HOUSE passes legislationafter threeweeks of gridlock
SENATE stilltough road forGOP with narrow majority
TRUMP refusing to sign billsuntil voting legislationpasses
accompanied by Speakerofthe
speaks duringa news conference on Capitol Hill on Tuesday
BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer
WASHINGTON —After three weeksof legislative paralysis that required Congress to go home earlyfor the July Fourth holiday,HouseSpeaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton,was finally able Tuesday to narrowly pass legislation that included the partisan voter restrictions demanded by PresidentDonaldTrump andmaking daylight saving time permanent. But the legislation faces atougher path in the Senate, largely because
of the sudden death of prominent Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.,and the illness of Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Republicans hold a53-47 majority
U.S. Sen. JohnKennedy,R-Madisonville,told The Hill, apolitical tradepublication, that the Republican agenda in theSenate seems stalled.
“The next four weeks are going to look likethe happy hour at an airport Chili’s,” Kennedy said.
Much of the legislative constipation came about because Trump
refused to sign bills intolaw until Congressapprovedone that would tighten the useofmail-in ballots, require proof of citizenship when registering to vote, and showaphoto ID when casting ballots. Calledthe SAVE America Act, thelegislation doesn’t have the votes in the Senate to pass on itsown. Andthe House still has plentyleft on its plate.
“Wehave alot of work still to do,” saidHouseMajority Leader Steve
ä See DILEMMA, page 8A
City Park Golf Course plansremain
More than 200pack communitymeeting
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
Dozens of impassioned Baton Rouge residents confronted thecity’sparkagencyTuesdaynight at acommunity meeting over the future of CityBrooks Park.
More than 200 people packed into BREC’sIndependence Theatre forapublic meeting about the master plan for the future of City-Brooks Park. At least 60 residents signed up to voice their comments about the plan to apanel of BREC leadership. The goal of the master plan is to transform the park “into aworld-class, central park experience,” according to BREC, the parish’sparks agency Sasaki Associates, the firm hired to createthe master plan, proposed twodesigns at an open house community meeting in June, both of which keep the nine-hole City Park GolfCourse as akey part of thepark.But both proposals carve afew hundred yards from the course and propose new services for the park, such as expanding pedestrian space and adding new features. The majority of public conversation Tuesday
TowneCentercontinues growth with newtenants,owner
Ayearafter sale, popularity remains
BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer
About ayear afterTowneCenter at CedarLodge waspurchasedby out-of-statebuyers, theshopping center has continued drawing in customersamid achanging retail landscape.
Towne Center,built on ahorse farm formerly belonging to the Witter family,opened two decades ago as one of the firstopen-air life-
stylecentersinBatonRouge and has maintained its popularity.New York-based firm DLC Management purchased the shopping center in August for $81million. The center’sgrocery store anchor tenant, Whole Foods, caught its eye. Open-airdevelopments have riseninpopularity duetotheir better visibility and relatively lower operating costs compared to enclosed malls. Theincreased demand coupled with low supply hindered by low construction, has drivenupprices.
“The center already had asolid foundationwith ahigh-quality ten-
ant mix and was well-positioned to serve the surrounding community, creating opportunitiestofurther enhanceits performanceand longterm value,” said Jordan Kotek regional marketingmanager for DLC.
Traffic hasincreased 5.7% year over year,accordingtodatafrom Placer AI, which usescellphone tracking to compile foot traffic data. Towne Center draws 310,000 shoppers each month.
Whole Foods has proven to be adriver— most shoppersmake
STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS Barnes &Noblemovedinto Towne Center at Cedar Lodge in October
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOSE LUISMAGANA
House Majority Leader SteveScalise, R-Jefferson,
House MikeJohnson, R-Benton,
ä See TOWNE, page 11A
PHOTO By MICHAEL BACIGALUPI
Aresident speaksTuesdayatacommunity meeting on the future of City-Brooks Park.
ä See PARK, page 8A
Marine biologist fatally shot in the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines Adistinguished American marinebiologist hasbeenfatally shot by three men who entered his house in the central Philippines, police said on Tuesday Kent Carpenter,73, was with hisFilipinacompanionina house in the coastal town of Sibulan, in Negros Oriental province, on Sunday night when the masked men forced their way in.
One drew agun and shot Carpenterinthe head, killing him instantly,policesaidhis companion toldthem. The men took a laptop, an unspecified amount of cash and abackpack before fleeing,nationalpolice spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co told reporters.
Regional police spokesperson Lt. Col. Joem Malong toldThe Associated Press that Carpenter’s companionsustainedunspecified injuries and was being treated. Investigators were trying to determinethe motive for the killing and identify the attackers Carpenter was amarinebiologist who had worked as alecturer at the Silliman University,in Dumaguete city,Negros Oriental, Malong said. The U.S. EmbassyinManila did not immediately respond to arequest forcomment
U.S.-Russian crew arrives at the ISS
MOSCOW— AU.S.-Russian space crew arrived Tuesday at the International Space Station after launching fromthe Russialeased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Russian crewmates Pyotr Dubrov andAnna Kikina lifted offasscheduledat7:47p.m aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS29 for an eight-month stintonthe orbiting outpost. Their spacecraft docked smoothly at the station in automatic mode aboutthree hours after the launch.
NASA AdministratorJared Isaacman attended thelaunch, the first visit to Baikonur by a NASAchief in eight years that highlightedthe ongoing cooperation in orbit betweenMoscow and Washington, despite tensions over Russia’smilitary action in Ukraine. Before the launch, Isaacman met with the head of Russia’s state corporation Roscosmos, Dmitry Bakanov. Speaking during Monday’smeeting withthe crew,Isaacmanthanked Roscosmos forits efforts to prepare for the mission, saying that “theintegrated work performed over the past severalmonths reflects the professionalismand dedication of everyone involved.” Isaacman also had ameeting with Russia’sDeputy Prime MinisterDenis Manturov. Manturov’soffice said they discussed prospective cooperation on the International SpaceStation and other projects.
The mission is Menon’sfirst space flight and the secondfor Dubrov and Kikina.
The trio will join NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway andChris Williams, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonautsSergei Kud-Sverchkov,Sergei Mikaev and Andrei Fedyaev
2teens charged in fatal Illinois family shootings
EAST ST.LOUIS,Ill.— Twoteenagers were charged with murder Tuesday in the killings of five members of an Illinois family who were shot at three different locations. A16-year-old boy will be prosecutedasanadult,whilethe case against a15-year-old girl will start in juvenile court beforeapossible transfer to theSt. Clair County criminal court,the county prosecutor’s office said Five people were killedand twomorewere wounded,primarily on Sunday,ina “targeted mass shooting” in East St. Louis, acity across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, police said. Troopers stopped avehicle and arrested the teens Sunday ina state park, lllinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said. Court documents don’treveal amotive. But Marcus May,the father of the 15-year-old, toldthe St. Louis Post-Dispatch thatthe girl was upset with family members and plotted the attacks with Ja’ymeir Davis, her boyfriend
Senators seek to avoidshortfall
Bipartisan groupintroduceslegislation to addressSocialSecurity
BY FATIMA HUSSEIN and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press
WASHINGTON With Social Security’slooming insolvency date roughly six years away,abipartisangroup of lawmakersintroduced aproposal Tuesday to grapple with one of the most consequentialfinancialchallenges facingthe federal government.
TheProtecting Retirement Opportunitiesand Maintaining Income Security for Everyone,or PROMISE Act, comes on the heels of the latest Social Security Board of Trustees’ annual report, which found that Social Security’sretirement trust fund is projected to face afunding shortfall in 2032, ayear earlierthanlastyear’sprojections. Even with it being clear for years that Social Security was running out of money,Congress has been loath to act. Making changes to the
program —and potentially cutting benefits—has long been politically unpopular,and lawmakers have repeatedly kicked Social Security and Medicare’stroubling math to thenext generation.
“The longer Congress waits, the moredifficult it will be to address theprogram’sfinancialshortfall, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., one of the bill’sauthors, said in astatement. “Wewereelected to solve problems —weowe it to our kids and grandkids to protect and strengthen this critical program.”
Durbin, who is retiring, is joining withDemocratic Sen. TimKaine of Virginia;independent Sen. Angus KingofMaine andoutgoing Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy, of Louisiana, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina in backing the Social Securitylegislation,which calls for an “independent,bipartisan advisory committee” that would makerecom-
mendations to Congress. Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del.,and Alan Armstrong, R-Okla., signed onto thebill right before its introduction.
The bill is designed to force Congress to confront Social Security’s long-term financing problem by guaranteeing that lawmakers vote on asolvency plan. It culminatesin an up-or-down vote on aplan that restores Social Security solvency for at least half acentury Committees, however,have been herebefore. That happenedasrecently as 2024, when House lawmakers undertook an effort with thebacking of severalinGOP leadership to form afederal debt commission that would include tacklingthe solvency of Social Security and Medicare.
TheeffortcollapsedwhenAmericans for TaxReform —led by its president, GroverNorquist —aggressively lobbied against it.
Mysterybidderbuys
Social Security’s loomingfundingshortfall is mainly the result of lower projected birth rates, reduced immigration and reduced trust fund revenue due to the costs of Republicans’ massive tax andspending bill that President Donald Trumpsigned into law last summer, accordingtothe Board of Trustees’ report. Thelooming challengefor the programsisapartial funding gap, notacollapse. Even aftertrust fund depletion, the system will continue issuing benefits, albeit at reduced amounts.
In 2022, members of the House Republican Study Committee proposed raising the age at which someonecould qualify forSocial Security and Medicare.
Social Security benefitswere last reformed roughly 40 years ago, when the federal government raisedthe eligibility agefor the program from65to67, basedon recommendations from acommission under the leadership of Alan Greenspan.
Bangkokbar fire deathtollrises to 30
Dozensremain hospitalized
BY TIAN MACLEOD JI and JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI Associated Press
Beer Na Ladprao bar,the city’sdeadliest in 17 years, broke outshortly before midnight in anorthern part of the Thai capital. Firefightersneeded half an hour to bring it under control.
The bar,which in Thai calls itself abrewery or beer hall, claimed to accommodate as many as 600 customers. It was not clear how many were present Sunday night. An investigation into the cause of the fire and whetherthe barwas following safety regulations is ongoing.Most of the people who were killed were found trappedinwindowless bathroomswhere they may have sought to escape the flames, police said.
‘Gus’for arecord$50M Tyrannosaurusfossilwas discovered in 2021
BY PHILIP MARCELO Associated Press
NEWYORK ATyrannosaurus rex fossil billed as one of the world’s largest and most completespecimens sold for arecord $50.1 millionTuesday to amystery bidder.
Sotheby’ssaidthe 67-million-yearold fossil, nicknamed “Gus,” is now the mostexpensive set of dinosaur bones ever auctioned off, besting thealmost $45 million price tag foranearlycomplete stegosaurus sold by thesame New York auction house in 2024. The previous record holder had been aTyrannosaurus rex skeleton nicknamed “Stan” that sold fornearly $32 million in 2020.
“Gus is not onlyanexceptional find,but aspecimen that’sbeen excavated, documented, prepared, andcared forwith real excellence,” Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s vice chair, said after the sale was completed.“Themarket responds when great specimens aretaken care of in the right way.”
Whythe bidding wasintense
Standing upright with its tailextended and right foot slightlyraised, “Gus” is an adultdinosaur specimen measuring about121/2 feet tall and 38 feet long.
He’sabout 61% complete,withwhat
Sotheby’sdescribes as an “exceptionally preserved” skull including agaping jaw of powerful teeth,two “well represented”feet andanumber of rarely found bones, including afurcula, or wishbone
The fossil was discovered in 2021 on a ranchinSouth Dakota and named in honor of property owner Gary Licking, who died duringthe roughlyfive year excavation,restoration and mounting process.
Theauction house said the winner, who participated by phone and wants to remain anonymous, outbid six other prospective buyers during Tuesday’s 10-minutebidding battle. The piece had been estimated to fetchanywhere from $20 to $30 million ahead of the sale.
“Try abiggerbite,” auctioneer Phyllis Kao cajoled thebiddersatone point
during the auction, which was conducted live and online. “It’sa T. rex, after all.”
Scientists want ‘Gus’onpublicdisplay
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, an advocacy group of scientists, scholars and students, said scientifically significant fossils such as “Gus” should be publicly displayed in museums and other research institutionssothat they can be “preserved, documented, and accessible for future generations.”
“Our hope is that the new owner recognizesthe extraordinary scientific and educational value of Gus the T. rex and that they aim to keep it in the public trust by immediately donating it to an accredited naturalhistorymuseum,”Kristi Curry Rogers, the society’spresidentelect, said in astatementTuesday.“That outcome would ensure that this remarkable specimen continues to advance science, rather than becoming unavailable for study.”
Indeed, “Apex,”the stegosaurus, the previous dinosaur fossilrecord-holder, is currently on long-term loantothe American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan.“Sue” theT.rex, thefirst dinosaur ever soldatauction in 1997, also by Sotheby’s, is acenterpiece of theField Museum in Chicago.
And“Stan”isondisplay at theNatural History Museum Abu Dhabi, posed in combat with another fossilized T. rex over the remains of atriceratops. ACretaceousking, Hollywood staple Tyrannosaurus rex, whose name roughly translates to “King of the Tyrant Lizards,” stoodfirmly at thetop of the food chain when it ruled during the late Cretaceous period.
With itsfearsome jawline and comically stubby arms, it has become the most recognizable andbeloved of thedinosaurs, depictedineverythingfrom children’sprogramslike Barney,the purple T. rex, to the enduring “JurassicPark” movie franchise.
Thegreat beasts roamed what is todaywestern North America, during a time when the region boasted “warm climates, high sea levels,and rich coastal floodplains”that allowed theirprimary prey,giant herbivores like the triceratops,toflourish, according to Sotheby’s.
BANGKOK— Thedeath toll from ahuge fire in a Bangkok music bar has increased to 30, officials said Tuesday,asthe investigationinto the blaze proceeded while relatives of thevictims took on the grim task of identifying their loved ones and retrieving their bodies. More than 70 people were injured in theSunday night tragedy,with24 of them still in critical condition, according to astatementbythe Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Initialdetailsabout the victims, whichhavenot been updated since Monday,said18ofthe dead were women and nine were men,all Thai except one baremployeefromLaos.
The injured included 41 womenand 34 men The blaze at the Rong
Bangkok Gov.Chadchart Sittipunt said Tuesday he has ordered the city’sadministration to conductasweepingsurvey of such establishments to assess risks. The city will also step up enforcement of existing laws to improve safety standards, he said.
Obituaries: 225-388-0289 • Mon-Fri9-5;Sat 10-5;Closed Sun
BY JON GAMBRELL, COLLIN BINKLEY andKONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press
DUBAI,UnitedArab Emirates
The U.S. military said Tuesday that it has reimposed its blockade of Iranian ports in response to Iran’sattacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as the interim ceasefire deal unravels and concerns grow about areturn to all-outwar
The U.S. first imposed the blockade in mid-April and then lifted it in mid-June,aday after the signing of the interim deal aimed at permanently ending the war.The deal set a60-day timelinetoalso negotiate an agreement on Iran’snuclear program, but talks have stalled as fighting over the strait has intensified. When U.S. President Donald Trump announced the return of the blockade Monday,healso said he would impose a20% fee on ships passing through the strait. But he dropped the plan to collectfees hoursbefore resumingthe blockade, citing requests from alliesin the Gulf.
The interim peace agreement was supposed to reopen awaterway that is key to world energy supplies and give negotiators time to hammer out apermanent end to the war.Instead, fighting has once again engulfed the region, threatened the global economy and brought warnings to commercial airlines
The U.S. carried out another wave of strikes ahead of reimposing the blockade,the U.S. military’s Central Command said. Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi,said in an interview aired Tuesday by IRIB,Iran’s state broadcaster,that the U.S. was seekingtoprevent Tehran fromexercising what he described as “effective sovereignty” over the strait.
There are at least 19 U.S. warships in the ArabianSea,including two aircraft carriers and an amphibious assault ship with more than 1,000 Marines aboard. U.S. Central Command also said in asocialmedia post that there are “hundreds of military aircraft
ISNAPHOTO
operatingacross the Middle East.”
Afifth ofall traded crude oil and natural gas passed through theStrait of Hormuzbeforethe war, when it was open to all without tolls. When the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, it effectivelyshut thepassagebyattacking and threatening ships. That sent the priceofoil, fertilizer and other goodssoaring.
Iran has more recently attacked ships moving throughthe strait on aroute overseen bythe U.S. military that is outsideTehran’scontrol, settingoff tit-for-tat strikes.
The U.S. has threatened to reopen the straitbyforce —but experts say that would require amuch biggerarmadaifnot tens of thousands of ground troops.
Replacefeeswithinvestments
TrumpsaidTuesday that he was calledby“kings and emirs” and other leaders who suggested an alternate arrangement to charging ships fees to pass through the strait.
“They said we’dlove to do it adifferent way.We’d love to invest in the United States with billionsand billions of dollars,” Trump told reporters Tuesday in theOval Office.
Trumpsaidhepreferredthat arrangement to charging tolls “because Idon’tthink anybody should beabletochargeafeeforthestrait.” It was unclearifthe investment
deals would be newcommitments relative to what Trumpannounced after avisit last year to the Middle East.
Strikes, counterstrikesresume
U.S.Central Commandsaidit struck several areas in Iran earlier Tuesday,targeting “coastal defense systems, missile anddrone sites and maritime capabilities.” Iran acknowledged the strikes but providednoimmediate casualty or damage assessments.
“These strikes will continue imposing aheavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in theStraitof Hormuz,”the U.S. military said.
Iranianstatemedia Tuesday reported the sound of explosions on QeshmIsland in thestrait, alongside additional explosions in the southwestern cityofAhvaz and theport city of Bandar Abbas. Iran responded with attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan andthreetankers that traveled through thestrait.
TheInternational Maritime Organization said the attack killed two mariners and wounded 14 others on two of thetankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, which were associated with theUnitedArab Emirates. The UAE threatened to retaliate.
Housepassesbill to ‘ditch theswitch’
BY KEVIN FREKING Associated Press
WASHINGTON— There will be no turning back the clock if the House has its way
The House passed abill Tuesday that would make daylight saving time permanent. Proponents, including theWhite House,argued the change would provide more daylight during the times that Americans aremost active. The vote was 308-117. Daylight saving timeis that period between spring and fall when clocks in most parts of the United States are setone hour ahead of standard time. States could opt out if their respectivelegislatures act to do so before the bill’senactment. The Senate would also havetopass the bill before it could be signed into law,but it’sunclear if it will do so.
to “ditch the switch,”saying that changing the clock twice ayear creates unnecessary disruption. More important, he said, it would give families more daylighttimeinthe evening to spend outdoors andsupport local businesses.
“In my home state of Florida where tourism is acornerstoneofour economy,having more predictable daylight hours is apracticalimprovement that benefits workers, businesses and visitors alike,” Bilirakis said.
Detractors saidpermanent daylight saving time would lead to darker and potentially more hazardouswinter mornings wherechildren will bewaiting for school buses and parents will be driving to workindarkness.
“Millions ofAmericans will wakeup during the winter months in complete darkness with the sun not rising until long after people getupand travel to school
or work or have to go about their days,” said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa.
Rep.Jim McGovern, DMass, said he supportedthe bill, but he questioned whether it wasthe best wayfor Congress to be spending its time.
“For folks getting crushed by rent, groceries, utility bills andhealthcare costs, is this really the best the majority can do?”McGovern said.
“Isthis really themost pressing issue before theAmerican people at this moment?”
A2025pollfrom The Associated Press-NORC Center forPublic Affairs Research shows thatifforced to choose, mostAmericans would prefer to keep thatextra hour of daylight in the evening.
If theyhad to chooseone option for the entire country to use,more than half of adults —56% —prefer making daylight saving time permanent, withless light in the morning andmore light in the evening.
BY LISAMASCARO AP congressional correspondent
WASHINGTON Senate Democrats blocked a$1trillion annual defense bill Tuesday,refusing to advance the bipartisan package that would substantially increase Pentagon spending, including a pay raise for the troops, in protestofPresident Donald Trump’s war against Iran.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced his opposition and other key Democrats said they could not support theannual bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, as the war dragsintoa fifth monthwith no clear endgame in sight.The tally was 50-46, failing largely along party lines to reach thethresholdneeded.
“The NDAA cannot become apermission slipfor thatrecklessness that we seeoccurring in Iran,” Schumer,ofNew York, said ahead of voting.
“Donald Trump does not get to dragthe American people deeper into awar he cannotexplain and does not know how to end—and then demand that Congress look theother way.”
The Senate vote comes aday after the WhiteHouse formally notified Congress that it had resumed bombing strikes against Iran, effectively undoing the fragile ceasefire in the U.S.-Israel led conflict that has resulted in economic disruptions, including volatile gaspricesahead of the midterm elections.
Congress hastriedrepeatedly to slap guardrails on the administration, voting more than 10 times on various war powers resolutionsthat would halt hostilities. But those efforts have not succeeded, and mostRepublicans in the House and Senate majorities back Trump.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune called the defense package agood bill and implored his colleagues to provide the resources to ensurethe U.S. is kept safe.
“Wehave an obligation here in Congress to ensure that they have
everything they need forwhatever the missionmay be,” he said. After the bill failed to advance, Thune switched his vote in aprocedural move that will allow the leader to bring it back up forconsideration again later
For decades, Congress had madesure to approve the annual defense bill each year,setting thepolicy anddirection for the department and authorizing the funds that would later be allocated to carry out its investments in systems, supplies and missions.
This year,the 66th annual NDAA is running into adoublewhammy of opposition. Lawmakers are fuming over Trump’smilitary actionagainst Iran andresisting the White House request to substantially increase Pentagonspending to $1.5 trillion, up from about $900 billion last year
The sizable boost of funds aligns with the White House’s2027 budget request as the Trump administration seeks agenerational investmenttomodernizethe DefenseDepartment,whichitrefers to as the Department of Warunder Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth was scheduled to meet later Tuesdayevening with House RepublicansasCongress considers providing additional money through aseparate budget reconciliation bill theparty can pass on its own, overpowering the opposition from Democrats. The White House has requested $350billionfromCongress under the budget reconciliation process, but House GOPleaders have indicated it is likely to be amuch smaller amount, more in line with $87 billion the White House requestedlastmonth as supplemental funding forIran. But Republican deficit hawks areskeptical of thebig budget numbers, despite support forthe warwithin their ranks. The extra defense funding comes on top of the additional $150 billionRepublicansalready providedthe Pentagon last year under Trump’sbig tax breaks bill that somesay has not been spent or fully accounted for.
By RAZIEH POUDAT
Awoman stands at the water’sedgealong the Strait of Hormuzas aplume of smokerises in the background followinganexplosion off Bandar Abbas, Iran, on Monday.
High court’sethics code,emergency appeals questioned
BY LINDSAYWHITEHURST Associated Press
WASHINGTON In rare congressional testimony,Supreme Courtjustices shared chilling stories Tuesdayabout thethreats they increasingly face in public life and fielded questionsabout ethics and emergency appeals.
The appearances fromSupreme Court Justices Amy ConeyBarrett and Elena Kagan were the firstoftheir kind since 2019. Their testimony came weeks after theconservative-majority court handed down aseries of major opinions, including one that increased President Donald Trump’spower over federal regulatory agencies and one that rejected his wide-ranging tariffs. Those rulings and more sparkedharsh personal criticism of the justices.
The main focus of the hearings in the House and Senate was arequest for increased security funding for the justices. Like judges around the country,they’ve faced asurge in threats of violence and intimidation.
Barrett said she hadtotake abulletproof vest home afew years ago, something she struggled toexplain to her 12-year-old son. “I didn’texpect that performing this service would put me in the position of explaining to my children what abulletproof vest was, why Ihad to wear one,” she said.
