The Advocate 08-04-2026

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‘Selling dreams’

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Search for teen’s body continues at landfill Police say they have gone through 3,400 cubic feet of waste, have no plans to stop

BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer

STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS

It has been four weeks since law enforcement started searching the Baton Rouge landfill for the body of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minniweather, who was killed in the early hours of June 5. It has been 60 days since the boy has been with his family.

Baton Rouge police said that since the start of the search July 13, all supporting agencies have been diligently combing through hazardous materials every day, with the hope of recovering Minniweather’s body and giving closure to his family.

Police said they have carried out more than 4,600 hours of grueling work and gone through about 3,400 cubic yards of waste. A cubic yard is about the size of a standard washing machine.

Last week, police said in a statement that they

Kevin Broussard, of J/B Racing, smiles as he applies baby oil to a horse’s coat before its auction during the 50th annual Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association yearling Sale in Kinder on Saturday.

ä See SEARCH, page 5A

50th annual Louisiana quarter horse yearling auction generates more than $6.2M in sales

BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN

they want to take to the racetrack, vetting the animals’ health, pedigree, temperament and potential for speed.

The Coushatta Pavilion was filled This year’s two-day annual Louisianawith a crowd wearing cowboy hats bred Yearling Sale took place Friday and baseball caps, the wafting smell and Saturday at Coushatta Casino and of manure and the constant sound Resort in Kinder.

More than 425 quarter horses were of flying numbers as hundreds of people bid on the next generation of offered for sale, and 329 were sold for a total of more than $6.2 million, Louisiana-bred race horses.

For 50 years, quarter horse breed- an average of $18,878 per animal.

“At these sales, we’re selling ers and potential owners have gathered in Louisiana, looking for the ones dreams; most of the time, it can be a Staff writer

nightmare, but every now and then that dream comes true,” said Ryan Robicheaux, manager of the Robicheaux Ranch in Breaux Bridge.

“It’s like a Lotto ticket. One of these horses is going to win the milliondollar race next year. … Not all 470 are going to be great ones, but somewhere in there, there’s going to be one that’s going to make a million dollars or half a million dollars.”

ä See SELLING, page 5A

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 15.

GOP holdouts back Blanche for attorney general

BY MARY CLARE JALONICK and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER

Benjamin Cifuentes, right, and Alejandro Resendiz Alvarez manicure a horse together during Saturday’s auction.

Associated Press

Bid spotter Ralph Means looks into the crowd to see if his bidder wants to increase their bid during Saturday’s auction.

WASHINGTON — Two Republican senators who threatened to block acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation to lead the Justice Department said Monday that they will support his nomination, ending an impasse over plans to create a fund to compensate allies of President Donald Trump.

The endorsement from GOP Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis paves the way for the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance Blanche’s nomination

ä See BLANCHE, page 4A

Spectators could be kept from wearing pink at rape trial

BY QUINN COFFMAN

Staff writer

The first suspect accused of raping Madison Brooks to go before a Baton Rouge jury will do so in two weeks.

The much-anticipated trial will come three years after the 19-yearold LSU sophomore’s death, which reignited a national conversation about campus sexual assault, violence against women and bars promoting underage drinking.

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It will also come three years after Brooks’ mother, Ashley Baustert, founded the Madison Brooks Foundation in her honor, to “advocate for the safety of young adults.”

But a motion filed last month by Brooks 21-year-old Desmond Carter’s defense attorney could limit how family and sup-

porters of Brooks can dress while watching the trial, even down to keeping the color pink out of the courtroom.

A pretrial “Motion to Prohibit Prejudicial or Intimidating Spectator Displays” was filed by attorney Caitlin Fowlkes last month, seeking to keep court spectators from influencing jurors by attending the trial in clothing referencing Brooks or by wearing pink, the color of the foundation.

“Mr. Carter requests an Order

from this Court to exclude or significantly limit MB’s spectators’ ability to inflame, prejudice, or otherwise improperly influence the jury by wearing pink and/or MB paraphernalia en masse in an effort to overwhelm courtroom dynamics and intimidate jurors in a case which has already been, by all measures, a circus,” the motion reads.

The motion is scheduled to go before Judge Gail Horne Ray on Tuesday. Carter’s trial is scheduled

Business ......................6A Commentary ................5B Nation-World ................2A Classified .....................6D Deaths .........................3B Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....3D-5D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C

for Aug. 17.

Fowlkes writes in her request that the U.S. Supreme Court has long recognized that certain displays inside a courtroom can prejudice a jury to such an extent that they rob the defendant of his right to a fair trial.

The motion was filed in anticipation of having a pink-clad crowd “as a means of prejudicing Mr. Carter and intimidating the jury,”

ä See BROOKS, page 5A

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2A ■ Tuesday, August 4, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Board of Peace envoy meets with Israeli PM

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Trump: Pirro ‘folded’ on reflecting pool case

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday that U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro “choked” and “folded like an umbrella” in moving to drop charges against a former Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Speaking at an unrelated Oval Office event, Trump ducked questions about whether he’d fire Pirro, a former Fox News host and longtime ally he handpicked as top federal prosecutor in the nation’s capital. But the president kept up his drumbeat of sharp criticism, saying he remained disappointed by her assessment that damage to the reflecting pool was the result of shoddy construction, not vandalism.

“Frankly, I think she choked because the judge was really vicious. Instead of going after the people that did it, the judge went after her and went after her department, and I guess she choked,” Trump said in response to a reporter’s question after he signed an executive order for military spouses. “I don’t know what the hell happened.”

The move to dismiss charges against David Hearn was an embarrassing setback for the Justice Department and marked a rare moment during Trump’s second term of an aide or political appointee openly defying him. After initially posting on social media over the weekend, “I disagree 100% with Jeanine Pirro,” Trump was still fuming two days later, insisting for several minutes that vandalism had marred the troubled project.

“I was disappointed with Jeanine Pirro, really disappointed,” the president said Monday.

“She folded like an umbrella.”

States sue to block feds from sharing data

More than 20 states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration on Monday to block it from getting wide access to the personal information of millions of recipients of a benefits program for low-income families.

The case is the latest legal action between states and the federal government over the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which like other public programs have come under scrutiny from the Trump administration as sources of potential fraud.

The coalition of states sued in federal court in Washington to stop the agency that controls the program from moving ahead with a rule that would allow it to share recipients’ immigration status, Social Security numbers and additional personal information with other parts of government or potentially with private entities, according to the lawsuit.

“Instead of helping families struggling with the rising cost of living, this administration is trying to turn antipoverty programs against the people they’re supposed to serve,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement.

Nauru changes its name to Naoero

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The Pacific Island country of Nauru has changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, its president said, matching the spelling and pronunciation in the national language.

The country’s international code will change from NRU to NRO and its people will be known as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan. Commonly known abroad by the pronunciation of Now-roo, the new name is spoken as Now-ero.

The move would return the remote South Pacific island nation to its traditional name, a statement posted Thursday to the government’s Facebook account said. The country became known internationally as Nauru only because its local name was difficult for foreigners to pronounce and was a matter of convenience rather than one of choice, according to an earlier government statement.

“This proposed change seeks to more faithfully honor our nation’s heritage, our language, and our identity,” President David Adeang said when he proposed the move to Parliament in January.

Official discusses Gaza deal with Netanyahu, urges halt to strikes

BY JULIA FRANKEL and SAM MAGDY Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALEX BRANDON

President Donald Trump speaks Monday during a meeting about military families in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

Trump: Talks are ‘last chance’ for Iran deal

BY AAMER MADHANI

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has played this hand before during the 5-month-old Iran war — but this time, he insists it’s different.

The president on Monday said that new talks between Washington and Tehran are the “last chance” for Iran to forge a deal and avoid an escalation of U.S. strikes on the country.

Trump, speaking at the Oval Office, said he expects negotiations will focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and create a pathway for Iran to address the United States’ concerns about its nuclear program. He told reporters they would likely learn about the status of the negotiations “today or tomorrow.”

“The first phase is the opening of the straits. The second phase will be the denuclearization,” the Republican president said. “And that will take a little while.”

While Trump has reveled in the U.S. military decimating layers of Tehran’s leadership and devastating its air force and navy, Iran is betting it can outlast Trump as he faces diminished stockpiles of munitions and the difficulty of executing a war that’s unpopular with the American electorate ahead of November’s midterm election.

Trump said he decided to hold off on ordering American forces to carry out new massive strikes against Iran at the urging of Gulf allies Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

He said a plan was in place for U.S. forces to carry out “the biggest attack since World War II” on Sunday. But he decided to scrap the plan and give diplomacy more time to play out after hearing from key Gulf leaders — including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — as well as at the request of unnamed Iranian officials.

But Trump reiterated that he’s running out of patience with Iran.

“This the last chance for them to sign a good document,” Trump said.

Earlier Monday, Trump had criticized Iran on social media as being “unbelievably duplicitous.”

His ire was raised by Iran claiming that its meetings with Oman on Monday were focused solely on establishing a temporary route for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for the global oil trade.

“They ask for a meeting, some would say ‘beg,’ talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not having any discussions, that nothing is be-

ing talked about, and they’re only dealing with Oman,” Trump grumbled.

Trump said whether “Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking” about preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Trump has threatened to escalate attacks on Iran only to edge away from his threats several times since the start of U.S. and Israel strikes on Feb. 28.

Asked by a reporter how Americans view him repeatedly making grim threats on Tehran before backing away, Trump responded that he’s showing patience out of a consideration for Iranian life.

“I want to give them every last chance before decapitation,” Trump said. He added, “Hopefully, they’ll come to their senses.”

Trump may still come to the conclusion that a massive escalation in the conflict with Iran is necessary.

But critics say his hesitation also might reflect an unspoken understanding inside the administration that U.S. military might alone may not be enough to compel Iran to back down and bring an end to a now monthslong war that Trump had earlier downplayed as a weekslong excursion.

“I think what we’re seeing here is a president who has an approach that’s just rather erratic,” Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.” “At this point, he’s trying to get us back to February. And I think if he could — if he had a big reset button he could hit — he would certainly take that option.”

With this latest episode, Trump suggested that the Saudi crown prince played a particularly important role in him turning away from escalating the fight.

The U.S. president spoke by phone with the de facto leader of the kingdom on Saturday before announcing he was halting planned strikes.

The crown prince conveyed that an escalation in fighting could have a severe impact on the global economy if Tehran responded to a new U.S. bombardment by targeting some of the United States’ Gulf allies, according to a person briefed on the call who was not authorized to comment publicly and insisted on anonymity.

Saudi officials, the person added, have underscored in their engagements with the Trump administration that the kingdom is in a good position to defend itself against further potential Iranian strikes — as are fellow energy titans Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — but that Kuwait could be more vulnerable to attacks

by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.

Michigan reports first 2 U.S. deaths related to diarrhea-causing parasite

BY MIKE HOUSEHOLDER and SUDHIN THANAWALA Associated Press

DETROIT — Two people have died in the cyclospora outbreak in Michigan, state health officials announced Monday, the first deaths confirmed in the U.S. related to the microscopic parasite.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said both people had underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by the intestinal illness and dehydration. The department said it would not provide additional information about the deaths.

Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outbreaks tend to occur most often in the late spring and summer.

The CDC says the illness, called cyclosporiasis, is rarely deadly.

The heat-loving parasite 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 irrigation water.

Dr. Joel Kammeyer, the division chief of infectious diseases at Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center, called the deaths a “tragedy” but noted that despite thousands of cyclosporiasis cases, only two people have died.

“For someone who comes into an urgent care and cyclosporiasis is their only issue, it’s relatively easy to treat,” Kammeyer said. But for people who are struggling with other illnesses, he said, “it stands to reason that there are some patients that might not be able to withstand the dehydration that can come with severe cyclosporiasis.”

Cyclosporiasis is less common than other foodborne illnesses, including salmonella and E. coli. Many cases are never linked to a specific food or other source and, for years, few U.S. cyclospora outbreaks were reported. But the number started rising about a decade ago, with a particularly notable spike in 2018 and 2019.

JERUSALEM, Israel — The Board of Peace official overseeing Gaza’s postwar transition met Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a statement, in part to discuss a new disarmament deal the board reached with Hamas.

Nikolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza, held “constructive and detailed” talks with the prime minister and his team, the Board of Peace said in a statement.

“The goal is clear and is not in question: the complete decommissioning of weapons in the Strip and the transition away from rule by the gun to civilian governance,” it said.

According to two people familiar with the meeting, Mladenov also pressed Netanyahu to halt Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip.

Mladenov and his team, including senior adviser Aryeh Lightstone, are pressuring Israel to stop striking Gaza as they push ahead with the agreement to decommission the weapons held by Hamas.

In a statement Monday, Hamas said that the group and the various Palestinian factions “remain committed to what was agreed regarding the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, including all parties’ obligations.”

It added that the group is awaiting “a clear and official response” from Mladenov and the mediators regarding what was agreed upon.

President Donald Trump announced the agreement, which is part of a broader ceasefire deal reached last year, last Thursday. It called for Israel to cease its military operations and

for Hamas and its allies in Gaza to halt all militant activity. The agreement also laid out in general terms what the decommissioning process would look like.

After the text of the agreement was released, Israel said it had “serious security concerns” and that it shared those with the United States.

It also ramped up its strikes in Gaza, killing 17 people overnight Saturday and into Sunday, according to local health officials.

There were no recorded airstrikes in Gaza on Monday.

Israeli attacks have killed 1,250 people since the ceasefire deal was reached in October, an agreement that ended major fighting in a war that had raged for two years.

Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, mediators in the Gaza truce negotiations, denounced the ongoing Israeli strikes in a statement Monday, saying that the particular targeting of healthcare facilities, medical infrastructure and resulting civilian casualties constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

“The mediators also called on the international community to continue to exert pressure on Israel to fulfill its end of the deal.

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage.

Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has since killed 73,375 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Its figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants but they are considered generally reliable by the United Nations and other international organizations.

Associated Press writer Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed.

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Washington state fires destroy hundreds of buildings Spokane-area residents forced to evacuate

BY LINDSEY WASSON, MANUEL VALDES and GENE JOHNSON Associated Press

SPOKANE, Wash. — Some residents returned to devastated neighborhoods in eastern Washington state to find their homes leveled by wildfires that erupted across a parched landscape over the weekend, covering yards in charred debris. In some cases, only chimneys were left standing.

The fires in and around Spokane, the state’s secondlargest city, were among the most destructive in state history. About 700 buildings had been destroyed — a number that was expected to climb — and some 67,000 people were under evacuation orders.

The cause was under investigation.

“Hundreds of people have completely lost their homes and farms, and many are prohibited from returning to their homes or neighbor-

hoods as crews continue to extinguish smoldering embers,” the state’s entire congressional delegation wrote Monday in asking President Donald Trump to approve an expedited emergency declaration.

The fires jumped roads and rivers and had burned about 12.5 square miles by Monday.

The sky filled with smoke and haze. Calmer winds and lower temperatures arrived to help firefighters, but it was expected to be hot and dry again by midweek.

In one Spokane neighborhood, blackened vehicles, a boat twisted by the heat and melted plastic recycling bins remained. Across the street, lawns were still green and houses were spared, as residents continued to run hoses or sprinklers to water their properties.

Among those who returned were Miriam and Daniel Sim, both 76. Miriam held her hand over her mouth as she surveyed the ruins of the home where they had lived since 2005.

“It’s like a war zone,” Miriam said. “There’s nothing to save.”

“At our age, do we want to

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By LINDSEy WASSON

Miriam Sim, 76, reacts Monday while talking about her neighborhood largely burning to the ground after a wildfire hit the northern part of Spokane, Wash. rebuild?” her husband asked.

Cpl. Mark Gregory, a spokesperson for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, said the county initially received nearly 300 reports of missing people, but by Monday they had cleared all but 14.

Those outstanding reports more likely represented people who had not been in contact since evacuating

IDAHO

Authorities seek motive in shooting at In-N-Out Burger

BY MICHAEL BIESECKER and DAVE COLLINS

Associated Press

A driver charging his electric taxi and a former law enforcement officer who tried to intervene were among the seven people wounded in a mass shooting at an Idaho fast food restaurant that also left three people dead, according to friends and relatives of the two men.

The attack Saturday at a new In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls ended when the gunman, identified by police as 24-year-old Chad Williams, shot and killed himself. On Monday, police were still trying to determine why Williams carried out the attack, which happened in the afternoon in a busy shopping plaza in the southern Idaho city.

Many details about Williams’ life were still unknown Monday, but an initial search of court records in Idaho and Arizona, where he used to live, didn’t show any criminal cases matching his name and birth date.

Elijah Moseley, who lived across the hall from Williams in a College of Southern Idaho dorm a few years ago, described him as “an introvert” and “a pretty chill guy.”

“I was never scared or weirded out by him,” he said.

Moseley said he considered Williams a relatively close friend, though they lost touch a couple of years ago. “I’m shocked by this and sick to my stomach about this,” he said.

PHOTO PROVIDED By KMVT

Authorities work Saturday at the scene of a shooting that started at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Detectives are confident that Williams acted alone, Police Chief Matthew Hicks said Sunday, noting that Williams’ family is cooperating fully with the investigation.

Two of the wounded were treated at a hospital and released, three were listed as stable, and two others were in critical condition, police said Sunday.

During the attack, an off-duty state trooper and a civilian fired on Williams and diverted him from the restaurant, the chief said. Police haven’t disclosed their names or those of the victims, but some victims have been identified by friends and relatives. Twin Falls spokesperson Josh Palmer said Monday that police were still trying to identify next of kin.

The attack happened at an In-N-Out that opened late last month as part of the California chain’s Idaho expansion.

Ethics panel recommends House censure of GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards

BY KEVIN FREKING Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee recommended Monday that Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., be censured after finding that he engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female aides in his congressional office.

A censure registers the House’s deep disapproval of a lawmaker’s conduct that does not meet the threshold for expulsion.

Edwards has denied that any of his conduct was intended as a sexual or romantic advance, but Edwards the committee said his behavior would “lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such.” It also described his actions as “beyond inappropriate.”

The panel highlighted numerous examples of actions it considered improper, including Edwards providing

the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, and sending notes regarding his affection.

The Ethics panel found no evidence Edwards explicitly propositioned any person under his employ or engaged in any sexual activity with them. But it also said he failed to adhere to “the spirit of rules prohibiting sexual harassment of and unwanted advances to House staffers.”

Justices won’t halt $656M judgment against PLO and Palestinian Authority

By The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor refused Monday to halt a $656 million judgment against Palestinian authorities in a long-running lawsuit filed by Americans killed or wounded in attacks in Israel.

The order signed by Sotomayor comes after the high court ruled last year in favor of the victims and their families.

The Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority said in court

documents that paying the hefty judgment now could destabilize government services in the West Bank. They asked the justices to pause payment as they appeal the reinstatement of the verdict.

The lawsuit was filed by victims of attacks in Jerusalem in the early 2000s that killed 33 people and wounded hundreds more. Families brought their lawsuit under the Anti-Terrorism Act, a law aimed at opening U.S. courts to victims of international terror attacks.

A federal court in New York tossed the original

verdict on appeal and continued to rule in favor of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority as Congress revised the law to allow suits to go forward. The Supreme Court revived two cases in 2025.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to reinstate the verdict in March.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs said at the time that the families were pleased and relieved by the decision, saying it would allow “justice to be done” after a long legal process.

than people who were truly missing or in danger, authorities said.

The Spokane-area wildfires were completely uncontained, said Courtney James, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

They were among dozens across the Western U.S. stretching the ability of fed-

eral, state and local agencies to fight them. At least 390 square miles has burned across Washington, which has contended with severe drought and a paltry snowpack.

Authorities warned people not to fly drones near the burned areas, saying it could force them to delay aerial firefighting operations.

Angela and Wayde Deatherage, both 49, evacuated shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday with a son, grabbing a few bins of family photos and heirloom rings but not much else. Roughly 30 minutes later, their security camera was sending fire notifications to Angela’s phone.

Wayde Deatherage took some back roads and returned by early evening.

He stopped at the end of the street and called his wife: “Our house is done.”

Deatherage, however, wasn’t done with his neighborhood. He propped a hose at another house so it sprayed the property. That home survived.

The couple returned to their property Sunday.

“It’s just ash,” Angela Deatherage said of the home where they had lived for nearly 22 years. “It’s like our house sunk down in the basement. ... There’s just so much loss for so many people.”

Friends and relatives of fire victims posted online appeals for money, clothes and basic necessities. Kory and MacKensie Aspaas were away with their children when the disaster hit.

Capital One: Trump accounts closed over concerns with possible money laundering

BY KEN SWEET Associated Press

NEW YORK — Bank accounts held by President Donald Trump were closed by Capital One in 2021 after it flagged financial activity that had characteristics of money laundering, the bank disclosed in a court filing over the weekend.

The court filing is tied to a lawsuit filed against Capital One by one of Trump’s financial holding companies shortly after he was sworn into office a second time.

Trump alleges that Capital One illegally closed his ac-

counts for political reasons, following the Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol.

Capital One wants the lawsuit dismissed.

“The closures were the result of months of analysis and a careful review by Capital One’s AML team in accordance with bank policies and regulatory guidance,” the bank said in the court filing. The term “AML” is an abbreviation for anti-money laundering.

Trump has sued Capital One, as well as JPMorgan Chase, for allegedly debanking him after he left office in 2021. Debanking

occurs when banks shut down customer accounts because they believe they pose financial, legal or reputational risks to the banks.

Both banks have denied they severed their relationships with the president, his sons, and other related businesses for political reasons. The lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase is seeking damages of $5 billion.

JPMorgan has said it does not close accounts for political reasons, but closes accounts “with or without cause” and also accounts that create “legal or regulatory risk.”

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4A ■ Tuesday,August 4, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

BLANCHE

Continued from page 1A on Tuesday after the Justice Department and lawmakers reached a deal to formally rescind the $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” proposed to settle Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.

Cornyn and Tillis had refused to back Blanche’s bid for the permanent post without official confirmation killing the fund meant to compensate people who believe they were unfairly prosecuted by the Justice Department. Blanche’s written order, issued late Sunday, came after the days of negotiations between the Justice Department and the Republican senators who are leaving Capitol Hill when their terms end in January.

“We want to express our gratitude to Mr. Blanche and his staff for working with us on this, and we look forward to voting to advance his nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee soon,” Cornyn, of Texas, and Tillis, of North Carolina, said in a statement.

Blanche has repeatedly said that the Justice Department was scrapping plans for the fund, which sparked bipartisan outcry

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over the possibility that violent rioters who attacked police at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, could be considered for payments. But skeptical lawmakers said they were concerned that could be revived without a commitment in writing, especially because Trump has continued to defend the idea.

In his order posted on social media late Sunday, Blanche wrote that the department was confirming “beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund.”

Since the settlement of the president’s lawsuit against the IRS was announced, “No Members were appointed; no funds were transferred; no process for receiving claims was established; no claims were paid,” the order said. “This order establishes, beyond any doubt, that there is no Fund.”

Cornyn and Tillis had also pressed the Justice Department to limit the scope of a separate piece of the settlement that provided broad immunity for Trump and members of his family from tax audits.

Under the deal, the Justice Department clarified in writing that the tax audit immunity agreement “applies by its terms only retroactively” to claims open at the time of the settlement and does not protect the president from exami-

“From the outset, we were clear that we needed a written document addressing our concerns on the IRS audit agreement and the antiweaponization fund that included constraining the scope of audit protection by limiting it to the parties of the Settlement Agreement and legally ending the anti-weaponization fund,” they wrote.

Democrats, however, noted that the order rescinding the fund doesn’t stop the Trump administration from compensating Jan. 6 rioters through a previously established process that allows people to file claims for damages if they believed they were wronged by the government.

“This supposed ‘deal’ doesn’t prevent payouts to violent insurrectionists in the future,” Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff said in a social media post. Schiff added that it also “leaves in place a taximmunity deal that could help Trump skip taxes on the $2.3 billion he made last year, and still leaves it vague who and what is covered.”

Blanche’s nomination was thrown into doubt last week after the Judiciary Committee postponed a vote that had been scheduled for Thursday morning as Tillis and Cornyn said they needed more from the administration before they could provide the neces-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said Monday he will support Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general.

nation of future tax filings. It also makes clear that only the parties that brought the lawsuit — Trump, two of his sons, and the Trump Organization — are covered by the tax agreement.

Cornyn and Tillis said in their statement that they were “pleased” with the concessions made by Blanche.

sary votes.

After the Thursday vote 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. And on Saturday the president threatened to push forward with the fund if the two Republicans blocked Blanche’s nomination.

On Sunday evening, Trump said that people who had faced charges from the Jan. 6, attack on the Capitol and could have benefited from the fund had “their lives destroyed.”

“This would be a reimbursement for the pain that they suffered,” Trump said. “A lot of people like it.”

Blanche, who served as Trump’s defense lawyer in his criminal cases, entered the Justice Department last year as deputy attorney general. He was elevated to the top post after Pam Bondi was fired in April by Trump, who was frustrated by her failure to successfully prosecute his political enemies.

Though Blanche insisted he wasn’t auditioning for the permanent job, he has moved quickly since taking the reins of the department to promote the Trump administration’s agenda and accelerate investigations into the president’s perceived foes.

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Tuesday, August 4, 2026 ■ 5A

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SELLING

Continued from page 1A Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Executive Director Misty Coats said the goal of the sale is for the horses to win.

