responsible for the deaths at least nine people, surrendered in El Paso, Texas.

He was convicted of capital murder in a Texas court and executed in June 2006.

In 2013, a jury in Florida cleared neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman of all charges in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black teenager whose killing unleashed furious debate over racial profiling, selfdefense and equal justice.

In 2018, a grand jury indictment, sought by special counsel Robert Mueller, alleged that the Russian government was behind a sweeping conspiracy to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

In 2020, Washington’s NFL franchise dropped the “Redskins” name and logo amid pressure from sponsors; the move followed decades of criticism that the name and logo were offensive to Native Americans.

(The team was eventually renamed the Commanders.)

Today’s Birthdays: Game show announcer Johnny Gilbert (TV: “Jeopardy!”) is 98.

Author and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka is 92. Actor Patrick Stewart is 86. Actor Harrison Ford is 84. Singerguitarist Roger McGuinn (The Byrds) is 84. Rubik’s Cube inventor Erno Rubik is 82. Actor-comedian Cheech Marin is 80. Actor Daphne Maxwell Reid is 78.

Actor Didi Conn is 75. Actor Gil Birmingham is 73. Singer Louise Mandrell is 72.

Former boxing champion Michael Spinks is 70. Actordirector Cameron Crowe is 69. Comedian Tom Kenny is 64. Actor Ken Jeong is 57. Singer Deborah Cox is 52. Actor Aya Cash is 44.

Former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is 44.

Actor Colton Haynes is 38.

Actor Steven R. McQueen is 38. Soul singer Leon Bridges is 37. Actor Hayley Erin (TV: “General Hospital”) is 32.

lll

Lifestyle changes can help gut microbiome Dear Doctors: I just finished a tough year in grad school, and my diet hasn’t been that great. I know your gut microbiome has a lot to do with good health, and I want to get mine into better shape. I’m thinking about probiotic capsules, but it’s confusing. How do you know which ones to take?

Dear Reader: When life gets challenging, it can be all too easy to let healthy routines fall by the wayside. As happened to you, this can include not always making the best food choices. Diet has a direct and powerful effect on the trillions of microbes that make their homes in our gut. As you point out, the gut microbiome plays a key role in physical health.

It makes sense that you’re ready to focus on getting your gut health back on track. Considering probiotic supplements also has a certain logic. The term probiotics refers to live microorganisms that can have a beneficial effect on the body. The

Dr. Elizabeth Ko Dr. Eve Glazier ASK THE dOCTORS

word has also become shorthand for live microbial cultures that are available in capsule form. They differ in the types of bacteria they contain, the number of microorganisms they deliver and the purported benefits they claim. It’s no small wonder you find yourself confused.

While taking probiotic supplements is generally considered safe, the benefits currently remain unclear. This is due to several factors. One is that the gut microbiome is fantastically diverse, with between 400 and 800 different spe-

cies. Another is that each person’s gut profile is unique. Add in the fact that the effects of probiotic supplements have been found to be modest and short-lived, and the limitations of the capsule approach become apparent.

That leads us to the guidance we give our own patients. We don’t advise against taking probiotic supplements, but we do strongly urge that they be part of a wider approach. Research shows that, given the chance, the gut heals itself. One of the most important things you can do to bolster that is to eat a varied, high-fiber diet.

This, in turn, feeds the microbes in the gut.

Fiber goals differ depending on age and gender. For women 49 and younger, it’s 25 grams of fiber per day. After age 50, 21 grams is fine.

Up to age 49, men are urged to get 38 grams of fiber per day. At age 50, the goal resets at 30 grams per day.

EMMY

Another commonality: Allen and Kober have each won Daytime Emmy Awards for “All My Children” and “General Hospital.”

The 25 nominations for “The Pitt” are nearly double what it received for its first season. Besides acting categories, it’s nominated for best drama and behind-thecamera work like directing and casting.

You’ve been snubbed

Other fresh faces In a sea of regular nominees like Jean Smart, Quinta Brunson and Martin Short, some new names managed to squeeze in.

Less than one month after “Widow’s Bay” completed airing its first season, the comedy horror starring Matthew Rhys is planting a flag at the Emmy Awards. Kate O’Flynn, Kevin Carroll, Stephen Root and Dale Dickey are cast members among the first-time nominees.

The newlywed characters in “Beef” Season 2 split when it came to Emmy recognition. Charles Melton got his first nomination, while Cailee Spaeny was overlooked.

