The Acadiana Advocate 08-11-2026

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Lafayette proposes spending $77M on roads turn lanes to 18 roadways including gation bonds to pay for the work. Parish eyes widening Bonin Road at La Neuville Road, Ridge The bond funds are not enough to pay Road at Rue du Belier and Verot School for everything in the Commuter Conprojects, adding Road at Pinhook. nections plan. It will require a combinaLafayette Parish Mayor-President Mo- tion of local, state and federal money. roundabouts, The projects are relatively small-scale nique Boulet, accompanied by several City Council and Parish Council mem- compared with major highway conupgrading drainage bers and state legislators, on Monday struction projects, said Vijay Kunada, unveiled the proposed Commuter Con- executive vice president of Neel-Schaf-

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer

Lafayette officials are proposing 18 road projects they say could ease traffic bottlenecks, improve safety and shorten commute times between Lafayette and surrounding communities. The plan includes adding roundabouts, widening roads and adding signalized

nections initiative that they said will reduce the time motorists spend in traffic at bottlenecks and improve safety. The improvements would be funded over time by an existing parishwide 1.85-mill property tax that is up for renewal Dec. 12. The existing tax, if renewed, would allow Lafayette Consolidated Government to issue, in increments, up to $77 million in general obli-

fer engineers, who worked with LCG officials to identify projects. Drainage improvements will be part of many of the projects. It can take an hour to drive from Carencro to Costco in Lafayette, Carencro Mayor Charlotte Clavier said. The biggest impediment to economic

STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Monique Boulet, center, and other elected officials launch Commuter Connections, an initiative to improve area transportation, during a news ä See ROADS, page 3A conference Monday at City Hall.

Declining enrollment forces tough choices

Krotz Springs Elementary the latest to be shuttered, despite fight from community to save it

Senate delays federal ban on hemp products New regulations could kill state’s THC drink industry

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

The potential doomsday for Louisiana’s popular “weed drinks” is set to be pushed back — by a few weeks, at least. The state’s manufacturers of THC beverages and other hemp-derived THC products are celebrating a political victory at the federal level in the fight to save their industry after the U.S. Senate voted Saturday to delay a federal ban on the products by four weeks. The new law was set to take effect Nov. 13 after Mitch McConnell, Kentucky’s senior senator, led a legislative effort last year to close a 2018 loophole that inadvertently paved the way for the rise of the modern THC products

ä See THC, page 6A

STAFF PHOTOS By BRAD BOWIE

Children have attended Krotz Springs Elementary for over a century. Since 2020, nearly 100 Louisiana public schools have shut down, largely due to declining enrollment. But in the small town of Krotz Springs, residents tried to save their school. BY PATRICK WALL

public schools lost 60,000 students over the past decade as families moved away, had fewJoseph Ashcraft was er children or opted for charter crouched behind home plate schools and homeschooling. catching fastballs when he As the enrollment decline heard that his kids’ school accelerates, more systems are might close. seeking to “right-size.” Since THE CRISIS Two moms were chatting be2020, nearly 100 Louisiana pubOF DECLINING hind Ashcraft, who coaches the lic schools have shut down. ENROLLMENT Krotz Springs Swamp Sisters, The same trend is playing out IN LA.’S while the pitcher warmed up. nationally, with school closures TRADITIONAL One said she’d heard the St. surging 35% over the past four PUBLIC Landry Parish School Board years, according to federal SCHOOLS was considering shutting down data. Krotz Springs Elementary, the “We are seeing an enormous Third in an sole public school in this small uptick in the number of clooccasional town about 40 miles west of Basures, both rural and urban,” series said Mara Casey Tieken, an ton Rouge. education professor at Bates As the softball slammed into his mitt, Ashcraft turned around. “Wait, College in Maine who studies school closures and rural education. what?” The closures come at a high cost. Up and down Louisiana, parents are getting similar surprises as once-bus- They create disruption, causing test tling schools shed students. The state’s scores to drop, behavior issues to rise

Trump signs vaccine order against medical groups’ guidance

Staff writer

EMPTY DESKS

WEATHER HIGH 92 LOW 77 PAGE 6A

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Port Orleans Brewing Co. employees package Louie Louie THC seltzers in New Orleans.

Joseph Ashcraft stands with his children, Jackson, 8, and Skylar, 13, at a park in Krotz Springs. and friendships to fray, researchers have found. And while losing a school is painful anywhere, the loss can be devastating to rural communities where the local school is often a social and civic anchor.

ä See SCHOOL, page 3A

BY ALI SWENSON and COLLIN BINKLEY Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order calling for revamped childhood vaccine recommendations that promote his long-held but discredited theory that childhood shots should be spaced out into separate medical visits. The order advocates separating the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into three

Business ...................10C Commentary ................3B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................4A Deaths .........................4B Opinion ........................2B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Living............................5C Sports ..........................1C

ä See VACCINE, page 6A

102ND yEAR, NO. 42

2A ● Tuesday, August 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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FROM WIRE REPORTS

Contiguous U.S. breaks hottest month record

KENSINGTON, Md. — The contiguous United States sizzled to its hottest month ever last month, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July averaged 76.89 degrees across the Lower 48 states, eclipsing the Dust Bowl’s July 1936 by an eighth of a degree. Records go back to 1895. “It’s not good when you’re breaking records from the Dust Bowl, which we are in this case,” said meteorologist Jeff Masters of Yale Climate Connections. “And that was a crazy sort of situation where you put tens of millions of people in motion. You had this great migration because of the drought and the heat that hit the center of the U.S. — just a cataclysmic event in U. S. history. If we’re exceeding records from the Dust Bowl, that says that we’re in deep trouble.” Although it was unusually cool in Alaska, hotter-thannormal conditions blanketed the Lower 48, with the most excessive heat in the Mountain West, Southwest, Northern Plains and Southeast. The heat was so widespread that every one of the Lower 48 states was at least 1 degree warmer than the 20th century average, said Russ Vose, chief of monitoring at NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information. The heat in the Dust Bowl years was more concentrated in parts of the Midwest and was aggravated by agricultural practices at the time, Vose said. What’s happening now is due to the burning of coal, oil and gas, scientists said.

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Magnitude 7.4 quake rocks Colombia Officials say at least 111 killed

BY ASTRID SUÁREZ, MEGAN JANETSKY and JUAN DIAZ Associated Press

CALI, Colombia — A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people, damaging hundreds of buildings and leaving many trapped under debris while their loved ones and rescue workers searched through rubble. Search teams and civilians picked through the remains of destroyed buildings in the country’s thirdlargest city, Cali, passing large pieces of concrete and other rubble down a long line of volunteers. “Our building has basically been left in ruins, and the building next to ours? Completely collapsed,” said Álvaro López, who cradled his dog as he watched the search. The desperate scene recalled the searches still ongoing in neighboring Venezuela weeks after that country was devastated by two powerful earthquakes. Besides Cali, the quake ravaged cities across western Colombia, including Pereira, Quibdo and Manizales, and was felt in neighboring Ecuador and

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SANTIAGO SALDARRIAGA

Residents and rescue workers search through the rubble of a collapsed building on Monday after an earthquake struck Cali, Colombia. Panama. The epicenter was in San Jose Del Palmar, a community of about 4,800 people in the Choco region about 250 miles west of Bogota, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella said at least 87 people were injured and around 1,600 buildings were damaged, including at least 61 that completely collapsed. He declared an emergency to expedite funding for the quake recovery while saying he would visit the disaster zone. “We aren’t going to leave

Boat driver charged in deadly capsizing in N.Y.

NEW YORK — The driver of a speedboat that capsized in New York Harbor over the weekend, killing a 27-year-old woman and her infant daughter, was charged Monday with causing their deaths through misconduct or neglect. Manuel Hernandez, 46, wiped his eyes with his hand as he arrived for his initial appearance in Manhattan federal court. He was not required to enter a plea and was released on bail. Sara Sanchez and her 5-monthold daughter, Antonella Garcia, died after the 22-foot Yamaha speedboat overturned late Saturday near the Statue of Liberty. Twelve others were rescued and are in stable condition, authorities said. The vessel was pulled from the water and taken to the New York Police Department’s harbor unit facility on Randall’s Island.

lombia’s poorest, nestled in dense jungle. Much of Choco is only reachable by boat or plane, which may pose a problem for authorities in assessing the wider toll. Local authorities said the death toll included at least 40 people who were killed in the Risaralda region, where Pereira is located, and 27 people in the Valle del Cauca region, where Cali is located, including three children. Authorities also confirmed nine people killed in Choco, two in the Caldas region and a 73-year-old in the Antioquia region. It was not immedi-

Trump lashes out after Iranian demands as deal hopes dim

WHO: Ebola outbreak started in February

BUNIA, Congo — The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record started in February, months before it was officially declared in mid-May, the World Health Organization said Monday as responders in eastern Congo struggle to catch up. The WHO regional director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, told a news conference that sequencing indicated the outbreak’s start. He said some cases early on were wrongly attributed to other diseases, including malaria and typhoid. “So we are chasing the virus, the virus is ahead of us,” Janabi said. Dr. Thierno Balde, WHO’s incident manager for the Ebola response, said the genetic sequencing was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Steve Ahuka, head of the virology department at Congo’s National Institute for Biomedical Research. Confirmed cases of Ebola in this outbreak have reached 4,200, including over 1,900 deaths, according to the latest government figures. WHO assesses the global risk of spread as low because Ebola does not travel through the air, making it much harder to spread than respiratory viruses. Cases detected outside the affected region have so far been quickly identified and contained without leading to sustained transmission, according to the agency. The outbreak declared on May 15 is unlike most previous ones for Ebola because the rare Bundibugyo virus responsible for it has no approved vaccines or treatments.

people alone. They are in our hearts and we are going to tend to people with our full determination,” he said. Colombia’s Geological Service said Monday’s quake was the country’s strongest recorded “in the 21st century,” and that it was followed by 21 less powerful aftershocks. Colombia’s Pacific region around the quake’s epicenter lies along the “Ring of Fire,” the line of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes occur. The Pacific, particularly the Choco region, is one of Co-

ately clear where the other 32 people died. The earthquakes left many in the Andean nation unnerved after two backto-back quakes devastated neighboring Venezuela in late June, destroying hundreds of buildings and killing more than 6,300 people. By Monday afternoon, people had begun reporting their loved ones missing on digital databases just as civilians did following Venezuela’s earthquakes. One database had more than 1,400 people, mostly in Cali and Pereira, with the number steadily climbing. Photos of the missing included a young mother and her baby in Pereira; another showed an 80-year-old woman in Cali whose family was desperately looking for details after her building collapsed. Jorge Moncayo, a 64-yearold taxi driver in Cali, said he saw plumes of dust shoot up across the city as buildings collapsed. Residents and rescue workers were searching the rubble for survivors. The local government said that people remained trapped in a number of the city’s 380 damaged buildings. “My entire house shook. I’ve never lived through such a powerful earthquake,” he said. “We’re thanking God we’re alive.”

BY JOSH WINGROVE and PATRICK SYKES

Bloomberg News (TNS) ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KATERyNA KLOCHKO

Rescue workers try to put out a fire Monday after a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.

Ukrainian strike on oil hub in Russia kills 13, officials say By The Associated Press Ukraine attacked the petroleum hub of Nizhnekamsk in central Russia’s Tatarstan region on Monday, killing 13 people and injuring 78 others, local authorities said, in one of the deadliest attacks in the country in the 4-yearold war. The Ukrainian military said it hit an oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk, which is about 750 miles east of the Ukrainian border and has a population of about 240,000. Russian officials didn’t say what the drones targeted, but the city is home to two refineries and a petrochemical plant. Ukraine has targeted Russian oil facilities with long-range drones almost daily in recent months. The campaign has caused fuel shortages in Russia, eaten into its refining capacity and unsettled the population. Previous Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil with high death tolls have come in the border region of Belgorod. In December 2023, Ukrainian shelling of the region’s capital, also called Belgorod, killed 25 people and wounded over 100, local officials said. Five months later, a Belgorod apartment building partially collapsed after shelling, killing at least 13, according to Russian authorities. Also on Monday, several Ukrainian drones sparked a fire at an industrial facility in the Tyumen region of western Siberia, said Gov. Alexander Moor, without offering any details. Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces damaged part of a petrochemical

complex in Tobolsk, in the Tyumen region. The plant produces rocket fuel components, aviation fuel, composite materials for drones and highoctane gasoline, it said in a Telegram post. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country is trying to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and stop his full-scale invasion, launched in 2022. Russia is one of the world’s biggest energy producers. Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces struck a Taneco oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk, starting a fire. The city came under a “massive” drone attack targeting industrial and civilian facilities, according to the press service of Tatarstan’s head, Rustam Minnikhanov. One of the drones hit a hostel, killing nine of the 13 victims, including citizens of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, officials said. Uzbekistan’s consular office in Tatarstan said seven of its nationals were killed. Russia has also regularly battered Ukraine from the air using missiles, powerful glide bombs and drones, hitting civilian areas and causing thousands of civilian casualties, according to the United Nations. In the first six months of this year, 1,396 civilians were killed and 7,978 injured in Ukraine, the U.N. office in Kyiv said last week. A Russian glide bomb struck the city of Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, injuring 24 people, authorities said Monday.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump lashed out Monday against Iran’s demands for war compensation as part of talks to wind down the conflict, dimming hopes of a quick deal that would reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz and pushing up oil prices. “I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts,” Trump wrote on social media. “Additionally, compensation should be paid to the families of the hundreds of thousands of innocent protesters that Iran has killed over the last 50 years.” The sweeping new demands from Trump, which he said will be put “firmly into any, and all, future negotiations,” are almost certain to be rejected by Iran, and come after Tehran reiterated requests for reparations over the weekend and on Monday. Shortly after his post, Trump expanded the scope of his new demand, saying Iran should be responsible for “damages and death to the people of Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Gaza,” without offering any details. The hardening on both sides makes it unlikely that Washington or Tehran will be able to agree to any immediate pact on Hormuz that could help end the war. Trump and other U.S. officials had recently cheered markets by suggesting a deal with Tehran was getting closer, with both Iran and Oman in parallel discussions over the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose more than 4% on Monday to over $87 a barrel, extending a rally of more than 5% over the previous three sessions. European diesel futures surged more than 10% as refineries in Saudi Arabia and Russia also came under attack, further tightening the market for the fuel considered the workhorse of the global economy. While Trump insisted Monday that compensa-

tion for Iran “was never mentioned in any of our negotiations or meetings,” the 14-point memorandum of understanding that Iran and the United States agreed to in June details plans for Washington and regional partners to develop a $300 billion fund for the “rehabilitation and economic development” of Iran after the war. On Monday, Iranian officials reiterated demands for reparations and tied it to the opening of Hormuz. “As long as hostile actions continue, the conditions for ensuring the safety of this waterway are not in place,” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei

told reporters. “Its reopening is contingent on the U.S. ceasing its illegal actions, lifting the siege and compensating for damages.” Trump had earlier signaled Sunday that he was prepared to let economic pressure on Iran build, rather than launch fresh military strikes to force a reopening of the crucial waterway for oil and gas flows. “We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money,” Trump told Axios in an interview Sunday, saying that a U.S. naval blockade of the country was deepening its financial woes. “We are lowkeying it.”