“The hopes of these yearlings are to go to the track next year, and then not only can they run for the purses, but the breeder that’s selling them here, if they run first, second, or third, they get 25% of the purse just as a breeder, even if they aren’t the owner,” Coats said.

The 329 horses that went to new owners were priced from $2,200 to $252,000. Buyers traveled to Coushatta from across Louisiana and Texas, and some came from as far as Mexico, North Carolina, Minnesota and Arizona.

The most expensive horse sold was Pegasus SC, hip No. 430, who was purchased for $252,000 by Watson Land & Cattle — Keith Nellesen. Nellesen is co-founder of Vivint Inc., a home automation, security and solar energy company.

The horse that sold for the second most was RF A Faster Train, hip No. 416, who was purchased for $132,000 by Daniel Miranda in Louisiana from Tim and Jennie Rogers with S&E Sales Prepping LLC as the agent.

S&E Sales Prepping owner Stephen Deville said what made RF A Faster Train worth so much money was that it has a good temperament.

“That horse had a great conformation,” Deville said. “He looked

BROOKS

Continued from page 1A Fowlkes wrote.

“MB’s family and friends have consistently demonstrated their intent to litigate this case in the court of public opinion and to exert power and influence over the decision makers by whatever means necessary,” the motion reads.

In one cited 1966 case, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a defendant’s right to a fair trial was violated by a “carnival atmosphere” in the courtroom, depriving the defendant of a “judicial serenity and calm” that he was entitled to.

In another, from 1965, the presence of television cameras was found to have

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Hilary Ortiz, center, walks with a yearling into the arena where it will be shown off for auction during the 50th annual Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association yearling Sale in Kinder on Saturday. the part, but also his bloodline. His mom’s a really strong mare. She’s had multiple other horses that did well in races, including one last year.”

Robicheaux Ranch Inc. represented a total of 84 horses throughout the sale and sold 70 for a total of $2.1 million, Robicheaux said.

This year, Robicheaux Ranch

prejudiced the jury as well.

Fowlkes argues that the matter of the crowd’s clothing is not trivial, since prosecutors are seeking to “convict Mr. Carter to die in prison,” should he be found guilty of the first-degree rape charge.

Included in evidence are screenshots of social media posts by Baustert encouraging people to attend an October hearing over Ray’s nowoverturned recusal; in it, she asks those coming to wear pink and says she’ll have “Madi stickers as well.”

The post ends with: “pray that justice for my little girl will prevail.”

Other posts, from 2023, have similar requests for spectators.

Baustert said wearing pink is a symbol of her daughter’s life, and for family and

Inc. won an award at the sale for leading agent, meaning they sold for more money than anyone else at the event.

“These horse sales are like the NFL Combine,” Robicheaux said.

“We don’t do the 40-yard dash, but future buyers, future trainers come watch them walk, study their conformation, look at their pedigree.

friends, it is a peaceful act of remembrance. She said no legal motion can remove or silence the people who love Brooks.

“The request to prohibit people from wearing pink in the courtroom is heartbreaking,” Baustert said in an email to The Advocate.

“Pink is not a protest. It is not an attempt to influence a jury. It is not about the defendants. Pink is about Madison.”

Baustert said what concerns her the most is that “attention is being diverted.”

“Our hope has always been that this trial remains focused on truth, accountability, and that justice be served,” she said.

District Attorney Hillar Moore said on Monday that a response to the motion has

They X-ray them, they scope and make sure everything is correct that we can tell, and then they’ll put a price that they’re willing to buy them for.”

Sales at the auction have trended upward since 2020, when they were just short of $4.7 million.

Coats said this is because the market is up and the horses have

not yet been finalized but is forthcoming. He did not comment further.

Carter is charged with a count each of first-degree rape and third-degree rape.

He’s accused of raping the heavily intoxicated 19-yearold Brooks in a car with three other men, one of whom, Casen Carver, is also charged with rape.

Instead of going before a jury, Carver’s case will be a

gotten better over the years.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the sale, which Coats said is a testament to the Louisiana horse community.

“I think it shows the grit and the commitment that Louisiana breeders have to the race industry and to breeding, you know, great horses,” Coats said.

bench trial and ruled on only

by Ray. Attorney Joe Long, who represents Carver, has not filed any similar motion against spectator displays.

Ray was briefly recused from the cases before the state Supreme Court returned her to preside over the Brooks’ trials in May. Among prosecutor’s original complaints was the fact that Ray’s son is a convicted rapist.

A previous motion from Fowlkes sought to have Carter’s first-degree rape charge quashed over claims the statute was unconstitutionally vague and written in a way that Fowlkes said criminalizes all group sex.

Ray dismissed the motion, but admitted the rape law was “sloppily written.”

Staff writer AnnaKate Freeland contributed to this report.

GOLDEN DEEDS

Honoring Philanthropy Since 1942

SEARCH

Continued from page 1A have no plan to stop the search. They will make the call later down the road if the search ends because it is no longer fruitful.

The agencies assisting the Police Department, including specialty teams from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana National Guard and the United Cajun Navy, have worked in shifts to protect themselves from the dangerous material lurking in the landfill.

In addition to challenging work conditions, the extreme heat has played a significant factor in how long the teams can work in

the field before putting their own health at risk.

Although the Baton Rouge Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services are on scene to mitigate risks, law enforcement has implemented a strict schedule to prevent disasters.

Each search team is allotted 30 to 45 minutes of active work before its members undergo a period of rehabilitation lasting more than an hour.

The rehabilitation includes decontamination from landfill hazards, rehydration, medical evaluations and putting on personal protective equipment before returning to the search.

The Police Department is asking the community to keep Minnieweather’s family and the people dedicated

to searching for him in their thoughts.

Maurice Parms, 51, who was arrested June 20 on a first-degree murder charge, allegedly dumped the teen’s body in a garbage bin before dawn June 5. The garbage truck was scheduled to pick up the trash that morning at 6 a.m., according to Parms’ arrest warrant.

Police have said Parms has made no statement or offered any help to locate Minnieweather’s body.

Parms remains in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and is held without bail. His next court date will be Oct. 15 for a bail review hearing.

Parms faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder.

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6A ■ Tuesday,August 4, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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BUSINESS T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M/news/business

DOW 53,178.41 693.38 1.32%

NASDAQ 25,913.90 540.04 2.13%

BRIEFS

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

FAA certifies Boeing’s new 737 Max 7 jetliner

The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday approved the smallest model of Boeing’s Max jetliners for commercial service nearly a decade after the aircraft manufacturer first unveiled the plane.

Certification of the Boeing 737 Max 7 represents a milestone in the company’s work to overcome years of safety, quality and production challenges. The longdelayed Max 7 is part of Boeing’s 737 family of commercial jets, which is the company’s bestseller and has been at the center of its troubles.

The FAA said it cleared the new plane after years of additional testing, design changes and an extensive review of its design and safety systems. The certification was delayed as Boeing addressed technical issues and heightened regulatory scrutiny following two crashes involving the larger Max 8 that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019.

Since the crashes off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia, the FAA overhauled how it certifies Boeing aircraft. It said its oversight of the company would continue beyond the Max 7’s approval.

Before signing off on the aircraft, the FAA said, it required Boeing to make several safety changes, including updating flight-control software, improving cockpit alerts for pilots and redesigning the engine anti-ice system to prevent overheating.

“Our team of dedicated engineers and test experts worked through challenges, an extended pandemic, and the transition to new certification processes,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Tentative deal reached with flight attendants Canada’s second largest airline, WestJet, has agreed to a tentative agreement with flight attendants to end a strike that led to hundreds of flight cancellations and thousands of stranded passengers over the weekend.

The union representing the flight attendants said Monday that if the deal is ratified, the work that flight attendants do before flights take off will be recognized.

The union, CUPE 8125, said that flight attendants will be returning to work now that the strike is over. The tentative agreement still faces a ratification vote.

WestJet canceled 495 flights Sunday, snarling travel plans in Canada in the middle of a long holiday weekend.

A key issue in the dispute was how flight attendants should be paid for duties performed while still on the ground. The union said some of that work is unpaid, while the company said they staff was indeed compensated, citing pay through a “credit hour” system rather than an hourly rate.

Cyberattack hits Liechtenstein’s register BERLIN — A cyberattack tapped the data of some 31,000 people in Liechtenstein’s register of people behind companies and foundations in the wealthy principality, the government said.

The “register of economic beneficiaries” was accessed at night from Wednesday into Thursday last week, the government said. It said that the breach was noticed on Thursday, that measures were taken to secure data and the system taken offline.

The government said there were no indications that any data was altered or deleted.

The list of people behind companies, foundations and trusteeships is part of efforts to combat money laundering and terror financing.

Liechtenstein is a nation of 40,000 people between Switzerland and Austria, and the financial industry is central to its economy.

The government set up a crisis unit over the weekend to investigate the attack.

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States sue Trump over tariffs

families and businesses with a But the Supreme Court ruled that lawful authority to obtain the elimiSupreme Court defeat on new round of tariffs,” said New York IEEPA did not authorize tariffs. The nation of unreasonable acts, poliGeneral Letitia James. decision forced the administration cies, and practices that burden U.S. leads to lawsuits Attorney Joining New York in the lawsuit to send refunds to importers who’d commerce,” White House spokes-

BY PAUL WISEMAN and MAE ANDERSON AP business writers

WASHINGTON — Twenty-five states sued the Trump administration Monday over its latest tariffs, calling them a pretext for replacing import taxes the Supreme Court struck down in February.

The United States last month imposed double-digit tariffs on 59 countries and the European Union, charging that they had not done enough to crack down on imports produced by forced labor. The new tariffs took effect just as the clock ran out on temporary tariffs President Donald Trump had turned to after the Supreme Court defeat.

“After losing at the Supreme Court, the administration is once again trying to illegally raise taxes

announced Monday are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Trump Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

Trump, who argues that high tariffs will revive American manufacturing, last year overturned decades of U.S. policy that favored lower tariffs and ever-freer trade. Invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, he imposed double-digit tariffs on imports from almost every country, saying America’s long-standing trade deficit amounted to a national emergency.

paid the tariffs. Eager to make up the lost revenue, Trump turned to temporary 10% worldwide tariffs. But they expired at midnight July 24.

Now he’s tapping more durable tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits the president to impose import taxes and other sanctions against countries found to engage in unfair trade practices. Trump used Section 301 to impose big tariffs on China in his first term, and they survived court challenges.

The administration invoked Section 301 to impose the forced-labor tariffs, which range from 10% to 12.5% and hit countries that provide 99% of American imports.

“The United States is using its

person Kush Desai said. “A foreign country’s failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor is unreasonable and burdens U.S. commerce, including American workers, and must be addressed. Section 301 tariffs have proven to be a legally durable tool since the President’s first term, and they remain so now.”

The states’ lawsuit follows two other lawsuits filed in The Court of International Trade in July by small businesses that also challenged the 301 tariffs.

Both of those lawsuits argue that the government didn’t adequately establish its case against each specific economy or spell how the tariffs will eliminate the specified practice they are being levied for, as required by Section 301.

U.S stocks rally near all-time high Falling oil prices ease Wall Street’s worries about inflation

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK — The U.S. stock market rallied to the edge of its all-time high on Monday after easing oil prices helped calm Wall Street’s worries that inflation could get even worse.

The S&P 500 jumped 1.5% and is just 0.1% below its record set earlier this summer.

It was coming off a frenetic July, where it swung up and down as oil prices shot higher because of the war with Iran, before ultimately ending the month just about where it started.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which measures a narrower slice of the U.S. stock market, climbed 693 points, or 1.3%, to an all-time high, while the Nasdaq composite leaped 2.1%.

Stocks got a lift as the price for a barrel of Brent crude sank 4.7% to $83.77. It dropped after President Donald Trump said over the weekend that he decided to hold off on new strikes against Iran at the urging of allies in the region.

Brent’s price careened between $72 and $102 last month as worries rose and fell about when the war with Iran would allow oil tankers to freely exit the Persian Gulf again to deliver crude to customers worldwide.

The latest acquiescence by Trump helped to ease worries about the global flow of crude, and Treasury yields correspondingly fell in the bond market.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury sank to 4.68% from 4.75% late Friday. It, though, remains well above its 3.97% level from before the war with Iran.

Higher yields threaten to undercut prices for stocks and other investments, while slowing the economy by making borrowing more expensive for U.S. households and businesses. The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate has already leaped to its highest level in a year.

Monday’s ease in oil prices helped airlines and other companies with big fuel bills lead the market. United Airlines flew 5.8% higher, while American Airlines climbed 5%.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By yUKI IWAMURA

The U.S. stock market surged close to all-time highs on Monday as oil prices eased, calming worries about inflation.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings steamed 6.6% higher.

Boeing jumped 8% after U.S. regulators certified its 737 MAX 7 planes, clearing them for commercial service.

Tyson Foods rose 2.8% after the meat company reported a slightly stronger profit for the spring than analysts expected. CEO Donnie King said strength is continuing in the company’s chicken business and its prepared foods, which include brands like Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm.

It joined a lengthening list of big U.S. companies to deliver a bigger profit for the spring than analysts expected. That’s imperative for Wall Street because stock prices tend to follow the path of corporate earnings over the long term, and worries were rising that U.S. stock prices may have broadly already shot too high.

Companies in the S&P 500 are on track to deliver earnings per share for the spring that are 47% higher than a year before, according to FactSet, with more than half of the companies in the index having already reported. If that ends up being the case, it

would be the strongest growth since the spring of 2021, when the economy was roaring out of the COVID pandemic.

Also offering encouragement for profits was a report on Monday showing that growth for U.S. manufacturing accelerated to its strongest level since 2022.

Keeping Wall Street unsettled, though, were swings for stocks of companies that make computer chips. They’ve been veering up and down for weeks on worries about whether their surging revenues because of the artificial-intelligence boom are sustainable.

If AI ends up producing less profit and productivity than hoped, Big Tech companies could curtail their spending sprees on data centers that have helped chip stocks soar to tremendous heights.

Micron Technology went from a drop of 6.4% to a gain of 1.7% through the day before ending with a gain of 0.8%, for example.

It’s up roughly 190% for the year so far.

Seoul’s Kospi fell 5.1% Monday, coming off Friday’s 17.9% surge that was its best day in history.

U.S. dollar weakens sharply against the Japanese yen

BY MAYUKO ONO and ELAINE KURTENBACH Associated Press

TOKYO — The U.S. dollar weakened sharply Monday against the Japanese yen after President Donald Trump and Japan’s finance minister confirmed both sides had intervened in markets.

Before late last week, the dollar was trading above 163 yen, touching 40-year highs. After regulators were suspected of stepping in, it fell below 160 yen.

Early Monday, after the official announcement of the intervention, the dollar fell to nearly 155.20 yen.

That’s a big drop for the exchange rate. The dollar was trading at 156.70 yen early Monday Eastern time.

Even though it has attracted millions of bargain-hunting tourists, the yen’s prolonged weak-

ness against the dollar has been a source of frustration for Tokyo.

Since Japan imports so much of what it consumes, a weak currency pushes prices higher. High oil prices have amplified that problem and that’s putting pressure on the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to do more to address the rising cost of living.

Efforts earlier this year to raise the value of the yen against the dollar did little to budge the exchange rate.

Normally foreign exchange markets determine the relative values of currencies, but there are many factors that shape what happens in the markets.

A big gap between interest rates in the U.S. and Japan has led investors to sell yen and buy dollars to take advantage of the higher yields from dollar-denominated assets.

Both the Bank of Japan and the Federal Reserve kept their interest rates unchanged at meetings last week, maintaining that gap.

So, last week, when the dollar slipped below 160 yen and stayed there, the U.S. side was suspected of lending a hand.

Officials usually stay mum on such actions. But on Sunday, Trump confirmed that the U.S. side had helped, and Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama likewise issued a statement saying the finance ministry had purchased yen in coordination with the U.S. Treasury Department.

“We will not hesitate to conduct further joint intervention,” she said.

Such overt acknowledgment of market intervention is rare, said Neil Newman, managing director and head of strategy at Astris Advisory Japan. He said the last big

example was when governments intervened following a massive earthquake and tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan in 2011.

When asked why Washington was helping, Trump said Sunday that “We have a good relationship with Japan. We’re very strong —very, very strong financially — and they are, you know, they have a weakening yen, and they wanted a little bit of help, and we’re always there for Japan. Japan’s been very good to us, with the exception, of course, of Pearl Harbor.”

Trump said the U.S. got “financial benefit” out of the intervention, calling it a “signal of friendship.”

“It’s also good for the world economy,” he said.

A weaker dollar makes U.S.made goods more competitive, reducing their costs in yen terms, and might help increase American exports to Japan, Newman said.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Tuesday, August 4, 2026 ■ 7A

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Russia blasts southern Ukrainian city with glide bombs Ukrainian drones kill at least 9

BY ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — Russian planes dropped eight powerful glide bombs in a span of 90 minutes on residential districts of the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, killing one person and wounding dozens of others, regional chief Ivan Fedorov said Monday.

Meanwhile, six people were killed by Ukrainian drone debris in ArkhipoOsipovka, a small town on Russia’s Black Sea coast in the Krasnodar region, regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev said, adding that 40 others were wounded.

Three other people were killed and two were wounded in Ukraine’s overnight attack on the illegally annexed Crimea, said the peninsula’s

Russian-installed head, Sergei Aksyonov. He gave no details.

Neither side’s claims could be independently verified.

Ukraine’s innovative longrange drone technology developed during the war has enabled Kyiv to sign military cooperation agreements with nine countries, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday.

Under the deals, Ukraine receives long-term funding for its defense industry while partner countries get new defense capabilities, he said, adding that agreements with 15 other countries are being negotiated.

Ukraine is using its longrange strike drones to hit targets deep inside Russia in an effort to push Russian President Vladimir Putin into seeking a peace settlement, Zelenskyy said in a speech to Ukrainian diplomats.

“We will work very hard to

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DAN BASHAKOV

A burned car is seen Saturday after a Russian missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine. make that happen this fall,” he said.

Ukraine wants countries to adopt heavier international sanctions on Moscow, but existing sanctions also need tightening to prevent Rus-

sian companies from exploiting loopholes, he said.

Zelenskyy also announced he is appointing Rustem Umerov, who has been involved in U.S. diplomatic efforts to stop the war, as head

of the Foreign Intelligence Service.

Russia has used glide bombs against Ukrainian towns and cities since it invaded its neighbor more than four years ago. The Sovietera bombs are retrofitted with guidance systems and can carry up to 6,600 pounds of explosives, leaving huge craters. Ukraine has no effective countermeasures.

The Sunday evening onslaught on Zaporizhzhia killed a 71-year-old woman and wounded 31 people, including a 16-year-old girl, as the glide bombs damaged 22 apartment buildings in four districts of the city, Fedorov said.

While Moscow’s forces have captured the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and hold other parts of the region, its capital city of the same name remains in Ukrainian hands. It is one of the four regions, along with

Donetsk, Kherson and Luhansk, that Russia illegally annexed in September 2022 even though its forces do not completely control them.

Other large-scale damage of civilian areas has resulted from Russian ballistic missiles, and late Sunday Zelenskyy made another urgent plea for countries to send Ukraine more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems.

Only Patriot interceptors can reliably stop ballistic missiles, but they are in short supply due to the Iran war.

“The United States knows what we need. Europe knows what we need. Anti-ballistic missiles must protect people — not sit in stockpiles,” Zelenskyy said on social media.

President Donald Trump last week appeared to back off from his earlier commitment to give Ukraine a license to make Patriots itself.

He said Friday that he hasn’t made a final decision.

Trump administration overhaul Hundreds of migrant children could gut Head Start standards are stranded in Spain’s Ceuta

BY MORIAH BALINGIT

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration is planning a dramatic overhaul of Head Start that would gut its quality standards, upending the hallmarks of the early education program for impoverished children, two people familiar with the deliberations said.

Head Start, established in the 1960s to help fight poverty, has long been considered by experts to be a gold standard early learning program. Its regulations, which stretch more than 100 pages, outline requirements on everything from child-to-teacher ratios and child health screenings to family engagement.

Trump’s Republican ad-

ministration would replace those regulations with around a dozen pages of rules, leaving most of the specifics up to state and local law, said the people familiar with the deliberations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss information that was not yet public and because they feared reprisal.

In a post on X on Saturday night, the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Head Start, said to expect a rule to be published this week. The administration “remains committed to strengthening Head Start by preserving federal investment in the program while advancing reforms that expand access, increase local flexibility, reduce unnecessary adminis-

trative burden, and ensure services are delivered effectively to children and families in need,” department spokesperson Emily Hilliard said Monday in an email.

The draft rules would require more documentation from parents who are homeless or unemployed, the people familiar with the deliberations told The Associated Press. An early version of the proposal also would have barred parents who are in the United States illegally from enrolling their children, even if the children are U.S. citizens.

It’s unclear whether those provisions will make the final draft.

Head Start, which operates in all 50 states, has long enjoyed robust bipartisan support.

BY BERNAT ARMANGUE and JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press

CEUTA, Spain — The teenage girl made it through the waves to Spanish territory.

Her little brother did not, drowning in the Mediterranean, while their mother disappeared in the chaos when tens of thousands of people surged through the breakwater, trying to leave Morocco behind.

The tragic story of a 17-year-old from Tangier is representative of the plight of many of the more than 800 minors who four days after the collective push by migrants into Ceuta face a scary present and an uncertain future.

She told an Associated Press photojournalist how

she and her family joined the massive crowd that tried to swim around a border fence to reach the Spanish territory on Thursday. Like many, she said they did so seeking better opportunities. The AP is withholding her identity because she is a minor in a vulnerable situation.

She described how she saw Spanish police pull the body of her 8-year-old brother from the water.

She made it to the shore but became separated from her mother, and has spent the last four days on her own.

She said some locals gave her food and some clothing, with one woman taking her into her home so she could bathe. She then went to a center for youths run by the government for some help,

but found it was full.

“I saw people stepping on the dead,” she said through a translator since she doesn’t speak Spanish. “Now we are children begging on the street.”

She is one of some 860 minors who remained in Ceuta on Monday after crossing over, according to local officials. AP journalists saw other minors asking for food.

Those minors now make up a large part of the 3,000 to 5,000 migrants who have avoided expulsion from Ceuta of the original 60,000 who came across. Spanish authorities confirmed 72 people died, mostly in the water, during the crossing.

Morocco reported 11 deaths which are not included in the Spanish total, the Spanish interior ministry said.

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

Jan Risher LOUISIANA AT LARGE

Women take the field at LSU clinic On Thursday evening, LSU’s airconditioned indoor football operations center felt warm. A trucksized opening to the practice field could explain that. But the heat didn’t matter.

At The Huddle, LSU’s Football Women’s Clinic, 333 women shopped, ate, drank, learned some plays, threw passes, tackled and ran pregame drills — all for $200 apiece or $350 for VIP, which included yoga with Lane Kiffin before the main event.

When I walked in, I was surprised to see pop-up boutiques along the sidelines of the practice field — selling all things purple and gold. And the women were buying it. The T-shirt options were impressive — the most notable styled like a campaign logo: “Kiffin/Orgeron ’26,” later spotlighted by Kiffin himself.

|

T u e s d ay, au g u s T 4, 2026

1BN

Public money used for parties

and fundraiser tables and the near future.”

Audit also finds St. Helena Police Jury parties failing to promptly repay travel St. Helena is governed by a Poadvances may have violated the lice Jury, the elected body that members overspent on travel by 155% Louisiana Constitution and state serves as both the lawmaking

BY GIGI LIMAN Staff writer

State officials released an audit Monday that found the St. Helena Parish Police Jury spent public money on employee Christmas parties and fundraisers and blew its travel budget by 155%, with little oversight.

The audit, prompted by complaints regarding the Police Jury’s use of public funds, analyzed the parish’s 2024 and 2025 spending and portrays an agency hampered by mismanagement, poor record-keeping and a habit of steering public money toward its own officials.

Spending public money on the

law, the report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office stated.

“It’s concerning, particularly for a small parish like St. Helena that has extremely limited resources and revenue,” said Scott Perrilloux, district attorney for the 21st Judicial District. “We’re going through the report, and we’ll map out a future course in

and administrative head of most Louisiana’s parishes. St. Helena Parish has roughly 11,000 residents, and a higher poverty rate than the Louisiana average, with 32% of its residents living below the poverty line.

In a written response to the auditor, Police Jury President

ä See AUDIT, page 2B

STAFF PHOTO By JAN RISHER

Participants Michelle Hardy and Jennifer Welch sport ‘Kiffin/ Orgeron ‘26’ T-shirts at The Huddle: LSU’s Football Clinic for Women on Thursday at LSU’s football operations center.

Ed Orgeron was standing near one of the goal lines, with a line of women waiting for photos stretching to the 30-yard line.

The routine was the same: New group. Handshake. Smile. “Geaux Tigas,” his signature call, over and over. He never seemed to tire of it.

After the shopping and photos came a panel of players, including new quarterback Sam Leavitt, then a Q&A with Kiffin hosted

by Taylor Jacobs, LSU football’s chief strategy officer. She asked a few questions, then worked through questions submitted by attendees: What home game are you most excited for?

“The first one,” Kiffin said.

Do you see Whit Weeks being your future son-in-law?

“That’s a question for Landry’s mom, Layla, over there,” he said.

Football room, football pivot.

Layla Kiffin gave a thumbs up.

