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Lafayette official named state fire marshal

‘Education from the very beginning’

Sonnier had headed parish Office of Homeland Security

BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer

STAFF PHOTOS By BRAD BOWIE

Annie Ozenne, second from right, works with 1- and 2-year-olds on Thursday at the United Way of Acadiana Learning Center in Lafayette as the Early Head Start program celebrates 15 years.

Early Head Start program celebrates 15 years

BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

United Way of Acadiana is marking 15 years of its Early Head Start program, which has served more than 1,500 families in Lafayette and Vermilion parishes through early childhood education and family support services.

This week, the organization invited supporters to celebrate the milestone in their work to serve area children with learning centers in Lafayette and Abbeville that offer early childhood education, developmental activities and family support services for children up to age 3.

“At the time, we realized it was important for us to focus on education from the very beginning,” said Angela Morrison, who previously served as chief of community impact at United Way of Acadiana and is now senior director of engagement at Hospice of Acadiana.

“We had a really high rate of high school dropouts, a high rate of middle school students who were two-plus years behind, and children entering school who were usually not ready to learn,” according to Morrison, who spoke at a ceremony on Thursday at the United Way Learning Center

Heather Blanchard performs a ribbon cutting as the Early Head Start program celebrates on Thursday at the United Way of ä See EDUCATION, page 5A Acadiana Learning Center in Lafayette.

also said that layObstacles remain ingHamas down its heavy weapons, which would come to settlement later in the process, was

Associated Press

CAIRO — Hamas said Friday that it will begin disarming as part of a deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump that also requires Israel to end its strikes and withdraw from Gaza. It marks a potential breakthrough in ending the war, but implementation faces major challenges.

WEATHER HIGH 94 LOW 79 PAGE 6A

contingent on the creation of a Palestinian state, something Israel’s current government adamantly rejects.

Israel has not officially commented on the deal, which is part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced last October. That agreement called for Hamas to disarm and hand over power to an independent Palestinian administration.

Israel was to withdraw, and

ä See HAMAS, page 5A

ä See MARSHAL, page 5A

LSU becoming more selective

Hamas OKs deal if Israel halts strikes

BY SAMY MAGDY, SAM MEDNICK, JONATHAN J. COOPER and MATTHEW LEE

Gov. Jeff Landry has named Chad Sonnier, the director of the Lafayette Parish Office of Homeland Security, as the new state fire marshal.

He also promoted the current fire marshal, Bryan Adams, to an appointment in the Louisiana Department of Public Safety.

A d a m s w i l l Sonnier serve as principal assistant to the deputy secretary of that department, the State Fire Marshal’s Office said Friday.

In that role, Adams will oversee the daily operations of five state offices: the Office of State Fire Marshal, Office of Motor Vehicles, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Louisiana Gaming Control Board and Louisiana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission.

The appointments will take effect on Monday, the State Fire Marshal’s Office said in a news release Friday.

Adams had served as state fire marshal since January 2024.

Sonnier, who will become state fire marshal on Monday, has more than 37 years of fire service experience. He had served as fire chief of the Scott Fire Department for more than 20 years, before serving for the past two years as the director of the Lafayette Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Mayor-President Monique Boulet appointed Sonnier as the director of OHSEP for Lafayette Parish in September 2024.

Sonnier was responsible for leading Lafayette Parish’s emergency preparedness efforts, facilitating

University tightens admissions standards in push to improve academic reputation

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Concerns about campus capacity and a push to become a more selective institution have led LSU to back off in enrollment for the first time in nearly a decade.

Across her college career, LSU senior Rachel Kashimawo has spent hours circling campus in her RAV4, searching for a parking spot even though she always buys a permit.

The parking space was only the first obstacle in navigating the campus of a jam-packed flagship university that has seen record-breaking freshman class sizes for the years Kashimawo has attended.

In lecture halls, especially early in her time on

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

ä See LSU, page 5A

102ND yEAR, NO. 32

2A ● Saturday, August 1, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Authorities release early ransom note in Nancy Guthrie case

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Seattle mayor defends ousting police chief

SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson on Friday defended her decision to oust the city’s police chief as the “right decision at the right time,” but she declined to explain why.

The leadership change came as police continue searching for people involved in a fatal, gangrelated shootout at a food festival near the Space Needle last weekend. A 15-year-old was arrested at the scene and has been charged with assault, but charging documents say the gun he was seen firing wasn’t involved in the deaths of two bystanders.

Wilson and then-Police Chief Shon Barnes faced criticism for being slow to release key information about the shootout on Sunday, including whether suspects remained at large.

Barnes, who was the city’s second Black police chief, has been credited with boosting the recruitment of officers and helping reduce crime downtown. A number of Black community organizations, a major business group and several City Council members issued statements criticizing Wilson’s decision to replace him Thursday.

At a news conference Friday with Andre Sayles, a Seattle deputy chief the mayor named as interim chief, Wilson credited Barnes for his service.

Discarded SpaceX rocket to crash on moon

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A drifting SpaceX rocket is on a collision course with the moon after launching a pair of lunar landers more than a year ago.

The rocket’s upper stage will unintentionally slam into the moon on Wednesday, carving out a crater and sending up a plume of dust and rubble that scientists — and skygazers — are eager to observe.

Space tracking expert Bill Gray predicts an impact of 5,400 mph — seven times the speed of sound — near Einstein Crater on the moon’s sunlit western limb.

With the action unfolding in the wee hours, the eastern portions of the U.S. and Canada, and much of South America should have the best views.

While scientists are not too concerned about this particular piece of space junk, it highlights the growing threat as more and more items cram into orbit.

“Things are getting crowded up there,” said Gray, who plans to view the aftermath from New Brunswick, Canada.

It was never SpaceX’s intent to hit the moon. But space experts said the crash could have been avoided if the upper stage had been nudged into orbit around the sun.

Rock legend Patti Smith visits pope, says ‘hi’

ROME — Rock legend Patti Smith was giddy and almost at a loss for words when she met Friday with Pope Leo XIV. “Hi,” she said softly as she sat down across from Leo at his desk in the Apostolic Palace.

Wearing a crucifix necklace and hair in her trademark braids, Smith has become an increasingly visible presence at the Vatican thanks to her friendship with the Rev. Antonio Spadaro, undersecretary in the Vatican’s culture ministry.

She has said that while she is not Catholic, she was drawn in particular to Pope Francis and his “gentle, open, and steadfast sense of humanity.”

She also had a thing for Pope John Paul I: Her 1979 tune “Wave,” is about a make-believe conversation with the pope who had just died after a 33-day papacy. It begins “Hi. Hi” uttered in the same breathy voice Smith used with Leo on Friday.

The pope clearly was familiar with the tune. “That was marvelous,” he said.

Earlier this year, Smith performed during the inauguration of the Holy See’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale contemporary art fair. The occasion, May 8, was the anniversary of Leo’s election.

He said at the end, Smith said “Bye. Bye.” Smith met Francis in 2013 and sang for him in 2014. When he died, on April 21, 2025, she wrote a poem on social media, comparing Francis to a dandelion, “humble yet strong.”

BY JACQUES BILLEAUD

one who knows the notes’ writer may recognize the patterns.

Authorities similarly PHOENIX — Authorities released an early ransom used a suspect’s own writnote in the investigation ings as a tool to apprehend into the disappearance of Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski, Nancy Guthrie in hopes branded the “Unabomber” that someone will recog- by the FBI. Kaczynski, nize the writing style. A who killed three people second note released Fri- and injured 23 others with day indicated Guthrie died mail bombs over a 17-year span, pressured shortly after she The Washington was kidnapped.

Post, in conjuncBoth notes inition with The New tially went to a TucYork Times, to pubson television stalish his 35,000-word tion days after the manifesto in 1995.

84-year-old mother Federal authoriof “Today” show h o s t S a v a n n a h S. Guthrie ties encouraged its Guthrie went misspublication, leading from her home outside ing Kaczynski’s brother Tucson on Feb. 1. Authori- and sister-in-law to recogties have not said whether nize the syntax and antiNancy Guthrie is still alive. technology themes and tip The Pima County Sher- off the FBI, bringing to a iff’s Department said “we close the agency’s longest believe these distinctive and costliest investigation linguistic characteristics at the time.

In a statement Friday, may be recognizable to someone who knows or has the sheriff’s department interacted with the notes’ also appealed to people who may know something about writer.”

The first note, sent Feb. 2, the case, saying it may be said Guthrie was safe but difficult to come forward scared and would be re- due to a personal relationleased unharmed once her ship with someone involved captors received $4 million or just for their own safety.

“We recognize relationin cryptocurrency, with the ransom amount increasing ships and loyalties change if the first demand was not over time as do people met. and their perspectives,” It said Guthrie would be the sheriff’s department released within 12 hours if wrote. “It is not too late to the payment was received. come forward.”

It also included a threat The sheriff’s office also to kill her if the ransom said Friday that two videos wasn’t paid. recovered from Guthrie’s “Your mother is aware of doorbell camera might be this and her life is in your from two separate days hands,” the first note read. and indicate an unidenti“It is in the best interest of fied male prepared ahead everyone to have this com- of when Guthrie was taken. pleted as soon as possible.” Authorities are seeking inThe second note was formation on anyone who sent Feb. 6 and said Guth- was behaving differently, rie died shortly after she changed their physical apwas taken. “She is buried pearance, suddenly left the in nature now,” the second Tucson area, or had a noticenote said. “Nothing you able or unexplained interest could have done could have or disinterest in the case. changed the outcome.” The “Investigators continue note ends with an apology, to pursue every available “We are truly sorry.” technological and investiThe sheriff’s department gative lead,” the sheriff’s said the notes reveal a dis- office said. “However, comtinctive pattern of word munity members remain a choices and provide insight vital resource as we seek into the writer’s mindset. to provide answers for The agency said some- Nancy’s family.”

Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN

President Donald Trump speaks Friday as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen during a cabinet meeting at Camp David, the presidential retreat, near Thurmont, Md.

Trump hails ‘unique’ Cabinet meeting Seizes on Spain’s migration crisis at Camp David gathering

BY SEUNG MIN KIM, DARLENE SUPERVILLE and JACQUELYN MARTIN Associated Press

CAMP DAVID, Md. — President Donald Trump took Friday’s Cabinet meeting on the road to Camp David, using the historic rustic backdrop of the presidential retreat to boast of his administration’s achievements while seizing on a migrant crisis in Spain to make his case for why voters should keep the Republican Party in power.

The Cabinet meeting, the 13th such gathering of Trump’s second term, came just three months before the November midterm elections that could serve as a check on his power if Democrats take control of one or both chambers of Congress. His warnings about Spain echoed language he used ahead of the 2018 midterms, when he warned of caravans of migrants headed to the southern U.S. border.

“You know, I saw Spain yesterday, and I watched the catastrophe that took place.

It looks like an invasion of a country by hundreds of thousands of people,” Trump said. “And that same thing is going to happen to us if the Republicans don’t get elected. Except worse, much bigger.”

Some 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s tiny Ceuta territory over the past 24 hours. Roughly half of them have already made their way back voluntarily, according to the Spanish government, but at least 57 have died on the journey.

Separately, he deflected blame for a series of cyberattacks that targeted 30 water systems in Minnesota on the state’s “grossly incompetent” Democratic leadership. Officials have not publicly identified who was behind the attacks, though the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and other agencies warned in an advisory last week that Iranian hackers have been targeting water and wastewater systems and the operational controls of other critical infrastructure sectors.

“They blame it on Iran,” Trump said, without offering evidence. “I don’t think so. I think I blame it on Minnesota because they’re grossly incompetent.”

The president regularly convenes his Cabinet throughout his terms as a setting to promote his administration’s policies while fielding questions on the news of

the day, but what made Friday’s unusual was that it was at Camp David, the government-owned retreat nestled in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains where Trump held one Cabinet meeting during his first term.

Trump began the meeting by noting it was “something very unique.” The White House called it the first-ever televised Cabinet meeting from the presidential retreat.

“It’s Camp David, and this room is a very, very special room,” Trump said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were among the Cabinet officials who spoke before Trump took questions from journalists. The public portion of the meeting ended after about an hour.

In the lengthy question-and-answer session, Trump commented on the latest developments regarding the war in Iran and a deal he announced Thursday that would lead to the disarmament of the Palestinian group Hamas. He also lamented that a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund to compensate his allies was “dead” and appeared to back off a pledge he made earlier this month to grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems.

“I don’t think this would ever happen, but, you know, there’s people that, you give that technology, they can someday turn on you,” Trump added. “You look at war, that’s happened a couple of times over the years, right? So we have to be very careful.”

On the Hamas agreement, Trump acknowledged that the agreement that would also lead to Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza will have “ups and downs.”

Still, he called it a “great breakthrough” that has been helped along by the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran, which has served as Hamas’ prime backer.

Trump also remarked on the anti-weaponization fund that is holding up the confirmation of Todd Blanche as his attorney general, saying the pot of money is “dead” and that “I wish it weren’t, to be honest with you.”

The president continued to defend the people who could potentially benefit from the fund, mainly those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to stop the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory over him.

“Their families have been ruined,” Trump said. Those people “wanted to go to a rally or an event and ended up spending the rest of their lives in horror.”

Trump said Blanche has been a “pawn in this whole thing.” Blanche, who was present, did not speak in the public portion of the Cabinet meeting.

Marine Corps says F-35B stealth fighter crashed in California Authorities say pilot ejected

BY KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and GABRIELA AOUN ANGUEIRA Associated Press

SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Marine Corps says the pilot of an F-35B stealth fighter is expected to live after ejecting from the jet before it crashed in California.

The jet went down Friday near the Miramar air base in San Diego. “The pilot ejected, was transported to a local medical facility in stable condition for evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries,” the Marine Corps said in an updated statement.

Aerial video from a news helicopter showed a plume of black smoke rising from the wreckage in a dirt field, with multiple military and firefighting vehicles and people standing nearby. What appeared to be white flame retardant covered the ground, and at least one person was spraying the wreckage with a fire hose.

PROVIDED PHOTO FROM KGTV VIDEO

The wreckage of an F-35B stealth fighter is seen Friday near the Miramar Air Base in San Diego.

Wade Lott saw the crash as he drove to work at a concrete company just south of the flight line.

“It just blew up, it was crazy,” said Lott, 36, who watched from his truck as two jets descended toward the runway together. The first landed without incident, but the second suddenly began slowing down, almost as if it were trying to hover, Lott said. When the jet was about 100 feet above the ground, the pilot ejected and their parachute deployed as they rose about 200 feet into the air just in time.

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Migrant children could face new deportation risks Government lets legal aid deal expire

BY REBECCA SANTANA and VALERIE GONZALEZ Associated Press

HARLINGEN, Texas — Advocates warn that tens of thousands of migrant children who came to the United States alone could lose legal representation in immigration court and increase their risk of deportation as the Trump administration allows a contract with legal services providers to expire.

Friday marked the last day of a contract under which the federal government pays for legal services for children who enter the U.S. without a parent or guardian. The government contracts out those services to a network of nearly 100 legal groups across the country that provide services to roughly 20,000 children.

The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment on why it allowed the contract to expire. But it comes as the administration has redoubled its efforts to achieve its policy of mass deportations, and after migrant children became a target for removal from the country during the

first year of President Donald Trump’s second term in office.

As part of the expiring contract, the legal groups can enter government-funded shelters and give presentations to children about their legal rights, and directly represent the children as they go through immigration court proceedings.

But as that contract ends, the providers say it’s unclear what will happen come Monday or whether they’ll be able to visit their clients in the shelters where they live.

“We have no understanding of what’s going to happen to those children come next week. We don’t know if they’re going to have legal representation. The government as of yet has not identified who will take over this representation,” said Melissa Lopez, the executive director of Estrella El Paso, during a news conference earlier this week. The organization currently represents 243 unaccompanied children in western Texas and New Mexico.

The providers say their ability to enter the shelters, check on their clients and give presentations to new arrivals serves as an important oversight measure for a vulnerable population. The providers warn that without

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ERIC GAy

Immigrants play soccer at a U.S. government holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas, in 2019. a lawyer to assist them in court and help them navigate the complexities of immigration law, children will be much more likely to be deported back to countries they initially fled.

“The government is trying to eliminate our work in this program because they know that without attorneys children will be deported,” said Lopez.

Health and Human Services, which is responsible for caring for unaccompanied migrant children while they are in government care and which administers the contract, did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

Dozens of children and teens filed early Friday morning into the Harlingen courthouse for a hearing before an immigration judge.

In the lobby, other children waiting for their hearings played with puzzles and action figures or drew in coloring books.

One 8-year-old boy walked into the courtroom holding an Etch-a-Sketch as he sat next to his attorney.

These were children who had come to the U.S. without a parent or guardian and now their cases were making their way through the immigration courts. But Lauren Fisher Flores, an

attorney for the American Bar Association’s ProBar project, which is contracted to provide legal services in southwestern Texas, warned the court of the looming contract expiration.

She explained that come Monday, lawyers wouldn’t be able to provide the legal information sessions that they usually give to children in shelters that let children know their rights and lawyers also would no longer be able to step in and provide the “Friend of the Court” services where they assist those children who sometimes show up in court without a lawyer.

Fisher Flores said the organization didn’t know what the government’s plan was going forward.

“We sincerely hope there will be someone to step in next week,” she said.

The judge thanked the attorney and said she was sorry to hear the news.

The end of the contract comes as the legal service providers representing these children say they have not been paid for more than half a year. The organizations say that the Trump administration has been withholding payments as it demands detailed information from the providers about their clients that the providers say they have never been asked for before and that they ethically cannot provide.

“They are clearly trying to destroy the program by grinding down the financial health of nonprofits. We’ve seen layoffs and furloughs, and we will see a lot more of that if these invoices aren’t paid,” said Michael Lukens, the executive director of the Amica Center Some groups have been trying to secure private funding to continue their work, while others have begun laying off staff and shuttering offices. ProBar in south Texas this week laid off 20% of its staff.

Jurors in Clancy trial visit home where she killed her kids

BY LEAH WILLINGHAM Associated Press

DUXBURY, Mass. — Jurors walked through the Massachusetts home where Lindsay Clancy strangled her three children, a rare visit Friday that let them see firsthand the place where an outwardly ordinary family life unraveled into tragedy.

After being driven past two businesses relevant to the narrative of the January 2023 killings, jurors were escorted in groups of six to view the inside of the house, including the basement where the children died.

During the roughly 40-minute visit, the jury also saw the yard where Clancy was found after jumping from a second-story window.

Journalists were kept away by a police barricade, but court officers could be seen through the trees escorting jurors to and from the bus along the site of the Clancy family’s former driveway.

The home now has a new owner.

Clancy herself did not attend the visit to the home, which she hasn’t seen since the day of the killings. Her lawyers argue she was in the grip of postpartum psy-

chosis, a rare mental illness linked to the stress, sleep deprivation and hormonal changes that follow childbirth.

Jurors in U.S. criminal cases often are expressly told not to visit the scene of the events in question. There are a number of rationales for not doing so — among other things, the site may have changed in the interim between an alleged crime and a trial.

But courts sometimes allow juries to make a supervised excursion as a group, for reasons that can include assessing distances or fea-

Charges against ex-Olympian in reflecting pool case dismissed

BY ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department moved Friday to dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Government lawyers said in a 20-page court filing that information provided since the indictment of David Hearn shows that the damage was the result of a “flawed installation by the contractor” as well as “the rush to complete the project prior to events associ-

ated with the America 250 celebration in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2026.”

“Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the reflecting pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt,” said the filing from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Hearn’s lawyers said in a statement that the case against him should never have been brought.

“Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of gov-

ernment power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong. The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim. The administration owes Mr. Hearn an apology,” the lawyers said.

Hearn pleaded not guilty earlier this month to one felony count of property destruction and has a trial scheduled to start Sept. 28 in D.C. Superior Court. The charge, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years upon conviction, accuses Hearn of causing at least $1,000 in damage to the pool.

tures that aren’t thought to come across fully in photos.

Such excursions have happened in a number of high-profile cases, including the 2023 murder trial of South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh, the 2022 sentencing trial of Parkland, Florida, school shooter Nikolas Cruz, the 2015 Massachusetts murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez and the 1995

murder trial of O.J. Simpson.

Jurors in Clancy’s trial retraced the route her thenhusband, Patrick Clancy, took when she asked him to pick up takeout food and medicine for daughter Cora on the night of the killings. He returned to find the children dead and his then-wife badly injured and bleeding in the yard.

The panel was driven past the restaurant — about 5.5 miles from the family’s for-

mer home in Duxbury, a town south of Boston — and the pharmacy, about a mile from the house.

Prosecutors say the errands were a ruse to get her husband out of the house.