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ROADS

Continued from page 1A development in Lafayette Parish, she added, is traffic. “Every one of us knows the feeling of sitting in traffic,” state Rep. Josh Carlson said. The projects, he said, will relieve traffic congestion now and position Lafayette Parish for growth. “I think this can be a real game changer,” Parish Council member Ken Stansbury said. Many of the impediments to travel across the parish involve roads in unincorporated areas, which would fall under the parish’s purview, Boulet said. But the parish doesn’t have enough available money due to expenses it’s required to pay by

SCHOOL

Continued from page 1A “There’s almost this sort of gravitational field around it,” Tieken said, “like the community is kind of held together by the school.” In Krotz Springs, children have attended the town’s public school for over a century. It sits near the center of the close-knit community on the Atchafalaya River where, in 1900, a man named Charles Krotz drilled for oil but struck spring water. Ashcraft’s children, 13-yearold Skylar and 8-year-old Jackson, go to Krotz Springs Elementary. Their dad works just down the street, a captain in the local fire department. He gives a fire safety presentation at the school every year and never misses the daddy-daughter dance or “Putting on the Hits,” the annual musical production that draws many of the town’s roughly 1,000 residents to the school gym. His kids’ classmates live nearby, and a teacher lived next door. His son’s first grade teacher knew she could call Ashcraft on speakerphone if Jackson was acting up, and the school secretary knew to send the kids to the fire station if their parents couldn’t meet them after dismissal. “They know who you are, you know who they are,” Ashcraft said. “There’s a bond there.” On June 13, a couple weeks after he heard the speculation about the school’s closure, the School Board met at its office in Opelousas, the St. Landry Parish seat. Stern-faced parents and district employees packed the room, anxious to learn if the rumors were true. Superintendent Milton Batiste III explained that the St. Landry Parish school system had been steadily shrinking, losing nearly a quarter of its students over the past decade. The district now faced an $18 million deficit and risked being unable to make payroll, Batiste said. To slash expenses, he proposed closing or consolidating several schools, including Krotz Springs. “We have to downsize,” he told the crowd, “in order to survive.” Ashcraft’s son already had picked out his new uniform for second grade at Krotz Springs Elementary, and his daughter had prewritten her eighth grade graduation Snyder speech. Now, the children might never set foot again in the school. Two days before the board was to vote on the plan, Krotz Springs Mayor Carroll Snyder held a town meeting Evans to discuss how to stop the closure. Ashcraft’s friend and fellow softball coach, Derek Evans, spoke with a local TV reporter. “We’re trying to get the School Board’s attention,” Evans said, “and let them know we’re not going to just lie down.”

A dad takes on the system Before the school closure battle, Evans was just a typical Krotz Springs dad. He gets his Cajun food from Kartchner’s Grocery on U.S. 190 and works for a company that inspects equipment at oil refineries like the one in Krotz Springs.

Ambassador Caffery Parkway n Converting an all-way stop at Fortune Road and Chemin Metairie to a roundabout n Adding a southbound right-turn lane on Verot School Road at Vincent Road and eastbound dual leftturn lanes on Vincent n Adding left-turn lanes on variSTAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK ous side streets on Verot School The intersection at Renaud Drive Road from Woodstone Drive to La. and North University Avenue is 92 slated for improvement under a n Adding intersection turn lane Commuter Connections initiative improvements to Pinhook Road n Widening East Broussard Road unveiled Monday. from Johnston Street to Robley to state mandates, she said. a four-lane boulevard with shared The initiative would involve: path improvements n Widening to three lanes La. 89 n Converting the all-way stop at Bonin and La Neuville roads to a from Albertson Parkway to Pinroundabout hook Road and improving intersecn Building northbound and south- tion of La. 89 at Albertson Parkway n Converting a two-way stop at bound turn lanes on Bonin Road at

“Jet fuel and boudin balls,” he says, are what keep the town running. An alum of Krotz Springs Elementary, he has two daughters who went there and two there now. Evans saw the school — a singlestory building flanked by a Catholic church and an RV park — as essential to the town, just like the water tower that soars over Krotz Springs and the river that runs alongside it. Now, seemingly out of the blue, district officials were threatening to close it. “It hits you someplace low,” he said, “when they say, ‘Well, let’s just close it,’ like it’s nothing.” Evans decided to put up a fight. He started a “Save Krotz Springs Elementary” Facebook page. He created a petition to keep the school open, which garnered hundreds of signatures. And he wrote to state officials — the governor, the attorney general, the superintendent of education — to seek assistance. “We are not asking for special treatment,” he wrote, “we are simply asking that every possible solution be explored.” The district’s plan would transfer Krotz Springs’ roughly 200 students to the elementary and middle schools in the neighboring town of Port Barre, where Krotz Springs students already attend high school. Now, they would start commuting in preschool. Evans and other parents objected to making young children ride a bus 14 miles each way along a busy highway. He also questioned whether the district was retaliating against the town for voting against raising a property tax rate that helps fund the schools and has not increased for 40 years. On social media, some critics suggested that race played a role in Krotz Springs’ opposition to the plan: The town’s school is more than 90% White, while Port Barre’s schools are more than a quarter Black. Evans and others strongly denied that, noting that they already send their kids to Port Barre High School. Most of all, Evans was skeptical of the savings that officials said would come from closing Krotz Springs Elementary. District figures projected $1.5 million in savings by eliminating all 33 staff positions, yet some Krotz Springs teachers were being transferred to other schools. The figures also showed a reduction in Port Barre Elementary teachers, even though that school would be gaining nearly 150 students. “The numbers do not add up,” Evans said. Tieken, the education professor, said closing schools doesn’t always save much money because teachers often are reassigned to other campuses, buildings still must be maintained and new transportation costs may arise. Some parents also withdraw their children, draining perstudent funding from the district. “This is really ironic,” Tieken said, because often the main rationale for closing a school “is that it’s going to save money. And then it may not.”

The mayor steps in Evans had a staunch ally in

his battle against the closure plan. Snyder is a lifelong Krotz Springs resident who still can name teachers he had at the elementary school nearly 60 years ago. He’s the co-owner of Atchafalaya Basin Seafood, which has been selling crawfish along U.S. 190 for four decades. He’s been the town mayor for the past 15 years, a role in which he helps repair busted water mains and clear storm debris with a backhoe and chain saw. Speaking with Evans and a few other parents who wanted to know what could be done to stop the closure, Snyder had an idea. “Well,” he said, “we might be able to get a restraining order.” On the morning of July 1, the Krotz Springs town attorney filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent Superintendent Batiste and the St. Landry Parish School Board from closing the school. The lawsuit said residents had not known the board was going to discuss the closure plan at the June 13 meeting, which was labeled a board “retreat.” The district officials defended themselves, saying the meeting was publicized in advance, attended by a large crowd, and only called a retreat because the board did not take any action. Still, a judge granted the order, which was modified to allow the board to vote on the Krotz Springs closure but not enact it until after a later court hearing. Concerned parents and residents crowded into the School Board’s meeting room that evening. Despite pleas from Snyder and others, ultimately, a majority of board members voted in favor of the superintendent’s plan, which called for closing six schools and reducing the district workforce by nearly 30%. In the audience, Emily Disotell, a Krotz Springs alum and parent, covered her face and cried. Later that night, Ashcraft and his wife watched a recording of the meeting. He was irate. The board had been in financial distress for years, yet it was only now taking this drastic step, just weeks before the new school year. Skylar also was upset. When school had let out for summer break, she and her classmates had no idea they wouldn’t be coming back. “We didn’t realize,” she said, “that we were going to have to say goodbye to Krotz Springs.”

Parents chart their course On a steamy July evening a couple weeks after the vote, Mayor Snyder led a gathering of residents in the Lord’s Prayer. A few days earlier, he and others had driven to Opelousas for a hearing on the temporary restraining order. The St. Landry Parish judge said he sympathized with the families, but the law was on the School Board’s side. He lifted the order, allowing the closure to proceed. Now, as families sought advice on what to do next, Snyder brought up his Plan B. “A charter school is in the making,” he told the crowd. Snyder had discussed the idea with Evans and other parents. They’d ask to lease the Krotz Springs Elementary building, where the district planned to put virtual class instructors. If the board wouldn’t allow it, Snyder was willing to donate 30 acres of his own land to

South Domingue Avenue and Ridge Road to a roundabout n Reconstructing and expanding capacity at Ridge Road and Rue du Belier with a multilane roundabout n Expanding the Lagneaux Road intersection at Ridge Road with turn lanes and replacing a two-way stop with signals n Widening Ridge Road from Rue du Belier to Ambassador Caffery Parkway to four lanes with intermittent left-turn lanes and sidewalks on both sides n Reconstructing the intersection of Rue du Belier and Congress with four-lane intersection north of Congress and three lanes south of Congress n Converting intersection of West Broussard at Duhon Road to a roundabout n Adding a westbound right-turn

build a campus for the new school. Many liked the idea of a Krotz Springs charter school, but that would take a year or more to launch. In the meantime, some were considering an online charter school or homeschooling. Ashcraft and his wife, who is a deputy sheriff, couldn’t stay home with their kids, so their only option seemed to be sending them to Port Barre. They worried about Jackson, who has ADHD and requires consistency. “It’s going to be rough on him,” Ashcraft said. Later that week, Snyder invited a representative from an online charter school to speak with parents. But the discussion returned to starting a Krotz Springs charter school, which could make the town less reliant on the parish School Board that many residents distrust. It also might spare Krotz Springs from the fate of other rural towns that lost their schools. “Those towns just went to hell in a handbasket,” said Misty Lejeune, whose children attend Krotz Springs Elementary. “We’re never going to allow our town to look like that.” After the discussion, Disotell, the parent who broke down in tears at the School Board meeting, said she planned to pull her kids out

lane on Veterans Drive at North Michaud and a southbound left-turn lane on North Michaud and converting the intersection to a signal n Signalizing the intersection of Hector Connoly Road at Frontage Road (east of Interstate 49) and improve capacity at approaches to intersection n Improving northbound, southbound and eastbound approach capacity of Gloria Switch Road at Frontage Road (west of I-49) and adding signals at Frontage Road n Converting to a roundabout the intersection of Renaud and North University Avenue. For information, visit lafayettela. gov/project-pages/lafayette-commuter-connections. Email Claire Taylor at ctaylor@ theadvocate.com.

of the school system, enrolling two in the online charter school and one in a Christian school. “This is my way of taking a stand,” she said.

A town comes together

ed to drive them to school. On days when Ashcraft is at the fire station, his wife will have to return from her night shift at 4 a.m., make the kids breakfast, then take them to Port Barre. There were still so many uncertainties. Snyder had collected questions from parents — about bus routes, uniforms, class sizes — and sent them to the district, but he got no answers. Instead, a district administrator said the Port Barre Elementary and Middle School principals would communicate directly with parents. Ashcraft said he hadn’t received any letters from his kids’ new schools. “We don’t know what’s going on,” he said. “That makes the whole situation so much worse.” Skylar worried about getting lost at the new campus. Ashcraft dreaded driving past their old school at recess time and seeing the playground deserted. But with school starting in just a few days, the family couldn’t ward off the changes. They could only brace for them. “We’ll figure it out,” he said. “We ain’t got no choice.”

The Swamp Sisters could brave the 94-degree heat, but Coach Joe was staying in the shade. It was the last day of July and the softball team had reunited at the park just around the corner from Krotz Springs Elementary. The town always hosts an end-of-summer celebration for the youth softball and baseball teams, but this year it called the event a “backto-school bash,” hoping to seed a little joy in an anxious moment. There were hamburgers fresh off the grill, sno-balls in Styrofoam cups and two inflatable water slides, the “Tiki Plunge” and “Hurricane.” Ashcraft stood in the pavilion, where he greeted softball players and asked Skylar to go fetch Jackson so he could see his baseball trophy. “He’s on one of those water slides,” he told her. “If there’s water, he’s in it.” His family was trying its best to plan for the coming school year. To spare their Email Patrick Wall at kids from early-morning patrick.wall@theadvocate. bus rides, the parents decid- com.

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4A ● Tuesday,August 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

Canada puts military on standby over wildfires lll

British Columbia blazes kill 1, displace thousands

BY ROB GILLIES and JAMIE STENGLE Associated Press

Canada put its military on standby Monday to help battle deadly wildfires in British Columbia as a local mayor warned that one of the blazes had wreaked huge destruction on his community. A woman has died and some 20,000 people have fled their homes so far. For days, scores of wildfires have burned across the province, nearly half of them out of control in hot, windy weather and prolonged drought. Thousands have fled on jammed roads as officials said even more communities could be threatened. The mayor of Summerland — home to about 12,000 people, which was ordered

CANADIAN PRESS PHOTO By DARRyL DyCK

People float Monday on the Channel Pathway that connects Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake as smoke from wildfires burning in the region fills the air in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. evacuated on Saturday night along with about 8,000 people in and around nearby Peachland — warned that the affected areas remained too dangerous to enter and that it was impossible to determine the scope of the destruction. The blaze — known as the Bald Range wildfire — remained out of control after racing toward Summerland and other communities along Okanagan Lake over the

weekend. “It’s going to be quite a bit,” Mayor Doug Holmes said of the expected destruction. “We need to brace ourselves for that bad news when it’s time to go back. Everybody

will know somebody who has lost a home.” Defense Minister David McGuinty said the Canadian Armed Forces were in constant contact with provincial and federal officials and were ready to respond if British Columbia formally requested assistance. The federal government has already approved provincial requests for help with shelter and accommodations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said an 80-year-old woman died while trying to escape the fire near Summerland. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the death was heartbreaking and that the federal government would continue supporting British Columbia. The British Columbia Wildfire Service said Monday the

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

cute the contract, should it be awarded to him, in conformity with the con‐ tract documents within ten (10) days.

‘Dukes of Hazzard’ actor, ex-U.S. House member Ben Jones dies at age 84 BY JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press

Ben Jones, who played the good ol’ boy mechanic in “The Dukes of Hazzard” TV series and parlayed his fame into a political career and two terms in the U.S. House, has died. He was 84. Jones had a heart attack in his home Sunday in Washington, Virginia, as he was waiting to Jones watch his beloved Atlanta Braves play baseball, his wife, Alma Viator, said on social media. Rappahannock County Sheriff Connie Compton confirmed his death. Jones’ fame came from his role as Cooter Davenport, the mechanic who got the Duke boys out of jams as they tried to do the right thing and fight the corrupt Boss Hogg in the fictional Hazzard County, Georgia. After playing Cooter for all seven seasons of the series from 1979 to 1985, Jones turned to politics and was elected to the U.S. House from a district near Atlan-

ta in 1988. The Democrat served two terms before he was redistricted out of the seat. Jones was born in North Carolina and in college got involved in acting and civil rights, he wrote in his autobiography “Redneck Boy in the Promised Land: The Confessions of ‘Crazy Cooter.’” Acting took over his life. Jones performed in numerous stage productions and had a few minor TV and movie roles in Atlanta during the 1970s before his lifedefining break came on a TV show Jones defended as a modern-day morality tale and a fine example of Southern values. For seven seasons, Jones was one of a small band of friends and family helping Bo and Luke Duke in “The Dukes of Hazzard.” The brothers were on probation for running moonshine and were constantly trying to clear their names and stop the crooked and powerful Boss Hogg from stealing or cheating.