“Monster: The Ed Gein Story”

Continued from page 5C Baton Rouge. So, why did Bartram travel through Baton Rouge, and how was it decided where the markers would be placed?”

Answering the last part of that question is easy.

“We placed the markers according to locations in the passages in William Bartram’s book,” said Michele Deshotels, a member of the Bartram Trail Project Committee and the LSU Hilltop Arboretum’s board of directors.

She refers to Bartram’s 1791 book, “Travels of William Bartram,” in which he accurately chronicles his 1773-1777 exploration of the southern colonies and southeastern region of North America. In it, Bartram specifically documents the findings of his visit to the “Baton Rouge settlement,” where he not only takes note of a bluff along the Mississippi River, but also a river called Amite and an area by the name of Manchac.

In his blood Why did Bartram decide to conduct this survey of the South’s ecosystem? It was in his blood.

Bartram’s father was noted naturalist John Bartram. Though dad was born in the “British Province of Pennsylvania” in 1699 and was a close friend to Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, son William Bartram is celebrated as Ameri-

SPY

Continued from page 5C myself with this line. There’s a lot of myth-making in spy literature. And there are a lot of people in the spy world itself who take themselves just a little bit too seriously. I want people to read this book because they enjoy the writing, the characters and the humour, not because they think it was written by a super spy.

Without giving anything away, you have a unique approach to how you tell this story.

Is there a way you can talk about that?

I’ve been preoccupied for a

Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla. edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA, 90024.

While it’s no surprise that Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder and Paul W. Downs got recognized for the final season of “Hacks,” a nice addition to the list is co-star Meg Stalter, who is up for her first Emmy as best supporting actress.

Continued from page 5C

MARKING

Although fiber supplements can be tempting, we strongly encourage eating real foods. The different types of fiber they contain support gut diversity. Vegetables, leafy greens and fruit also deliver micronutrients and phytonutrients, which play important roles in metabolic health. Don’t forget fermented foods, which are natural sources of probiotics: yogurt, kefir, kimchi, pickles and sauerkraut.

Interestingly, studies also show the gut microbiome needs sleep and regular exercise as much as the rest of you. Bottom line: The best path to a healthy gut lies in lifestyle changes, not in the health food aisle.

PHOTO PROVIdEd By FX

Sarah Pidgeon is nominated for her portrayal as Carolyn BessetteKennedy in ‘Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,’ but Paul Anthony Kelly was not nominated for his role as John F. Kennedy Jr. didn’t have the buzz of previous monster stories about Jeffrey Dahmer or Lyle and Erik Menendez. Its star, Charlie Hunnam can count himself an Emmy nominee though. His work as the serial killer brought him his first nomination.

File this next one under, “We’ll take what we can get.” While Con-

nor Storrie of “Heated Rivalry” also received his first Emmy nomination, it’s not for the show that made him a star. There’s a technicality where shows financed outside the U.S. are ineligible for Emmys, and the same goes for their cast. Storrie is instead a contender for guest-hosting “Saturday Night Live.”

ca’s first native born naturalist and scientific illustrator.

According to Allen Johnson’s 1929 entry on Bartram in the “Dictionary of American Biography,” the naturalist’s talent for drawing was recognized by Franklin, who “offered to teach (young Bartram) printing, and then suggested for him the trade of engraver.”

Instead, Bartram tried his hand working as an independent trader in Cape Fear, North Carolina, before accompanying his father’s 1765-66 exploration of the St. John River in Florida.

The father and son duo wrote a book about that trip, titled “Travels on the St. John River,” and though it was published in 1791, it’s still in print through the University of Florida Press.

But William Bartram’s life journey would take a different path after that.

“His father’s friend, the English naturalist Peter Collinson, had before his death in 1768 shown drawings by William — ‘elegant performances’ — to the Duchess of Portland, and to Dr. John Fothergill, a (British) botanist and a Friend, who soon extended his patronage to the young American,” Johnson writes. “At Fothergill’s expense, Bartram spent the years 1773-77 exploring the southeastern part of the United States. In return, Fothergill was to have seeds, specimens, and drawings; journals and exquisite drawings.”

It was through Fothergill’s patronage that Bartram was able to travel as far west as Louisiana.

Started out in Philadelphia

while now with the idea of collective identities. In an organisation like MI5 or MI6, you have all the thousands of employees with their separate identities and then above them all, floating like a kind of deity, is the organisation’s identity. So often it’s hard to pin down responsibility for a decision or a policy to one individual, because the truth is that the decision has been taken collectively, by this supra-identity. I thought it would be interesting to write a novel with the organisation itself providing the narrative voice.