While security was the major theme of the justices’ testimony,ethics and the shadow docket also emerged as lines of questioning for members of Congress in packed hearingrooms with lines out the door
Budget request
The Supreme Court requested atotal of $228 million for next fiscal year, aroughly 10% increase over the year before. About $18 million of that is for maintaining the building and grounds. Much of the requested operatingbudget increase, $14.6 million, would go to expanding personal protection for justices, with six more agents foreach
The U.S. MarshalsService reported 564threats in the last government
fiscal year,anincrease that includes threats to the hundreds of federal judgesaround the country
Thenine-member Supreme Courthas also been targeted, including by fake 911 swattingcalls and pizza deliveries in the name of ajudge’smurdered son.
Barrettsaidher son opened their door in May to seetheir streetfilled with police cars responding to afake swatting callthather securityteam quickly dispersed. Last year,her sister was thevictim of abomb threat in Charleston,South Carolina, police said. No bomb was found.
In 2022, shortly after theleak of a draft opinion overturning the Roe v. Wade abortiondecision, awould-be assassin was arrested near the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh with weapons and zip ties. Threats to the Supreme Court have continued to grow since then and are expected to be up 38%thisyear,Kagan said.
Shecondemned rhetoricfrompublic officialstargeting judges for personal criticism when they disagree with their rulings.
“When political figures of any stripe are trying to intimidate judges and justices to do thingsthatthey like rather than things they don’t, that’s wherewereally have crossed the line,” shesaid
Kaganand Barrett differ
Multiple Democratsbrought up the SupremeCourt’s relativelynew code of ethics,adopted in 2023 during a storm of criticismover undisclosed tripsand giftsfrom wealthy benefactors to some justices.
While the justices agreed that members of thecourt aretakingthe code
Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett, right, and Elena Kagan testify during aHouse Appropriations subcommittee hearing on TuesdayonCapitol Hill in Washington.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
seriously,Kagan supported creating a way to enforce it. The liberal-leaning justiceacknowledged, though, that enforcement could be tricky.That would have to come from the judicial branch and the Supreme Court sits at its head.
Barrett,who is part of thecourt’sconservative majority,said she’s not sure an enforcementmechanism is possible It’s not clear there’s an effective way to address questions aboutwho woulddo the enforcing and how,she said.
“I am certainly fully committed to the code as are all of our colleagues, but because of someofthe complexities I’m just not quite sure”about enforcement, she said.
Rise in emergencyappeals
The Supreme Court has seen a sharp rise in appeals toits short-term emergency docket, where thejustices make quicker decisions in cases still working their way through thecourt system
It’sbeen especially busy during Trump’ssecondterm, as hisadministration appeals orders blocking parts of hiswide-ranging agenda to the nation’shighest court. The government notcheda string of wins in this manner, on cuts to thefederal workforce, restrictions on transgender members of the military,and more.
Suchdecisions are usually made withoutadetailedexplanation, and while the orders are designed to be temporary they can nevertheless have real-world effects.
“There aredownsides of using emergency relief,” Kagan said. “You don’tget the kind of briefing that we ordinarily do. We don’tget the argumentweordinarily get.”
BY DÁNICA COTO Associated Press
SANJUAN, Puerto Rico— A group of Caribbean leaders met with senior clergy from the Church of England on Tuesday as thepushfor slaveryreparations intensifies, with activists also calling for the independence of British,French,Dutch and U.S. territoriesinthe region
The reparations commission from Caricom, aCaribbean trade bloc, was scheduled to also meet with British parliamentarians as part of afour-day official tripto the United Kingdom to seek reparations, the second such trip since November.
The group said the commission is creating aframework to launch negotiations because the time for making the case for reparatory justice is overdue.
“Weinthe Caribbean remainthe most colonized part of the world, andthis has to stop,” said Hilary Beckles, chairman of Caricom’s reparationscommissionand vice chancellor of theUniversity of theWest Indies.
The meetings in London come after Caribbean leaders bristled at therecentsuggestion by aU.K. lawmaker thatBritain’sformer colonies should repay it for its historicinvestment in them.
Thecommission noted that the Caribbean has at least 20 territories with ties to Britain, France, theNetherlands and theUnited States.
“I am quite sure the people of the Caribbean …will be lookingtosee whethertheir king …isgoing to advance thisconversationabout sovereignty,decolonization and reparatory justicefor these crimes that have been com-
mitted,” Beckles said.
David Comissiong, Barbados’ ambassador to Caricom, echoedthose comments, stressing that the first step of reparations must be therecovery of national sovereignty and self-determination.
He said the commission had a“productive meeting” with three senior clerics from the Church of England, calling it a“possible ally.”
He alsopraised King CharlesIII forexpressing in recent years “personal sorrow at the suffering of so many” as he noted “slavery’s enduring impact.”
However,Comissiong andothers criticized the United Kingdom for abstaining from aU.N. resolution passed in Marchthat called for reparationsand declared the trafficking of enslaved Africans “the gravest crime againsthumanity.”
Ebolaoutbreak outpaces response in easternCongo
Majority of new casesare from unknown chains
BY JUSTIN KABUMBA and MONIKA PRONCZUK Associated Press
Eighty percent of new Ebolacases in eastern Congo are emerging from unknown chains of transmission, the WorldHealth Organization said Tuesday,a sign theoutbreak is spreading faster than health officials can track despite an expanding response.
Congo hasbeen battling an outbreak of arare type of Ebolasince May,withno approved treatmentorvaccine. The Africa Centres for Disease Controlsaysitisthe fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on the continent.
“Perhaps the most alarming finding is thatmanyof thenewlyreporteddeaths are people whodied in their communitieswithout ever reaching ahealth facility and without receivingcare,” Chikwe Ihekweazu saidafterreturning fromBunia, in Ituri province, one of the worst-hit cities. “Andasof today,80% of new cases are outside our contact lists and so are coming to us from unknown chains of transmission.”
People whodie outside the health system cannot be isolated, treated or have their contacts traced promptly,increasing the risk of further transmission.
The outbreak,Ihekweazu said, “continues to outpace the response efforts.”
As of Monday, at least 1,926people have been infected, of whom 702 have died, in three provinces in Congofromthe rare Bun-
dibugyo virus, Congolese authorities said. Cases have also beenconfirmed in neighboring Uganda. Ihekweazu toldreporters in Geneva that his visit to Bunia had been “quite encouraging on many fronts, but also deeply concerning.”
Treatment capacity in Bunia is now close to 800 beds, with capacity increasing every week, and lab capacity has grownfrom 1to14labs, an effort the emergency chief lauded.
However,Ihekweazu said that despite “our best efforts we have not caught up in the race.”
Afunding gap, attacks on health centers, an ongoing conflict in easternCongo, and mistrust among local communitieshave hampered the response.
Dozensofhealthcare workers at an Ebola virus treatment center in northeast Congo wentonstrike over unpaid salaries and bonuses on Monday.OnTuesday,they agreed to resume work underthe condition the government pays them within 72 hours.
“Just one day of strike actionhas alreadycaused damage. Patients were unable to access the center,” the striking health workers said in astatement. “We hold the government solely responsible for any loss of life if thesitecloses after this ultimatum.”
The Congolese authorities declared afresh Ebola outbreak on May 15 after the disease had been transmitting for weeks without official detection,according to the WHO. Clinical trials for treatment began last week after researchers launched ahighly anticipated study in thehopeoffighting the virus.
PHOTO By NATHAN HOWARD
ANon-surgical, Drugless method of RelievingPain
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Scientificstudies tellusthatspinaldiscs aremostoften therootcause of achesand pain that people suffer from Thesediscs actascushionsbetween thevertebrae and create thenecessaryspacefor nerves to exit thespinal column.But when discsare injured, worn down,orbegin to degenerate,theybulge or herniate -pressingonnerve rootsand triggeringpaininthe backorneck This pressure canalsoleadtoradiating pain in thehips, legs,feetor arms
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At LeBlancSpine Center,wehave state-of-the-art technology that iisFDA clearedand very successfulin relievingpaininpain- even when othertreatmentshave failed.Unlikeother treatments that only mask symptoms spinal decompressionaddresses therootcause of your pain-restoringdischeight, improvingspinalalignment andreducingnerve compression.
PROOFTHIS TREATMENTWORKS There’splentyof researchtobackupthe claims of Spinal Decompression Therapyand itseffectiveness.Hereare just afew of the publishedscientificstudies
•“Patients reported amean88.9% improvement in back pain andbetterfunction. No patientrequiredany invasive therapies(e.g. epidural injections,surgery).”American Academy of Pain Management
•“We thus submit that decompressiontherapy should be considered first, before thepatient undergoesasurgicalprocedure whichpermanently alters theanatomy andfunctionofthe affectedlumbarspine segment.”JournalOfNeuroscienceResearch
•“Vertebralaxial (spinal) decompressionwas successfulin 71%ofthe 778cases”-Journal of Neurological Research
•“Good to excellentreliefin86% of patients with Herniated discs” - TheAmericanJournal of Pain Management
•“Decompression Therapyreported a76.5% with completeremissionand 19.6%withpartial remissionof pain anddisability” -Rio Grande Hospital,Department of Neurosurgery
Youwillsit with thedoctorone on onetogooveryour x-rays,and you’ll gettosee everything firsthand. At LeBlancSpine Center,our goal is to help youlive pain-freeand return to theactivitiesyou love.Wegenuinelyenjoy meetingwithpatients, answeringquestions, andshowing firsthandhow spinal decompressioncan be alife-changing solution.Ifyou’vebeenlivingwith back or neck pain,weinviteyou to schedule aone-ononeconsultationand experience what sets ourclinic apart-personalized attention, proventechnology, and compassionatecare.
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IcametoLeBlancSpine Center with pain in my left arm, shoulder and neck,and Ihad two fingersonmylefthandthatwerenumb. I had been dealingwiththisfor over 8monthsand hadtried shots, therapy,MRIs, andX-raysbefore, butnothing wasreallyhelping. Since coming here,I’veimprovedabout 90%. Thestaff is amazing-always knowledgeable,friendly,and helpful, andthe servicefromthe doctors andteamhas been great.WhatIlovemostisthe pain reduction, because it’s allowedmetotakebettercareof my dadand grandkids, cut thegrass,dohousework,and even fish again.IfeellikeI have moremobilityand I’mmorerelaxed nowthatIcan do more activities Honestly,the only thingIdon’t love is thedrive -weneedanoffice in Gonzales!Theyare amazing, though. Please give them atry before any surgeries
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BeforecomingtoLeBlancSpine Center, Isuffered with tightnessin mylower back andnumbness in my left foot forapproximately seven months. Ihad been givenprescriptionmedicationand haddone physicaltherapy forabout threemonthstonoavail.Ibegan Spinal Decompression Therapytreatmentsonmylower back.Since beginning treatment,I am now80% improved!I nowhaveimproved flexibility ofmotioninmylower back andhavelessnumbness in my left leg. Treatmentshaveenabledmetodomostall normal dailyactivities, excluding heavylifting. Iwould highly recommendtreatmentsand servicesatLeBlancSpine Center. Comfortand care areofthe utmost importancetothe staff andtheyare very friendly andresponsive toneeds. Thedoctors areexcellent at answering anyand allofmy questions
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Ukraine downs five Russian ballistic missiles
Kyiv looks to boost
BY ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine Ukraine’s air force said Tuesday it intercepted five ballistic missiles launched by Russia in a raft of overnight attacks, although other missiles and drones got through and hit warehouses and a school in the capital of Kyiv
It was the first time in almost two weeks that Ukraine said it had downed Russian ballistic missiles, which are harder to stop than drones or cruise missiles and have pummeled the country in Moscow’s 4-year-old fullscale invasion.
Ukrainian air defenses likely used the U.S.-made Patriot surface-to-air guided missile system that is the most effective way of countering ballistic missiles but ammunition for it has been in short supply amid the Iran war despite European efforts to make up for the shortfall. Paris cheers Ukraine
Along the cobblestoned Champs-Elysees in Paris, crowds cheered Ukrainian troops marching in the annual Bastille Day parade, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received an ovation from European leaders who showed solidarity with Kyiv Ukrainian aviators trained in France flew aboard two Mirage 2000B fighter jets alongside French air force pilots
Zelenskyy was in France seeking a remedy to his country’s air defense problem, and he announced Monday that Ukraine is joining with nine other nations to form a coalition that will build a shared ballistic missile shield for Europe. Ukraine and its partners could jointly develop a mass-
produced, low-cost system in the next 12 months, he said. The Bastille Day parade featured about 500 troops from the coalition of the willing group of countries that have pledged to help with Ukraine’s postwar security French President Emmanuel Macron called
it a great honor to welcome them to the parade.
Tuesday’s attack in Kyiv caused fires at two warehouses and also damaged a school, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement it targeted military manufacturing facilities that produce long-range missiles and drones.
Moscow is seeking to choke off Ukrainian strikes on oil facilities deep inside Russia that have caused critical fuel shortages, frustrating the public and, Western analysts say, are hindering the Russian army’s advance on the front line.
Ukraine’s air force said one ballistic missile and 25 drones struck 17 locations, while falling debris was reported in 10 locations.
Bolster air defenses
Ukraine urgently needs to improve its air defense shield before winter Much of the country is at the mercy of Russian missiles that have hammered its power grid since 2022, making winters almost unbearable.
President Donald Trump said at the NATO summit last week that the U.S. will
Officials: U.S. military will be out of Iraq by end of
Burden of combating Islamic State shifts to Iraqi troops
BY BEN FINLEY and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA Associated Press
WASHINGTON The U.S military will leave Iraq by the end of September, American and Iraqi officials said Tuesday, following a 23-year presence that started with the 2003 invasion against Saddam Hussein and ended with much smaller operations against the Islamic State group. President Donald Trump, stand-
ing alongside Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House, said “we don’t think we need the military there anymore” and noted Iraq’s growing relationships with oil companies.
“The relationship is a whole big relationship where we don’t need the military,” Trump said. “We’re there to help them. We’re there to protect them if need be. But we don’t think that’s going to be necessary.”
Speaking through an interpreter, al-Zaidi said “U.S. forces will be out of Iraq” by Sept. 30, “while U.S. companies will be inside Iraq.”
The Pentagon said in a subsequent statement that it was reaffirming a 2024 agreement with
Iraq to end its mission against IS fighters. Many of the U.S. troops still serving in Iraq at the time of the deal, which was made during the Biden administration, already have departed.
The United States has been shifting the burden for combating IS in Iraq from American and coalition forces to Iraqi troops who have been trained by the U.S. military. American troops have been diminishing their footprint, withdrawing from areas and consolidating forces.
The U.S. invaded Iraq in March 2003 in what it called a massive “shock and awe” bombing campaign that lit up the skies, laid waste to large sections of the country and paved the way for Ameri-
can ground troops to converge on Baghdad. The invasion was based on what turned out to be faulty claims that Saddam Hussein had secretly stashed weapons of mass destruction. Such weapons never materialized. The U.S. presence grew to more than 170,000 troops at the peak of counterinsurgency operations in 2007. The Obama administration negotiated the drawdown of forces, and in December 2011, the final combat troops departed, leaving only a small number of military personnel behind to staff an office of security assistance and a detachment of Marines to guard the embassy compound. In 2014, the rise of the Islamic
give Ukraine a license to make Patriot systems itself. However, they are expensive, in high demand and take a long time to produce, so it will likely be years before any Ukrainian-made systems are ready to deploy Ukraine strikes oil facilities Ukraine, meanwhile, kept up its long-range onslaught on Russian targets, especially oil facilities. An attack in southern Russia’s Krasnodar region caused a fire at the Afipsky Oil Refinery that was later put out, authorities there said. Zelenskyy said Ukraine also hit an oil refinery in
In addition, the Ukrainian navy struck four Russian tankers operating as part of Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet of aging tankers of uncertain ownership and safety practices that are dodging international oil sanctions and a patrol boat, Zelenskyy said.
September
State group and its rapid capture of a wide swath across Iraq and Syria brought U.S. and partner nation forces back at the invitation of the Iraqi government to help rebuild and retrain police and military units that had fallen apart and fled.
After IS lost its hold on the territory it once claimed, coalition military operations ended in 2021. The U.S. had maintained about 2,500 troops in Iraq for training and to conduct partnered counter-IS operations with Iraq’s military Many have withdrawn since the 2024 agreement to end the mission, with just a small contingent of military advisers and others still remaining in Iraq.
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Scalise, R-Jefferson, told reporters before the vote on the House bill. “You’regoing to see this week the budget committee move thebeginnings of reconciliation 3.0 out of committee. And we’re moving more bills through the floor this week, another appropriations bill.”
Before the July Fourth holiday break, Trump had refused to sign abill that authorizes spy agencies to gather information about foreign nationals and another giving incentives to build more homesand lower housing costs for consumers. House leadership pulled bills from scheduled floor votes for three weeks because conservative factions leveraged the narrow GOP majority on procedural votes to stall consideration by the full House.
Johnson sent the House home early becausenothing was getting passed.
Democrats have continuously blasted Republicans over the gridlock.
“As we reconvene this week,one thingremains incredibly clear to us,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar,D-Calif., chair of theHouseDemocratic Caucus. “The Republican conferenceremains deeply divided. …And Republicanshavenot putforward asingle bill to make life more affordable. Unfortunately,this level of chaos and dysfunction has become ahallmark of Republican leadership.”
But on their first full day back from the two-week
PARK
Continued from page1A
was dominated by commentsabout the futureof the golf course, which has consistently spurredcontentiousconversations over the past few months.
Most residents who discussed the golf course asked BREC leadership to completely leavethe area and golf course alone, but several residents encouraged BREC to transform the area andmake it more inclusive outside of golf.
Thomas Bryan, who lives on East Lakeshore Drive, which is adjacent, said he and his neighbors don’twant the golf course downsizedor commercial developments like beer gardensoramphitheaters at the lakefront.
Bryan asked BREC CommissionChair Mike Polito if he wanted abeergarden “directly across the street from his house.” Polito in response said, “Damn straight,Iwould.”
Politoalso later emphasized thatboth design concepts stillhave agolf course that transforms the course from apar 32 to apar 31.
Resident Brian Hayman encouraged BREC to expandthe golf and park experience
“I think the whole point of this park in the middleof the community is to create the mostaccessfor themost
Speaker of the House MikeJohnson, R-Benton, is flanked by Rep. Carlos Giménez R-Fla., from left,Rep. Lisa McClain,R-Mich., and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson at anewsconference on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. Johnson wasabletonarrowly pass legislation that included the wording that PresidentTrump and his allies sayisnecessaryto address alleged election fraud.
vacation,the Housevoted 215to211 —all Republicans exceptone voting ‘yes’ —to approve legislation thatincluded wording from four bills: daylight saving time, banning codes that track guns, additional medical benefits for veterans and StateDepartmentfunding thatincludes thewording thatTrump and his allies sayisnecessary to address alleged election fraud.
Conservatives leveraged thenarrow Republican majority on proceduralvotes to stall full Houseconsiderationuntil theirpoints were included. With 217 Republicans and one independent makingupthe 218 members needed to forma major-
numberofcitizens,” he said.
Ty Whitley was one of multiple residents who want thegolfcourse untouched.
Whitley toldBREC to adopt an idea that “far exceeds these twoplans” createdby state Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge.
McMakin posted avideo Monday outlininghis suggested design plan, which he createdbased off thetwo designs and dubbed it “The McMakinPlan.”
McMakin spoke Tuesday andasked BREC to usehis plan, whichhebelieves “improves thepark without destroying what already works.”
“The public deserves a plan that brings themtogether andnot divide them,” he said
Several residents,many of whom said they grew up in south Baton Rouge, questioned BREC leadership about how much effort in the plan will be toward improving Brooks Park
EdgarCagespoke about how he grew up going to the pool at Brooks Park, which was created in the 1940s because theonly city public pool at the time was segregated.
Cagesaid thearea hasnot faced real improvements since he was achild in the 1950s.
“Nothinghas been done,” Cage said. “We’regoingto getleft behind again.”
Angela Harms, aBREC director who oversees the master planprocess, re-
ity, Johnson can’tlosethree GOP votes in order to pass abill withoutDemocratic votes.
Johnson said he has gotten only afew hours of sleep since the holiday,working almost nonstop to cobble together plans that would getthe Republican support necessary to pass legislation with only Republicans votes.
Johnson, Scalise,and House leadership turned to arulesprocedure with a militaryterm.
Named for the acronym of “multiple-warhead missile,” theMIRVprocedural rule putsunrelated bills into asingle legislative package to send to theSenate. Johnson suggested that “a lot of
spondeddirectly to concerns about Brooks Park and said part in themaster plan aims to renovateBrooks Park.
Outside the physical aspectsofthe park, anotable numberofresidents questioned aproposed conservancy model and how it would impact public transparency and decision-making surrounding the park.
Sasaki hasrecommended one unified conservancy model to managethe full University Lakes system and City-Brooks Park.
BREC Commission member Lon Vicknair,who is chiefofstaff forMayorPresident SidEdwards’ administration, saidthe administration he works for would not support aconservancy model that could lack transparencyovermattersthat deal with thepublic’s money But also, Vicknair said a conservancy could be “laser focused” on aspects of CityBrooks Park, such as maintenance and upkeep.
“A conservancy can be multiple different things,” he said. “I’mnot saying that we’re soldonthe conservancy.”
The committee for the master planwill discuss the proposeddrafts of the designs andconservancy model in August. Acouple monthslater,the committee will make its final recommendations for the BREC Commission to then vote on, according to BREC leadership.
on Tuesdayevening voted against amotion to proceed to the $1.15 trillion annual defense authorizationbill, called NDAA. The motion to advance the annual defense bill failedbya vote of 50 to 46. It needed 60 votes to succeed.
Without Graham and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky whohas been in the hospital and unable to vote, theSenate is now 51 Republicans and 47 Democrats. Usually,the must-pass bill receivesstrongbipartisan support.
SouthCarolina’s governor tappedGraham’ssister,Darline Graham, to fill out the five remaining months of his term.She was sworn in as a senator Tuesday afternoon.
Lindsey Graham also chairedthe Senate Budget Committee,which puthim at the tip of the spear to get aresolution through the parliamentary maneuver,called reconciliation,thatwould allow passage with asimple majority
ed areconciliationresolution that included additional money for themilitary action in Iran,largely because of opposition to enacting the SAVE America Act, the language of which wasmerged into instrument.
Senate Majority Leader JohnThune,R-S.D.,said Monday the votes forvoting restrictions just weren’t there. He will be focusing on getting Trump’snominees confirmed.
“We’re not going to have alot of time to get things if it hastogothroughboth chambers, but the appointments (confirmation of presidential nominees) are whatI’m most comfortable with because that only has to go through the Senate,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge. “There are alot of things we have to get done before the August recess. “ “The House leaves July 23,” Cassidy noted.
MIRVs”are on the way
The Senate, however,
Several Republican and all Democraticsenatorsreject-
Email Mark Ballardat mballard@theadvocate. com.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOSE LUIS MAGANA
multiple stops at thecenter, namely at the grocery store and Ulta Beauty.More than 7,600 customers stoppedat both stores in the same trip over the past year
Those making agrocery run also tend to grab abite while they are at Towne Center,with about 40%to48% of Whole Foods customers also stopping by Zea Rotisserie &Bar,Five Guys or Qdoba on the same trip. The three restaurantsare the most frequented at the shopping center,along with Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux and P.F. Chang’s.
Barnes &Noble, which moved into the center in October after closing its Citiplace location, has also brought more customers to Towne Center.More than half of bookstore shoppers also make astop at Whole Foods, according to Placer AI data.