Jacobs said, “Whit’s here. Maybe we should ask him.”

Lane Kiffin responded, “Let’s see how he plays this year before we do that.”

Next came the practice squads.

We divided up into assigned groups and went into training rooms with coaches and players.

I landed with the Red Stick Socialites, led by coach Kevin Peoples. Our three players turned out to be Weeks, Leavitt and TJ Dottery, a transfer from Ole Miss.

I had taken one of the last seats in the room, and the three players ended up right beside me for the better part of an hour.

They were charming, candid and sincere and talked about what goes into their roles on the football team, even before practice officially begins Aug. 5. Plus, Weeks gave more insight into his relationship with the coach’s daughter.

Then we headed outside onto the practice field, where another coach led the group through the team’s pregame drills. My foot is injured, so I could not fully participate. This would have driven my late father — a lifelong football coach — right up a wall.

Still, I felt him out there. Lights

ä See RISHER, page 2B

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

IN FOR A LANDING

A Gulf fritillary butterfly lands on a flower recently in the Botanical Gardens at the Independence Community Park in Baton Rouge. Gulf fritillaries love open, moderately sunny habitats and are a favorite visitor of local butterfly gardens. The Gulf fritillary butterfly caterpillars prefer species of passion vines.

Racca shifting focus to justice of the peace

disputes involving less Metro Council handle than $5,000, matters between and tenants, includmember second to landlords ing evictions, and other legal file for candidacy issues.

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer

After roughly seven years on the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council, Jen Racca announced she will be running for justice of the peace in the November Racca election.

“The law and courtrooms have always been my passion,” Racca said in a statement Monday morning. “I am confident that as justice of the peace I am equipped to provide exceptional, efficient service and impartial verdicts.”

Justice of the peace officials

Earlier this year, the parish went from eight justice of the peace districts to six.

H H H H H H The District 6 seat Racca is running for is made up of areas that include downtown, Mid City, south Baton Rouge, Gardere and Oak Hills.

Council member Aaron Moak, one of Racca’s Republican colleagues, also recently announced he was running for mayor of Central.

Racca will face at least one opponent in Robert Ainsworth, an attorney at the Andrew Murrell Law Firm, who announced his candidacy for the seat last week.

ELECTION

ä See RACCA, page 2B

Louisiana is supporting college hunger program State adopted Hunger-Free Campus initiative

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

At the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, the difference between a student who finishes a degree and a student who drops out isn’t always the rigor of the curriculum.

For some students, system Executive Vice President Chandler LeBoeuf said, it’s the ability to afford food and get their basic needs met.

“Oftentimes, it’s not the academic coursework that stops them from ultimately being successful,” LeBoeuf said. “They have to make the tough decisions of pausing school and education to go to work to be able to put food on the table.”

Despite a largely standstill state budget coming out of the

STAFF FILE PHOTO

Jackie Boyd, food pantry graduate assistant, stocks a shelf in December at the LSU student food pantry in the Student Union.

2026 legislative session, a statewide program to reduce college student hunger got a first-time, $1 million investment from the Legislature.

The infusion has elated campus leaders and food bank workers, some of whom said they

ä See COLLEGE, page 2B

2B ■ Tuesday, August 4, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

lll

Plea deal reached in Youngsville murder case

In April 2020, the U.S. Supreme juries to convict people without a off Chemin Metairie Road was that Richards admit in court Man won’t stand inCanard Court issued an opinion in the case unanimous verdict, a practice that the Youngsville area. A resident that he stabbed Falgout to death. the home found Falgout after noFalgout’s sister, seated in the of Ramos v. Louisiana that nonu- hailed back to the Jim Crow era of trial a second time ofticing his vehicle in her driveway. courtroom Monday, fought back nanimous jury decisions in cases discrimination.

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR

Staff writer

A man convicted in 2017 by a split jury for the murder of a pizza delivery driver in Youngsville will not stand trial a second time.

Aaron Richards, 50, accepted a plea deal Monday, pleading guilty to manslaughter and armed robbery in the March 29, 2010, stabbing death of pizza delivery driver Timothy Falgout.

Falgout, who was described as a deeply religious man, was stabbed five times while delivering pizza to a residence in the 300 block of Rue

Fifteenth Judicial District Judge Angie Wagar sentenced Richards on Monday in accordance with the plea agreement to 25 years at hard labor on the manslaughter charge and 25 years at hard labor on the armed robbery charge, to run concurrently.

Richards already is serving a life sentence at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola on a second-degree robbery charge. He was tried as an habitual offender, Assistant District Attorney Alan Haney said.

Monday’s plea deal, Haney said, was “more about giving the victim’s (family) finality.”

One requirement of the plea deal

tears as Richards said that on March 29, 2010, he and another man were riding around Youngsville, getting high on drugs and drinking.

Richards said he doesn’t remember each step of what happened.

“I will acknowledge that I was the one that took Mr. Falgout’s life,’ ” Richards said. “I do have remorse.”

Richards turned to Falgout’s sister, saying, “I can’t give you back your brother. I hope you are going to have some sense of justice for your loss.”

He was originally found guilty in an April 2017 trial by a 10-2 jury vote and was sentenced to life in prison.

involving serious offenses were unconstitutional.

Richards petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for a writ at the same time the court was considering the Ramos case.

Following the Ramos decision, the Supreme Court vacated the 2017 Richards conviction and remanded it back to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal, which ordered the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Lafayette to retry the case.

The Advocate was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in September 2022 for reporting on the racial impacts of Louisiana’s laws that allowed

The five-part series titled “Tipping the Scales” debuted on April 1, 2018, around the time the state Legislature began debating a bill that would allow Louisiana voters to amend the state constitution to require unanimous jury verdicts.

The constitutional amendment passed by about a 2-1 margin, with The Advocate’s reporting credited with pressuring legislators to call for the election and for educating voters, putting names and faces on those impacted by the nonunanimous verdicts.

Email Claire Taylor at ctaylor@ theadvocate.com.

AUDIT

Continued from page 1B

STAFF PHOTOS By JAN RISHER

Jan Risher gets a selfie with coach Ed Orgeron at The Huddle: LSU Football Clinic for Women.

RISHER

Continued from page 1B on, with an incredible pink and purple sunset to the west.

Mothers were throwing passes to their sons. Mothers were tackling their sons. My father built a career out of organizing fun like this — and for an hour, in the dusk, so did LSU, with a lot more bells and whistles.

The event was so much more than I expected. The coaches and players took it seriously, but they were having fun — and so were the participants. It was a blast to stand in lines and try to throw a football 10 yards into a garbage can.

When the last rotation ended, most of the women hurried toward another field where Orgeron was, with his gravelly voice, setting up footraces. Unable to compete, thanks to my injury, I took my time.

On my slow walk over, I began chatting with two people gathering equipment. I told them how wellrun and fun the whole night had been. One of them fell into step beside me. Turned out he grew up in a small town in Mississippi, not too far from where I did. He’d played football at Hinds Junior College, where my uncle spent decades as an administrator.

He told me his name was Dwike Wilson, LSU’s senior executive director of recruiting and personnel.

RACCA

Continued from page 1B

Racca was appointed to the Metro Council in November 2019 after Barbara Freiberg ran for the Louisiana House of Representatives. She won the seat in an election the following year and ran unopposed for her

At The Huddle: LSU Football’s Clinic for Women, 333 women took part in drills, listened to coach Lane Kiffin, coach Ed Orgeron and numerous players amid preparations for the football season.

“I bet you know Tony Hughes,” I said. “My dad coached him.”

The guy looked at me

sideways.

“Tony Hughes?” he said.

“Tony Hughes coached me.”

Hughes played football for my dad at Forest High School in central Mississippi. He went on to coach at many places — University of Southern Mississippi, Louisiana Tech, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and as head coach at Jackson State.

Wilson and I took a photo together before he headed his way, and I headed mine, texting the pic to Tony Hughes as I walked.

Hughes wrote back in a flash: “Dwike is my favorite. He is like a son to me.

He is my guy!!! I was just talking about Coach Risher at Bible study last night.”

Hughes and his wife have told me before that, through the decades, he has quoted my father — in football and in life, on the field and off it.

Before I left the field, I tracked Wilson down to show him the message from Hughes. Maybe it was the sweat on his face, but to me, it looked like his eyes welled up with tears.

My father coached high school football for decades in Mississippi. He has been gone four years.

But standing on an LSU practice field under stadium lights, there was no arguing with what I felt.

He was there.

second term in 2024.

“Serving on the Metro Council has been one of my greatest honors,” Racca said. “It has given me the opportunity to work directly for our community and tackle difficult problems.”

In recent years on the council, Racca has prioritized city-parish employee insurance reform, city-parish finances and efforts to

streamline the blight abatement program.

Racca is an attorney practicing in family and criminal law.

If elected, Racca said she will focus on ensuring the office is “accessible, efficient, respectful and responsive” to the people who need it.

Metro Council seats are not up for reelection until

2028. If Racca is elected to her new office in November, an interim council member will need to be appointed to fill her District 12 seat within 20 days. Then, a special election would take place in April to fill the seat through the end of the term.

LSU’s new quarterback Sam Leavitt speaks to participants.

COLLEGE

Continued from page 1B were uncertain of the program’s future. They say they will be able to deliver more food, connect students with local food banks and improve on-campus food pantries, among other services.

“We are thrilled to see this funding increase,” said Zoe Duffield, with Swipe Out Hunger, which championed Hunger-Free Campus legislation across the country, in a statement. “It demonstrates not only the commitment and dedication of the Louisiana Board of Regents to the Hunger-Free Campus program, but also the state’s overall investment in the basic needs of higher education.”

Millions of college students in the U.S. go hungry, with roughly 1 in 4 students in 2020 saying they had experienced limited or uncertain access to food.

Louisiana does not conduct regular surveys of how many college students don’t have enough to eat — how many live in a state of “food insecurity” — but because of the state’s poverty rate, those numbers are likely higher locally, advocates say. Misconceptions that young, college-going people don’t qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program compound the problem.

“There’s a lot of college students that are hungry, and people don’t realize that they are,” Marleah Walker, director of programs and outreach for Feeding Louisiana, said. “They’re maybe not in the

Email Jan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com.

Email Patrick SloanTurner at patrick.sloanturner@theadvocate.com.

area that they’re from, they don’t have family support, and if they don’t have a pantry on campus, or they don’t have SNAP benefits, they’re really struggling to make ends meet.”

Louisiana was one of 10 states to adopt Hunger-Free Campus legislation, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge, in 2022.

The national initiative encourages uniformity of food services with “Hunger-Free Campus” designations awarded to schools and provides grants for institutions to maintain food pantries and other resources. The Louisiana program is managed by the Board of Regents.

According to the Regents’ annual Hunger-Free Campus report, wide disparities of food services between Louisiana colleges ex-

Quanika Muse acknowledged that the Christmas party spending violated the constitution, and she expressed support for implementing stronger financial controls.

“I can assure the citizens of St. Helena Parish that we take these matters seriously and we will act in the best interest of all of our citizens,” Muse said in a public statement.

The 2024 and 2025 Christmas parties for parish leaders and employees featured a live band, catered food, alcohol and decorations. To help pay for them, the Police Jury turned to local vendors and businesses, which donated $9,100 over the two years. However, when a vendor donates to the parish government, it becomes public funds and must be used for the public.

The Police Jury has thrown the party for years, and it is not clear when businesses began covering part of the tab. Two jurors told auditors they had not known the jury solicited and accepted vendor donations for the party, that they had previously paid for the parties out of their own pockets and had never approved using public money to buy alcohol.

The state Attorney General’s Office has held that public money may cover meals at meetings and certain business functions, but that social functions benefiting employees does not constitute a valid public purpose.

St. Helena SecretaryTreasurer Sharonda Brown told auditors she believed it was permissible to use the donations to fund the party.

The report also focused on the Police Jury’s travel spending, which far exceeded its budget in both years reviewed. Over two years, police jurors attended 27 out-of-town conferences, an average of more than one a month, and spent $206,578 on them, 155% over their $81,100 budget.

Police jurors flew to Atlanta; Chicago; Philadelphia; Tampa, Florida; and Birmingham, Alabama, and on multiple occasions, several members traveled to attend the same event.

Seven went to a National Association of Counties conference in Tampa in 2024 that cost more than $23,000; eight flew to Philadelphia in 2025 for nearly as much; and 13 attended a Louisiana Legislative

isted as recently as 2023, with one school offering a wooden box stocked with canned goods and another providing a “one-stop shop” for students complete with perishables and nonperishables, household items, a vegetable garden and cooking lessons.

To be deemed a Hunger-Free Campus, an institution must maintain a task force that meets regularly, notify students of potential SNAP eligibility, hold hunger awareness events and connect students with on- or off-campus food resources.

This is the first investment in the effort by the state Legislature.

Previously, the Board of Regents allocated dollars internally toward the program, awarding 21 campuses in 2026 with over $100,000 in awards.

Black Caucus conference in New Orleans, where the jurors spent an additional $5,000 in public funds to reserve tables at fundraisers.

How the travel funds ballooned so far over budget is not entirely clear. Brown told auditors that jurors know which conferences they will attend each year, and the budget is created to reflect the expected cost of travel.

The jury also lost track of the cash it fronted for those trips, according to the audit. Jurors held on to $5,812 in unused travel advances from 2025, which was only returned to the parish after the Legislative Auditor’s Office presented its findings.

In one case, several jurors received $2,000 travel advances for a National Association of Counties conference in Washington, D.C. Jurors told auditors the money was provided to cover lodging, meals and a rental car. But the audit found the lodging had already been paid by the jury’s debit card 11 days before the advances were issued.

Muse, one of the recipients, did not return her unused funds until the Legislative Auditor’s Office presented her with the preliminary findings. Two other jurors each had more than $1,000 in unused advances from 2025 still unpaid when they were presented with the audit’s findings.

The jurors described the payment lapses as oversights.

“At no time was there any intent to avoid repayment or improperly retain public funds,” Police Jury Vice President Warren McCray Jr. wrote in a letter to the auditors.

Brown said travel paperwork and reimbursements were managed through an “honor system,” where employees were responsible for presenting receipts and returning any unused money without additional oversight.

The audit report recommended the jury hire legal counsel, write formal spending and travel policies, require proof that officials attended the conferences they billed for and review budget-to-actual expenses monthly.

In a public statement, Muse said the jury had already started drafting new rules and requested a travel moratorium be put in place until the new policies are adopted.

None of the Police Jury members could be reached for comment.

LeBoeuf said tackling college student hunger remains a multifaceted effort.

“We 100% are appreciative of the investment of the Legislature and the work that they continue to do around this space,” LeBoeuf said. “But we recognize that for long-term sustainability, it takes partnership of all.”

Email Haley Miller at haley. miller@theadvocate.com.

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Legier, Barbara

Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 185 Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive, at 11 a.m.

Obituaries Furr, Martha Myra Johnson Bishop

Martha Myra Johnson Bishop Furr, a mother, a homemaker, and owner and president of Baker Printing Company, passed away peacefully at her home in Baker, La., on Thursday, July 30, 2026. She was 89 years old. Born February 1, 1937, in Edinburg, Miss., Martha was the daughter of Elsie Kate Mooney Johnson and Arthur D. Johnson. In 1953, she married Jack Andrew Bishop, with whom she had 6 children - 4 sons and twin daughters. The couple opened Baker Printing Co. in 1962, and upon Jack Bishop's passing in 1983, Martha continued to run the business, which is still in operation to this day. In 1992, Martha then married Albert Furr, who passed away in 2014. Martha's life was a testament to the importance of unwavering faith, quiet strength, and extraordinary determination. During a time when female business owners were a rarity, she played an integral role in the dayto-day operations of the business that she and her husband had built, one that her family continues to run to this day. Her greatest legacy, however, was the Christian faith she steadily lived and instilled in her family for generations to come. Martha's devout Christian beliefs profoundly influenced and guided every facet of her life. Martha is survived by her sons, John Andrew Bishop (Dawn) of Clinton, La., Richard Dean Bishop (Karen) of Zachary, La., Timothy Paul Bishop (Debbie) of Saratoga, Wyo., and Spencer Jay Bishop (LuAnn) of Clinton, La.; her daughters, Martha Bishop Kwasny (John) of Brandon, Miss., and Myra Bishop

Penn (William "Michael") of Lena, Miss.; one stepdaughter, Lana Furr Griffin (Cary) of Baker, La.; three stepsons, Douglas Furr (Betty) of Baton Rouge, La., Tommy Furr (Susan) of Baton Rouge, La., and Roger Furr of Baker, La.; 55 grandchildren, 56 greatgrandchildren, and 5 greatgreat-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Johnson; mother, Elsie Kate Mooney Johnson; sisters, Ella Johnson and Nell Johnson Grant; brother, Lee Johnson, Sr.; husband, Jack Andrew Bishop; husband, A.T. Furr; daughter-in-law, Robbie West Bishop; grandson, Trenton Paul Bishop; granddaughter, Nichole Laureme Penn; and greatgrandson, Ruston Dwayne Bishop. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at Faith Baptist Church at 15880 Plank Road in Baker, La., from 9 a.m. until the service at noon. Burial will immediately follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 6213 Groom Road, Baker, La. 70714. Pallbearers will be John Charles Kwasny, William Michael Penn, Spencer Vance Bishop, Bennett Earl Bishop, Rusty Dean Bishop, and Byram Hall Bishop. Honorary pallbearers will be John Eddie Grant, Jr., Noel Stiles, John Andrew Bishop, II, and Jerrel Douglas Day, and Roger Furr. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Quiet Waters Ministries, P.O Box 2247, Madison, MS 39130, or at quietwatersms.org. Share memories at www.CharletFuneralHome. com

Headlee, Helen E

Helen Hypes Headlee died August 1, 2026. She was born in Ansted, W. Virginia to her parents

William and Katherine Hypes on August 20, 1939.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Mary Elizabeth Gugich.

Helen was a graduate of LSU with a masters in science education and taught science at the LSU Laboratory School for over twenty years.

She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother to all those she left behind.

She is survived by her husband Ross Headlee, her sons George William Gugich, John Michael Gugich, and daughter Karen Rose Gugich, and son-in-law Steven Babcock. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren Ilana Gugich, Nolan Babcock, George Edward Gugich, Milese Gugich, Benjamin Gugich, Catherine Gugich, and Addison Gugich.

The family plans to gather privately for a celebration of Helen's life at a later date.

Smith, Trudy Gail Kahn

Trudy G. Kahn Smith passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of August 2, 2026. After a multi-year, long and tough journey with Alzheimer's, Trudy is now enjoying her best life on the other side, restored to full health and reunited with Ray and many loved ones. Trudy was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, on July 8,1949, to her parents, James and Erma Kahn. Trudy lived most of her life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she graduated from Istrouma High School and later became a Licensed Cosmetologist. Trudy married her husband Ray "Big Head" Smith on July 22, 1972. Together they lived a full life, working day in and day out, side by side as

they owned and operated their well-known Baton Rouge staple, the Hawk's Nest Restaurant and Bar, for over 50 years. Known for her unforgettable wit and straight forwardness, Trudy was a true pistol.

She was funny, real, unfiltered and entertaining to be with. You were guaranteed a laugh in the company of Trudy! You never questioned where you stood with her. Trudy's family was her entire world! If she wasn't at the Hawk's Nest or cutting hair, you would find her celebrating family birthdays, spoiling her grandchildren, shopping with her daughter, traveling with her sister, doting on her nieces, Jennifer and Tracey, drinking and laughing with friends or "cruising the coast' with Ray. Trudy was a beach lover, always up for a party, festival or any adventure. She had a green thumb, enjoyed time outside, was artsy and loved to tinker and paint; she loved classic cars, good music, fun people, car races and cigarette boat rides. Trudy never missed a dance recital or ballgame for either of her children and would never pass up a chance to be with the two of them or her grandchildren. She is deeply loved, sorely missed and forever remembered. Trudy is preceded in death by her husband, Ray "Bighead" Smith; and parents, James and Erma Kahn. She leaves behind her siblings, Mary Kahn Efferson (Richard) and JR Kahn (Jane); two beloved children, Kyle Ray Smith (Chela) and Jaime Smith Sims (Jeff); four grandchildren, Austin Sims, Bryce Sims, Luke Smith and Paige Smith; as well as her cherished nieces, nephews, greatnieces, great-nephews and many extended family.

Pallbearers will include Kyle Smith, Jeff Sims, Austin Sims, Bryce Sims, Luke Smith, and Jackson Walker. Our family would like to thank the staff at The Claiborne and Clarity Hospice for their care for Trudy during her time with them. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Trudy's life on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Resthaven Funeral Home, from 5:00-7:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at St. George Catholic Church beginning at 9:30 AM until f h i i i l

Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial to follow at St. George Catholic Church Cemetery. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbaton rouge.com.

neral Services at the church on August 6, 2026 at 11:00 am. Internment at Louisiana National Cemetery

Young, Jr. Grayson Scott

White, Donald Ray Blue

Grayson Scott Young, Jr age 77, passed away on July 25, 2026. Private services will be held in North Louisiana. Memorial donations to First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge.

Donald Ray White was born July 10, 1951 in Zachary, Louisiana to Alvin J. White and Bertha Ella White.

Donald Ray passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.

White, Geraldine Luckett

How to place an Obituary Notice EMAIL:

obits@theadvocate.com OR CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION:

225-388-0289

Geraldine Edith Luckett White, born June 3, 1940, transitioned Monday, July 27, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was a retired East Baton Rouge Parish School System Educator having taught for over 30 years at Brownsfield Elementary School.

She is survived by her devoted daughters, Marilyn June Beasley, Ursula Spratling(Laman) and Angela Bohannon(Alan); and four grandchildren; preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Horace G. White, Jr. Services will be held at Mt Pilgrim Baptist Church, 9700 Scenic Highway, Baton Rouge. Visitation: Wednesday, Aug 5, 2026 at 5:30-7:30 pm; Fu-

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

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4B ■ Tuesday,August 4, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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

OUR VIEWS

Voters’ choices in fall elections narrow

As a new election cycle gets underway with qualifying for municipal and state offices starting Wednesday, we can’t help but note that Louisiana voters this fall face a dramatically changed landscape.

When the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais came down in April, fundamentally altering the understanding of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, we said that we hoped it wouldn’t be the end of the story and that voters would see the importance of their role in our democratic system.

Since then, we have seen legislators in multiple states quickly revise maps to give their party’s candidates an advantage. In Louisiana, that has meant the elimination of one of the state’s two majority-Black congressional districts, which is held by Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge.

After Callais, congressional primaries set for May were abruptly canceled so lawmakers could redraw districts. In the newly configured 6th District, approved by the Legislature in May, a heated race among Republicans is expected.

But Fields has already announced he won’t run.

Just as in 2024, when the districts were redrawn to comply with a court order and thenRep. Garret Graves decided not to seek the seat, we believe the political debate becomes poorer when voters have fewer choices.

And that is what is happening with the intense focus by political parties on rewarding loyalty above all else. We see fewer coalitions forming and fewer candidates who can talk across the aisle. We don’t hear discussions of issues that are important to large swaths of voters. That, we fear, leads too many to believe they have no option of supporting someone who’d represent their point of view or focus on solving their problems.

Let’s not forget that the Callais decision affects not just congressional elections, but also comes into play for redistricting for city councils and school boards — bodies where working collaboratively matters.

There is little that the average voter can do to change this state of affairs, but it should be clear to all that voting matters now more than ever.

This latest bout of redistricting seeks to guarantee the outcomes that party politicians want to see. But even as they “pack and crack” the electorate, their actions offer no guarantees, and indeed could make the paths of their favored candidates more perilous if voter turnout is greater than expected.

Our fervent wish is to get to a place in our state and in our country where politicians seek less to pick their voters, but rather pick up the challenge of tackling the priorities that matter to a broad majority of the electorate.

Until that day, though, we all have a responsibility to follow the campaigns, demand that candidates respond to voters and to show up at the ballot box to make our voices heard.

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

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

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

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCAN HERE

YOUR VIEWS

the governor Landry has reasons for treating Does think his way is New Orleans as an adversary the only way?

I was intrigued by the letter from Mark Weber, of New Orleans. He complimented Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as an ideal governor. Is that the same Tim Walz who “respected” the Somali immigrants who defrauded the government in his state?

I agree that President Trump disagrees with many people who didn’t vote for him, but maybe it is because they are “an enemy of the United States.”

I hope he disagrees with a lot more who are taking our tax dollars by defrauding the government programs designed to help people.

Why would Gov. Jeff Landry be “shameful” for

treating the residents of New Orleans as adversaries?

Maybe he does so because of the actions of the city leaders. We might remember Congressman William “Cold Cash” Jefferson from New Orleans.

Seems like he was indicted and went to prison. How about Mayor Ray “School Bus” Nagin. Seems like he was indicted and went to prison. And who could forget Mayor LaToya “The Apartment” Cantrell?

Seems like she has been indicted also. Could it be that Gov. Landry, with his law enforcement background, might frown on the conduct of the leaders of New Orleans?

Medical science can work miracles, if we will support it I really appreciated the recent letter from Jonathan Mizrahi, M.D., where he lauds the great strides in finding cures for pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Mizrahi emphasizes that these breakthroughs came via investments made many years ago, and he points out that future breakthroughs depend on our investment today.