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received either electroni‐ cally at https://lafayet tecsdgovla.tylerportico. com/va/vendor-access/ registration or in the of‐ fice of the Purchasing Di‐ vision at the Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment Building, located at 705 West University Av‐ Lafayette, enue, Louisiana, until 3:00 pm Central Time on the 26th day of August, 2026 for the following: 2026 SIGN POSTS and will, shortly there‐ after, be opened and read aloud in City Hall lo‐ cated at 705 West Univer‐ sity Avenue, Lafayette, LA. Bids received after the above specified time for opening shall not be considered and shall be returned unopened to the sender. Bidders are encouraged to attend the bid opening virtually by using the following link https://us02web.zoom. us/j/81089132262? pwd=2Ux1Ey6zCANb3RS eQISrRGGPoZCiVN.1 Meeting ID: 810 8913 2262 Passcode: 420103 In accordance with Louisiana RS 38:2212. may submit vendors their bid electronically at the website listed above. Bidders wishing to sub‐ mit their bid electroni‐ cally must first be regis‐ tered within LCG Vendor Access at the website listed above. The regis‐ tration process can take some time; therefore, LCG recommends regis‐ tering days in advance of the time that bids are due. It is the sole respon‐ sibility of the bidder to ensure their bid is deliv‐ ered (whether electroni‐ cally via Vendor Access, in person, or via mail) to the Purchasing Division prior to the scheduled date and time of the bid opening. Vendors may request the bid package from electronically Thomas Metrejean at tg‐ metrejean@lafayettela. gov. Vendors submitting bids are re‐ electronically quired to provide the same documents as bid‐ ders submitting through the mail as soon as avail‐ able. Only a bid bond, check or certified cashier’s check shall be submitted as the bid se‐ curity. Electronic copies of both the front and back of the check or bid bond shall be included with the electronic bid. Bids must be signed in accordance with LRS Title 38:2212(B)5. A Cor‐ porate Resolution or Cer‐ tificate of Authority au‐ thorizing the person signing the bid is re‐ quired to be submitted with bid. Failure to sub‐ mit a Corporate Resolu‐ tion or Certificate of Au‐ thority with the bid shall be cause for rejection of bid. Copies of the bidding documents are available at the Purchasing Office located at 705 West Uni‐ Avenue, versity Lafayette, LA 70506. Tele‐ phone number (337) 2917187 (Attn: Thomas Me‐ trejean). Bidding docu‐ ments shall be available until twenty-four (24) hours before the bid opening date. Each bid shall be accom‐ panied by a certified check, cashier’s check or bid bond payable to the Lafayette Consolidated in the Government, amount of $500.00. If a bid bond is used, it shall be written by a surety or insurance company cur‐ rently on the U.S. Depart‐ ment of the Treasury Fi‐ Management nancial Service list of approved companies bonding which is published annu‐ ally in the Federal Regis‐ ter, or by a Louisiana insurance domiciled company with at least an A-Rating in the latest printing of the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide to write individual bonds up to ten percent (10%) of policyholders’ surplus as shown in the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide, or by an insurance com‐ pany in good standing li‐ censed to write bid bonds which is either domiciled in Louisiana or owned by Louisiana resi‐ dents. The bid bond shall be issued by a company licensed to do business in Louisiana and counter‐ signed by a person who is under contract with re‐ siding in this state. The certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond shall be given as a guarantee that the bidder shall exe‐

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Public Notices

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER

no secret his desire to use the law enforcement agency to target his political foes. WASHINGTON — President Blanche will do so with an Donald Trump’s former per- agency that has been holsonal lawyer, Todd Blanche, lowed out by resignations, was sworn in Monday as at- firings and voluntary departorney general after a bruis- tures while also confronting mounting pushback ing confirmation from the courts. fight that exposed Blanche was conbipartisan concerns about the Justice Defirmed in a 50-49 vote, opposed by partment’s direction two Republicans under the Republiwho cited concerns can president. about what they deAnother former Trump attorney — Blanche scribed as increased Emil Bove, now a politicization of the federal appeals court ä Cassidy department under judge — adminis- discusses Trump. Under deputy attered the oath of office to Blanche at the decision torney general and White House follow- to vote for later as acting attoring early Saturday’s Blanche. ney general, Blanche Senate confirmation PAGE 4B has overseen the vote by the narrowinvestigations of nuest of margins. Shortmerous Trump foes, ly after, the newly sworn-in including former FBI Direcattorney general arrived at tor James Comey, whom the Justice Department head- Justice Department indicted quarters to cheers from em- in April for a second time ployees lined up along the since Trump returned to the White House last year. entrance. Blanche has strongly deBlanche, a former federal prosecutor in New York, is fended the Trump adminofficially taking command istration against accusaof a Justice Department he tions that it has weaponized has been leading in an acting the Justice Department. capacity since Pam Bondi’s Blanche has said he feels no firing in April. pressure to placate Trump With the confirmation bat- and insists he sees no probtle behind him, Blanche now lem with the president’s infaces the challenge of hav- terest in Justice Department ing to navigate the demands matters, calling it the presiof a president who has made dent’s “right” and “his duty.”

British Columbia Wildfire Service information officer Nicole Bonnett said the smoke lingering over the Bald Range fire has reduced visibility, limiting the use of air tankers and water-skimming aircraft. Bonnett said the blaze has been fueled primarily by extremely dry conditions rather than wind, and grew explosively Friday, reaching 19 square miles within three hours. Holmes, the Summerland mayor, said there was no timetable for when residents would be able to return as power lines had been downed and hazards at the destroyed or damaged buildings would have to be assessed first. He added that residents would eventually return, likely neighborhood by neighborhood.

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Todd Blanche WORKS sworn in as AG Associated Press

fire had grown to about 60 square miles, from 53 square miles on Sunday. Officials warned clearer skies and direct sunlight could increase fire activity. In Summerland, Peachland and the surrounding areas, about 10,000 homes remained under evacuation orders, while more than 3,200 were under evacuation alerts — meaning they could be told to evacuate at any moment. Ravi Parmer, British Columbia Minister of Forests, said 19 helicopters were assigned to the Bald Range wildfire but that its intensity made it impossible to halt the blaze. “We could have put a thousand more helicopters and a thousand more people on the ground, and it wouldn’t have made a difference,” he said.

No bidder may withdraw his bid for at least fortyfive (45) days after the time scheduled for the opening of bids. Each bid shall be submitted only on the bid form provided with the specifications. Bids will be evaluated by the Purchaser based on the lowest responsible and responsive bid sub‐ mitted which is also in compliance with the bid The documents. Lafayette Consolidated Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause in ac‐ cordance with LA R.S. 38§2214.B. The Lafayette Consoli‐ Government dated strongly encourages the participation of DBEs (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) in all con‐ tracts or procurements let by the Lafayette Con‐ Government solidated for goods and services and labor and material. To that end, all contrac‐ tors and suppliers are encouraged to utilize DBEs business enter‐ prises in the purchase or sub-contracting of mate‐ rials, supplies, services and labor and material in disadvantaged which business are available. Assistance in identifying said businesses may be obtained by calling 2918410. PURCHASING DIVISION Lafayette Consolidated Government PUBLISH DATES: 8/11/26, 8/16/26 DPR # 1007751 196782 Aug. 11, 16 2t $99.54 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be ac‐ cepted until 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office at 316 W. Main Street, Lafayette, Louisiana for the follow‐ ing: #2027-06 Small Un‐ manned Aerial System Equipment For information on this bid, contact the Finance Office at the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. Documents are also available at the Sheriff’s Office Website at www. lafayettesheriff.com and www.centralauctionh ouse.com. Bids received after the above date and time will be returned un‐ opened. Bids will be eval‐ uated by and purchased based on quality, cost and adaptability of said items. Bidders must comply with all condi‐ tions submitted in bid specifications. The Sher‐ iff reserves the right to reject any and all bids deemed unsuitable in the best public interest. Mark T. Garber, Sheriff Parish of Lafayette 196868-aug 11-18-2t $20.64

Clemency I, CHARLES DOREST, DOC #773419 have applied for clemency for my conviction of AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A FIREARM.. If you have any comments, contact the Board of Pardons (225)342-5421. 196470 - AUG 10-12 3T $310.00

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

PUBLIC NOTICE --Lafayette Parish School Board - Board Insurance Committee Meeting Minutes July 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM 202 Rue Iberville, Boardroom, Lafayette, LA 70508 Meeting called to order at 3:00 PM. 1. ROLL CALL 1.1 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag followed by a Moment of Silence Board Insurance Commit‐ tee Chairperson Hannah Smith Mason asked Je‐ remy Hidalgo to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 1.2 Roll Call - Board Insur‐ ance Committee - David LeJeune - District 1; Robert "Ted" Davidson -

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

District 2; Hannah Smith Mason - District 8 and Je‐ remy Hidalgo - District 9 Committee members present: LeJeune, David‐ son, Mason and Hidalgo Other Board members present: None 2. AGENDA 2.1 COMMITTEE: Review and Approval of LPSB Board Insurance Commit‐ tee Meeting Minutes on May 13, 2026 - Mason LPSB - Board Insurance Committee Meeting (RESCHEDULED) - May 13, 2026 - ***REVISED*** Minutes - Html That the committee ap‐ prove the minutes from Board Insurance the Committee Meeting on May 13, 2026. Moved by: Jeremy Hi‐ seconded by: dalgo; David LeJeune Yes: Hannah Smith Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo, LeJeune, and David Robert Davidson Motion Carried 4-0 2.2 INSURANCE: Discus‐ sion and/or action re‐ garding Direct Contract‐ ing Kelly Cox of HIC Holding Corp. will present on Di‐ con‐ rect-to-Employer Direct-to-Em‐ tracts. ployer contracting is a strategic alternative to traditional insurance net‐ works. Under this model, Lafayette Parish School contracts di‐ System rectly with local hospi‐ tals and physicians for services. By medical third-party eliminating intermediaries, this ap‐ proach allows Lafayette Parish School System to secure more favorable rates, control healthcare spending, and establish direct partnerships with healthcare local providers. Mr. Cox will present a perfor‐ comparative mance analysis of the di‐ con‐ rect-to-employer tracts, contrasting calen‐ year 2025 data dar year-to-date against (YTD) 2026 metrics. This presentation will evalu‐ ate the claims perfor‐ mance in order to mea‐ sure the strategic and fi‐ nancial impact of the di‐ con‐ rect-to-employer tracts. MINUTES: Prior to Mr. Cox's presentation, Su‐ Francis perintendent Touchet, Jr. explained the importance of direct con‐ tracting. Direct contract‐ ing is an arrangement di‐ rectly with doctors or hospitals to lower costs and make pricing clear. also indicated He Lafayette Parish School System's prior health in‐ surance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, did not allow direct contract‐ ing. Mr. Touchet an‐ nounced he is cautiously optimistic these mea‐ sures by Mr. Cox and Gal‐ lagher will actually show that at some point there will be a fund balance in the Insurance Fund. Mr. Cox presented the below report comparing claims from January to May 2025 and January to May 2026 paid to the top used by providers Lafayette Parish insured employees and retirees. The report showed a savings of total $2,891,556, which is a 66% reduction from 2025. Mr. Cox reported he feels Lafayette Parish School System is headed in the right direction. Lafayette Parish School Board-Claims Compar‐ ison2.xlsx - Sheet1.pdf Ms. Mason asked Mr. Cox to compare his work to the work Gallagher is doing. Mr. Cox stated Gallagher is not doing di‐ rect contracting. He con‐ tinued to report Gal‐ lagher is the Third Party (TPA) Administrator the health managing care plan and controlling Lafayette Parish School assets. Ms. System's Mason asked Gallagher if they could provide direct contracting services for Lafayette Parish School System. Lana Labour‐ dette with Gallagher indi‐ cated they do have direct contracting experts and consultants but the Gal‐ lagher team that works with Lafayette Parish School System covers employee benefits only. Gallagher does not have anyone local that does direct contracting; there‐ fore, they felt it was im‐ portant to say "no" to taking on direct contract‐ ing to benefit Lafayette Parish School System. 2.3 INSURANCE: Discus‐ sion and/or action re‐ garding Tria Health Tria Health will introduce their program, highlight‐ ing how their pharma‐ cists collaborate directly with members to opti‐ mize medication effec‐ tiveness and manage chronic conditions. Addi‐ tionally, they will present an analysis of participa‐ tion rates, enrollment trends, and financial per‐ formance - demonstrat‐ ing the program's mea‐ impact on surable healthcare cost savings d h ll b d

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

g and the overall budget. 7.23.26 Tria Health BIC Presentation.pdf MINUTES: Katie McGilley, Senior Account Manager with Tria Health, re‐ ported Tria Health is a clinically driven phar‐ macy solution, which will work with members who have chronic conditions to help them get the most out of their medica‐ tions while also lowering their overall health care costs. Tria Health's phar‐ macists provide one-onone telephonic consulta‐ tion and support to highrisk patients with chronic conditions. Ms. McGilley shared two patient suc‐ cess stories of people who used Tria Health's Pharmacy Advocate Pro‐ gram. A Savings and In‐ vestment Summary for 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 for prescriptions, health care, compliance and support clinical pro‐ gram savings was also provided. Ms. McGilley also provided the num‐ ber of members engaged in the program starting with the first quarter of 2025 until June 2026. The number of members par‐ ticipating each quarter has continued to rise. Mr. David LeJeune called on Trish LeBouef, Director of Insurance and Benefit for Lafayette Parish School System, to ask if every‐ one who is on the dis‐ trict's insurance with a chronic disease is eligi‐ ble for Tria Health. Ms. LeBouef answered both active members along with their dependents and retirees are eligible Tria Health. Ms for LeBouef added members and retirees are notified by a blue envelope mailed to their address on file. Mr. LeJeune also asked Ms. LeBouef if members who are on Hu‐ mana are eligible and she indicated they are not eligible for Tria Health. Mr. LeJeune also with Ms. inquired LeBouef about the cost of the plan. Ms. LeBouef indicated there is a PEPM employee per (per month) charge the dis‐ trict does have a budget line item. The individual does not pay anything.

p resent both products and they would need to show this to medical providers and network pharmacies. · The maximum out of pocket would increase from $2,100 to $2,400 per the inflation Reduction Act. Ms. Labourdette showed a comparison of the cur‐ rent Humana Plan to the renewal of the Humana Plan, UHC and LA Blue. Roxy Kugler of Gallagher Services re‐ Benefit viewed a wellness pro‐ gram to begin January 1, 2027. The program is an Lafayette investment Parish School System will be doing for their members and will be available to all active employees enrolled on the self-insured health plan along with retirees who are pre-65. The pro‐ gram will include all the same on-site biometric screenings and flu shots members currently re‐ ceive. The program will also include personalized wellness journeys, digital engagement tools, edu‐ cational resources and wellness challenges. By participating in the well‐ ness program, members would receive a de‐ ductible credit of $500. Committee chairperson Hannah Mason asked Su‐ perintendent Touchet to clarify who is paying for Mr. Cox's services to di‐ rect contract. Superin‐ tendent Touchet indi‐ cated Lafayette Parish School System received $415,000 this year from Meritain to pay for a con‐ sultant to do direct con‐ tracting and an addi‐ tional staff member for the Insurance and Bene‐ fits Department to han‐ dle the change in health insurance provider. Over the next two years, Lafayette Parish School will receive System $230,000/year from Meri‐ tain to cover both. Ms. Mason indicated she was asking these ques‐ tions for complete trans‐ parency for the public and reiterated what Mr. Touchet previously re‐ ported. Ms. Mason indi‐ cated Lafayette Parish School System pays Gal‐ lagher to consult to choose best case scenar‐ ios and Kelly Cox is paid to do the direct contract‐ ing with his fee coming from Meritain. Mr. Jeremy Hidalgo asked Ms. Labourdette if Gallagher were to do di‐ contracting for rect Lafayette Parish School System, would there be an additional fee. Ms. Labourdette said typi‐ cally there would be an additional fee for direct contracting.