Traffic at Barnes &Noble in Towne Center is significantly higher than that of the Citiplace location, manager Jessica Ballard said, largely due to the retail offerings afew steps away from the bookstore. Customers looking to pick up makeup at Ulta or sneakers at Nike can drop by,whereas most customers at Citiplace wouldgo solely for the bookstore. Barnes &Noble has been on awinning streak since 2019, when the chain started to focus back on books by promoting staff recommendations and aselection curated to meet community interests. Barnes &Noble opened 57 new stores in 2024 and 65 more in 2025, according to Modern Retail.
“Wefitinwell here,” Ballard said.
Open-air retail
Open-air shopping centers, retaildevelopments that are not enclosed in alarger building like amall,have prevailed as malls wither in popularity and e-commerce draws shoppers away from in-person purchases. Though the Mall of Louisianasurvived the downfall of similar shopping centers around the nation thanks to trendy tenantsand ageographically wide consumer base, afatal shooting in April has led to double-digit declinesintraffic for some tenants. Martha Odom, 17, a student at Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette, was killed in theshooting, while Donnie Guillory, 43, was seriously injured when he was shot three times.
The displaced traffic from the mall has pushed customers to Towne Center,according to afew tenants Real estateagents have recently lauded open-air grocery store-anchored developments as the trending model in retail and saw the saleofTowne Center as a sign of growingout-of-state investor interestinBaton Rouge. Similar developments like Engquist Development’sRouzan, anchored by Sprouts Farmers Market, and theRouses-anchored Arlington Marketplace off Burbank Drive and Lee Drive have popped up over
the years. Abouttwo-thirds of DLC’s 94 properties are anchored by grocery stores, acategory that has a3.5% vacancy rate —ahistoriclow —nationwide.Most of the suites in Towne Center are leased, withfive available, accordingtoamarketing brochure forthe development.DLC declined to share theoccupancy rate of Towne Center Towne Centermade a splash when it opened in spring 2005 as oneofthe first lifestyle centers in Baton Rougeand home to the area’ssoleWhole Foods location. The intersections of Jefferson Highway,Lobdell Avenue, Corporate Boulevard andOld Hammond Highway continue to attract development,with restaurants and national brands takingroot.
Newtenants
Mattie Garza grewupin BatonRougeand knew she always wanted to return home. She runs TheDesignery BatonRouge with herhusband, Nico, which is set to open its showroom at Towne Center by the end of the year,inthe suite between UPS and Manuel Builders.
The Designery is a“onestop shop” for those building or renovating their homes, and Garza wanted ahighly visible location forthe showroom. Mostfurniture andinterior design showrooms are located in standalone buildings off Airline Highway,but Towne Center brings the businesscloserto its clientele.
Garza said she felt the mix of tenants, from eateries to essential services, made the shopping center “sustainable” in an ever-changing retail market.Baton Rouge is spread out with no clear center of commercial activity,she said,but TowneCenter and its surrounding area draw alot of attention “They’ll drivetous,”she said.
Abudding financialdistrict
Abustling businesspark surroundsTowne Center, with banks, wealth managementfirms and boutique insurance companies.
Electronic billing company
Paystar plans to move into thefirst floor of the Commerce Circle building adjacenttoTowne Center, behind Chase Bank and the Louisiana FarmBureau headquarters.
Currency Bank President and CEO Scott Gaudin sees the center as somewhat
of afinancialdistrict. Cadence Bank, LouisianaNational Bank and Chaseall have locationsinornear Towne Center,along with wealth management firms including Raymond James, Wells Fargo and UBS. Houma-based Synergy Bank recently announced plans to build aflagship Baton Rouge branch right by TowneCenter,and Merrill Lynch will open an office in the center in the second half of 2027.
Currency’smainbranch sits off Jefferson Highway andTowneCenter Boulevard, whichGaudin said makesthe company highly visibletovehicles passing through thebusy area.
Gaudin said he chosethe spot forthe bank, which specializes in business banking, becausehewanted to be close to places his clients frequent.
It haspaidoff forCurrency, he said,resultingin lower overhead for the bank since apopular,central branch decreases theneed for many other locations. It is convenient too —employees can eat lunch at the dozen or so restaurantsortake aquick shopping trip during breaks.
The saturation of financial firms has created some healthy competition between thoseinthe business park, Gaudin said. “There’s enough business in Baton Rouge forall of us,” he said.
STAFFPHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
BY PATRICK WHITTLE, JACK BROOK, REBECCA SANTANA and MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press
BIDDEFORD, Maine Trump administration officials told Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to suspend most vehicle stops after two deadly shootings within a week, people familiar withthe decision said Tuesday
The policy change cameafter an ICE officer shot and killed aColombian driver Monday in Maine and aweek after one shot and killed amotorist in Houston, renewing criticism of the agency’s enforcement tactics that were widely condemned last winter after the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota.
In Florida on Tuesday, athird man in roughly aweek died during an encounter with immigration officers. This time, a28-year-old man was killed after he was hit by a tractor trailer whilerunning from immigration and other federalofficers,authorities said.
The suspension of vehicle stops allows room for exceptions when executing acriminal warrant or working with partner agencies, according to apersonwho spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive law enforcement operations. MatthewFelling, aspokesperson for Maine Sen.Angus King, said the senator’soffice was also told by the Department of Homeland Security that ICE was suspending stops.
Hundreds of people in Maine protested Tuesday over the fatal shootingofJohan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a25-year-oldColombian national.
DHS said Monday that an officer, “fearing for public safety,” shot and killed Durán Guerrerowhile officerswere watching thehome of someone they believedwas in the U.S. illegally and facinga final order of removal from the country It said in apost on Xthat when ICE tried to stop acar driven by someone who came from the home, the
vehicleattempted to flee andthe officer fired That was ashiftfrom how King earlier described the encounter, when he said Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told himthe officer opened fire after the man tried to use his vehicle as aweapon.Kingsaid Mullin told himthe officerswere trying to serve an arrest warrant, butnot for the man who was shot.
DHS,whichoversees ICE, didn’t respond to an email seeking clarity on what led to theshooting.
In ascathing post on X, outgoing ColombianPresident Gustavo Petrocalled theshootingatargeted killing“at thehands of the U.S. government.”
Petro, who has openly quarreledwithU.S.President Donald Trump, urged Trump to provide an explanation and accused ICE officersoftreatingDurán Guerrero as “an inferior being without rights.”
The shooting also sparked outrageinMaine, where hundreds of protesters gathered Tuesday outsideanICE detention center in Scarborough, just up the coast between Biddeford and Portland.
“These people arekillers and theymust leave our state now, organizer Todd Chretien told the crowd,including some who held signs reading “Stop the murder” and “End this terror.”
Questionssurroundthe shooting DuránGuerrero’s shooting marked at least theninthtime ICE hasused deadly force since Trump beganhis immigration crackdown.
Photos showed bulletholes in Durán Guerrero’scar’swindshield, but the officers involved in theshooting didn’thavebody cameras, leaving many questions. Among them are how close the of-
ficer was to thevehicle when they fired, whether officers told Durán Guerrero to stop, and why ICE believes he had put the public in danger
“Weare always evaluating ourprocedures to keep our officers safe andcriminals offour streets. We will not disclose or discuss lawenforcementtactics,” an ICE spokesperson said in astatement.
Maine’sattorney general’soffice, which noted that it’sworking with federal agencies to investigate, said initialstatements suggest the driverwas trying to fleeinthe direction of the officer,whose name hasn’tbeenreleased andwho was placed on leave.
The state’sother senator,Republican SusanCollins, saidMullin told her that DHS’ Office of Inspector General is investigating in cooperation with the FBI Democrats seeking to unseat Collins in November sought Tuesday to connect her with the
public’sunease over ICE’smethods. Collins latersaidina statement that although ICEneeds to improve, eliminating the agency would makethe nation less safe. Videoshows aftermath
According to neighbors and public records, Guerrero livedin an apartment about 150 feetfrom where his car cametoa rest outside an apartment building across the street from apawnshop and laundromat.
Video from anearby business’ security camera obtained by the AP shows awhite car slowly approaching an intersectionbefore making several circles.
Alaw enforcement SUV blocks its path and two officers open the driver’sdoor anddrag out alimp body It isn’tclear fromthe videowhen the shots were fired.
Daniel Boucher said he heard a “pop, pop,pop”and rantothe intersection.
“His face was bloody.His head was bloody,” Boucher said. “I clearly heard the victim say,‘I tried to stop.’” Boucher said the officer who shot DuránGuerrero walked close to him
“He looked at me and said, ‘He tried to run me over,’ or something to that effect,” Bouchersaid. “I don’tremember his exact words.” Victim survived by wife,child Twoadvocacy groups —the Maine Immigrants’RightsCoalition andPresente! —said Durán Guerrero was authorized to work in the U.S. Neighbors sayDuránGuerrero was afriendly and familiar face even though theyrarelychatted because he didn’tappear to speak English.
Sadie Dilboy and Cory Poulin, whoownsthe laundromat near the intersection,saidtheysaw Durán Guerrero all the time.
“Everyone knows him,” said Dilboy, who remembered that he often cametotheir store with his daughter and gave her quarters to buy candy
Claudia Morton, who often waved to DuránGuerrero, was distraught. “The whole world should be crying,” she said.
LSU vet school dean stepping down
Garden to stay on as endowed chair, professor
BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer
LSU School of Veterinary Medi-
cine Dean Oliver Garden has stepped down, with Colin Mitchell announced as interim dean. Garden will stay on with the veterinary school as the Kenneth F. Burns Endowed Chair and Profes-
sor of Comparative Medicine in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, the school’s website states.
“After five wonderful years, I am taking a temporary break from administrative leadership to reinvigorate my scholarship and contribute to the success of the school from the ranks of its talented faculty,” Garden’s LinkedIn profile states.
PUTTER RIGHT THERE
A release from LSU Vet Med stated the school will launch a national search for its next permanent dean. Britta Leise will serve as interim head of the Veterinary Clinical Sciences department while Mitchell fulfills the responsibilities of dean.
Garden was named dean in August 2021. His dean biography said he led
the transition to a new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum, renovations to the campus and a class size increase to 200 students. On his LinkedIn profile, Garden says he is excited to enter the next phase of his career and “complete several research studies that have been on hold for too long, while also starting an exciting book project.”
Christian Malbrough gives his son Stetson Malbrough a tip on how to play the chip onto the green while playing hole nine on July 6.
STAFF PHOTOS By MICHAEL
hole nine of BREC’s Webb
BY IANNE SALVOSA
The dean search is the latest in a series of high-level leadership changes at the LSU main campus in Baton Rouge. Joseph Messina was named senior vice chancellor and provost in June following a monthslong national search The main campus also recently let go its chief financial officer and vice president of engagement in layoffs this month
BY ANNAKATE FREELAND Staff writer
The Gonzales City Council took different approaches on two rezoning requests for multifamily
tion earlier this month.
The request would allow the developer to make further plans to build a residential development with 68 townhomes and 18 single-family homes on nearly 36 acres of vacant land along West Orice Roth Road.
The property is currently zoned for single-family residential and commercial use. The developer requested that a townhouse zoning designation be added to allow the project to move forward.
“This is on West Orice Road, west of the existing Gonzales Trace Subdivision,” said Jeff Diamond, who presented the plans on behalf of D. Daniels
JOHNSON
Stetson Malbrough putts while playing
Memorial Golf Course in Baton Rouge on July 6
Garden
OceanSprings waitsfor answersinteen’sdeath
Tight-knit community ‘justindisbelief’
BY MARTHA SANCHEZ Staff writer
The city where Nolan Wells lived is full of sorrow It has been more than aweek since asearch crew found the teenager’sbody in thewaters near aGulf Coast barrier island, where he celebrated the Fourth of July with friends. The tragic news rattledhis tight-knit community of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where shock is now turning to grief, speculation and painful uncertainty.
The communityis“trying to pull togetherand be supportive tohis family,but they’re stilljustindisbelief,” said Tracy Lampley,who coached Wells when he played football at Ocean Springs High School. “Everybody just wants to know what happened.”
So far,the answer has remained unclear.Law enforcement have said Wells, 18, disappeared during crowded holiday celebrations on Horn Island, about 10 miles off
the Mississippi Coast. Autopsy results are still pending, and authorities had notreleased acause of death byMonday night.
The county’ssheriff said last week thatno signs of foul play had emerged as thedepartment’sinvestigation into Wells’ death continues.
BenCrump, anational civil rights attorneywho is representing Wells’ family,isalsoinvestigating the teen’s death.The tragedybegan drawing national attention as aphotocirculated online that shows Wells, who was Black, sittingonaboat with several friends, who are White.
Crumpand Wells’parents, Christineand Elmore Wonsley,appeared on the show “Good MorningAmerica” last week andcalled for athorough investigation. They said they couldnot understand whyWells would separate from hisgroup of friends.
“It’snot addingup,” Crump said, “and that is the problem when you thinkabout thehistory of Mississippi.”
Sean Tindell,commissioner of
the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, toldthe conservative talkradio station SuperTalk Mississippi thathis “heart is bleeding for the family and the friends of Nolan who have suffered atragic loss.”
“The investigation will lead where it will,” he added.“Butthere’s no indication that therewas anything regarding race that led to this unfortunate situation.”
OceanSprings grieves
Over the weekend, hundreds peacefully gathered on the streets of Ocean Springs to callattention to Wells’ death. They chanted his name and carried handmade signs. “Justice for Nolan Wells,” one read. “Hope for Nolan,” said another “Wewantanswers,”one attendee told WLOX-TV in Biloxi. “It’sabout the truth, and it’s about transparency.”
Students andstaff in the Ocean SpringsSchoolDistrict were also invited last week to the high schoolauditorium,where they
held agrief session
“Ourcommunity is hurting,”
Ron Chambers, who servesonthe district’sBoard of Trustees, recentlywrote on social media. “Let us not become trapped by gossip, rumors, backbiting, or sensationalism.Those things only fuel conflictand prolongpain.”
Wells’ motherhas posted on social media pleading that users reportvideos generated by artificialintelligence, which she said are spreading false information abouther son’s death.She hasalso called out fake fundraising accountspurporting to support her family.Others in Ocean Springs arecondemning online actors they sayare using the tragedy for personal gain.
The digital chaos is frustrating some residents across Ocean Springs, acity of about 19,000 people usually known forits towering oaks, beaches andlaid-back art scene. Many leaders are urging their city to come together with compassion.
“Everybody’supsetoverthe whole ordeal,” said Kevin Wade, an Ocean Springs alderman. “Un-
til law enforcement and everybody gets all the investigations done, nobody’sreally going to knowwhat’sgoing on.”
“Each andevery stepwetaketogether supporting Nolan’smemory,his family,his friends,and unity is astep in theright direction,” Ocean Springs Mayor Bobby Cox wrote on social media.
The people who loved Wells recall him as akind and friendly role model and peacemaker.He worked hard on his footballcareer,first in OceanSprings, then at Southwest Mississippi Community College. Lampley,Wells’ former coach,calledhim “a joy to be around.
Law enforcementhavesaid speculation surrounding Wells’ death is damaging to theirinvestigation, because rumors and public scrutiny may intimidate teenage witnesses from coming forward. Lampley added that observers should await whatever facts the family chooses to share
“Give them therespect they deserve,” he said. Staff writer Poet Wolfe contributed reporting.
Frequencyofearthquakes in northwestLa. plummets
University who already maintained some seismometers in the area,USGS installed newquake detectors and upgraded theexisting ones to transmit datainreal time.
BY ADAM DUVERNAY Staff writer
What happened to allthose earthquakes?
The number of earthquakes recorded in northwest Louisiana has plummeted since May.Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy has noticed but doesn’tknow why Earthquakes are ahistorical oddity in Louisiana, having only truly emerged as aknown, regular-ish occurrence sinceabout 2010. Thereisasuspicion that the shakingisrelated to the oil and gas industry and arecent effort to study theconnection. But lately,there’s much less to study
On March 5, Louisiana experienced its largestever recorded earthquake: awhopping magnitude 4.9 with an epicenter in the Coushatta area. It was big enough to be felt in Shreveport and over the state line in Texas and Arkansas, and it caught the attention of federal quake trackers.
The U.S. Geological Surveydispatched ateamof technicians to northwest Louisiana. Along with apartner researcherfrom Tulane
COUNCIL
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Construction. “The idea here is to provide atransitional zone betweenthe low-density residential of GonzalesTrace and the high-density commercialwestand southwest of the developmentsthatis warehouses and retail.”
Diamondemphasizedthat the request was only to rezone the property,allowing thedeveloper to move forward with drainage studies, traffic studies, preliminary plats and engineering plans. Planning and ZoningChair Scott Hughes said the commission considered the proposal at its July 6meeting but failed to make arecommendation after amotion did not receive asecond. He said only three of the four commissioners were at the meeting.
“My commissioners that were present felt that the traffic and public safety was going to be abig issue with this project,” he said. “So that’swhere they stood on this.”
The councillater voted 3-2 to approve aseparate rezoning requestfromMontan LandCo. LLC foranapartment development on South Veterans Boulevard.
The vacant property was rezoned from commercial to multifamily residential, clearing theway forplans for athree-story garden-style 168-unit apartmentcomplex
While USGS previously wasrelyinglargelyondata far from thesiteofthe earthquakes, the new monitors significantly improved the ability to captureinformationabout local shaking. That includedamore accurate assessment of the quakes’ epicenters and the recordingofmuchsmaller quakes.
Between March5 and May 8, USGS mapped 41 earthquakes in northwest Louisiana, many verysmall. It was amuchhigher number than previouslyrecorded for theregion even over much longer periods. From Dec. 4, 2018, toMarch 4, USGS had recorded only 31 earthquakes.
But since May 8, USGS has recordedonlyfive earthquakes in northwest Louisiana: n May 11: magnitude 2.1, northwest of Coushatta n May 22: magnitude 2.3, southeast of Ringgold n May 27: magnitude 1.9, northeast of Ringgold n May 28: magnitude 2.4, northwest of Ringgold n June 2:magnitude1.9, northwest of Coushatta.
Acrossparts of thecentral
on roughly 38 acres. Callie Civils, representing Montan LandCo., saidthe rezoning will allow the developer to continue engineering work, including drainage studies andsite planning. Shealsoemphasized that the approved rezoning doesnot permitconstruction, but allows the developerstocontinue planstoward it. Montan LandCo. previously developed Sawgrass Point andCypressPoint, apartmentcomplexes that arealso on SouthVeteransBoulevard.
Council membersCynthia Gray James and Kirk Turner voted against the rezoning.
United States, earthquakes away from active seismic zones, suchasOklahoma and westTexas, have been linked to oil and gas activity, specifically the disposalof wastewaterbyinjecting it deep underground. The phenomenon is called “induced seismicity.
EPAofficials, after the March 5magnitude 4.9 earthquake,asked state regulators to step up monitoring of the wastewater injection in the area. That’sthe responsibility of theLouisiana Department of Conservation and Energy The agency is reviewing the datafor anomalies, according to presssecretaryPatrick Courreges, but the department hasn’tyet instructed operators of wastewater disposal sites todoanything differently “Wehaven’tidentified that for sure as aculprit. It’sa big suspect,but there hasn’t been enough evidence to connect thetwo,” Courreges said. Courregessaid the dropoff in the number of quakes recentlyis“unmistakable,” but the department doesn’t have aready explanation.
Mapping northwest Louisiana earthquakes over time is not without caveats.
There have been two distinct periods of noticeable seismicity in northwest Louisiana recently: the win-
ter of 2024-25 andthe winter of 2025-26. Between December2024 and January 2025, USGS recorded seven earthquakes around Mooringsport. USGS didn’trecord anotherearthquake in northwestLouisiana until December 2025 most of those in the Coushattaarea, with asmaller cluster occurring around the Ringgold area.
For northwest Louisiana, thelack of reliable data also has made counting and locating quakes challenging. Louisiana lacks the kind of robust monitoring network of states such as Texas, anduntil USGS recently installed its new seismometers, the data could be spotty and imprecise.
Earthquakes below the
size of magnitude 2.5 don’t generally appear on the USGS maptrackingworldwide seismic events. Many earthquakesofrelatively small sizes occur across the world everyday,and their inclusiononthe USGS tracking mapusually happens only as an anomaly
“The only earthquakes that we publish are earthquakesthat have been manually reviewed. Normally, we just process earthquakes that are 2.5, 3orbigger,” USGS researcher Justin Rubinstein said in May.“Sometimesour automaticsolutions make an earthquake look big, so thehumanwill go process it. If it turns out to be a2.1 or a1.5, we’ve alreadydonethe work on the earthquake, so there’sno
reason not to publish it.” After the big March 5 quake, researchers’ interest in the region meant processing even smaller quakes to better understand local seismicity.Thatmeans the 41 earthquakes between March 5and May 8, many small, represent not more frequent earthquakes, but moreidentified ones. But none of those facts explain thesuddendrop-off in the numberofrecorded quakes since early May Rubinstein said in an email Monday the USGS catalog is up to date, signifying there have just been fewer earthquakes lately
Email Adam Duvernay at adam.duvernay@ theadvocate.com.
Wells
Subaruissueslabel
recall for 541,000 SUVs
NEWYORK Subaru of America is recalling more than 541,000ofits Crosstrek, Forester and Ascent SUVsdue to an inaccurate label attached to the vehicles.
Accordingtoa notice published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this week, the now-recalled vehicles were made with acertification label that incorrectly states their gross axle weight rating, or GAWR, which reflects the maximum weight that each axleofavehicle can support.
The NHTSA warns awrong GAWR label“mayleadtoan overloaded vehicle,” which could increase the likelihood of acrash. Subaru has not been aware of any crashes or injuries resulting from this issue in the U.S., according to recall documents. And no mechanical repair is needed —but the company plans to mail impacted owners a“corrective certification label” to place over the faulty one. Customers may also choose to have adealer place the new label on their cars, free of charge.
Frontier picks SpaceX’s Starlink for in-flight Wi-Fi Frontier Airlines will retrofit its fleet of more than 180 aircraft with Starlink, becoming the latest carrier to join the inflight high-speed internet arms race by partnering with Elon Musk’s SpaceX subsidiary
The Denver-based budget carrier said it plans to deploy its first Starlink-equipped aircraft in early 2027, adding that it will be the first U.S. airline to offer customers access to Starlink’s internet through anew system directly managed by Starlink Frontiertouted Starlink’sgateto-gate connectivity potential for its employees, sayingitwill lead to “improved operationalperformance and more seamless customer service.”
The potentialfor high-speed internet on Frontier flights could equip the airline to better compete with legacy carriers at DFW International Airport, where it has built up asignificant presence over the past few years. After Spirit Airlines’ collapse, Frontier now is the unquestioned dominant budget airline at DFW Airport, the central hub of American Airlines.
In combination with Frontier, other members of Indigo Partners’ portfolio, including Wizz Air,Volaris, JetSMARTand Cebu Pacific, plan to install Starlink on over 1,000 aircraft, according to Frontier China’sJune exports surge amid AI boom HONG KONG China’sexports accelerated in June, jumping 27% from ayear earlier thanks partly to the boom in artificial intelligence, the customsagencysaid Tuesday
The increase in exports in June was much better than economists had expected. Exports rose 19.4% year-on-year in May.
Imports in June surged 36%, better than May’s27.4%yearon-yeargrowth, with analysts attributing the expansion in part due to the Iran war driving up import costs.
China recorded atrade surplus of $125.6 billion in June, widening from $105.4 billion in theprevious month.
“With the rapid growth of AI, our imports and exportofproducts in this field are robust,” Wang Jun, vice minister of China’sGeneral Administration of Customs, said at anews conference in Beijing. He said trade in electronic components, computer spare parts, and other computing hardware jumped nearly 57% to $760 billion in the first half of the year.Otherproducts such as AI glasses, AI translating devices, powered exoskeletons and other smart products are also evolving.