Fourteen years ago, my wife was diagnosed with stage 4A breast cancer. Thanks to chemotherapy and hormone treatment developed years ago, my wife is now considered cancerfree with a very low chance of it ever returning.

Let’s continue to invest in medical science. God works through medical science.

QUIN BATES Marrero

The state attorney general has a responsibility to issue legal opinions on matters taking place in the state. If someone disagrees with that opinion, they have the right to file a motion contesting that opinion.

But instead, a grand jury brought an indictment against the state’s attorney general. That certainly has the aroma of corruption.

Until New Orleans residents elect people of integrity who work for the betterment of the city, I hope Gov. Landry continues to be “shameful” and treat them as adversaries instead of constituents.

DAVID MCLEMORE Baton Rouge

N.O. needs to go old-school on parade land grabbers In the recent article “New Carnival rules OK’d,” the newspaper reports that grills, tents, furniture and portable toilets remain prohibited in public spaces along New Orleans parade routes, but the fines for violators will increase from $250 to $1,000 and $2,000 each day thereafter. Blah, blah, blah.

Fines haven’t worked before, because enforcement is impossible. How will raising fines be different?

What is the plan?

At the end of the parade days, I watch land grabbers lowering canopies and tents, locking up ladders and tables, bundling chairs and re-staking tarps, knowing they will be there the next day.

Many take turns sleeping in vehicles or sitting in chairs to protect their turf for the next parade.

The misuse of public property for the private use of a few should not be tolerated. It’s time the city goes old-school. Back when it meant business, tow trucks lined up before parades, hauling away illegally parked vehicles. Then came dump trucks with city employees tossing ladders, furniture, tarps, tents and other prohibited items into them.

One sweep doesn’t work. It must become routine, both before and after parades.

The city does an amazing job of cleaning up after parades. Now is the time to put some teeth into enforcing Carnival rules.

Following the last Louisiana governor’s election, I penned a letter mourning the end of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ leadership and expressing concerns about the incoming Jeff Landry administration. I was willing to see how the new governor enriched Louisiana; unfortunately, my initial fears have been realized.

Jeff Landry, like Donald Trump, has issues with narcissism — as if he thinks his way is the only way. Donald Trump wants ownership of Greenland against the strenuous objections of Greenland, Denmark and other nations of the Western world.

Then the president appointed Landry as official U.S. representative to Greenland.

One of the governor’s early actions was to call several special sessions aimed at ramming through his private agenda for the state with little time offered for questions and reflections by state legislators or citizens.

Even with some effective “no” votes by legislators, the governor still had success expanding power for his office and himself.

When the GOP sent out directions to red states to reorder district boundaries to increase the number of Republicans running in the midterm elections, Landry jumped to it, increasing the number of White Republicans by gerrymandering the elimination of one of two Black legislators representing the third of Louisiana citizens who are Black.

Then comes the New-Orleansisn’t-so-great kerfuffle, where Landry has whipped up conflict between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

In the meantime, several projects planned for New Orleans have been canceled or denied in what uncannily resembles revenge.

I still really miss our last governor. I wish for deeper reflection on the part of Gov. Landry, and that the next gift to Louisiana will be an infusion of down-to-earth humility with a clear lack of self-interest.

PAM HARTMAN Denham Springs

SUSAN MUCHMORE New Orleans

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COMMENTARY LSU sports makes equity play This week, Gov. Jeff Landry and LSU President Wade Rousse will convene a pair of private meetings with top donors to LSU’s sports programs to lay out a new revenue model that could “change the future of college sports in Faimon America.”

Roberts Grandiose statements aside, part of the deal may already be done: Baton Rouge news website RedEye reported Monday morning that LSU had already entered into an agreement with a private equity firm for $100 million.

None of this should be surprising.

College sports is now more than ever a big-money arms race. Every school is looking for new revenue sources that will help keep it at the top of the heap.

That’s why LSU is searching so hard for more cash.

RedEye’s report, which is anonymously sourced, says that the investors will provide $100 million in upfront cash. It’s similar to deals inked

by Michigan State and the University of Utah, the report says.

In return, the firm will receive either a minimum guarantee or a percentage of media rights when the SEC negotiates its next football deal, RedEye reported.

It’s an important infusion for LSU, which runs deficits in most sports

other than football, even popular ones like gymnastics, baseball and women’s basketball.

Player compensation is a major expense. This is not the old days, with recruiting battles playing out in living rooms and at kitchen tables with mothers and fathers. They are waged in boardrooms and at conference tables, with agents and consultants.

But it would be wrong to lay the blame for this at the feet of the players.

For years, college sports was a topdown, closed economy. Within the last half-century, as television brought more and more games into American homes, the money began flowing in.

Athletics departments began to act like businesses. But they didn’t pay players in proportion to their value; the money went to coaches, administrators and facilities.

This arrangement was justified for years under the farcical ideal of “amateurism,” even as increasingly wealthy coaches put ever-increasing demands on their players’ time and effort. Players haven’t been “studentathletes” for years.

This system allowed schools to keep the major labor costs down (coaches excluded) while pulling revenue from media rights.

Today, college athletics is a marketdriven economy. Top players are looking for the best deal for them and their

families. They are finally being compensated in relation to the value they bring to their organizations, the same as every other employee.

But it puts those at the top of the program in a bind. To keep LSU’s sports roaring, to keep Tiger Stadium one of the best places to be on a Saturday night, to keep the PMAC shaking at the conclusion of a flawless floor routine, LSU officials need to pay competitive rates. That’s not cheap.

And so, we are in a spot where LSU has cut its first private equity deal.

More than the taxpayers, residents, fans, donors or the state’s political leadership, one private company now has an actual share of the flagship public university’s sports programs.

Investors aren’t looking for wins.

They’re looking for a return.

But there is a bright spot. The best way for private investors to get that return is for LSU sports to remain a hot commodity.

And the best way for that to happen is for the program to win on the field and on the court. That will do two things: keep fans happy and drive investor returns. It also puts a lot of pressure on those at the top.

It likely will lead to more such deals.

Critics will say LSU has sold out. The truth is, it had no choice.

Email Faimon A. Roberts III at froberts@theadvocate.com.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU interim coach Frank Wilson leads the team onto the field against Western Kentucky on Nov. 22 in Tiger Stadium.

Who’s to blame when kids aren’t vaccinated?

What is the death count under Donald Trump? We’re not talking about loss of life in his war with Iran. We’re not talking about natural deaths by aging or unpreventable diseases.

We mean Americans who die because they reFroma safe vaccines that Harrop fuse Trump or his health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., question or discourage.

A recent occurrence of death and suffering comes from the refusal by many parents to let doctors give their newborns a vitamin K shot. Infants are naturally deficient in vitamin K, which helps prevent blood clots and internal bleeding, which can be horrific. K is a vitamin, not a vaccine. But ill-informed parents have developed suspicion of anything delivered with a needle.

Vitamin K shots were once routinely given, but now many parents refuse them. In 2024, an estimated 5.2% of American babies were not injected with vitamin K, up from 2.9% in 2017.

At least 12 such babies have died, and far more have suffered permanent brain damage.

Doctors believe the real numbers are far higher than reported.

Who’s to blame — the parents for not studying the matter or a health department that has cast aspersions on accepted science? Jessica Kirk, a

pediatric specialist at a Florida hospital, recalls trying to comfort a grieving parent. “But what I could not bring myself to say to her was, ‘There’s nothing you could have done.’ ” Falling vaccination rates are to blame for America’s worst measles outbreak in more than 30 years.

Parents are refusing the effective measles, mumps and rubella vaccine over the false claim that it causes autism. Trump is said to be hounding Bobby to look deeper for a link that 138 studies by real scientists could not find. Trump now insists that the shot be broken up into separate injections, based on zero science.

Several children infected with measles died last year, when there were far fewer cases. Many more had to be hospitalized with serious complications.

Trump makes us dizzy complaining that he doesn’t get credit for speeding up development of a COVID-19 vaccine and then putting a vaccine skeptic with a bizarre past in charge of Health and Human Services. He gushes about having “a Kennedy” from “the greatest political family” in his administration. What fun that must have been.

Trump never directly discouraged Americans from getting COVID shots.

But he kept minimizing the severity of the disease. He said it would “go away” or that it was under control.

Trump would not receive the vaccine

before cameras. That gave Americans who suspected that vaccines posed dangers more reasons to avoid them.

An estimated 250,000 Americans died unnecessarily from COVID by refusing to be vaccinated after the shots became widely available. Who’s to blame? The first Trump administration or people who didn’t seek out expert advice to get vaccinated?

Trump is allegedly unhappy with Bobby for not doing more to fan suspicion of vaccines. Really, RFK Jr. has done quite enough harm already putting Americans’ health at risk.

Complicating matters for Trump are new findings from a friendly pollster that vaccine skepticism is highly unpopular with voters. In another survey, 80% of adults said they trusted their doctors most, while only 34% put their faith in Bobby.

Why is Trump pushing doubt in mainstream science when he and his family reportedly get all the shots?

Could it be fumes circulating in his 80-year-old head? Could it be a pleasurable jolt of power from persuading people to, in effect, gamble with their lives? That possibility is too grim to contemplate.

Suffice it to say, though, the Trump administration is doing real harm, and some of it is costing American lives.

Froma Harrop is on X, @FromaHarrop. Email her at fharrop@gmail.com.

New Hampshire, South Carolina test Democrats CRAWFORD NOTCH, N.H. — Two hundred years ago this summer, a ferocious storm moved through these mountains, prompting a massive landslide that killed seven members of the Willey family and two hired workers.

More than two decades ago, the Great Stone Face, the beloved rock formation above Franconia David that was the symbol of Shribman Notch this state and the inspiration for scores of 19th-century paintings and the soaring oratory of Daniel Webster, collapsed. Recently, the Democratic National Committee took steps to end more than a century’s New Hampshire tradition of holding the first presidential primary and delivered the prize to South Carolina.

Nothing if not resilient in the face of sadness and crisis, New Hampshire — shaped by massive geological forces that created the hills and glens of this state, buffeted by economic forces that created and then demolished what once was the largest cotton textile complex on the globe — has hewn to tradition, nurtured a culture of independence, adjusted to powerful gales of change, even endured extreme winds (234 mph, most powerful recorded in the Northern Hemisphere) and bracing temperatures (wind chill minus 109 degrees).

Now it’s girding to fight for the life of its political culture.

One asset: The Republicans show no sign of moving their 2028 primary out of New Hampshire. One response: Guided by a Granite State law that requires the state to hold the first presidential primary “7 days or more immediately preceding the date on which any other state shall hold a similar election” — to the mind of politicos here, and here that means pretty much everybody, Iowa’s contest, a caucus, doesn’t count — the Democrats likely will hold their primary before South Carolina’s anyway.

With the support of GOP Gov. Kelly Ayotte, they’ll dare the Democrats to refuse to seat its delegates in the national convention. But those delegates were never the point. In 2020, the last time the party had a contested presidential nomination, New Hampshire’s 24 delegates constituted less than 1% of the total.

“There’s no reason we have to listen to this decision,” said former Secretary of State William Gardner, who for decades fought to keep New Hampshire first.

That’s because the impact of New Hampshire always has been to test presidential candidates in an environment of highly engaged voters. It has provided a signal to the country of the legitimacy of some candidates (Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis, John F. Kerry, Bernie Sanders) and the weakness of some highly touted others (Nelson Rockefeller, President Lyndon Johnson, Edward M. Kennedy, Bill Bradley). Often candidates who lost (Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden) were strengthened by the test they endured.

This state has held the first primary since 1920 (winner: Herbert Hoover, who wouldn’t be elected president for another eight years) and has been established as an important political test since 1952 (the first of two Eisenhower victories).

The key to the cult of New Hampshire is the intimacy of the process, conducted in living rooms, libraries, church basements — a reflection of the truth that Thornton Wilder, who set his 1938 Pulitzer-winning play “Our Town” in the fictional community of Grovers Corners, New Hampshire, identified when he wrote, “In our town, we like to know the facts about everybody.” It is indelibly marked by the aggressiveness of the voters who attend meet-and-greets and town meetings, as former Governor Nikki Haley, accustomed to South Carolina politics and shivering — it was only November! — as she entered a Hooksett, New Hampshire, meeting site in 2023, discovered first-hand.

But it has a damaging distinction for Democratic policy-makers: It’s 91% White, only 2% Black (Democratic Party: 18%) and 5% Hispanic (Democrats: 16%).

If, for example, a candidate such as Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who would be expected to do well in South Carolina, contests an early New Hampshire primary and does well, he could solidify his position as a putative frontrunner. A progressive candidate who likes to defy convention, such as, say, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, could campaign here alongside her ally Sanders (winner of two primaries and a familiar figure across the state border), and have a breakthrough to catapult her into serious contention she’s unlikely to win in South Carolina.

Email David Shribman at dshribman@postgazette.com.

6B ■ Tuesday,August 4, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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TODAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

A t-storm around in the p.m.

A t-storm around in the p.m.

A couple of afternoon showers

A stray afternoon thunderstorm

Mostly sunny, a stray t-storm

A t-storm around in the p.m.

HIGH

LOW

HIGH

95° 73°

LOW

HIGH

94° 73°

LOW

92° 73°

Beaumont 94/76 Port Arthur 94/77

Baton Rouge 95/73

Lake Charles 94/76

New Orleans 94/77 Houma 92/74

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

0s

Hattiesburg 94/71

Alexandria 95/74

Lafayette 94/76

10s

20s

30s

40s

50s

LOW

HIGH

LOW

92° 76°

YESTERDAY

Baton Rouge through 5 p.m. Monday

Jackson 94/69 Many 94/72

HIGH

93° 75°

TEMPERATURE

Longview 99/76

-0s

LOW

Monroe 97/71

Shreveport 97/75

-10s

HIGH

94° 74°

If you enjoyed the weather yesterday, you should like it once again today. Expect a mostly sunny, hot, relatively humid day with a light breeze. Temperatures this afternoon will be about where they should be, rising to the mid-90s. The dewpoint temperatures are lower than they have been, so the heat index values this afternoon will rise to the low to mid-100s. The UV index will be at the extreme level this afternoon, so stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun.

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

AUG 5

City

Atlanta Austin Boston Charlotte Chicago Dallas Denver Houston Las Vegas

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

92°/72° 93°/74° 90°/75° 101° in 2023 67° in 1973

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

LAST

PRECIPITATION

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

HIGH

1:44p 7:52a 7:36a 8:55a 3:13a 2:43a 4:21a

6:24 a.m.

7:57 p.m.

11:19 p.m.

12:08 p.m.

NEW

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Hot, dry summer takes toll on Europe

BY DEREK GATOPOULOS and SYLVIE CORBET

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data as of 7 a.m. Monday

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

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ATHENS, Greece — A recordbreaking hot and dry summer tightened its grip on Europe on Monday, as water-dropping planes swooped over a major wildfire in Greece, firefighters in France sought to stabilize a blaze in Provence, and much of the U.K. recorded its driest July in nearly two centuries.

Wildfires west of Athens jumped containment lines, a day after a midair collision between two helicopters killed two crew members.

A Greek and a Danish national died and two others were hospitalized in the helicopter collision. All four were private operators chartered by the Greek firefighting service.

In France, firefighters in the region around Bordeaux guarded against potential flare-ups inside a still-burning scar four times the size of Paris.

A prolonged heat wave and lack of rainfall led to the driest July in England and Wales in nearly 200 years of recordkeeping, according to provisional statistics, the U.K.’s weather service said Monday.

All of Wales and more than half of England are officially in drought, the Met Office said. The dry spell was accompanied by sweltering temperatures across much of the U.K., following heat waves in May and June.

Wales tied its record for its warmest mean temperature for July while England and the U.K. recorded their second-warmest July.

Strong winds returned to southern Greece late Monday, pushing flames into mountain home clusters, destroying farms and property, and closing a highway.

Areas surrounding Athens remain at high risk through the week with temperatures set to rise further. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from around the

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A volunteer tries to extinguish small flames during a wildfire Sunday near Porto Germeno, northwest of Athens, Greece. seaside resort of Porto Germeno and other areas west of the capital — including more than 250 rescued by boats from beaches in the area.

“This is a difficult fire that has troubled us,” Fire Service spokesman Yiannis Artopios said, adding that 12 water-dropping planes and 11 helicopters were operating in the area Monday.

The blaze was blamed on a faulty power line from a wind farm and led to the arrests of two contractors on charges of negligent arson.

Despite improved detection methods and expanded cooperation among European Union members, Greece and other countries along Europe’s Mediterranean coast suffer devastating wildfires every summer as spells of heat wave temperatures grow longer.

Europe is Earth’s fastestwarming continent, heating at more than twice the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union’s Copernicus climate service. Rising temperatures and prolonged drought leave vegetation drier and more combustible, allowing fires to spread faster and burn more intensely.

In France, thousands of evacuees were allowed to

return home or to holiday accommodations Monday after a massive wildfire remained contained. More than 224,000 people had fled in what officials said was the country’s largest civilian evacuation outside of wartime.

The wildfire burned about 162 square miles, making it France’s largest wildfire on record. Monday’s return includes Cap Ferret peninsula, a tourist hot spot along the Atlantic coast, and Le Porge, the municipality hardest hit by the fire, where 183 homes were destroyed. Campsites remain closed.

Firefighters in the Netherlands were battling a large blaze Monday in a forest in the southern province of Limburg, authorities said, as the country sweltered through another day of hot, dry summer weather. The national railway operator halted trains between two towns in the area due to the fire.

The Dutch air force sent two Chinook helicopters equipped with large water containers to help firefighters tackle the blaze in the Netherlands. Media reported that a campsite in the area was evacuated due to poor air quality caused by a large plume of smoke.

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T u e s d ay, au g u s T 4, 2026

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Saints deal with fallout of Polk’s surprise decision

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss runs a drill during training camp on Thursday.

‘LOT OF PRIDE’ LB Elliss, a former 7th-round pick, an established pro in return to Saints

BY LUKE JOHNSON

Staff writer

Kaden Elliss has not spent a lot of time reflecting on his professional football journey, but he quickly can recall the unfortunate moment that changed the trajectory of his career.

It was a Monday Night Football game against the Baltimore Ravens in 2022. Starting weak-side linebacker Pete Werner left the field on a medical cart in the third quarter, an injury that required surgery and sidelined him for six weeks.

“You pray for everyone on the team to be completely healthy all year,” Elliss said. “If Pete doesn’t get hurt against the Baltimore Ravens my last year here, I might have just signed back as a special-teamer, and that might have been my career. You know what I mean?”

The New Orleans Saints suddenly needed to count on Elliss, known mostly for his special-teams ability, in a starting role. He delivered in a big way, recording six sacks and 63 tackles in the final nine games of that season, enough to earn him a big contract from the rival Atlanta Falcons that offseason.

This spring, Elliss returned to where his career started as a different player than the one who needed an opportunity.

He has established himself as a proven and dependable starting linebacker in the NFL. He has earned more than $30 million in his career and will top $50 million if he finishes out his third contract.

That is not too bad for a former seventhround pick out of the University of Idaho.

“There’s a lot of pride,” said gen neral manager Mickey Loomis, who wass running the front office when the Sa aints selected Elliss with the No. 244 pick p in 2019. “I think anytime you dra aft the players that are in the latter ha alf of the draft and they develop intto All-Pro, Pro Bowl (players) … tha at makes you feel good.

“Kind of pissed off that he was in i Atlanta over those years and doin ng that — like, you don’t like to see that t — but you’re happy for the playerr, but kind of mad that you didn’t see it so ooner and keep him here.”

Sometimes the timing works out, though.

New Orleans already had a line of communication out to Ellisss about the possibility of coming back when Demario Davis elected to sign with the New York Jets this offseason. That move created a void that Elliss was qualified to fill.

Elliss topped 100 tackles in each of his three seasons with the Falcons. He was the Falconss’ “green dot” defender, calling defensive plays in the huddle. And the e rush skills that first started to show when w he got his opportunity to play in New Orleans have been evident during early stages of training camp.

“I’m excited to play with him,” defensive tackle Davon Godchaux said. “Ve ery vocal,

ä See ELLISS, page 4C

Linebacker Kaden Elliss defends while playing for the Saints in 2022.

A day after Ja’Lynn Polk made the surprising decision to retire from the NFL, there still wasn’t clarity about why the wide receiver wanted to walk away.

Coach Kellen Moore called Polk’s choice “personal,” declining to share the reasons the 24-year-old provided the Saints. And Moore said there was no ill will toward Polk, adding the receiver had several conversations with the team in the days before he was placed on the league’s reserve/retired list.

“He just felt like this was the best decision for him on a personal level,” Moore said. “And so, you know, love that guy. He did an awesome job through the entire process here (over) the year-plus we had him.”

Make no mistake, Polk’s retirement was sudden and will force the Saints to change course after the black and gold had a clear vision for the former 2024 second-round pick. New Orleans was hoping to salvage Polk’s career after it acquired him from the New England Patriots last training camp.

Polk’s tenure ends without ever suiting up in a Saints uniform. He was sidelined all of 2025 because of a shoulder injury that ended his season before New Orleans traded for him.

Let’s examine the ripple effects of the Saints losing Polk.

Next man up Before retiring, Polk had established himself as the Saints’ fourth receiver — with the potential to compete with Devaughn Vele for the third spot.

With Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson sidelined through the spring during team drills, Polk got valuable reps with the starters and formed a nice chemistry with quarterback Tyler Shough.

Polk impressed well enough that Moore made a point Monday to tell reporters he was confident the wideout could contribute in the NFL if Polk were to reverse his decision.

With Polk gone, there’s a wide-open window for the eight other receivers not named Olave, Tyson and Vele to win that spot.

All eyes will turn to the Saints’ recent draft picks. Fourth-round wide receiver Bryce Lance had a good practice Sunday with back-to-back touchdowns while the Saints worked in the red zone.

On Monday, it was sixth-round wideout Barion Brown’s turn to stand out.

The LSU product flashed by hauling in several long catches and using his 4.4 speed to torch the opposing corner.

Third-year receiver Kevin Austin perhaps shouldn’t be discounted. He got work with the first-team offense near the end of practice Monday, when the Saints were scaling back the

ä See POLK, page 4C

‘Paranoid’ Faulk to put off Southern quarterback reveal

BY TOYLOY BROWN III

Staff writer

Marshall Faulk is learning how quickly plans change well before the first snap of the regular season.

The first-year Southern coach demonstrated that when he told reporters on Monday he no longer plans to announce a starting quarterback prior to the season opener after he originally said he would reveal a starter before preseason camp.

Faulk Faulk said the Jaguars have an idea of who will become the starter, but they have no intention of sharing it publicly during preseason camp prior to the season opener against Alabama State at 2 p.m. Aug. 29 in Birmingham, Alabama.

“We have a very, very good idea of who our starting quarterback is going to be,” Faulk said. “And you know, news is great. I believe news

is awesome, you know, but I don’t know why I would want to tell Alabama State that?

“We know who we like, and we know what we want to do. Unfortunately, you guys are gonna have to wait ‘til the first game.”

Faulk’s stance in keeping the starting quarterback a secret mirrors the philosophy of his predecessor, Terrence Graves. Faulk previously said he wanted to announce a starter during spring practice. He later said he “hates” having a quarterback battle entering preseason camp and wanted it resolved after a week.

On the first day of camp Saturday, Faulk explained how leadership qualities will factor greatly into the decision along with onfield ability. He also named the three quarterbacks vying for the starting job: junior Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College transfer Christian Johnson, returning senior Ashton Strother and sophomore Long Beach City College transfer Wyatt McCauley.

Faulk was asked a follow-up

question about the shift of his quarterback announcement plans.

“I don’t want to be Bill Belichick up here,” he said. “I want you guys to know; we want to break news. But at the same time, we got games to win. Every advantage we can have, I want to use it. I want to have it. And not letting a team know who our starting quarterback (is), that’s an advantage.”

Johnson is the newest addition, joining the program in early June.

The 6-foot, 206-pound junior from Montgomery, Alabama, played in back-to-back NJCAA Division I championship games at Hutchinson. As a freshman, he shared quarterback duties and helped the Blue Dragons win the 2024 national title, completing 65 of 112 passes (53.3%) for 983 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

Last season, Johnson completed 156 of 258 passes (60.5%) for 2,120 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions while leading Hutchinson to an 11-1 record. He also had

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Southern quarterback Ashton Strother runs through a drill at the first ä See SOUTHERN, page 3C practice of spring football on March 16 at the Southern practice field.

2C ■ Tuesday,August 4, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Red Sox, Phillies, Padres go big Trade deadline expires with flurry of moves

ter Griffin from the Washington Nationals and slugger Nathaniel Lowe from the Cincinnati Reds.

The 27-year-old Adell has 16 homers and 62 RBIs this season, one year after hitting a careerbest 37 homers with 98 RBIs. Adell has spent his entire career with the Angels after being the 10th overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft.

The 31-year-old Griffin has been excellent for the Nats this season with a 12-3 record and 3.06 ERA. He’s back in the big leagues after a three-year stint playing in Japan.

The 31-year-old Lowe is having a bounceback season with a .266 average, 12 homers and 37 RBIs. He’ll add more thump from the left side.

BY DAVID BRANDT AP baseball writer

The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies took big swings Monday ahead of baseball’s trade deadline, with the Red Sox adding three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman a few hours after the Phillies picked up three-time batting champion Luis Arraez.