They say Lindsay Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse, acted intentionally and is criminally responsible for the deaths of children Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months.

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SPAIN

Thousands of migrants leave after crossing into Ceuta

BY SERGIO RODRIGO RUÍZ, RENATA BRITO and SUMAN NAISHADHAM Associated Press

CEUTA, Spain — Tens of thousands of migrants who crossed into Spain’s tiny Ceuta territory returned voluntarily to Morocco on Friday, a day after the influx triggered chaos in the North African city and reignited the immigration debate in Europe and beyond. At least 57 migrants died on the journey.

Ceuta’s president put the number of migrants at 60,000, which was equivalent to 70% of the territory’s population. But most of them soon went back, the Spanish government said, after the sudden arrival of so many people sparked a humanitarian crisis.

Some migrants swam several miles through the sea and faced down authorities who tried to turn them back with water cannons, tear gas and warning shots. Those who died included some who drowned or were killed in a stampede to cross a breakwater barrier near a border checkpoint.

Spain deployed its armed

forces and additional police to restore order in Ceuta, which sits on the Strait of Gibraltar at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea and has been a Spanish possession since 1580. On the Moroccan side of the border, security forces clashed with migrants. The chaos also had ripple effects abroad, with Italy and France pledging to tighten their controls on people arriving from Spain.

“The situation that Ceuta is going through is absolutely unsustainable,” Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas told journalists.

Meanwhile, migrants from Morocco also attempted to cross into Melilla, Spain’s other territory at the tip of North Africa, where they clashed with police.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Ceuta on Friday and condemned the border breach, which he described as “a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity.”

Sánchez blamed human smugglers for the crisis, saying they “deceive so many young people and ultimately lead many of them to their deaths,” whether in the ocean or in the city.

The Spanish Interior

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANTONIO SEMPERE

Migrants return Friday to Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Ministry released its own figures shortly after Vivas spoke, estimating that some 50,000 people had crossed from Morocco since Thursday. It added that 48,300 had already returned to Morocco by Friday evening, with hundreds more going back by the hour.

Rachid Sbihi, who leads a local workers association representing Civil Guard officers, described the situa-

tion as a “serious humanitarian crisis,” saying thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied children, were left sleeping in parks and on sidewalks, while others roamed the streets aimlessly.

“It’s chaotic,” Sbihi said.

The Moroccan Interior Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the migrant figures released by the Spanish authorities.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the images from Ceuta were “unacceptable.”

“We cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules,” she said Friday in an online statement. “Dangerous crossings must stop immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be swift, as our rules allow.”

Some of the 57 people who died had drowned, Sbihi said, but some were also killed in a stampede to cross the breakwater fence at Tarajal Beach, an urban beach near a border checkpoint with Morocco. The waters near the border fence were littered with buoys, shoes and other abandoned belongings.

Many young Moroccans who crossed into Ceuta told The Associated Press that they had hoped to find better work opportunities in Spain but were returning given the mayhem in Ceuta.

“There’s nothing at home.

I’d have to work 12-hour shifts for a meager wage.

That’s why I came here,” said 21-year-old Abdulah Buji, who hails from the city of Tetouan. “But I haven’t found any opportunities here either, so I have to go back.”

Moroccan police used water cannons and fired warning shots into the air to prevent migrants from crossing into Ceuta, according to rights groups in Morocco.

Morocco’s ambassador to Spain said the situation in Ceuta had unfolded against Morocco’s wishes.

Trump says anti-weaponization fund ‘dead,’ even as he defends it

BY MARY CLARE JALONICK, SEUNG MIN KIM and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday that his $1.776 billion antiweaponization fund is “dead” while also continuing to defend it, further complicating his administration’s negotiations with two Republican senators who are blocking his attorney general nominee in protest.

Trump told reporters at Camp David on Friday morning that administration officials had “agreed not to have a fund” that compensates his political allies, yet made clear that he disagrees with that decision.

The comments came hours after an early morning social media post in which Trump said people who had been prosecuted by the Justice Department — many of them for their involvement in the violent Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol — “are suffering still, many ruined, and I felt that they should be given compensation for what has been done to them.”

Trump’s reluctant declaration that the fund won’t be created came as Republican Sens. John Cornyn, of Texas; and Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, say they won’t support Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general until they see that promise in writing. They have been working for weeks with the White House and Blanche, who is now the acting attorney general, to produce a document to that effect, but both senators have said they aren’t satisfied so far.

“The President made it clear today that the so-called Anti Weaponization Fund is still alive, which is exactly why we are attempting to formally end it,” Tillis said after Trump’s initial social

The two senators have repeatedly said the Justice Department seemed interested in reaching an agreement, but the White House wouldn’t budge even to aid the confirmation of Trump’s loyal former personal attorney, who has aggressively pursued the administration’s priorities as acting attorney general.

“I think as far as Blanche and the Department of Justice, we were pretty much on the same page,” Cornyn said ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN Thursday. “But then when

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., from left, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Vice President JD Vance attend a cabinet meeting on Friday at Camp David, the presidential retreat near Thurmont, Md. media post.

Trump said in his post that Blanche should be immediately confirmed and is a “pawn in this whole thing.”

Blanche said at a hearing two months ago that the antiweaponization fund would not move forward after Republican senators revolted and held up an immigration funding bill.

But Tillis, who is retiring when his term ends in January, and Cornyn, who lost reelection this year after Trump endorsed his primary opponent, said they want to ensure that the White House doesn’t reverse course, especially as Trump continues to argue that a fund is needed.

The Justice Department has provided the senators with language that says Blanche’s May 18 order establishing the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is “rescinded and shall have no force or effect,” according to a document reviewed by The Associated Press.

Cornyn and Tillis have said they also want some clarifications on a separate piece of the settlement that would grant Trump and members of his family immunity from tax audits. Cornyn said this week that it was his under-

standing that the audits could extend to more than 100 different Trump organization subsidiaries into the future.

“Todd Blanche said it was limited to the parties to the litigation — and it was retrospective, not prospective,” Cornyn said. “And all we’re doing is asking them to put that in writing.”

The Judiciary Committee postponed a vote on Blanche’s nomination that had been scheduled for Thursday morning after Tillis and Cornyn said they needed more from the administration before they could provide the necessary votes.

After the meeting was delayed, Trump said in a social media post that he might pull Blanche’s nomination and resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis leave office next year. But the two sides continued to negotiate through Thursday afternoon, when Blanche, Cornyn and Tillis met on Capitol Hill.

On Friday, a person familiar with the negotiations said talks had been positive but the senators were still awaiting a new offer from the Justice Department. The person requested anonymity to discuss the private negotiations.

Pakistan rejects U.N. report alleging civilian deaths in strikes on Afghanistan

BY MUNIR AHMED

Associated Press

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s military on Friday rejected as “baseless” a recent U.N. report that said Pakistani cross-border military operations killed nearly 500 civilians and wounded over 1,000 in neighboring Afghanistan between October and June.

At a televised news conference, military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan had targeted only hideouts and infrastructure used by the

Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, during that period, and said those killed in the strikes were militants.

He said the operations were carried out in self-defense to protect the lives of people in Pakistan.

Chaudhry questioned recently released reports by the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, and Amnesty International, saying they relied largely on accounts from Afghans despite what he described as restrictions on freedom

of expression under Taliban rule.

He also accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of sheltering militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan and said international rights organizations had failed to document such violence.

“These are double standards,” Chaudhry said, asking how many times rights groups had documented civilian casualties caused by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes during the war in Afghanistan.

the president got wind of it, he wasn’t willing to go along with it.”

Tillis said Blanche has been “has been forthright, thoughtful and patient” but attributed the holdup to an “incompetent personal adviser” to the president, even as Trump himself continued to advocate for the fund.

Behind the scenes, Trump legal adviser Boris Epshteyn is being blamed as an obstacle to an agreement that would let Blanche move forward, according to three

people who have direct knowledge of the discussions and requested anonymity to discuss them.

Saying the AP’s “sources are wrong,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said “anyone trying to assign blame to the President or his team has no earthly idea of what is going on and clearly is trying to deflect from the issue at hand — Todd Blanche will be an exceptional Attorney General and he should be confirmed immediately.”

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The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Saturday, August 1, 2026 ● 5A

lll

EDUCATION

Continued from page 1A at 1515 Jefferson St. in Lafayette.

The United Way of Acadiana Early Head Start has served 1,500 families in the past 15 years, through both home-based and learning center services. The program currently serves 36 children in the Lafayette Center, 28 in the Abbeville Center, and 39 children, families and pregnant women who are enrolled through United Way’s home-based program.

“It’s not just about the child, it’s the whole family,” said Annette Victor, United Way of Acadiana’s assistant director for Early Head Start, said the program supports both children and parents through classroom instruction, home visits and services for pregnant women.

“I think we’re also unique in that we equip the parent as well,” she said. “Our services for pregnant women, whether they’re first-time mothers or have multiple children, helps them get through the pregnancy in a

graduate from Early Head Start, following in the footsteps of his older sister, who is now seven.

“The biggest impact has just been in having a village, which is very necessary when you’re doing it by yourself,” said Broussard.

“As far as with my daughter, I see a lot of growth in her. She’s already reading, and she learned a lot when she was here. My son — he’s three going on 35. He’s very smart; he can talk in full sentences, he knows his colors and he’s being potty trained.

I just love the program, and I don’t even want him to leave.”

Fifteen years after launching the program, United Way leaders said they hope to continue expanding access to early childhood education and family support for Acadiana families.

Families interested in STAFF PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE joining the United Way of Acadiana Early Head Start Teachers Debbie Derouen, left, and Christine Ritchey work with children at the United Way of Acadiana Learning Center in program can contact the Lafayette on Thursday. organization directly for information and application healthy way.” center for Early Head Start, gone up tremendously,” she ably been the best thing I’ve support.

Lafayette mother Asanti and she’s already seeing a said. “He’s able to go up and done for him.”

Another parent, Tiffany Email Joanna Brown Burns said that her 1-year- difference in his develop- talk to other people, talk to old son just started attend- ment and socialization. kids. He has great manners. Broussard, said that her at joanna.brown@ “His social skills have Bringing him here has prob- 3-year-old son is about to theadvocate.com. ing the Lafayette learning

LSU

Continued from page 1A campus, Kashimawo said she watched while some students stood for class because all 200 seats were filled.

“There’s a lot of people in every aspect, not even just classes — game days, trying to get tickets, parking,” Kashimawo said.

“It’s just a lot of people, and even though we’re a big campus per se, we don’t have that much space for that many people.”

Concerns about campus capacity and a push to become a more selective institution overall have led LSU to ease off the gas in enrollment for the first time in nearly a decade.

“If we’re committed to excellence both in the classroom and in the student experience, then part of that calculus does have to in-

HAMAS

Continued from page 1A an International Stabilization Force was to deploy.

But progress stalled, with Israel saying everything hinged on Hamas disarming, and Hamas accusing Israel of violating the agreement by continuing to carry out regular strikes on Gaza.

Disarming would represent a sea change for Hamas, whose founding charter calls for armed resistance against Israel, and which sees its arsenal, including rockets, anti-tank missiles and explosives, as lying at the heart of its identity.

Israel, meanwhile, appears unlikely to pull back significant forces or make other concessions ahead of its October elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a tough reelection battle, with opponents accusing him of failing to prevent the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war.

Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at London’s Chatham House think tank, said expectations are low that Hamas will actually disarm or that Israel will withdraw from Gaza.

“I think that Netanyahu’s silence speaks volumes,” Quilliam said. “This is a massive decision that he has to make.”

“But with the prospect of the elections hanging over his head, with several Cabi-

MARSHAL

Continued from page 1A coordination among federal, state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector.

His primary focus was to enhance collaboration before, during and after critical emergency events, ensuring the safety and resilience of the community.

“I was 18 years old, hired to be in the fire service and helping people in their time

volve maybe not growing beyond what the campus capacity is,” Emmett Brown, vice president for enrollment management, said.

Though Brown said the data is not finalized yet, this year’s class will likely be a few hundred students smaller than last year, which totaled 8,153 first-time freshman and was the largest class in institutional history. Up to now, LSU had broken its own freshman enrollment record for eight straight years.

The decline comes not from a shrinking applicant pool, which was over 67,000, but from more stringent admissions.

LSU’s acceptance rate this year decreased by 10%, Brown said.

Last fall, roughly 69% of new freshman who applied were admitted, according to institutional data.

“Having the ability to be more selective is not always the norm,” Brown said. “We were able with the applicant pool to have a couple

different levers that we could pull.”

The tougher standards were mostly directed toward nonresidents, who faced a 12% decline in their acceptance rate. Louisiana residents benefited from a slightly higher acceptance rate compared to last year.

The university is particularly interested in attracting students with a 30 or above on the ACT, Brown said. A score of 30 or above places students in the 94th to 99th percentile, according to The Princeton Review.

“That is a notoriously difficult group to move,” Brown said. “But we’re seeing significant demand both from our best students in Louisiana, but also from students from all over the country, who have a lot of options, choosing to enroll here.”

Part of top-50 goal The reduced class size comes as

net ministers and opposition leaders already counseling not to go ahead with the deal, I think he understands that doing so would likely scupper his chances of reelection,” he added.

In announcing the latest deal on social media, Trump said it would be carried out in “carefully structured phases.”

“As disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw, and the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for Gaza being safe for its residents and its neighbors,” he wrote.

A copy of the agreement obtained and verified by The Associated Press said that all weapons held by the Hamas-run police will be transferred to the U.S.backed Palestinian technocratic committee, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, upon its arrival in the enclave. It’s not clear when that would happen since it is contingent on other steps.

A process to decommission and store heavy weapons, military production sites and tunnels will begin after the arrival of the Palestinian committee and the deployment of international forces. The process will be linked to a phased Israeli withdrawal, according to the agreement.

Israel currently controls around 60% of Gaza, areas

that have been mostly destroyed and depopulated.

Most of the territory’s 2 million Palestinians are in the other part, where hundreds of thousands live in squalid tent camps and destroyed neighborhoods.

In a statement Thursday, an Israeli official said that there will be no Israeli withdrawal before the militant group is disarmed and the strip demilitarized. The statement was made on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol.

A person with knowledge of the situation said that Israel is fully involved, but it’s not a signatory to the deal, which is between Hamas and several countries helping to negotiate and guarantee the ceasefire. The person spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss the agreement. The deal’s guarantors are the U.S., Turkey, Egypt and Qatar.

On Thursday, U.S. and Board of Peace officials, describing the deal to reporters on condition of anonymity under guidelines set by the White House, gave an extremely optimistic assessment. The board was established by Trump to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza.

While Gaza’s police force is expected to hand over its arms, that doesn’t include the vast majority of Hamas militants, and heavy weaponry is not included in that part of the agreement, according to the officials.

of need,” Sonnier said in 2025 after his appointment.

“It is something I’ve really become accustomed to, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. People call 911 at their worst time of day or worst time in their life, and we’re there to help them.

That’s what we’re there for.”

Before joining OHSEP, Sonnier served as fire chief for the city of Scott for 23 years, where he played a key role in disaster mitigation, recovery efforts and emergency response operations. Known for his exper-

tise in securing funding, Sonnier has successfully obtained more than $26 million in grant funding from federal and state sources.

His career includes a range of roles such as firefighter, hazmat technician, fire engineer, fire coordinator, and hazmat chief. In 2020, his contributions were honored when he was inducted into the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame.

Email Ellyn Couvillion at ecouvillion@theadvocate. com.

university leaders push to improve LSU’s academic reputation and reach the top 50 of the National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey.

Officials say the flagship campus in Baton Rouge, the medical schools in Shreveport and New Orleans, the LSU AgCenter and Pennington Biomedical Research Center will drive the university’s research ambitions, while the regional campuses will focus on “accessibility,” helping students attain degrees affordably and get placed in jobs quickly.

The lower acceptance rate in Baton Rouge this year shows how the campus is pursuing heightened academics, Brown said. It will positively affect the retention and graduation rate for existing students, he said.

“That both allows us to provide an excellent experience but also means that our students are more

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likely to ultimately succeed,” he said.

Incoming freshman Frederic Curlin said it would be unfair to enroll too many students without sufficient parking and housing.

“I think they should cap it depending on the resources,” Curlin said. “But if they have enough resources, I think they should take as many as they can.”

Kashimawo said she agrees that in-state students should have a slight edge over out-of-state students in admissions, but she believes the university still needs to maintain a robust nonresident student population.

The more selective admissions process will be a boost for the university’s academics, she said.

“I want to give people a good chance to come to school,” Kashimawo said. “But I definitely have met some people — like, how did you get into this school?”

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6A ● Saturday,August 1, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

TODAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Times of clouds and sun

Mostly cloudy with a t-storm

Mostly sunny

A t-storm around in the p.m.

A t-storm around in the p.m.

Mostly sunny

HIGH

LOW

HIGH

94° 79°

LOW

HIGH

95° 77°

LOW

93° 78°

Beaumont 94/76 Port Arthur 95/76

Baton Rouge 94/78

Lake Charles 95/78

New Orleans 95/79 Houma 94/80

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

0s

Hattiesburg 93/76

Alexandria 97/70

Lafayette 94/79

10s

20s

30s

40s

50s

LOW

HIGH

LOW

92° 76°

YESTERDAY

TODAY

READING 44 MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

Lafayette through 5 p.m. Friday

Jackson 94/71 Many 97/67

HIGH

94° 75°

TEMPERATURE

Longview 100/70

-0s

LOW

Monroe 98/71

Shreveport 99/71

-10s

HIGH

93° 77°

The heat is the main weather issue across Southeast Louisiana again today. The entire area is under either a moderate or a major heat risk today, meaning heat illnesses are more likely if you don’t take the proper precautions. Expect a mostly sunny, very hot, humid and breezy day. There is a 20% chance that we may see a few isolated showers and storms this afternoon. Temperatures will rise to the mid-90s with heat index values as high as 108. The UV index is at the extreme level.

60s

70s

80s

90s 100s 110s

High/low Normal high/low Last year’s high/low Record high Record low

Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today LAST

AUG 5

City

Austin Boston Dallas Fairbanks Honolulu Las Vegas Louisville Miami Nashville

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

96°/79° 92°/75° 89°/74° 103° in 2023 67° in 1936

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

24-hour total Month to date Normal month to date year to date Normal year to date

HIGH

10:20p 4:56p 7:30a 9:38a 11:56a 11:19a 1:04p

6:27 a.m.

8:02 p.m.

9:52 p.m.

9:12 a.m.

NEW

FIRST

AUG 12

Hi

100 81 99 78 88 114 83 93 89

TODAY Lo

74 69 73 54 76 91 70 80 71

FULL

AUG 19

W

t pc s pc sh s t t t

AUG 27

Hi

102 82 99 73 87 114 77 92 79

GOOD

PRECIPITATION

SUN. Lo

72 71 75 58 75 89 69 81 71

W

s c s c r s t t t

FT.

LOW

0.00” 6.38” 6.27” 40.79” 37.42”

FT.

HIGH

0.5 8:38a 0.1 1.2 1:11a 0.0 1.6 11:03a 1.1 1.6 1:55a 0.4 1.0 9:28p 0.3 1.2 7:57p 0.3 1.2 10:30p 0.4

SOURCE: LOUISIANA DEQ AND AIRNOW.GOV

FT.

LOW

FT.

--- ----- ----- ----- --5:05p 1.3 10:27p 0.2 7:28p 1.3 3:17p 1.1 --- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---

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

MAJOR MINOR MAJOR MINOR

Today Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1:55a 2:43a 3:32a 4:21a 5:12a 6:05a 7:01a

City

New Orleans Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Raleigh St. Louis San Diego Tampa

Hi

8:05a 8:54a 9:43a 10:33a 11:25a 12:19p 12:45a

TODAY

95 92 89 116 83 89 73 81 89

Lo

79 75 74 93 69 73 67 70 79

2:16p 8:27p 3:04p 9:15p 3:54p 10:05p 4:45p 10:57p 5:38p 11:51p 6:34p ---7:31p 1:16p

W

t t pc s c c t pc t

GOOD

Hi

92 88 87 114 78 86 79 79 86

SUN. Lo

79 75 75 92 69 76 66 71 78

W

MISSISSIPPI Memphis Vidalia-Natchez Red River Landing Baton Rouge Donaldsonville Reserve New Orleans OHIO Cairo COMITE Near Olive AMITE Near Darlington Denham Springs Port Vincent TICKFAW Montpelier Holden ATCHAFALAYA Simmesport Melville Krotz Springs Butte La Rose Bayou Sorrel Morgan City

t t t pc r t pc pc t

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

FLOOD STAGE

34 48 48 35 27 22 17

FRI. 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE

3.30 25.80 28.00 12.70 6.90 5.62 3.60

-1.37 -0.36 -0.50 -0.40 -0.20 -0.35 -0.04

40

16.50

-1.45

19

-1.47

-0.02

18 29 8

-1.13 10.15 0.85

none -0.03 -0.03

13 15

1.45 0.98

-0.01 -0.01

47 34 29 20 12 6

11.43 7.92 6.20 6.00 4.70 2.62

-1.11 -1.07 -0.84 -0.50 -0.60 -0.02

data as of 7 a.m. Friday

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

Volunteers fan out to help amid wildfires in France

BY MARK CARLSON and MASHA MACPHERSON Associated Press

LANTON, France — With his watering can and bucket, Jean-François Pauner meanders from one small fire to the next along a forest floor, dousing small flareups of wildfires that have swept through woodlands four times the size of Paris in southwestern France.