“Trade values took anotherbig leg up in June,” Julian EvansPritchard, head of China Economics at Capital Economics, wrote in anote Tuesday.“This predominantly reflects therecent surge in semiconductor prices on the back of the AI boom. But even puttingthat aside, foreign demand for Chinese goods remains robust.
Inflationcools more than expectedinJune
U.S. inflation cooled last month as the cost of gas, clothes and used cars fell, providing somerelief to consumers, while underlying price pressures also slowedmore than expected.
Gascosts fall, underlying prices ease
BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer
WASHINGTON U.S. inflation cooled lastmonth as thecostof gas, clothes and used cars fell, providingsomerelieftoconsumers, while underlying price pressures also slowed more than expected.
Consumer prices dropped 0.4% from May to June, thelargestmonthly drop in fouryears, the Labor Department said Tuesday,after rising 0.5% in theprevious month. On ayearly basis, inflation declinedto3.5%, downfrom ayear-over-year gain of 4.2% in May and lower than many economistsexpected
Excluding the foodand energy categories, coreprices were unchanged from May to June, a positivesignthat underlying inflation is declining. On ayearly basis, core prices rose just 2.6%, down from 2.9%the previous month. Core inflation remains abovethe Federal Reserve’s target of 2%
The core figures suggest that thegas price spike fromthe Iran war,while it pushedupairfares andsome other costs, hasn’tso far led to broad-based, sustained inflation,economists said.
“Thisreading is verymuch in thecamp that the inflation we’ve had this year is transitory,” said Michael Metcalfe, head of macro strategy at State Street Markets. “Yes, gas prices went up, but nothing else did, more or less.”
Yetoil prices rose for asec-
ondday Tuesday as the United States renewed attacks on Iran andPresident DonaldTrump announced anew blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, akey shipping route forabout one-fifth of the world’soil. The increase threatenstoundoatleast some of theprogress that occurred last month.
And manyAmericans have soured on the economy after five years of elevated inflation, posing arisk to Trump andRepublicansinthe upcoming midterm elections.
Forhis part,Trump on Tuesdayblamed his predecessor, Democrat JoeBiden, forthe rate of inflation having spiked to a three-year high just last month.
“It’snot my fault,” he said. “We are putting it to sleep. .Inflation is way down.”
“Remember thatfor the midterms,” he added.
Yetinflation hasrisen since Trump’sinauguration last year, to 3.5% from 3% in January 2025. It jumped even furtherafterthe Iran war began Feb. 28 when it was just 2.4%
Tuesday’sreportlikelyreduces pressure on theFed to boost its short-term interest rate to combat inflation.Lastmonth, Fed officialsleft their key rate unchangedatabout 3.6%
“Today’s report gave some breathing room for theFederal Reserveindecidingwhether and when to raise interest rates,” Kathy Bostjancic, chief economistatNationwide Financial,said.
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh,in written testimonytothe House Financial Services Committee, saidTuesdaythat theFed has “no tolerance” for high inflation whichhepledgedwould become “a thing of thepast.” Yetheprovidednohints aboutwhat steps
theFed may take in coming months. Warshwill face questions later Tuesday from members of Congress. Awider rangeofprices cooled last month thaneconomists had forecast.Electricity prices, which have been elevated by spiking demandfromdatacenters, fell1%fromMay to June, though they arestill4%higher thana year ago. Clothing prices dropped0.6% from May to June butare 3.9% more expensive than ayear earlier Groceries rose 0.2%from May to June andare up 2.7% fromlastyear,while apartment rental costs cooled,rising just 0.1% last monthand 2.8% from ayear ago.
The inflation-fighters at the Fedremain sharplydivided over next steps, according to minutes of their June16-17 meeting. About half of policymakerssupport raising interest rates by the end of the year to cool borrowing, spending, and priceincreases, theminutes showed.Another half are willing to wait for signs that inflation may resume falling as gasprices decline,though the minutes predate therecent flare-up of violenceinthe Middle East.
Andthe situation in the Middle East continuestochange hour to hour.OnTuesday,the pricefor abarrel of Brent crude oil, the international standard, climbed 4.6%to$87.13 after theUnited States and Iran each said the Strait of Hormuzisunder its control. Gas prices have also risenabout 6cents agallon in thepast week,toa nationwide averageof$3.86 agallon.
“Today’snumber is avery good reading, but so much is going to depend on what happens in the Middle East,” Bostjancic said.
Economists, tech leadersspeak outonAI
BYQUEENIE WONG Los Angeles Times (TNS)
Many of the smartest peoplein theworldwarned governments, companies and people Monday that they need to be ready for the deepimpact that artificial intelligence is going to have on the economy
More than 200 economists, researchers and tech leaders said artificial intelligence could transform theeconomyfor thebetter and for worse and fuel risks including “large-scale job displacement.”
In astatement, the group said AI could become more powerful over adecade, driving an unprecedented economic transformationthat could bring downsides but also opportunitiessuch as “majorgains in living standards.”
“Wemustact nowtoguide AI to complement humans rather than simply imitate them—and to generateprosperity forthe many,not just thefew,” said Erik Brynjolfsson, aStanford Univer-
sity professorand director of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab,in aseparate statement.
Brynjolfssonisamongthe prominentindividuals who signed the statement titled”We Must Act Now” to urge economists, policymakers andtech leaders to better understand how AI will transform theeconomy The group is pushing for the creation of more guardrails, incentives and institutions to “steer AI in adirection that complements humans andbenefits society.”
Among those who signedthe statement were Nobel laureates, AI researchers and tech leaders from California venture capital firms and companies including Anthropic, OpenAI andGoogle Thetech leaders includedEric Schmidt,former Google chiefexecutive; ReidHoffman, aLinkedInco-founder; VinodKhosla,a venture capitalist; Yann LeCun, acomputer scientist;and Jack Clark, aco-founder of Anthropic. Economists from Harvard, Stan-
ford, MIT and other prominent universities were also on the list.
Thestatement highlights some of the anxietysurrounding the latest advancementsintechnologyassome of the world’slargestcompaniesrace to compete with Chinaand othercountries to dominate the AI race.
Companies are going head-tohead with one another,rolling out more powerful AI tools that allow people to quickly generate text, code, images, videos andother content.
They’remarketing the tools as ways to helpworkerswith tedious tasks. The rise in automation, though, hasalso raised concerns about whether AI will wipeout certain jobs in software engineering, customerservice, entertainment andotherareas
AI also poses safety risks. AI companiesincluding ChatGPT maker OpenAI are facing lawsuits over whethertheyshould be heldresponsible whenpeople use AI to harm themselves or others.
Banks raking in bigprofits
BY MATT OTT AP business writer
WASHINGTON Five of thebiggest U.S. banks reported record profits on Tuesday,boosted by their trading desks and aremarkably resilient American consumer amid persistent global economic uncertainty It marks the second straight quarter of strong results from the banks, which have benefited from market volatility since the Iran war began in late February
Both consumer-facing and marketfocused banks reported revenue and profitgrowththatbeateventhe most optimistic Wall Street expectations. The KBW Nasdaq Bank Index, which tracks the performance of twodozen banks, rose in afternoon trading.
JPMorgan Chase logged $16.9 billion in second-quarter profitasits equities trading division again took advantage of marketvolatilitytriggeredbythe war in Iran. The nation’slargest bank by asset size, JPMorgan said that revenue in every line of its business hit record levels in the quarter,including its markets division, where revenue grew 35% over the same periodlastyear. Revenue in its equity markets division skyrocketed 86%.
JPMorgan earned$6.14per share in the period, beating analyst estimates of $5.59 per share. Managed revenue came in at $58 billion, also topping the estimates of analysts surveyed by FactSet. JPMorgan shares rose 1.8% by midday Bank executiveshighlightedasurprisingly strong U.S. consumer even as inflationremainselevated, in part due to the higher oil prices brought about by the war in Iran. Bank of Americasaidthatconsumer spending expanded,outperforming expectations.Consumer investmentassets grew 18% year-over-year and average deposits and spending all increased from the first quarter,the bank said. JPMorganreportedrevenue of $20.3 billion from its consumer banking division in the period, ayear-over-year increase of 8%.
Wells Fargo also reported improved consumer activity,reflecting abroadly healthy U.S. economy.
“Consumer spendingishigher, charge-offs anddelinquenciesare lower,and savings and investments are growing across consumer segments,” Wells CEO Charlie Scharf said. The unresolved conflict in the Middle East, however,remains apotential economic hurdle for consumers and businesses alike. Oil prices fell back near prewar levelsearlierthismonth, but they’re back up more than 10% this week after the U.S. renewed attacks on Iran and President Donald Trump announced anew blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, akey shipping route for about one-fifth of the world’soil. At $3.86 per gallon, gas prices remain well above prewar levels but below their peak of around $4.50 in May Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorganChase,said on aconference call that JPMorgan remains “appropriately cautious” in light of the current global economic risks.
“Wecannot predict howthese forces will ultimately play out,” Dimon said. “They may remainmanageable, buttheycould also causemeaningful disruptions when they shiftor collide.”
Dimon said that revenue from the New York bank’sinvestment banking divisionrose30%,accelerating to the highest level since 2021 as the thirst for initial public offerings and mergers and acquisitions remained strong.
All the major banks played arole in SpaceX’srecord-setting IPO in June, with GoldmanSachs and Morgan Stanley acting as lead underwriters. The offering brought in $75 billion, more than all U.S. IPOs combinedin2024 and 2025, according to Renaissance Capital. Renaissance expects the IPO market to extendits hotstreakintothe second half of this year,also driven by larger dealssuchasKorean memory chip giantSKHynix’s “mega-listing” on Friday that raised $26.5 billion. Global mergers andacquisitionactivityalsoaccelerated in thesecond quarter of 2026, with announcements up 64% year-over-year and closings up 33%, according to Morgan Stanley Goldman Sachs said revenue from advising on mergers and acquisitions in the second quarter rose 17%.
Dimon
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByNAM y. HUH
Spanhoff, Elisabeth St.Agnes Catholic Church at 11 a.m.
Obituaries
Parks, Gary P.
Gary P. Parks was born January 30, 1941 and died June 10, 2026. He was the son of the late Ernest &Edna Parks. In his youth they farmed an area located betweenthe town of Paradis and fishing village of Bayou Gauche, Louisiana. Gary andhis older brother Terry, were the last of the family order consisting of deceased siblings Velma Dufrene, Wilmer, Venis, Ethel Savoie, and Raymond. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Glenda son Michael, and grandsons Aaron and Brady Parks,many nieces & nephews, cousins, in-laws, and his honorary granddaughtersJordan Jamieson and Jaci Tortorella. He attended the Paradis ElementarySchool 1st through 4th grades attaining agreateducational start, with thanks to beloved teachers Peyregne, Roberts, Amaca, and Hebert. After graduating from Hahnville HighSchool in 1959, he also earned a BS in Mathematics from Southeastern Louisiana College and aBSinMechanical Engineering from LSU. His career in the chemical industry included Rubicon, Albermarle, retiring from Novartis Agricultural Chemical. He was an LSU
Condo Association Consul-
and Manager. He loved old boats, old cars, but most of all old friends and new. An avid volunteer and communityactivist, he was also amember of the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge for over 40 years. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday,July18, 2 p.m., at the Church at 8470 Goodwood Boulevard.
Ratcliff, Eddie EddieRatcliff, aloving husband, daddy, and grandfather passed away July 12, 2026.Hewas born on January16, 1945 to his parents Clarence and Agnes RatcliffinLivingston, where he remaineda lifelongresident Since1967,hewas apipefitter and amemberof theLocal 198, retiring after many years of service. He also oftentalkedabouthis working years and the many people that he met through work. Eddiewas happiestwhen working on atask- working outside, maintaining his yard, and buildingaround hishome. In his younger years, he enjoyed sitting on hispatio and playing the guitar. He willbedearly missedby themany people thathad the privilege to know and love him. There willbea visitation held at Pine Grove BaptistChurchon Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 10:00am to 12:00pm with afuneral service
Whitley, BerniceMarie
Bernice Whitley departed this life on July6,2026 at Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary, Louisiana.
She was aproud graduateofChaneyville High School in Zachary, Louisiana and received her undergraduatedegree in English fromSouthern UniversityBaton Rouge. She laterearnedher Master's in English and Library of Science degreeatthe UniversityofMichigan in Ann Arbor,Michigan.
Bernice spent half of her adultlifeinGrand Rapids, Michigan where she integrated Creston High School as thefirst black librarian. Following her tenure at Creston,she be-
came the director of the Media Department at the now Grand Rapids Community College, eventuallybeing promoted to Library Sciences Director. She retired in 1990, and returned to her hometown of Chaneyville in Zachary, Louisiana. After returning home, she served as alibrarian in Pride, Louisiana Bernice believed in service beyond the workplace. She helped wherever she was needed, many times cooking and baking dishes for her local church and numerous civic and social organizations. She had aspeciallove for her bridge club (Cas-Tals) and the Zachary AARP. She was arole model for young girls andboys, taking them under her wing and into her home taking time to explain and model the importance of thinking before acting, good manners, professionalism, and grace. Her lifetime membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. helped her blaze apath for young girls and she often partnered with the One Hundred Black Men of Baton Rouge and Baton Rouge Omega Psi Phi organizations to inform and encourage young black boys.
Shewas adevoted Catholicmost of her life and memberofSt. John The Baptist Catholic ChurchinZachary, Louisiana Bernice was precededin death by her beloved parents,Charley and Viola HayesWhitley;brothers, Felton, Welton,Leon, Odell, Clifton,and WilliamWhitley; sisters, Ruby Douglas, Rose Stewart, Alma Knighton and Dorothy Merkison; beloved nephews, Charles Merkison and Calvin Whitley.
Sheleaves to cherish hermemory herdevoted brother, SterlingWhitley of Grand Rapids, Michigan; goddaughters, Angela Merkison, Gwyn Best,and Michelle Merkison; ahost of nieces and nephews including, Kay Stewart, Minty Knightonand Larry Whitley,Jr.,otherrelatives and friends Bernice's legacyisone of faith, education, leadership, service,and unwavering devotiontofamily Shebroke barriers, opened doors for others,and lived alifemarkedbyexcellence,dignity, and purpose.Her memorywillforever remain ablessing to allwho knew and loved her
Aviewing (wake) willbe held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, July16, 2026 at Wilson Wooddale Funeral Home,1553 Wooddale Boulevard Amass of Christian burial willbeheldfrom 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Friday, July 17, 2026 at St John The Baptist Catholic Church, 4826 MainStreet, Zachary, LA
between N.O. andLa. hurtsboth city,state
An Orleans Parish grand jury’s indictment of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill earlier this month was ashock, but itwasn’tthe first time the ongoing political feudbetween Republicanofficials at thestate leveland Democrats who run New Orleans spilled over into allegations of criminality
That happenedearlier this spring, after the Legislature folded the Clerk of Criminal District Court’soffice into the civil court clerk’soperation just beforeCalvinDuncan, who’d been elected to the criminal courtjob, couldbesworn in. With the backing of Mayor Helena Moreno andDistrict Attorney JasonWilliams, five City Council members voted to declare thenew combined office substantiallychangedand callfor anew election. Murrillresponded bythreatening to remove them from officeand have Gov. Jeff Landry replace them, and to prosecute the interim clerk they’d appointed,arespected retired judge That was just the beginning. Morenofilmed avideo in which she said Murrill may have violated astate lawagainst threateningpublic officialstoinfluence their actions. And thenthe grand jury —onits own,reportedly, with Williams recusing himself andMoreno saying she hadnoknowledge of the proceeding —indicted Murrill under that law There’smore. Judge Leon Roche appointeda special prosecutor,Laurie White, whoisa lightning rod herself. Journalistsexercising their First Amendment right to cover the unusual court action wound up barred from thebuilding, and in one case even handcuffed,byOrleans Parish sheriff’s deputies.
Murrill went to the stateSupreme Court, which stayed the indictment.She hasnow gotten ajudge to OK subpoenas seeking electronic communications and other recordsfromWilliams and White Meanwhile, Murrill’spolitical allies, most notably Landry,have not only rallied toher defensebut pushed back againstmultiple city initiatives,including its request that the state Bond Commission allowit to borrow money for needed projects and ongoingefforts to pull itself out of the fiscal mess Moreno inherited. It’salot, but we can sumupour reaction in four words: This has to stop.
It should go without sayingthat accusing political adversaries of criminality undermines trust in the system. It distractsofficials from doing their jobs and hurtstheir ability to lower thetemperature and pursue the commongood. There are well-established ways to settle political and policy differences, even intense ones. That’swhat happened with theDuncan imbroglio, when the Supreme Court upheld the disputed legislation and rejected the council’s call for anew election, which should havebeen theend of thestory Distressingly,this escalation comes at atime when cooperation was bearing realfruit. As aDemocraticformer lawmaker who served in amajority Republican Legislature, Moreno understands well thebenefitoflooking beyond political differences.
Murrill and Landry do too. They showed it when the governor put his muscle behindthe big infrastructure push ahead of last year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans, andwhenheand Murrill contributed significantstate resources to help the city bring down itsviolent crime rate. Both initiatives alsoindicatethat they fully understand the vital role NewOrleans plays in Louisiana’seconomy
So we know that when thestate and city work together,everyone wins. And, we’re sadly learning, when theylower themselves to the kind of behavior we’re now seeing,everyoneloses.
Neighborhood stop signs have become optional. It’snormal to see cars slow-roll past local stop signs
Turn signals areseldom used on city streets in traffic. Sudden braking beforeaturn, withnosignal, is now normal. Alittlewarning and signal communication would be very helpful. Vehicles stop in themiddle lane of aroad with no signal.
Let us know your turn direction. It would help. Left turns across several lanes are normal here. Aquick right turn with trafficflow and then aU-turndown theroad can saveall of us time.
Speed limitsinBaton Rouge are ignored.
For example, Interstate 10, posted at 60 mph, drops to 45 near College through theLSU Lakes area. Normal speeds are 70-plus throughout. Highspeed, close-quarter weaving is normal. The 45 mph speed limit on Perkins or Highland means at least55.
Tony Spell needs to ask himself, “What would Jesus do?” What I’m sure Jesus would not do, even if his young neighbor cussed him,istorun across four lanes of traffic, punch him eight times, then, when he is down, jump on top of him and deliver 27 more blows, and then jump up and kick theyoung man while he is down for good measure.
Then, thenext day,without an ounce of contrition or humility,the pastor,using themost perverse logic, claims that he was laying on hands to
Watchingthe “fans” in New York celebrate the Knicks’ victory —and it was agreat one —byburning school buses and trashing police cars with pipes, crowbars and motorcycle chains reminded me, in contrast, of the2010 Saints Superbowl victory celebration in New Orleans. At that time, Ilived in downtown New Orleans. When thegame ended, my wife andIwalked through the city,and all we saw was unbounded joy
Tailgating is used to pressure for more speed. Tailgating semi-trucks is tried.Consider the greatly increased risk Yellow to red stoplights usually include thenext two or more trailing vehicles through theintersection after the red.Dopoliceenforce this anymore?
Thesedriving behaviors will not transfer welloutside BatonRouge Many driversinclude texting to enhance theabove behaviors. Iguess we don’tenforce the law against that, either? Does this stellar driving affect insurance rates? Accident rates? Would some law enforcement help? We all have an opportunity to drive considerately,use Southern hospitality, communicate with turn signals,obey trafficsigns, put down our phones and generally drive with safety inmind. Can we do it?
RICHARD EBERT Baton Rouge
heal by laying 35 handsand one foot on his young neighbor,very roughly It brings to mindCharlie Daniels’ lyrics: Preacher man talking on TV Wantsmetosend adonation because he’sworried about my soul He said Jesus walkedonthe water AndIknow that it’strue Butsometimes Ithinkthat preacher man Would like to do alittle walking too. TIMOTHY PUJOL Maurepas
We walked past Poydras and Canal streetstoDecatur and Bourbon streets, and we were surrounded by ecstatic people of all colors hugging each other in “group hugs.” We were all Saints fans and New Orleanians. As an American,Iwas embarrassed by thebehavior of the NewYorkers. AndIamgratefulthat Ilive here and not in New York. Isure would like to experience that again! GO SAINTS!
C.J.AUCOIN Gretna
Earlier this year,WalletHub released its ranking of the best capital cities in America to live in. Baton Rouge ranked fourth from the bottom Itake this, like manysuch rankings, with adegree of skepticism.I love Baton Rouge and generally see the glass as half-full rather than half-empty Still, our city faces serious challenges. After spending the past three years as avolunteer advocate on alocal EPA Superfund project, Ibegan reflecting on one issue that receives fartoo little attention: environmental stewardship. Louisiana leads the nation in percapita manufacturing output, driven largely by our petrochemical, refining and industrial sectors. That economic strength is something to be proud of. However,with such alarge industrial footprint should come an equally strong commitment to environmental protection.
Instead, Louisiana’senvironmental record continues to lag behind. Researching LDEQ funding over the past five years reveals mixed data, but much of the information suggests that, when adjusted forinflation, agency resources have remained stagnant or declined while regulatory demands continue to grow
Meanwhile, Louisiana continues to celebrate billions of dollars in new industrial investments, from liquefied natural gas facilities to emerging AIrelated infrastructure projects. For morethan acentury,Louisiana has welcomed industry.Yet we have failed to establish agold standard for environmental stewardship. The consequences are evident. East Baton Rouge Parish currently has three active EPANational Priorities List Superfund sites requiring cleanup. These sites did not appear overnight. They are reminders of decades of inadequate oversight, weak enforcement and insufficient commitment to environmental protection.
We should ensure that economic development and environmental stewardship advance together.Being the nation’sleader in industrial production should also mean being aleader in environmental stewardship.
Until that happens, rankings such as WalletHub’sshould not surprise us. MICHAEL BAILEY Baton Rouge
La.Haitiansare caught in a flurry of deportationdecisions
Ashort time ago, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the Trump administration can send thousands ofpeople home to their native countries. Actually,we’re talking more than 1million people. Those potentially affected include 300,000-350,000 Haitians, about 6,000 Syrians, 200,000 Salvadorans and 50,000 Ukrainians. The high courtruled the administration can end what’scalled the Temporary Protected Status program, or TPS. What we’re watching is aRepublican president destroying alegacy program created by a Republican president.
President George H.W.Bush signed TPS into law as apartofthe Immigration Act of 1990 after abipartisan Congress overwhelmingly approved the measure. Only eightsenators voted against the bill. Louisiana’sDemocratic U.S. Sens. J. Bennett Johnsonand John Breaux voted yes. So didU.S. Reps. Richard Baker,Bob Livingston and Jim McCrery,all Republicans.