The pair of aggressive moves highlighted a hectic day of swaps, featuring dozens of deals in the hours leading up to Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline. Among Monday’s other fireworks: the Houston Astros added veteran outfielder Daulton Varsho from Toronto in exchange for right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, and the Chicago Cubs got pitcher Clay Holmes from the New York Mets.

The San Diego Padres made multiple moves to deepen their pitching staff, picking up former Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray in a deal with the San Francisco Giants and right-hander Casey Mize from the Detroit Tigers.

Here are Monday’s biggest deals:

Rutschman to Red Sox Rutschman was the No. 1 overall pick in 2019 out of Oregon State and has largely lived up to the high expectations with five quality seasons with the Baltimore Orioles.

Now he moves to the Red Sox, who started slow this season but revitalized their playoff hopes with a franchise record-tying 15game winning streak in July. The 28-year-old Rutschman — who is under team control for one more season in 2027 — has had a bounce-back season at the plate with a .762 OPS, which helped him earn his third All-Star nod.

Rutschman is currently on the injured list with left wrist inflammation. He’s also dealt with an ankle injury and a concussion this year.

The Red Sox also received catcher Jake Rogers and cash considerations in the deal. The Orioles got catcher Carlos Narváez, minor league right-handed pitchers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, minor league outfielder Enddy Azocar, and a player to be named later or cash considerations. Eyanson, who pitched on LSU’s 2025 national championship team, is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.

Other trades of note

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GAIL BURTON

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman follows through on a tworun double against the Chicago Cubs in the seventh inning on July 7 in Baltimore. The Orioles traded him to Boston on Monday.

Arraez to Phillies Arraez comes to the Phillies from the San Francisco Giants, and he’ll be expected to create RBI opportunities for sluggers Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.

Arraez is hitting an NL-best .324 in a resurgent season after signing a $12 million, one-year deal with San Francisco early in spring training. The 29-year-old has his highest batting average since 2023, and he’s played better defense at second base after questions about his glove hindered his market in free agency.

Philly also got reliever Caleb Kilian back from the Giants in the trade for two minor leaguers, and it swung a separate deal for left-handed reliever Brooks Raley with the Mets.

Padres load up The Padres have won eight of nine to move one game back of the final wild-card playoff position, and this latest surge in their up-and-down season apparently prompted general manager A.J. Preller to trade yet another chunk of his severely depleted farm system for a chance to win now.

Ray is 10-6 with a 3.08 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 1222/ 3 innings this season, his third with San Francisco.

San Diego gave up right-hander

Miguel Mendez and 17-year-old shortstop Joniel Hernandez for the 34-year-old Ray, who will be an unrestricted free agent this winter. The Padres also got cash in the deal.

The 26-year-old Mize has a 4-6 record and 2.70 ERA this season over 16 starts. The Tigers received left-handed pitching prospects Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf.

Astros pick up Varsho The 30-year-old Varsho has had a disappointing offensive season with a .682 OPS over 99 games with the Blue Jays, but he earned a Gold Glove award in 2024 and remains an excellent defender.

Houston came into Monday’s games with a 58-55 record, which is good for first place in the AL West. The Astros took over the division lead for the first time since April after a three-game sweep of the Rangers over the weekend.

The Blue Jays received Arrighetti, who is 7-5 with a 4.60 ERA over 17 starts this season.

Guardians add three The Cleveland Guardians picked up a power bat and some outfield versatility by adding Jo Adell from the Angels, who received minor league catcher Jacob Cozart. Later in the day, they acquired veteran lefty Fos-

n The Pittsburgh Pirates added veteran right-hander Luke Weaver from the Mets. Weaver is in the first season of a two-year, $22-million deal. He had been one of the few bright spots this season for the last-place Mets, going 2-1 with a 1.84 ERA with one save in 42 appearances. The Pirates also added veteran right-hander Kirby Yates in a deal with the Angels. n The New York Yankees added outfielder Heliot Ramos from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for minor league infielder Kaeden Kent and left-hander Henry Lalane. The 26-year-old Ramos has hit .264 with nine homers and 34 RBIs in 74 games this season for the Giants. n The Milwaukee Brewers added right-handed starter Dustin May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero from the Cardinals in exchange for prospects Alexander Frías and Josiah Ragsdale. May has a 5-7 record and 4.38 ERA over 21 starts. Romero has a 3.35 ERA over 44 appearances. n The playoff-chasing Arizona Diamondbacks got a left-handed bat that can fill a spot in left field with the acquisition of Lars Nootbaar from St. Louis for prospects.

Nootbaar has hit .234 with three home runs and 16 RBIs in 48 games since his season debut in early June after heel surgery last offseason. n Toronto got utility player Josh Smith, who played at LSU, and minor league right-hander Josh Stephan from Texas for rookie left-hander Adam Macko. Smith, who in 2024 won a Silver Slugger as a utility player, was at TripleA Round Rock. He went into this season with the chance to be the Rangers’ everyday second baseman, but he hit .213 in 45 games and missed 37 games because of injuries and a bout with viral meningitis.

Skubal joins list of Cy Young winners to be traded

BY NOAH TRISTER AP baseball writer

The biggest deal of this trading season came courtesy of the Detroit Tigers, who sent left-handed ace Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, two days before Monday’s trade deadline.

Skubal is a free agent after this season, and Detroit is under .500. But even considering all that, trading away the 2024 and 2025 Cy Young Award winner couldn’t have been easy.

Skubal The Tigers will be judged on how the three prospects they acquired — Zyhir Hope, River Ryan and Brady Smith — perform. History shows that it’s possible to come out OK when trading a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber, but there are plenty of teams who got little in return.

Here are eight other instances when a reigning Cy Young winner was traded before the end of the following season (hat tip to Baseball Reference for the transaction recaps): n Frank Viola, Minnesota to New York Mets, 1989: Among the players Minnesota received for Viola were Rick Aguilera and Kevin Tapani. The former would save 42 games and the latter would win 16 in 1991, when the Twins won the

World Series. Viola wasn’t a rental — after finishing the 1989 season in New York, he went 20-8 in 1990 for the Mets. But New York never made the postseason with him. n David Cone, Kansas City to Toronto to New York Yankees, 1995: Cone was actually traded twice the year after his Cy Young season in Kansas City. Toronto acquired him for Chris Stynes and two players who never made the majors. When the Blue Jays floundered, they dealt Cone — in the final year of his contract — to the Yankees for Marty Janzen and two players who never made the majors. n Pedro Martinez, Montreal to Boston, 1997: Ouch. Montreal knew what it had in Martinez, but he was entering his walk year so the Expos traded him shortly after the ‘97 season for Carl Pavano and Tony Armas. Boston was able to keep him long term, and in 1999 and 2000, he turned in one of the best two-year pitching stretches in the live ball era: 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA, followed by 18-6 with a 1.74 ERA. n Roger Clemens, Toronto to New York Yankees, 1999: New York was coming off a 114-win season and a World Series title when it sent fan favorite David Wells to Toronto along with reliever Graeme Lloyd and infielder Homer Bush. In return, the Yankees landed Clemens, who like Skubal was fresh of two straight Cy Youngs. He added another

with New York in 2001 and kept pitching until 2007. n CC Sabathia, Cleveland to Milwaukee, 2008: Another good comp for Skubal, in that the Brewers got Sabathia as a partial-season rental right before he hit free agency. It was worth it when he went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA down the stretch to help Milwaukee reach the playoffs for the first time in 26 years. Outfielder Michael Brantley was a player to be named later in the package that went back to Cleveland, and he would become a five-time All-Star. n Cliff Lee, Cleveland to Philadelphia, 2009: Yes, that’s two straight seasons Cleveland traded away the previous year’s Cy Young winner — and Lee wasn’t even a pending free agent. He helped the Phillies reach the World Series before being retraded to Seattle. As part of the deal for Lee, Cleveland got Carlos Carrasco, who would pitch there for over a decade. n R.A. Dickey, New York Mets to Toronto, 2012: The Mets picked the right time to deal Dickey, who won 20 games in 2012 before New York sent him to the Blue Jays in December. Right-hander Noah Syndergaard and catcher Travis d’Arnaud were part of the return, and both were still with New York when the Mets won the pennant in 2015. n Justin Verlander, New York Mets to Houston, 2023: Verlander is a tricky case since he actually left the Astros as a free agent

after winning the Cy Young for them in 2022. Then New York traded him back to Houston in the middle of the 2023 season.

Performance of the week Kyle Freeland threw Colorado’s first complete game since 2002 on Sunday in an 8-1 victory over Kansas City. It was Freeland’s 251st start and first complete game.

Eduardo Rodriguez is now the lone pitcher in major league history with at least 250 starts and no complete games.

Comeback of the week Two of the craziest comebacks of the season came this week, courtesy of teams trying to stay in the American League wild card race.

Baltimore trailed Detroit 7-0 in the top of the seventh with Skubal on the mound. The Tigers had a 99.4% win probability according to Baseball Savant. The Orioles finally chased Skubal with Leody Taveras’ two-out RBI single, and by the time Detroit’s bullpen got out of the inning it was 7-5. Baltimore tied it in the eighth, both teams scored twice in the 11th and then the Orioles won 10-9 in 12.

On Thursday, Kansas City led Minnesota 3-0 with two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the ninth. (Win probability: 99.5%.)

A hit batter, a single and a walk loaded the bases. Then Kody Clemens hit a grand slam to give the Twins a 4-3 victory.

Cubs acquire former LSU star RHP Gausman in trade

The Chicago Cubs bolstered their rotation late Sunday night, acquiring right-hander Kevin Gausman in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Gausman, a former LSU star, worked 5 innings of one-run ball in Toronto’s 5-1 win over St. Louis on Saturday. He could make his first start for Chicago on Thursday, when the Cubs host the Blue Jays in the makeup of a June 21 rainout.

The durable Gausman, who is eligible for free agency after this season, is 5-10 with a 4.38 ERA in 23 starts. He pitched at least 174 innings and made at least 31 starts in each of the previous five years.

Gausman helped Toronto reach the 2025 World Series, going 2-3 with a 2.93 ERA in six postseason starts.

Former LSU big man Miller finds new home with Miami

Former LSU men’s basketball player Robert Miller III has found a new home after entering the transfer portal on April 10.

The 6-foot-10, 230-pounder is transferring to Miami, his father, Robert Miller II, told The Advocate. He averaged 6.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals per game as a sophomore. Miller was ranked the No. 42 power forward in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports.

The Houston native was one of nine players to leave LSU ahead of coach Will Wade’s first season back in Baton Rouge. His new home, Miami, is led by second-year coach Jai Lucas, who guided the Hurricanes to a 26-9 overall record and a 13-5 finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Niners WR Evans sits out with strained quadriceps Wide receiver Mike Evans missed practice for the San Francisco 49ers on Monday because of a strained quadriceps in the latest injury to hit the team’s receiver room.

Evans was able to attend practice as a spectator and even caught a couple of passes on the side during a special-teams drill. But his absence left the Niners extremely short-handed at receiver.

Projected starter Ricky Pearsall is already done for the season because of an injury to his posterior cruciate ligament last season that hasn’t healed and requires surgery. The team’s top draft pick, De’Zhaun Stribling, has missed the past two practices with tightness in his hamstring.

Bears safety Bryant leaves practice field on a cart

Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant was injured at practice on Monday with an apparent leg injury and left the field on a cart.

Bryant, the former Seattle Seahawks player who was acquired in free agency this offseason, was working against tight end Cole Kmet in 1-on-1 drills and clutched his left leg near the knee. He was able to get in the cart on his own power, but the scene was scary for the Bears, who are depending on Bryant’s speed in a revamped starting secondary.

The team hasn’t announced the nature or severity of the injury, but ESPN reported Bryant could miss 8-10 weeks with a hyperextension, bone bruise and small fracture.

Eala beats Pegula, becomes first Filipina with WTA title

WASHINGTON — Alexandra Eala’s breakthrough week at the DC Open lasted one day longer than expected. By the time it ended, the Filipino expression written across the Nike T-shirt she had worn earlier that week had become a reality.

“Once it grows, it cannot be stopped.”

After the women’s final stretched across two days because of heavy rain, Eala rallied past Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 Monday to capture her first career WTA Tour title.

The victory made the 21-yearold Eala the first Filipina to win a singles title on the tour, completing the same career-defining breakthrough that the Washington tournament once gave Pegula when she claimed her first WTA title in 2019.

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Tuesday, August 4, 2026 ■ 3C

Notre Dame, USC agree to resume rivalry with series starting in 2030

BY ERIC OLSON

AP college football writer

AP FILE PHOTO By LINDSEy WASSON

U.S. men’s national soccer team coach Mauricio Pochettino walks out to throw the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays on July 3 in Seattle.

U.S. soccer, coach Pochettino agrees to new 4-year deal

BY RONALD BLUM

AP sportswriter

Mauricio Pochettino is staying with the U.S. soccer team, agreeing Monday to a four-year contract to coach the Americans through the 2030 World Cup. The 54-year-old Pochettino, who took over the national team in October 2024, led the U.S. to the round of 16 at this year’s World Cup, where the tournament co-hosts were eliminated in a 4-1 loss to Belgium.

Still, he helped the seeded U.S. team to a pair of firsts in the expanded 48-nation tournament, clinching advancement from the group stage with a game to spare and winning three games in a single World Cup. The team captivated American fans with excited audiences in stadiums and record TV viewership.

“The magic thing that happened during the World Cup, the connection with the people, of course with the whole organization and everything was a key point,” Pochettino said during a Zoom news conference from his home in Barcelona, Spain.

Since reaching the quarterfinals at the 2002 World Cup, the U.S. has lost four round-of-16 games.

“What we learn(ed) is that we can compete, that we have the quality and we have the talent,” Pochettino said. “We were so close. That gap with the best teams in the world is not too big.”

Pochettino views the next cycle

as a new start for a program lacking quality depth at goalkeeper and central defender.

“It is going to be important to provide the young kids that we really believe (in) that they have the potential to arrive in 2030, in four years,” he said.

Before taking the U.S. job, Pochettino coached Espanyol (2009-12), Southampton (2013-14), Tottenham (2014-19), Paris SaintGermain (2021-22) and Chelsea (2023-24).

When Pochettino replaced Gregg Berhalter two years ago, he signed an initial contract through the 2026 World Cup. Pochettino said ahead of the tournament that he had discussed a possible new deal with the USSF. He also said in May that his agent had spoken with AC Milan, a club that then hired Rúben Amorim.

Pochettino, who has homes in Spain and London, said he may move to the U.S. He intends to stay with the American team until 2030 but left himself an out.

“Four years time is a really long period. You never know what can happen in soccer,” he said. “Today people really love you. In eight weeks time, maybe that change(s), that feeling.”

He has led the U.S. to 17 wins, 13 losses and one draw. Twenty-three of 62 players to appear under Pochettino have accounted for the team’s 57 goals.

“We know we have a lot of work to do to achieve our clear ambi-

tions, including competing to win Men’s World Cups and having soccer become the most played sport in every community,” USSF CEO JT Batson said in a statement.

U.S. coaches have not been successful when they remained for a second World Cup cycle.

After leading the Americans to the 2002 quarterfinals, Bruce Arena was unable to get his team past the group stage in 2006.

Bob Bradley helped the U.S. reach the round of 16 in 2010, then was fired a year later after the team lost the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

Jurgen Klinsmann took over and in December 2013 was given an extension through the 2018 World Cup. The Americans reached the round of 16 in 2014, but Klinsmann was fired in late 2016 after the U.S. lost its first two games in the final round of qualifying. Arena returned but the U.S. failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Berhalter was hired in late 2018 and led the Americans to the round of 16 in 2022. Given a new contract in 2023, he was fired a year later after the U.S. failed to advance past the group stage at Copa America.

“We are going to demand more from them,” Pochettino said of the players. “We are not going to be in some situation(s) not flexible like we were because before it was (for) the benefit of players, benefit of structures that were already built. But now it’s about to start the house from zero.”

The Notre Dame-Southern California college football rivalry will start again in 2030.

The schools announced Monday they have agreed to a four-game home-and-home series. Notre Dame will play in Los Angeles on Aug. 31, 2030, and the Trojans will visit South Bend, Indiana, on Aug. 30, 2031. The meetings in 2032 and 2033 will be played in the first three weeks of the season.

The teams met each non-pandemic season from 1946-2025, typically in October or November, in what became known as “the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football.” The exception was the 2020 season when most schools played a conference-only schedule.

The 2030 date opened up when defending national champion Indiana canceled a home-and-home series with the Irish that was scheduled for 2030 and 2031, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made.

Negotiations between Notre Dame and USC to continue the annual series became challenging after the Trojans joined the Big Ten in 2024.

The Trojans expressed that they did not want to play nonconference games after September. Notre Dame beat the Trojans 34-24 in South Bend last Oct. 18, and the series officially went on hiatus in December when the Irish announced they had filled the last open spot on their 2026 schedule with a game at BYU. Notre Dame and USC first played in 1926 and the Irish lead the series 53-38-5. The series also was put on hold from 1943-45, during World War II. The two schools have combined to win 22 national championships and produce 15 Heisman Trophy winners, and the discontinuation

prompted consternation on both sides. Navy is the only team Notre Dame has played more than USC, at 98 meetings.

Notre Dame and USC play for the Jeweled Shillelagh Trophy, a tradition which began in 1952. The Jeweled Shillelagh Trophy is presented by the Notre Dame Club of Los Angeles.

Notre Dame victories are marked by green-jeweled shamrocks while USC victories are marked by rubyjeweled Trojan heads.

“USC’s historic rivalry with Notre Dame holds a special place in the history of college football, and we are happy to resume a series that means so much to the entire Trojan Family,” USC athletic director Jen Cohen said. “It remains important for us to play this game early in the season, as it allows us to schedule competitively with our Big Ten peers and takes into account the health and best interests of our student-athletes and program. We are excited for our fans, and we look forward to more memorable matchups and unforgettable games between the Trojans and the Irish.”

The Hoosiers and Irish last met in the first CFP playoff to be held at a campus site in December 2024. Notre Dame won 27-17 in South Bend and reached the national championship game before losing to Ohio State 34-23.

In 2021, Indiana and Notre Dame agreed to what was supposed to be the first regularseason game between the two in-state schools since 1991. The Irish have won seven straight in the series with Indiana’s last victory coming in 1950.

But since the arrival of coach Curt Cignetti in 2024, Indiana has not played any Power Four schools, or Notre Dame, outside the conference schedule or the playoffs. The Hoosiers drew some criticism last summer when they also canceled a scheduled homeand-home series with Virginia.

AP FILE PHOTO By PAUL BEATy

Former USC wide receiver Makai Lemon catches a pass against Notre Dame’s Tae Johnson during the fourth quarter of a game on Oct. 18 in South Bend, Ind.

U.S. district judge clarifies her NCAA eligibility order

BY EDDIE PELLS AP national writer

DENVER — The judge who granted some athletes the right to play another year in college issued a new order Sunday that makes clear that does not include football players who signed pro contracts this summer then had a change of heart.

U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney responded to an NCAA request for clarity about her Friday ruling that granted a fifth year to athletes who graduated

SOUTHERN

Continued from page 1C

high school in 2022 and were not included in the new NCAA rule that allows five seasons of eligibility for Division I players.

She said the decision still stands.

But the clarification said her ruling had no impact on other NCAA rules, which would include its prohibition on players signing pro contracts, then coming back to college.

The NCAA filed its intention to appeal the case later Sunday night.

The ruling, as first written, had the potential to upend the upcoming college football season, where

“paranoid” coach because he has thought about the opportunities for outsiders to watch their practices. While he’s fine with the small number of fans who may peek at practice beyond the gate, he did joke he wished he could put a cover to block outsiders’ view in case they were spying. He also joked that he’s dubious of an apartment across the street from a part of the practice field.

The same fear Faulk has about losing an edge is realized in his reasoning for not announcing a starting quarterback.

“Literally, I’m paranoid about stuff,” Faulk said. “I like the advantage of the unknown. Inside the unknown, it brings out the best of us because now we got to walk in the dark. And with that, then you got to rely on your preparation.

And that’s how I feel … It’s easier to walk when you see in front of yourself.”

140 rushes for 586 yards and seven touchdowns. The team’s only loss was a 28-10 defeat to Iowa Western in the national championship game Johnson’s likely biggest competitor is Strother, who had the edge in the quarterback battle over McCauley after spring practice.

In 10 games for Southern last season, the 6-3, 225-pounder from Memphis, Tennessee, completed 89 of 171 passes for 1,111 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions.

He rushed for 94 yards and four touchdowns on 50 attempts.

McCauley played nine games at Long Beach City College and completed 118 of 218 passes (54.1%) for 1,803 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. The 6-2, 190-pound signal-caller also had 47 carries for 50 yards.

Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.

Faulk described himself as a brown@theadvocate.com.

teams are starting camp planning on the “five for five” rule to take effect beginning next fall.

Extending it to players this fall granted hundreds a chance to return to school. In the direct aftermath of the decision, some media reports were listing players on NFL and CFL rosters who were signaling they’d be open to returning to school.

But that appears to be off the table after Sweeney’s clarification that said it was strictly about the players whose eligibility ended last school year. It did not extend

beyond that — neither to rules regarding when athletes can enter the transfer portal nor to elements of the landmark House lawsuit settlement, which dictates how many players teams can put on rosters and how much schools can pay them.

The rulings out of U.S. District Court in Denver figures to impact sports differently. Football teams, for instance, have already started practice for this season, while baseball doesn’t start for a while.

In making decisions, teams figure to factor the NCAA’s appeal

of Sweeney’s order and whether to risk bringing back players who could then be declared ineligible if her decision is overturned.

NCAA President Charlie Baker issued a statement after Sweeney’s initial ruling came out Friday, saying the ruling was potentially chaos-inducing and a reason Congress needs to pass the Protect College Sports Act. That bill, being considered in the Senate, includes lawsuit protection for the NCAA over eligibility rules, the likes of which they are defending in several courts around the country.

Southern quarterback Christian Johnson catches the snap during practice on Saturday in Baton Rouge.

STAFF PHOTO

By MICHAEL JOHNSON

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SAINTS OBSERVATIONS

Offense shines for first time in camp

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

The pads came on, and the New Orleans Saints offense enjoyed its best performance to date.

After a handful of days where things looked half a click off, Tyler Shough completed 11 of 14 pass attempts. The offensive line gave him a relatively clean pocket to operate from for much of the practice, and when pressure broke through, Shough would answer by using his legs to find space and extend the play.

It wasn’t just Shough making plays. A rookie wide receiver popped a couple of times Monday morning, and a veteran running back made an impact as a receiver out of the backfield. In both cases, it might not be the player whom you think.

Here is what happened during the roughly 100-minute practice Monday morning in Metairie.

Attendance There were no changes in attendance Monday: Receiver Mason Tipton, and defensive linemen Keeshawn Silver and Zxavian Harris continued to miss practice with injuries suffered before camp began, and right guard Cesar Ruiz missed practice with an excused absence.

New Orleans has not yet made a roster move with defensive lineman Bryan Bresee, who is expected to miss the 2026 season with a torn ACL, but it will soon have two roster spots to fill after Ja’Lynn Polk‘s sudden retirement.

Offense shines Nobody was really worried about the offense this early in training camp, but Monday’s practice was the first one decisively won by the starting offense.

Shough easily had his best day, both in terms of the passes he completed and the rhythm he had the offense in. Only three of his passes during team drills hit the ground

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Saints running back Travis Etienne catches a pass over Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss during training camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Monday.

— two of them deep shots that he put just beyond his receiver’s reach, and the other a throwaway as he was escaping pressure while rolling left.

The Saints’ pass-catching depth showed up, too: Shough’s 11 completions went to seven different players — three receivers, two running backs and two tight ends.

First-round pick Jordyn Tyson made a nice sliding catch over the middle of the field, going to his rear end to corral a low throw from Shough. Fellow rookie Oscar Delp got in the action by catching

Shough’s first pass of the day in the left flat and turning upfield.

Importantly, the run game also produced a couple of big plays — at least, they looked like they would be big plays. While the players were in pads, they were not fully tackling their teammates to the ground.

Devin Neal hit a hole off left guard and rumbled downfield for a gain of about 10 yards before he was touched by a defender, and Alvin Kamara continued to show he still has something in the tank when he cut through the heart of the defense on a draw for a nice gain.

Odds and ends

rebounded with a brilliant over-theshoulder catch from Spencer Rattler near the end of practice. n Travis Etienne prides himself on his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, and his pass-catching skills flashed Monday. He was running to the flat on one play as Shough evaded the rush and rolled to his left. Seeing Shough point downfield, Etienne broke off his route and sprinted, catching an over-the-shoulder pass for a big gain. When the first team took the field again, Etienne set up a screen perfectly, catching the pass and following his blocks for another big gain. He caught all three of his targets. n Defensive back Isaac Yiadom and linebacker Danny Stutsman both took some first-team snaps during fullteam periods Monday. Moore said the Yiadom move, which briefly sent Quincy Riley to the second team, was “no big deal” and that “we’re just giving ourselves different rotations.” n Tyson went through all the fullteam drills, but he did not participate in the 1-on-1 period. n Kicker Charlie Smyth had his first miss of training camp, pushing a kick wide from 44 yards.