“This is the first fire I’m experiencing real-time, and I can tell you it’s vicious,” said Pauner, 64. “It’s underground, it comes out at any moment, and no matter how much we try to extinguish it, re-extinguish it, re-extinguish it, it keeps restarting.”

“It’s like a steamroller that’s constantly, constantly rolling,” said Pauner, wearing shorts, boots and sunglasses on a string around his neck on a road through cultivated pine trees, as the ground smoldered.

Pauner is among the untold numbers of volunteers who have mobilized to support firefighters battling the biggest wildfires in years in France.

“I’m protecting my forest, and my home,” he said, pouring his watering can into a smoking ditch as if water-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EMMA DA SILVA

A firefighter works to extinguish fires on Friday near Lege-Cap-Ferret, southwestern France. ing a garden, then huffing in the heat.

The wildfires that tore through cultivated forests on an Atlantic coast also known for towering sand dunes and tourist resorts devastated about 162 square miles west of Bordeaux, driving nearly a quartermillion people out of their homes and vacation sites.

Many other places in France have been hit by fires this summer, includ-

ing in the Mediterranean Var region where a blaze in the Gros Bessillon mountain ridge flared up again on Friday, driven by violent winds, local authorities said. Several towns in the area were evacuated.

Europe is facing an extremely hot summer, fueling wildfires from the Atlantic coast to the eastern Mediterranean. The United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Greece and Turkey battled

blazes this week.

As cooler, more humid air moved into southwest France this week, authorities allowed two-thirds of the 224,000 evacuees to return home, including some more on Friday.

But the ground still simmers in many places.

“It’s stabilized, but not totally stopped,” French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told RTL radio. “Hot spots remain.”

Volunteers like Pauner — what he calls “little eyes” on watch to report flare-ups to firefighters — do what they can with limited resources.

Others have mobilized their trucks and giant jerrycans to supply water to fire crews.

Prolonged drought and climate change have created fire-prone conditions. Pauner said the region endured more than two months without significant rainfall, leaving vegetation exceptionally dry.

In the smoking forests, fire crews used rakes to dig down into the smoldering forest floor so buried embers can be doused with water, a long and painstaking job. Ukraine became the latest country to send help, dispatching 70 people and 10 vehicles in the coming days, Nunez said.

Investigators suspect that contractors clearing away vegetation inadvertently ignited the blaze last week.

But other fires have been attributed to arsonists or criminal negligence.

Nunez said police have made 308 arrests in connection with blazes this summer — more than 120 of them involving minors — and that 33 people have either been convicted or are being held

pending court rulings.

Blazes continued in other parts of Europe.

Many parts of Greece were listed at high or extreme risk of wildfires, with strong winds. Three Greek firefighters died fighting fires this week on the southern island of Crete.

Firefighters were tackling 73 wildfires around the country, 51 of which broke out on Friday, Fire department spokesman Col. Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said.

The fire department and coast guard used boats to evacuate more than 250 people from one of the largest fires, in Boeotia, and evacuation orders were issued for several other fires, including one on the western fringes of the Greek capital.

Gale-force winds were hampering aircraft from dumping water on the wildfires, he said.

In England, where half the country is gripped by drought, firefighters battled a wildfire on an east coast heath in Suffolk, near a nuclear power station that fire services said wasn’t threatened. More than 100 firefighters were deployed.

“I wouldn’t say it is under control,” said Henry Griffin, a fire officer.

Zelenskyy asks Trump to help get OK to use Starlink in strikes

BY LISA MASCARO, AAMER MADHANI and COLLIN BINKLEY Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pitched President Donald Trump and other American officials on helping Ukraine win permission from tech titan Elon Musk to use his Starlink satellite communications system to guide strikes inside Russia.

The push for expanded use of Starlink comes as Zelen-

skyy looks for alternate ways to mitigate the need for U.S. Patriot air defense systems to thwart the steady barrage of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian territory. The interceptors are in shorter supply as the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran continues to rage, and Trump on Friday appeared to back away from a recent commitment to give Ukraine a license to produce them.

Zelenskyy made the request directly to Trump in

an Oval Office meeting this week during his whirlwind trip to Washington, according to one person familiar with the matter. He also told lawmakers later on Capitol Hill that he wanted Starlink to help with targeting inside Russia, according to a person in the room. Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive private discussions. Trump did not commit to Zelenskyy’s request.

Musk has allowed the Ukrainians to use Starlink

inside their own territory, including in Ukrainian regions occupied by the Russians, but has restricted use of the satellite system inside Russia.

Zelenskyy has been making the case for expanded use of Starlink with U.S. officials for at least several weeks. The White House, the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington and officials at SpaceX, which owns Starlink, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Zelenskyy’s re-

quest. Zelenskyy’s efforts to get Musk’s permission to use Starlink to help with Ukrainian attacks inside Russia was first reported by The Atlantic.

Granting permission for an expanded use of Starlink could come with risk for Musk. The Associated Press reported in December that two NATO-nation intelligence services suspect Russia is developing a new antisatellite weapon to target Musk’s Starlink constellation with destructive

orbiting clouds of shrapnel.

The intelligence findings were shown to the AP on condition that the services involved were not identified, and the news organization was not able to independently verify the findings’ conclusions.

Russia views Starlink as a grave threat, the findings indicate. The thousands of low-orbiting satellites have been pivotal for Ukraine’s survival against Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.

METRO

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S at u r d ay, au g u S t 1, 2026

1BN

Bomb threat clears building

Nearly 400 in Lafayette courthouse evacuated, police say Staff report The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a bomb threat that led to the evacuation of around 400 people from the downtown building Friday morning.

In a threatening phone call received just after 8:30 a.m. Friday, the caller said multiple times that they intended to bomb the sevenstory courthouse located in the 800 block of South Buchanan Street, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

There were nearly 400 people in the building at the time, including courthouse staff, judges and civilians.

Out of an abundance of caution, they were immediately evacuated with the assistance of the LPSO bailiffs, patrol deputies and other support staff.

Law enforcement investigators, including a trained explosives detection K9 from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Police Department, entered the building to begin conducting safety protocols, the news release states.

The courthouse was ultimately deemed safe for reentry, and the “all clear” was given around 10 a.m.

The identity of the suspect who called in the threats is still being determined at this time.

No further information is available.

Work continues

ABOVE and RIGHT: Scaffolding and boom lifts support construction workers as work continues on the new Our Lady of Wisdom church and Catholic Student Center on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus on Tuesday. BELOW: A worker takes a measurement as construction continues on Tuesday.

STAFF PHOTOS By BRAD BOWIE

Egg recall hits stores in Louisiana Seven cases of salmonella sickness reported

BY MARGARET DeLANEY Staff writer

Garret Graves says he doesn’t plan to run for Congress Former rep says he’s taking a politics ‘detox’

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Former U.S. Rep. Garret Graves said Friday he doesn’t plan on running for Congress this fall, and sidestepped the idea of running for statewide office or challenging Gov. Jeff Landry next year.

“I’ve been coaxed to run in a lot of different races, and, candidly, nothing’s attractive right now,” Graves said during an interview with Jim Engster on WRKF’s “Talk Louisiana” radio program on Friday.

“I’m in detox right now,” Graves said. “I want a little bit more of a reset before I jump back in.”

The former congressman said he still feels drawn to public service and wants to help Louisiana get unmired from the bottom of national rankings.

“I feel a calling to try to step in and push us in a better direction,” he said. Graves “It needs to be the right office. It needs to be the right time.”

In 2024, almost immediately after taking office, Landry and the Legislature reconfigured Louisiana’s congressional map, converting the majority-White district Graves represented at the time into a Black-majority district that

Graves faced slim odds of winning.

He declined to run, and Rep. Cleo Fields, a Black Democrat from Baton Rouge, was elected.

But this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the new district represented

by Fields was unconstitutional and ordered state officials back to the drawing board. Landry and the Legislature put together a revised map, adding back another majority-White, Republican-leaning district centered in the Baton Rouge area.

Some have speculated that Graves could potentially run in and win that district. But, on Friday, Graves shot down that idea.

“I don’t have plans to run in November,” he said. “I think it’s

just really important that we get someone in there who’s good, who knows what they’re doing and can hit the ground running.”

Engster also asked Graves about former Gov. Edwin Edwards.

Graves said he got to know the influential politician while running and then defeating him in the race for Congress in 2014.

“We became good friends,” he said.

Graves called Edwards “one of the brightest men that I’ve ever met in my life.”

But he acknowledged the notorious former governor was “a complex guy.”

“I think that he was a great man,” Graves said. “He probably didn’t make some great decisions his entire life.”

The Louisiana Department of Health reported Friday that seven Louisiana residents were sick in connection with a salmonella outbreak from white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs.

Three of the seven sick residents were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported, the health department said.

Louisiana is one of 17 states connected to the outbreak that began in November last year. Federal officials reported nearly 100 people sickened, including 26 hospitalizations, from recalled eggs as of July 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Midwest Poultry Services, L.P., the egg producer found in connection to the outbreak, has recalled 1,589,577 dozen shell eggs due to possible salmonella contamination.

Recalled eggs were available to consumers at Kroger stores, Brookshire Grocery stores, and Brookshire Grocery-owned stores, including Super 1 Foods and Spring Market in Louisiana. Other stores may have also carried the recalled eggs.

The eggs are sold under multiple brand names, including Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, CalMaine and Country Morning.

“We encourage anyone who purchased these eggs to check the recall information carefully and discard or return affected products,” said LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein in a statement.

ä See RECALL, page 2B

2B ● Saturday,August 1, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Obituaries

BATON ROUGE

Duplechin, Myrtis Rita Fontenot

Sheriff’s Office busts large-scale drug ring Anonymous tip led to surveillance, infiltration

BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer

A large-scale crystal meth and fentanyl dealer busted this month in Baton Rouge used two fake businesses — an auto shop and a construction firm — as a front for drug money, authorities said.

Through a nearly twomonth operation of intensive surveillance of the individuals involved and suspected homes, agents with the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division determined that the dealers were using an automotive shop at 11744 Darryl Drive, near Choctaw Drive, to pretend to be a legitimate source of cash.

On July 2, 19th Judicial District Judge Nicole Robinson signed off on search warrants for six locations suspected as drop houses and storage places for the meth and fentanyl. On July 9, the search warrants were

agents observed Howard conducting short non-social visits to multiple residences, something typically associated with drug deals, according to the agents’ years of experience in narcotics.

According to the search warrant, the deals occurred in private homes and public areas like gas stations and Cracker Barrel restaurants.

While attempting surveillance on Howard in his personal car, he exhibited multiple counter-intelligence tactics such as using neighborhoods instead of highways as main travel lanes, abruptly speeding, switching lanes and accelerating or braking for no specific reason, the warrant for his arrest said.

This is a tactic agents refer to as heat checking, which is abnormal and aggressive driving that is not associated with everyday driving.

It often also includes changing vehicles when driving to drug deals and subsequently taking the money back to the business where it will be laundered.

Howard was also seen switching between multiple cars such as a red Mini Cooper, a white Chevy Trax, a

executed and agents confiscated 147.1 grams of fentanyl, 123.5 grams of crack, 76.9 grams of cocaine and 10.7 grams of meth.

They also confiscated various amounts of MDMA pills, oxycodone, marijuana, amphetamines, guns and other drug paraphernalia.

One day after the search warrants were executed, deputies arrested Ronny Howard, 40, and Ronrico Terrell, 50, on multiple counts including possession with intent to distribute Schedule II and IV drugs, operation and creation of a clandestine lab for controlled substances and several illegal firearm charges.

In May, an anonymous source told agents about a large-scale dealer — later identified as Howard — who dealt in kilo and multi-kilo quantities of drugs.

Howard owns and operates Ronnie Howard Construction and Howard Auto Sales, both of which are listed at Darryl Drive on their respective websites. Both businesses are in good standing with the state.

During the investigation between May and June,

white Hyundai SUV, a black Jeep Wrangler and a 2025 Hyundai Kona, which was later identified as a rental car.

According to the warrant, Howard made multiple trips to Texas in the rental car and replaced the temporary Colorado license plate with another temporary one. Agents identified it as a common tactic used to travel across state lines without being tracked by police. The tags were issued from Howard’s auto shop.

During his trips to Texas, he stopped at multiple places in Beaumont before driving back through Lafayette and ending in Baton Rouge, according to the warrant.

On June 11, agents set up a controlled buy with a confidential informant. The informant purchased fentanyl from Courtney Forman, a dealer with Howard, at a residence at 3983 Gus Young Avenue. The deal went through, and Forman was arrested on June 29.

In addition to the physical surveillance evidence agents have gathered, agents were notified of a series of suspicious activities concerning the bank accounts in the

names of Howard’s businesses.

Between Feb. 25 and March 10, Howard deposited $21,050 into an account at the Guaranty Bank and Trust Company and withdrew the same amount three days later.

This series of rapid deposits and withdrawals is called layering and is a common tactic used to limit the transparency of the source, according to the warrant.

According to the agents in the investigation, this tactic is commonly used to circulate and “launder” the drug money and circulate it with legit bills.

According to the law enforcement databases, Howard Auto LLC claimed to make $44 million annually from sales. However, the investigators who did surveillance on the shop said the shop was not consistent with the behaviors of a business making that sum of money, according to arrest documents.

During surveillance of the property, agents confirmed that the people at the auto shop did not appear to be employees or customers.

Myrtis Rita Fontenot Duplechin, 79. Visitation will be observed at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette, LA on August 2, 2026, from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm and resumes on August 3, 2026, from 8:30 am until the 11:00 am Funeral Service. Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at www.fou ntainmemorialfuneralhom e.com. Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St. 337-981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.

Cases of parasitic infection grow to 100 in Louisiana Instances of cyclospora typically spike in summer

BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer

On Thursday, the Louisiana Department of Health reported that cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that can cause weeks of watery diarrhea, have reached 100 in the state.

So far, there have been six hospitalizations in association with the infection and zero deaths.

East Baton Rouge Parish has the highest number of cases in the state at 20, followed by Lafayette Parish with 18 cases, according to LDH. Since May, over 6,700 cyclospora cases have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. The organization is aware of more than 11,500 additional cases that require further investigation, the CDC reported Tuesday. Many of the additional cases have been reported by Michigan and Ohio.

National investigations by the CDC identified lots of iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico sold in Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan,

RECALL

Continued from page 1B Lot numbers in the recall include: n Cartons with codes P-1950 or 0840962 with a Julian Date between 157 and 184 printed on the side. n Products produced in Texas and distributed between June 6 and July 3. n Cartons with sell-by or best-by dates between July 20 and Aug. 17.

Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Hospitalization is more common in children younger than 5, adults over 65 and people with weakened autoimmune systems, according to LDH. “Do not eat any recalled shell eggs,” said LDH. “Throw them out or return them.”

Ohio and West Virginia as the source of the outbreak.

On July 17, Taylor Farms initiated a recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The recall includes iceberg lettuce sold at retail stores and restaurants, as well as other products distributed to food service customers, according to the CDC. Neither the CDC nor state officials, however, have reported any connection to Louisiana cyclospora cases.

In the first week of July, there were 23 reported total cases of cyclospora in Louisiana. Previously, the state has averaged 20 reported cases over the same time period during the past five years.

The next week, total cases jumped to 43. Then, another increase the following week, to 79 total cases.

Cases of cyclosporiasis typically spike in the summer months, with historically active outbreaks in Louisiana between June and August. In the U.S., the cyclosporiasis season is considered May 1 through Aug. 31, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Over the past 20 years, between one and 101 cases have been reported annually in Louisiana, with 73 cases reported in 2023.

The LDH gets notice of positive cyclospora cases as soon as they are confirmed through lab results in hos-

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Unemployed to get $600 more per week from stimulus package

BY SAM KARLIN

COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS: THE LATEST

CASES IN LA.

652 deaths

17,030 positive cases INSIDE ä Mnuchin:

Direct deposits to start next week, 2A

ä New data

provides clearer picture of early spread, 4A ä La. nursing home deaths up to 130, 6A

Staff writer

Louisiana is set to start doling out supercharged unemployment benefits of $600 more a week on Monday, providing the first wave of relief to a staggering number of residents seeking aid as the coronavirus rocks the state’s economy.

But as benefits begin flowing and officials project no part of Louisiana is on track to run out of hospital beds or ventilators in the coming 10 days, Gov. John Bel Edwards warned Wednesday it will be a long time before things return to normal.

Until there is a vaccine and medication that can treat the virus — prospects that are months or longer away — Edwards said people will likely not see “life as you knew it before COVID-19.”

Although at some point restrictions will be loosened, it remains unclear exactly what that will look like, Edwards said. The state will rely heavily on the federal government and will need far more testing, along with contact tracing and isolation of patients who later test positive, he said.

“I promise you no matter what the timeline looks like, it’s going to be quicker if everyone follows the stay-at-home order,” the governor said.

In the meantime, as the order is set to keep thousands of businesses closed until at least April 30, the Louisiana Workforce Commission will start paying out the extra $600 per week benefit to unemployed Louisiana work-

ä See JOBLESS, page 6A

and that the school year will have effectively ended for many students on March 13.

“By not having students return to school facilities this school year combined with social distancing intervention there could be lessening or even prevention of further community spread of the virus,” superintendents said in their request to the governor.

ä See SCHOOLS, page 6A

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a March campaign rally in Detroit.

Hospitals lean on surge plans to meet demand

BY BEN MYERS Staff writer

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTOS

President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a January rally in Washington, D.C.

Sanders drops out, leaving former Vice President Biden the presumptive Democratic challenger to Trump Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders ended his presidential bid on Wednesday, making Joe Biden the presumptive Democratic nominee to challenge President Donald Trump in a general election campaign that will be waged against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sanders initially ex- Sanders ceeded sky-high expectations about his ability to re-create the magic of his 2016 presidential bid and even overcame a heart attack in October. But he couldn’t convert unwavering support from progressives into a viable path to the nomination, with “electability” fears fueled by questions about whether his democratic socialist ide-

ology would be palatable to general election voters.

“The path toward victory is virtually impossible,” Sanders told supporters Wednesday. “If I believed we had a feasible path to the nomination, I would certainly continue the campaign, but it’s just not there.”

He called Biden a “very decent man” but didn’t offer an explicit endorsement of the former vice president. Sanders said his name would remain on the ballot in states that have not yet held primaries so he can gain more delegates and “exert significant influence” on the Democratic platform.

Biden, who is backed by much of the party’s establishment, told supporters at a virtual fundraiser that he had a “short conversation” with Sanders on Wednesday.

“He didn’t just run a political campaign. He created a movement,” Biden said. “That’s a good thing for our na-

Acadiana ICU occupancy highest in state Lafayette hospital officials said Wednesday they expect surge plans will meet rising demand for intensive care beds from critical coronavirus patients, as new state data showed Acadiana with the highest regional intensive care occupancy rate in the state.

Officials with Lafayette General Health and Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center announced the previous day they had begun to enact phased surge plans to expand capacity.

They elaborated on Wednesday, noting

View the e-edition from the Acadiana Advocate app OR

BY WILL WEISSERT

Superintendents want schools to stay closed Staff writer

Unofficial notification, keep your tickets.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Lafayette I10 is applying to the office of alcohol & Tobacco Control of the State of Louisiana for a permit to sell beverages of high and low alcohol content at retail in the Parish of Lafayette at the following address : 2131 W. Willow St Lafayette La 70583 Home2 Suites by Hilton Lafayette I-10 196067-Aug 1, 1t $86.26

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that intensive care bed availability reported by the state does not account for maximum surge capacity.

Surge plans phase in added capacity by converting parts of facilities not typically used for intensive care. Lafayette General’s four-phase surge plan, for example, increases its intensive care capacity from 46 to 78 across three campuses, according to Amanda Logue, the system’s chief medical officer.

Lafayette General, which is in its second phase of the surge plan, had 40 intensive care patients on Wednesday, meaning it has room for another 38 if it goes through the next two phases. But the state reported only 32 available intensive care beds were available across the seven-parish region.