In 2026, with the help of the high court, President Donald Trump said it’s time for our nation of immigrants to getrid of as many of them as we can, in part by ending TPS. With a6-3 vote, the Supremes said theTrump administrationcan doaway with acore part of the lawthathas provided protections for many fordecades About 10 countries had TPSprotections expire or been terminated from the early 1990s and the late 2000s. Now we have another round of terminations. Haitians, Syrians and others in Louisiana and elsewhere are concerned. The ruling has terminatedTPS for them. There is alittle breathing space Work permits have been extended, but only until July 24. That’snot much time Lower courts have to rush to comply with the new policy.Meanwhile,Congress is consideringoverturning the ruling with bills that would return TPS consideration to the judiciary, away from Homeland Security.One would extend TPS to 2029 for Haitians. But in Florida, where 50%ofthe nation’sHaitian population live,there is widespread confusion. Massachusetts andNew York have agoodnumberof Haitians as well. There are as many as 5,000 Haitians in Louisiana, mostof them living in the greater New Orleans area. Idon’tknow how many have had their lives changed by this ruling. Ido
knowthat Louisianans who are Haitian or Haitian Americans are concerned. Al Grandoit, aNew Orleans-based mediator,justice advocateand Haiti commentator is the sonofHaitian immigrants. Hewas borninBoston and he’s livedinNew Orleans for about 20 years. Acriminal defense lawyer,he’s activein Haitian circles.Heremembers the devastating 7.0 earthquake that hitHaiti in 2010, which then had about 50 aftershocksof4.5 or more. At least 100,000 peopledied. Some estimates say about 300,000 died. TPS helped alot of peoplebounce back. Whenheheardabout theruling, he said he was “a littleticked off.” He knowsHaitians here, in Ohio and in North Carolina affected by theruling. No doubt, he said, some Haitians will return to apoor nation that doesn’thave theeconomy, the infrastructure and the jobs to matchwhat they’ve had here. NewOrleans has arich Haitian history. As the French Revolution endedin theearly 1800s,about 10,000 Haitians fledtoLouisiana. They doubled the populationofNew Orleans.Like Haiti, New Orleans has Catholic, Creole and French roots. Haitians brought theirversions of gumbo andjambalaya. Ihave some Creoleand Haitian roots,and Icannot imagine what New Orleans might be like without that part of my culture. Idon’texpect New Orleans to change drastically in twoorthree years if Trump and anti-immigrant forces keep
moving in this direction, but Iworry thatthe Catholic, Creole and French culture will be further diminished without so many of our Haitian brothers and sisters. Trump has astrongimmigration background and immigrant family connections. His mother was born in Scotland. One of his former wives was born in Czechoslovakia. First lady Melania Trump was born in Slovenia.
Referencing Haitians and Africans, the president famously asked, “Why are we having allthese people froms*** hole countries comehere? He said he wanted morepeople from Norway and other European countries. For the mostpart, we areanation of immigrants. Indigenous people were already herewhen the foundersofthe nation and othersarrivedhere. Most people of African descent wereforced to come. This isn’tsomething we have to take We can look up thecongressionalmeasures, weigh in with support to strike executive power to do this in favor of actsofthe U.S. Congress being the only way TPS can be designated. We can find another way forward. We can give Haitians, Syrians and others moretime and give them paths forward to keep, or get,work permits and to get citizenship, if that’swhat they desire.
Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.
There waslittle question whowas going to wininWest Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox. The twocases, which wenttothe U.S. SupremeCourt this term, contested lawsin West Virginia and Idaho barring transgender women and girls from competing in women’s school sports. Even manyLGBTQ activists seemed to recognize that this effort was doomed.
With midterm elections just afew months away,arecent 36-hourperiod gave the political world agood picture of President Trump’sapproach to campaigning for Republicans with the House and Senate at stakeand theclock running down.Call it two stepsforward and one step back. The first step forwardwas the president’sspeech at aMack Truck plant in Macungie,Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley The rally was part of Trump’s on-and-offeffort to highlight his administration’seconomic policies in the run-up to November The big issue is the cost of living, of course. Trump has always hated the word “affordability.” Whatever you call it, he has often frustrated aides whowanted himtofocus on it more in public appearances. Over the last several months, their hopesfor an extended focus on thecost of living have been interruptedbyTrump’s military action in Venezuela, aviolentimmigration crackdown in Minneapolis, agovernment shutdown and awar in Iran. There hasbeen no smooth road to amidterm message.
On the one hand, some in Trump’s corner might groan at himgoingoff messagelike that. On the other hand, it was aclassic Trump moment in a speech that ran to onehourand 23 minutes. It was the kind of thingthatkeeps the audience entertained,which is always abig concern for the president.
But there Trump was,inanimportant state, talking (mostly) about the economy.Itwas agood thing, especially if you were on his political team.
Of course, Trump did nottalk only about the economy.Hetalked about all sortsofthings. One part of the speech touted his work to lower theprice of prescription drugs, which then turned into ariff on the “fat drug” in whichhe told the story of “a friend of mine who is very fat, sloppy,abrilliantbusinessman, but he’saslob, there’snoquestion about it and he said, ‘I bought the fat drug,’ and Isaid, ‘I didn’tknowyou usedit, because it’snot working.’”
The step backwardcame the next day,whenTrump was back in Washington. The House and Senate hadpassed abill called the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. It was oneofthose rare substantive bills that passes with bipartisan majorities, winning 358 votesinthe House and85inthe Senate. It wasn’tthe biggest or mostconsequential bill in the world,but it appears that some of its provisionstoreducethe regulatory burdensonhomebuilders would probably makehousing somewhat more affordable.
To celebrate its passage, congressional leaders had set up aceremony and lunch at which Trump would come to the Capitol andsignthe bill into law. But 90 minutes before the event, Trump posted on Truth Social that it was off. Trump abruptlythrew awrench into things shortly before he was scheduled to take an action to improve the economy.And thatmeansthe next daywas a lost day for midterm campaigning. The timing and staging of it madeTrump’s actions appear erratic, too.
Then Trump gotback on track.Ithappenedwhenheappeared at theAmerica 250 Great American State Fair. The event, which was set to kick off the Washington celebration of thenation’s
250th birthday, hada troubled past. A plannedconcertfell apart when several entertainers withdrew, claimingthat Trumphad politicized the event. At that point, Trumptook over and said he would be the mainattraction. And so he was. Standing in frontofthe U.S.Marine Band, Trump delivered a campaign speech that was thorough and—this is the striking part —remarkablyconcise. It lasted all of 28 minutes. Trump usedthe occasion to go through his administration’s accomplishments onebyone,makingthe case for giving Republicansanother term running Capitol Hill. It was focused, but on theother hand, it was straight from aprompter andlacked thespontaneity of asidesthatmakeTrump’sspeeches entertaining.
Acampaign strategist might wish that he could blend the two speeches —present the corecase andthenadd amusing asidestospice it up —and come up with acampaignspeech that stays on track andislongerthan28 minutesbut alot shorter than an hour and23minutes. But Trump hasbeen making his own speech choices for years andhas been elected president of the United States twice, so it is unlikely he would seeagreat need to do things anyother way The bottom line is that the president’smidterm campaigning is going forward in fits andstarts. Thatseems understandable,given the size of the problems he hascreated for himself with closing outthe Iran war.But it is still worrisome for Republican lawmakers up for reelection whoneed Trump’s help in their states anddistricts Byron York is on X, @Bryon York.
Writing last year about U.S. v. Skrmetti, atest of red-state bans on pediatric medical transition, Nicholas Confessore wrote in The New York Times:“In private meetings of L.G.B.T.Q. legal-advocacy groups, manylawyers expected a loss almost from the momentthe court agreed to hear the case.” The SupremeCourt’sSkrmetti decision in June 2025 upheld the state bans and dashed any realistic hope of getting trans people declared aprotected class, such as racial minorities, whose exclusion would trigger strict judicial scrutiny After Skrmetti, it looked unlikely that the SupremeCourt was going to rule trans women had aright to participate in women’ssports. Lindsay Hecox tried, and failed, to moot her case by declaring she no longer had any intention of competing in Idaho sports. Lawyers for the trans athletes fell back on the position that while yes, there may be safety and fairness reasons forseparate women’s divisions, it was unfair to exclude biological males whose athletic advantage had been reduced by puberty blockers or hormones.
These arguments at times bordered on incoherent —isany sufficiently unathletic male entitled to join the women’steam? And if not, whyshould these particular males be given that right? Advocates forthe trans rights side had no good answer It is no surprise that the trans athletes lost last month at the U.S. SupremeCourt. It is moresurprising that these cases were brought at all. Who thought this was agood idea? Confessore’sarticle suggests the answer is activists engaged in the fatal activity known as reading your own press releases. Groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal were increasingly committed to radical ideas about gender that had little public support and saw the pursuit of sweeping civil rights rulings as “the logical next step” in turning those viewsinto law Unfortunately,they had skipped the critical step in building consensus: persuasion. Progressive-leaning institutions, such as media and academia, wereinstead pressed into embracing fairly extreme views—the gender binary wasfake and whobelonged to the category “woman” wasamystical question of inner feeling, not merebiology.These tactics backfired disastrously; broader public opinion never came over to their side and has now moved in theopposite direction.Asthe poet Samuel Butler pointed out in the 17th century,“He that complies against his will/ is of his own opinion still.” Butler might justly have added, “Only now they’re really mad about it.”
There’salesson in that, and not just forthe progressive groups that have scored historic defeats fortheir cause and set themselves up forfurther losses.
Lots of people quail at the long, hard work required to deliver real social or political changes —you know,like the decades of patient little wins that LGBTQ groups accumulated before the SupremeCourt delivered the ultimate victory in the 2015 decision that declared aconstitutional right to same-sex marriage. It’s very tempting to look foraquick fix. That’scertainly the approach favored by the Trumpadministration.
The trans backlash helped propel Donald Trumpback into office, and yet once there, the administration looked forinstitutional shortcuts rather than trying to build public and legislative consensus fordurable change.
Many of these efforts have also come to grief in the courts, but the real loss is in the court of public opinion, where Trump’sapproval rating sank below 40%. Every overreach makes it morelikely that Democrats will retake the White House in 2028 and ensure mostofthis frantic effort is fornaught.
Should that happen, Democrats will also be tempted to read amandate into the public backlash, mistaking atemporary turn of affairs for adecisive win. They would be wiser to eschew the whole idea of aquick victory.Those sorts of “wins” are to actual political change what instant coffee is to agood cup of joe. It maylook like coffee, and it’scertainly faster than the real thing. But if you try it, you’ll find it tastes like defeat.
MeganMcArdle is on X, @asymmetricinfo
ega McArdle M n
Byron York
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GREGORy BULL
People hold Haitian flags and signs during arally in supportofimmigrants living in theUnited States withtemporaryprotected status, or TPS,onJuly 9inSan Diego.
Will Sutton
Added resources
Saints invest more at TE position despite Johnson’s career year
BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer
DEPTH CHART
Number to know: 889
LSU blessed with hitting and pitching options in ’27
BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer
Last weekend unfolded unexpectedly for the LSU baseball program. The 2026 MLB Draft brought tons of surprises for Jay Johnson and company, as LSU got 16 of its 22 high school signees through the draft and, at least presumably, onto campus for the 2027 season. The only riddle Johnson will have to solve now is the size of his new roster LSU
That is how many yards receiving Johnson had last season, rewarding the faith the Saints placed in him when they brought
ä See SAINTS, page 5C
last fall to no avail. It also involved using a third-round pick on former Georgia tight end Oscar Delp. Those two replace Jack Stoll and Foster Moreau, both of whom signed elsewhere in free agency Those moves could foreshadow what is to come this fall. The 2025 Saints were predominantly a shotgun, 11-personnel team — meaning they most often had only one tight end on the field. The 2026 Saints could look different, following the direction the league is trending toward.
Spain blanks France, Mbappé to advance to World Cup title game
BY STEPHEN HAWKINS AP sportswriter
WORLD CUP GLANCE
to get to this moment, but we want more,” midfielder Rodri said “We want to win this World Cup.” Kylian Mbappé and France, FIFA’s top-ranked team, were trying to become only the third team to reach three consecutive World Cup finals. They instead will play in the third-place game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, the day before the final at MetLife Stadium across the river from New York City Argentina and England face each other on Wednesday in Atlanta in the second semifinal match.
This win on soccer’s biggest stage marked the third summer in a row
ä See SPAIN, page 4C
BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer
SOUTHPORT England Scottie
Scheffler finally heard about the text his PGA Tour friend never sent, a reminder that even the No. 1 player in golf with four majors and more than 20 victories doesn’t know everything. It was a list of things to do on the weekend after missing the cut.
“He was like: ‘Hey, you can practice at the facilities. You can still go to the gym. You can also go to the next tournament.’ It was basically all my options,” Scheffler said Tuesday ahead of the British Open. “He never sent it to me, but he told me about it.” The reason the text was created — without being sent, to Scheffler’s disappointment — was missing the cut at the Scottish Open, his first missed cut in nearly four years, a streak of 78 consecutive cuts that was the longest since Tiger Woods set the record (142) from 1998 to 2005. Frustrating, yes. Despair?
Hardly “You never want to have a weekend off, but going into a tournament when you’re defending, there’s always a bit more stuff to do,” Scheffler said. “So it wasn’t the worst thing in the world.” Among his duties was officially returning the claret jug he won last year at Royal Portrush, a ritual the Royal & Ancient has turned into a ceremony Then, it was playing an exhibition with Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and others. But key to Scheffler’s
STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
Saints tight end Oscar Delp runs a drill during a rookie minicamp
Porro
ASHLEy LANDIS
FILE PHOTO By PATRICK DENNIS LSU shortstop Steven Milam returns after starting all 68 games last season and hitting .295 with 11 homers and 57 RBIs.
Johnson
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO Scottie Scheffler gives a thumbs up to his caddie during the Travelers Championship on June 26 in Cromwell, Conn.
Ole Miss threatens legal action
Rebels want buyouts from 2 LSU players
BY REED DARCEY Staff writer
Ole Miss is still seeking buyouts from two former football players who transferred to LSU in January, and the school is considering legal action to obtain those payments.
Keith Carter the Rebels athletic director, told The ClarionLedger that Ole Miss has not yet received contract buyouts from LSU edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen and offensive lineman Devin Harper. Both players signed agreements to return to the Rebels in early January before reversing course and following coach Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge instead.
“That would be an option, going and asking a court to get that money for you,” Carter told the outlet. “Contracts are with the players. LSU could pay that on behalf of the players So we’re kind of exploring all of that right now.”
Umanmielen and Harper are two of the four players who transferred from Ole Miss to LSU in the offseason. They each landed with the Tigers after the Rebels had said they were reupping for the 2026 season Ole Miss announced Umanmielen’s return on Jan. 5 and Harper’s on Jan. 6.
Carter told The Clarion-Ledger that schools are sometimes hesitant to enforce buyout clauses in contracts they sign with players. Ole Miss wants to do so in these instances, he said, because Umanmielen and Harper broke their agreements a few
days after they signed them. The schools that land the transfer players with buyout agreements in their old con-
tracts are typically the parties that cover the payments. Carter declined to reveal how much LSU owes Ole Miss for Uman-
mielen and Harper, though On3 reported on July 2 that the total amount was roughly $1 million.
“Those are the kind that, having signed a brand-new rev share contract basically a week or two before wanting to leave,”
Carter said, “put you in a bind, especially there in the portal cycle. Those two we’re going to continue to figure out how to collect. We feel like based on the contract, we deserve to collect.”
Both Umanmielen and Harper are expected to play significant roles for LSU this coming season.
Umanmielen, a senior, was one of the top transfer edge rushers of the 2026 cycle. Last season, he was tied for third among SEC defenders in sacks (9.0), and he ranked eighth in tackles for loss (13).
Harper is a sophomore from Shreveport who appeared in six games last season. He opened spring practices in April as LSU’s first-team left guard before later settling into a role on the second-team offensive line. He’s expected to compete for a starting job when the Tigers begin preseason camp in August.
An LSU spokesperson declined comment when asked whether LSU has considered paying the former Ole Miss players’ buyouts or whether there’s been communication between LSU and Ole Miss on the subject.
Jon Blau contributed to this report.
Email Reed Darcey at reed.darcey@theadvocate. com. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter attheadvocate.com/ lsunewsletter
LSU reveals its SEC media days lineup
BY JON BLAU Staff writer
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt
won’t be at SEC media days, but his likely top target and a couple of star defenders will.
Linebackers Whit Weeks and T.J. Dottery, along with tight end Trey’Dez Green, will join LSU coach Lane Kiffin in Tampa, Florida, for the conference’s preseason media event from Monday through July 23.
Weeks was one of the LSU player representatives last year, while Dottery was at SEC media days with the Ole Miss contingent when Kiffin was the coach there.
This is the debut at SEC media days for the 6-foot-7 junior Green, who is expected to be one of the top players at his position this season.
Quarterbacks are usually high on the media’s priority list coming into a season, but Leavitt — a highly touted transfer from Arizona State missed most of LSU’s spring practices as he recovered from foot surgery Leavitt was only recently cleared to fully participate in summer workouts.
The Tigers are slated to appear on the final day of SEC media days on July 23, along with three opponents on their 2026
over South Carolina on Oct. 11 at Tiger Stadium.
schedule: Arkansas, Mississippi State and Texas. Kiffin and company are likely
to be in high demand, considering the coach’s much-talkedabout move from Ole Miss to
LSU at the end of the 2025 regular season. The Rebels made a run to the College Football Playoff semifinals without Kiffin. Ole Miss, the Tigers’ Week 3 opponent, is scheduled to appear on July 22. Pete Golding, who was elevated to head coach during the Rebels’ CFP run, will be joined by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, defensive tackle Will Echoles and running back Kewan Lacy Chambliss recently appeared in front of reporters at the Manning Passing Academy, saying there was no “bad blood” between him and Kiffin but adding that he didn’t agree with Kiffin’s comments to Vanity Fair about difficulties recruiting Black athletes to Mississippi. Nine of the SEC’s 16 schools are bringing a quarterback, including Auburn’s Byrum Brown, Georgia’s Gunner Stockton, Kentucky’s Kenny Minchey, Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor, Oklahoma’s John Mateer, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Texas’ Arch Manning and Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed. The schools that aren’t bringing a quarterback are LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
Email Jon Blau at jon.blau@theadvocate.com.
Neutral-site game announces NIL deal with Auburn
BY CHARLES ODUM AP sportswriter
ATLANTA The Aflac Kickoff Game on Tuesday announced a name, image and likeness deal with Auburn leading up to the Tigers’ game against Baylor on Sept. 5. The Peach Bowl and the Kickoff Game say the deal is worth “multimillion” dollars and marks the first time a neutralsite college football game has incorporated NIL compensation for student-athletes.
The NIL agreement also will involve third-party entities. According to the announcement, as many as two dozen Auburn student-athletes will promote the game through social media posts, public appearances, advertisements, in-game promotions and branding opportunities.
“In the new NIL era of college football, this will be an innovative way to create wins for the teams, programs and student-athletes,” said Peach Bowl Inc. CEO David Epps in
a statement. “This new model is a true win-win scenario where Auburn and its student-athletes get a financial boost in the NIL space. At the same time, it’s a potential game changer for neutral-site games like ours who want to bring added value to participating teams and make it a more attractive and lucrative opportunity.” Auburn opened its 2025 season with a 38-24 win at Baylor This year’s rematch originally was scheduled as an Auburn
home game. The teams agreed to move the game to MercedesBenz Stadium, also the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the Peach Bowl. The Kickoff Game is the nation’s longest-running neutralsite game and will be televised by ABC at 3:30 p.m. EDT Auburn will be making its fourth appearance in the Kickoff Game. It will be Baylor’s first appearance. Peach Bowl Inc. operates the Peach Bowl as well as the Kickoff Game
Gymnast Lee to return for 3rd shot at Olympics
Suni Lee is making a run at a third Olympics. The America gymnastics star announced she is returning to the sport on Tuesday, about two years out from the Los Angeles Games. Lee, the 2020 all-around champion and a six-time Olympic medalist, posted a video on Instagram saying she was back in the gym and ready to return to work.
The 23-year-old Lee has been on a break following the 2024 Paris Olympics, in which she helped the Americans win team gold while earning bronze in the all-around and uneven bars.
She’s the latest member of the 2024 Olympic team to announce she is eyeing a shot at LA. Jade Carey is among the gold medalists who already have returned to competition.
McNair, co-founder of Texans, dies at age 89
HOUSTON Janice S. McNair, who alongside her late husband Robert “Bob” McNair brought football back to Houston after the Oilers left for Tennessee by founding the Texans, has died. She was 89.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce Houston Texans co-founder and senior chair Janice S. McNair passed away peacefully in Houston this afternoon with her family by her side,” the Texans said in a statement on Tuesday After her husband Bob died in 2018 following a battle with both leukemia and squamous cell carcinoma, Janice took over the Texans organization as owner McNair’s son, Cal, was approved as primary owner of the team in 2024.
Ohtani to be available for Dodgers series at Yankees
PHILADELPHIA Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will be a designated hitter at a minimum for this weekend’s series at the New York Yankees after having fluid drained from his left knee. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Ohtani had the procedure to relieve irritation following Sunday’s game and that the four-time MVP was taking a few days of vacation before the season’s second half. Roberts said the two-way star did not receive an injection.
Two-time World Series champion Los Angeles opens the second half Friday for the start of a threegame series at Yankee Stadium. Ohtani last pitched on July 3. It isn’t yet clear whether he will pitch against the Yankees.
CHICAGO Roch Cholowsky has agreed to a contract with the Chicago White Sox that includes a record-breaking $10.35 million signing bonus after he was the No. 1 overall pick in last weekend’s amateur draft. The slot value for the top pick this year was $11,350,600. Cholowsky’s bonus tops the previous mark of $9.25 million for the amateur draft that belonged to Reds pitcher Chase Burns and Rockies prospect Charlie Condon, two of the top three selections in 2024.
Cholowsky, a 6-foot-2 shortstop who turned 21 in April, hit .320 with 21 homers, 60 RBIs and a 1.088 OPS in 60 games this season for UCLA. He is the first No. 1 overall pick for the White Sox.
Pogacar’s 10th stage victory extends Tour de France lead
LE LIORAN,France Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar dealt his rivals another crushing blow by winning the 10th stage of the Tour de France on Tuesday to extend his already commanding overall lead. Pogacar is on course to equal the record for Tour wins. Only Belgian Eddy Merckx, Spaniard Miguel Indurain and Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault have five Tour victories to their names.
“We just need to be grateful for this moment to be riding in the biggest race of the world,” the 27-year-old Pogacar said. Pogacar who had already sapped his rivals’ morale with victory on the iconic Col du Tourmalet on Thursday, again stamped his authority with a break just over 900 meters from the summit of the Col de Pertus.
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ROGELIO V SOLIS Mississippi linebacker Princewill Umanmielen looks for a South Carolina ball carrier during a game on Nov. 1 in Oxford Miss.
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU linebacker Whit Weeks walks off the field after a win
BRITISH OPEN
Reed is chasing European tour title
SOUTHPORT,England Patrick Reed was on the rangeatthe ScottishOpen, surrounded by PGA Tour players at a tournament co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour.The last time that happened was more than four years ago, and it’ssoon to change.
still leading the season race over Rory McIlroy
Player conduct policy gets Rahm talkingabout uniformity
BY DOUG FERGUSON and STEVEDOUGLAS AP sportswriters
SOUTHPORT,England Player conduct on the golf course haslong been part of the Rules of Golf. This is the first time all four majors publishedtheir code forthe players, and therealready have been ramifications.
Sergio Garcia was given awarning at the Masters whenhesmashed (and broke) his driver twice into the ground and then against atable holding a water cooler
Notebook
apenalty of two strokes or disqualification.”
Rahm was playing with Garciawhenhelost his temper in the final round at Augusta National. He still doesn’tknowexactly what happened with Niemann.
Buthis views on the policy made him wonder why this was getting more attention than pace of play
inedwhenheleft Royal Birkdale 28 years ago. It’s impossible to answer,and Rose eventually said he would standpat with what he has done.
“Could Ihave won more of what I’vealreadywon? Yes. Would Ilove to be a multiple majorchampion? Yes. Do Ifeel Icould have pushed towardsclose to a Grandslam? Yes. I’ve had results that nearlyput me in that realm. So alittle bit of luck here and there, I could be sitting herewith a verydifferent career.”
“I can’twait,” Reed said Twoweeks after Brooks Koepka became the first player from LIV Golf to be welcomed back by the PGA Tour,Reed was in his hotel room at the Dubai Desert Classiconthe European tour contemplating his four-shot lead and how the final day would play out.
LIV Golf had ashotgun start, meaning all 54 players were warming up at the same time before each went off to their assigned hole to begin the round.