But he made his other five attempts, ending with a 54-yarder that cleared the uprights by a good margin. Smyth is now 15 for 16 on his training camp field goal attempts. n For as well as the first-team offense played, the second-team defense got its hands on a couple of balls. Dalys Beanum undercut a downfield throw from Zach Wilson intended for Bub Means to pick it off, and backup defensive backs Jayden Price and Lorenzo Styles both had interceptions in 1-on-1 drills. n The kick-return group included the following players: Brown, Price, Ty Chandler, Trey Palmer, Bryce Lance, Kendre Miller and Jalen Cropper.

n Barion Brown made a name for himself as a return specialist during his time at LSU and Kentucky, but shortly after the Saints selected him in the draft, coach Kellen Moore said he believed he could help as a receiver. Monday’s practice was the best evidence in support of Moore’s statement. Brown started things off by beating Rejzohn Wright deep downfield in 1-on-1 drills.

He missed another opportunity in team drills when the defense lost him on a scramble drill, failing to Email Luke Johnson at track the ball to his hands, but then ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

POLK

Continued from page 1C workload for Tyson and Vele on certain reps. It shouldn’t be ignored that Austin also has found his way into playing time the last two seasons because of injuries in front of him, starting three of 16 appearances.

Outside of Austin, Ronnie Bell and Bub Means have had nice moments since camp began.

Will Saints add at WR?

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MIKE STEWART

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London, left, works against cornerback A.J. Terrell during training camp on Monday in Flowery Branch, Ga.

Falcons’ unity on display during emotional day

BY MAURA CAREY

AP sportswriter

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Tua Tagovailoa made his 11-on-11 debut at Atlanta Falcons training camp on Monday as full pads went on for the first time.

A strong fan turnout made its presence known with applause as Tagovailoa took the field, rookie receiver Zachariah Branch showed flashes of brilliance and Jeff Ulbrich returned to the practice facility.

Offensive guard Matthew Bergeron had one extra thing to smile about after signing a fouryear, $96 million contract extension on Saturday, joining a list of young Falcons playmakers who have been rewarded for their efforts leading up to the season.

Tears welled up in Bergeron’s eyes as he talked about what it means to continue his career in Atlanta, the southern city that has become home for the Canadian offensive guard since being drafted in 2023.

“Being Canadian and not having much family in the U.S., to be able to be here and everybody just welcomes you with open arms and southern hospitality — just being able to stay in Atlanta means the world to me,” he said.

To Bergeron, it’s the people that make the place. He said it’s hard

to explain the brotherhood without witnessing it for yourself in the locker room.

“I’m just very, very, very grateful,” Bergeron said, noticeably emotional. “My work ethic and the way I carry myself is never going to change. I’m going to hold myself to a high standard, keep working the way I do every day.”

That brotherhood was felt on Monday as Ulbrich made his first training camp appearance since the death of his wife, Cristina, following a battle with cancer.

Both Bergeron and linebacker Divine Deablo expressed their support and appreciation for the second-year defensive coordinator.

“Man, I love Brich,” Deablo said.

“He’s like a, I don’t know, a father figure, an older brother for me. So, I was glad to have him back out there. I hugged him as soon as I seen him. Everybody just wants to play for Brich at the end of the day.”

Bergeron said he hopes the team can help Ulbrich through a difficult time, just as the coach does every day for players with his unwavering energy and intensity.

“It means the world for us to just be all together, you know, offense, defense and coach ‘Brich,” Bergeron said. “He means a lot, not only to the defense but to the team as well.”

Moore didn’t dismiss that the Saints could add another receiver to offset Polk’s departure, but the coach didn’t sound like New Orleans was rushing to make a move, either.

“We’re always looking to see if something suits us, but right now we’ve got a lot of guys in that room that are all getting opportunities,” Moore said.

If the Saints do want to add another receiver, there are a slew of notable veterans still available.

Among them, former Los Angeles Chargers wideout Keenan Allen has previous experience with Moore from their time together in 2023, when Moore served as the Chargers offensive coordinator.

There’s also Brandin Cooks, who rejoined the Saints last offseason but was released in November to allow him to join a contender.

Allen is coming off an 81-catch, 777-yard season, despite playing only 55% of the snaps.

“Yeah, I mean, I love Keenan,” Moore said. “Obviously I had a great experience with (the) one year. But yeah, we’ll see how that goes. We’ll see. Got a lot of receivers.”

If anything, Polk’s abrupt decision underscored the importance of drafting Tyson with the eighth overall pick months earlier.

Had the Saints gone into the

ELLISS

Continued from page 1C very good communicator, very good on the blitz, too.”

Like Elliss, Godchaux was a Day 3 draft pick who found a role, established himself and found staying power in the NFL. Godchaux is entering Year 10, while Elliss is entering his eighth season.

Godchaux chose the word “grit” to describe the players who follow that path. They are not the players into whom the franchise has

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Saints wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk, left, and Trey Palmer greet each other during a minicamp practice at the Saints’ outdoor practice field on June 17. year with Olave, Vele and Polk as their top three, maybe the franchise would have had to scramble after Polk’s news. Instead, the Saints can assess their depth and feel confident in their top-three receivers.

Re-analyzing the trade

acquired in a 6-7 swap.

Losing a sixth-round pick for a player who ultimately didn’t record a single statistic isn’t ideal, but the Saints picked up a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Chargers last November when the team shipped out guard Trevor Penning at the trade deadline.

New Orleans will still have a pick in that round.

If this is indeed it for Polk, he ends his career with only 12 catches for 87 yards in 15 games. His underwhelming time in New England didn’t scare off the Saints, who were optimistic that a fresh start would do wonders for a talented wide receiver whom they were high on coming out of the draft.

Sometimes, the vision just doesn’t pan out.

When the Saints traded for Polk, the move was regarded as a lowrisk, high-reward trade.

The reward, it turns out, was minimal. But notably, so was the cost. The Saints only had to give up a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for Polk and a 2028 seventh-round selection.

That type of framework — a 6-7 pick swap plus a player — has been increasingly common in the NFL, and the Saints have hit on other trades using the template.

Tackle Asim Richards and defensive lineman John Ridgeway, two Email Matthew Paras at matt. quality depth pieces, were also paras@theadvocate.com

invested heavily, and they are the ones who have to make the limited opportunities count.

They also must have a stubborn belief.

Elliss recalled one of his first experiences after a summer practice with the Saints in 2019 — a team that would go 13-3 and win the NFC South. He told his father, former NFL All-Pro Luther Elliss, that he didn’t feel intimidated and figured he was one of the better athletes on the team.

His dad laughed him off and made sure he knew that the veterans had a different gear for an

organized team activity. But the belief never left Elliss, even after he tore his ACL during his rookie season and had to work his way back into feeling like himself.

“I never viewed myself as like a seventh-round pick,” Elliss said.

“From the jump, I was always like, ‘Man, this is only because I was at Idaho.’ You know what I mean? If I had been somewhere else (in college) and done the same things, I feel like I would have been much higher drafted.”

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Tuesday, August 4, 2026 ■ 5C

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NFL

Big-name players have something to prove

BY DENNIS WASZAK

offseason workouts and minicamp, and the hope is being in his second year in Liam Coen’s offense will FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Breece Hall help him more closely resemble came to training camp with a new the playmaker he was as a rookcontract from the New York Jets ie. and an intense desire to justify the A.J. Brown, WR, Patriots big bucks.

“It makes me more hungry to The three-time Pro Bowl pick keep proving I am who I say I am,” was traded by Philadelphia to said the star running back, who New England in June for a 2028 received a three-year extension first-round draft pick and a 2027 in May worth $45.75 million. “It’s fifth-rounder. Brown, who’s still making me want to do more than only 29, had 339 catches for 5,034 I’ve done in the past.” yards receiving with 32 touchMeanwhile, Baker Mayfield said downs in four seasons with the he feels “disrespected” by the Eagles — a tenure also marked Tampa Bay Buccaneers for not by cryptic social-media posts and getting the contract extension he comments that soured his relasought and plans to play out the fi- tionship with the franchise, innal season of his three-year, $100 cluding quarterback Jalen Hurts. million deal.

In New England, Brown gets a Several players know exactly fresh start with his childhood fahow they feel, entering the season vorite team. with something to prove because of either signing a big-money deal, Keon Coleman, WR, Bills looking for another contract, joinThe 23-year-old wide receiver ing a new team, trying to overcome has the talent to be a star for the an injury or working to rebound Josh Allen-led offense. But inconfrom mediocre play. Here are sistency and lapses in focus on and some players with a little extra to off the field have prevented Coleprove in 2026. man from reaching that potential.

He has been disciplined three Brian Thomas, WR, Jaguars times for being late to meetings.

The 2024 first-rounder out of After having eight catches for 112 LSU set franchise rookie records yards in Buffalo’s season opener, for catches (87), yards receiving Coleman had just 30 receptions for (1,282) and TD receptions (10), 292 yards in 12 other games. He acquickly emerging as Trevor Law- knowledged in minicamp that this rence’s top target. But Thomas’ is a “make or break” season. production nosedived last season with 48 catches for 707 yards Breece Hall, RB, Jets and just two TDs. He also tied for Hall ran for 1,000 yards for the second in the NFL with 10 drops. first time in his career last season Thomas was impressive during and also had 350 yards receiving

lion, giving the Vikings someone to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting job. Murray has been productive at his best as a dynamic dual threat. But he has had to deal with injuries and questions about his work ethic, something he’ll try to put to rest with the Vikings.

AP pro football writer

Michael Penix, QB, Falcons

AP PHOTO By KELLy JORDAN

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas makes a catch during practice at the team’s training camp on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. with five overall TDs while playing in 16 games. He was mentioned often in trade rumors last year but remained with the Jets. With Frank Reich running the offense, Hall should continue to be a doit-all bell cow out of the backfield with the hope he’ll firmly establish himself as one of the league’s top running backs.

Baker Mayfield, QB, Buccaneers The No. 1 overall pick in 2018 by Cleveland revived his career in Tampa Bay after replacing Tom Brady in 2023. Mayfield insists he has shown himself with the

Buccaneers to be a franchise quarterback — and wants to be paid as such. In his first two seasons in Tampa Bay, he made the Pro Bowl and led the Buccaneers to NFC South titles. Mayfield got off to another terrific start last season but fizzled down the stretch with injuries.

Kyler Murray, QB, Vikings Arizona released Murray in the offseason, a disappointing end to what was a promising beginning for the 2019 top pick. He signed with Minnesota in March for the veteran’s minimum of $1.3 mil-

The eighth overall pick in 2024 came to Atlanta as the possible quarterback of the future. Injuries and inconsistency have threatened those hopes. Penix opened last season as the starter, was benched late in Week 3 in favor of Kirk Cousins and then tore an ACL in Week 11.

He’s working his way back from that injury, and the Falcons aren’t quite sure when he’ll be fully ready. Atlanta signed Tua Tagovailoa in the offseason to compete with Penix.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans The second overall pick in 2023 had a terrific first season, winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, leading the Texans to the playoffs, making the Pro Bowl and giving Houston hope its franchise QB was in place. Stroud’s last two seasons might have caused some doubt. The Texans have made it to the postseason in each of his three NFL seasons, but Stroud had his worst performance in the divisional round against New England when he threw four first-half interceptions. The Texans exercised the fifth-year option on Stroud’s rookie contract in April and he’s eligible for an extension, with talks ongoing.

Donning pads escalates intensity for Commanders

BY ETHAN CADEAUX Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By CHRIS CARLSON

New york Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart practices during training camp on Friday in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

Giants quarterback Dart wants to right losing ways as rookie

BY STEPHEN WHYNO AP sportswriter

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — After taking part in John Harbaugh’s first training camp practice with the New York Giants last week, Jaxson Dart did not want to make too many premature judgments about the veteran coach’s demeanor, which he expects to evolve with time.

One thing the second-year quarterback has picked up over the past several months is Harbaugh’s mentality.

“He just wants to, obviously, win,” Dart said. “He’s got a chip on his shoulder.”

So does Dart, who chalks it up to his rookie year not going well.

The Giants lost eight of his first 12 NFL starts, finished 4-13 and after an offseason of organizational upheaval, he is determined to avoid a repeat losing performance.

That process starts in camp, where this time Dart is the undisputed starter at football’s most important position, a long way from taking second- and third-team snaps behind Russell Wilson and sometimes even Jameis Winston a year ago. At 23, he’s still young and inexperienced — and leaning into those facts.

“There’s a lot that I’ve got to still learn,” Dart said. “I’m trying to keep everything around me simple: from the things that I give my attention to, to my daily (practice and) study habits. That’s just me trying to continue to grow because I saw what it was like last year for a tough season. It was new for my career, and I want to make sure

that doesn’t happen again.”

Also new for Dart are incoming offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, QBs coach Brian Callahan and a host of new wide receivers.

With Nagy’s arrival comes a system that is different from the one Mike Kafka ran last season while in that job and after taking over as interim coach when Brian Daboll was fired. Such a big change early in Dart’s career provides another challenge, though it’s one general manager Joe Schoen pointed out that Chicago’s Caleb Williams and New England’s Drake Maye handled smoothly.

The lack of continuity makes it difficult to handicap expectations, though the Giants have high hopes for Dart regardless of who’s calling the plays.

“Just continue to build off of last season,” Schoen said. ”He played at a high level throughout last season, so, (we hope to) continue to see him to ascend. Really good staff, really good plan, scheme in place and excited for his Year 2 and how he does.”

Dart as a rookie completed 63.7% of his passes for 2,272 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also ran for 487 yards and nine TDs. He took a few big hits along the way, including one that concussed and sidelined him for two games.

Growing every day is how Dart answered a question about what he expects of himself, and that includes better risk-reward decisions that a lot of mobile quarterbacks figure out (or don’t) along the way.

With Nagy in charge, it also

means more plays under center instead of out of a shotgun formation. That adjustment is ongoing.

“It’s been something that we’ve really pushed and really got a ton of reps at this offseason,” Dart said. “There are a few things mechanically that are different.

Probably just the biggest thing is a little bit of footwork landmarks in the pocket. (But) I’m feeling really good with the track that we’re on, and I’m feeling comfortable.”

That comfort is slowly building with new wideouts such as Odell Beckham Jr., Calvin Austin, Darnell Mooney and JuJu SmithSchuster. A similar familiarization process is also needed with Malik Nabers, who went down with a torn ACL in his right knee less than one full half into Dart’s first start on Sept. 28.

Dart said he and Nabers talked and watched a lot of video over the past few months, which he hopes will help the two establish a strong on-field rapport quickly when New York’s No. 1 receiver is fully healthy.

Being the face of the franchise and the leadership responsibilities that come with playing QB also make it incumbent on Dart to interact with teammates everywhere on the roster. His coach likes what he has seen so far in that department.

“He’s a charismatic guy, but he wants to win and he expects everybody else to want to win,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve got a bunch of guys that respond, but also a bunch of guys that feel the same way, so I just think he’s got a good relationship with the guys.”

ASHBURN, Va. — After preaching the need for competition at the start of Washington Commanders training camp, coach Dan Quinn got his wish Monday in the first practice with players in full pads.

The intensity ramped up as a result. Tight end Chig Okonkwo called it a chance to “finally play real football.”

“We were all out there flying around and talking smack,” Okonkwo said.

The Commanders spent most of practice working on redzone packages, and the offense turned in its best day of training camp thus far.

The first play of 11-on-11s gave the fans in attendance a reason to cheer. Lined up goal-to-go from the 4-yard line, Jayden Daniels threw a perfect fade to Terry McLaurin, who made a toe-tapping touchdown grab over cornerback Mike Sainristil. McLaurin was animated after, and plenty of celebrations followed.

Daniels and McLaurin were in sync for much of the session.

The two connected on another touchdown during 7-on-7 drills, with Daniels delivering a strike to a diving McLaurin over the middle in between a pair of defenders.

The Daniels-McLaurin connection in midseason form is a welcome sight for the Commanders, as the wide receiver held out for the entirety of camp last year because of a contract dispute. Daniels and McLaurin were unable to replicate their 2024 success last season because of respective injury absences.

“Our communication has grown just as quarterback and receiver,” McLaurin said Thursday. “Third year playing with one another, having a full offseason together to get some really good work in. I just love to see the way he’s grown as a player (and) as a leader.”

When Daniels wasn’t connecting with McLaurin, he was often targeting his new tight end. The play of the day came during team drills: Daniels rolled out to his right and connected with Okonkwo for a 20-yard touchdown.

“With (Daniels), it’s really easy,” Okonkwo said. “You’ve just got to be where you’re sup-

AP PHOTO By NICK WASS

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels works out during practice at the team’s training camp on Saturday in Ashburn, Va.

posed to be, and he’ll find you with an accurate ball.”

Okonkwo has lined up all over the field during training camp, taking snaps out wide in addition to his typical tight end position along the line. He should be in line for a big role in new offensive coordinator David Blough’s system.

“Having an expanded playbook has allowed me to use my speed down the field a lot more,” Okonkwo said.

The defense also had its moments, getting to Daniels during team drills and forcing the quarterback to throw the ball away or take a would-be sack during live game snaps.

Sonny Styles, the seventh pick in the draft, disrupted in the run game and as a pass rusher.

Sainristil, who was beaten on McLaurin’s touchdown, bounced back with two impressive pass breakups in the final session of practice.

The competition and intensity remained high throughout practice, even during positional drills.

General manager Adam Peters observed closely for 1-on-1 matchups between the offensive and defensive lines.

“I think it’s a great offensive line,” edge rusher Odafe Oweh said. “Very physical, vet offensive line. Savvy. They’re maulers. … I’m having fun getting better.

I think the O-Line is great. They are only getting better, just like us.”

6C ■ Tuesday,August 4, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

lll

SCOREBOARD Odds

Houston Seattle Texas Athletics Los Angeles

Sports Betting Line NFL Thursday FAVORITE Carolina

MLB

Sunday’s Games

OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 1½ 1½ (35½) at ARIZONA

Tuesday

American League FAVORITE LINE at BALTIMORE OFF at BOSTON OFF Minnesota -147 at HOUSTON -133 at SEATTLE OFF National League FAVORITE LINE at PHILA -231 at ATLANTA OFF at MILWAUKEE -172 LA Dodgers -206 at ARIZONA OFF Interleague FAVORITE LINE at CINCINNATI -145 at CLEVELAND -140 at N.Y YANKEES OFF at TEXAS OFF at COLORADO OFF

UNDERDOG LINE LA Angels OFF White Sox OFF at KANSAS CITY +120 Toronto +108 Detroit OFF UNDERDOG Washington Miami Pittsburgh at CUBS San Diego

LINE +185 OFF +138 +166 OFF

UNDERDOG Athletics N.Y Mets St. Louis San Francisco Tampa Bay

LINE +117 +113 OFF OFF OFF

Pro basketball WNBA Glance EASTERN CONFERENCE W 18 19 16 17 11 10 7

Atlanta Indiana Washington New York Chicago Toronto Connecticut

WESTERN CONFERENCE Minnesota Las Vegas Golden State Dallas Los Angeles Phoenix Portland Seattle

Sunday’s Games

W 25 20 20 19 11 11 11 6

L 10 11 12 13 18 19 23 L 6 9 9 11 17 19 19 25

Pct .643 .633 .571 .567 .379 .345 .233 Pct .806 .690 .690 .633 .393 .367 .367 .194

GB — — 2 2 7½ 8½ 12 GB — 4 4 5½ 12½ 13½ 13½ 19

Minnesota 108, Indiana 100 Los Angeles 106, Portland 101 Dallas 83, Connecticut 63 Golden State 96, Toronto 79

Tuesday’s Games

Major League Baseball American League Tampa Bay New York Boston Baltimore Toronto

W 65 63 60 54 53

Central Division Chicago Cleveland Minnesota Detroit Kansas City

West Division

L 46 50 51 58 60

Pct .586 .558 .541 .482 .469

GB — 3 5 11½ 13

— 2½ 2½ 12 14

St. Louis 13, N.Y. Yankees 7 Toronto 3, Houston 1 San Francisco at Texas, n Tampa Bay at Colorado, n

PGA Tour Statistics Through Aug. 2

L.A. Angels (Detmers 3-7) at Baltimore (TBD), 5:35 p.m.

Athletics (Ginn 8-6) at Cincinnati (Singer 5-10), 5:40 p.m.

N.Y. Mets (Manaea 2-5) at Cleveland (Cantillo 8-6), 5:40 p.m.

St. Louis (TBD) at N.Y. Yankees (Weathers 4-7), 6:05 p.m.

Chicago White Sox (Martin 9-5) at Boston (Sandoval 0-0), 6:10 p.m.

Minnesota (Ryan 6-7) at Kansas City (Dobnak 1-0), 6:40 p.m.

San Francisco (Ray 10-6) at Texas (Gore 6-9), 7:05 p.m.

Toronto (Yesavage 5-5) at Houston (Wesneski 1-0), 7:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay (TBD) at Colorado (Hughes 0-3), 7:40 p.m.

Detroit (Mize 4-6) at Seattle (Hancock 6-5), 8:40 p.m.

National League East Division Atlanta Philadelphia Miami Washington New York

W 67 60 58 55 47

L 45 53 55 59 66

Pct .598 .531 .513 .482 .416

GB — 7½ 9½ 13 20½

Milwaukee Chicago Pittsburgh St. Louis Cincinnati

W 69 64 57 56 53

L 43 49 57 57 58

Pct .616 .566 .500 .496 .477

GB — 5½ 13 13½ 15½

Central Division

W 69 59 58 47 45

L 43 53 54 65 67

Pct .616 .527 .518 .420 .402

Philadelphia 8, Baltimore 0, 6 innings Atlanta 4, Washington 2 St. Louis 5, Toronto 1 Cleveland 5, Arizona 0 Miami 2, N.Y. Mets 0 Cincinnati 10, Pittsburgh 2 N.Y. Yankees 2, Chicago Cubs 1 Colorado 8, Kansas City 1 L.A. Angels 3, Milwaukee 0 San Diego 5, San Francisco 4 Boston 8, L.A. Dodgers 4

Monday’s Games

W 59 57 56 54 46

L 52 56 57 58 67

Pct .532 .504 .496 .482 .407

GB — 3 4 5½ 14

Philadelphia 6, Washington 3 Pittsburgh 4, Milwaukee 3 St. Louis 13, N.Y. Yankees 7 Chicago Cubs 10, L.A. Dodgers 5 San Francisco at Texas, n Tampa Bay at Colorado, n San Diego at Arizona, n

W

L

Pct

GB

Athletics (Ginn 8-6) at Cincinnati (Singer

Tuesday’s Games

5-10), 5:40 p.m.

N.Y. Mets (Manaea 2-5) at Cleveland (Cantillo 8-6), 5:40 p.m.

Washington (Littell 7-8) at Philadelphia (Luzardo 9-5), 5:40 p.m.

St. Louis (TBD) at N.Y. Yankees (Weathers 4-7), 6:05 p.m.

Miami (TBD) at Atlanta (Sale 12-6), 6:15 p.m.

Pittsburgh (Jones 2-2) at Milwaukee (Henderson 5-1), 6:40 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers (Skubal 7-5) at Chicago Cubs (Assad 6-1), 7:05 p.m.

San Francisco (Ray 10-6) at Texas (Gore 6-9), 7:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay (TBD) at Colorado (Hughes 0-3), 7:40 p.m.

San Diego (TBD) at Arizona (Rodriguez 10-3), 8:40 p.m.

Golf

Tuesday’s Games

Sunday’s Games

Toronto at Golden State, 9 p.m.

.509 .487 .487 .402 .384

Monday’s Games

Los Angeles Arizona San Diego San Francisco Colorado

New York 95, Seattle 83 Las Vegas 109, Atlanta 87 Phoenix at Chicago, n

56 58 58 67 69

Philadelphia 8, Baltimore 0, 6 innings St. Louis 5, Toronto 1 Cleveland 5, Arizona 0 Chicago White Sox 9, Tampa Bay 1 Houston 7, Texas 3 N.Y. Yankees 2, Chicago Cubs 1 Colorado 8, Kansas City 1 L.A. Angels 3, Milwaukee 0 Seattle 7, Minnesota 6 Detroit 11, Athletics 0 Boston 8, L.A. Dodgers 4

West Division

Monday’s Games

East Division

58 55 55 45 43

GB — 10 11 22 24

FedExCup Season Points 1, Scottie Scheffler, 4,123. 2, Matt Fitzpatrick, 3,329. 3, Cameron Young, 3,157. 4, Wyndham Clark, 2,255. 5, Chris Gotterup, 2,254. 6, Collin Morikawa, 2,229. 7, Si Woo Kim, 2,201. 8, Sam Burns, 2,078. 9, Tommy Fleetwood, 2,046. 10, Ludvig Åberg, 1,929.

Scoring Average 1, Scottie Scheffler, 68.775. 2, Collin Morikawa, 69.458. 3, Matt Fitzpatrick, 69.509. 4, Cameron Young, 69.655. 5, Tommy Fleetwood, 69.668. 6, Sam Burns, 69.742. 7, Xander Schauffele, 69.780. 8, Chris Gotterup, 69.796.

9, Jake Knapp, 69.800. 10, Si Woo Kim, 69.806.

Driving Distance 1, Aldrich Potgieter, 330.4. 2, Michael Brennan, 326.1. 3, Marco Penge, 324.4. 4, Nicolai Hojgaard, 323.9. 5, Rasmus Hojgaard, 322.4. 6, Gary Woodland, 322.3. 7, Chris Gotterup, 322.2.

8, Min Woo Lee, 320.9. 9, 2 tied with 319.4.