engagement program, and targeted point-solu‐ tion initiatives including Tria Health, Lantern, and Regenexx. The existing program currently fea‐ tures a $250 incentive per eligible employee and spouse. To maximize member participation, it is recom‐ mended that the Board Insurance Committee re‐ quest Board approval to increase the annual well‐ ness incentive to $500 for those who meet the es‐ Lafayette tablished Parish School System Wellness Way criteria. Moved by: David LeJe‐ une; seconded by: Je‐ remy Hidalgo Yes: Hannah Smith Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo, LeJeune, and David Robert Davidson Motion Carried 4-0

2.4 INSURANCE: Discus‐ sion and/or action re‐ garding Gallagher Bene‐ fits Services - Gard‐ ner/LeBouef Gallagher Benefit Ser‐ vices will provide up‐ dates regarding (1) Fi‐ nancial Summary; (2) Advantage Medicare Marketing Analysis; (3) Wellness Incentive Mod‐ eling and (4) the Service Calendar. 07.23.2026 BIC Presenta‐ tion FINAL with Revi‐ sions.pdf MINUTES: JB Murphy and Eric Pearson with Gal‐ lagher presented a Fi‐ nancial Summary for fis‐ years 2023/24, cal 2024/25 and 2025/26 by month of gross medical and prescription claims. The summary indicated there had been a drop of 9.71% for 2025/26 com‐ pared to the other fiscal years. Gallagher also provided a Plan Perfor‐ Summary of mance PMPM (per member per month) from January 2026 through May 2026 compared to January 2025 through May 2025, which showed a 28.6% drop in all plans and classes. Gallagher indi‐ cated they remain hope‐ ful this trend continues throughout the year but they do not expect it. Gallagher also provided a comparison of top providers for 2025 and 2026. JB Murphy with Gal‐ lagher provided a sum‐ mary of monthly report‐ ing for Meritain for the month of June, which showed customer ser‐ vice metrics for mem‐ bers and providers. Mr. Murphy also reviewed a monthly report of Verity for the month of June, which showed Verity has added 44 new providers since January 1, 2026. Lana Labourdette of Gal‐ lagher Benefit Services indicated they were an‐ ticipating an increase for all clients who have Medicare Advantage Pro‐ therefore, Gal‐ gram; lagher went out to mar‐ ket to look at options. The initial renewal for Advantage Medicare came in at $278.79 per employee or retiree per month, which is approxi‐ mately a 10.5% increase. Gallagher requested Hu‐ mana to release decou‐ pled options. Gallagher recommended moving to the Humana Decoupled Plan with the full en‐ hanced dental and vision benefit embedded in the program. Ms. Labour‐ dette provided a compar‐ ison of the current Hu‐ mana Plan to the Hu‐ mana Renewal and Hu‐ mana Decoupled with Dental and Vision. She in‐ dicated the only two changes with going with the Humana Decouple Plan with dental and vi‐ sion would be the follow‐ ing: · Members would receive a new ID card, which rep‐ b h d d

2.5 INSURANCE: Discus‐ sion and/or action re‐ garding Medicare Advan‐ tage Market Analysis Gardner / LeBouef Public comment was re‐ ceived. The Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) currently provides med‐ ical and pharmacy cover‐ age to 837 members the Humana under Advantage Medicare plan. For the 2026 plan year, the premium rate is $252.10 PMPM (Per Mem‐ ber Per Month). The Humana Decoupled Plan maintains all cur‐ rent member benefits while adding new, ex‐ panded dental and vision coverage. By adopting this plan, District retirees and their eligible depen‐ dents will gain access to valuable, previously un‐ available post-retirement services, resulting in en‐ hanced coverage and in‐ dividual cost savings. Additionally, this selec‐ a projects tion $212,469.84 fiscal savings to the District based on current membership and FY26-27 budgeted alloca‐ tions. That the Board Insurance Committee recommend the full Board approve the Humana Decoupled Plan, inclusive of dental and vision, for the 2027 plan year at the $230.87 PMPM (Per Member Per Month) rate. Moved by: David LeJe‐ une; seconded by: Robert Davidson Yes: Hannah Smith Mason, Jeremy Hidalgo, LeJeune, and David Robert Davidson Motion Carried 4-0 2.6 INSURANCE: Discus‐ sion and/or action re‐ garding Wellness Incen‐ tive Modeling - Gardner / LeBouef On June 11, 2026, the Lafayette Parish School Board approved a com‐ prehensive wellness pro‐ gram for all active em‐ ployees, pre-65 mem‐ bers, and their eligible spouses, beginning Janu‐ ary 2027. This Districtwide strategy will be de‐ to cultivate signed healthier lifestyles by in‐ tegrating digital engage‐ ment via the WellRight and fitness platform challenges. As the program begins to take shape, it will feature on-site biometric screen‐ ings, flu shots, a "Go-tothe-Doctor" primary care

3. ADJOURN 3.1 Adjourn Meeting There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:23 PM. /s/Francis Touchet, Jr. Francis Touchet, Jr. Secretary-Treasurer /s/Hannah Smith Mason Hannah Smith Mason Board President ccg 196819 Aug. 11 1t $144.52

Public Notices Successions

PUBLIC NOTICE --15th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT LAFAYETTE PARISH, LOUISIANA PROBATE DOCKET NO. P-20260928 SMALL SUCCESSION OF ALTON GEORGE, JR. Whereas the Adminis‐ trator of the above suc‐ cession has made appli‐ cation to the Court for the sale at private sale of the following described interest in immovable property belonging to the estate of Alton George, Jr.: That certain parcel of ground, together with all buildings and improve‐ thereon and ments thereunto belonging, sit‐ in Lafayette uated Parish, Louisiana, being known and designated as LOT THIRTY-TWO (32) of RIDGE VIEW SUBDIVI‐ SION, EXTENSION NO. 1, a subdivision of the Parish of Lafayette, Louisiana by reference to that cer‐ tain plat of survey pre‐ pared by Fred L. Colomb, dated January 2, 1973, at‐ to that act tached recorded under Entry No. 598982 of the records of Parish, Lafayette Louisiana, and made a part hereof by reference, and being described with reference thereto as hav‐ ing a frontage on Lolly Street, and is bounded north by Lot 33, east by Lolly Street, south by Lot 31 and west by Lot 25; which parcel bears the municipal address of 107 Lolly Drive, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501. UPON THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS, TO-WIT: Morrison Solutions & In‐ vestments L.L.C. is to purchase this property “As-Is” for and in consid‐ eration of the sum of THOU‐ SEVENTY-EIGHT AND 00/100 SAND DOLLARS ($78,000.00) cash. The estate will pay all legal expenses for probate proceedings in‐ cluding expenses neces‐ sary to obtain court au‐ thority to sell estate property. Notice is hereby given to all parties whom it may concern, including the heirs and creditors of decedents herein, and of this succession. BE ORDERED to make any opposition which they may have to such application at any time, prior to the issuance of the order or judgment approving authorizing, and homologating such and that application, such order or judgment may be issued after the expiration of seven days from the date of the pub‐ lication of such notice, all in accordance with law. 196855 Aug. 11, 1t $60.43

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Tuesday, August 11, 2026 ● 5A

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6A ● Tuesday,August 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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TODAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

A t-storm around in the p.m.

Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm

A t-storm around in the p.m.

Partly sunny

A t-storm around in the a.m.

An afternoon shower

HIGH

LOW

HIGH

92° 77°

LOW

HIGH

92° 78°

LOW

93° 77°

HIGH

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

Beaumont 92/77 Port Arthur 93/77

Baton Rouge 94/76

Lake Charles 93/78

10s

20s

30s

Houma 90/76

40s

50s

YESTERDAY

TODAY

READING 27 MAIN POLLUTANT Ozone

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

60s

70s

80s

90s 100s 110s

AUG 12

City

Austin Boston Dallas Fairbanks Honolulu Las Vegas Louisville Miami Nashville

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

HIGH

7:41p 1:36p 5:39a 8:33a 9:28a 8:40a 10:36a

FT.

AUG 19

Hi

100 88 100 76 90 104 93 93 97

TODAY Lo

79 70 80 51 76 85 74 81 77

FULL

LAST

AUG 27

W

pc pc s pc sh pc t sh t

SEP 4

Hi

WED.

101 83 101 79 89 101 93 93 95

Lo

79 68 81 54 76 81 74 79 77

LOW

0.18” 1.18” 1.92” 41.97” 39.34”

FT.

HIGH

0.9 6:35a -0.2 1.9 12:13a -0.3 2.0 7:51a 1.9 2.0 --- --1.6 8:35p -0.1 1.9 6:52p -0.3 2.0 9:37p -0.2

6:33 a.m. 7:53 p.m. 5:07 a.m. 7:22 p.m.

FIRST

GOOD

PRECIPITATION

89°/76° 93°/75° 90°/74° 102° in 2015 62° in 1989

Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today NEW

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

LOW

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

New Orleans 92/78

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

0s

Hattiesburg 98/76

Alexandria 95/74

Lafayette 92/77

HIGH

95° 77°

Lafayette through 5 p.m. Monday

Jackson 97/76 Many 94/72

LOW

95° 76°

TEMPERATURE

Longview 99/77

-0s

LOW

Monroe 98/77

Shreveport 97/77

-10s

HIGH

94° 75°

Well, we are closely following three areas of disturbed weather in the Atlantic, all of which have a chance of developing into tropical systems. None is currently a threat to Southwest Louisiana. The heat, however, will become more and more of a threat as we go through the week. Today, most of Acadiana is under a moderate heat risk. Temperatures this afternoon will be rising into the low to mid90s. When you factor in the humidity, feels-like temperatures could rise to 106 or higher. Rain chance is 20%.

W

pc pc s pc pc t t pc t

FT.

--- ----- --1:12p 2.0 --- ----- ----- ----- ---

SOURCE: LOUISIANA DEQ AND AIRNOW.GOV

LOW

FT.

--- ----- --8:11p -0.6 --- ----- ----- ----- ---

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

Today 10:48a Wednesday 11:43a Thursday 12:11a Friday 1:04a Saturday 1:56a Sunday 2:47a Monday 3:38a

City

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

Hi

92 95 90 105 79 95 97 80 93

4:33a 11:18p 5:03p 5:29a 12:10p 5:56p 6:23a 12:36p 6:48p 7:16a 1:28p 7:39p 8:08a 2:19p 8:30p 8:59a 3:10p 9:21p 9:49a 4:00p 10:12p

TODAY Lo

78 76 73 85 67 73 78 71 79

W

t t t t t t pc pc t

Hi

92 95 86 102 82 94 95 79 94

WED. Lo

77 76 73 81 68 74 78 70 80

W

t pc pc t t t t pc pc

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

THC

Continued from page 1A industry. Language in that year’s Farm Bill legalized certain consumable products made with the active compounds derived from hemp, a form of the cannabis plant with lower levels of THC than marijuana. Entrepreneurs quickly learned they could simply gather lots of hemp-derived THC to create products with psychoactive effects similar to those created with stronger strains. The loophole has led to roughly $28 billion in annual U.S. sales of THC-infused beverages, gummies and other products. Beverages, though only contributing about $1 billion in annual sales, make up one of the most visible product categories. Cans of THC drinks like Louie Louie, Crescent 9 and Driftee, all made by Louisiana companies, have become common sights on the shelves of major retailers like Rouses and Total Wine. Other THC products are also

mainstays at convenience stores and gas stations. A bipartisan group of legislators hopes to get all of the options off shelves, but makers of the most mainstream products are hoping there will be a move to regulate instead of ban. They say the Senate’s 61-32 vote, part of a broader, bipartisan government funding bill that will need to be approved by the House when members return from recess, gives them four more weeks to make their case. “The next chapter begins today,” Christopher Lackner, founder and president of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, said in a statement after the vote. “We stand ready to work with Congress, the White House and stakeholders throughout the country to pass federal legislation that is strong, sensible, reliable, and prioritizes public safety.” Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., who had been leading the fight to keep the ban on schedule, expressed disappointment with the vote’s outcome. “We agreed to ban these drugs

nearly nine months ago, but clearly our fight to stop this scourge is just beginning,” he said in a social media post.

Hope for growing industry In Louisiana, beverage manufacturers expressed optimism about the Senate’s vote despite a lack of support from their state’s federal delegation. “While it was disappointing to see our Louisiana senators vote to destroy jobs and businesses in their home state, we hope to see Sen. (John) Kennedy and Sen. (Bill) Cassidy take a more pro-business stance once a more robust regulatory bill is up for consideration,” said Joe Gerrity, a founder of the new Louisiana Hemp Beverage Coalition and CEO of Crescent Canna, one of the nation’s biggest THC beverage manufacturers. The offices of Kennedy and Cassidy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Marie La France, one of the cofounders of Basin Street Beverages, maker of Louie Louie drinks,

VACCINE

different single-disease shots and administering all childhood immunizations at separate appointments whenever possible. It also directs the nation’s health department to improve research on vaccines, which are already extensively studied, and present a plan to offer separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines for children, since that is not currently an option in the United States. The renewed focus on vaccines marks a departure from the Trump administration’s recent efforts to emphasize less controversial health policies related to healthy eating, drug price negotiations and medical fraud crackdowns ahead of November’s midterm elections. Public health experts have raised concerns that spacing out shots as Trump suggests can lead to an increased risk that children become infected with a vaccine-preventable disease before returning for another visit. Childhood vaccines — and how and when to give them in combination — go through rigorous studies, and safety tracking continues for years as the shots are used. Trump called the announcement

said Louisiana consumers “overwhelmingly” want to continue to have access to low-dose hemp beverages wherever alcohol is sold. Local beverage makers are supporting three potential federal bills, including the Lawful Hemp Protection Act, the Hemp Planting Predictability Act and the HempDerived Beverage Regulatory Clarity Act. The first two would ban synthetic intoxicants and create standards for testing and packaging. The third creates a regulatory framework specifically for hemp beverages. “Any one of these bills would maintain the standards and access we have here in Louisiana when it comes to hemp beverages,” La France said. “Congress now has multiple paths. We hope they will listen to voters and pass sensible legislation.” President Donald Trump’s administration has signaled support for the industry, including in a June 24 letter from Trump Cabinet member Russell Vought to House Speaker

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., right, speaks next to President Donald Trump during a meeting to sign an executive order about vaccines Monday in the Oval Office of the White House. a “major victory for parents’ rights, religious and constitutional rights, and for the gold standard science.” Speaking about the order at the Oval Office on Monday, Trump repeatedly suggested the number or timing of vaccines could play a role in rising rates of autism spectrum disorder, even as scientific consensus and decades of studies have firmly concluded there is no link. The order also includes several changes to the childhood vaccine

schedule that his health department has already attempted, but that have been blocked by a federal judge. A White House official who insisted on anonymity to brief reporters said Trump was within his right to provide his own recommendation through the executive order and said the lawsuit blocking the health department’s schedule was a separate issue. Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pe-

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

FLOOD STAGE

34 48 48 35 27 22 17

MON. 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE

0.03 18.58 21.35 8.80 4.37 4.01 2.79

+0.14 -0.23 -0.45 +0.50 -0.33 +0.18 -0.44

40

17.31

+1.06

19

-1.48

+0.14

18 29 8

-1.06 10.10 2.10

+0.08 -0.06 -0.05

13 15

2.01 0.95

+0.55 +0.03

47 34 29 20 12 6

7.54 5.11 3.60 3.96 2.80 1.87

-0.23 -0.22 -0.01 -0.23 -0.50 +0.11

data as of 7 a.m. Monday

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

Mike Johnson, R-Benton. Congress should revise “the Federal regulation of hemp to ensure the fair treatment of hemp products,” Vought wrote in a document laying out the administration’s funding priorities. Other Louisiana hemp entrepreneurs note that the four-week delay on the products they sell, while encouraging, still leaves lots of uncertainty. Monica Olano, founder of the Cali Sober Market in Metairie and owner of Mélange, a nonalcoholic bar in the Faubourg Marigny, said the extension is better than nothing, but still just a “Band-Aid.” “For small businesses like us, where this isn’t just one revenue stream but the majority of our business, it’s still a very big question mark,” she said. “There’s still a lot of regulation and consensus that needs to happen before any of us know what our world looks like at the end of the year.” Email Rich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.

advises states with school vaccine mandates to consider updating their laws to reflect the administration’s preferred schedule, according to a White House fact sheet. “Vaccines are overwhelmingly safe. Vaccines are effective. Vaccines DO NOT cause autism,” Cassidy added on X. “Breaking up vaccines will mean children have to get more shots to get the same protection, not fewer shots. It will increase hesitancy and make children less safe.” Cassidy reacts Last December, Trump ordered U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton the Department of Health and HuRouge, blistered the presidential man Services to review how peer order recommending fewer child- nations approach vaccine recomhood vaccines just momendations and consider revising U.S. guidance acments after President Donald Trump signed it late cordingly. The department Monday afternoon. responded by cutting the “I’m a doctor. This execunumber of vaccines it rective order is wrong. The ommends for every child, President does not have a move that has since been the expertise to make these blocked in court. changes,” Cassidy wrote on Cassidy Changes to federal childX. “Parents should listen hood vaccine recommendato their child’s pediatrician about tions customarily require approval vaccines rather than listening to an from the director of the Centers inaccurate executive order. This is for Disease Control and Prevenso wrong.” tion. The newly Senate-confirmed Even as the order calls for revised CDC director, Dr. Erica Schwartz, vaccine recommendations, states, oversaw policies promoting vacnot the federal government, have cination of service members while the authority to require vaccina- in a leadership position at the U.S. tions for schoolchildren. The order Coast Guard. diatrics, said the announcement spreads uncertainty, fear and confusion where “there doesn’t need to be any of that.” He disputed Trump’s recommendations and said previous ones should stand. “Science about vaccines and their efficacy has not changed,” he said. “The distribution of viruses and other pathogens in our environment has not changed. Children in this country have not changed in the last 48 hours.”