In this case, a voice that is spiky, provocative, argumentative, defensive, cynical and — I hope —

lots of fun.

What are you reading now?

I am reading “Lonesome Dove,” which is every bit as gripping as I was led to believe. I’ve always loved Cormac McCarthy’s westerns, like “Blood Meridian,” and it’s been so interesting to see the same landscape from a different perspective. It’s also made me very glad that I wasn’t born into that exceptionally violent and brutal world.

Is there a book or type of book you’re reluctant to read?

I hate to admit it, but I very rarely read spy novels. It might be that I spent 15 years as a spy, which gives me a low tolerance

Let’s start with the big one. After receiving two Emmy Awards for best actor in a comedy, Jeremy Allen White was not nominated for the final season of “The Bear.” The show got nominated, however, as did Ayo Edebiri for best comedy actress.

Sarah Pidgeon is nominated for her portrayal as Carolyn BessetteKennedy in “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” but that love only goes so far. Paul Anthony Kelly, who played Kennedy, was shut out.

“The Four Seasons” is about a group of friends but Colman Domingo is the standout this year.

Domingo was nominated for best supporting actor in a comedy while Tina Fey, who created the series and also stars, got overlooked.

Apple TV’s “Your Friends & Neighbors” stars Jon Hamm as a man who secretly steals from his wealthy neighbors. The show got a drama series Emmy nomination.

Hamm did not.

In Baton Rouge, they can be found: n on the Mississippi River levee at the intersection of South Boulevard and River Road downtown; n BREC Airline Highway Park, 17200 Airline Highway near Bayou Manchac; n the LSU Hilltop Arboretum,

11855 Highland Road; n Burden Museum & Gardens, 4560 Essen Lane; n BREC Magnolia Mound Museum + Historic Site, 2161 Nicholson Drive; n and the Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd.

“The marker at the library was in storage at a botanical garden in Mississippi,” Deshotels said.

“We approached the library and asked if they would be interested in having this original marker, which took an overall view of the area through the writing in the book. We thought it was just perfect for the library, and they even chose some plants that were related to Bartram for their landscaping.”

Markers also stand at the intersection of Plains-Port Hudson Road and Old Scenic Highway in the Zachary-Plains area, along La. 42 in Port Vincent and, again, along La. 420 in Pointe Coupee Parish.

A marker commemorating Bartram’s journeys through the Lake Pontchartrain Basin also stands in Pelican Park at 63350 Pelican Blvd./Pelican Drive in Mandeville.

Finally, the trail winding through LSU Hilltop Arboretum is named for Bartram.

“All kinds of great things are associated with William Bartram,” Deshotels said. “And he was actually asked to go on one of the great explorations after the Louisiana Purchase, but he said no, because by then he was too old. He thought his fireplace in his own house would be a much nicer place to be.”

for unrealistic scenarios, or that writing my own spy novels means that I’m desperate for a palate cleanser at the end of the day.

There are spy novels I love — like “Harlot’s Ghost,” “The Quiet American” or “The Untouchable” — but it’s not my genre of choice.

Is there a person who made an impact on your reading life — a teacher, a parent, a librarian or someone else?

I remember an English teacher when I was aged around 12, and a lesson in which we were going around the class reading our essays aloud. Mine was a pretty unremarkable account of something, but I still remember the way the teacher stopped me, asked me to

re-read a sentence and then said that the essay was worth it for that one sentence on its own. I realised in that moment that a sentence can be a thing of beauty.

What do you find the most appealing in a book: the plot, the language, the cover, a recommendation? Do you have any examples?

When Henry James was asked about his books, he replied that his objective was to write interesting things in one beautiful sentence after another. I can’t think of a better way of putting it. I love words, a distinctive style, a writer who knows what they’re doing and has interesting things to say along the way.

Bartram was living in Philadelphia when he set out on his pioneering, four-year solo journey, which brought him through the Carolinas and the Gulf South to Louisiana and the Mississippi River. He observed and recorded native plants, animals and people in his journal along the way. That includes a drawing of alligators, though he documented them in Florida before arriving in Louisiana.

“He didn’t explore a whole lot of Louisiana,” Deshotels said.

“He only got as far west as Pointe Coupeé.”