Still, the state reported 12 new admis-

sions to intensive care, bringing the total to 143, along with a sharp rise in the number of newly reported cases. That means Acadiana’s existing intensive care beds were 82% occupied, the highest rate among the state’s nine regions.

The 67 new cases reported Wednesday in Acadiana marked a 60% increase over new cases reported the day before. That reversed a one-day decline in the number of new reported cases. There were 42 new cases reported Tuesday and 54 the day before that.

Daily case counts typically reflect positive results from tests administered several days prior.

Logue noted that only a small percentage of newly infected people will require

ä See ICU, page 6A

tion and our future. His campaign has ended, but I know his leadership will continue.”

Trump sought to foment the tension among Democrats by tweeting Wednesday that the party stacked the race against Sanders. The president said the senator’s supporters “should come to the Republican Party.”

Sanders began his latest White House bid facing questions about whether he could win back the supporters who chose him four years ago as an insurgent alternative to Hillary Clinton. Despite winning 22 states in 2016, there were no guarantees he’d be a major presidential contender this cycle.

But Sanders used strong polling and solid fundraising — collected almost entirely from small donations made online — to quiet early doubters. Like the first time, he attracted widespread

ä See RACE, page 4A

Domestic violence advocates offering help Groups: Pandemic may put survivors at greater risk

BY KATIE GAGLIANO Staff writer

Advocates for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse are raising the alarm in Acadiana communities that the coronavirus pandemic may put survivors at greater risk while home with their abusers for extended peri-

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Continue to watch out for other symptoms as well, like abdominal pain and nausea.

Investigations can take months to determine where contaminated food came from and sometimes fail to find a clear source of the parasitic infection.

The best way to prevent infection with a parasite is to avoid food or water that may have been contaminated. Fresh produce should be thoroughly washed before being eaten, especially for immunocompromised people who are at a greater risk of infection. But be aware that cyclospora can stick to some foods, so washing may not eliminate the risk of infection.

It is also best to cook vegetables when possible and practice standard good hygiene before meals.

EMAIL:

obits@theadvocate.com OR CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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How to place a Memorial Ad An “In Memory Of” ad, is a way to pay tribute to your loved one.

This remembrance is often printed on the anniversary of a loved one’s death.

The deadline is two days prior to the day you want your ad to appear.

TO PLACE A MEMORIAL AD GO TO:

obituaries.theacadianaadvocate.com, click submit an obituary and select create a memoriam.

Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

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site infects the bowels and spreads through feces. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables that were exposed to feces-contaminated water.

The rates of cyclosporiasis cases are generally higher in developing countries, according to Nnedu, and some previous outbreaks of the illness were linked to imported produce.

Foods like bagged salad mixes and kits, fresh cilantro, fresh basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions more commonly carry the parasite.

People with diarrhea that hasn’t resolved on its own within a few days should see a health provider and discuss the possibility of cyclospora, officials say.

“If diarrhea is prolonged, that goes on for more than two days unstopped, you What is cyclospora? may want to talk with your Cyclospora is a microscop- physician,” Nnedu said. ic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the CDC. The illness, called cyclosporiasis, is not usually life-threatening and is typically treated with antibiotics.

As far as epidemiologists know, humans are the only species that can contract cyclosporiasis.

Announcements The heat-loving para-

The digital edition of today’s paper is always at your finger tips with

Louisiana public school superintendents Wednesday asked Gov. John Bel Edwards to extend his schools closure order through the end of the academic year because of the coronavirus.

The request significantly boosts chances that classrooms will remain locked for nearly 720,000 public school students

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pital medical records. The parasite is diagnosed through a gastrointestinal pathogen panel, a one-hour, highly sensitive stool test that simultaneously detects the DNA or RNA of multiple bacteria, viruses and parasites causing diarrhea.

“This is a rare one,” said Dr. Katie Taylor, who runs infection control and outbreak management at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. “(Cyclospora) tends to last longer and may improve and relapse before it completely resolves.”

The threshold for hospitalization, sitting at six so far in Louisiana, rests primarily on dehydration.

“Louisiana has slightly higher than normal levels going around right now,” Taylor said. “The center of where this is happening is around Michigan.”

How to place an Obituary Notice

ods — and that help is available, virus or no virus.

When Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a statewide stay-athome order on March 23, Faith House of Acadiana Executive Director Billi Lacombe said she immediately feared abusers would capitalize on the opportunity to exert control over their victims. Although the order was a needed step to protect communities and lessen the spread of the virus, she said, it has the unintended con-

ä See DOMESTIC, page 4A

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$3.40 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed

g plus applicable thirdparty flow through rate

1”: $27.40 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed $3.40 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed

2”: $102.04 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed plus applicable thirdparty flow through rate

1.5”: $109.64 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed $3.40 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed

3”: $191.46 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed plus applicable thirdparty flow through rate

2”: $175.42 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed $3.40 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed

4” & 6”: $319.10 for the first 2,000 gallons con‐ sumed plus applicable thirdparty flow through rate

PUBLIC NOTICE --BEFORE THE LOUISIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Magnolia Water Utility Operating Company, LLC, Ex Parte DOCKET NO. UIn Re: Magnolia Water Utility Operating Com‐ pany, LLC - 2025 Formula Rate Plan Annual Report, Request for Adjustment of Water and Sewage Rates and Any Other Re‐ lated Relief 2025 FORMULA RATE PLAN ANNUAL REPORT, REQUEST FOR ADJUST‐ MENT OF WATER AND SEWAGE RATES AND ANY OTHER RELATED RELIEF

CATS RAGAMUFFIN & RAGDOLL KITTENS www.CatsByFrancy.com/kittens $1500up! Reg. Shots & Guaranty 337-230-3150

ORDER PAGE REPRINTS ANYTIME

Name and Address of Party Making Filing: Magnolia Water Utility Operating Company, LLC 10761 Perkins Road Suite A Baton Rouge, LA 70810

4” or greater: $548.18 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed $3.40 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed No Meter: $35.54 flat Tier II – Rates by Meter Size 5/8” & 3/4": $43.88 for the first 2,000 gallons con‐ sumed; $5.68 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed 1”: $54.85 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed $5.68 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed

Name, Address, Email Address, and Telephone Number of Attorney For Party Making Filing:

1.5”: $219.33 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed $5.68 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed

Andrew B. Ezell EZELL LAW FIRM, LLC 10761 Perkins Rd., Ste. A

2”: $350.95 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed $5.68 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810 Telephone: (225) 763-2272 Facsimile: (225) 763-2273 Email: aezell@ezellfirm. com Statement Sought:

of

Action

Applicant, Magnolia Water Utility Operating Company, LLC, requests that the Louisiana Public Service Commission take the following action: 1) Consider and imple‐ ment rates to provide the following monthly rates for water and sewer cus‐ tomers: Water Tier I – Rates by Meter Size

STORE.THEADVOCATE.COM

3”: $328.91 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed $3.40 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed

5/8” & 3/4": $21.93 for the first 2,000 gallons con‐ sumed;

3”: $658.00 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed $5.68 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed 4” or greater: $1,096.67 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed $5.68 for each additional 1,000 gallons consumed No Meter: $71.50 flat Tier III – Rates by Meter Size 5/8” & 3/4": $12.76 for the first 2,000 gallons con‐ sumed plus applicable thirdparty flow through rate 1”: $15.96 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed plus applicable thirdparty flow through rate 1.5”: $63.82 for the first 2,000 gallons consumed l li bl hi d

Wastewater Tier I Residential: $50.00 Commercial: Based upon formula specified in Title 51, Chapter 15, Section 1501, of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code Tier II Residential: $73.54 Commercial: Based upon formula specified in Title 51, Chapter 15, Section 1501, of the Louisiana Sanitary Code State (Schools Calculated on Tier 1 Residential Rate) Tier III Residential: $50.00 Commercial: Based upon formula specified in Title 51, Chapter 15, Section 1501, of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code 2) Consider and grant any other related relief.

Magnolia’s filing may be viewed in the offices of the LPSC located at 602 North Fifth Street, Galvez 12th Floor, Building, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802, phone 225-3424404, and on the LPSC website (www.lpsc.org).

Date by Which a Party Who Desires to Partici‐ pate In the Proceeding Must File Notice of Protest: August 25, 2026 196069-aug 1-1t $625.17

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N.Y. calls Kalshi ‘illegal gambling operation’ New York officials sued prediction market platform Kalshi for potentially billions of dollars on Friday, calling it an “illegal, unlicensed gambling operation” that includes sports wagering as the state seeks to halt its operations and force the company to forfeit its profits.

Kalshi and other platforms argue they are federally licensed and regulated, and states have no authority to govern them.

Prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket allow trading on the likelihood of a wide range of events such as sports, politics, news and even the weather.

“No matter what they call themselves, prediction markets like Kalshi are gambling platforms, plain and simple.

By ignoring our laws, Kalshi is running an illegal operation and harming New Yorkers in the process,” Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement.

James’ office is requesting that Kalshi be ordered to forfeit all illegal gains, pay restitution to consumers who were harmed and pay fines equal to three times the company’s gains. In a court filing, state officials provided a rough estimate of the damages and costs sought by the lawsuit — $36 billion.

FCC chairman defends actions against ABC Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr on Friday defended his agency’s recent actions against ABC, saying broadcasters have a duty to “operate in the public interest” and the FCC is merely trying to restore that standard.

Broadcasters like ABC, Carr said in an interview on the Fox Business Network, “struck a deal with the American people.

You broadcasters get subsidized access, free access to a valuable public resource, the airwaves, worth billions of dollars. In exchange, you have to operate in the public interest.”

“Look, as a country, we should have a trusted, respected news media, and we’re not there,” Carr told anchor Maria Bartiromo. “So I hope more broadcasters return to their public interest obligations.”

ABC accused the agency of retaliating against it simply because it doesn’t like the political content of ABC’s shows.

Social media companies sued over teens’ deaths The families of four teenagers who died by suicide are suing Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube over what they describe as “years of escalating harms” from using their platforms that eventually resulted in their deaths.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the Superior Court of Delaware, is the latest in a flurry of suits filed against the social media giants that alleges their platforms are addictive and dangerous.

The complaint was filed on behalf of four families from Texas, North Carolina, Minnesota and Tennessee whose children died over a 14-month period starting in July 2024 through September 2025.

The Social Media Victims Law Center is bringing the suit on behalf of the families, and its founding attorney, Matthew Bergman, said it’s “particularly salient” that the children in this case died “long after” similar suits had been filed.

“These platforms continue to kill kids, despite the platitudes of their executives,” Bergman said in an interview. “This is a clear and present danger to the health and safety of children, not just in the United States but around the world.”

The four teens each experienced harms including social media addiction, severe sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation after years of using the social platforms, the complaint states.

Livi Castro died at age 13, Riv Kelleher at 14, Nathaniel Chambers at age 17 and Dawson Holden at 18.

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Amazon soars, Apple sinks, oil stays high Inflation worries worsen in wild July

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks rose Friday to finish a wild July for Wall Street as Amazon leaped, Apple sank and rising oil prices worsened worries about inflation staying high.

It’s a fitting finish to July for the U.S. stock market, which lurched up and down as oil prices shot high-

er because of the war with Iran and worries grew about whether Big Tech’s massive investments in artificial-intelligence technology will translate into profits and whether chipmaker stocks soared too high in the euphoria around AI. Friday’s gains sent the S&P 500 to its first winning week in three, but the main measure of the U.S. stock market nevertheless finished the month with a tiny loss.

Amazon led the market with a leap of 15.3% after reporting much stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

Its profit more than tripled from a year earlier, thanks in part to an acceleration of growth in its cloud computing business.

Analysts said that could be a signal Amazon’s huge AI investments are paying off, and Amazon increased its forecast for how much it will spend on investments this year.

Chip companies selling the processors and computer memory that such “hyperscalers” are scrambling to buy swung sharply again on Friday. Micron Technology, for example, went from an ear-

ly jump of 6.4% to a loss of 6.5% before finishing with a fall of 5.9%.

More firmly on the losing end of Wall Street was Apple, which dropped 7.4% despite reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than expected. Its forecast for revenue growth in the current quarter fell short of expectations, which executives pinned on a supply crunch in components getting vacuumed up in the AI boom.

The price for a barrel of Brent crude rose 1.2% to settle at $87.93 after careening between $72 and $102 earlier in July.

Major oil companies reap massive profits during conflict with Iran

BY CATHY BUSSEWITZ Associated Press

NEW YORK — American oil and gas giants raked in massive spring profits while fighting between Iran and the U.S. impeded petroleum shipments and consumers around the world paid more for fuel and confronted shortages.

The conflict, now in its sixth month, halted most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that previously served as a delivery route for a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas. With global supplies constrained, prices for Brent crude, the international standard, soared from about $70 to above $100 a barrel for much of March, April and May, and at one point reached $126.

The money that oil companies accrued between the beginning of April and the end of June could receive extra scrutiny this year.

Gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices climbed sharply during that period, increasing costs for drivers and airline passengers. Supplies ran low in some countries, leading to sporadic fuel rationing in Australia and government office closures in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Exxon Mobil on Friday reported that its second quarter profits doubled to $14.53 billion, boosted by record diesel production.

The oil giant, based in Spring, Texas, brought in $116.02 billion in revenue, up 42%.

Chevron, based in Houston, nearly quadrupled its profits to $12.07 billion and revenue jumped 56% to $70.06 billion.

Six of Europe’s largest oil companies posted combined first-quarter profits of $22 billion, more than 40% higher than last year.

“There are constituencies around the world who are having a very good crisis, and the oil producers are one of them,” said Patrick Galey, fossil fuels lead at Global Witness, a nonprofit organization that investigates environmental issues. “When you compare that to the hundreds of millions of people who are struggling with rolling blackouts, with electricity curbs, rationing, waiting in line for food queues, or the disruption to fertilizers and the potential impact that that has on food prices, we don’t think that it’s a justifiable price for the rest of the world to be paying.”

Lawmakers propose taxing oil producers Energy companies such as Exxon and Chevron do not set the price of American oil, which ricocheted from $68 to $115 a barrel during the quarter. It’s driven by supply and demand, and what traders, refiners and other buyers are willing to pay.

Nevertheless, Democrats in Congress introduced bills in March to tax major oil producers for profits they show from 2026 onward and have the tax proceeds redistributed to consumers.

“It’s fair to put a windfall profits tax on inordinate windfall profits rather than cut off children’s food programs,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., who introduced the Senate version of the legislation.

Whitehouse’s measure and a companion bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna,

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ASHLEy LANDIS

A truck enters the Exxon Mobil Baytown Olefins Plant on April 29 in Baytown, Texas.

D-Calif., would amend the U.S. tax code to impose a per-barrel tax on companies that produced or imported at least 300,000 barrels of oil per day in 2025.

“We cracked $4 again per gallon last weekend in gas stations that I drove by, and that’s a big expense, particularly for families that get their income from driving around from job to job in the work van or the work truck,” Whitehouse said.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the U.S., which was below $3 before the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran, reached $4.11 Friday, about $1 more than ast year at this time.

The UK and other European countries implemented temporary windfall profits taxes on fossil fuel companies in 2022. The UK extended that to 2030, according to Tax Foundation Europe.

“Penalizing the businesses who stood by those countries and provided that product going forward is very shortsighted,” Exxon CEO Darren Woods said in a call with investors Friday. “We canceled investments that we had planned for Europe based on the last time they passed a windfall profits tax.”

Return on refining ‘has skyrocketed’ Outfits such as Exxon and Chevron, which also own refineries, are in the best position to profit from the current market conditions, said Tom Seng, assistant professor of energy finance at Texas Christian University.

Refineries turn oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and home heating oil. Higher prices for those products meant Chevron’s quarterly refinery profit was six times as big in 2026, despite processing less crude and selling less products.

“The return on refining, on a percentage basis, has skyrocketed,” Seng said. “Oil right now is priced what it is priced because of the Iran war. But in the meantime, the refineries are making money hand over fist.”

The global refining market is undersupplied, and with countries such as Russia and China no longer exporting, companies like Exxon and Chevron have to pick it up, said Rob Thummel, senior portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital. “The world is going to be short jet fuel, diesel and gasoline, so we’ll probably continue to see higher profits there.”

Globally, not all refineries have been able to get the supply of crude oil they need to meet demand since the conflict began, said Timothy Fitzgerald, a University of Tennessee professor of business economics who studies the petroleum industry.

As a result, refineries that have ample oil to work with, including those in the U.S., are turning high profits, particularly when they make jet fuel and diesel, which is priced about 41% higher in the U.S. than before the Strait of Hormuz was blocked.

“If you’re a company that owns a bunch of refinery capacity, things look pretty good,” Fitzgerald said.

American refineries are running at near-full capacity and poised to benefit because some refineries in the Middle East and Russia were damaged. And Asia can’t get the amount of Middle East oil needed for refining.

“Ultimately, users of the energy services pay,” Fitzgerald said. “Consumers, people like you and me buying retail motor gasoline or diesel fuel or airplane tickets. But it also means that almost everything else we buy has an embedded energy content to it … and this is where you start to worry about it driving increases in costs.”

Exxon and Chevron weren’t as profitable in the first quarter due to the way oil is traded; the first real opportunity they had to take advantage of higher prices oil was in April.

Companies that had a lot of oil stored in floating tankers and available for spot-market trading, including some European ones, were able to benefit from March’s higher oil prices, Seng said.

Anthropic says its AI models hacked 3 organizations during testing

BY CHAN HO-HIM Associated Press

Anthropic said its artificial intelligence models hacked into three other organizations during testing, just days after ChatGPT maker OpenAI raised concerns over AI controls after it disclosed its rogue models hacked another company.

Anthropic, the San Franciscobased AI company behind Claude, posted on its website Thursday that it discovered the three incidents after reviewing more than 141,000 evaluation runs.

It had launched a “large-scale” cybersecurity review which specifically looked for evidence whether its AI models were able to access the internet from within testing en-

vironments that should have been sealed off, in response to the OpenAI incident, Anthropic said.

Anthropic said the models involved in the incidents were Claude Opus 4.7, Claude Mythos 5 and an internal research test model. The earliest incidents date to April, the AI company said.

“Claude compromised the impacted organizations’ infrastructure using basic techniques,” Anthropic said, such as exploiting weak passwords.

In all three incidents, the AI models were tasked with a “capture the flag” cybersecurity challenge, which Anthropic said has been one of the ways it assesses a model’s cyber capabilities.

The models were given a fic-

tional scenario and told a piece of secret information, or the “flag,” had been hidden on a different machine on the network with the objective of breaking in and retrieving it, it said.

It added that it had already reached out to the affected organizations, which it did not name. Two of them said they had not previously detected the activity. Anthropic said it was “continuing to reach out to the third.”

Anthropic said it conducted its review with Irregular, which describes itself as the “first frontier security lab.” “Addressing these risks will require closer cooperation across the AI ecosystem,” Irregular said in a post on X. Last week, OpenAI said its AI

models went rogue during an evaluation of its models, breaking into the servers of AI startup Hugging Face. OpenAI described it as a “significant security incident.”

These incidents have highlighted the vulnerabilities in AI security and controls and raised questions over how AI can be safely kept under human control as the technology’s usage becomes more widespread globally.

Researchers have warned for years about risks from technology and the need for stronger AI defensive engineering.

“Safety testing happens before a model is released precisely because we don’t yet know what it is capable of,” Anthropic said on Thursday on its website.

4B ● Saturday,August 1, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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

ANOTHER VIEW

Is Jon Ossoff the leader that Democrats want?

Meet Jon Ossoff. At 39, he’s the nation’s youngest U.S. senator. Elected from the swing state of Georgia, he’s smart, focused and strong on the attack. And if some Democrats have their way, he could be their party’s nominee for president in 2028.

Democrats are tired of Donald Trump setting the agenda. Many worry their current crop of presidential candidates falls short of what they need: a new generation leader who can win, govern and rebuild the party.

Growing excitement surrounds Ossoff’s prospects — even though he’s largely unknown to most voters and currently denies interest in a White House bid.

That may change after November, when Ossoff is favored to win reelection, but his victory is not guaranteed; federal elections in Georgia are often perilously close.

Ossoff grew up in Atlanta and is married to Alisha Kramer, an OB-GYN at Emory Ron Faucheux University. They have two daughters. His mother is an Australian immigrant, and his father is an attorney-turned-publisher.

In high school, Ossoff interned for civil rights icon U.S. Rep. John Lewis. A graduate of Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, he earned a master’s degree from the London School of Economics. Ossoff has worked as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill and as CEO of a television production company that created documentaries about foreign corruption.