Continued from page 1A

GOOD

METRO

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

Jan Risher LOUISIANA AT LARGE

Stockett draws 500 women to La. for night of sisterhood Hundreds of women in bright floral and toile dresses rarely choose to stand outside in the lateafternoon heat of August in Louisiana. But that’s what happened Wednesday in St. Francisville — and no one was complaining. Before 5 p.m., the steps of St. Francisville’s Freyhan Center were filled with women in colorful dresses. It looked like a garden in bloom. If there ever was a scene that had the look of a middle-aged sorority recruitment party, this was it. However, nobody was rushing anybody. If laughter and smiles are an indicator, everybody seemed to already belong. The women had come to hear Kathryn Stockett, author of “The Help,” talk about her new novel, “The Calamity Club,” a story the author says is about sisterhood. The event was free. My best count put the crowd near 500 people — some of whom spent the evening in the overflow rooms, where they couldn’t see but could hear Stockett. St. Francisville, population 1,557, is not a place folks pass through by accident. Everyone there decided, on purpose, to be there. The evening existed because Missy Couhig, owner of The Conundrum bookshop, was plucky enough to ask for it. She went to hear Stockett at a similar event hosted by Dixon Books in Natchez, near Stockett’s Mississippi home. Couhig waited until the end of the event and asked if the author would consider coming to St. Francisville. Detail by detail, the rest came together. Couhig’s bookshop was too small, so she contacted the recently renovated Freyhan Center, a 1908 schoolhouse that reopened as a community center in 2025. Before I hosted the questionand-answer portion of the evening, Stockett spoke to the crowd. Her remarks included a reference to a Washington Post piece by Monica Hesse — about Cheryl Hines at the White House Correspondents Dinner, watching her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., get whisked off by security while she, in a strapless cocktail dress, hobbled after them. Stockett read from Hesse’s piece about Hines: “We are all Cheryl Hines. Unprepared for the scenario in which we will be forced to run for our lives. Watching the important people be whisked away while we wonder whether we should try to follow them, or duck under a table, or grab the good wine. This country is exhausting and perverse. We should have worn different shoes.” The evening felt like every woman in the room understood the sentiment. Shantell Gomez, who drove in from Lafayette, said Stockett was refreshingly real and funny and that she “felt feelings of collective understanding.” Stockett told of getting expelled

|

T u e s d ay, au g u s T 11, 2026

1BN

‘It’s a turning point in Lafayette Parish’

STAFF PHOTOS By BRAD KEMP

Officials with the Lafayette Parish school system, Lafayette High and Lemoine get ready to cut the ribbon Monday to mark the completion of the rebuild of Lafayette High.

After years of construction, Lafayette High celebrates completion of campus BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

Lafayette Parish schools Superintendent Francis Touchet, center, speaks to the faculty and staff during the ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday in Lafayette.

As students and parents arrived for orientation Monday, Lafayette High School marked the completion of the bulk of its long-awaited campus construction with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. School Board members, current and former faculty, local officials and members of the construction and design team gathered in the school’s atrium to mark the substantial completion of the project, though work remains on the football field and a new baseball complex is planned at the former S.J. Montgomery Elementary School site. Lafayette Parish schools Superintendent Francis Touchet said about 2,200 students will attend Lafayette High this year. “Today is the day that the majority of what’s happening here is complete,” Touchet said. He said that on Friday,

ä See SCHOOL, page 4B

Melville’s utility billing errors could violate state law Town’s audit finds accounting issues

BY JOEL THOMPSON

Staff writer

A state audit of the town of Melville found eight deficiencies in the municipality’s financial practices, including failures to properly remit payroll taxes, manage utility accounts, comply with debt requirements and fol-

low state requirements for collecting unpaid utility bills. The audit also found that the town did not properly remit some taxes collected on behalf of other agencies, failed to properly maintain minutes of Town Council meetings and allowed budget variances of more than 5% without making the required amendments. The findings cover the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Town officials said some of the issues

have been addressed or are being corrected. The audit notes that the town did not make all of the necessary payments to the IRS as well as the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Town officials attributed some of the missed payments to accounting practices used under the previous mayor and said many of the still overdue payments have been made this fiscal year. Regarding the town’s failure

to shut off utilities to nonpayers, the audit pointed out that several of the past due accounts belong to the town’s elected officials. No clear evidence of intentional wrongdoing was established within the audit itself however it points out that the town’s failure to terminate service to delinquent accounts could violate state law prohibiting municipalities from giving away valuable assets

ä See MELVILLE, page 4B

ä See RISHER, page 4B

Rayne man gets 46 months for threatening former partner BY KRISTIN ASKELSON

Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By JAN RISHER

Jan Risher, from left, author Kathryn Stockett and Missy Couhig, owner of The Conundrum, gather at the Freyhan Center in St. Francisville for an event with Stockett to talk about her new book, ‘The Calamity Club.’

A Rayne man was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for threatening a former romantic partner using a contraband cellphone, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. Raylin Richard, 46, was sentenced Thursday for interstate communication with a threat to injure. The sentence will be

served consecutively to a 17year federal sentence Richard is already serving for a prior child exploitation offense. According to court documents, Richard’s previous conviction involved secretly recording a 12-year-old who was connected to his former romantic partner. After that conviction, the woman obtained a lifetime protective order against Richard and moved to another state. While serving his sentence at

the Federal Correctional Institution in Oakdale, authorities discovered that Richard was using a contraband cellphone to send threatening messages to the woman through social media. The messages included threats and photographs of the woman’s new residence, authorities said. A forensic examination of the cellphone confirmed Richard had accessed the accounts used to send the messages, according to court documents.

Investigators also found messages between Richard and a former cellmate that indicated Richard’s anger toward the woman and corroborated his involvement in the threatening communications. Richard threatened to harm the woman if she reported him to police again, according to court documents. Email Kristin Askelson at kaskelson@theadvocate.com.

2B ● Tuesday,August 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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

OUR VIEWS

Slightly smaller LSU freshman class is a positive sign After eight consecutive record-breaking years, LSU’s freshman class this year will be slightly smaller than the one before. That’s a good thing. A smaller incoming class does not reflect lower demand: LSU received more than 67,000 applications this year. That’s more than three times the number a decade ago and continues an upward trajectory that has accelerated since the pandemic. LSU is also benefiting from national trends that show more students applying at major Southern schools. With such a large applicant pool, LSU officials are smart to apply stricter admission standards. They have also said they intend to work hard to attract the top echelon of students, those with an ACT score of 30 or above, essentially those in the top six percent of all students. The fact that those standards were largely applied to out-of-state students is another positive. LSU and its appeal as a brand exert one of the state’s few gravitational pulls for new residents. Students who study here are more likely to stay here; if we can take the best of those from other states, all the better. That’s what other states have been doing to Louisiana for years. We are also glad to see that the proportion of in-state students accepted actually ticked up a bit. Even as it pursues academic prestige, LSU must not forget its core mission as the state’s flagship university: providing a quality education for the benefit of all Louisianans. The regional campuses, including the recently reassimilated University of New Orleans, can play a key role in this pursuit by making a good education affordable and practical for many in-state students. Other regional LSU sites, such as Alexandria, have in recent years seen enrollment booms; New Orleans, which has struggled to attract students, could use the same. The smaller incoming class size will have some practical benefits as well. LSU’s main campus in Baton Rouge is at or near capacity. Parking is tight, on-campus housing is packed and off-campus apartments are even more expensive. One student recounted seeing students standing in a 200-desk lecture hall because there were not enough places to sit. “If we’re committed to excellence both in the classroom and in the student experience, then part of that calculus does have to involve maybe not growing beyond what the campus capacity is,” Emmett Brown, LSU’s head of enrollment, told this newspaper’s Haley Miller. All of these tweaks are in service of what LSU President Wade Rousse has said is a key goal — for LSU to be named among the top 50 of the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development Survey, which ranks top research institutions across the nation. This is a good aim. Lifting the standards at the Baton Rouge campus — and accepting the slightly smaller classes — can serve that end as well.

Global culinary events spotlight New Orleans hospitality scene

Politicians who targeted Murrill must be punished Several weeks ago, we were proud to stand next to Attorney General Liz Murrill and present her with the Home Defense Foundation’s Hero of Home Defense Award. We present that award very sparingly, and only to public figures who have shown courage while fighting for the rights of taxpayers and law-abiding citizens. As proud as we were on that day, we are doubly proud of the attorney general when she requested an investigation into the conduct exhibited by the New Orleans politicians who thought she should be imprisoned for enforcing laws passed by the state Legislature. Talk about “lawfare” and improper use of government power! The conduct of those New Orleans politicians takes the cake. The AG is correct to say that their disgraceful and illegal conduct must be punished. For if you do not punish illegal and shameful conduct, you will get more of it. If you do not punish robberies, for exam-

ple, you will get more of them. And if you do not punish political illegalities, such as indicting an AG who is merely following an actual law — albeit one that you do not like — you will get more of them. In sum, let us say that many New Orleans politicians have horribly mistreated their law-abiding taxpayers. These people have ignored bribery, pretended they were ignorant of “overtime pay” which really stole public funds and turned a blind eye when criminals have been set free again and again to harm the taxpayers, to give just three examples. It is time to hold these politicians accountable for their actions, and AG Murrill’s request for an investigation of their improper lawfare is a good start.

A recent weekend marked another milestone for New Orleans’ culinary and hospitality community. Hosting the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie and the Bocuse d’Or Americas Selection, alongside the arrival of the Michelin Guide and the return of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, underscores what we’ve long known: The world is paying closer attention to what makes New Orleans extraordinary. Our students are learning in one of the world’s most celebrated culinary and hospitality cities. They build their skills in the classroom, explore the industry through field trips, gain hands-on experience through externships and launch careers in New Orleans’ vibrant hospitality community. When world-renowned chefs and hospitality leaders engage directly with our students, they expand perspectives, share new techniques and strengthen our classrooms and our local culinary community. These experiences inspire students to dream big while reinforcing that the skills, creativity and connections they develop at the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute can prepare them for success wherever their ambitions take them. These international events also celebrate something New Orleanians have always known: Our city is defined not only by remarkable food, but by exceptional hospitality. New Orleans & Company deserves tremendous credit for elevating our city’s culinary reputation while showcasing the authentic culture that makes New Orleans unique. At NOCHI, we see the impact firsthand. As global recognition grows, so do opportunities for our students. The greatest measure of this success will be the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals inspired to build their careers and strengthen our city’s future right here in New Orleans.

MIKE WEINBERGER founder, Home Defense Foundation JEFF CROUERE policy adviser, Home Defense Foundation Metairie

Think creatively to help college sports programs get funding With universities looking for a means to increase income due to the creation of NIL, let me offer this suggestion: Two schools should schedule home football games on back-to-back weekends in the spring, at the conclusion of their spring practices. The two schools cannot have played the prior year nor the current year. Players and coaches will benefit from game day experience without an effect on the team’s record. Crazed football fans gathering on a spring afternoon or evening for a taste of what might be coming in the fall will fill the stadiums. All media would welcome the readership/viewership

with television rights gladly paying the schools to televise the games. Outcomes of the games will have no bearing on the records for the fall season. Call it the Preview Season. Instead of a meaningless intrasquad scrimmage in the spring, debut the current year football team after March Madness, during regular season of college baseball and before the College World Series. The players want to get paid, and schools looking for income could find this a means to be a partial solution to financial issues.

JOSEPH BEREY Covington

No political party has a monopoly on virtue

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Re: “Dems made flawed candidate quit; what does GOP do?” Letters, July 23. The recent letter criticizing Republicans raises important questions about ethics in politics, but it falls short by replacing facts with broad accusations. The author claims Republicans continue to support “rapists and fraudsters” without acknowledging the legal distinctions involved. President Donald Trump was never convicted of rape in a criminal court, and Ken Paxton has not been convicted of rape. If we are going to criticize public officials, we should do so accurately and fairly. The letter also claims Republicans

have done nothing when faced with misconduct by their own candidates. History shows that members of both political parties have, at times, defended controversial candidates and, at other times, called for them to step aside. Neither party has a monopoly on virtue or hypocrisy. Political debate is healthiest when it is based on facts rather than inflammatory labels. Readers deserve opinions that persuade through evidence and reason, not selective outrage.