Or, as Bartram spelled it in his book, “Pointe Coupe.” A marker stands across from St. Francis Chapel along La. 420 bordering the Mississippi River levee.

But his chronicle of the Baton Rouge area was thorough, as told through the markers.

Each was spearheaded by Baton Rouge’s Bartram Trail Project Committee, headed by the late Randy Harelson, in cooperation with the nonprofit Bartram Trail Conference.

The markers’ locations

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Monday, July 13, 2026 ● 7C

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FrAnK And erneSt

roSebUdS

zItS

zodIAC cAncER (June 21-July 22) Be brave, ask for what you want and don't shy away from setting boundaries if someone tries to take advantage of you. A change of heart will result if you let criticism and ego get in the way of common sense.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Explore creative possibilities. Consider your skills and what you enjoy doing most, and search for career choices that can be instrumental in furthering your agenda.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Take a moment to breathe. Distance yourself from chaotic situations and people who contribute to your stress and anxiety. Surround yourself with a peaceful environment.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Contemplate your alternatives, play each scenario out start to finish and rethink your objective. Pay attention to what's working for you and what is causing confusion and uncertainty. scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Keep life simple, doable and affordable. Refuse to let temptation, overindulgence and poor influences take over. Avoid making hasty decisions regarding your health or financial welfare. sAGITTARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Open your eyes and your wallet. Take care of what's dragging you down at home, medically or legally. Declutter your life and let go of the past. cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Pull it together, make your move and live up to the promises you made yourself. A

change may not be easy physically or financially, but the result will be uplifting.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Pay attention to how you earn your living and how to channel your energy into prosperity and a profession that excites you more than sucks the life out of you. A change will help you put your life back in perspective.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) High standards, expectations and drive will carry you forward. Don't let others manipulate you or lead you astray. Take the walk that leads you in a direction that makes you feel good.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Be honest with yourself and considerate of others. If you are willing to meet in the middle and accept the truth, you'll discover how to deal with the transparency issues you face.

TAuRus (April 20-May 20) Get involved, make a difference and do your part.

Adversity may rear its ugly head, but if you proceed with kindness and love, you will be part of the solution, not the problem.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) If you don't like something, change it. Research, find alternatives and make it happen. Take responsibility for your life, health and destination. Talk is cheap.

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

For better or For WorSe WonderWord

peAnUtS

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY CeLebrItY CIpher Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

ToDAy's cLuE: M EQuALs n

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

dooneSbUrY

8C ● Monday, July 13, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

CurTiS

Hi and LoiS

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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.

Saturday’s Puzzle Answer

BaBY BLueS

BLondie

THe wiZard oF id

nea CroSSwordS

La TimeS CroSSword

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Monday, July 13, 2026 ● 9C

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B.C.

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER One of the toughest card-play concepts for less experienced players is the “danger hand.” This occurs when declarer must do his utmost to keep one particular opponent off the lead.

Today’s deal, it will not surprise you to learn, is a textbook example.

South is in three no-trump. West leads the diamond six: five, two (lowest from three worthless cards), jack. How should South continue?

Note North’s two-heart rebid. With two low diamonds, it is preferable to raise hearts with only three than to rebid one no-trump. Then South carefully jumps to three no-trump, not four hearts, asking his partner to choose between those two game contracts.

South starts with seven top tricks: three spades, one heart, one diamond (from the first trick) and two clubs. The extra winners can obviously come from the club suit. But through which opponent should declarer finesse?

The first trick makes it clear that West has the diamond queen and ace. If East had either of those cards, he would have played it at trick one — third hand high.

So, if East gains the lead, he will return a diamond straight through South’s king 10, and West will cash several tricks in the suit. But if West is on lead, South still has a diamond stopper. East is the danger hand.

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

hagar the horriBle

However, declarer still has to be careful. He should cross to dummy with a spade, then run the club 10. When that finesse wins, South plays a club to his jack, cashes the club king, returns to dummy with a spade, takes the club ace and club eight, and ends with an overtrick. © 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 — REAMERs: REEM-ers: Rotating tools with cutting edges used

Bizarro

marmaduKe

to enlarge or shape a hole.