Ossoff narrowly lost a special election for Congress in 2017. Four years later, he defeated Republican Sen. David Perdue, becoming the first millennial in the Senate and the first Jewish senator from Georgia.

Knowing how Democratic strategists view presidential prospects tells us why a new face like Ossoff has appeal.

Many expect Kamala Harris, 61, to fade once the race starts, arguing her current strength rests on name recognition more than loyalty. Gavin Newsom, 58, dazzles on television and online, but some fear he’s too slick for Sheboygan.

They think Pete Buttigieg, 44, ran an impressive presidential campaign in 2020, but were less impressed with his performance as a Biden cabinet member. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 36, is as hip and modern as a Democrat can be — but insiders wonder whether a selfdescribed Democratic socialist can win a national election.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, 53, earns praise for intelligence, competence and calm. But skeptics fear he’s too moderate, too pro-Israel and too cautious for the progressive base. Arizona’s Mark Kelly, 62, looks good on paper — astronaut, veteran, swing-state senator — yet may lack the spark Democrats crave.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, 61, is popular with pundits and politicians, but do Democrats really want a billionaire leading their ticket as they run on closing the wealth gap?

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, 48, has an aura of moderation and electability, but strategists question whether he could ever capture the party’s progressive base, which will likely have veto power over the next nominee.

And then there’s Rahm Emanuel, 66: tough, brilliant, able. He’s been a mayor, House member, ambassador and presidential chief of staff. Yet to many, he’s too much the insider, lacking appeal among rank-and-file voters.

Where does that leave Ossoff? Young, telegenic and battle-tested in a swing state. A crisp communicator with strong support among Georgia’s Black voters and suburban women. His attacks on Donald Trump and JD Vance land hard — sharp, straightforward and rooted in facts.

His online video clips have put him on the map.

Not everybody will agree with Ossoff on every issue.

He’s criticized the Iran war, voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment, supports abortion rights and wants to ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading stocks. He voted with Joe Biden 97% of the time.

He’s opposed the Green New Deal, defunding police, abolishing ICE and single-payer health care.

While he’s committed to “the security of Israel,” and acknowledges the “ironclad” U.S.-Israel relationship, Ossoff doesn’t favor unconditional American support.

His youth could hurt as well as help, though he’s older than AOC and only slightly younger than Vance. As a national candidate, Ossoff is untested. He may be too far left for centrists, and not far enough left for Democratic socialists. His position on Israel will be closely watched by pro- and anti-Israel Democrats.

Nonetheless, Ossoff checks a lot of boxes for Democrats. He’s not a household name, but that’s part of the appeal: less baggage, more runway and a story still being written.

Democrats often fall in love with unknowns running for president. JFK and Barack Obama come to mind. Will Jon Ossoff be next?

Ron Faucheux is a nonpartisan political analyst, pollster and writer based in Louisiana.

YOUR VIEWS

Faucheux’s numbers not in line with other findings

When data center doubles in size, how will it impact neighbors?

York City’s Central Park?

What happens to the value of the land near this gigantic AI center? They’re touting jobs. After construction is completed, what kind of jobs, besides maintenance?

After all, this is an AI center; you won’t need too many others.

Right now, there’s a lot of tax talk, contributions and promises which will last for how long? Until 2032?

2036? Hmm. As I said, I’m just wondering, and I guess I’m worried, too. At my age, I won’t be here when it all comes to pass, but that doesn’t stop me from being concerned for my grands and great-grands. And for my state.

Re: “Meta plans $40 billion expansion of Louisiana AI data center, more than doubling its size.”

I just wonder if Richland Parish is aware of what they’re in for.

Other places said, “We don’t want it.” Louisiana said, “I want it, I want it.” Other places are concerned about the water and energy usage. They said they are building more energy resources, which is going to make energy cheaper for residents. Really? I don’t know, ask Entergy.

People in places like Southaven, Mississippi, are saying the constant hum and whirring is driving them crazy. Is this one going to be quieter? How is that possible with a place four times the size of New

Ron Faucheux’s July 18 op-ed, “Polls show how Americans see the issues,” shows how unsound his arguments are. He starts with a doozy: “In recent months … Donald Trump’s job approval ratings have remained steady. His latest rating averages 43%, exactly where it was four months ago. The president’s critics find that hard to believe; they keep hearing about individual polls showing his popularity falling. But polling averages, which combine results from multiple surveys, have shown little movement.”

I like polling averages, and agree that we should not rely on single polls like the Fox News poll published May 20th, showing Trump’s overall job performance with 39% approval and 61% disapproval rates.

But lo and behold, Fox News was not alone in finding far lower approval ratings than Faucheux’s numbers.

Taking just the four months of this March-June, 196 national polls published have an identical average of 39% approval/61% disapproval of the president overall.

Getting even pickier, by only including the subset of 47 polls that met The New York Times’ criteria of being “select pollsters,” that approval rating drops to 36.9%.

For those who think that there is not much difference between 43 and 36.9 or 39, just imagine which poll number any politician would rather have.

Even our esteemed governor dropped from 58% a year ago to 43% in March, according to the Pelican Institute for Public Policy studies reported in this newspaper July 19.

CAROLYN ROUSSEAU Slidell

Article about Trump’s ‘unproven’ claims showed bias I strongly disagree with the headline in the July 17 paper, which stated: “Trump uses address to push unproven claims about past elections.” The Associated Press article should have disclosed the documents that were released and let the public make their own determination.

For example, I have only reviewed one document so far, and it showed dead citizens and non itizens registered to vote in certain states. Would it have changed

the results of the election? Probably not, yet several states refuse to disclose the information to the federal government.

This bias makes people lose faith in the news media. For example, for at least three years, Rachel Maddow spoke about the Russian collusion and implied President Donald Trump was guilty. What about an apology for being wrong?

ALAN JUDERJAHN Ponchatoula

Could entrepreneurial tow truck drivers solve abandoned vehicle problem?

Re: “Baton Rouge man wanted for allegedly towing away vehicles, selling them using forged papers.”

It sounds to me like the towtruck driver needs to be nominated for the Golden Deeds award!

He’s doing more to clean up the city than anyone that I know of.

True, he may have bent a few rules and possibly stepped over the line a bit, but all things considered, he is doing a great public service in clearing junk cars from the streets of Baton Rouge.

If we can find eight or 10 more like-minded good citizens, we could clean this city up about as fast as Donald Trump secured the border.

Does this tow-truck driver pos-

sibly have some friends who know how to tear down old abandoned houses?

If that be the case, we could turn them loose on that project as well, give them about $500 each, give them the scrap material and we could clean up Baton Rouge in a jiffy.

I have one more bright idea. It involves cleaning up the trash and old tires that litter Baton Rouge streets. I have the feeling that entrepreneurs like our tow-truck driver could be an asset in this regard.

Sometimes to actually get things done, one needs to think outside the box.

GARY CLEMENTS New Orleans

JOE T. SMITH Baton Rouge

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ANALYSIS

Bresee’s injury comes at tough time for himself, Saints New Orleans lineman set to get second opinion on knee

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Bryan Bresee will receive a second opinion on his knee injury that is feared to be a torn ACL, but the New Orleans Saints are operating as if they will be without a starting defensive lineman after he got hurt during the team’s first training camp practice Wednesday.

“It’s tough,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said.

The injury hurts on multiple levels. Bresee is a critical piece upfront who had developed quite nicely since the Saints drafted him 29th overall in 2023. For Bresee, having to miss an entire season comes at a brutal time as he perhaps would have been in line for a major payday next offseason.

Instead, Bresee’s injury will test the Saints by seeing if the youth movement they’ve experienced over the last two drafts is actually ready to contribute. In back-to-back years, the Saints used Day 2 picks on defensive linemen in third-rounder Vernon Broughton in 2025 and second-rounder Christen Miller this year.

New Orleans had wanted to see whether either would be able to contribute by beating out any of the incumbent starters. Now? The chances are one of them will be forced into the spotlight, ready or not.

“We’ll use training camp and preseason games and all these opportunities to kind of evaluate that,” Moore said. “And we’ll have a good opportunity there. We’ve got some talented guys in that room, some veterans, some young guys that will get plenty of reps

DESERVED DEAL Saints wide receiver Olave earned huge contract for his production, approach

ä See BRESEE, page 3C

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave runs a drill on Friday during training camp at the team’s practice facility in Metairie.

Olave signed a four-year, $132 million contract with the Saints on Thursday. STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE Chris Olave strode into the Saints’ indoor practice facility Friday like a man who’d had the weight of the world lifted from his shoulders.

Who could blame him?

Only 24 hours removed from signing a blockbuster four-year, $132 million contract, the star receiver was all smiles as he addressed reporters after the team’s third practice of training camp.

“I feel great, actually,” he said, breaking into a devilish grin.

A life-changing contract and long-term financial security will do that for you.

Olave’s contract was the second-largest in Saints history, trailing only Derek Carr’s four-year, $150 million deal in 2023. It also makes him the sixth-highest-paid receiver in the NFL. No Saints skill position player ever has been rewarded with such a lucrative deal.

Olave always has been a man of few words. Quiet by nature, he prefers to let his game do his talking for

him. But he was thoughtful and expansive with reporters on Friday as he discussed the roller-coaster ride he’s navigated the last few years.

At this time a year ago, he didn’t know whether he had a future, much less a secure one. He was coming off the worst season of his career, an injury-riddled campaign that limited him to only eight games and a career-low 32 receptions for 400 yards. A series of concussions caused him to contemplate retirement in the 2025 offseason.

But Olave rebounded with a breakout year last season. He started 16 games and recorded career highs of 100 receptions, 1,163 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. He also started to blossom as a leader in the locker room, an area he’d been hesitant to embrace until he felt like he was ready.

Even with Olave’s breakout season, the Saints were

Jeff Duncan

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Saints defensive lineman Bryan Bresee stretches during organized team activities on May 28 at the team’s indoor practice facility in Metairie. Bresee suffered what is feared to be a torn ACL on the first day of camp.

ä See DUNCAN, page 3C

Kiffin planning for LSU TE Green too have monster t r season

BY JON BLAU

Staff writer

When LSU coach Lane Kiffin paid a visit to the SEC Network last week, the broadcast crew’s resident tight end, Benjamin Watson, vouched for one of his own.

“I’m living vicariously through him, so I want to see him go off this year,” Watson told Kiffin, referencing Tigers tight end Trey’Dez Green. “Please tell me he’s gonna go off.”

Kiffin, ever the prankster, couldn’t help but give Watson an answer he didn’t like.

“We’re really excited about putting him in the B gap,” the coach said. “We really think he can lead block.”

Considering the wide smile on Green’s face throughout his interview sessions at SEC media days in Tampa, Florida, last week, Kiffin’s lie wasn’t fooling anyone.

Green, the 6-foot-7, 237-pound junior, has lined up nearly everywhere since his new coach arrived in Baton Rouge, including in a three-point stance, in the slot and out wide.

Instead of crashing into 300-pound defensive tackles in the B gap, he’s felt the freedom of running untouched through unoccupied spaces.

“I’ve been so open in his offense,” Green said. “I’ve been having so much fun.”

Wherever he lines up, Green shouldn’t be hard to find. The former basketball player is taller than everyone on the field and has the athleticism to outleap them all.

“He fits part of this decision of why you come to LSU,” said Kiffin, who left Ole Miss after six seasons. “You got players in the state that look and play like him, and then they wanna come to LSU. You’re the only school that they go to in the state.”

Kiffin has more serious ideas on how to use the long, explosive athletes he inherited.

He thinks back to his time as the Alabama offensive coordinator, specifically a 2015 national title game versus Clemson where tight end O.J. Howard hauled in five passes for 208 yards and two scores.

Early in the contest, the 6-6, 250-pounder was an in-line blocker versus defensive

ends and linebackerss, helping open holes for star running ba ack Derrick Henry.

Howard sometimess motioned into the backfield and lined up u at fullback.

But he didn’t ling ger over the B gap.

He swung into the flat, wide open, versus a third-and-3 bllitz. Howard rumbled for 25 yards to the e Clemson 29.

Later in the gam me, Howard lined up at slot receiver, fak king a block on a quick screen before he e zoomed down the field, wide open, for a 53-yard touchdown.

He had anothe er long touchdown, 51 yards, in a 45-40 victorry. Howard started in a three-point stan nce but exploded past the Clemson secondary, straight down the seam m.

Tight ends get g open in Kiffin’s offense. Forme er Alabama coach Nick Saban, who joined the SEC Network crew, recalle ed Kiffin’s play-action concepts that pull lin nebackers toward the line of scrimmage,, abandoning the middle of the

ä See LSU, page 3C

LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green

STAFF FILE PHOTO

By MICHAEL JOHNSON

2C ● Saturday, August 1, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Skubal is the big prize, but buyers have other options MLB’s trade deadline is Monday, and several top pitchers could be moving

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Cameron young chips onto the eighth green during the first round of the Rocket Classic golf tournament at the Detroit Golf Club on Thursday in Detroit.

Young shares lead at Rocket Classic

BY LARRY LAGE AP sportswriter

DETROIT — Cameron Young birdied seven of his first eight holes in the second round of the Rocket Classic and thought he had a shot at the lowest score in PGA Tour history.

“I was thinking 55,” he said.

Young cooled off with two birdies on his back nine in a bogeyfree round, closing with a Detroit Golf Club-record tying 61 to reach 10 under for the tournament to tie Patrick Cantlay (66) and Patrick Fishburn (66) atop the leaderboard Friday.

“You hate to call it a disappointing 61,” he said, lamenting missing many birdie opportunities that prevented him from breaking Jim Furyk’s record 58 that has stood for a decade.

Young, the No. 3 player in the world with three wins this season, shot a 59 in 2024 at the Travelers Championship and had a chance to join Furyk with multiple sub60 rounds on the PGA Tour.

“It felt like I had a 10-footer for birdie on pretty much every hole,” Young said.

A lot of players took advantage of one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour.

Matt Wallace (64) and Rickie Fowler (68) were two shots back.

Fowler surged into the lead — briefly — at 11 under before falling back to the pack. He threeputted from 24 feet to bogey No. 11 and went from thigh-high fescue to a greenside bunker at No. 13, leading to his second of three bogeys on the back nine.

“Nice to finish with birdie on 18,” said Fowler, whose sixth and last win was the 2023 Rocket Classic. “A lot of good stuff today and nice to be in a good spot for the weekend.”

First-round leader Peter Malnati, who followed up his 61 on Thursday with a 71, was another stroke back in a large group that included Xander Schauffele (66).

Hideki Matsuyama (68) extended the PGA Tour’s longest active cuts streak to 30 by getting to 5 under with a slew of players, including Tony Finau (67), who is hoping to improve his positioning to be among the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings after next week’s Wyndham Championship.

“I check it pretty much every tournament just kind of see where I’m at, even on off weeks,” said Finau, the 2022 Rocket Classic champion, who entered the tournament No. 87 in the standings.

Matt Kuchar was another stroke back, getting a boost from his seventh career ace with a 9-iron on the 156-yard, par-3 5th hole. Kuchar invited a kid to join him inside the ropes to retrieve the ball, which he signed with a black marker.

AP baseball writer

Starting pitchers Peralta, Mets: The right-hander has had a disappointing season, which is a common refrain for the Mets, but his strikeout numbers are still good. He was excellent for the Brewers over the previous three seasons. If he can fix his command issues, he could help a contender.

Joe Ryan, Twins: Another powerful arm, the right-hander has been an All-Star in each of the past two seasons. It’s unclear if the Twins are buyers or sellers in a crowded American League race — they added reliever A.J. Minter from the Mets on Friday, so continued buying seems more likely. If the Twins decide to move Ryan, though, it could bring back a solid

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By PAUL SANCyA

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the seventh inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles in Detroit on Wednesday. return.

Foster Griffin, Nationals: The veteran lefty has been outstanding in his return to MLB after spending three seasons in Japan with a 12-2 record and 2.76 ERA. The Nationals are still in the mix for a playoff spot in the National League, but they will likely still be willing to listen to offers.

Reid Detmers, Angels: The lefthander has been a bright spot in a mostly dismal season for the Angels with 145 strikeouts in 125 innings. Los Angeles will want a sizable return for the 27-year-old, who is still under team control for the next two seasons.

Clay Holmes, Mets: The 33-year-old made a successful transition from reliever to starter in 2025 and was having another solid season before he fractured his right fibula on a comeback liner in May. The right-hander is in the midst of a minor-league rehab assignment and nearing his return.

Robbie Ray, Giants: The two-time All-Star and 2021 Cy Young winner doesn’t have the wipeout, strikeout stuff that he possessed early in his career, but he’s been very good for San Francisco this season with a 10-6 record and 3.08 ERA.

Relief pitchers Miller, Padres: The game’s most dominant closer, Miller has a jawdropping 85 strikeouts over 452/3 innings, 28 saves and an 0.79 ERA. Relievers usually don’t command huge returns during trade deadline deals, but Miller is an exception, particularly because the 6-foot-5 righty is still under team control for three more years.

Adrián Morejón, Padres: The lefthanded Cuban has been a key part of the Padres’ bullpen for the past three seasons. He’s a free agent after the season, which means he could be on the move.

Luke Weaver, Mets: The veteran righty has found his niche after making the full-time move to the bullpen in 2024. He’s not necessarily a closer, but he does have some experience in the role. He

was very good for the Yankees in the playoffs during their run to the World Series in 2024.

Jeff Hoffman, Blue Jays: The righthander lost his job as the team’s closer earlier this season, but his strikeout numbers are still excellent with 72 punchouts over 46 innings.

Position players Luis Arraez, Giants, 2B: The threetime batting champion and fourtime All-Star is in the midst of one of his best seasons and has flashed improved defense at second base.

He is an elite contact hitter who rarely strikes out and is a free agent after the season.

Ryan Jeffers, Twins, C: Jeffers recently returned from the injured list and has a career-high .928 OPS this season. His ability to provide pop from the right side will make him a popular trade target, though the Twins might not be willing to make a deal since they’re still in the playoff hunt.

Daulton Varsho, Blue Jays, OF: The 30-year-old slugger is one of the game’s better athletes and won a Gold Glove in 2024. He’s an upcoming free agent, but he has playoff experience and can still provide great defense with some left-handed power.

CJ Abrams, Nationals, SS: Washington will want a big return for the AllStar shortstop, who is in the midst of his best year and is under team control for the next two seasons.

But if a contender is willing to offer a big package of prospects, the ascending Nationals will likely listen.

Zach Neto, Angels, SS: Neto has been one of the Angels’ best players over the last three seasons. He’s a solid defender and provides a good amount of right-handed power, though his strikeout numbers have been high this season.

Luis García, Nationals, 1B: The lefthanded slugger has quietly put together his best season with 23 homers and 76 RBIs. He doesn’t walk much, but has one more year of team control and is still just 26 years old.

Connecticut Sun trades ex-LSU star Morrow to Toronto Tempo

BY RASHAD MILLIGAN Staff writer

Former LSU star forward Aneesah Morrow is headed to a new home.

The second-year WNBA player was traded Friday from the Connecticut Sun to the Toronto Tempo for the rights to forward Maria Kliundikova and a 2028 second-round Morrow pick.

It marked the first major move

Tony Romo has been placed on leave from his role as the lead analyst on CBS’ NFL coverage following his arrest last week on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence.

CBS Sports announced Friday that the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was on leave “until further notice.” JJ Watt will join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as CBS Sports’ lead NFL team during Romo’s absence.

Romo, 46, was arrested July 23 after he was stopped while driving south on Interstate 43 in Wisconsin. According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office report, Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests before getting taken into custody, booked and released.

He has a court date set for Sept.

21.

Ryu takes a 1-shot lead at British Women’s Open

BY DAVID BRANDT A trio of powerful pitching arms — including two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta and Mason Miller — highlight the intriguing candidates who could switch teams as Major League Baseball’s trade deadline approaches.

The deadline is Monday at 5 p.m.

Skubal — a 29-year-old lefthander who will be a free agent this offseason — is in the midst of another strong year for the Detroit Tigers after winning back-toback Cy Youngs in 2024 and 2025.

The left-hander missed about five weeks earlier in the season because of surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow, but he has bounced back quickly.

He’s been excellent over his last five starts, with a 2.03 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 31 innings.

One thing complicating Skubal’s availability is the Tigers have played better of late and they’re hanging around the American League wild-card race, just 4½ games back for the final playoff spot going into Friday’s games — albeit with five teams ahead of them. But if a juicy offer is presented, it’ll be hard to say no.

Detroit’s uncertain playoff fate is a common problem for teams as the deadline approaches.

There is a handful of obvious buyers at the deadline like the Yankees, Rays, Brewers, Braves and Dodgers. There is also a small group of obvious sellers like the Rockies, Giants, Angels, Mets, Athletics and Royals.