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COMMENTARY Testimonies from people who have lived under socialism It has become a truism that people who are embracing socialism have never had to live under it and its ideological twin, communism. Young people seem so enamored by these train wrecks that they are willing to vote for the most radical candidates who promise them the moon and claim they can pay for it all by increasing taxes on “millionaires and billionaires.” Hoping to balance the one-sided propaganda about socialism coming from the media and Cal candidates running for Thomas offices as socialists, Fox News has conducted interviews with people who once lived under these systems. The testimonies are a powerful rebuke to those who believe socialism is the answer to every problem. In a one-week series, correspondent Alexandria Hoff interviewed people who fled the Soviet Union, China, Venezuela and Cuba. Virginia attorney Marina Medvin, who left the Soviet Union, described herself as “overwhelmed” by the abundance of food in U.S. grocery stores. Hoff says: “Like many who have fled authoritarian socialist regimes, Medvin is alarmed by what she sees as the Democratic Party in America warming to socialist promises.” Medvin: “They say that the purpose of democratic socialism is to bring equality … but what equality does it bring? That everyone is equally poor? That everyone is equally miserable, everyone is equally depressed?” In Venezuela, reports Hoff, it took about 15 years for the nationalization of private industries to unravel into social and economic collapse. Daniel Di Martino: “We couldn’t find milk in the grocery store and then we couldn’t find chicken, then we had to line up. The government asked for our ID to buy

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ARIANA CUBILLOS

Men work at a salvage yard in Caracas, Venezuela. groceries and assigned us a day of the week to go to the store.” The story of Cuba is well known; Yali Nunez escaped the failed island nation. Nunez sees democratic socialists in the U.S. blindly embracing what she fled at age 16: “None of these people have spent one day in socialism or communism … they are selling you a story they don’t even understand.” The democratic socialists, notes Hoff, claim their brand of socialism differs from the totalitarian regimes because “workers” would govern institutions and not unelected bureaucrats. The two systems are founded on lies, so why should people running on the DSA platform be trusted? Evidence reveals the objectives of socialism and communism. As many as 100 million are estimated to have died at the hands of these totalitarian governments. Xi Van Fleet survived China’s murderous Cultural Revolution. Xi has appeared on many U.S. TV programs, warning Americans about the Maoistcommunist tactics and the danger America faces if we allow these eco-

nomic and political systems to further expand in our politics. Others have testified about economic hardships, loss of liberties and other things Americans take for granted. In an 1814 letter to John Taylor, John Adams warned: “Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” Adams argued that unchecked human passions lead to self-destruction. As I wrote in a previous book, “America’s Expiration Date,” the average age of democracies is 250 years. We are now at our “expiration date.” Inertia from “the greatest generation” will soon run out if we do not renew the principles upon which Adams and the other Founders built the nation. Socialism will lead to our destruction, and once destroyed, it will be nearly impossible to bring back our constitutional republic. Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@ tribpub.com.

Closed primaries are driving U.S. crazy How could Donald Trump, with bottom-scraping approval ratings, decide who would represent the Republican Party in the upcoming Texas senatorial race? The primary system offers an explanation. A simple open primary system would have let the broader public choose — and, ironically, save Republicans from a very possible loss in November. Open primaries let registered voters cast a ballot without being members of the party. Closed primaries allow only party members to vote. About 15 states now run genuinely open primaries. There are mixed systems that still help small numbers of voters nominate extreme candidates. Texas is one. Texas started with an open primary in which incumbent Republican John Cornyn finished slightly ahead of Trump’s Froma choice, Ken Paxton. Harrop But because neither got more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates, Cornyn and Paxton, competed in a runoff. But under Texas rules, anyone who had voted in the Democratic primary could not participate in that contest. Paxton had been impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House. His own top aides reported him to the FBI alleging bribery. And his wife filed for divorce citing adultery. Small wonder that recent polls show him trailing Democratic candidate James Talarico in a state said to be deep red. Maine’s primary system is even less open, which explains how Graham Platner — he of the Nazi tattoo and creepy history with women — became the Democrat to oppose incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Platner was a creature propped up by the hyperactive Democratic Socialists of America. After a plausible rape charge had him dethroned as the Democratic candidate, Platner was replaced with Troy Jackson. Jackson wasn’t chosen in a primary at all but by Democratic delegates at a special convention. Maine polls now have Jackson and Collins running neck-and-neck. Most big American cities run open, “all-candidate” primaries rather than party primaries, which limit voting to

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New york City Mayor Zohran Mamdani discusses plans for citywide discounted grocery stores. party members. New York City is an exception. And that helps explain how the citizens ended up with the radical and increasingly unpopular Zohran Mamdani as mayor. The formula for fringe groups, whether left or right, is to organize a march into thinly attended closed primaries and make their candidate nominee for a major party. That happened in New York on June 24, 2025, a day of record temperatures that made parts feel like 126 degrees. Older voters especially feared leaving their apartments. The DSA took advantage of the situation and nominated Mamdani in a vote that was closed to the 21% of the voters registered as independents and the 11% who are Republican. Put another way, Mamdani wrangled the Democratic nomination in a primary in which only 8% of registered voters participated. Come Election Day, he got less than half the vote in an overwhelmingly Democratic city. The city’s Charter Revision Commission adopted an interim report that suggested letting voters decide in November whether to move New York

to open primaries. That’s how Boston and Seattle do it. They allow all eligible candidates that can be on the ballot and all registered voters to participate. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election. Mamdani opposes open primaries. “I am quite content with the system of primaries that we have thus far,” he said unsurprisingly. Not content is John Opdycke, head of Open Primaries, a political-reform organization. “It’s ironic,” Opdycke said, “that Mayor Mamdani, who is raising important questions about the economic power of poor and working people, won’t advocate for their political power.” The group’s own polling shows even most city Democrats favoring open primaries. There’s a reason fringe governance — from the right, the left or both — is driving so many of us crazy. Open primaries are a step toward saner majority rule. Follow Froma Harrop on X, @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com.

What the professors lost by winning with El-Sayed Was it a win for the American Association of University Professors? On July 30, the organization announced that it was endorsing a political candidate for the first time in its 110-year history. Abdul El-Sayed, a left-wing Michigan Democrat for the Senate, got the Megan running nod a few days before the DemoMcArdle cratic primary. Last Tuesday, El-Sayed eked out a win over moderate Rep. Haley Stevens. So was it also a win for the AAUP? Any number of critics have sprung up to say no, it was an own goal. They make the point that I’ve offered repeatedly in recent columns: The perceived politicization of academia has eroded public trust, making universities vulnerable to unprecedented Republican attacks on higher education. Universities desperately need to regain their credibility as neutral institutions, not publicly position themselves on the Democratic Party’s leftmost flank. The rejoinder of Todd Wolfson, the AAUP’s president, is that it’s too late for meek accommodation. Wolfson, who inaugurated his term in 2024 by calling JD Vance a “fascist,” recently told Inside Higher Ed that there’s a “radical, right-wing agenda coming out of the federal government” and the organization needs to engage in “politics proper” to protect the university’s prerogatives. Obviously I disagree. But I’m also conscious of John Stuart Mill’s admonition, “He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that.” So what’s the best case that professors should be in the fray, rather than above it? Wolfson and his allies regard the GOP as a lost cause, leaving them no option other than counterattack. And I have to grant that conservatives really do seem bent on either destroying universities or bringing them to heel. Rebuilding the public trust, and defusing conservative rage, will take years, at best. Much damage will be done in the meantime. But is it smart politics to join the left-wing insurgency that’s currently upending Democratic primaries? Maybe the AAUP has earned some goodwill from El-Sayed, but Michigan is not some deepblue congressional district where races are decided in the Democratic primary and progressives can afford to indulge their least-popular inclinations; the state went for Donald Trump twice. The endorsement of El-Sayed will also send a message about the AAUP to legislators in other redder states, where races are often decided in the Republican primary and ElSayed’s flavor of politics is poison. Nor am I sure that this will get the AAUP much from Democrats. Will El-Sayed feel indebted? Will other Democrats fall in line on issues such as tenure protections for professors, for fear of losing the AAUP endorsement? The most coveted union endorsements tend to come from large groups that can mobilize a big turnout, muster plenty of financial support and give politicians opportunities to stage rallies packed with blue-collar workers. Unions with concentrated memberships, like the United Auto Workers, can significantly influence results in key states. The AAUP fits none of those descriptions: Its membership is a modest 57,000, scattered across the country, and it is poor compared with heavy hitters like the 2 million-member Service Employees International Union. If the AAUP wants to be in the political fray, rather than above it, the organization will have to learn to think of politics like professionals, rather than professors. Engaging in “politics proper,” as the AAUP’s Wolfson vowed, is not a form of self-expression or group bonding. It is not a way to find meaning in an otherwise uncaring world. It is not an advocacy for a grand theory of radical change. Rather, it is the prosaic art of getting things done. In a fractious democracy such as America’s, success for an organization in practicing politics proper requires appealing to the public and building relationships with as many legislators as possible. Often that means focusing efforts on the policy positions that sound most appealing, rather than the ones the organization cares most about. For the AAUP, improving student loan terms would be an easier lift than convincing the public that professors require more direct subsidies for higher education, minimal oversight and ironclad job guarantees. It isn’t impossible to make progress on an issue that has no great popular appeal, but it’s best if that issue is too minor for the public to notice, or too complicated for most people to understand. Unfortunately for the AAUP, the fight between universities and conservatives is already highly visible, and the politicization of academia is all too easy for Republicans to explain to the public. The AAUP won’t win that fight by making the GOP’s job even easier. Megan McArdle is on X, @asymmetricinfo.

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Cassidy: Blanche decision based on U.S. attorneys’ support

— Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, across the nation have been has should be above the law, and that, sial selections to join the Cabinet. Senator says their tors and Susan Collins, of Maine — an- focused on fighting violent crime, frankly, almost weighed to vote Cassidy is responsible for Rob‘no’,” Cassidy said. human and drug trafficking as well nounced they were voting “nay.” ert F. Kennedy Jr. acquiring just advice swayed him on Some of Blanche’s critics had as rooting our fraud in government Cassidy said he sought the ad- enough votes to become secretary hoped Cassidy, who will soon leave agencies. And the department pro- vice of Cornyn, who was one of the of the U.S. Department of Health Trump’s AG nominee the Senate after Trump helped vides extra resources and clear leading Republican senators rais- and Human Services. As chair of

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON — When U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy cast the deciding vote to confirm Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s controversial nominee for attorney general, he did so after hearing support from U.S. attorneys in Louisiana, he said. “If you’re looking for a black or white decision here, you’re not going to find it. This is a gradation of gray,” Cassidy said Sunday on CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” He could have gone either way, and it took a couple days of weighing pros and cons before coming to his decision, Cassidy said. Louisiana’s senior senator had voiced reservations, as other senators had, that Blanche would politically weaponize the Department of Justice. Cassidy’s position became decisive when two fellow GOP sena-

Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge, unseat him, would join the duo. But Blanche was confirmed, 5049, early Saturday morning after hours of negotiations. Cassidy noted that he wasn’t an attorney and, as most senators do when weighing controversial decisions, he sought ad- Blanche vice from others. He said he looked to Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and checked in with U.S. Attorneys Kurt Wall, of Baton Rouge, and David Courcelle in New Orleans. Wall and Courcelle told Cassidy how the Department of Justice was operating under Blanche, who has been running the department on an interim basis since Pam Bondi was fired in April, Cassidy said. He said he was told that federal prosecutors in Louisiana and

metrics to judge how well individual prosecutors are performing. “Our morale is up, not despite the accountability, because of the accountability,” Cassidy said. “There’s a lot of positive things to say about Todd Blanche.” Weighing against those positives was Trump’s efforts to establish a taxCassidy payer funded $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” to compensate conservatives who felt unfairly targeted by federal law enforcement. As Trump’s lawyer, Blanche created the fund to settle a tax dispute Trump and his family were having — giving them immunity from future audits. Cassidy said giving the Trump protection from tax probes is “totally wrong.” “No American should be targeted by the law, but no American

ing questions about the weaponization fund and audits. In addition to having been an attorney general in Texas, Cornyn had been a state district judge in San Antonio and a Texas Supreme Court justice. After negotiating with Cornyn, Blanche agreed to ensure the antiweaponization fund would not go forward. Opponents fear that Blanche’s assurances were not the stakethrough-the-heart they wanted to see for the fund. But Cornyn was satisfied, and that was persuasive for Cassidy. Cornyn, along with Cassidy, and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, are the three GOP incumbents whose reelections Trump actively worked against. As lame ducks, the three have pushed back on Trump positions, which most Republicans avoid. It was the second time Cassidy has been the deciding vote for approving one of Trump’s controver-

RISHER

Continued from page 1B from school in sixth grade for reading her mother’s copy of “Fear of Flying.” She mentioned not being brave enough as a child to ask her family’s maid about her life outside their home. I asked her when she became brave. She said she thought it showed up the first time she sat down to write a story. Then Stockett offered another glimpse into the creative process, reading a line from a New York Times story about Steven Spielberg by Wesley Morris: “I can’t express enough how therapeutic and healthy it is for me to keep doing this job over and over and over

STAFF PHOTO By JAN RISHER

Jan Risher, left, and author Kathryn Stockett gather with 500 other women at the Freyhan Center in St. Francisville for a free event with the author. again,” Spielberg said. “I work so much out through this process. So much out. I

MELVILLE

the city. The audit identifies the town’s utility billing software as the primary cause Continued from page 1B behind why amounts owed are not accurately reflected. Town officials say the iswithout compensation. Additionally, Melville was sue will be resolved followunable to provide detailed ing the issuance of a “subrecords of customer balanc- stantial grant” sometime in es and total amounts owed to the next fiscal year.

get to bleed off some of the darkness instead of letting it fester inside me. You get

to let it fester inside you.” Wednesday night felt like living proof of the sister-

the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee and a physician who strongly endorses the use of vaccines to avoid lifethreatening maladies, Cassidy’s support for Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, was critical. But that was back when Cassidy was running for a third, six-year term against the headwinds of Louisiana Republicans angered at his vote to convict Trump of impeachment charges of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Cassidy was twice censured by members of the state’s GOP, was forced to run in a closed primary where only Republican voters had a say and was the target of personal attacks by Trump. He lost in the May 16 closed party primary and will leave office in January when the newly elected 120th Congress is sworn in. Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.

hood at the heart of Stockett’s new book — before “The Calamity Club” was even mentioned. Dr. DeeDee Luke, who drove 97 miles from Acadiana, must have felt it, too. She said, “I left feeling hopeful for the South. I teared up several times through the night. It’s so nice to be in a room of readers on the same page.” Long after the last question, the line for signed books still snaked around rooms inside the building. Even then, spirits stayed high. Five hundred women showed up on a hot August evening to hear an author talk about sisterhood. A small-town bookshop made it happen in a century-old schoolhouse that local people, many of them women,

The town also plans to inA full copy of the audit can Legislative Auditor’s Office stitute a system to ensure all be found on the Louisiana website. payments due are made on a monthly basis. Melville currently has debt payments owed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is required to transfer monies FINF OUT WHAT into a separate fund as a requirement of a covenant. YOUR HOME

recently saved from ruin. An author drove 90 minutes for a free event and stayed until the last book was signed. Maybe we all miss the things we don’t or have never had. I have two younger brothers — for whom I am grateful — but I have always been sisterless. Maybe that’s why sisterhood represents so much hope to me. I seek (and receive) it in my cousins. I seek (and receive) it from my friends. Hope is always right there on the surface when it comes to sisterhood — and that’s how Wednesday night in St. Francisville felt to me. Email Jan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com.

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Lafayette Parish schools Superintendent Francis Touchet, left, speaks to the faculty and staff during the official ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the rebuild of the school at Lafayette High School on Monday in Lafayette.

SCHOOL

Continued from page 1B “2,200 kids are going to walk the halls here.” The previous Lafayette High School building at 3000 W. Congress St. stood for nearly 75 years and was fully demolished in spring 2025. The new school opened to students and teachers last year, but the campus remained in flux, with construction continuing on parts of the facility. “The kids overwhelmingly say they’re inspired here,” said Lafayette High Principal Layne Edelman. “It’s like the building has taken the shape of what the heart of this school has always been.” The new Lafayette High School can hold about 500 more students than the previous campus, and features 52 classrooms and labs, a larger library, new shops for woodworking and welding, a new gym and stateof-the-art concert hall for the school’s performing arts

academy. Incoming junior Monroe Roof said the school’s open spaces are some of her favorite parts of the new building. “I love our courtyard, and I love the outside areas that we’re allowed to eat lunch in,” she said. “And I really like the library.” Biology teacher Kristy Hebert said she’s seen the new facility impact students with a greater sense of ownership. “Now, it feels like home,” Hebert said. “The kids are taking much more pride — making sure the area is picked up, putting things back where they belong. They take more responsibility, and they are treating it as such.” Lafayette Parish schools are welcoming students for the 2026-27 school year this week, and will soon start on other major construction and refurbishment projects across the district, including additions at L.J. Alleman Middle, Acadiana High and Broadmoor Elementary, and a new pre-K through eighth

grade campus in north Lafayette for students from J.W. Faulk Elementary, Dr. Raphael Baranco Elementary and Paul Breaux Middle. School Board member Roddy Bergeron represents Lafayette High School in District 6, and he said that getting to the ribbon-cutting at the school represents the closing of one chapter, with others waiting to unfold across the community. “It’s a turning point in Lafayette Parish,” he said. “We’re going to see new facilities, and we’ll see what we’re capable of doing.” Email Joanna Brown at joanna.brown@ theadvocate.com.