Driving Accuracy Percentage 1, Russell Henley, 72.81%. 2, Aaron Rai, 71.70%. 3, Davis Chatfield, 71.18%. 4, Joel Dahmen, 70.90%. 5, Lucas Glover, 69.95%. 6, Collin Morikawa, 69.71%. 7, Brandt Snedeker, 69.48%. 8, Si Woo Kim, 69.14%. 9, Emiliano Grillo, 68.99%. 10, Tommy Fleetwood, 68.87%.

Greens in Regulation Percentage 1, 10 tied with .00%.

Total Driving 1, Jordan Smith, 59. 2, Neal Shipley, 63. 3, Scottie Scheffler, 66. 4 (tie), Ludvig Aberg and Cameron Young, 69. 6, Kristoffer Ventura, 85. 7 (tie), Gary Woodland and Sudarshan Yellamaraju, 86. 9, Kurt Kitayama, 88. 10, 2 tied with 90.

SG-Putting 1, Jacob Bridgeman, .684. 2, Vince Whaley, .678. 3, Akshay Bhatia, .664. 4, Sam Burns, .662. 5, Eric Cole, .598. 6, Scottie Scheffler, .569. 7, Alex Noren, .556. 8, Robert MacIntyre, .544. 9, Jake Knapp, .543. 10, A.J. Ewart, .521.

Birdie Average 1, Scottie Scheffler, 4.76. 2, Si Woo Kim, 4.56. 3, Collin Morikawa, 4.52. 4, Wyndham Clark, 4.41.

5, Ludvig Aberg, 4.32. 6, Jacob Bridgeman, 4.29.

7 (tie), Robert MacIntyre and Kevin Yu, 4.26. 9, Keith Mitchell, 4.24. 10, 2 tied with 4.23.

Eagles (Holes per) 1, Jake Knapp, 52.9. 2, Kristoffer Ventura, 59.5. 3, Nicolai Hojgaard, 79.2. 4, Matt Wallace, 82.5. 5, Aldrich Potgieter, 85.5. 6, Shane Lowry, 91.6. 7, Sahith Theegala, 92.3. 8, Tommy Fleetwood, 93. 9, Rasmus Hojgaard, 94.9. 10, Max Greyserman, 99.

Sand Save Percentage 1, 10 tied with .00%.

All-Around Ranking 1, Scottie Scheffler, 165. 2, Ludvig Åberg, 237.

3, Collin Morikawa, 257. 4, Sam Burns, 261.

5, Jake Knapp, 274. 6, Chris Gotterup, 308. 7, Wyndham Clark, 326. 8, Tommy Fleetwood, 329. 9, Min Woo Lee, 334. 10, Doug Ghim, 348.

LPGA Tour Statistics Through Aug. 2 Scoring

1, Nelly Korda, 69.18. 2, Haeran Ryu, 69.51. 3, Hyo Joo Kim, 70.16. 4, Jeeno Thitikul, 70.18. 5, Miyu Yamashita, 70.29. 6, Lydia Ko, 70.36. 7, Ruoning Yin, 70.63. 8, Ina Yoon, 70.73. 9, Sei Young Kim, 70.74. 10, Hannah Green, 70.76.

Driving Distance 1, Riley Smyth, 288.74. 2, Julia Lopez Ramirez, 288.55. 3, Auston Kim, 280.58. 4, Polly Mack, 279.46. 5, Suvichaya Vinjichaitham, 278.26.

6, Ina Yoon, 277.93. 7, Laney Frye, 277.63.

8, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, 276.33. 9, Helen Briem, 276.18. 10, Bailey Tardy, 274.47.

Greens in Regulation 1, Haeran Ryu, .80%. 2, Jeeno Thitikul, .75%.

3, Isabello Fierro, .74%. 4 (tie), Dongeun Lee and Lottie Woad, .73%. 6, 5 tied with .72%.

Putts per GIR 1, Hyo Joo Kim, 1.71. 2 (tie), Minami Katsu and Angel Yin, 1.73. 4 (tie), Nelly Korda and Mi Hyang Lee, 1.74. 6, Gaby Lopez, 1.75. 7, 6 tied with 1.76.

Birdies 1, Aki Iwai, 249. 2, Lottie Woad, 225. 3, Miyu Yamashita, 219. 4 (tie), Minami Katsu and Haeran Ryu, 213. 6, Ina Yoon, 207. 7, Jin Hee Im, 205. 8, Jeeno Thitikul, 202. 9, 2 tied with 200.

Eagles 1, Brooke M. Henderson, 14. 2, Nelly Korda, 9. 3 (tie), Hye-Jin Choi, Minji Kang, Sei Young Kim and Ryann O’Toole, 8. 7, 6 tied with 7.

Sand Save Percentage 1, Pornanong Phatlum, .61%. 2 (tie), Peiyun Chien, Jin Hee Im and Nelly Korda, .59%. 5, Minjee Lee, .58%. 6 (tie), Minami Katsu and Patty Tavatanakit, .57%. 8, 3 tied with .56%.

Rounds Under Par 1, Miyu Yamashita, .59%. 2, Aki Iwai, .55%. 3, Nelly Korda, .76%. 4, Haeran Ryu, .69%. 5, Lottie Woad, .56%. 6, Jeeno Thitikul, .59%. 7, Minami Katsu, .56%. 8, Jin Hee Im, .53%. 9, Cassie Porter, .59%. 10, Ina Yoon, .58%. 11, Rio Takeda, .55%.

Tennis ATP National Bank Open Results Monday

At IGA Stadium Montreal Purse: $9,415,725 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Results Monday from National Bank Open at IGA Stadium (seedings in parentheses):

Men’s Singles

Round of 128 James Duckworth, Australia, def. Christopher O’Connell, Australia, 6-3, 6-1.

Vit Kopriva, Czechia, def. Alexis Galarneau, Canada, 6-4, 6-4.

Mariano Navone, Argentina, def. Matteo Berrettini, Italy, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3.

Nicolas Mejia, Colombia, def. Martin Landaluce, Spain, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Titouan Droguet, France, def. Luca Van Assche, France, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7).

Yannick Hanfmann, Germany, def. Benjamin Bonzi, France, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

WTA Mubadala Citi DC Open Results Monday

At William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center Washington DC, United States Purse: $2,488,125 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Results Monday from Mubadala Citi DC Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center (seedings in parentheses):

Men’s Singles

Championship Taylor Fritz (3), United States, def. Rafael Jodar, Spain, 7-6 (2), 6-4.

Transactions Major League Baseball

American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Acquired RHPs Alex Hoppe, Brock Moore and Harrison Kreiling from Seattle in exchange for LF Taylor Ward.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Acquired CF Brenton Doyle from Colorado in exchange for RHP Mason Adams and SS Carlos Vielma.

Acquired RHPs Gabe Davis and Zach Franklin from the New York Mets in exchange for RHP Huascar Brazobán.

Designated RHP Duncan Davitt for assignment. Optioned RHP Duncan Davitt to Charlotte (IL).

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS — Acquired RF Jo Adell from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for C Jacob Cozart. Designated 2B Juan Brito for assignment.

DETROIT TIGERS — Agreed to terms with RHP Fabian Reyes on a minor league contract.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Acquired RHP Manuel Colon from Philadelphia in exchange for RHP Nolan Hoffman. Transferred RHP Connor Seabold from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL. NEW YORK YANKEES — Acquired 1B Luis García Jr. from Washington in exchange for RHPs Ben Grable, Yovanny Cruz, Jack Cebert and Jake Bird. Reinstated 1B Luis García Jr. from the IL. Recalled RHP Kervin Castro from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL). Sent LF Max Schuemann outright to Scranton/WilkesBarre (IL).

TAMPA BAY RAYS — Acquired C Liam Hicks from Miami in exchange for 3B Brayden Taylor, SS Adrian Santana and RHP Jacob Kisting. Reinstated RHP Freddy Peralta from the IL. Designated RHP Craig Kimbrel for assignment. Optioned RHP Alex Cook to Durham (IL).

TEXAS RANGERS — Acquired LHP Adam Macko from Toronto in exchange for 2B Josh Smith and RHP Josh Stephan. Reinstated RHP Chris Martin from the 15-day IL. Designated RHP Chris Martin for assignment.

Optioned LHP Adam Macko to Round Rock (PCL).

TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Acquired RHP José Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for SS Arjun Nimmala, RF Eddie Micheletti Jr. and RHP Angel Rivero.

National League ATLANTA BRAVES — Acquired LHP Brent Suter from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for SS Nacho Alvarez Jr. LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Acquired C Ben Rortvedt from the New York Mets in exchange for RHP Chayce McDermott.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Optioned SS Nacho Alvarez Jr. to Salt Lake (PCL).

NEW YORK METS — Designated RHPs Kevin Herget and Joey Gerber for assignment.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Acquired LHP Brooks Raley from the New York Mets in exchange for OF John Spikerman and RHP Luke Gabrysh. Acquired 2B Luis Arraez and RHP Caleb Kilian from San Francisco in exchange for RHP Marty Gair and RHP Ramon Marquez.

Designated C Payton Henry, RHPs Nolan Hoffman and Lou Trivino III for assignment.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Acquired RHP Luke Weaver and cash from the New York Mets in exchange for SS Sammy Stafura.

SAN DIEGO PADRES — Acquired LHP Robbie Ray from San Francisco in exchange for RHP Miguel Mendez and SS Joniel Hernandez.

FOOTBALL

National Football League ARIZONA CARDINALS — Claimed RB Evan Hull off waivers from Houston and DT Cam Horsley off waivers from Tennessee. Waived DT Coziah Izzard and WR Tejhuan Palmer.

CAROLINA PANTHERS — Reinstated DT Bobby Brown from the active/non-football injury list.

CLEVELAND BROWNS — Signed DT Travis Bell. Waived RB T.J. Harden.

DALLAS COWBOYS — Signed OL Sebastian Gutierrez. Waived/injured OLB Charles Snowden.

DETROIT LIONS — Signed TE Nick Muse.

Released WR Tarik Black.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Signed CB Mekhi Rodgers. Waived/injured CB Cameron Mitchell.

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T u e s d ay, au g u s T 4, 2026

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A bug and a feature Meet a much friendlier insect, bark lice. It may be helping your crape myrtles right now

Uttering the word “lice” rarely inspires enthusiasm or positivity. For some people, the mere thought of lice brings back less-than-fond childhood memories of infestations — and itchy scalps — spreading at GARDEN school.

NEWS While head lice are rightfully despised blood-sucking parasites, there’s another kind of lice that is much friendlier.

They’re called bark lice, and you might find them in your yard if you have crape myrtles.

Bark lice are small insects that show up in spring and summer. In Louisiana, we usually see bark lice on crape myrtles, but they can live on other trees.

LSU AGCENTER PHOTO

By OLIVIA McCLURE

Bark lice, sometimes called tree cattle, congregate in groups and can be ‘herded’ along crape myrtle trunks.

Adult bark lice are long, slim and brown to black. Juveniles have rounder bodies with stripes. The insects like to hang out in groups to ward off predators like birds.

“Even though they may have a scary appearance with that large aggregation, they are in fact not causing any harm to the tree,” said LSU AgCenter entomologist Aaron Ashbrook.

If you spot bark lice on a crape myrtle, rest assured

ä See BARK LICE, page 2D

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.

PROVIDED PHOTO By KIM MEADOWLARK

This pink kitchen is a project from designer Rachel Cannon, who says that she encourages her clients to be brave when it comes to color.

THE POWER OF PIGMENT

In Louisiana, paint chips don’t lie. Here’s what four designers think about current color trends.

BY JAN RISHER and LAUREN CHERAMIE

W

Staff writers

hen it comes to redecorating, a fresh coat of paint is likely the best return on investment.

The cost is minimal, but the results can improve the looks of a room dramatically.

That is — if the paint is the right color.

While paint chips don’t lie, they don’t exactly tell the whole story, either. A swatch on the wall in the middle of the afternoon looks nothing like itself at dusk.

Ask four designers what colors they’re encouraging this year in homes, and four different answers will come back — plus one flat refusal to play favorites. The bottom line is: There is not one right answer. Still, a pattern emerges in the colors of a Louisiana life. Things are warmer, softer and less predictable than the stark whites and navy blues that dominated for years.

This is the first installment of local designers sharing their thoughts on colors in Louisiana homes right now: What color are you encouraging most often right now, and what’s it replacing?

RACHEL CANNON — founder, creative director and principal interior designer at

Cannon

Davis

Gardemal

Petit

Rachel Cannon Limited: Honestly, none.

I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all color. Every home and every client is different, so every palette is built from scratch around that specific space and the people living in it. What I mostly encourage our clients to do is be brave when it comes to color!

JERAD GARDEMAL — founder and principal designer at JF Gardemal Designs: Currently, we are encouraging our clients who are in the process of refreshing their interiors to move away from spaces covered in stark whites and cool blue/grays and return to warmer, more nuanced tones.

Warm taupe colors, soft putties

and limestone shades, with accents of camel, cognac and even chocolate browns, skillfully layered, give rooms far more depth and longevity.

KRISTINA PETIT — founder and residential designer at Kristina’s Collective Interiors: A soft beige/pink. Think Setting Plaster from Farrow and Ball. It’s my replacement for warm white.

JEANNE LYONS DAVIS — writer and designer: Gray Cashmere by Benjamin Moore is the perfect non-color color.

If paint chips had a beauty pageant, it’d win Miss Congeniality. It gets along with everyone. It reads blue.

It reads green and it reads neutral, depending on the light and what’s around it. It’s the best!

Is there a color clients keep asking for that you’d steer them away from-and why?

DAVIS: Honestly, it’s never the color, it’s the saturation.

That’s where things get tricky.

If a client loves a color, we can always dial back the saturation to soften it. Bottom line: if you love it, we’ll make it work!

CANNON: It’s less about one particular color and more about trends in general. I keep a close eye on what’s trending nationally, and my instinct is almost always to steer clients away from it. Nothing ages

ä See COLORS, page 2D

New Prairieville ice cream shop serves retro flavors Ella Jean’s Ice Cream & Treats serves ice cream sundaes at 40306 La. 42 Suite 106, Praireville.

PROVIDED PHOTO

BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer

Prairieville just got a new ice cream parlor called Ella Jean’s Ice Cream & Treats.

At 40306 La. 42, Suite 106, retro decor ornaments are seemingly in every corner. Take a seat in the palms of yellow or pink hand-shaped chairs or snap a photo by the old-school, ice-blue car bench below a neon sign. Don’t forget to grab an ice

cream cone first.

Co-owner Lauren Cappo named the sweet treat oasis after her 10-year-old daughter, Ella Jean.

Cappo is also the owner of Galvez Seafood, right next door. With Ella Jean’s love for ice cream, Cappo thought an ice-cream parlor would be a fun addition to the shopping center.

As evident in the interior design, the mother-daughter duo

ä See ELLA JEAN’S, page 2D

2D ■ Tuesday,August 4, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

lll

Does the whole queue get a say in a line cutter?

Dear Miss Manners: At times, a gro- unpleasantries, but maybe Miss Manners might advise those who cery checkout line will be very would give such permission to long, with only one cashier availask everyone in line first, as a able. Someone with a full cart, courtesy? three or four customers Gentle reader: While the ahead of me, will offer shopper stands there a customer approaching holding a cereal box and the long line with only a a stick of butter, listening couple of items permission to the vote? And in these to go ahead of them. They contentious times, somethereby award the same Judith permission on behalf of all one shouts, “No fair! She’s Martin busting into line! Get back customers behind them in MISS line, even though we were there, lady.”

MANNERS not asked if we would Of course, that reaction mind waiting a minute or is what you are trying to two longer for the single-item avoid. From the number of letters customer to check out.

Miss Manners receives about conIf the accommodating customer frontations in grocery lines, she had asked all of us if we minded, is not sure that such courtesies the odds of anyone objecting are can be offered without unpleasant almost nil. repercussions.

It is one of those small life Perhaps if it is put as, “If no one

TODAY IN HISTORY

By The Associated Press Today is Tuesday, Aug. 4, the 216th day of 2026. There are 149 days left in the year.

Today in history: On Aug. 4, 2020, nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been improperly stored for years in the port of Beirut, Lebanon, exploded, killing more than 200 people, injuring more than 7,000 and devastating nearby neighborhoods; it was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded.

Also on this date: In 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard had its beginnings as President George Washington signed a measure authorizing a group of revenue cutters to enforce tariff and trade laws and prevent smuggling.

In 1916, the United States reached agreement with Denmark to purchase the Danish Virgin Islands for $25 million in gold.

In 1936, Jesse Owens of the United States won the second of his four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics as he prevailed in the long jump over German Luz Long, who was the first to congratulate him.

In 1944, 15-year-old diarist Anne Frank was arrested with her sister, parents and four others by the Gestapo after hiding for two years inside a building in Amsterdam. (Anne and her sister, Margot, died at the BergenBelsen concentration camp.)

In 1960, Burkina Faso (known then as Upper Volta) declared its independence from France after more than 60 years of colonial rule.

In 1964, 44 days after their murders, the bodies of missing civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner were found buried in an earthen dam in Mississippi.

In 1972, Arthur Bremer was convicted and sentenced in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, to 63 years in prison for his attempt on the life of Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace (the sentence was later reduced to 53 years; Bremer was released from prison in 2007).

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed a measure establishing the Department of Energy.

In 1984, the album “Purple Rain,” by Prince and the Revolution, began its 24-week run at the top of the Billboard 200 record chart.

In 1987, the Federal Communications Commission voted 4-0

to abolish the Fairness Doctrine, which required radio and television stations to present balanced coverage of controversial issues.

In 1993, a federal judge sentenced Los Angeles police officers Stacey Koon and Laurence Powell to 2½ years in prison for violating Rodney King’s civil rights.

In 2009, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il pardoned American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee for entering the country illegally and ordered their release during a surprise visit by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

In 2017, former pharmaceutical CEO Martin Shkreli, who became notorious for a pricegouging scandal, was convicted of federal charges that he deceived investors in a pair of failed hedge funds. (Shkreli was later sentenced to seven years in prison; he was released in 2022.)

In 2019, a masked gunman fired on revelers enjoying summer nightlife in a popular entertainment district of Dayton, Ohio, leaving nine people dead and 27 wounded; police said officers shot and killed the shooter within 30 seconds of the start of his rampage.

In 2022, American pro basketball star Brittney Griner was convicted in Russia of drug possession and sentenced to nine years behind bars after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s airport.

(She would be freed and sent home in the politically charged case in exchange for the U.S. releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in December 2022.)

Today’s Birthdays: Actor-singer Tina Cole is 83. Football Hall of Famer John Riggins is 77. Actorscreenwriter Billy Bob Thornton is 71. Actor Kym Karath (Film: “The Sound of Music”) is 68.

Hall of Fame track star Mary Decker Slaney is 68. Actor Lauren Tom is 65. Former President Barack Obama is 65. Retired MLB All-Star pitcher Roger Clemens is 64. Actor Crystal Chappell is 61. Author Dennis Lehane is 61. Actor Daniel Dae Kim is 58. Former race car driver Jeff Gordon is 55. Rapper-actor Yo-Yo is 55. R&B singer-actor Marques Houston is 45. Britain’s Duchess of Sussex, the former actor Meghan Markle, is 45. Actor Abigail Spencer is 45. Actor/ director Greta Gerwig is 43.

Country singer Crystal Bowersox (TV: “American Idol”) is 41.

Actors Dylan and Cole Sprouse are 34. Singer Jessica Sanchez (TV: “American Idol”) is 31. Actor Tinsley Price is 14.

BARK LICE

Continued from page 1D that they are not feeding on the tree itself. Instead, these insects graze on algae, lichens, mold and other organic materials growing on the tree’s surface.

“So, in some ways, they’re even helping the tree,” Ashbrook said.

Bark lice can be a source of entertainment, too. They’re commonly referred to as tree cattle and can be “herded.” Point a finger or stick near a bark lice aggregation, and they’ll move up the tree as a group in unison.

Now, don’t assume every insect you see on a crape myrtle is harmless. It’s important to distinguish beneficial bark lice from insect pests such as aphids, which are tiny, yellowish and often found on the undersides of crape myrtle foliage. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for invasive crape myrtle bark scales, which are stationary, white-to-

LSU AGCENTER PHOTO

By OLIVIA McCLURE

Bark lice are beneficial insects that show up on crape myrtles in spring and summer in Louisiana.

gray, fuzzy insects.

Aphids and scales both suck sap from crape myrtles — aphids from leaves and scales from bark.

They excrete a sticky honeydew, encouraging the growth of sooty mold on trunks and branches.

Bark lice, on the other hand?

At most, all they’ll leave behind are the fine, silky webs they sometimes spin as another protective measure. And you can easily wash away the webs with a water hose if you don’t like the way they look.

objects, I’ll let this lady with only two items go ahead,” no one will want to be singled out as the one person saying “I object.”

But sadly, perhaps not.

Dear Miss Manners: I am 69 and have worn a visible hearing aid my entire adult life. I have had many people who know I’m hard of hearing jokingly say “What?” or silently mouth words, as if my hearing loss is somehow humorous.

I doubt they are mean-spirited, but rather cluelessly insensitive.

What is the best way to let them know that people who are hard of hearing find these attempts at humor highly offensive?

Gentle reader: Has it come to that?

That Miss Manners has to inform people that it’s not nice to make fun of others’ disabilities?

It could hardly be more meanspirited. So much so, that there is no response except turning your back on such people.

Dear Miss Manners: When placing silverware on the table, does the sharp edge of the knife face toward the plate or away from it?

Gentle reader: The simple answer is: toward the plate.

But Miss Manners can’t help offering the wordy answer.

Until the 19th century, most Westerners, including European royalty, ate with their knives (and considered Italians to be sissies for using forks). Specifically, they ate with their own knives, which they used for hunting and then brought to the dinner table.

Some diners noticed that the knives had other uses — picking teeth, for example, and settling

arguments. To cut down on the carnage — or perhaps on the sight of people picking their teeth — Cardinal Richelieu had the sharp points filed off table knives, and Louis XIV of France decreed blunted knives were to be used for dining.

Today’s dinner knife is still sharp, although never quite sharp enough. You turn it toward yourself to symbolize your intent to use it only on your roast beef and not on your dinner partner.

Send questions to Miss Manners at her website, www. missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Partner pushes for no birth control Dear Harriette: My current form hood, he responded glumly that of birth control is about to expire, he’ll do his best, but no promises. and my partner does not I want to be considerate want me to renew it. He of my partner, but in the knew this time was comsame breath, I’ve never allowed myself to make ing, but it feels like he debig decisions under presliberately waited until just a few days prior to my prosure, and I don’t want to start now. Do you have any cedure to tell me he doesn’t Harriette suggestions on how we can want me to renew my birth Cole compromise without riskcontrol. It feels as though SENSE AND if I move forward with the ing pregnancy while we SENSITIVITy procedure, my partner decide? — Split the Baby may feel ignored, while I Dear Split the Baby: Your think I should still be on birth con- partner is being unreasonably demanding. You do not have to actrol as we figure out what’s next for us. When I brought up the idea commodate his pushiness. Stand of us having two to four weeks of your ground. Begin to talk serino intimacy so that we can think ously about the future. What do clearly and decide together if we you two want for your lives? What are ready to prepare for parentcommitment have you made or

This bathroom is a project from designer Jeanne Lyons Davis.

COLORS

Continued from page 1D a beautiful room faster than a trend that peaks and fades within a year, and I want my clients’ homes and businesses to age well.

GARDEMAL: As much as I love navy blue in all its various shades, I think it has become overused in the last five years. It’s a classic color that feels tailored and sophisticated and consequently has become a “safe” choice for many homes. Kitchen cabinets, accent walls, studies, powder rooms — it’s a color that has been so widely adopted that it can begin to feel predictable.

Petit: Not really. If you love it, let’s go for it.

ELLA JEAN’S

Continued from page 1D loves bright pops of color.

“She’s got this cute, funky, little taste,” Cappo said about her daughter. “It’s a mix of me — retro, can do whatever I want, because it’s a fun space — and her.”

Menu rundown

How do you think the Pantone Color of the year affects color choices locally?

Petit: I don’t find it does. It’s a color I don’t really agree with currently, based on my first answer.

Gardemal: 2026 is the first year that Pantone has ever selected a white as its Color of the Year. I think it’s a color that aligns wonderfully with our Southern sensibilities. It steers clients toward warmer whites and creamy ivories that are welcoming to anyone who walks through the door.

Cannon: It’s more of a slow trickle than an instant splash. In my experience, it usually takes two to three years after Pantone’s announcement before that color shows up in big-box stores and mass produced items. By the time it’s everywhere, the design world has already moved on.

and lemon sorbet.

Milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits, housemade lemonade, housemade limeade, and desserts such as strawberry shortcake, cookies and brownie a la mode are also on the menu. Lots of toppings are available, from gummy bears to graham crackers One of Cappo’s favorites is the Mookie Cookie, an ice cream sandwich with a choice of ice cream in between two cookies.

“We wanted to give a nod to the Tillamook brand just because it is so good,” she said. “We coined the name Mookie Cookie.”

The shop serves 12 flavors of scoopable, Oregon-based Tillamook ice cream: old-fashioned vanilla, chocolate, Oregon strawberry, cookies & cream, cookie dough, mint chocolate chip, white ‘Nothing but happiness’ chocolate raspberry, peaches & Cappo hopes Ella Jean’s Ice cream, marionberry pie, butter Cream & Treats will be another pecan, campfire peanut butter cup space where family and friends

are you willing to make now? If children are a serious part of your vision, when do you want to have them? How many? Have you set yourselves up for success in building a life together? Are you financially ready? Do you plan to marry, or what other way do you intend to solidify your commitment?