But that leaves nearly 20 other teams who are in the middle and could be buyers, sellers or a combination of both.

Here’s a look at some of the top trade candidates as Monday’s deadline approaches.

Romo on leave from CBS after July 23 DUI arrest

in the WNBA on the weekend of the trade deadline. Morrow was included in rumors as a valuable young piece on a team with the second-worst record in the league. Through her first 20 games of the season, Morrow has averaged 11.6 points and 8.9 rebounds with the Sun. Morrow is the second former LSU Tiger to be traded this season. Weeks before the season started, Angel Reese was traded from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream. Reese recently played in her third All-Star Game and debuted the release of her Barbie doll.

The Sun is set to move to Houston after this season as the league plans to revive the Houston Comets franchise. The Tempo is in its inaugural season, and Morrow will get an opportunity to shine in the front court.

The Tempo is led by the veteran guard duo of Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes. Sykes is currently out with a foot injury, and Mabrey tied the single-game WNBA scoring record of 53 points on June 25.

Email Rashad Milligan at rashad.milligan@theadvocate. com.

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England — Haeran Ryu birdied No. 18 to complete a 2-under 69 for a one-shot lead after two rounds of the British Women’s Open on Friday as the South Korean star pursues a third consecutive major victory.

Ryu overcame a tough start — including a double bogey on the par-3 5th — to tally five birdies and reach 7 under overall at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

Shiho Kuwaki of Japan was one shot back after her 70, and overnight leader Jeeno Thitikul and Yealimi Noh were tied for third, both two strokes behind Ryu. “I’m just trying to have fun on the course because this course is (very) stressful,” Ryu said, citing “a lot of bunkers” plus windy conditions.

Twins acquire reliever Minter from Mets in trade

NEW YORK — The Minnesota Twins acquired left-handed reliever A.J. Minter from the New York Mets for minor league infielders Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick on Friday, reinforcing a thin bullpen ahead of the trade deadline.

The 19-year-old Agbayani, who is the son of former Mets fan favorite Benny Agbayani, is a middle infielder who hit .268 in 10 games for Fort Myers in low Class A this season. The sixthround 2025 draft pick, a native of Hawaii, has been limited by injuries.

The 23-year-old Amick batted .217 with 23 homers in 86 games for Double-A Wichita this season, playing first and third base. He was a second-round draft pick in 2024.

Rangers activate SS Seager from IL ahead of Astros series

HOUSTON — Shortstop Corey Seager was activated from the injured list Friday along with several other moves made by the Texas Rangers ahead of their pivotal series with the Houston Astros.

The 32-year-old Seager missed the last 23 games with inflammation in his lower back. He went 1 for 5 with a home run in two games of a rehabilitation assignment for Double-A Frisco earlier this week before returning to the team for the first time since July 1.

Seager has been limited to 51 games this season. He was placed on the seven-day IL on June 15 with a concussion and missed 12 games before dealing with back inflammation on May 15 that kept him out for 19 games.

Hezonja returns to NBA on 1-year contract with Cavs

CLEVELAND — Forward Mario Hezonja will return to the NBA for the first time in six years after signing a one-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hezonja has played the last four years for Real Madrid and was the Spanish League MVP after averaging 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists this past season.

The 31-year-old from Croatia was the fifth overall pick by Orlando in the 2015 NBA draft and played five seasons for the Magic, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

Hezonja also played in the EuroLeague for Panathinaikos in Greece and Russia’s UNICS Kazan.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Saturday,August 1, 2026 ● 3C

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CAMP OBSERVATIONS

Offense still searching for its rhythm

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

With a day off on Saturday looming on their schedule, the New Orleans Saints pushed their players through their longest — and maybe hottest — day of training camp yet.

New Orleans practiced for about 90 minutes in front of a crowded section of fans, many of whom cheered newly rich receiver Chris Olave as he went through his first competitive periods of training camp after signing a massive extension Thursday.

Here were the highlights from Friday’s session.

Attendance Defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry participated in an extremely limited fashion after rolling his ankle Thursday, essentially going through the walk-through portion before watching the remainder of the practice from the sideline.

Coach Kellen Moore said after practice that the team was exercising caution with McKinstry, and he should be fine moving forward.

Receiver Ja’Lynn Polk and right guard Cesar Ruiz missed practice with what Moore described as excused absences. Veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux received a veteran rest day.

The rest of the absences were all related to previously reported injuries for defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, receiver Mason Tipton, tight end Cody Hardy, and defensive linemen Keeshawn Silver and Zxavian Harris.

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough looks to throw the ball on Friday during training camp in Metairie.

Devaughn Vele last fall and turned into a wholesale build this spring with the signings of Travis Etienne and David Edwards and a draft class that included first-rounder Jordyn Tyson.

It is, without question, a deeper and more talented unit than they’ve had in years. But it is understandably taking the new pieces a while to gel.

Offense finding its way Three days into camp, the Saints New Orleans devoted a ton of re- offense is looking for a decisive sources over the last calendar year win against a defense that features toward improving an offense that many of the same players from last has just one top-18 scoring season year. There were moments — such since the start of the 2021 season. as Tyler Shough’s brilliant anticipation That started with the acqui- throw to one of his new weapons, sitions of receivers Polk and tight end Noah Fant, on a skinny post

LSU

Continued from page 1C field, including “pop” passes where tight ends come open for a quick flip from a quarterback.

“I see Trey’Dez in that type of role,” Kiffin said. “No doubt.”

Green has flashed playmaking potential. He produced 433 yards as a sophomore, including an eightcatch, 119-yard outing against South Carolina.

The trouble is Green seemed to disappear from the game plan at times. He amassed 76% of his yards in just four games.

From the moment Kiffin was hired, Green believed he could have a bigger and more consistent role in the offensive scheme — and he didn’t have to rewind a decade to see it.

Green started watching tape of Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who had 39 catches for

BRESEE

Continued from page 1C to get ready to go.”

Broughton will get the first crack at it. The 6-foot-5, 311-pounder lined up with the first team in Bresee’s absence, while Miller stayed with the backups.

But Broughton is also an unknown. The 25-year-old missed all but one game of his rookie year with a hip injury, preventing the Saints from seeing how he would fare against NFL-quality opposition. Before getting hurt as a rookie, Broughton had a strong beginning to training camp but cooled off as the summer progressed — leading New Orleans to stick with Nathan Shepherd as a starter next to Bresee and nose tackle Davon Godchaux.

Shepherd is coming off a productive season in which he recorded a career-high 13 quarterback hits.

If neither Broughton nor Miller is ready for an increased role, it’s possible New Orleans relies on Shepherd and Godchaux in nonbase looks, which the Saints play the majority of the time.

And there’s also John Ridgeway, whom the Saints made a priority to re-sign when free agency opened by giving him a two-year, $5.7 million contract.

The big question is whether any of the Saints’ interior lineman will generate the kind of pressure that Bresee had been accustomed to producing. Through his first three seasons, Bresee racked up 141/2 sacks, including a career-high 71/2 in 2024. And though he registered only 21/2 sacks last season, his 30

635 yards and five touchdowns last season. Wright, who was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Eagles, stands a hair under 6-4 and weights in at 246 pounds.

“They used him,” Green said.

“He was so effective.”

In 2024, the Rebels utilized both Wright and Caden Prieskorn for a combined 795 yards receiving.

Prieskorn is currently with the Carolina Panthers.

Regardless, it wasn’t going to take much convincing to keep Green in Baton Rouge. As Kiffin said, Louisiana is filled with long, explosive athletes who want to play for LSU. Green, a Jackson native, said he never considered a transfer. He gets “chills” just talking about LSU and fondly remembers his first visit to Tiger Stadium as a middle schooler.

Strangers offered him a plate of cooked gator as he walked up.

Just recently, Green moved his mother to Baton Rouge and he lives with her.

in 7-on-7 drills. But for the most part, the defense is having its way.

That continued to be true even as Olave made his way back into the fold Friday. The star receiver saw just one target in either team or 7-on-7 periods, a deep shot toward the back left corner of the end zone that he wasn’t able to haul in.

Shough completed six of 12 throws Friday. One of those was a bad drop by Juwan Johnson, who has otherwise been the most dependable target through three days (Johnson has caught his other five targets in camp). One of them was a nice breakup by Quincy Riley on an on-target pass to

“I get to come home to homecooked meals every day,” Green said with a smile.

At least one night a week, Green will ride over to a parking garage near the stadium. He just gazes at Death Valley and imagines the plays he is about to make. Most likely, he’s not fantasizing about blocking defenders in the B gap.

Kiffin has seen his tight end catching balls from a JUGS machine at 10 p.m. Green is running through walkthroughs and Kiffin has to slow him down.

He’s giving himself every chance to “go off” in 2026, as Watson hopes.

“I just want to bring that winning culture back to LSU,” Green said.

“I’m from the state of Louisiana.

It’s so important. It’s just different when you’re at LSU. Those three letters and two colors mean so much to me.”

Email Jon Blau at jon.blau@ theadvocate.com

Ex-Saints O-lineman Peat announces retirement

Andrus Peat, who started on the New Orleans Saints offensive line for parts of nine seasons, announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday.

The Saints’ first-round pick out of Stanford at No. 13 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, Peat mostly played left guard and made three Pro Bowls as a member of the Saints from the 2018-20 seasons. He was a member of a stable offensive line that won four straight NFC South division titles and whose career spanned the Sean Payton and Dennis Allen eras.

Peat, 32, left the Saints in free agency after the 2023 season and played one season with the Las Vegas Raiders and one with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

His final season was cut short by a concussion suffered in December. He had not been signed by a new team for 2026.

Zach Ewing pressures helped collapse the pocket and free up edge rushers such as Chase Young and Cam Jordan.

Bresee’s pressure rate of 8.2% — down just slightly from 8.6% in 2024 — reinforced the Saints’ belief that he played better than his sack numbers indicated in 2025.

“From top to bottom, we got horses,” Young said. “We got big boys. They can run. They’re physical. They’re everything you want from a real, old-school interior defensive line. From Davon Godchaux to Vernon to (Ridgeway) to Shep, them boys ain’t nothing to play with.

“That’s one thing us as a defense is we’re never worried about our interior D-line, because we know them boys is nasty.”

If there is a silver lining for Bresee, it’s that the injury occurred to the leg opposite of which he suffered a torn ACL at Clemson in 2021. The 24-year-old was also fortunate the Saints picked up his fifth-year option in May, fully guaranteeing him $13.9 million in 2027. If the Saints had declined the option, Bresee would have been

facing free agency while coming off a major injury.

But there’s little doubt this torn ACL is a setback for Bresee. The former first-rounder, once panned for his porous run defense, had made promising strides by addressing one of the biggest weaknesses in his game.

Bresee’s improvement as a run defender led the New Orleans coaching staff to not automatically take Bresee off the field in clear rushing situations, and as a result, Bresee played a personal-best 69.4% of the snaps when healthy.

But now Bresee will have to focus on his rehab while the Saints try to find a solution without him.

“The bright side is ACLs now, you know you can get back,” said Young, who suffered a significant knee injury in 2021. “Just attack it. We know that you’re going to heal. We know that you’re going to get better.

“And you know, you know what you got to do when you get back.

That’s the name of the game.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

Vele. Yet another was on a wellplaced throw into double coverage for Vele on a deep post.

At some point, the offense will begin to find its stride — it is too talented, and the quarterback and play-caller are on the same page — but at this point the defense is still ahead.

Odds and ends n A name to watch for as camp progresses is second-year tight end Moliki Matavao. The 6-foot-6, 263-pound UCLA product has been a consistent target on underneath routes for several different quarterbacks, and while he’s not a field

stretcher like the three players above him on the depth chart, his huge frame and steady hands will give him a chance to contribute in heavy personnel packages. He’s definitely improved from his limited action as a rookie. n It’s early, everybody is healthy and there are no pads. But Alvin Kamara definitely looks more like the 2024 version of himself than the player whose production dramatically fell off last year. A day after scoring a 5-yard touchdown on a draw, Kamara showed good burst getting through the hole off left guard during the first-team period Friday. n Quarterback Hunter Dekkers, wearing Taysom Hill’s old No. 7 uniform, has yet to take a competitive snap in training camp. Moore said he’s hopeful that will change soon, but to this point every rep has gone to Shough, Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson. n Newly signed punter RyanWright, a Tulane product, kicked for the first time in training camp. It is already fair to call him a massive upgrade over what the Saints have trotted out for the last several seasons. Wright unleashed a string of booming punts in Friday’s session, and at one point had a fan shouting at him, “Now that is how you kick.” Punting may be the least sexy play on game day, but it is an area the Saints have fallen well short of league standards in recent seasons. n Kicker Charlie Smyth went a perfect 5 for 5 on field goal attempts and is now 10 for 10 to start training camp. Smyth’s long came from 49 yards out. Earlier this week, Smyth said the experience kicking in games last year was beneficial to his mindset. He believes his altered approach in camp this year — namely, not trying to smash every kick as hard as he can — has helped with his consistency.

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave takes a break in between drills on Friday during training camp in Metairie.

DUNCAN

bated matters. Negotiations between the Saints and Olave’s Continued from page 1C representatives had been ongoing throughout the offseason and dated to last season.

In the end, the Saints did the concerned enough about his longright thing by rewarding Olave term health and availability that for his commitment and producthey spent significant resources tion. In a prove-it season, he to fortify their receiver position. delivered the goods with an AllThey traded for Devaughn Vele and Ja’Lynn Polk last season, then Pro campaign. The contract will selected Jordyn Tyson in the first serve as a positive example for the rest of the roster: If you’re round of this year’s NFL draft.

“I’m just grateful, man,” Olave a good teammate and produce when called upon, the organizasaid. “Everybody knows the adversity I’ve been through. All the tion will reward your efforts.

“It’s obviously awesome for times I got knocked down, just our team, awesome for Chris keep getting back up, keep getting back up and keep putting my for what he’s gone through in his career and the things he’s best foot forward … not just in had to navigate,” football but in life.”

Saints coach KelOlave’s breakout “I’m just grateful, len Moore said. campaign came at man. Everybody Olave deserves a critical time, both knows the adversity credit for the way for him and the I’ve been through. he handled the Saints.

All the times I got high-stakes negotiaIt validated the club’s decision to knocked down, just tions. He could have trade up and select keep getting back up, turned the situations a sideshow and Olave with the No. keep getting back up into allowed the standoff 11 overall pick in the and keep putting my to become a distrac2022 draft and gave best foot forward … tion for the team them the confidence needed to open the not just in football and fan base. But he refused to go down vault and extend his but in life.” that road, saying time here.

CHRIS OLAVE, he didn’t want to do For Olave, the anything to disrupt bounce-back, Saints wide receiver the positive vibes injury-free season the team has fosvalidated the work tered this offseason. he put in last offseason and bolOlave was already widely stered his confidence as he enrespected by his teammates ters the prime of his career.

“I feel like last year we had an and coaches, but his selfless approach to such a high-pressure, interview around this time, and high-stakes deal will burnish his I feel like I was going to (have reputation in the locker room. a breakout season) and spoke it “Huge congrats,” center Erik into existence,” Olave said. “I McCoy said, echoing the sentiknew I was in a great role to be ments of several of Olave’s teamable to have that type of year, mates. “I can’t think of a person just had to stay healthy. I just more worthy, a guy that really put my best foot forward and I battled injuries and was resilient believed in myself and kind of set the standard early to be able and fought through to the other side. And now he’s set.” to have that type of season.”

And with their No. 1 receiver A signing of this magnitude locked up for the foreseeable fuis complicated and takes time. ture, so, too, is the Saints offense.

Olave’s injury history exacer-

4C ● Saturday,August 1, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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PREP FOOTBALL SE ASON PRE VIE W

Church Point

2026 SCHEDULE Date Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct 30 Nov. 6

Opponent Jennings NOTRE DAME RAyNE Iota Eunice MENARD Ville Platte CROWLEy Northwest MAMOU Home games in caps

PAST FIVE YEARS

PLAYERS TO WATCH Blathon Citizen

CB-RB, 5-11, 185, Sr. With speed clocked at about 20 mph and a physical style to shut down wide receivers, Citizen is valuable on defense. He’ll likely provide help at running back as well.

Kylen Monroe

S, 5-9, 165, Jr. A starting cornerback the past two seasons, Monroe was moved to safety.

He’s capable of playing in the box or covering the entire field.

STAFF PHOTO By KEVIN FOOTE

Church Point offensive standouts include, from left, Demarcus Boast, Grant Bertrand, Herbert Willoughby, Noah Wiltz, Jeremiah Boyd and Caden Miller.

2025: 9-3; 2024: 7-4; 2023: 6-5 2022: 10-2; 2021: 13-1

PROJECTED STARTERS Offense

WR Noah Wiltz (6-0, 170, Sr.)* WR Damarcus Boast (5-6, 150, Sr.) TE Jeremy Salazar (5-9, 185, Jr.)* OL Jeremiah Boyd (6-0, 275, Sr.)* OL Elijah Savioe (6-1, 300, Sr.)* OL Herbert Willoughby (6-3, 300, Sr.)* OL Slade Stelly (5-10, 280, Sr.)* OL Brandt Lejeune (5-11, 200, Sr.)* QB Grant Bertrand (5-8, 160, Sr.) RB Caden Miller (5-6, 175, Sr.)* RB AJ Douglass (5-5, 165, Sr.)

Defense

DL Landen Chevis (6-2, 230, J DL Kingston Bellard (5-10, 170, Sr.)* DL Jeremiah Boyd (6-0, 275, Sr.)* DL Elijah Savioe (6-2, 300, Sr.)* DL Sadarian Richard (5-7, 225, Jr.) DL Blayze Bourque (5-10, 220, Sr.) LB Wes Kirkpatrick (6-2, 180, Sr.)* ILB David Jenkins (5-9, 170, Jr.)* ILB Callen Meche (6-1, 185, Sr.) DB Caiden Boudreaux (5-9, 170, Jr.)* DB Kylen Monroe (5-9, 165, Jr.)* DB Blathon Citizen (5-11, 185, Sr.)* DB Eli Barousse (5-8, 170, So.) DB MJ Logan (5-6, 150, So.)

Coaches

Head coach: Rob Pool (32-42) Assistants: Alfred Dickens, Jamal Broussard, Casey Benoit, Darrian Pace, Josh Moreau,Andre Bedel, Kyle Vincent

department. Instead of relying heavily on Reese and Brooks as he did last season, Pool said the offense can At first glance, the Church Point Bears lost a lot from remain explosive with balance. last season’s 9-3 team.

“I think when you have depth, nobody can take a play A trio of seniors are no longer around after enjoying big off at practice because they know somebody’s going seasons: quarterback Luke Baudoin threw for 1,519 to take their spot,” Pool said.“For me, I feel like it’s yards and 21 touchdowns with three healthier to have a bunch of guys that can do it than interceptions; running back Chad having one guy.

Brooks rushed for 1,061 yards and 15 “Last year, Chad was our main running back, and then scores; and Jarrison Reese caught 61 Jarrison was the main receiver. People felt like they had passes for 1,085 yards and 14 TDs and to take those guys away. I hope that when you watch us ran for 704 more and 12 scores. on film this year, there’s not a specific guy that you feel Looking closer, the Bears have like you got to take away that.” several seasoned players returning — Pool The Bears figure to employ a running back by eight on offense and defense. committee with Citizen also getting some carries.

“I feel like we have seven kids that can play on the “Blathon is going to run it some, but we just have to be offensive line,” coach Rob Pool said. smart about it, ” Pool said.

The defense also returns familiar names with at least “We practice our kids on both sides of the ball and two returning starters on all three levels. Even backup then we just have to be smart with how much we use defensive linemen Blayze Bourque and Sadarian them on the other side because we want to be good on Richard have experience.There’s also beefy options defense. ” in Landen Chevis, Elijah Savoie and standout tackle With Reese not around, the go-to receiving duties will Jeremiah Boyd getting snaps on both sides of the ball. fall on seniors Noah Wiltz and Damarcus Boast.

At linebacker, junior David Jenkins returns after leading the team with 99 tackles last year.

How we see it The secondary is led by senior Blathon Citizen, as well It’s not going to be automatic, although Church Point’s as juniors Caiden Boudreaux and Kylen Monroe. rushing attack has been excellent for several years.

What we know

Jeremiah Boyd

OL/DL, 6-0, 275, Sr. Boyd, who can squat 700 pounds, is receiving interest from FCS schools.

An explosive blocker on offense, he’s also expected to plug things up on defense.

David Jenkins

LB, 5-9, 170, Jr. A third-year varsity player, Jenkins led the Bears with 99 total tackles last season. He’s talented enough to be effective in the box or play in space.