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T u e s d ay, au g u s T 11, 2026

QB Leavitt speaks, runs, throws and is ready to lead a title chase

LSU QB Leavitt states he is fully recovered following foot surgery

‘I AM

’ 100%

BY JON BLAU Staff writer

The readiness of LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt’s surgically repaired foot has been a question for months, and the program dropped the slightest of hints Sunday. At the three-second mark of a 19-second compilation of practice clips posted to social media, Leavitt could be seen rolling to his right, appearing to pick up speed for a full-blown scramble as he zoomed out of frame. A strong clue was backed up by a definitive statement Monday when Leavitt reached the podium for his first interview session as the Tigers’ signal caller. “I’m 100% right now,” he said, “and I’ve been 100% for the past few months.” Leavitt still has to prove it Sept. 5 against Clemson, but LSU fans can take some solace in the quarterback’s bounce-back ability as he recovers from a Lisfranc injury that, historically, hasn’t always been easy to come back from.

ä See RABALAIS, page 3C

ä See LEAVITT, page 3C

MICHAEL JOHNSON

Former Lions cornerback faces eight felony charges

Here’s everything you want and need to know about new LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt: n He can run and move in the pocket. n He can throw, deep and accurately, though he admitted he’s had to adapt to gripping footballs in the swimming-pool-like Louisiana humidity. n He speaks. The last part you didn’t know about unless you atScott tended LSU’s recent womRabalais en’s football clinic, or saw video clips thereof. But talk he finally did to the media after the Tigers’ Monday practice session for a highly anticipated 10 minutes, the first time LSU’s quarterback has uttered a word to reporters since transferring from Arizona State. Not surprisingly, for his first time out, Leavitt said all the right things. “It’s just been a blessing to come here,” the West Linn, Oregon, native said. “It’s a historic place. There have been so many great players to come out of here. Then to see the players you go up against every day in practice — Whit Weeks, TJ Dottery and Ty Benefield — it’s a special situation to be in. I don’t really see how anyone could pass it up.” The first time LSU fans set their eyes on Leavitt in person was at a Jan. 6 men’s basketball game against South Carolina. That night, an intimate gathering of a few thousand folks (was there anything but an intimate gathering for men’s basketball the past couple of seasons?) looked on a scene that seemed like it was going to be a cameo

Earlier in the summer, a video surfaced of Leavitt, who also played high school basketball, windmill-dunking a football on the goal posts of LSU’s practice facility. “If they need me to suit up, and they’ll let me go, I’m ready,” Leavitt kidded when asked about joining Will Wade’s roster-depleted basketball program. That dunk was solid evidence of the stability of Leavitt’s foot. It just wasn’t followed up by much. The Arizona State transfer didn’t speak with the media before Monday because he missed most of spring practice after an April 6 procedure to remove surgical pins from his foot. Leavitt wasn’t at SEC media days, either. Leavitt says his foot “popped” back to full health quickly after the pins were taken out. “It’s just been incredible. I really don’t think about it on the field at all,” Leavitt said. “Just have to obviously warm it up a little bit before practice. But just keeping

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt drops back to make a pass during a drill on Thursday at the team’s practice facility. On Monday, Leavitt spoke to the media for the first time, stating he is fully recovered from his Lisfranc injury. STAFF PHOTO By

Free agent CB Arnold to visit Saints

1CN

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt talks to the media for the first time following Monday’s fall practice at the team’s facility.

UL DL Edwards poised for breakout season Cajuns coaches, teammates have seen defensive lineman’s growth in past six months BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

The New Orleans Saints plan to bring in free agent cornerback Terrion Arnold for a visit, a source with knowledge of the situation said. The visit, first reported by the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, comes more than a month after the 23-year-old was arrested on eight felony counts related to a kidnapping and robbery case in Florida. The Detroit Lions released Arnold, who denies the charges, five days after his arrest. The exact date of Arnold’s visit has yet to be determined, a source said. But the Saints would be the latest team to show interest in Arnold, a former 2024 first-rounder out of Alabama. The Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks have also brought in the cornerback. Arnold’s agent,

Breakout seasons can be hard to predict. UL senior defensive lineman Fitzgerald West is among the group forecasting redshirt junior Chase Edwards to be a prime candidate to execute such a feat for the Ragin’ Cajuns this fall. So when asked about Edwards’ prospects this season, West didn’t hesitate with a response. “OK, so here’s the deal with Chase,” West said. “Chase was our young mindset guy ... kind of like a project, I guess you’d say. He was our young guy who has everything he needed. It’s just about his mindset.” Last season, the 6-foot-7, 295-pound defensive tackle settled for 14 tackles, including a stop behind the line, but the projections are much higher this season. “Seeing him grow really over the last six months or so ... as much growth as he’s had, STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP I’m so excited to see what he’s going to do on the field,” West said. UL defensive lineman Chase Edwards goes through practice drills in preparation for And no, West isn’t alone. The coaching

ä See SAINTS, page 3C

ä See CAJUNS, page 3C

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

what many predict as a breakout season. Edwards’ projections for this season are much higher than the 14 tackles he achieved last season.

2C ● Tuesday, August 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Acadiana loaded with top WR prospects BY MIKE COPPAGE

156 yards from older brother Caden in a win over Barbe. This season, DiBetta will be catching balls from younger brother Cohen. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior registered 1,816 all-purpose yards last season and made first-team all-district as a sophomore with 1,106 total yards and 11 TDs.

Contributing writer

The Acadiana area has been a hotbed of receiving talent. With NFL stars Malik Nabers and Keon Coleman coming from Comeaux High and Opelousas Catholic, not to mention Jack Bech from St. Thomas More and Kayshon Boutte of Westgate High, it’s been the premier position in recent seasons. This year’s crop of receivers is rich with top prospects, led by some of the nation’s highestranked players. Here are 10 local receivers to watch this season, listed in random order. Tight ends will be on a separate list.

Hudson Simon, St. Edmund Simon was a deep threat, snagging 26 receptions for 726 yards and 10 touchdowns for a program that has won double-digit games each of the past two seasons. A left-handed pitcher on the baseball team, the senior averaged 28 yards per catch and reached the end zone on more than one-third of his receptions while ranking 10th in the area in receiving yards.

Jacolby Campbell, Abbeville

Shemar Taylor, Lafayette Renaissance

Campbell will play quarterback for coach Brent Indest, but he is projected as a wideout at the next level. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound junior was a touchdown machine as a sophomore, reaching the end zone 15 times (tied for area’s best) on 49 catches for 800 yards. 247Sports ranks Campbell as a four-star prospect and the nation’s No. 171 player.

Braylon Calais, Cecilia

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

A senior LSU commit, Calais has Cecilia receiver Braylon Calais has emerged as one of the top unbelievable size for a receiver at playmakers in the state.

Jared Quoyeser, St. Thomas More

6-foot-2, 210 pounds. The senior, who hopes to lead the Bulldogs to a second state title in three years, has rushed for 2,100 yards and 41 touchdowns over the past two years while averaging 7 yards per carry. The leading returning receiver for coach Cody Champagne will mostly play WR this year, but he’ll take snaps at QB and RB. Last season, Calais completed 35 of 53 passes for over 500 yards and three touchdowns while racking up nearly 2,600 total yards.

The senior was averaging close to 20 yards per catch when his junior campaign was cut short by injury. The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder, who was at the top of STM’s offseason testing with a 4.41 in the 40yard dash and a 39.5-inch vertical jump, returned a punt 41 yards to paydirt in the 2025 opener against Carencro.

Jaylon Owens, Opelousas

Cayden Lancelin, Westgate Lancelin is instant electricity on the field with the ability to score at any time. The state’s No. 2 and nation’s No. 141 player is listed as an athlete by 247Sports. The junior will play safety and return punts, in addition to catching passes from quarterback Noah Antoine. As a sophomore, Lancelin (6-0, 185) led Westgate in receiving, as well as pacing the basketball team in scoring each of the past two years.

Jamion James, St. Martinville The area’s top returning receiver ranked seventh overall on last season’s stat sheet, saving the best for last with 19 catches for 401 yards and six touchdowns in his final two games, which included a highlight-reel grab in the playoffs

The 6-foot-2 junior is the top returning receiver for one of the area’s newest programs. He’ll get to test his skills against possibly the state’s best secondary in John Curtis Christian, as well as the season opener at national power Edna Karr. Quarterback Kennan Brown will look to Taylor first in a high-octane offense directed by coach Hunter Landry.

FILE PHOTO By LEE BALL

Collin Dibetta will be a top target again in Acadiana’s passing attack. against Jennings. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound junior’s speed has been on display for years. He recorded the fourthbest 100-meter dash for St. Martinville’s middle school.

The senior made first-team alldistrict in football and all-state in soccer (25 goals), as well as running on a 4x200 relay team that reached the Class 2A state track meet.

Khylon Edwards, Catholic-NI

Collin DiBetta, Acadiana

It’s rare to see a high school player excel like Edwards does in football and soccer. On the gridiron, he has sparked the Panthers to an average of more than 10 wins apiece over the past three seasons while leading the team in receiving (33-519, eight TDs) as a junior.

DiBetta ranked second in receiving for the 2025 Wreckin’ Rams, who have been throwing more than ever out of their splitback veer offense. As a sophomore, he set a school record for receiving TDs in a game (four) while hauling in five catches for

The senior led the Tigers in receiving with 523 yards while totaling 1,149 all-purpose yards with 13 touchdowns. A first-team all-district pick on offense and the league’s best kick returner, he notched 41 tackles on defense with two interceptions and a picksix. Owens will team up with one of the area’s best quarterbacks, Collin Rideau. Others to watch: Jayden Lazard (Northwest), Khylen Taylor (Carencro), Javante Broussard (Northside), Chayson Gray (Abbeville), Jackilon Roberson (Westgate), Ayden Taylor (New Iberia), Ashton Joseph (Lafayette Renaissance), Riley Dupuis (Teurlings Catholic), Jacques Christie (St. Thomas More), Ashton Ruffin (Cecilia), Nysir Jackson (Jeanerette), Kaden Ledet (Lafayette Christian), Jack Boudreaux (Ascension Episcopal), Branson Ray (Westminster Christian) and Syncere Smith (Rayne).

Drivers scrambling for spots in NASCAR’s Chase BY JOHN BOHNENKAMP

Associated Press

NEWTON, Iowa — Erik Jones knew the reality of his situation heading into the NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway. Jones came into the weekend 18th in the standings, 44 points behind 16th-place Austin Cindric for the final spot in The Chase that determines the series champion. The 350-lap race Sunday was the first of the final four races of the regular season, and Jones was running out of time. “One more bad week where we lose any ground, and it’s going to be pretty insurmountable,” Jones said. Then Jones, who started 10th, got taken out four laps in when Tyler Reddick’s car slid into him, sending both cars into the wall and ending the day for both drivers. Reddick knew the damage he had done. “If I’m going to take myself out, that’s one thing,” Reddick said. “But I took out a (Toyota) teammate who needed a good day.” Such is life in the closing stretch of the regular season, where one bad finish or one good finish can change fortunes. Denny Hamlin leads the standings with 923 points, 103 points ahead of Ty Gibbs, who won Sunday’s race just ahead of Joe Gibbs

Racing teammate Christopher Bell. Only four drivers have wrapped up Chase spots: Hamlin, Gibbs, Ryan Blaney (813) and Reddick (803). Cindric has 526 points. Ryan Preece is the first driver below the cutline at 497 points. Ross Chastain jumped three spots after his seventh-place finish at Iowa, moving into 18th place at 479 points. Brad Keselowski is one point behind Chastain. Other than maybe the last one or two spots, the biggest scramble now in this final month could be for seeding. Points for the top 16 drivers will reset after the Aug. 29 regular-season finale at Daytona. The regular-season champion will be the top seed and start The Chase with 2,100 points, the second seed will have 2,075 points and the third seed will have 2,065, with a five-point drop for each seed after that. “You have all these other little battles going on, like the battle from sixth to 11th or 12th right now is really, really tight and that’s exciting,” said Blaney, who finished third Sunday. “Those guys are dogging it out right now. That’s a lot of points from sixth down to 11th or whatever. So I think it creates a lot of exciting things through the regular season.”

Cowboys, DT Williams agree on $105.9M deal

The Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams agreed Monday on a $105.9 million, three-year extension going into his first full season with the team. The contract includes $101 million guaranteed and will be added to the two years on his existing deal. The $35.3 million annual average on the extension is second among defensive tackles to Jalen Carter of NFC East rival Philadelphia. The lucrative extension could keep Williams with the Cowboys through 2030 after they traded for him during the 2025 season. Dallas gave up one of the two first-round picks acquired in the shocking trade that sent star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers just a week before the opener last year.

Falcons sign Sample to add depth at edge rusher

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons signed defensive end Cameron Sample on Monday, adding depth at edge rusher less than one week after Jalon Walker’s season-ending knee injury. Sample, 26, is a native of Snellville, Ga., near Atlanta. He was a fourth-round draft pick by Cincinnati in 2021 and signed a one-year deal with San Francisco on April 13 before he was released last week. Sample had 85 tackles and seven sacks in four seasons with the Bengals. He missed the 2024 season with an Achilles tendon injury. He returned to start in two of 14 games with Cincinnati last season and had 17 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble.

Henry signs a two-year extension with Patriots

BOSTON — One of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s favorite offensive targets isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Tight end Hunter Henry confirmed Monday that he signed a two-year extension to remain in New England through the 2027 season. ESPN and the NFL Network reported that the extended pact has a base value of $16 million with incentives that could push it up to $20 million. It ends a period of limbo for Henry, who was about to enter the final season of the previous threeyear extension he signed in 2024. Henry, 31, led the team with seven receiving touchdowns in 2025 and his 60 catches and 768 yards were second only to Stefon Diggs.

49ers McCaffrey sits out practice with ‘tightness’

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey was held out of practice on Monday with what the team described as general tightness. The 30-year-old McCaffrey had participated in every practice so far this summer for the 49ers as the team altered its schedule for training camp this year to eliminate stretches of three straight full practices. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said McCaffrey was “doing fine” and the team was managing his workload. San Francisco is hoping to find a reliable backup for McCaffrey to lighten his workload after he led the NFL with 413 touches from scrimmage in the 2025 regular season.