Average mark 14 words Time limit 20 minutes Can you find 19 or more words in REAMERS? sATuRDAy’s WoRD — conVERsE cense censer censor cero cone conserve core corn cove coven cover

crone once oven over nerve neve never noes nose veer verse

verso encore erne erose even ever rose rove scene scone score

scorn scree screen secern seen seer sere serve seven sever sneer

snore soever sone sore

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “When pride comes, then comes shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”

Proverbs 11:2-3 What kind of person are you? G.E. Dean

10C ● Monday, July 13, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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TODAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Showers and a heavier t-storm

Showers and a heavier t-storm

Partly sunny, a stray t-storm

Sunshine dimmed by high clouds

Sunshine and a few clouds

Sunny to partly cloudy

HIGH

LOW

HIGH

81° 73°

LOW

HIGH

83° 73°

LOW

88° 74°

Beaumont 83/74 Port Arthur 82/75

Baton Rouge 84/72

Lake Charles 83/74

New Orleans 84/74 Houma 84/73

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

0s

Hattiesburg 84/72

Alexandria 81/72

Lafayette 81/73

10s

20s

30s

40s

50s

LOW

HIGH

LOW

92° 76°

YESTERDAY

TODAY

REAdING 29 MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

Lafayette through 5 p.m. Sunday

Jackson 86/73 Many 81/71

HIGH

91° 75°

TEMPERATURE

Longview 86/71

-0s

LOW

Monroe 88/73

Shreveport 85/72

-10s

HIGH

91° 76°

A surge of tropical moisture from the Gulf interacting with a stalled frontal boundary will result in widespread and scattered showers and thunderstorms once again today. In fact, we are under a slight risk of excessive rainfall that could lead to some measure of flash flooding today and tomorrow. So expect a partly to mostly cloudy, very warm, very humid and windy day with rain and thunderstorms.

While the primary risk today is flooding and flash flooding, lightning is also a significant concern.

60s

70s

80s

90s 100s 110s

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

Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today NEW

JUL 14

City

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

88°/75° 91°/75° 92°/75° 103° in 1901 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

Austin Boston dallas Fairbanks Honolulu Las Vegas Louisville Miami Nashville

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

HIGH

7:32p 1:19p 5:57a 9:09a 9:18a 8:31a 10:26a

6:16 a.m.

8:12 p.m.

5:05 a.m.

7:58 p.m.

FIRST

JUL 21

Hi

89 86 88 65 87 104 88 94 83

TODAY Lo

74 71 73 49 73 85 70 79 70

FULL

LAST

JUL 29

W

t s t sh sh pc t t t

AUG 5

Hi

87 94 87 67 87 104 91 95 86

GOOd

PRECIPITATION

TUE. Lo

73 81 74 52 75 88 72 80 72

W

t pc t c r pc pc s t

FT.

LOW

0.07” 2.95” 2.63” 37.36” 33.78”

FT.

0.9 6:42a -0.3 1.9 12:22a -0.5 2.1 8:56a 1.9 2.1 --- --1.6 8:43p -0.5 2.0 7:03p -0.7 2.0 9:45p -0.6

HIGH

FT.

--- ----- --12:04p 1.9 --- ----- ----- ----- ---

SOURCE: LOUISIANA dEQ ANd AIRNOW.GOV

LOW

FT.

--- ----- --8:13p -1.1 --- ----- ----- ----- ---

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 11:00a 4:44a 11:33p 5:17p Tuesday 12:03p 5:47a 12:34p 6:19p Wednesday 12:36a 6:50a 1:05p 7:19p Thursday 1:38a 7:51a 2:04p 8:17p Friday 2:36a 8:48a 3:00p 9:12p Saturday 3:30a 9:42a 3:53p 10:04p Sunday 4:20a 10:31a 4:42p 10:53p

City

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

Hi

84 93 86 107 87 78 87 77 93

TODAY Lo

74 75 68 88 66 69 70 69 80

W

t t s t s t s pc t

GOOd

Hi

83 94 93 107 91 89 91 79 94

TUE. Lo

76 76 75 88 71 69 74 67 79

W

t c s t s t s s pc

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

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

FLOOD STAGE

34 48 48 35 27 22 17

SUN. 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE

11.60 39.00 41.60 25.90 17.00 13.13 8.60

+2.00 -1.14 -0.90 -0.70 -0.50 -0.16 -0.40

40

30.14

+2.18

19

-1.39

-0.03

18 29 8

-0.81 13.78 2.04

-0.34 +2.59 +0.39

13 15

1.68 1.62

-0.08 -0.34

47 34 29 20 12 6

22.93 17.54 15.00 12.25 7.10 3.77

-0.51 -0.16 -0.29 -0.08 -0.10 +0.16

data as of 7 a.m. Sunday

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