Noah Wiltz

WR, 6-0, 170, Sr. No one is expecting one receiver to try to replace Jarrison Reese’s production from a year ago but the 6-foot Wiltz has the most experience, so expect him to form a good connection with the new quarterback Grant Bertrand.

Kevin Foote

What we don’t know

It’s going to be difficult to be as explosive on offense as last season.As a result, the coaching staff is determined It starts with quarterback.The good thing is Grant to feed as much talent to the defense as possible.

Bertrand got playing time last season in the Gun-T Take Citizen, for instance. He’s lightning fast and attack when Baudoin went down briefly with an injury. an experienced senior, but his coverage skills at “Grant did a really good job of stepping in and executing,” Pool said.“He got some quality reps through cornerback must be utilized.

If the Bears’ experience and depth comes together, the season. He’s never really acted like a backup they could be a contender for the district title again. quarterback. He’s a mature kid.”

The next area requiring a solution is in the playmaking Kevin Foote

SCOREBOARD Odds Major League Baseball American League FAVORITE at TAMPA BAY at SEATTLE Texas Detroit

LINE -176 -170 -131 -139

UNDERDOG White Sox Minnesota at HOUSTON at ATHLETICS

LINE +146 +142 +110 +117

FAVORITE at N.Y METS Pittsburgh at ATLANTA at SAN DIEGO

LINE -132 -124 -194 OFF

UNDERDOG Miami at CINCINNATI Washington San Francisco

LINE +110 +103 +160 OFF

FAVORITE at TORONTO Philadelphia at CLEVELAND N.Y Yankees Kansas City at LA DODGERS Milwaukee

LINE -139 -141 -165 -126 -119 -168 -123

UNDERDOG LINE St. Louis +116 at BALTIMORE +117 Arizona +137 at CHICAGO CUBS+106 at COLORADO -101 Boston +140 at LA ANGELS +104

National League

Interleague

Golf

Friday’s games

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

W 18 17 15 16 10 10 7

L 10 10 12 13 18 18 22

Pct .643 .630 .556 .552 .357 .357 .241

GB — ½ 2½ 2½ 8 8 11½

Minnesota Las Vegas Golden State Dallas Portland Phoenix Los Angeles Seattle

W 24 20 19 18 11 11 10 6

L 6 8 9 10 17 18 17 24

Pct .800 .714 .679 .643 .393 .379 .370 .200

GB — 3 4 5 12 12½ 12½ 18

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Thursday’s games

Minnesota 104, Toronto 72 Chicago 94, Connecticut 88 Las Vegas 104, New York 99

Friday’s games

Las Vegas at Chicago, noon New York at Phoenix, 2 p.m.

American League

Central Division

L 44 48 51 56 59

Pct .593 .564 .528 .486 .459

GB — 3 7 11½ 14½

Chicago Cleveland Minnesota Detroit Kansas City

W 57 56 55 51 46

L 51 54 55 58 64

Pct .528 .509 .500 .468 .418

GB — 2 3 6½ 12

Texas Houston Seattle Athletics Los Angeles

W 55 55 53 45 42

L 54 55 57 64 67

Pct .505 .500 .482 .413 .385

GB — ½ 2½ 10 13

West Division

Thursday’s games

At North Course; Detroit Purse: $10 million; Yardage: 7,328; Par: 70

Second round

St. Louis (Mathews 0-0) at Toronto (Gausman 4-10), 2:07 p.m.

Chicago White Sox (Schultz 3-7) at Tampa Bay (Rasmussen 9-5), 3:10 p.m.

Minn. (Prielipp 3-5) at Seattle (Gilbert 8-6), 3 p.m.

Philadelphia (Sánchez 13-4) at Baltimore (Baz 4-9), 6:05 p.m.

Texas (deGrom 7-6) at Houston (Blanco 0-1), 6 p.m.

Arizona (Drake 0-0) at Cleveland (Messick 8-6), 6:15 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees (Fried 4-3) at Chicago Cubs (Peterson 6-7), 6:15 p.m.

Kansas City (Avila 5-3) at Colorado (Feltner 3-5), 7:10 p.m.

Boston (Tolle 6-6) at L.A. Dodgers (Yamamoto 11-6), 8:10 p.m.

Milwaukee (Gasser 3-4) at L.A. Angels (Soriano 9-6), 8:38 p.m.

Detroit (Valdez 5-7) at A’s (TBA), 8:40 p.m.

National League East Division Atlanta Philadelphia Miami Washington New York

W 64 57 55 55 47

L 45 52 55 55 63

Pct .587 .523 .500 .500 .427

GB — 7 9½ 9½ 17½

Milwaukee Chicago Pittsburgh St. Louis Cincinnati

W 67 62 55 54 51

L 41 48 55 55 57

Pct .620 .564 .500 .495 .472

GB — 6 13 13½ 16

Los Angeles Arizona San Diego San Francisco Colorado

W 69 57 55 47 42

L 40 52 54 62 67

Pct .633 .523 .505 .431 .385

GB — 12 14 22 27

Central Division

West Division

Friday’s games

Major League Baseball

Tampa Bay New York Boston Baltimore Toronto

Rocket Classic

Chicago Cubs 4, St. Louis 2, 10 innings Atlanta 5, Washington 4 N.Y. Mets 4, Miami 2 Cincinnati 3, Pittsburgh 2 San Francisco 4, San Diego 1 L.A. Dodgers 6, Seattle 2

Saturday’s games

W 64 62 57 53 50

PGA Tour

Saturday’s games

Thursday’s games

Dallas at Washington, n Seattle at Atlanta, n Indiana at Portland, n

East Division

N.Y. Yankees 2, Chicago Cubs 0 Philadelphia at Baltimore, n St. Louis at Toronto, n Arizona at Cleveland, n Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay, n Texas at Houston, n Kansas City at Colorado, n Milwaukee at L.A. Angels, n Detroit at Athletics, n Boston at L.A. Dodgers, n Minnesota at Seattle, n

Tampa Bay 3, Texas 2 Minnesota 4, Kansas City 3 Chicago White Sox 2, N.Y. Yankees 1, 11 innings Boston 5, Athletics 4 L.A. Dodgers 6, Seattle 2

N.Y. Yankees 2, Chicago Cubs 0 Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, n Philadelphia at Baltimore, n St. Louis at Toronto, n Arizona at Cleveland, n Miami at N.Y. Mets, n Washington at Atlanta, n Kansas City at Colorado, n Milwaukee at L.A. Angels, n San Francisco at San Diego, n Boston at L.A. Dodgers, n

Saturday’s games

St. Louis (Mathews 0-0) at Toronto (Gausman 4-10), 2:07 p.m.

Miami (Phillips 2-5) at Mets (Thornton 2-1), 3 p.m.

Pittsburgh (Ashcraft 10-4) at Cincinnati (Abbott 5-6), 5:40 p.m.

Philadelphia (Sánchez 13-4) at Baltimore (Baz 4-9), 6:05 p.m.

Arizona (Drake 0-0) at Cleveland (Messick 8-6), 6:15 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees (Fried 4-3) at Chicago Cubs (Peterson 6-7), 6:15 p.m.

Washington (Mikolas 3-7) at Atlanta (López 4-3), 6:15 p.m.

Kansas City (Avila 5-3) at Colorado (Feltner 3-5), 7:10 p.m.

San Francisco (Mahle 3-9) at San Diego (Buehler 6-5), 7:40 p.m.

Boston (Tolle 6-6) at L.A. Dodgers (Yamamoto 11-6), 8:10 p.m.

Milwaukee (Gasser 3-4) at L.A. Angels (Soriano 9-6), 8:38 p.m.

Patrick Cantlay Patrick Fishburn Cameron Young Rickie Fowler Matt Wallace Michael Brennan Ryan Gerard Doug Ghim Michael Kim Chris Kirk Peter Malnati Davis Riley Xander Schauffele Keegan Bradley Jacob Bridgeman Luke Clanton Emiliano Grillo Stephan Jaeger Justin Lower Michael Thorbjornsen Ricky Castillo Corey Conners Russell Henley Mark Hubbard David Lipsky Marco Penge Adrien Saddier Brandt Snedeker J.J. Spaun Jordan Spieth Kris Ventura Zac Blair Austin Eckroat Tony Finau Joe Highsmith Rico Hoey Nicolai Højgaard Benjamin James Si Woo Kim Ben Kohles Hank Lebioda Hideki Matsuyama Thorbjørn Olesen Kevin Roy Adam Schenk Nick Taylor Davis Thompson Ricky Castillo Corey Conners Russell Henley Mark Hubbard David Lipsky Marco Penge Adrien Saddier Brandt Snedeker J.J. Spaun Jordan Spieth Kris Ventura

LPGA Tour

64-66—130 -10 64-66—130 -10 69-61—130 -10 63-68—131 -9 67-64—131 -9 65-67—132 -8 63-69—132 -8 65-67—132 -8 65-67—132 -8 65-67—132 -8 61-71—132 -8 68-64—132 -8 66-66—132 -8 65-68—133 -7 68-65—133 -7 66-67—133 -7 66-67—133 -7 65-68—133 -7 68-65—133 -7 69-64—133 -7 66-68—134 -6 67-67—134 -6 67-67—134 -6 66-68—134 -6 67-67—134 -6 70-64—134 -6 67-67—134 -6 66-68—134 -6 67-67—134 -6 68-66—134 -6 68-66—134 -6 69-66—135 -5 67-68—135 -5 68-67—135 -5 68-67—135 -5 66-69—135 -5 66-69—135 -5 67-68—135 -5 69-66—135 -5 70-65—135 -5 69-66—135 -5 67-68—135 -5 67-68—135 -5 69-66—135 -5 67-68—135 -5 69-66—135 -5 67-68—135 -5 66-68—134 -6 67-67—134 -6 67-67—134 -6 66-68—134 -6 67-67—134 -6 70-64—134 -6 67-67—134 -6 66-68—134 -6 67-67—134 -6 68-66—134 -6 68-66—134 -6

AIG Women’s Open

Hae-Ran Ryu Shiho Kuwaki Yealimi Noh Jeeno Thitikul Soo Bin Joo Lauren Coughlin Charley Hull Minami Katsu Lucy Li Paula Martin Sampedro Chanettee Wannasaen Lottie Woad Jing Yan Celine Boutier Robyn Choi Jin Hee Im Lydia Ko Nelly Korda Mimi Rhodes Kajsa Arwefjall Esther Henseleit Rio Takeda Aunchisa Utama Yana Wilson MinJi Kang

66-69—135 66-70—136 67-70—137 64-73—137 70-69—139 69-71—140 69-71—140 72-68—140 72-68—140 69-71—140 68-72—140 69-71—140 72-68—140 67-74—141 71-70—141 70-71—141 71-70—141 73-68—141 71-70—141 73-69—142 73-69—142 69-73—142 73-69—142 70-72—142 71-72—143

PGA Tour Champions

75-68—143 74-69—143 73-70—143 69-74—143 69-74—143 73-71—144 73-71—144 75-69—144 71-73—144 73-71—144 72-72—144 70-74—144 72-72—144 73-71—144 72-72—144 72-72—144 75-69—144 70-74—144 74-70—144

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2

Portugal Invitational

At The Els Club Vilamoura; Quarteira, Portugal; Purse: $3 million; Yardage: 7,335; Par: 72

First round

Zach Johnson Rory Sabbatini Alex Cejka Padraig Harrington Mikael Lundberg Charlie Wi Chad Campbell Stewart Cink Darren Fichardt Dicky Pride Paul Stankowski Boo Weekley Doug Barron Jason Caron Ernie Els Retief Goosen Timothy O’Neal Cameron Percy Tag Ridings Vaughn Taylor Y.E. Yang

31-33—64 31-34—65 34-32—66 31-35—66 31-35—66 31-35—66 33-34—67 34-33—67 32-35—67 33-34—67 32-35—67 31-36—67 34-34—68 37-31—68 32-36—68 32-36—68 35-33—68 34-34—68 34-34—68 37-31—68 32-36—68

-8 -7 -6 -6 -6 -6 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4

Tennis DC Open

At William H.G. Fitzgerald tennis center Washington. Purse: $2,488,125 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor

Men’s singles

Quarterfinals Brandon Nakashima, United States, def. Alex de Minaur (1), Australia, 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Taylor Fritz (3), United States, def. Alex Michelsen, United States, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (6).

Women’s singles

Quarterfinals Jessica Pegula (1), United States, def. Anna Kalinskaya (5), Russia, 6-3, 7-5.

Naomi Osaka (3), Japan, def. Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Italy, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Diana Shnaider (4), Russia, def. Liudmila Samsonova, Russia, 6-3, 6-4.

Soccer

At Royal Lytham & St. Annes; Lancashire, United Kingdom; Purse: $10 million Yardage: 6,601; Par: 71

Second round

Auston Kim Julia Lopez Ramirez Anna Nordqvist Mao Saigo Shannon Tan Yuna Araki Amanda Doherty Lindy Duncan Hannah Green Nasa Hataoka Brooke Henderson Alice Hewson Aki Iwai Ariya Jutanugarn Sei Young Kim Jenny Shin Dewi Weber Arpichaya Yubol Rose Zhang

MLS glance -7 -6 -5 -5 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 E E E E E +1

Friday’s game

Toronto FC at New York City FC, n

Saturday’s games

San Jose at Cincinnati, 6:30 p.m.

Nashville at D.C. United, 6:30 p.m.

Columbus at Miami, 6:30 p.m.

New England at CF Montréal, 6:30 p.m.

Orlando City at New York, 6:30 p.m.

Atlanta at Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m.

Los Angeles FC at Vancouver, 6:30 p.m.

Charlotte FC at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

Houston at Sporting Kansas City, 7:30 p.m.

San Diego FC at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.

Real Salt Lake at St Louis City, 7:30 p.m.

Austin FC at Colorado, 8:30 p.m.

FC Dallas at LA Galaxy, 9:30 p.m.

Seattle at Portland, 9:45 p.m.

Transactions Major League Baseball

American League ATHLETICS — Designated RHP Chen ZhongAo Zhuang for assignment. Selected the contract of SS Jonathan Ornelas from Las Vegas (PCL). Optioned LHP Connor Thomas

and RF Colby Thomas to Las Vegas.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Designated C Chadwick Tromp for assignment. Activated C Jake Rogers.

DETROIT TIGERS — Recalled LHP Enmanuel De Jesus from Toledo (IL). Optioned RHP Brenan Hanifee to Toledo. Selected the contract of CF Max Clark from Toledo. Designated RHP Andre Granillo for assignment.

Placed CF Matt Vierling on the 10-day IL retroactive to July 30.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Selected the contract of RHP Luke Murphy from Rocket City (SL).

MINNESOTA TWINS — Acquired LHP A.J. Minter from the N.Y. Mets in exchange for INFs Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick. Transferred RHP Cole Sands to the 60-day IL. SEATTLE MARINERS — Placed SS J.P. Crawford on the 10-day IL retroactive to July 30.

Recalled 3B Leo Rivas from Tacoma (PCL).

TAMPA BAY RAYS — Placed LHP Shane McClanahan on the 15-day IL. Recalled RHP Alex Cook from Durham (IL).

TEXAS RANGERS — Reinstated SS Corey Seager from the 10-day IL. Designated LHP Marco Gonzales for assignment. Activated RHP Chase Silseth. Recalled RHP Luis Curvelo from Round Rock (PCL). Optioned 2B Josh Smith and RHP Winston Santos to Round Rock.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Reinstated RF Jesús Sánchez from the 10-day IL. Reinstated RHP Braydon Fisher from the restricted list.

Optioned LF Yohendrick Piñango and LHP Adam Macko to Buffalo (IL).

National League CHICAGO CUBS — Recalled LHP Antoine Kelly from Iowa (IL). Placed RHP Gavin Hollowell on the 15-day IL. COLORADO ROCKIES — Reinstated CF Brenton Doyle from the 10-day IL. Optioned DH Braxton Fulford to Albuquerque (PCL).

NEW YORK METS — Sent RHP Austin Warren on a rehab assignment to Brooklyn (SAL).

Placed LHP Cionel Pérez on the 15-day IL retroactive to July 30. Recalled RHPs Xzavion Curry and Jonathan Pintaro from Syracuse (IL).

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Recalled RHP Andrew Painter from Lehigh Valley (IL). Optioned RHP Brian Keller to Lehigh Valley.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Recalled RHP Antwone Kelly from Indianapolis (IL). Optioned LHP Hunter Barco to Indianapolis.

BASKETBALL

NBA BROOKLYN NETS — Signed F Moritz Wagner to a contract.

WNBA INDIANA FEVER — Signed C Ugonne Onyiah to a player development contract.

TORONTO TEMPO — Acquired F Aneesah Morrow from Connecticut in exchange for the exclusive negotiating rights of F Maria Kliundikova. Waived G Tima Pouye.

FOOTBALL

NFL ARIZONA CARDINALS — Signed CB Quinton Newsome to a contract. Placed CB Jaden Davis on injured reserve.

BALTIMORE RAVENS — Activated OLB Adisa Isaac and CB Bilhal Kone from the PUP list.

BUFFALO BILLS — Signed CB D.J. Miller to a contract. Released S Wande Owens.

CAROLINA PANTHERS — Placed WR Chris Brazzell on injured reserve. Signed TE Chamon Metayer to a contract.

DETROIT LIONS — Signed TE Anthony Fisker to a contract. Waived TE Zach Horton.

GREEN BAY PACKERS — Signed LS Cal Adomitis and WR Kaden Prather to contracts. Released K Lenny Krieg. Waived/ injured WR Brenden Rice.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Activated LB C.J. Allen from the PUP list. Signed RB Roydell Williams to a contract.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS — Signed TE Zack Kuntz. Waived/injured RB Chris Collier.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Released LB Otis Reese.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Signed TE Josiah Deguara and WR Tenton Irwin to a one-year contracts. Waived DB Derrick Canteen and TE Tanner McLachlan. Activated DL Alfred Collins from the PUP list.

LIVING

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

|

S at u r d ay, au g u S t 1, 2026

5CN

Roy Petitfils

Once they trust enough to talk, make sure you listen to teen boys A few weeks ago, I asked a teenage boy in my office how many people he could call if he was having the worst day of his life.

He looked down for a moment, shrugged, and quietly said, “Probably nobody.”

That answer has stayed with me.

He isn’t unpopular. He plays sports. He has good grades.

He has friends he laughs with every day.

But he doesn’t have anyone he feels safe enough to really talk to.

Unfortunately, his answer isn’t unusual.

As a counselor, I’ve become increasingly concerned about a growing number of teenage boys who are struggling with something that’s easy to miss because it doesn’t always look like a crisis. They’re not necessarily acting out. They’re not getting suspended. Many aren’t clinically depressed. Instead, they’re quietly carrying anxiety, loneliness, self-doubt and pressure they rarely — and in many cases simply can’t — put into words.

Many boys have learned that being “fine” is expected of them. If they’re hurting, they distract themselves. They bury themselves in sports, video games, work or their phones.

They joke their way through difficult emotions because humor feels safer than honesty.

The result is that many parents assume everything is OK simply because nothing appears to be wrong.

It isn’t that today’s boys don’t have emotions. It’s that many have never been shown what to do with them.

Then there’s friendship.

When many of today’s parents were growing up, friendships were built by spending long afternoons riding bikes, shooting basketball, working on projects or simply hanging around together. Those hours created conversations that weren’t planned — they just happened.

Today, many friendships

ä See TEEN BOYS, page 6C

Maybe as you walked out of the first Ice Water round, it hit you.

Maybe it was a door that opened — or one that didn’t. Maybe it wasn’t until the next year when you were on the other side of the process. It could have been a moment standing in a hallway, waiting, that you can still describe in detail years later.

We’re inviting readers who went through sorority recruitment — recently or decades ago — to tell us about it: What’s the specific moment from Rush week you still think about? And what did Rush teach you that you didn’t expect? Send your response to jan.risher@theadvocate.com by 2 p.m. Aug. 10.

STAFF PHOTO By ROBIN MILLER

The Louisiana Art & Science Museum is featuring women’s eveningwear in its exhibit, ‘Louisiana Couture: The Legacy of San Carlin.’ The Baton Rouge couture business was created and operated by Carla Jumonville and Linda Ward-Dalton from 1987 to 2006. The show features 29 designs, most of them curated from the LSU Textile & Costume Museum’s permanent collection.

IN VOGUE This high end eveningwear was created in Baton Rouge. Now it has its own museum exhibit.

T

SAN CARLIN

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

he dress was a size 6, but Hollywood diva Joan Collins’ figure was edging in on size 8.

Designer Linda WardDalton wasn’t deterred.

“I told her to put her hands on her hips and suck her stomach in,” she said. “Then I started inching the zipper up until I finally had it zipped.”