“Being the last guyout,having the range full and thenit slowly empties, walkingto the tee with the lead .having that feeling again, those emotions, the adrenaline, Ifelt likeI wanted to get backto that,” Reed said. “That Saturday night was huge for me.”
And when he finished it off with afour-shot victorythe next day,Reedfirmly decided nottorenew hiscontract with LIV Golf and startthe long road back to the PGA Tour
He lost in aplayoff the next week in Bahrain. The week LIV Golf began its fifth season, Reed was winning again in the Qatar Masters. Thatput him atop the Race to Dubaion the Europeantour,and he’s
SCHEFFLER
Continued from page1C
The leading 10 playersfrom theEuropean tour not already exempt earn PGA Tour cards for 2027,and Reed is virtually alock. He already has started thecountdown, knowing when hisone-year banfrom playing LIVGolf will end— theweek of the Tour Championship in late August
He also would be eligible to be apickfor the Presidents Cup team —helast played foraU.S. team, hisfavorite events,inAustraliain2019 during darkertimes. Royal Melbourne was aweek after Reed waspenalized forimprovinghis lie in thesand, and Aussies heckled him endlessly.His caddie was suspended for the final match after shovingaspectator who hadbeen cursing Reed. U.S. captain BrandtSnedekeralso was at the Scottish Open.Reed said he never saw him and doubtshewould be aserious candidatefor the PresidentsCup team in Chicago in September unless he were to win the British Open this week.
“It’snot really on my mind, Reed said. “My biggest thing right now is continuing to play solid golf andlet things take care of themselves. Iknow it would be hard to make that team since Ihaven’tplayed anything in the United States. Buthey,try to get yourself in thediscussion.”
He is notin that bigofa hurry
Reedwon the Masters in 2018 and received honorary life membership on the European tour,acourtesy once offeredmajor champions.
He had never seen it. Scheffler had not seen conditions like this— acombination of yellowand brown, which translates to firmand fiery in alinks vocabulary.St. Andrews came close in 2022, but Jon Rahm recalls the greens still being soft enoughtoallow for low scoring.
Scheffler ticked offtwo items on
Reed took it seriously,playing seven regular European tour events in 2019 and he has kept apresence since then
After deciding to leave LIV— andstill banned by the PGA Tour —itbecame hisbest option.Now he has achancetojoinCollin Morikawa as the only Americans to win the Race to Dubai.
Reed officially won’tget a PGA Tour card untilthe European tour season ends Nov 15. He would be eligible for sponsor exemptions in the fall, but Reed has ajob to finish.
Thefirst PGA Tour event where he can earn an exemption is Sept. 17-20 at anew eventinAsheville,NorthCarolina. Reed will be in England thatweek for the European tour’s flagship event at Wentworth.The French Open, Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, all of them are opportunities to win the Race to Dubai —and denyMcIlroy arecord-tying eighth title.
Acase can be made for Reed being the mostglobal player in golf
McIlroy has been brilliant in takinghis Mastersgreen jacket around theworld to the Indian Open and Australian Open.Hehas sparked a renewedinterest in national opens. But his appearances come with aheftyappearance fee said to be in the neighborhood of $2 million.It’sbeen that wayfor top players datingtothe eraofJackNicklaus and Arnold Palmer,accounting for inflation
Reed said he occasionally gets appearancemoney but often plays “because Ijust wanttoplay.”
his friend’slist —hewent to the gyminScotland andthen headed to the next tournament. That allowed himtimetoplay18holes on Sunday, and to limit his energy in sunbaked Blightytonineholes on Monday and Tuesday
Is it driver to take it over the bunkers and possibly reach the green on the393-yard, downwind 16th hole,or hitiron off the tee? Is the redesigned fifth hole at 321 yards worth trying to reach witha pond tothe right, aseries of bunkers shortand awee part
The USGA opted to bypass thewarning andgive Joaqui n Niemann atwo-shot penalty in the first round of the U.S. Open forheaving his wedge on his 15thhole (No. 6) at Shinnecock Hills after twice driving out of bounds and then hitting into thick rough. There were no spectators anywhere near wherethe club landed in the dunes.
The two-shotpenalty turned his 9into an 11 on the hole and he shot 78. He still tied forseventh Is it working?
Jon Rahm, whodescribes himself as an “intense player,doesn’tmind the code of conduct. Hisonly question is how it gets applied. Because while the principles andpenalties are similar at the four majors, it’satthe discretionofeach onehow it gets applied.
“I think it’sgood.I getit,” Rahm said.“Theyhavea code of conduct and they enforce it. Whynot? It’s not going to change how I play. To go from zero to a penalty? Idon’t know.”
The R&A’s conductpolicy reads:“If aplayer’s(or their caddie’s) behavior is so far removed from what is expected in thespirit of thegame of golf, in accordance with Rule 1.2b, the Chief Referee, in consultationwith the ChiefChampionships Officer,may issue an officialwarning or apply apenalty of two strokes or disqualification, taking accountofthe frequency, impact or potential impact, intent and severity of the misconduct. An official warning does not need to be given prior to applying
of awee burn to the left?
“On each holethere’sagood bit of strategy.There’sa decent amount of thinking,” Schefflersaid. “Ifit wasn’tasfirm as it is now,there wouldn’tbeasmuchdecision-making. But Ithink withthe firmness, it creates awhole lot more challenges.”
Roseisamongfour players— and at 45, the youngest —tohave played Royal Birkdale three times in theOpen dating to 1998. He was a17-year-old amateur that year,full
“Sergio received awarning. Ithink Joaco maybe deserved awarning —I don’tknow what he did,” Rahm said. “With all the policies we have on pace play,you get awarning, another warning and then you MIGHT get apenalty.”
Rahmsuggested awarning was warranted on the first offense, especiallyin the first round.
Faldo questionsstrategy
Bryson DeChambeau missed thecut at the first three majors this year
Nick Faldo wouldn’tbe surprised if theAmerican failed to make the weekend at the British Open, too.
“I’d say it to hisface— DeChambeau has zeroclue of strategy,” the three-time Open champion said on the Sky Sports Golf podcast. Faldo questioned DeChambeau’sattacking approach in links golf, saying he needed more creativity andto“look at humps and bumps
“You don’tthink: ‘Oh,I’ll just blast it down there. Can’tsee where I’m going,’”Faldo said.
DeChambeau has two top-10 finishes in eight appearances at the Open Championship, including atie for 10thatRoyal Portrush last year
No regretsfor Rose
Justin Rose tied for fourth as a17-year-old amateur in the 1998 British Open at Royal Birkdale and turned pro aweek later
He famously missed 20 cuts in arow when he turned pro. He has only one major,the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion. That’samong his25victories worldwide, whichincludesanOlympic gold medal when golf returned to theOlympic program in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
He wasasked Tuesday if this is what he imag-
of joyand optimismwhenheholed out awedge for birdie on the 18th to tiefor fourth. He didn’tfinish in the top 50 histwo times as aprofessional.
Rose certainly has more experience than Scheffler,but only to a point.
“A links course is interesting because you neverreally gettoknow them that well,” Rose said.“Like 2008 Ithink it was, weather was dreadful.Itwas wet.You might have been hitting 2-irons and
Buthewas happywith thecareerhehas,which includes five stints at No. 1 in the world. Andhis hope is being comfortable with all that he’sachieved gives himfreedom to achieve more Arise, SirRory?
The wait goes on forRory McIlroy, one of Britain’s greatest ever sportsstars, to receive aknighthood.
“Ifthat honor were bestowed on me one day,” McIlroy said Tuesday,“that would be amazing.” So what’sthe holdup? After all, it’smorethan ayear since he won the Masters to become the only European golfer to completethe career Grand Slam.
Sections of the British media have reported that atax issuemight be the reason andthatwas put to McIlroy at hisnewsconference.
“I have no idea,” he said. Nick Faldo,who also has six major titles,has been knighted.
BritishOpenprize fund
TheBritish Openhas increased its prizefund to $17.5 million, remaining as the lowest purse among the four majors after having the smallest increaseof the majors.
The Masters increased it purse by $1.5 million to $22.5 million. ThePGA Championship also had a $1.5 million bump to $20.5 million. TheU.S. Open increased its purse by $1 million to $22.5 million. The R&A announced a $750,000 increase in its purse, with$3.2 millionfor thewinner,$100,000 more thanScottie Scheffler won lastyear
3-woodsinto par 4s,and now you could be flicking 52-degree wedges.
“A golf course can play so differently decade to decade when we comebackthatyou neverreally get to know the course that well.”
Scheffler saidhefelt at peace about his game, and he certainly looked the part. His game didn’t look deplorable in the Scottish Open,just amatterofnot hitting it terribly close and notmaking many putts.
ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By JONSUPER
Patrick Reed gestures on the 15th teeduring apracticeround for the British Open at Royal Birkdale golf club in Southport,England, on Tuesday.
Doug Ferguson
Jude Bellingham, left, and Harry Kane celebrate England’svictoryoverNorway in aWorld Cup quarterfinal matchonSaturdayinMiamiGardens, Fla
It’s Messi vs.Bellingham
to set finals of WorldCup
BY JAMES ROBSON Associated Press
ATLANTA— It’s England vs. Argentina in the World Cup semifinals. It’salso Lionel Messi vs. Jude Bellingham.
The battle of the twoNo. 10s could be pivotal to deciding Wednesday’smatch in Atlanta.
“Weknow how good Messi is,” England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said of the Argentina great, whose enduring brilliance has been on show again, even at 39. Messi and Bellingham have been inspirational in their teams’respective runs to the final four. And Wednesday’smatch may well be determined by which onehas the biggest say on the day Messi is playing England for the first time in his storied career
“He’sscored so many goalsand contributed to so many goals as well throughout his career,it’s greattofinally go up against him,” Pickford said.
Settlingthe G.O.A.T. debate
Messi is already considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time and he seemsto be on amission to settle thedebate about where he stands in the historyofthe sport. Already the all-time top scorer in the World Cup with 21 goals, he could surpass Argentina icon Diego Maradona by leading his country to back-to-back world titles.
His eight goals in the tournament so far have beenpivotalto Argentina’s runand hismoments of magic have dragged his team through bigscaresagainst Cape Verde and Egypt.
With Maradona as captain, Argentina won the World Cup in 1986 and was runner-up four years later when it lost to West Germany in the final.
“Trying to draw inspirationfrom what Diego did is difficult. Only Leo can do that,” said Argentina midfielderAlexisMac Allister.“Diego is anational icon for us, and hopefully,wecan achievesomething similar to what that team did.”
Doubts aboutBellingham
England has atalismanofits own in Bellingham, who is at the opposite end of his career to Messi.
At 23, Bellingham is already playing in his second World Cup and his fourth major tournamentfor England. He has sixgoals, including two each in the past two rounds against Mexico and Norway. Not bad for aplayer whowas dropped by coach Thomas Tuchel in the lead-up to the World Cup, promptingdebate aboutwhether he would even be in England’s starting 11.
ä WorldCup: England vs. Argentina, 2P.M.WEDNESDAy,FOX
Foralong time, Bellingham has notonly beenconsidered one of England’sbrightest talents, but one of theglobalgame’sbiggest names
Yethis relationship withTuchel cast doubtover his role in theEngland team, with Morgan Rogers threatening to take his place.
Thereisnodoubt anymore about aplayerTucheldescribed as “world class” afterhis double against Norway in thequarterfinals.
Talented Bellingham
Bellingham is adifferent type of No. 10 to Messi, relying on his athleticism,power andspeed when running beyond defenders.
He is also technically gifted with histouch and rangeofpassing, but arguablynoone can rivalMessi’s individualcontrol of the ball, his dribbling ability or vision.
Bellingham’smaturity always stood out. He made his debut for second-divisionBirmingham at 16 anddespite manyofEngland’s top teamswanting to sign him, he resisted the likes of Manchester United and movedtoBorussia Dortmund in Germany instead.
Birminghamknew it had lost a special talent and retired his No. 22 jerseydespite him playingless than 50 gamesfor the club.
After starring for Dortmund, Bellinghamjoined Real Madrid, wore the great Zinedine Zidane’s No.5 andhelped the Spanish giant to the Champions League and Spanish title in his first season in 2024. That same yearhewas part of England’steam that reached thefinal of theEuropean Championship,scoringanoverhead kick in stoppage time to save his country from eliminationearlier in the tournament.
through atranslator.
that Spain beat France in atournament semifinal match.
Yamal scored in a2-1 wininthe 2024 European Championship semifinals just days beforehis 17th birthday,and La Roja won 5-4inNations League play last year
After aquarterfinal winover Belgium onFriday,Yamal said he believed France should fear Spain. Those words certainly provedtrue. “In so many ways, France was missing everything today,”France midfielder Rayan Cherkisaid
“Truly,everything wasmissing today.We’ll be back in four years andwewon’t make thesamemistakes ” Oyarzabal’s penaltykickinthe 22nd minute came after Yamal drew afoul when kicked by defender Lucas Digne. After apoor first touch withhis head, Digne was trying to clear theball when Yamalraced in from behind to challenge in thepenalty area. The ball hit offthe elbow of the leaping teen before he was kicked by Digne, playing in his 63rd game forFrance only six days before his 33rd birthday. Oyarzabal’s fifth goal of this
Discussionsfor major leaguers in LA Olympics in earlystages
BY RONALD BLUM Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA Discussions
formajor leaguers to play in the 2028 Los AngelesOlympics baseball tournament remain in the early stages, with players used to top hotels wanting to be assured of accommodations.
Major League Baseball has envisioned an extended 11-day AllStar break The last regular-season games beforethe break would be on July9,followedbythe All-Star Game on July 11, likely at San Francisco, and the Olympic tournament at Dodger Stadium from July 13-19. The season would resume July 21.
“In general our players want to play in the Olympics. They’re patriotic, andfor themit’saspecial opportunity,and we want them to have that opportunity,” unionhead Bruce Meyer said Tuesdayahead of theAll-StarGame.
“Having said that, we want to make sure thattheyhave things like travel andaccommodations, andthings that theydeserve based on who theyare.”
Five entities areinvolved in the negotiations: Major League Baseball, the players’ association, the InternationalOlympic Committee, the LA28local organizing committee and the World Baseball Softball Confederation. Meyer characterizeddiscussions as early
“We’re focused on player qualityoflife,”Meyer said.
chosen alongwiththose picked for future All-Star Games.
“The proposals they made in terms of whatthe discipline wouldbe, theramificationsofa playerwho doesn’twanttodo that, in ourviewwereextreme,” Meyersaid.
Meyer saidSan Francisco would be the 2028 All-Star Game site, but Manfred said MLB hasn’tmade afinal determination.
Robotumpires
Manfred is happy with the Automated Ball-Strike System, which beganthis year with teams able to challenge strike zone decisions. There are no planstouse ABSfor allball/ strike calls.
“We’reletting the dust settle on the challenge system,” he said. “Who knows what’snext? I really don’thaveaplan on that.” Cincinnati has been the most successful challenging team, winning 64.4%,followed by Arizona (62.2%), Detroit (60.4%), the Athletics (57.5%) and Texas (56.7%).
Pittsburgh had been the least successful at 41%,and just aboveare Cleveland (43.7%) the ChicagoWhite Sox(47%), Washington (47.1%)and San Francisco (48.4%).
With arecord like that, it should come as little surprise that Bellingham, along with captain Harry Kane, who also has six goals, has been such an inspiration at this World Cup.
“Everyone talksabout Messi because he’sone of the GOATs of the game,but youcan’t look past the ability and talent we have in the squad,” Pickfordsaid.
A fierce rivalry
England vs. Argentina is afierce rivalry that goes beyond the soccer field, with tensionsalsorelatingtothe 1982 conflictoverthe FalklandIslands.
There have been numerous clashes at theWorldCup over the years.
Argentina captain AntonioRattin, whosedeath wasannounced on Saturday, was sent off in a bad-temperedquarterfinal match against winner England in 1966.
Maradona scored his infamous “Hand of God” goal in 1986 —and England also felt aggrieved when David Beckham was sent off for kicking out against Diego Simeone in 1998 and losing in apenalty shootout
Most recently,England beat Argentina in thegroup phase in 2002, withBeckhamscoring from the penaltyspot
Ratherthanbeing weigheddown by the disappointments of previous clashes,Kane said it was that win that stood out in his mind.
“Weall knew what Beckham went through previously against Argentinaand that kind of redemption storyofscoring that penalty, his celebration, he’spulling the shirt and his face.
“I think that’sone of my favorite England memories,” Kanetold ITV.“Thatwas always oneofmy favoritememories, Beckhambeing abig idol of mine,sothat one stands out for sure.”
year’sWorld Cup marked the first time either team hadtrailed in their seven games in this tournament. It was his 30thgoal in 60 international games for Spain. Forthe second goal, Porrobroke free and receiveda pass back from Olmo, who got the touch just before getting knocked off his feet by defender Dayot Upamecano.
“Wegave it our all in order just to go throughtothe final,” Porro said. “Weknew that we’re avery tough team, we’re doing things really well. This is our team, it’snot about me.” France had allowed only two goals in itsfirst sixgames in this tournament. Spain goalkeeper Unai
TheUnitedStatesqualified automatically as host, and the Dominican Republic andVenezuela earned berthsbased on theirfinish in this year’sWorld Baseball Classic.Asiaand Europe/Oceaniawill have one spot each and the sixth nation will be determined during afinal qualifying tournament.
“Wewent down the road on LA 2028 because we saw it as a unique opportunitytomarket the sport with our very,very bestplayers,” baseball Commissioner RobManfred said. “It is adisruptive undertaking forus. Put money to one side, you’re disrupting your entire season, andifwe’regoing to undertake that effort, we want ourvery bestout there so thatpeople see how great ourgame really is.” MLB wants player participation to be mandatory for those
Clubs have been successful on 53.2% of the 6,040 challenges. Batters have won 47.9% of 2,810 challengesand fielders (catchers andpitchers) 58% of 3,230.
High school playersand draft Manfred detailed why MLB has proposed banning an amateurinthe U.S.,Canada and Puerto Rico from signing until he wasatleast 20 years old by theSept. 1ofhis signing year and two years removed from thegraduatingyearofhis high school class.
“Seventy to 75% of our players are college players now,” he said. “That is adramatic change in the way thatbaseball operations people think aboutcolleges.” MLB also wants to encourage players to gethighereducation.
“Talking players out of going to college, I’m not sure Iagree with that just in termsofthe overall development of thehumanbeing,” he said.
Simón has sixshutouts while allowing only onegoal in seven games so far Spainhad two other real scoring chances in the first half. Therewas thea free kick from just beyond the box after Adrien Rabiot drewa yellow cardfor afoul on Olmo in the eighth minute.Alex Baena’skick went directly into the wall of French players.
After France goalkeeper Mike Maignan’sattemptedclearingpass in the 38th minute instead went straight to Baena,there were several quick niftypassesbeforeFabian Ruiz’sclose-range shot was denied. Spain’srun at this year’sWorld
Cuphas extendedits unbeaten streak in regular time to 37 matches (28 wins and nine draws) since March 2024. That broke the country’sprevious record of 35 in arow from 2007-09. The loss brokeFrance’srecordmatchingstreak of sixconsecutive World Cup wins, which also was accomplished in the 2018 and2022 tournaments
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIO CORTEZ
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By CHARLIE RIEDEL Argentina’sLionel Messi dribbles the ball during aquarterfinal match against Switzerland on Saturday in Kansas City,Mo.
Minnesota Timberwolves newly acquired point guard LaMelo Ball laughs during an introductory news conference at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Tuesday, ASSOCIATED
ALEX KORMANN
Wolves expect PG Ball to providecreativity, joy
BY DAVE CAMPBELL AP sportswriter
MINNEAPOLIS LaMelo Ball came to Minnesota at asteep price. The opportunity with a cost of two proven power forwards and multipledraft picks was deemed worthwhile by theTimberwolves in their ongoing attemptto make the last and most difficult step toward an NBA title.
“I think he’ll elevate us,” president of basketball operations TimConnellysaid, “and our environment will be conducive to his continued growth as well.”
Eager to gain one of the league’strue point guards andlessen the ballhandling and playmakingburden
LSU
Continued from page1C
for the 2027 season.
Here’show the Tigers are shaping up on the field heading into next year.
Lineup
1. Mason Braun, 1B
2. Cade Arrambide,C
3. Steven Milam, SS
4. Omar Serna, DH
5. Bino Watters, LF
6. Dawson Park, 3B
7. Angel Laya, RF
8. Cade Kurland, 2B
9. Malachi Washington, CF
Bench: JasonWachs (OF), Dominic Santarelli(OF), Jack Ruckert(2B), Nathaneal Davis (OF), Anthony Murphy(OF), John Pearson (3B),Eddie Yamin (C/1B/ OF),William Patrick (OF), Lucas Nawrocki (OF),Diego Velazquez (SS), Parker Loew (SS), Luke Tucker (3B/1B), Jordan Martinez (3B),Masen Belding(C), DylanMinnatee (1B)
Breakdown: Braun,Arrambide, Milam and Serna were four of LSU’sfive best hitters by the end of last season.Their excellence at the plate in Southeastern Conference play makes them shoo-in starters to begin next year. Watters was LSU’sbiggest addition out of the portal.Hewas afirst-team All-ACC selection last season and made the All-ACC Freshman Team in 2025 at Notre Dame.Park follows the left-handed hitter in the orderasaright-handed bat who hasthe arm and glove to play shortstop. He hit 13 home runs in just48games last season at Texas State. Laya was anothermassive portal addition from Oregon. The lefty hit 14 homers and made the All-BigTen FreshmanTeam. Kurland follows him as aright-handed, fouryear starter at Florida who posted an .809 on-base plus slugging percentage last year in SEC play The last starting spot came down to Washington, Wachs and Santarelli. Wachsisa transfer from Tulane who posted an OPS over.900 in each of his two seasonswith the Green Wave. Washington and Santarelli were top-85 prospectsinthe draft, according to ESPN.
on superstar Anthony Edwards, the Wolveshad to swallow hard andsurrender valuableassets.
Completing acomplicated four-team trade with Brooklyn, Charlotte andChicago, Minnesota acquiredBall and guardJosh Green and sent fan favorite NazReid andapackage of draft picks —a2033 unprotected firstrounder,first-round swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030, and second-roundersin2029, 2032 and 2033 —tothe Hornets
Second-leading scorer Julius Randle went to the Nets, who swapped the 28th overall selection in thedraft last monthfor No. 33 that landed the Wolves guard Isaiah Evans. Thatfirst part of the trade also created the sala-
Washingtontook the last spot in this exercisebecausehe’sa true center fielder.Wachs primarily started in right field at Tulane, and Santarelli is also a corner outfielder by trade. Santarelli is 6-foot-2 and 230pounds, but he’s fast forhis size.One scout told TheAdvocatethat another evaluator in hisorganization suggested that Santarelli could play center at the next level. Davis, Murphy andPatrick are three more options in centerfield. Ruckert is astrongreserve behind Kurland, which could be importantgivenKurland’s injury history.Nawrocki andVelazquezare twowayplayerswho likely will make abiggerimpact on the mound than at the plate, at leastin2027.
Pearson becamea fulltimestarter at third base this year but mostly struggled, especially on defense. Yamin earned time as a pinch-hitter againstlefthandedpitchingand had some good moments. Martinez, Loew,Tucker,Beldingand Minnatee mayhave troublefinding thefield as freshmen,although Loew providesvaluable depth at shortstop.
Starting rotation
Friday: CasanEvans, RHP Saturday: William Schmidt, RHP Sunday: Cooper Moore, RHP
Other potential options:Landon Hood (RHP), Cooper Sides (RHP), Velazquez (RHP), Coleton Brady (RHP),Cooper Williams (LHP), Kolby Stringer(RHP),Reagan Ricken (RHP)
Breakdown: Hood poses thebiggestthreat to crack therotation despite LSU bringing back all three of itsweekend starters from last season. Schmidt and Evanshavethe talent to be co-aces,while Moorelooks to get through afullseason healthy
Hood still has achance to start in SEC play after winning the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year award at Gonzaga. He’sthe top armLSU added out of theportal. Velazquez —a transfer from Southern Cal—made the All-BigTen Freshman Team and started fivegames for theTrojans
ry-cap space necessary for the Wolves to re-sign guard AyoDosunmu.