Talk about all of this — and yes, do so without being sexually intimate. You are looking at the big picture of your lives together. A few weeks of sober contemplation should not be too much to ask.

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

PROVIDED PHOTOS

This project is a space from designer Jerad Gardemal, who says he is encouraging his clients to move away from stark white spaces and return to warmer tones.

can hang out, grab a banana split and enjoy the photogenic atmosphere.

“This is just nothing but happiness,” she said.

The business opened about midJuly, so it’s been operating for a couple of weeks. Business has been great, Cappo said.

“The response has been great,” she said. “We poured a lot into this for a long time.”

Ella Jean’s Ice Cream & Treats, 40306 La. 42, Suite 106, Prairieville. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays. Hours may change when the school season starts.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Tuesday,August 4, 2026 ■ 3D

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roSebUdS

zItS

zodIAC LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Stretch your imagination, learn from your mistakes and turn your ideas into a reality. Place your energy where it has the most value. Set your emotions on the back burner and put your ego aside.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) A change may tempt you, but before you make a move, take a closer look at what you might lose. Reach out to someone you trust to tell you the truth and suggest alternatives. Patience is necessary.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) You'll be pulled in different directions, all of which need consideration. Partnerships, routine and schedules will require finetuning and a lifeline of their own. scoRPIo (oct. 24-Nov. 22) Brainpower is your weapon. Size up situations and think matters through. Refuse to let anyone pressure you to make snap decisions or to allow them to take control of your life. sAGIttARIus (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Put everything in context and do what's best. Don't put yourself in harm's way physically or where relationships are concerned. cAPRIcoRN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Take care of yourself, your reputation and your future. Invest more time and money in upgrading your skills and qualifications and connecting with people who can help you get ahead.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) If you want control, be prepared to follow through.

Opportunities are apparent; if you don't take advantage, you won't get a return.

You are overdue for a change, so buckle up and see what's available.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Having proper eating habits, exercising and staying away from people or situations that could lead to illness or injury are best avoided. Use your intuition, memory and common sense.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Emotions, overindulgence and social settings can lead to arguments. Don't mix business with pleasure. Being honest is honorable, but there's a time and place for it. tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Take hold of your feelings before you go out the door. You'll tend to overreact today, offering bold and brazen opinions to those you encounter. Take a moment to calm down and to change your demeanor.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Pick up the pieces and put them back together the way you want them to be. Stop letting negativity and upset take over when practicality and common sense are necessary. cANcER (June 21-July 22) Tread lightly when dealing with others. Stick to the facts, offer kindness and understanding, and keep an open mind when listening to others, and if that's too difficult, look inward and do a little self-help work.

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: A EQuALs H

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

dooneSbUrY

4D ■ Tuesday,August 4, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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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 Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Tuesday,August 4, 2026 ■ 5D

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Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER Jason Fried, the founder and CEO of Basecamp (formerly known as 37signals), said, “Make decisions when you have a lot of information to make the decision. Not when you have to guess about what the decision is going to be or use data that doesn’t exist yet.”

We are looking at the Rule of Seven, which tells a no-trump declarer how long to hold up his only stopper in the suit that the opponents have led. In today’s deal, North and South have six spades. Subtracting six from seven tells South to hold up his spade ace at trick one, but to take the second trick. However, is that the right play here?

When you open in no-trump, do not worry — too much! — about an unstopped suit. Here, if South opens one club and West passes (let us assume), North would respond one diamond. What would South do next? He would have no accurate rebid.

South starts with eight top tricks: one spade, three hearts and four diamonds.

He needs one club trick to get home. But should he lead low to his jack or to his king? He does not have enough data to answer the question.

South needs to know how the spade suit is splitting. So he should hold up twice and take the third round. Here, declarer learns that West started with five spades.

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

hagar the horriBle

If West also holds the club ace, the contract cannot be made — South will lose one club and four spades. So declarer must play a club to his king, hoping for the best. If it transpires that West has only four spades, South will have to guess the clubs. Wish him good luck — unless you are East or West. © 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 — DEFRAys: Dih-FRAZE: Provides for the payment of.

Bizarro

marmaduKe

Average mark 18 words Time limit 20 minutes Can you find 22 or more words in DEFRAYS? yEstERDAy’s WoRD — outMoDED odeum outdo outed outmode toed tome mode mood mooed

moot mote moue mute demo dodo dome doom doomed

dote dude duet

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:5

We must turn away from sin if we are going to follow Jesus to Heaven. — G.E. Dean

6D ■ Tuesday,August 4, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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classifieds.theadvocate.com Search Search& &Place PlaceAds AdsOnline Onlineatatclassifieds.theadvocate.com classifieds.theadvocate.com* Call * Call -Friday Us Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM at 225-383-0111 8AM-5PM at 225-383-0111

Announcements Alqadhi INC dba Dash N Pass is applying to the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control of the state of Louisiana for a permit to sell beverages of high and low alcohol content at retail in Parish of East Baton Rouge Parish at the following address 12240 Coursey Blvd. Ste. E&F Baton Rouge, LA 70816.

Alqadhi INC dba: Dash N Pass

Greenoaks Cemetary Plots 3 cemetary plots for sale at Greenoaks in Baton Rouge.

Section 17, block 177, the plots 1,3.6 for sale 2500.00 each. regular 6500.00 each. call 479-2642482 cell or home 870-294-0002. quiltingbydarlene@gmail.com All Metal Welded Bird Cage depth 18" x 24" width 27" tall overall height 54" all black original cost over 1,000. dollars $500.00 hank722@yahoo.com cage can seperate from base

Members: Fares Al Qadhi 196212-Aug 3-4, 2t $162.64 Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Erika Julien, please contact B. Kyle Kershaw, Attorney at Law, 212 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70801, telephone number (225) 336-9600.

196284-Aug 4-6, 3t $88 Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Twilah Gardner Haynes, please contact Natalie S. Allen, Attorney at Law The Law Office of Natalie Allen 4707 Avery Grace Blvd, Addis, LA 70710 225-776-2660 lawofficeofnatalieallen@gmail.com.

All responses will be handled confidentially.

196231-8/3-4-5-3t $106.90

Employment

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS SP# 142 Sealed bids will be re‐ ceived by the Procure‐ ment Section of the Divi‐ sion of Administration, 1201 N. 3rd. St., 2nd.

Floor, Suite 2-160, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 10:00 A.M. for the follow‐ ing: RFx No. 3000026550, *Pro‐ prietary* 360 Flexo Ear‐ piece - DOC, 8/19/26 RFx No. 3000026522, Armed Guard Service for DCFS, Monroe Child Sup‐ port Enforcement Office, 8/20/26 Bid proposal forms, in‐ formation and specifica‐ tions may be obtained by accessing the bid num‐ ber in LaPac at www.doa. la.gov/doa/osp/ or from the procurement section listed above. No bids will be received after the date and hour specified.

The right is reserved to reject any and all bids and to waive any infor‐ malities.

Amy Vincent Director of State Procurement FAX (225) 342-8688 196243-aug 4-1t $13.20 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS SP# 142 Sealed bids will be re‐ ceived by the Procure‐ ment Section of the Divi‐ sion of Administration, 1201 N. 3rd. St., 2nd.

Floor, Suite 2-160, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 10:00 A.M. for the follow‐ ing: RFx No. 3000026550, *Pro‐ prietary* 360 Flexo Ear‐ piece - DOC, 8/19/26 RFx No. 3000026522, Armed Guard Service for DCFS, Monroe Child Sup‐ port Enforcement Office, 8/20/26 Bid proposal forms, in‐ formation and specifica‐ tions may be obtained by accessing the bid num‐ ber in LaPac at www.doa. la.gov/doa/osp/ or from the procurement section listed above. No bids will be received after the date and hour specified.

The right is reserved to reject any and all bids and to waive any infor‐ malities.

Amy Vincent Director of State Procurement FAX (225) 342-8688 196180 Aug. 4, 1t $13.20 PUBLIC NOTICE --River Parishes Commu‐ nity College is seeking bids for a 40005-FY27-012, 2026 48 ft Dry Van Trailer – CDL Training Program (Qty 2). To obtain bid package, please visit https://wwwcfprd.doa. louisiana.gov/osp/lapac/ dspBid.cfm?search=dep artment&term=4.

The following bids are open: #4005FY27-012 195319 July 27-Aug. 10 15t $86.40

PUBLIC NOTICE Visit Baton Rouge is issu‐ ing a Request for Propos‐ als for Marketing & Cre‐ ative Agency Services to include Creative Ser‐ vices, Campaign Produc‐ tion, and Account Man‐ agement Services. The Request for Proposals document can be picked up at Visit Baton Rouge located at 359 Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801 or will be emailed upon request. Please di‐ rect questions to Emily Mastrantonio at emily@ visitbatonrouge.com. Re‐ sponses to the Request for Proposals must be re‐ ceived at the Visit Baton Rouge Office located at 359 Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801 and emailed to emily@visitba tonrouge.com no later than 12:00 p.m. CST, Fri‐ day, September 11, 2026.

196076 Aug. 3, 4, 2026, 2t $43.38

NEWS 24/7 ON

APARTMENT 3060 N. Acadian Thrwy (Wtr/Swr Pd) 1BR/1BA, Rent $500, Dep $100 225-357-6436 APARTMENT AREA 5 1BR $600, 2BR $700 Tigerland. $500 Deposit. 225-475-1737

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Village Woods Independent Condo Living 2 BRS, 2 BA, available ranging from $142,900 to $209,900 225-718-3025 www.jarreaurealty.com COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Selling Business only not building.

Don't have enough workers to run.

Has great potential in Reeve's shopping center. Has all equipment needed to boil crawfish, fry seafood plates amongst other foods with warmer in front. Asking price 50k negotiable and rent is needed to negotiate with landlord.

Call or Text Steve 225-341-9235

Public Notices Conservation

PUBLIC NOTICE --The Louisiana Depart‐ ment of Conservation and Energy, Office of Per‐ mits and Compliance (OPC) is currently re‐ viewing the following project for Consistency with the State and Local Coastal Resources Man‐ agement Act of 1978, as amended (La. R.S. 49:214.21-214.41), and the regulations of the Louisiana Coastal Re‐ sources Program (LCRP).

Pursuant to Section 306 (d)(14) of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended (CZMA), the public may submit comments on proposed projects to Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, Office of Permits and Compliance, P.O. Box 44487, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4487. Applications may be inspected during OPC business hours at 617 N. 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA. Comments must be received within 15 days of this notice to be considered. For more information, contact Mark Hogan at (225) 2199530 or (800) 267-4019.

Direct Federal Action: C20260134 COE-NOD 2026 Maintenance Dredging of Baptiste Collette Naviga‐ tion Channel, Plaquem‐ ines Parish C20260135 COE-NOD 2026 / 2027 Maintenance Dredging of Bayou Lafourche Jetty and Bar Channel, Lafourche Parish C20260136 COE-NOD 2026 / 2027 Maintenance Dredging of Mermentau River Bar Channel, Cameron Parish Federal License or Per‐ mit: C20260132 LDWF White Lake WCA Water Control Structures Project, Ver‐ milion Parish C20260133 CPRA Geot‐ echnical Borings for the BA-0300 GOMESA South Lafourche Landbridge Project, Jefferson & Lafourche Parish C20260137 CPRA East Sabine Hydrologic Restoration Project (CS32), Cameron Parish 196227 Aug. 4, 1t $23.49

Legal Notices

[Media and Substitute Notice] Eyemart Express Provides Notice of Data Event

Farmers Branch, Texas – July 31, 2026 – Eyemart Express, LLC (“Eyemart”) hereby provides notice about a cybersecurity event that involved cer‐ tain individuals’ personal data.

Eyemart, a nationwide provider of retail optical and optometric services, learned on February 13, 2026 about unauthorized access to its systems on February 12, 2026. Eye‐ mart was able to contain the incident and secure its systems that same day. In addition, Eyemart immediately launched an investigation to deter‐ mine the nature and scope of the incident.

The data involved varies based on a given individ‐ ual’s relationship with Eyemart. For certain Eye‐ mart customers, their name, vision insurance information, date of birth and/or eyeglass pur‐ chase or prescription were involved. Eyemart has mailed notification letters to such cus‐ tomers except when it could not determine an address for them. For other affected individu‐ als, name, address, So‐ cial Security number, date of birth, eyeglass prescription, health plan and/or other information was involved (as more particularly described in Eyemart’s notification letters to such individu‐ als). If you have ques‐ tions or would like addi‐ tional information, in‐ cluding whether you are one of the above-de‐ scribed customers for which Eyemart was not able to determine an ad‐ dress, you may contact Eyemart at 800-655-4635.

As part of Eyemart’s re‐ sponse to this incident and its ongoing commit‐ ment to information se‐ curity, Eyemart contin‐ ues to review and update its training, processes, and procedures, and is working to implement measures to reduce the possibility of a similar in‐ id i h f

PETS • SUPPLIES • SERVICES • OBITUARIES • LOST & FOUND

PLACE YOUR PET SERVICES INFORMATION IN THE PET SERVICES DIRECTORY TODAY! • IT IS FAST AND EASY! • CALL 225-383-0111 TEACUP POODLES MALTIPOOS POMS YORKIES Miniature and Toy Goldendoodles UTD. S/W Please Call 504-259-2222

CATS RAGAMUFFIN & RAGDOLL KITTENS www.CatsByFrancy.com/kittens $1500up! Reg. Shots & Guaranty 337-230-3150 MORKIES, SHORKIES, BISHON YORKIES, CKC YORKIES vet checked shot worming meet Gulfport $450 334 467-3416 AREA 3

3017 Chippewa St. 3BR 1BA Rent $800/mo $300/dep 225-357-6436

MOBILE HOME 1, 2 & 3 BR mobile homes, $675 & up 6061 Plank Rd. CALL 225-978-4653 ROOMS FOR RENT Furnished Rooms. $125/wk. $500/mo.

225-933-7560

DOGS Puppies for Sale! Adorable! 1/2 Pomeranian 1/2 Chihuahua $225, Full Blooded Toy Poodle's $500 (228) 669-0077

Morkie Yorkie MalShih Pups CKC UTD vac/wormed ready for new home. $800.00 337-517-8982 tgbonvillain1@gmail.com

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Legal Notices

possibility of a similar in cident in the future. Eye‐ mart is also cooperating with federal law enforce‐ ment. For individuals whose Social Security number was involved, Eyemart is providing credit complimentary monitoring (as explained in Eyemart’s notification letters to such individu‐ als).

Eyemart encourages all individuals to remain vig‐ ilant as to potential inci‐ dents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing account statements and periodically reviewing their credit report. Indi‐ viduals may obtain a free copy of their credit re‐ port by calling 1-877-3228228 or by visiting www. annualcreditreport.com and following instruc‐ tions for submission of requests. Relevant con‐ tact information for the national credit reporting agencies is as follows: Equifax, PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374, www. equifax.com, 1-800-6851111 Experian, PO Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013, www. experian.com, 1-888-3973742 TransUnion, PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016, www. transunion.com, 1-800888-4213 Upon receipt of credit re‐ ports, individuals should review them carefully.

They should look for un‐ recognized accounts or creditor inquiries, and for inaccuracies in re‐ ported data such as ad‐ dress, payment history, or date of birth. If any‐ thing looks incorrect, in‐ dividuals should contact the credit reporting agency using contact in‐ formation provided with the report. Individuals may also contact the Federal Trade Commis‐ sion (“FTC”) or their state Attorney General for information about identity theft and credit report fraud alerts and security freezes. The FTC may be contacted at 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580, 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338), and TTY: 1866-653-4261.

195722-jul 31-aug 6-7t $2,850.48 PUBLIC NOTICE ---

Iberville Parish Council Water System Improvements Louisiana Community Development Block GrantIssue Date: August 4, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICE ---

Pets / Pet Services Directory

APARTMENTS 655 North St Subsidized Efficiency Apartments cpabr.org 225-383-5551 TDD/TTY 711 RELAY

Baton Rouge Real Estate For Sale

GENERAL HELP Final Touch Custodial Service is accept‐ ing applications Mon- Fri 10am-3pm for evening positions @ 9229 Mammoth Ave., BR, LA 70814. Must be able to pass drug test and background check.

Public Notices

Baton Rouge Rental

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To: All Interested Federal, State, and Local Agen‐ cies, Groups and Individ‐ uals This is to give notice that the Iberville Parish Coun‐ cil has determined that the following proposed action under the State of Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (Grant No. B-23-DC-220001) is located in or ad‐ jacent to a 100-year floodplain and wetlands, and the Parish of Iberville will be identify‐ ing and evaluating prac‐ ticable alternatives to lo‐ cating the action in the floodplain and wetlands and the potential im‐ pacts on the floodplain and wetlands from the proposed action, as re‐ quested by Executive Order 11988 and 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Proce‐ dures for Making Deter‐ minations on Floodplain Management and Protec‐ tion of Wetlands, to un‐ dertake a project known as the “Iberville Parish Water System Improve‐ ments” The specific elements of this proposed project will include the replacement of the existing water mains with new, modern 6” and 4” diameter water mains and associated valves, fire hydrants and flushing assemblies along Patureau Lane, Bayou Road and sur‐ rounding streets. The Parish has determined the project site is located within a FEMA-desig‐ nated Special Flood Haz‐ ard Area (SFHA), Flood Zone A, as shown on the applicable Flood Insur‐ ance Rate Map (FIRM).

There are three primary purposes for this notice.

First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains or wetlands and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environ‐ ment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and pro‐ vide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an im‐ portant public educa‐ tional tool. The dissemi‐ nation of information about floodplains and wetlands can facilitate and enhance Federal ef‐

Legal Notices

forts to reduce the risks associated with the oc‐ cupancy and modifica‐ tion of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government de‐ termines it will partici‐ pate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by the Parish at the following address on or before August 19, 2026 at Iberville Parish Council, 58050 Meriam St, Plaquemine, LA 70764 and (225)-687-5190 Atten‐ tion: Stephanie Glynn, during the hours of 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Com‐ ments may also be sub‐ mitted via email at sg‐ lynn@ibervilleparish. com.

196200 Aug. 4, 1t $67.50

PUBLIC NOTICE Qualifying of candidates for: District Judges, Family Court Judges, Juvenile Court Judges District Attorney, Justices of the Peace, Constables School Board Members: (East Baton Rouge Parish, Baker, Central and Zachary) Central Mayor, Central Chief of Police, and Central Council Members Zachary Mayor, Zachary Chief of Police and Zachary Councilmen Baker City Court Judge will be conducted by the Clerk of Court’s office from Wednesday, August 5, 2026, until Friday, Au‐ gust 7, 2026. The election will be held on November 3, 2026. Candidates may qualify from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM, daily, at the following locations: 222 St. Louis St., Room 179 Baton Rouge, LA 9050 Airline Hwy., Ste. 100 Baton Rouge, LA In addition, qualifying will be conducted from 8:00 AM until 11:30 AM, In Central on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the fol‐ lowing location: Central City Hall 11530 Sullivan Rd. Central, LA

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

y p p dinances being entitled as follows:

g g on the property located at 9798 Greenwell Springs Road To rezone from Light Commercial (C1) to Commercial Alco‐ holic Beverage (restau‐ rant) (C-AB-1) on prop‐ erty located on the south side of Greenwell Springs Road, west of Platt Drive, on property now or for‐ merly known as a portion of Lot C of the W.A. Henry Lee Tract. Section 26, T6S, R1E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Coun‐ cil District 5 – Hurst) CASE 22-26

ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 13118, 13122, 13126, 13130 and 13040 Scenic Highway To amend the Comprehensive Land Use Plan from Neighborhood Center to Industrial, lo‐ cated on the east side of Scenic Highway, south of Rafe Mayer Road, on property now or formerly known as Lot Y-1 and 118-B of the Shady Acres Subdivision. Section 48, T5S, R1W, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 2 - Ken‐ ney) PA-4-26 ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 13118, 13122, 13126, 13130 and 13040 Scenic Highway To rezone from Heavy Commercial (C2) and Limited Residential (A4) to Light Industrial (M1) on property located on the east side of Scenic Highway, south of Rafe Mayer Road, on property now or formerly known as Lot Y-1 and 118-B of the Shady Acres Subdivi‐ sion. Section 48, T5S, R1W, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 2 – Ken‐ ney) CASE 23-26 ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning h l d

ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 4743, 4747, 4751, 4755 and 4759 Peerless Street and 4730 Paige Street To rezone from Single Fam‐ ily Residential (A2) to Two Family (A2.9) on property located on the north side of Peerless Street and south of Paige Street, east of Moon Street, on property now or formerly known as Lot 9-A, 10-A, 11-A, 12-A, 13-A and 40-A of the Fortune Addition Subdivision, Square 11. Section 96, T6S, R1E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 5 Hurst) CASE 24-26 ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 228 West Chimes Street To rezone from Heavy Commercial (C2) to Commercial Alcoholic Beverage (bar and lounge) (C-AB-2) on prop‐ erty located on the north side of West Chimes Street, west of Highland Road, on property now or formerly known as a por‐ tion of Lot 6 of the Cam‐

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

panile View Subdivision, Square 1. Section 54, T7S, R1W, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 10 Coleman) CASE 25-26 ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 14832 Old Hammond Highway To rezone from Rural to Neighborhood Commercial (NC) on property located on the south side of Old Ham‐ mond Highway, west of Lakemont Drive, on prop‐ erty now or formerly known as Lot 7-D of Larry Worthy Property. Section 39, T7S, R2E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 4 Moak) CASE 26-26 ORDINANCE Amending the Compre‐ hensive Zoning Map of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, as contained in and made part of the “Unified Development Code “, as amended so as to change the zoning on the property located at 7740 and 9400-9500 Pettit Road Proposed sand and gravel mining operation located on the south and west side of Pettit Road, north of Comite Drive, on prop‐ erty now or formerly known as the W. Y. Pettit Tract of the Eva T. Graves Land LLC and Tract 8-B-2A of H. B. Weiland Prop‐ erty. Section 33, T5S, R1E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 2 - Kenney) MCUP-1-26 195383 July 28, 1t $278.83

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Public Notices Successions

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE – 23RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF ASCENSION, STATE OF LOUISIANA – IN THE MATTER OF THE SUCCESSION OF CLOVIS VAUGHN, PROBATE NO. 20363, DIV. C, NOTICE IS GIVEN that the ADMINISTRATOR of the Succession of Clovis Vaughn has moved the Court for authority to sell property of the succes‐ sion to Sandra Vaughn pursuant to a purchase agreement executed on July 16, 2026. The motion can be homologated after the expiration of twenty days from the date of this first publica‐ tion and seven days from the second publication, and any opposition to the petition must be filed prior to homologation.

196210 Aug. 4, 1t $37.86

WBR Public Notices

WBR Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

WBR Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

PARKER Legal Description: LOT 4 MARIONNEAUX SD 53A53CB188 E62(MAP FILED IN ORGINAL CB61 E111) (PLAT MAP 69) A PUBLIC HEARING will be held by the West Baton Rouge PARISH COUNCIL to ratify the condemnation order. The owner of the structure may appeal the decision of the Parish President by appearing at this meeting of the PARISH COUNCIL to show cause why the structure should not be condemned.

Date: Thursday, August 13,2026 Time: 5:30pm Public hearings will be held at the West Baton Rouge Parish Govern‐ mental Building, 880 N. Alexander, Port Allen, LA 70767.

Published in The Advo‐ cate for Two (2) consecu‐ tive weeks from 07/30/2026 through 08/13/2026.

194760-JUL 30-AUG 13 $169

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PUBLIC NOTICE --WBR NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: CONDEMNA‐ TION Pursuant to Parish Code Chapter 109-42 “Derelict Structures”, the follow‐ ing properties have been condemned by the Parish President.

Address: 1234 REV MAN‐ UAL ST. PORT ALLEN LA 70767 (File #26-0036) Owner: LUELLA MILLS

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In addition, qualifying will be conducted from 1:00 PM until 4:30 PM, In Zachary on Wednes‐ day, August 5, 2026, at the following location: Zachary City Hall 4700 Main St. Zachary, LA Please call the Clerk of Court Election Depart‐ ment at 295-4765 if there are any questions.

DOUG WELBORN CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE 194263 Aug. 4, 5, 2026 2t $72.94 PUBLIC NOTICE --The Louisiana Office of State Parks is requesting proposals for a PublicPrivate Partnership pro‐ ject to design, construct, and operate a high-qual‐ ity recreational vehicle campground and related amenities. For more in‐ formation go to opportu‐ nitiesinlouisiana.com.

192994-jul 2-aug 15-45t $207.90

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

PUBLIC NOTICE --REQUISITION 11297769 OFFICIAL PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE REGULAR ZONING MEETING OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE Notice is hereby given to all citizens of the City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge and to all other interested per‐ sons, of the introduction at the regular meeting of the Metropolitan Council of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, held on July 22, 2026, of the pro‐ posed ordinances, the ti‐ tles of which are set forth hereinafter, and that public hearing will be held thereon by the Metropolitan Council at 4:00 P.M., Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in the Council Chambers (Room 348) on the third floor of the City-Parish Govern‐ mental Building in this City, these proposed or‐ b i i l d di

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