That was in 1992 in New York’s posh Carlisle Motel, where Collins resided while starring in the Broadway revival of Noël Coward’s comedy “Private Lives.”

Ward-Dalton’s meeting with Collins happened a few years after she and Carla Jumonville, co-owners of Baton Rouge couture business San Carlin, first traveled from Baton Rouge to New York to introduce their women’s eveningwear to the city’s fashion scene in a Waldorf Astoria Hotel suite show.

The trip marked a turning point for the duo after Ward-Dalton not only hung up on a Saks Fifth Avenue buyer but refused to let the buyer look at the collection not once but twice, after a disagreement.

“She returned a third time to see the collection,” Ward-Dalton said of the Saks buyer.

WHEN: Aug. 1-Jan. 4. Hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE: Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road.

ADMISSION: $15, ages 13-64; $12, seniors age 65 and older and children age 12 and younger.

VISIT: lasm.org.

PROVIDED PHOTO By FRED FREy

Carla Jumonville, left, and Linda Ward-Dalton created and operated San Carlin, a Baton Rouge couture business specializing in women’s eveningwear, from 1987 to 2006.

Visitors won’t have to worry about being turned away when the Louisiana Art & Science Museum opens its exhibit “Louisiana Couture: The Legacy of San Carlin,” Aug. 1. The show runs through Jan. 4.

Roots in Baton Rouge Jumonville and Ward-Dalton started San Carlin in a little pink house on O’Neal Lane in Baton

Rouge in 1987, specializing in women’s eveningwear.

“It was located across the road from where the movie theater is now,” Jumonville said. “I don’t even know if it’s still there.”

They closed the business in 2006 after creating hundreds of gowns for Mardi Gras balls, galas, Neiman Marcus, a few celebrities and, despite initially hanging up on the buyer, Saks Fifth Avenue. Most of the gowns in the exhibition were selected from the LSU Textile & Costume Museum’s permanent collection.

“We house approximately 100 gowns from San Carlin in our private archive, and we’re showing 29

ä See SAN CARLIN, page 6C

Chapel features first certified native plant garden A longhorn cuckoo bee finds its flower in the native plant garden on the grounds of St. Alban’s Episcopal Chapel at LSU. This is the university’s first certified native plant garden.

PROVIDED PHOTO

By EMILy STICH

BY COLETTE DEAN Contributing writer

Since 1928, St. Alban’s Chapel Episcopal University Center has pursued a mission of hospitality to LSU students, faculty and staff. Thanks to a dedicated parishioner, that hospitality has grown outside the church walls and into the garden.

St. Alban’s Chapel, located on Highland Road at Dalrymple Drive, now has LSU’s first certi-

fied native plant garden, thanks to Emily Stich. The certified habitat distinction from the Louisiana Native Plant Society means the property conserves Louisiana’s natural heritage: Native plants support a local ecosystem providing essential food and habitat for wildlife, like nectar, seeds, fruit and shelter.

Through the years, Stich has served as the church’s volunteer

ä See GARDEN, page 6C

6C ● Saturday, August 1, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

RELIGION BRIEFS FROM STAFF REPORTS

Gospel service at Unitarian Church

The Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, 8470 Goodwood Blvd., will host its annual gospel service on Sunday, featuring its special gospel choir led by Jared Robinson and gospel music from classic to contemporary.

Sunday worship services are at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

The 9 a.m. service is also livestreamed on YouTube at

youtube.com/@UnitarianBR. For more information, visit unitarianbr.org.

Back-to-school supplies giveaway Carolyn Gee and Greater Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, 5820 Evangeline St., Baton Rouge, will host a backto-school giveaway from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The public is invited.

Children must be present to receive school supplies.

TODAY IN HISTORY In 2001, Pro Bowl tackle Korey Stringer, 27, died of heatstroke, a day after colToday is Saturday, Aug. 1, the 213th day of lapsing at the Minnesota 2026. There are 152 days Vikings’ training camp on left in the year. the hottest day of the year.

Today in history: In 2004, the Ycuá BolaOn Aug. 1, 1981, MTV ños supermarket fire in began its American broad- Asuncion, Paraguay, killed more than 400 people. cast; the first music video In 2007, the eight-lane aired on the new cable TV network was “Video Killed Interstate 35W bridge, a major Minneapolis artery, the Radio Star,” by The collapsed into the MisBuggles.

Also on this date: sissippi River during the In 1876, Colorado was evening rush hour, killing admitted as the 38th state 13 people. in the Union, less than In 2008, 11 international a month after the U.S. climbers were killed on Centennial (earning it the the world’s second-tallest nickname “the Centennial mountain, K2, after an State”). ice avalanche swept away In 1907, a weeklong some and stranded others. boys’ camping event beDozens of deaths have been recorded since 1939 gan on Brownsea Island on the mountain, which in southern England, organized by Robert Baden- some regard as more chalPowell; the event is now lenging to mountaineers marked as the beginning than the world’s tallest of the Scout Movement. peak, Mount Everest.

In 1936, Adolf Hitler In 2014, a medical exampresided over the opening iner ruled that a New York ceremonies of the SumCity police officer’s chokehold caused the death of mer Olympics in Berlin.

Eric Garner, whose vidIn 1944, an uprising broke out in Warsaw, Poeotaped arrest and final land, against Nazi occupa- pleas of “I can’t breathe!” had sparked outrage. Oftion; the revolt lasted two months before collapsing. ficer Daniel Pantaleo, who In 1957, the United restrained Garner, was States and Canada anfired in 2019 but never charged with a crime. nounced they had agreed Today’s birthdays: Actor to create the North American Air Defense Command Giancarlo Giannini is 84.

Basketball Hall of Fame (NORAD). coach Roy Williams is 76.

In 1966, Charles Joseph Blues musician Robert Whitman, 25, went on an armed rampage at the Uni- Cray is 73. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum versity of Texas in Austin is 70. Rock singer Joe Elthat killed 14 people, most of whom were shot by Whit- liott (Def Leppard) is 67.

Rapper Chuck D (Public man while he was perched Enemy) is 66. Actor John in the clock tower of the Carroll Lynch is 63. Rock main campus building. singer Adam Duritz In 1971, The Concert (Counting Crows) is 62. for Bangladesh, an allFilm director Sam Mendes star benefit organized by is 61. Actor Tempestt George Harrison of The Bledsoe is 53. Football Beatles and sitar player Hall of Famer Edgerrin Ravi Shankar, was held at Madison Square Garden in James is 48. Actor Jason Momoa is 47.

New York.

By The Associated Press

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SAN CARLIN

Continued from page 5C here,” said Michael Mamp, director of the LSU museum, whose support group, Friends of the LSU Textile & Costume Museum, is cohosting the show.

Mamp also curated the show of silk taffeta, feathers and hand-beaded designs with the help of LSU merchandising graduate student Sujun Liu. Some of the garments are on loan from locals. All were made in Baton Rouge.

Not in New York or Paris but Baton Rouge — an idea some national buyers didn’t comprehend at first.

“Linda tells the story about handing out her business card, and when people would look at it, they’d see the ‘LA’ behind Baton Rouge, and say, ‘Oh, you’re in Los Angeles?’ ” Mamp said. “She’d say, ‘No, we’re in Louisiana.’ ”

STAFF PHOTO By ROBIN MILLER

The Louisiana Art & Science Museum is featuring women’s eveningwear in its exhibit, ‘Louisiana Couture: The Legacy of San Carlin.’ The Baton Rouge couture business was created and operated by Carla Jumonville and Linda Ward-Dalton from 1987 to 2006. The Co-workers to partners show features 29 designs, most of them curated from the LSU Textile & Costume Museum’s Jumonville and WardDalton met while on staff at permanent collection.

D.H. Holmes in the 1980s.

Jumonville worked in the public relations department, and Ward-Dalton worked in sales while also modeling the store’s women’s clothes.

Their friendship flourished, and they began noticing a flaw in the Baton Rouge fashion scene.

“We got tired of seeing the same dresses on the rack,” Jumonville said. “The buyers would buy the same style in five different colors, and people would go to Mardi Gras Balls and see themselves coming and going. We said, ‘That just isn’t right.

We can solve this problem.’ ” So, they broke away from the store and started their own business, both in their early 40s.

In the beginning, bookkeeper Sandra Pearah also worked with the duo. She stayed only six months before moving to Texas, but her name plays a significant part in the company’s story.

“We came up with the name San Carlin from our three names — San for Sandra, and Carlin for the first letters in mine and Linda’s names,” Jumonville said.

“We had a business adviser on the logo, and she said, ‘God, I don’t know about that name. It sounds like an island to me.’ And we said, ‘That’s OK. We’ll buy an island after we’ve made it big and name it San Carlin.’ ”

An invitation to one of San Carlin’s suite shows in New york’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel is included in the Louisiana Art & Science Museum’s exhibit, ‘Louisiana Couture: The Legacy of San Carlin.’

The exhibit is co-hosted by Friends of the LSU Textile & Costume Museum.

did make it big, but Jumonville and Ward-Dalton never bought an island. Instead, they expanded their business in Baton Rouge by hiring designer Gonzaló Calderon Ortiz, who was fresh out of LSU with a degree in fashion design.

They would eventually move the operation to Denham Springs and hire a staff of seamstresses, who hand-stitched every detail.

Expanding the business But they started hitting the San Carlin, in its own way, road before that, traveling

to New York to show their wares. That’s when the Saks Fifth Avenue encounter occurred.

“Because I was in sales, I loved to talk to people,” Ward-Dalton said. “We were actually in California when we showed the collection for the first time, and a representative of Saks came over and said she loved our collection, but she couldn’t buy it, because the buyer was in New York.”

The rep shared the buyer’s contact information, and Ward-Dalton placed a call.

“I told her we were coming to New York, and that we’d be showing in Waldorf Astoria. She said, ‘Oh, honey, we don’t do hotel shows,’ ” Ward-Dalton said.

When she and Jumonville reached New York, WardDalton reconnected with the buyer, who hung up before the conversation ended.

Ward-Dalton called back, told the buyer she’d be the one missing out, then hung up on her.

“So, she came and knocked on the door and told me who she was,” WardDalton continued. “Now, there was not one soul but Carla and I in the room, and I said, ‘We’re so busy right now, we can’t see you.’ She said she didn’t know if she could come back, and I told her she’d be missing out.

She came back again, and I wouldn’t let her in. I thought I was going to have to pick

GARDEN

Continued from page 5C

TEEN BOYS

Continued from page 5C revolve around activities, group chats or gaming.

Boys may spend hours together without ever talking about what’s really happening in their lives.

One teenager told me, “We hang out all the time, but nobody talks about real stuff.”

At the same time, expectations have never been higher. Boys are expected to succeed academically, excel in sports, make good decisions, stay out of trouble, get into college and somehow project confidence while they’re still trying to figure out who they are.

That’s a heavy load to carry alone.

Many boys don’t need someone to have all the answers. They simply need to know they don’t have to carry the weight by themselves.

The good news is that boys don’t necessarily need more lectures. They need more relationships.

Research consistently shows that one caring, emotionally available adult can make a tremendous difference in a young person’s life. A father. A grandfather. A coach. A teacher. A youth minister.

An uncle. A family friend.

Someone who listens without immediately trying to fix things can become one of the greatest protective factors in a boy’s life.

Parents can help, too — not by forcing long conversations, but by creating opportunities where talking happens naturally. A drive to practice. Shooting basketball in the driveway. Working on a project together. Grabbing breakfast before school. Those moments often open doors that sitting face-to-face at the kitchen table never will.

When boys do begin to talk, resist the urge to solve every problem.

Listen first. Ask curious questions. Thank them for trusting you. Often the greatest gift you can give a teenage boy is the confidence that his feelings won’t scare you.

I often tell parents that they don’t have to say the perfect thing. They just have to be the kind of person their son believes he can come back to tomorrow.

Our boys don’t need to become someone different. They need adults who remind them that strength isn’t measured by how little they feel but by having the courage to let someone else know they’re carrying something heavy.

The quiet crisis of teen boys isn’t that they don’t care.

It’s that too many of them are carrying life’s weight in silence.

Let’s make sure they don’t have to.

Petitfils is a licensed professional counselor in Youngsville.

landscaper and florist. She received a landscape contractor license in 1992 and a florist license in 2005. On occasion, she would try to enhance the main entrance’s garden area by inserting a spare plant or two.

“I would have an extra rose bush left over from a job or an extra ginger plant on hand that I would add,” she said.

After the death of her husband, Jim Willis, she had more time to spend gardening.

In 2025, Stich overhauled her own yard with native plants with the help of Swamp Fly Native Landscapes. She enrolled in the Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge course, became more active in the Louisiana Native Plant Society and Friends of LSU Hilltop Arboretum, and attended native plant symposiums and conferences.

“Let’s just say, I was bitten by the native plant bug,” Stich said.

She also registered for the inaugural Louisiana Native Professional Certification Program, which is open to professionals and homeowners. She learned information on plant identification, site analysis and landscape design techniques. As her final project for the master naturalists course, she decided to dedicate her skills and newfound knowledge to the beds of her church home.

The landscaping around the main entrance was an eyesore, with overgrown plants and weeds.

“The greenbrier monster

PROVIDED PHOTO

Emily Stich, from left, Bob Jacobsen, Justin Langford, chapel administrator; and the Rev. Brandon Peete, St. Alban’s Chapel rector and chaplain, gather near the church’s native plant garden. Stich holds the document from the Louisiana Native Plant Society certifying the garden. vine was relentless,” she said.

Stich approached the Rev. Brandon Peete, St. Alban’s newest rector and chaplain, about a garden renovation.

She surprised him by dedicating one side of the garden to plants with red and white blooms, two of the colors of his alma mater, the University of Alabama.

“I’m an Oklahoma University grad, so those are my colors, too,” Stich said, laughing.

The remaining beds are flush with LSU purple and gold.

Fellow congregants Keith Pope and Bob Jacobsen helped with bed prep using their brawn, trucks and ropes to yank out stubborn plants that were taking over the space. Most of the work was completed in April and so far, the plantings are adapting well, even during the heat.

“That’s the beauty of native plants. They have deep roots and, when mulched,

they adapt well. With native plants, the saying is ‘the first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap.’ I’ve really seen this come true in my yard,” she said.

Stich serves as president of the Louisiana Native Plant Society, which, in addition to publicizing the landscape course, has been promoting the Louisiana Certified Habitat program to homeowners and business since 2020.

Habitat certification levels are determined by the number of native plant species on a property: bronze level is 25 native plant species or 25% native plants; silver, 50 native plant species or 50% native plants; and gold, 75% native species or 75 native plants. Certification levels can be upgraded for free at any time by resubmitting an updated species list via email.

St. Alban’s yard received the bronze certification.

Carla up off the floor.”

Wouldn’t be denied But the buyer wouldn’t be denied, and she returned a third time. This time, WardDalton offered a sweet Southern welcome.

“It all goes back to wanting what you can’t have,” she said. “She bought for all the Saks stores all over the country, and she started ordering from us. The three of us became great friends after that, and we always took her to lunch when we were in New York.”

Collins wasn’t San Carlin’s sole celebrity client. Loretta Swit of “MASH” fame also placed orders.

Jumonville and Ward-Dalton showed their designs in New York, Paris, London and South America, but in the end, the duo’s most important clients were local and regional.

As the San Carlin name grew in fashion circles, orders began pouring in from Dallas, New Orleans and other big cities in the region.

The gowns weren’t cheap, some costing up to $4,500 in the 1980s and 1990s, but clients were looking for something different, something others weren’t wearing — something in which they wouldn’t see themselves coming and going.

And San Carlin delivered.

Email Robin Miller at romiller@theadvocate. com.

Stich hopes that the beds at St. Alban’s continue to provide beauty and educate the LSU community on the importance of native plants.

“I’d love to see more areas of campus become certified habits,” she said.

St. Alban’s native plant list includes: n Bluestar n Boneset n Inland Sea Oats n Purple Coneflower n Rattlesnake Master n Louisiana Iris, purple n Dense blazing star n Manfreda n Gulf Coast Penstemon n Louisiana blue phlox n Resurrection fern n Christmas fern n Common selfheal n Black-eyed Susan n Giant coneflower n Sweet coneflower n Carolina wild petunia n Blue salvia n Red salvia n Lyre-leaf sage n Blue-eyed grass n Indian Pink n Blue Porterweed n Stokes aster n Violets n Pink Rain Lily n American Beautyberry n Wood fern n Blanket flower, firewheel n Turk’s cap n Prairie coneflower n Rough coneflower For more information, go to lnps.org or email lnpsinbox@gmail.com This article was supplied by the Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge, which seeks to advance awareness, understanding and stewardship of the natural environment. For more information, email lmngbr. org.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Saturday,August 1, 2026 ● 7C

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FrAnK And erneSt

roSebUdS

zItS

zodIAC LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Be open and reveal your feelings, intentions and long-term goals. Start a buzz that infiltrates your circle, and the feedback you receive will help you get your plans underway.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Focus on relationships, equality and making ends meet.

Trust your instincts, and pay attention to detail, spending and how you look and feel. Trying to do too much all at once will not meet your standards.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Push your way forward with discipline and devotion.

Keep your plans to yourself until you are confident that success will follow.

Change is necessary, and good timing is essential if you want to come out on top.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Check out what your adversaries are doing. Keeping a tight budget and using your intelligence to attract positive attention will help you gain respect and the attention of those in a position to help.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Review your contracts, medical records and investments. Keep your emotions under control and your personal information to yourself. Don't trust anyone who asks too many questions.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Put together a plan that will keep you safe from those trying to take advantage of you. A joint venture may intrigue you, but you are better off not committing to anything that entails trust and shared expenses.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Keep the momentum flowing, take responsibil-

ity for yourself and your happiness, and participate in social events that will reunite you with someone special.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Sit tight and see what transpires before you implement changes that can affect your lifestyle. Refuse to let an emotional situation steal your joy. Anger solves nothing.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) A disciplined approach will pay off. Having high energy, coming up with innovative ideas and investing in yourself, your lifestyle and your home will be an experience that will open doors to new beginnings.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You need time to rejuvenate and to rethink how you want to move forward. Acting in haste will end in disappointment. Listen to your heart and pursue what's meaningful to you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Manage your time and money carefully. Don't let anyone take advantage of you. Stick to what and who you know and trust, and say no to anyone trying to sell you something you don't need.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) By expressing your feelings and considering the response you receive, you'll discover how you can bring about positive domestic changes that bring you closer to loved ones.

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

For better or For WorSe WonderWord

peAnUtS

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY CeLebrItY CIpher Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

TODAy'S CLUE: Q EQUALS O

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

dooneSbUrY

8C ● Saturday,August 1, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

CurTiS

Hi and LoiS

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Sudoku InstructIons: Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers.

The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

BaBY BLueS

BLondie

THe wiZard oF id

nea CroSSwordS

La TimeS CroSSword

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Saturday,August 1, 2026 ● 9C

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B.C.

Bridge

BY PHILLIP ALDER Bill Watterson, the author of the comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes” from 1985 to 1995, said, “Weekends don’t count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.”

Bridge players often compete only on weekends, when counting points and suit lengths will be very important.

This deal occurred during a social game. What should happen in two notrump after West leads his fourth-highest club and East puts up his king? Do you agree with North’s pass over two no-trump?

Taking those questions in reverse order, North should have used Stayman, then raised three spades to four spades. That contract could have been made, but it would have been a tad lucky.

Still, South could have had a more suitable hand. And at the worst, South would have ended in three no-trump when he did not have a four-card major. Maybe it would have made.

In two no-trump, South took East’s club king with his ace and exited with a low spade. East won with the 10 and returned the club seven, high from a remaining doubleton. West took South’s nine with his 10 and erred badly by cashing the club queen. (The club jack could not be dropping, because if East had started with K-7-3-2 of clubs, he would have led back the club two, not the seven.)

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

hagar the horriBle

South took the next club with his jack and played a second spade. East won and shifted to a heart. South won and led his spade queen. East took the trick and played another heart, but South won, unblocked his diamond winners, crossed to dummy with a spade, and cashed the diamond king for his eighth trick. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD = GOOD AFTERNOON

PiCKles

Previous answers:

mallard fillmore

word game InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3.

Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

toDAY’s WoRD — MEsoMoRPH: MEZ-oh-morf: A person with a husky, muscular

Bizarro

marmaduKe

body.

Average mark 38 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 52 or more words in MESOMORPH? YEstERDAY’s WoRD — HAcKLEs hack hackle hake hale heal heck ache cake case cash cask

chalk chase clash kale lace lack lake lase lash leach leak

leash each sack sake sale scale seal shack shackle shake shale

shea slack slake

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5

God wants all of us. — G.E. Dean

10C ● Saturday, August 1, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Y’all see Stephen Marcantel’s new story?

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