Edwards was the first overall pick in the 2020 draft. Ball went third. Green was the 18thselection by Dallas and Jaden McDaniels was 28th,giving the Wolves fourfirst-round picks from that year
“Well, we have none for thenext 10 years,”Connelly quipped at the introductory news conference for Ball andGreen on Tuesdayat Target Center.“It’sall about quality, not quantity, right?”
All four of those 2020 draftees arestill 25 and younger, giving the Wolves confidence they’ll continue to contend —“bites at the apple” is Connelly’sdescription —aslong as Edwards is
Johnson primarily sees him as apitcher moving forward. Sides, Stringer and Brady were the top-rankedrighthandedarms to make it to campus. Injurieswould need to occur for them to crack therotation, but they’re all candidates to start midweek games Stringer and Sides were top-110 prospects in the draft, per MLB.com, and Brady wasthe No. 71 player on TheAthletic’sdraft rankings.
Williamsstruggled in 2026, but he was acandidate to startbackinJanuary.
Among LSU’s lefties, he’s the best equipped to do it at the moment. Ricken had astrongfinalouting in his freshmanseason, allowing just two earned runs in 41⁄3 innings againstFlorida Bullpen
Multi-inning closers: Hood, Velazquez,Williams Middle relief: Nawrocki, KadenSmith (RHP), Braxton Beaty (LHP), Danny Lachenmayer (LHP), Major Osbolt (RHP), Zion Theophilus (RHP), EthanPlog (LHP), Jonah Aase (LHP), Braydon Wisener (RHP), Bradyn Cupit(LHP), Sides, Ricken and Brady
Breakdown: Amongthe freshmen,Nawrocki has the chance to make the biggest immediate impact. His fastball is up to 95 mph, and he might’vehad thebest slider in the draft within the high school pitching crop LSU needs lefties to step up on the mound next season, andNawrockihas thepolish and talent to fillthe void.
Beaty is another freshmanlefty who canhelpthe Tigers immediately.He’s notasstrong as Nawrocki (Beaty is only 178 pounds), but he is polished and throws strikes.Cupit is the lonefreshman from Louisiana andcan,atthe very least, help provide more depth from the left side.
Smith is atransferfrom South Florida who, Johnson believes, hasthe stuff necessary to get outs in the SEC. He also started eight games, whichmeans he could also be usedina bulk role if need be. Osbolt is anothernew addition,this time fromthe junior college ranks at WaltersState. He’s LSU’slone add at that level this year
SAINTS
Continued from page1C
himbackonabig contract extension beforethe start of the 2025 campaign.
The onlyNFL tight ends with more yardsreceiving last season were Arizona’s Trey McBride and Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts. Johnson’s889 yards receiving were the fourth-most in asingle season by atight end in Saints’ history,tiedwith Jimmy Graham.
Thebulk of Johnson’s production came after Tyler Shough took over under center.Innine gameswith Shough as the starter,Johnsoncaught 41 of his 50 targets for521 yards (12.7 per catch)and twotouchdowns
In thefirsteight games, Johnson caught 36 of his 52 targets for 368yards(10.2 percatch) and one TD
Thelowdown
on their roster
“I’ve known Antfor aminute, so we’vebeentalking,” Ball said. “Everybody’sexcited, and we’re ready to get to work.”
Ball played in only 43% of thegames over athree-year stretch from 2022-25 before apromising 2025-26 season that helped propel theHornets into the play-in games. He has shown arecklessness on and off the court at times, too. Butthe Wolves will give him astronger team around himthanheeverhad with theHornets, andsix years into his NBA career the 6-foot-7 Ball is still just 24.
“You’ve gottohavea big backcourt. We learned that through the playoffs this year,” Wolves coach Chris Finch said.
Lachenmayer,Plog, Theophilus andAasereturn from last season Lachenmayer hadthe best
The Saints knowwhat they have in Johnson. Though he does have some lapsesinconcentration that lead to drops, Johnsonhas establishedhimself as a dangerous weapon in the passing game. Theconverted wide receiverisan excellent size-speed athlete who can stretch the seam and also pick up yards after the catch. What will be interesting to watch is what happens with the rest of the tight end group.
The offseason additions of Fant and Delp signaled a willingnesstoincorporate more multiple tight end sets,and Mooreconfirmed that was the planwhen asked about it this summer
Maybe the Saints won’t go full Los Angeles Rams, who created advantageous matchups last season by running morethree-tight end sets than anyone else in the NFL, but it’ssafeto assume therewill be more
season of the group, and Aase missed thewhole year becausehewas recovering from Tommy John surgery.
snaps with multiple Saints tightends on the field. Delpisthe key to this. Fant is somewhat similar to Johnson as aplayer —amobile tightend whoisathis best as areceiver.But New Orleans envisions Delpasa true “Y”tight end who can line up offtackle and affect the game both as areceiver and blocker It should allow theSaints to find personnel advantages.
Delp’sability as ablocker at the point of attack could force opposing defenses to stay honest, giving the Saints opportunities to exploit base defensive looks with their athletes at tight end. All of this is atheory, and one opposing defenses could start having answers forafter watching what the Rams did last season. Camp battle to watch Johnson, Fant andDelp aren’tgoing anywhere. And if the Saints aregoing to run more heavypersonnel packages, it would not be a surprisetosee them keep afourth tight end on their initial 53-man roster after keeping three on their initial 53 last season. If that is the case, the fourth spot will likely be between Moliki Matavao, Treyton Welchand Zaire Mitchell-Paden.Eachof those playersappeared in stretches with theSaints last season, with MitchellPadenplaying in eight games compared to six forMatavao and three for Welch. It maycomedowntothe type of player theSaints want. Of the three, Matavao may have the most to offer as ablocker,with asturdy 6-foot-6frame. Welchhas shown solid pass-catching skills. Mitchell-Paden might offer the best blend of both. Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.
Wisener is another freshman who throws afastball and aslider,but he needs to throw more strikes
July 13 1. Denny Hamlin,791. 2. Tyler Reddick, 767. 3. Ryan Blaney,726. 4. Ty Gibbs, 665. 5. Chase Elliott, 610. 6. Kyle Larson, 594. 7. Chris Buescher, 568. 8. Carson Hocevar, 563. 9. Christopher Bell, 551. 10. Chase Briscoe, 542. 11. Daniel Suárez, 529. 12. William Byron,520. 13. BubbaWallace, 493. 14. Austin Cindric,470. 15. ShaneVan Gisbergen, 469. 16. Erik Jones, 446. 17. Joey Logano, 438. 18. Ryan Preece, 420. 19. Brad Keselowski, 403. 20. Ross Chastain, 401. 21. Michael McDowell, 399. 22. AJ Allmendinger, 396. 23. Zane Smith,356. 24. Todd Gilliland, 353. 25. Riley Herbst, 350. 26. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 344 27. John H. Nemechek, 344. 28. Austin Dillon,327. 29. Alex Bowman,281. 30. Noah Gragson,241. 31. Ty Dillon,238. 32. Cole Custer, 237. 33. Josh Berry,233. 34. Connor Zilisch,208. 35. Cody Ware,169. 36. Kevin Magnussen, 11. 37. Casey Mears, 10. 38. Jimmie Johnson, 9. 39. KatherineLegge, 8. 40. BJ McLeod,4 Golf
British OpenTee Times At Royal Birkdale, Southport, England (a-amateur) Thursday-Friday 12:35 a.m.-5:41 a.m. Matthew Baldwin, England; Thomas Detry,Belgium; James Nicholas, United States. 12:46 a.m.-5:52 a.m. Michael Kim, United States; Daniel Hillier, New Zealand; Andy Sullivan,England. 12:57 a.m.-6:03 a.m. Ryan Fox, New Zealand; Andrew Novak, United States; Mat-
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thew Jordan, England. 1:08 a.m.-6:14 a.m. HenrikStenson, Sweden; Max Homa, United States; Joe Dean, England. 1:19 a.m.-6:25 a.m. RobertMacIntyre, Scotland; Rickie Fowler,United States;Alex Fitzpatrick, England. 1:30 a.m.-6:36 a.m. David Duval, United States; MartinCouvra, France; Matthew Southgate, England. 1:41 a.m.-6:47 a.m. Sungjae Im, South Korea; Dan Brown, England; a-FifaLaopakdee, Thailand. 1:52 a.m.-6:58 a.m. Gary Woodland, United States; JakeKnapp, United States; Jordan Smith, England. 2:03 a.m.-7:09 a.m. Francesco Molinari, Italy; TomMcKibbin, NorthernIreland; a-Lev Grinberg, France. 2:14 a.m.-7:20 a.m. HennieduPlessis, South Africa; Jose Luis Ballester, Spain; Dan Bradbury, England. 2:25 a.m.-7:31 a.m. Angel Ayora, Spain; Victor Perez, France; a-Mateo Pulcini Argentina. 2:36 a.m.-7:42 a.m. Stewart Cink, United States; Scott Vincent, Zimbabwe;Joakim Lagergren, Sweden. 2:47 a.m.-7:53 a.m. Michael Thorbjornsen, United States; Kota Kaneko, Japan; Travis Smyth, Australia. 3:03 a.m.-8:09 a.m. Alex Smalley,United States; Sam Stevens, United States; Ryo Hisatsune, Japan. 3:14 a.m.-8:20 a.m. AkshayBhatia, United States; Harris English, United States;Rasmus Hojgaard, Denmark.
3:25 a.m.-8:31 a.m. Ben Griffin, United States; Hideki Matsuyama, Japan; Min Woo Lee, Australia. 3:36 a.m.-8:42 a.m. RussellHenley,United States; JustinRose, England; Viktor Hovland, Norway. 3:47 a.m.-8:53 a.m. Justin Thomas, United States; Alex Noren, Sweden; Jason Day, Australia. 3:58 a.m.-9:04 a.m. ScottieScheffler, United States; TyrrellHatton, England; Bryson DeChambeau, United States. 4:09 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Jordan Spieth, United States; TommyFleetwood, England; Jon Rahm, Spain. 4:20 a.m.-9:26 a.m. Brian Harman, United States; Si WooKim,South Korea; Nick Taylor, Canada. 4:31 a.m.-9:37 a.m. Ryan Gerard, United States; Maverick McNealy, United States; David Puig, Spain.
4:42 a.m.-9:48 a.m. Kazuma Kobori, New Zealand; TomSloman, England; a-David Howard,Ireland. 4:53 a.m.-9:59 a.m. Antoine Rozner, France; RenYonezawa, Japan; Caleb Surratt, United States.
7:09 a.m.-2:03 a.m. Matt McCarty,United States; Harry Hall, England; Haotong Li, China.
Many Americans are fortunate to have dental coverage fortheir entire working life, through employer-providedbenefits. Whenthosebenefits end with retirement, paying dental billsout-of-pocket cancome as a shock,leading people to put off or even go without care. Simplyput —without dental insurance, there may be an important gap in your healthcare coverage.
When you’re comparingplans ...
Look forcoverage that helps pay formajor services. Some plans may limitthe number of procedures —orpay forpreventive care only.
Look forcoverage with no deductibles. Some plans mayrequire you to payhundreds out of pocketbefore benefits are paid.
Shop forcoverage with no annual maximum on cash benefits. Some plans have annual maximums of $1,000.
Medicare doesn’tpay for dental care.1
That’s right. As good as Medicare is, it wasnever meanttocover everything. That means if youwant protection,you needto purchase individual insurance.
Early detection canprevent small problems from becoming expensiveones.
The best way to preventlargedental bills is preventive care.The American Dental Association recommends checkupstwiceayear.
“Medicare&You,”
Previous dental work canwear out.
Even if you’vehad qualitydentalwork in the past,you shouldn’t take your dentalhealth forgranted. In fact, your odds of havinga dental problem only go up as youage.2
Treatment is expensive— especiallythe servicespeople over 50 often need.
Consider these national averagecostsof treatment. $274for acheckup $299 for afilling $1,471 foracrown.3 Unexpected bills likethis canbeareal burden, especially if you’re on afixedincome.
7:20 a.m.-2:14 a.m. PadraigHarrington, Ireland; Marco Penge,England; Michael Hollick, South Africa.
7:31 a.m.-2:25 a.m. TomKim, South Korea; Billy Horschel,UnitedStates; a-MasonHowell, United States.
10:21 a.m.-5:15 a.m. Kazuki Higa,Japan; Jiho Yang, South Korea; a-Nevill Ruiter, Netherlands. PGA Tour Statistics Through July13 FedExCup SeasonPoints 1, ScottieScheffler, 3,511. 2, Matt Fitzpatrick 3,329. 3, Cameron Young, 2,586. 4, Wyndham Clark, 2,255. 5, Chris Gotterup, 2,200. 6, Collin Morikawa, 2,176. 7, Si WooKim, 1,938. 8, Ludvig Aberg, 1,773. 9, TommyFleetwood, 1,733. 10, Sam Burns, 1,728. Scoring Average 1, ScottieScheffler, 68.946. 2, Collin Morikawa,69.236. 3, Matt Fitzpatrick, 69.459. 4, Collin Morikawa, 69.533. 5, TommyFleetwood, 69.811. 6, Wyndham Clark, 69.815. 7, Chris Gotterup, 69.822. 8, Jake Knapp, 69.862. 9, Sam Burns, 69.908. 10, Si WooKim, 69.940. Driving Distance 1, Aldrich Potgieter,329.4. 2, Rory McIlroy 328.2. 3, Michael Brennan, 326.6. 4, Nicolai Højgaard, 322.6. 5, Gary Woodland, 322.4. 6, Rasmus Højgaard, 321.9. 7, Chris Gotterup, 321.7. 8, Marco Penge,321.4. 9, Min WooLee, 320.1. 10, Johnny Keefer,318.3. Driving AccuracyPercentage 1, Russell Henley,73.41%. 2, Aaron Rai, 72.16%. 3, Si WooKim, 70.16%. 4, Lucas Glover, 69.65%. 5, Collin Morikawa, 69.41%. 6, TommyFleetwood, 69.18%. 7, Andrew Putnam, 68.93%. 8, Kensei Hirata,68.27%. 9, 2tied with 68.24%. Total Driving 1, Ludvig Åberg, 55. 2, ScottieScheffler, 57. 3, Neal Shipley, 62. 4, Jordan Smith, 66. 5, Min WooLee, 69. 6, Kurt Kitayama, 74. 7(tie), Michael Brennan and Cameron Young, 76. 9, Matt Fitzpatrick, 81. 10, 2tiedwith 82. SG-Putting 1, VinceWhaley, .787. 2, AkshayBhatia, .681. 3, Jacob Bridgeman, .675. 4, Sam Burns 662. 5, JakeKnapp, .589. 6, Erik vanRooyen, .570. 7, Beau Hossler, .561. 8, Alex Noren, .556. 9, RobertMacIntyre, .544. 10, Eric Cole, .540. Birdie Average 1, ScottieScheffler, 4.76. 2, Si WooKim, 4.62. 3, Collin Morikawa, 4.59. 4, WyndhamClark 4.52. 5, Rory McIlroy,4.37. 6, Ludvig Aberg, 4.36. 7(tie),Akshay Bhatiaand Robert MacIntyre, 4.35. 9, Jacob Bridgeman, 4.33. 10, Keith Mitchell, 4.32. Eagles (Holes per) 1, JakeKnapp, 50.4. 2, Nicolai Højgaard, 83.1. 3, Matt Wallace, 84.6. 4, TommyFleetwood, 87. 5, Sahith Theegala, 87.8. 6, Aldrich Potgieter,88.2. 7(tie), Keegan Bradley and Rasmus Hojgaard, 90. 9, Shane Lowry,93.6. 10, Brandt Snedeker, 95.1. All-Around Ranking 1, ScottieScheffler, 170. 2, Ludvig Åberg, 248. 3, Sam Burns,265. 4, Wyndham Clark,267. 5, Chris Gotterup, 278. 6, Min WooLee, 281. 7, Collin Morikawa, 284. 8, Doug Ghim, 313. 9, Rory McIlroy,314. 10, Si WooKim, 333. Tennis
BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer
GALLEGOS
Daruma Ramen is one of 40 restaurants participating in Summer Restaurant Week
Daruma Ramen Bar and Grill
3669 Government St.
$35 per person
Appetizer
n Bali mango tuna taco with crispy rice-seaweed shell with tuna, sweet mango and crabmeat paired with seaweed salad, scallions and sweet-andspicy mayo drizzle
Entrée
n Spicy grilled chicken ramen with wavy noodles, spicy miso chicken broth, grilled chicken, bok choy, kikurage mushrooms, corn, bamboo shoots, marinated egg, scallions and garlic
Dessert
n Vanilla crepe cake, a layered cake filled with vanilla cream
Ruffino’s Restaurant
18811 Highland Road
$60 per person
Appetizers
n Shrimp and gazpacho with red and green gazpacho, poached Gulf shrimp and roasted corn salsa
n Oven-roasted pork belly with marinated peaches, celeriac puree and spring onion
See WEEK, page 2D
SPREAD THE WORD
BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer
What once was hearsay has become a reality inside Baton Rouge’s newest speakeasy
Slated to open July 17, Hearsay Social Club gives century-old antiques a new life. It’s located at 1857 Government St., inside Circa 1857, an antique store that began in 2000 and changed ownership to Garrett Kemp in 2016 when he was 21.
“One of the things that I’ve always envisioned,” Kemp said, “is the amount of conversations and gossip that’s been shared in these chairs, hopefully the last 100 years or so they’ve been in use.”
This vision is what prompted the speakeasy’s name, coined by one of Kemp’s friends. After sending a poll to close friends on top name contenders, Hearsay Social Club was the winner
“We’re really hoping to not only be an elevated craft cocktail bar but another community fixture where people in the Garden Dis-
trict and Capitol Heights and downtown feel like they’re just a stone’s throw away from something out of the ordinary in Baton Rouge,” Kemp said. The watering hole spans 35 seats across two rooms, a barroom and a lounge. Folks can take a seat at the bar, made of a reclaimed
STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Hearsay Social Club spans 35 seats across two rooms, a barroom and a lounge.
Owner Garrett Kemp poses at the bar he helped construct at Hearsay Social Club in Baton Rouge.
STAFF PHOTO By LAUREN CHERAMIE
n Blistered shishito peppers with sweet chili glaze, mushroom powder and Korean chili flakes
Entrees
n Pork chop a la vodka, made with crispy bone-in pork cutlet, vodka tomato cream, basil and capellini
n Bacon crusted grouper with sweet corn puree, green beans and chili oil
n Manhattan filet with blue cheese crust and buffalo-roasted potatoes
Desserts
n Pistachio cannoli with pistachio cream and semisweet chocolate
n Italian cheesecake with ricotta, graham cracker crust, sweetened sour cream glaze and raspberry Court to Table
7477 Burbank Drive
$30 per person
Appetizers
n Garlic knots with garlic and herb chimichurri and sugo rosa
n Sensation salad with parmesan, olives and pepperoncini
n Pepper jack boudin balls with remoulade sauce
n Yellowfin tuna tataki with soy ponzu, green onion, cilantro, black and white sesame and wasabi aioli
Entrees
n Margherita nuova pizza with buffalo mozzarella, passata, pesto and vodka sauce
n Creole shrimp and grits with Gulf shrimp and Creole sauce
n Country-fried chicken with white gravy, mashed potatoes and a biscuit
n Steak frites with marinated skirt steak, Parmesan house-cut frites and chimichurri
Desserts
n Citrus olive oil cake with spiced icing
n C2T brownie with caramel and chocolate
Brasserie Byronz
515 Mouton St.
$45 per person
Appetizers
n Tuna tartare coupe with tuna tartare and avocado smash, served chilled in Champagne coupe
n Petite brass salade with mixed greens, strawberry, candied pecan, feta and pepper jelly vinaigrette
n Fromage chips, with a choice of blue cheese or three-cheese with housefried potato chips
Entrees
n French onion meatloaf with slow-caramelized onions in Champagne, served with pomme puree and green beans
BISCUIT
Continued from page 1D
n Chicken Française with lightly battered, panseared chicken paillard finished in a Champagne butter sauce, served with potato galettes and charred broccolini
n Champagne crevette pasta with shrimp, angel hair pasta, cherry tomatoes and sauteed spinach in a Champagne cream sauce, served with a sliced baguette
Desserts
n Champagne creme brulee with Champagne folded into custard and a crackling sugar top
n Tarte tatin bread pudding, an apple mashup of two classics, finished with Champagne caramel sauce
Drinks
n French Champagne, additional $15
Rocca Pizzeria
3897 Government St. $40 per person
Appetizers
n Garlic knots with chimichurri, herbs, grana and whipped provolone
n Confit garlic and cheese with Meyer lemon goat cheese, confit garlic, romesco and focaccia
n Calamari salad with calamari, arugula, pine nuts, balsamic and grana cheese
Entrees
n Pizza Genovese with braised short rib, caramelized shallots, confit tomato, red sauce and provolone
n Chicken bellagio with breaded chicken cutlet, burrata, pesto linguine, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes and prosciutto
n Shrimp aglio e olio with sauteed shrimp, white wine lemon butter, local polenta and paprika
Desserts
n Lemon bar with strawberry sugar and berry hibiscus coulis
n Tiramisu bread pudding with coffee custard, espresso rum sauce, chocolate and mascarpone
n Mario’s gelato with an option to choose Tahitian vanilla, Biscoff, pistachio or salted caramel.
candied jalapeños and the Evangeline, a buttermilk biscuit with fried green tomato, pimento cheese, bacon, fried egg and bacon jam. The menu also features breakfast plates, eggs Benedict, burgers, sandwiches and salads. There are morning sweets like beignets, yogurt bowls, French toast sticks, waffles and bananas foster pancakes. For something on the savory side, feast on shrimp and grits, duck empanadas or breakfast tacos topped with potatoes, eggs, sausage crumbles, cheese, pico de gallo and salsa.
Continued from page 1D
is something I could see myself going back to as a comfort meal. It’s flavorful without being overbearing and big enough to have leftovers. Maybe next time I’ll get a side of hummus or tzatziki for dipping. Would that be sacrilegious? Lauren Cheramie, deputy features editor
Plate meal
n General Tso’s Chicken, 7064
Siegen Lane, Baton Rouge
I found myself in the Siegen Village around 10:45 a.m. for an assignment and noticed I was hungry Luckily, General Tso’s Chicken was right there, and they had opened early for lunch. The restaurant is a locally owned spot that started in 2024 to serve cafeteria-style Chinese food.
I ordered the two-entree, one-side plate and chose the Mongolian chicken, beef broccoli and lo mein, plus a side of Yum Yum sauce, which ran my wallet $11.48 in total. They packed my plate full, so I knew I was going to have leftovers (more bang for my buck).
Everything tasted fresh and didn’t weigh me down like other fast-casual Asian spots. For a quick, satisfying lunch that was there right when I needed it, General Tso’s Chicken is a
win from me.
Maddie Scott, features reporter
Gumbo and redfish
n Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn, 240 Tubing Road, Lafayette
It’s an Acadiana institution for a reason. Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn has been a favorite for 94 years, and this weekend I found out why
It was my first full dining experience at the famous restaurant, and I tried everything possible bites of my mom’s redfish and my dad’s pork chop, crab cakes, sweet potato beignets and,
Almost everything in the space is antique. For the items that aren’t, they were likely created by Kemp or one of his friends.
Behind the bar are emerald green shelves, built by Kemp, that display liquor bottles and thin-rimmed vintage glassware, most of which spans between the 1920s and 1960s. He also created the banquette that stretches across a brick wall where a wall of gold-framed mirrors hang.
“I’ve put a lot of my own time and sweat and everything into it, which has been nonstop for about the last year and a half,” Kemp said.
Menu sneak peek
The cocktail menu has a mix of 10 craft cocktails and another 10 classic cocktails with a little flair. Think espresso martinis, French 75s and bloody marys. There will also be a small selection of beers and mostly European wines.
Kemp had help from Scott Higgins, consultant and sommelier, who created Hearsay Social Club’s bar program. The staff of six bartenders have started training, and Kemp said they’re all excited for the opening.
“Every time you come in, we want it to be as fresh as possible, as crisp and clean as possible,” Kemp said.
The goal is to use creative ingredients and unique flavor profiles not seen in
other places. One of Kemp’s
favorite cocktails is the Celery Society, a gin-based sip with celery flavor, lime and lemon.
“It’s something that, when it’s hot outside like today that I would just sip on all day,” he said on a summer Friday in July “Granted, she’s strong. It’s a slow sipper I wouldn’t chug it down too much, but that is one of my favorites that we have on this menu.”
Design and art
Kemp has been working with artists, designers and friends to bring the space to life.
With this help, he wanted the space to capture a traditional, speakeasy style by using antique pieces. Hues of green, pink and blue were picked out with the help of Kemp’s friend and interior designer Ellen Kennon.
“One of the main things that I really also wanted to do was sort of modernize it
by bringing in a lot of flair and whimsical touches,” he said.
A pink wallpaper features several safari animals wearing top hats and suits, which Kemp bought from Divine Savages, a British wallpaper business based in Bath, England.
“It’s perfect for the space,” he said about the wallpaper “ I think it encompasses what we’re trying to do here. We’re trying to have fun.”
It inspired two large paintings by local artist Jade Brady Both canvases are covered in bright shades of hot pink and dancing animals. One features two ostriches doing the tango, the other depicting a lady rhinoceros juggling cocktails.
One piece of wall art pays homage to Tony Mose, an artist and co-owner of Esom Art. His studio used to be inside the same walls, and after Mose left behind an exterior sign marketing his studio, Kemp decided to
custom-build a golden frame and hang the sign as an art piece.
The longer you look, the more quirks you’ll notice. Anchored to the walls are tiny monkeys clutching torches and spotlights to illuminate the space, adding to the whimsical, upbeat feel. Where the monkeys aren’t, mini lamps, antique light fixtures and a disco ball brighten the rest of the space. Customers may notice price tags hanging off various decor pieces such as light fixtures, porcelain figurines or mirrors. They’re for sale, and so is some of the glassware.
“What’s better than having a cocktail and shopping at the same time?” Kemp said. Once it opens on July 17, Hearsay Social Club will operate 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
STAFF PHOTO By MADDIE SCOTT
Mongolian chicken, beef broccoli, lo mein and yum yum sauce from General Tso’s Chicken in Baton Rouge
STAFF PHOTO By JOANNA BROWN Chicken and andouille gumbo and
Is thereetiquette for running agenerator?
DearMiss Manners: We lost power from ahurricane for 10 days. We werelucky we sufferednomajor damage to our home or our property However,once gasoline became available, some neighbors began running generators 24 hours aday.It was so noisy that we had to close our windows to sleep, which became the worst part of the hurricane experience. Unless aperson requires one for medical conditions, what do you think should be the proper etiquette for running agenerator?
By The Associated Press
Today is Wednesday, July 15, the 196th day of 2026. There are 169 days left in the year
20-year prison sentence.)
In 2006, Twitter (now knownasX)was launched to the public.
Judith Martin MISS MANNERS
Iknow that if you run it two or three hours in the morning and another two or three hours in the evening, you can power up your freezer and save the contents.
Gentle reader: Etiquette rules can survive hurricanes (and worse) because they have exceptions to deal with actual circumstances. This is aperennialsource of disappointment to the anti-etiquette crowd, who proudly discover etiquette’s fatal flaw by asserting (incorrectly) that it would be rude to shout at someone to warn them of afastapproaching car The rule in your caseis
that keeping theneighbors up atnight is rude, but excusable in thecase of unavoidable necessity.The immediate aftermath of aoncein-20-years disaster qualifies. What does not qualify are events that used to be oncein-20-years, but are now commonand manageable. It is also unacceptable to cite the exception long after there has been time to find amore considerate solution,ortoignoreconsideration for others even when there is nojustifying necessity —whichisthe pointthat likelyapplies to your situation.
Dear Miss Manners: Afriend andIwere traveling in a foreigncountry,and were seated for lunch. When I had giventhe waiter my order,my friend signaled to thewaiter bycurling her index fingerand pointing it toward herselfasiftosay, “Come closer.” Iwould have preferred she simply smile and look at him to indicate she was ready to order Then,when she was halfway across theroom paying herbill, shesaidto me in aloudvoice, “Sue, service is already included in the bill,” indicating Ishouldnot leave atip.
Her behavior upset me. Am Ibeing too critical?
Gentlereader: Domestically, your friend’sbehavior was marginal. Abroad, it will be interpreted as representing themanners of all Americans, so your embarrassmentisunderstandable.
There are, however,limited options if you are to avoid arepetition without being unmannerly yourself:
1. Convince everyone you come in contact with that your friend is so famous or so rich that her behavior is charming. Not only is this difficult to execute, it is equally likely,inthe days of social media, tohave unintended side effects.
2. Persuade your friend that you will have amore enjoyable vacation if, contrary to popular advice, she behaves less like her daily self, since her outgoing nature is apt tobemisunderstood by thelocals.
3. Throw yourself between her and any waiter for the remainder of the trip.
Send questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners. com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail com; or through postal mailtoMiss Manners, Universal Uclick,1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
Gettingmoldout of washcloths
Dear Heloise: How do Iget
mold out of my washcloths without taking out the color? Everything I find online includes bleach, whichruins my washcloths. Also, how do Iprevent it from happening in the first place? I wring them out as tight as Ican after using them and hang them up to dry on the top of my shower enclosure. CathyB via email Cathy,first, wash all your washcloths in hot water with 1cup of white distilled vinegar.Don’tadd soap or softener.Next, sprinkle1 cup of baking soda on the wet washcloths and wash them again in hot water to neutralize the odor. Afterward, dry them immediately in ahot dryer
TodayinHistory: On July 15, 1799, the Rosetta Stone,akey to deciphering ancient Egyptian scripts, was found at Fort Julien in the Nile Delta during the Napoleonic campaign in Egypt
Also on this date:
In 1870, Georgia became the last Confederate state to be readmitted to theUnion.
In 1975, threeAmerican astronautsblasted off aboardanApollo spacecraft hoursafter two Soviet cosmonauts were launched aboard aSoyuz spacecraft for amission thatincluded alinkup of the twoships in orbit
In 1976, a36-hour kidnap ordeal began for 26 schoolchildren and their bus driver as they were abducted near Chowchilla, California, by three gunmen and imprisoned in an underground cell. (The captives escaped unharmed; the kidnappers werecaught.)
In 1996, MSNBC, a24hour all-news network, madeits debut on cable and the internet.
In 1997, fashion designerGianni Versace, 50, was shotdead outside his Miami Beach home; suspected gunman Andrew Phillip Cunanan, 27, was found dead eight days later,asuicide. (Investigators believed Cunanan killed four other people before Versace in acrosscountry rampage that began the previous March.)
In 2019, avowed White supremacist James Alex Fields Jr.was sentenced by astate court to life in prison plus 419 years for killing one person and injuring dozens whenhedeliberately drove his car into acrowd of anti-racism protesters during arally in Charlottesville, Virginia. (The previous month, Fields received alife sentence on 29 federal hate crimecharges.)
In 2020, George Floyd’s family filed alawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and the four police officers charged in his death, alleging the officers violated Floyd’srights when they restrained him and that the city allowed a culture of excessive force, racism and impunity to flourish in its police force. (The city would agree to pay $27 million to settle the lawsuit in March 2021.)
the key fob that Ileave with the tech is theone that doesn’thave myhouse key attached. Not that Ipatronize ashady service station, I simply thinkbeing extra cautiousis best —Lynn, in Vermont Lynn, beingcarefulisalways agood idea. Youdon’tknow everyonewho walks into the business or everyonewho works there. So, beingextra cautious is a wise move. —Heloise Theword‘like’
cational institutions have allowed certain changes in education that make us appear uneducated and lazy,instead of requiring studentstoimprove their skills. Does anyone out there want to add their opinion on the American educational system? If you are aschoolteacher,we’d love to hear your views on this subject. —Heloise Hire asitter
In 2002, John Walker Lindh, an American who’d fought alongside theTaliban in Afghanistan, pleaded guiltyin federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, to two felonies in adeal sparing him life in prison. (Walker was released in 2019 after serving 17 years of a
Don’tleave the washcloths in the dryer and make sure that they’re completely dry.Don’tuse awashclothfor more than aday or two before washing it again. The air in your bathroom may hold moisture, which will help keep the fabrics damp and encourage mildew and mold growth. Airflow in a bathroom is very important! —Heloise No housekeysattached
Dear Heloise: Whenever I takemycar for service,
Dear Heloise: Yes, yes, yes! I was so pleased to see your noteabout the way that some people use the word “like”! For the past couple of years, I’vehad to listen to the way that some people consistently say “the L word” over and over,which is worse than nails on a chalkboard for me! Even worse yet, some well-known people —includingbut not limited to actors, entertainers, talk show hosts, and more (whom we might expect to know better) —are as guilty of using it as some 7-year-old.What’shappened? What’swiththe “dumbing down” of Americans? —Sandy C., via email Sandy,here at Heloise Central, we get tonsofletters asking why ouredu-
Dear Heloise: In response to AFaithful Reader’s complaint about toddlers being disruptive at weddings in arecent column, let me make asuggestion: When one of my sons got married, Isecured the services of ababysitter during theout-of-town rehearsal dinner.Iprovided her withcoloring books and crayons,and I positioned her in another room at the facility.Guests signed theirchildren in with her,leaving her their cellphone numbers so that shecould text them in case of an emergency.Itworked beautifully! Why not do thesame for these wedding guests? Somefacilities offer such services for asmall fee. Thanks for all your hints! AReader,via email Send ahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.
Hints from Heloise
cAncER (June 21-July 22) If you expand your vision, you'll discover unique ways to use your attributes and skills to improve your earning potential. Pay attention, and present yourself and your ideas strategically.
LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Live and learn from your experiences. Get out, be observant and help where you can. The difference you make and the joy you bring to others will come back twofold.
VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Reevaluate before making a move or disrupting your life personally or professionally. Emotions run high, and you're likely to encounter opposition or interference from someone authoritative or nosy.
LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Attend events, connect with people and make your pitch to those you feel you can help or who can further your agenda. Listen, ask for any offers and costs in writing and consider if a partnership is worthwhile.
scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Intelligence, charm and honesty will be your passage forward. Leave nothing to chance or let anyone disrupt your plans. Keep your pitch simple and your costs reasonable.
sAGITTARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Hosting an event for those you want to get to know better or setting up meetings that offer a platform for you to share your opinions and offer your services will pay off.
cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Use your intellect when dealing with associates.
Listen carefully and practice discretion regarding what you share. Keep your personal life to yourself.
AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Embrace life with a positive attitude. Look for new beginnings and self-serving pastimes. Feeling your best will be uplifting and encourage you to pursue pastimes that make you happy.
PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) What you want and what you get will conflict if you let uncertainty take over. When in doubt, ask an expert or someone you trust for help. Communication is the best way to solve problems.
ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Participate, and you'll discover something or someone who broadens your perspective and opens your eyes to possibilities. Don't restrict yourself or ignore what's available to you.
TAuRus (April 20-May 20) Pay attention to how you look, feel and what you do with your cash. Be intelligent, research and set a budget you can live with before you make personal or professional changes that can alter your financial situation.
GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Participating in something that intrigues or concerns you will help broaden your perspective regarding what lies ahead and how you can make the most of any situation you encounter.
Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.
ToDAy's cLuE: V EQuALs A
FAMILY CIrCUS
CeLebrItY CIpher
For better or For WorSe
SALLY Forth
beetLe bAILeY Mother GooSe And GrIMM
Sudoku
InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of theSudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.
Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
nea CroSSwordS La TimeS CroSSword
THewiZard oF id
BLondie
BaBY BLueS
Hi and LoiS
CurTiS
Bridge
By PHILLIP ALDER
James Carville, apolitical commentator, said, “The best time to plant an oak tree was 25 years ago. The second best time is today.”
In yesterday’s deal, East used the bidding and early play to place the missinghighcardsand to work outthe best defense against four hearts.
Here is asecond deal along the same lines.Southisinfour hearts. West leads thespade queen. South wins with his ace and plays atrumptodummy’squeen. What shouldEast do?
South rebid three no-trump because Northmighthaveraisedheartswithonly three-card support if he had aminimum openingbid with,for example, 1-3-5-4 distribution. Here, though, North corrected to the heart gamebecause he had two unstopped suits and four strong hearts.
East should wonder which fourtricks his sidemight win. Since West’s opening lead marks South with the spade ace and king, there are no spade winnersavailable.
East has one heart trick. There are no diamond winners, because even if South is missing the king, the finesse is working. So the defenders need threeclub tricks, or two clubs and aclubruff.
This should make East’spath clear.He must win withhis heart ace and shiftto the club five.
Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON
Previous answers:
word game
InsTRucTIons: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters 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 wordsare not allowed
ToDAy’s WoRD ALAcRITy: uh-LAK-rih-tee: Cheerful readiness.
Average mark20words
Time limit 40 minutes
Can you find 29 or morewords in ALACRITY?
yEsTERDAy’s WoRD —ILLusoRy
wuzzles
loCKhorNs
marmaduKe
Bizarro
hagar the horriBle
Pearls Before swiNe
garfield
B.C.
PiCKles
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson,Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION59407
AUTHORIZING THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO REFUND SEWERUSER FEES PAID IN EXCESS DUE TO THE ERRONEOUSBILLING OF SEWER USER FEES ON AMETER SERVING AN IRRIGATIONSYSTEM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $172,075.23, TO BATON ROUGE GSA LLC FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 2023 THROUGH MARCH 2026, WITH THE COST OF SUCH REFUND TO BE CHARGED AGAINST SEWERUSER FEE REVENUES.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and secondedbyMs. Racca to approvethe proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None Absent: None
With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19866
AMENDING TITLE 12 (NUISANCES), CHAPTER6.– MISCELLANEOUS, SEC. 12:405. –MAINTENANCE OFPROPERTY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE IN THE PENALTIES AND FINES FOR VIOLATIONS.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Mr Hurst and secondedbyMs. Amoroso to approve the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION59408
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE CONTRACT FOR APPRAISAL SERVICES WITHALPHA &OMEGA APPRAISAL SERVICES, LLC, FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR CAPACITY PROJECT MICKENS ROAD (HOOPER ROAD TO JOORROAD) -CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO. 22-CP-HC-0024, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Ms. Amoroso to approve the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:
Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None Absent: Racca With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION59409
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE CONTRACT FOR APPRAISALSERVICES WITH BDS ENTERPRISES, INC., FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR CAPACITY PROJECT MICKENS ROAD (HOOPER ROAD TO JOOR ROAD) -CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO. 22-CPHC-0024, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED$61,120.00. (ACCOUNT NO.9217100088 4371.00000-0000000000-651160).
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Hurst to approve the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Racca With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted. RESOLUTION59410
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE CONTRACT FOR ACQUISITION AND RELOCATIONSERVICES WITH DIADEM APPRAISALS, LLC, FOR SERVICESASSOCIATED WITH MOVEBR CAPACITY PROJECT MICKENS ROAD (HOOPER ROAD TO JOOR ROAD) -CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO.22-CP-HC-0024, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $117,120.00. (ACCOUNT NO. 9217100088 4371.000000000000000-651160). The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hurst and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to approve the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel
Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Racca With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted. RESOLUTION59411
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONTRACTS WITH ASHBRITT,INC., CROWDERGULF,LLC AND DRC EMERGENCY SERVICES, LLC FOR DISASTERSTREET-CLEARING, DEBRIS COLLECTION, REMOVAL, PROCESSING, DISPOSAL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO. A21-005 TO EXTEND THE CONTRACTTIME THROUGH MAY31, 2027.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Racca With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION59412
AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OFTHE PRE-LITIGATIONCLAIM OF CHERYL WOODS FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROMANAUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT,FOR ATOTAL AMOUNT OF$17,000.00, WHICH SHALL BE PAID FROM THE ACCOUNT DESIGNATED “INSURANCE -AUTO LIABILITY”(1000. 4700. 10. 0550. 0000. 0000. 000000.644120). *THIS MATTER MAYBEDISCUSSEDINEXECUTIVE SESSION.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Harris and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Racca With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 1absent, the motion was adopted. RESOLUTION59413 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO.2 TO THE CONTRACT WITH MOUGEOT ARCHITECTURE, LLC FOR ADDITIONAL DESIGN SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR CONTRACT FOR THE PRIDE FIRE DISTRICT NO. 8INDIAN MOUND STATION, BEING CITY PARISH PROJECT NO. 21-ASD-CP-1443 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED$14,086.38. (ACCOUNT NO. 4652-1000-20-1008-0000-0000-000000-652000).
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Noel and seconded by Ms. Harris to approve the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Hurst, Racca With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 59414
AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTEA
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTWITH STANTEC CONSULTING
INC IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000 TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING
SERVICES AND APPROPRIATE INTEREST EARNING FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTFUNDFOR SAID PURPOSE.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to approve the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Kenney,Moak, Noel
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Hurst, Racca
With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.
RESOLUTION 59415
ARESOLUTION APPROVING AN ANNUAL PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXTO
THE SHERIFF OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $12,281.09 IN ACCORDANCE WITH AMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CAPITAL AREA FINANCE AUTHORITY AND GULF COAST HOUSING PARTNERSHIP,L.L.C.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.toapprove the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Kenney,Moak, Noel
Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None Absent: Hurst, Racca With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 2absent, the motion was adopted.
ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES ORDINANCE 19867
AUTHORIZINGTHE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT 9PT SQUARE 1, LEHMANN PLACE SUBDIVISION,S.18TH ST/MYRTLE WALK, PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANASURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO HAZE GREY MANAGEMENT, LLC HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH,ORTOTHE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH A CERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms.Coleman and seconded by Ms. Harris to approve the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Hudson, Hurst, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted. ORDINANCE 19868
AUTHORIZINGTHE METROPOLITAN COUNCILTODECLARE LOT LOT 21 SQUARE 23, HICKEY TOWN SUBDIVISION, NORTH 23RD STREET, PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANASURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO DEMETRIS CHAMBERS HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED
CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms.Coleman and seconded by Ms.Harris to approve the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None
Absent: Hudson, Hurst, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted.
ORDINANCE 19869
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCILTODECLARE LOT LOT 8 SQUARE 89, ISTROUMA SUBDIVISION,HURON STREET,PREVIOUSLY
ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANASURPLUS
PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO GERNESIA WILLIAMSHIS/HER AGENTORASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $3,000.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/ HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms.Coleman and seconded by Ms. Harris to approve the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None
Abstains: None
Did Not Vote: None Absent: Hudson, Hurst, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted. PROPOSED ORDINANCE
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT LOT 8
SQUARE 2, PLANK ROAD SUBDIVISION, WINNEBAGO ST,PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH,LOUISIANASURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO DANIEL
SHARON AVIE HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH,ORTOTHE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/ HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms.Coleman and seconded by Ms.Harris to approve the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Hudson, Hurst, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion was adopted. ORDINANCE 19871
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCILTODECLARE LOT LOT
20PT SQUARE 39, SOUTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION,GEORGIA STREET,PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANASURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO BNOBLE, LLC HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $855.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion was made by Ms.Coleman and seconded by Ms. Harris to approve the
THE
COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT LOT 14PT SQUARE 5, SCOTT SUBDIVISION, SHERMAN STREET PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO ERIC D. SANDERS HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $100.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Ms. Harris to approve the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did
Noel Nays: None
Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Hudson, Hurst, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion wasadopted. ORDINANCE 19873
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT LOT 68, HIGHLAND GARDENS ADDITION SUBDIVISION, DALTON STREET PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO LAFAYETTE &CO. HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $25,000.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Ms. Harris to approve the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays:
has been
This
ORDINANCE 19874 AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT LOT 44, CYPRESS PARK SUBDIVISION, HORSESHOE LANE, PREVIOUSLY ADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO M. INVESTMENTS HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $21,000.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $1935.00.
The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Ms. Harris to approve the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Kenney,Moak, Noel Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: Hudson, Hurst, Racca With 9yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 3absent, the motion wasadopted. ORDINANCE 19875
AUTHORIZING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO DECLARE LOT LOT 10+ SQUARE 4, NORTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION, FAIRCHILD STREET,PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA SURPLUS PROPERTY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF SAID LOT TO NAKEYAWHITE HIS/HER AGENT OR ASSIGN FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF $15,000.00 CASH, OR TO THE HIGHEST OFFEROR WHO SUBMITS HIS/HER OFFER ALONG WITH ACERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Ms. Harris to approve the proposed ordinance. AYea and
Note:The City-Parishhas electedtouse LaPAC, the state'sonlineelectronic bidposting andnotifica‐tion system,inaddition to itsstandardmeans of advertisingthisrequire‐ment.ThisInvitationto Bidisavailable in elec‐tronic form at theLaPAC website https:// wwwcfprd.doa.louisiana. gov/osp/lapac/dspBid cfm?search=departm ent&term=102. Bids,amendmentsto bids or requestfor with‐drawal of bids received after time specified for bidopeningsshall notbe considered forany cause whatsoever. Inquirieswillbereceived up until 5pmon 07/24/2026. Full informationmay be obtained upon request from theabove address or by telephoningDexter Stewartat(225) 389-3259, Ext.3283, or viaemail er‐miller@brla.gov. Anyvendorwho would like to listen to theopen‐ingofthisbid canaccess thefollowing link,atthe date andtimeofthisbid opening:
PLAN ACTION PLAN Section8071 of the SUPPORT forPatients andCommunities Act (Pub.L.115–271, ap‐proved Oct. 24, 2018) (‘‘SUPPORT Act’’),enti‐tled PilotProgram to Help IndividualsinRe‐covery From aSubstance UseDisorderBecome Stably Housed,hereinre‐ferred to as theRecovery HousingProgram,orRHP authorizes theappropri‐ationoffunds, as maybe necessary, foreach fiscal year of 2019 to 2023 for assistance
CDBG funds under titleI of theHous‐ingand Community De‐velopmentAct of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302) (‘ HCDAct’’) andauthorizesthe Sec‐retary of HUDtowaive or specifyalternative re‐quirements to anyprovi‐sion of titleI of theHCD Actnecessary to facili‐tate or expedite theuse of RHPfunds, except for requirements relatedto fairhousing,nondiscrim‐ination, laborstandards theenvironment,and re‐
percent of each allocation Writtencommentson theproposedRHP Action Plan maybesubmitted beginningJuly15, 2026, andmustbereceivedno laterthanJuly30, 2026. Commentsmay be emailedto denease. mcgee2@la.gov, mailed to theOffice
NOTE:The only vendor i f i h d y information shared at thebid openingwillbe thereading of thenames of thosevendors who submittedbids. Join by phone +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll Access code:263 373 080 (followedbythe #but‐ton) Alternatenumbers to call if number aboveisnot available, which may occurdue to network traffic(usethe same Ac‐cess Code,followedby the# button): United States Toll (Boston) +1-617-315-0704 United States Toll (Chicago)