All-Star, former White Sox SS Anderson is retiring

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By CHARLIE NEIBERGALL

A crew member leaps in front of Ty Gibbs’ car during a pit stop during a NASCAR Cup race on Sunday at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. Some of the biggest changes in the standings came in that middle group. Chase Briscoe rose three spots to fifth place with 663 points. He’s four points ahead of Bell, who climbed four spots with his second-place finish. A crash ended Kyle Larson’s day and he finished 33rd to drop four spots in the standings to 10th. The crucial jump of the day, though, belonged to Gibbs, who went from fourth to second. “We’ve scored a lot of points in the last couple races,” Gibbs said. “To be able to finish it off today

was awesome. I think the difference between the leader and 16th is 100 points, isn’t it, when the playoffs start? So it puts you in a better shot for the title at the end of the year.” Jones’ early exit dropped him to 20th place, 50 points behind Cindric and four drivers to climb over to get on the good side of the cut line. “At this point, we’ve got three races,” Jones said. “We got to just go try to win and run the best we can. It’s not over until it’s over, but it’s a tall mountain.”

CHICAGO — Tim Anderson, a twotime All-Star shortstop who won the 2019 AL batting title with the Chicago White Sox, has decided to retire after spending 10 years in the major leagues. Anderson, 33, made the announcement on Monday. “I fought for the last two, three years. You know, I trained and I just couldn’t get the body to operate like it used to,” Anderson said. “So I mean, I’m not one of those guys that’s going to just continue to try to get back to somewhere where I just, you know, I couldn’t get it back there.” Anderson hit .276 with 98 homers, 350 RBIs and 122 steals in 991 games. He played for the White Sox for eight seasons before finishing his career with Miami and the Los Angeles Angels.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Tuesday,August 11, 2026 ● 3C

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RABALAIS

recruiting site On3.com, of $4.5 million obviously helped. If that Continued from page 1C sounds like a lot of money — and it is — bear in mind that Miami reportedly ended up giving Darian Mensah $6.5 million after beappearance in Baton Rouge for ing spurned by Leavitt. That does Leavitt as he sat courtside next to LSU coach Lane Kiffin. Leavitt tell you Leavitt’s love for LSU wasn’t merely transactional. didn’t commit but instead was The Kiffin/Charlie Weis Jr. facsoon gone to Tennessee and Miami, his two recruiting visits after tor (LSU’s offensive coordinator who followed Kiffin from Ole leaving Baton Rouge. Miss) also plays an enormous What happened next was pure part. Leavitt had to take a hard recruiting theater. Kiffin flew in look at what they did with Trinipursuit of Leavitt to Knoxville dad Chambliss last season with — where the LSU coach once the Rebels, the prolific nature of coached one season and where Kiffin’s offenses throughout his they don’t like him much more than they do at Ole Miss — to con- tenure in Oxford, and figured this tinue his pitch to Leavitt while on is where he would best grow into a polished NFL prospect. his Tennessee visit. “It’s easy to sell on how well Kiffin’s dogged determination worked, giving LSU the top-rated people play in a short period of quarterback in the 2025-26 trans- time with us,” Kiffin said Monday. “They don’t have to come and fer portal cycle. wait a year and learn. “The portal process was pretty “Him projected to miss spring crazy,” Leavitt said. “I didn’t and not be fully cleared in spring, expect it to go in that direction. we sold him on, ‘Hey, at the last When I came out here and took place, without a spring, look at my visit, I fell in love with the what the quarterback was able to place.” Initially not so much in love that do.’ We brought in pieces around him. I think it was kind of an easy he didn’t leave Baton Rouge for sell. Then you’re playing quarthose other visits, but sometimes terback at LSU, which has been love has to grow on you. His confirmed NIL deal, according to the a pretty good move the last 10

LEAVITT

Continued from page 1C all my routine and everything at night, it’s really zero thought process for me.” The foot had been on Leavitt’s mind for some time because his injury reportedly occurred early in the 2025 season and lingered until he was ultimately shut down in late October after a loss to Houston. He had surgery quickly after that. Leavitt was admittedly a bit naive in how fast he thought he’d recover. “I’d say it was definitely more challenging within the first four or five months,” Leavitt said. “I thought I was just going to snap back into being full go (after the April procedure).” Leavitt credited LSU athletic trainer Dalis Boyette with putting together a plan to limit his activity as he recovered from the second procedure. And the 21-year-old quarterback was keen to follow the staff’s instructions. He’s long been an optimizer, whether it was his daily 7 p.m. shoulder mobility exercises as a teen or the meditation practice he took up at Arizona State. Leavitt has even found a local farmer who supplies him his produce. “My health is one thing that I take very seriously,” Leavitt said. ”Whether it’s the food I eat, the way I sleep, the way I recover —

shoulder pads. Before Daniels, it was Joe Burrow winning the Heisman Trophy and the national championship in 2019. Despite his Lisfranc foot injury that required season-ending surgery in 2025 — Leavitt proclaimed himself 100% healthy Monday — he goes into this season with shorter Heisman odds than Burrow had. Joe was 200/1 in August that year. Leavitt is 20/1. Not one of the top three or four favorites, but a contender based on the Kiffin/Weis magic and his dual-threat ability, a potent pairing of scheme and skill. “Sam’s an unbelievable leader,” said safety Ty Benefield, himself a highly touted transfer from Boise State. “I love the confidence and swagger he has. Also, his STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON big-play ability to make things happen. It’s definitely good to LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt hands the ball off to running back Dilin have that in a quarterback. We Jones during a drill at fall practice on Monday at the team’s practice talk after practice about things he sees from me and I tell him things facility. I see with him. Pickett may have gotten Jayden years.” “He’s going to do great.” Daniels’ former No. 5 to wear Those making that move to At LSU, if you’re a transfer this season — a promise from his LSU, of course, include anquarterback, nothing less than recruitment under Brian Kelly other Arizona State quarterback, great is expected. that, kudos to Kiffin, he decided to Jayden Daniels, who in 2023 honor — but Leavitt gets transfer For more LSU sports updates, passed and ran his way to the quarterback-turned-superstar Heisman Trophy. sign up for our newsletter at expectations heaped on his Sophomore cornerback DJ theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

in the run game. Leavitt has been a plus runner when healthy, racking up 306 rushing yards in just seven games as a redshirt sophomore. The former basketball player has a way of extending plays, juking defenders and spinning out of tackles — as long as that foot isn’t a hindrance. Kiffin certified his quarterback’s health after the opening practice of preseason camp, saying he wouldn’t have known Leavitt was ever hurt by the way he looked in practice. It was just tough to independently verify with Leavitt doing little more than taking short dropbacks and throwing routes on air during media viewing windows. The short video LSU released Sunday, showing Leavitt escaping the pocket, was further evidence of his progress. Kiffin then added another positive assessment Monday. He’s been “taking care of the STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON ball,” Kiffin said, and throwing “acLSU quarterback Sam Leavitt sets curate and on time.” “We have high standards of how up to make the pass during drills we want things and what we want at fall practice on Monday at the them to look like. It was probably unrealistic what I was expectteam’s practice facility. ing him to look like when he can’t it’s really never a question for me. move and he’s just throwing withYou can ask everyone from every- out really having his weight to where I’ve been. be able to push into,” Kiffin said. “That’s kind of something that I “Now that he’s healthy, he’s had a prioritize in my life, I think, kind of great week. We’re really excited on an extreme level.” about him.” A healthy Leavitt is essential for first-year LSU coach Lane Kiffin, Email Jon Blau at who historically uses quarterbacks jon.blau@theadvocate.com

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C Nicole Lynn, testified to a judge last month that four teams — the Texans, Seahawks, Jets and Colts — had inquired about him. Arnold faces multiple charges after Tampa police said he was the “primary conspirator” in a plot to detain and pistol-whip three people whom he believed had stolen luxury goods and $100,000 in cash from him. The AP PHOTO By RICK OSENTOSKI incident reportedly took place on Feb. 4. Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold celebrates after making According to the Associated an interception against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 2 in Detroit. Press, at least six others face charges stemming from the plot. Arnold, a free agent, is set to visit the Saints.

CAJUNS

“I really mostly say this spring ball is when I really realized that I am who I think I am and I can do what I think I can do,” he said. Consequently, Edwards has plans on living in the backfield, “That’s my main thing. I just want to cause havoc for the other offense.” Edwards said his progress is also aided by the familiar influence of defensive line coach Dennis Thomas. “I feel like coach Thomas is trusting me more now,” Edwards said. “I proved in the spring that I know the scheme and I can play hard and make plays.” While big things are expected from Edwards, the Houston native also knows he’s part of replacing some big losses on the defensive front — including Jordan Lawson, Jaelen Crider and Kadarius Miller. “I wouldn’t say replace, but Lance (Williams) was behind them for three years,” Edwards said. “He knows what to do. We trust Lance, because he’s a good player. “In the middle, we lost some good players, but like I said, we don’t replace guys, we just reload. We’ve got me and Fitz (West) and Ashton (Wright) and Maxie (Baudoin). We’ve got great depth. I trust those guys to make plays.”

Continued from page 1C

staff has seen it as well. “Chase Edwards is one that I think the last two years his role has grown year after year,” UL coach Michael Desormeaux said. “He’s one of those guys that when he’s at his best, he’s a problem.” It’s just been a matter of getting to that point far more often. “In the spring of 2025, he had a great spring,” Desormeaux recollects. “So we felt like, ‘This is it — he’s about to take off,’ but he didn’t have a great camp (in August). He was kind of hot and cold a little bit.” So far this year, Edwards has had “a great spring and a great summer. The whole thing is going to be about making steady progress throughout the whole deal. That’s what we’ve got to get out of him.” And Edwards is convinced he’s ready to display that kind of consistency. “Absolutely, I’m ready,” he said. “This is the hardest I’ve been working. I understand the defense. This is the best I’ve understood the scheme. “I know I can be better than I’ve played in the past. I can be a star on this defensive line.” Edwards said he began to feel Email Kevin Foote at kfoote@ that level of confidence. theadvocate.com.

Two of them have pleaded guilty. Arnold is entering his third NFL season. He appeared in 24 games with the Lions, starting 22 of them. He is coming off season-ending shoulder surgery. Even before his legal trouble, Arnold’s performance had been largely uneven as a pro. Opposing quarterbacks had a 96 passer rating when targeting Arnold in coverage with 79 catches for 1,059 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. “What I’ll say is Terrion Arnold had No. 1 cornerback potential, but it was still untapped, you know what I mean?” Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard told reporters last week. “And I’ll kind of leave that at that.”

If Arnold signs with the Saints, he would end up reunited with former college teammate KoolAid McKinstry. The Saints’ cornerback room is headlined by McKinstry and second-year Quincy Riley, but is seen as one of the team’s thinner positions in terms of depth. New Orleans drafted rookies Lorenzo Styles (fifth round) and T.J. Hall (seventh), while signing veteran Martin Emerson this offseason. The Saints also lost Alontae Taylor in free agency to the Tennessee Titans, who gave the former Saints corner a three-year, $80 million contract. Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

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4C ● Tuesday, August 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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PREP FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

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WELSH Marksville ACADIANA RENAISSANCE Menard LOREAUVILLE Notre Dame SARAH REED Erath KAPLAN ST. MARTINVILLE

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Abbeville High

Jacolby Campbell QB, 6-1, 175, Jr. Ranked as a consensus four-star prospect, Campbell will play quarterback for the first time since middle school. Every day, the junior continues to grind and improve on reading coverages. Defenses will have to account for his running ability, whether it’s a designed keeper or a scramble. He is the first Abbeville player to get an LSU scholarship offer since linebacker Jason Mitchell during Indest’s previous tenure.

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

PAST FIVE YEARS 2025: 3-8 2024: 0-10 2023: 9-3 2022: 7-5 2021: 11-2

2025 RESULTS Lost to Washington-Marion 44-14 Lost to Lafayette Renaissance 48-6 Lost to Ascension Episcopal 39-34 Lost to Menard 15-6 Beat LaGrange 20-14 Beat Mamou 24-16 Lost to Franklinton 33-30 Beat Kaplan 12-7 Lost to St. Martinville 50-40 Lost to Erath 40-12 Playoffs Lost to Franklin Parish 62-12

PHOTO By MIKE COPPAGE

Abbeville High standouts include, from back left, Chayson Gray, Daelon Levine, Jacolby Campbell, Zalen Hopkins, Jazavion Briggs; front row, Treylin Grogan, Noah Thibeaux and Karson Huntley.

What we know

PROJECTED STARTERS Offense WR Kerry Thomas (5-9, 170, Jr.) WR Keyshawn Hutchins (6-0, 175, Sr.) WR Chayson Gray (6-1, 190, Sr.) TE Jazavion Briggs (6-2, 190, Jr.)* OT Jandyn Campbell (6-0, 290, Jr.)* OG Daelon Levine (6-1, 255, Sr.)* C Ashton Cormier (5-9, 230, Sr.) OG Damarion Lebon (5-9, 180, Sr.) OT Zalen Hopkins (6-0, 350, Sr.)* QB Jacolby Campbell (6-1, 175, Jr.)* RB Labrahn Cormier (5-8, 175, Jr.) Defense NG Jandyn Campbell (6-0, 290, Jr.) DE Zalen Hopkins (6-0, 350, Sr.)* DE Daelon Levine (6-1, 255, Sr.)* LB Karson Huntley (5-10, 190, Sr.)* LB Labrahn Cormier (5-8, 175, Jr.) LB Jazavion Briggs (6-2, 190, Jr.)* CB Treylin Grogan (5-10, 175, Sr.)* CB Noah Thibeaux (5-7, 135, Jr.) SS Chayson Gray (6-1, 190, Sr.)* SS Kerry Thomas (5-9, 170, Jr.) FS Jacolby Campbell (6-1, 175, Jr.)* * RETURNING STARTER

COACHES Head coach: Brent Indest (223-95). Assistant coaches: Jared Duhon (Asst. HC/OL), Jonah Broussard (DC/ DL), Lamondon Williams (OLB), Seth Johnson (ILB), Shannon Cormier (CB) and Travin Moore (safeties).

Already 15 years ago, coach Brent Indest guided a Carencro team that barely finished above .500 the previous season to the Class 5A state championship game. In 2018, he led Catholic-New Iberia to a 35-7 quarterfinal upset of an undefeated Dunham squad that had arguably the nation’s No. 1 player (Derek Stingley) and a semifinal win over another higher seed, Metairie Indest Park Country Day. In short, Indest wins wherever he goes. His latest job, a second time around as Abbeville’s coach, should be no different. Some things have changed, however. Indest no longer runs the traditional Wing-T offense, instead shifting to the shotgun in what’s called the Gun-T. And he’ll have one of the state’s top junior prospects, Jacolby Campbell, at quarterback. “We’re learning more and more every day,” Indest said. “We’re putting an extreme emphasis on the passing game. If we can show a serious vertical threat by throwing balls to Chayson Gray, Jazavion Briggs and the other guys, it’ll make things good.” Don’t get it twisted, though: The Wildcats will run the ball plenty with Kerry Thomas, LaBrahn Cormier, North Vermilion transfer Raylon Boudreaux and Campbell, who is ranked as the No. 3 player in Louisiana. “Jacolby can take it to the house,” Indest said. “My job as a play-caller is to get him in space and let him go.” Campbell and the skill players should get excellent blocking from Zalen Hopkins, Daelon Levine, Jandyn Campbell, Damarion Lebon and Ashton Cormier. “They’re not skill guys, but they’re extremely skilled lineman,” Indest said of Hopkins and Levine.

What we don’t know The Class 3A Wildcats will have more players going both ways than many Class 1A programs, with up to nine projected starters showing up on both the offensive and defensive preseason depth chart.

Chayson Gray WR, 6-1, 190, Sr. One of the more explosive players on the roster, Smith is a traditional slotreceiver type. He has the speed and quickness to turn a short pass into a big play and will be key for the passing attack. Jazavion Briggs TE/LB, 6-2, 190, Jr. Briggs is a nononsense, versatile competitor with big-time athleticism. He can play tight end and wideout on offense and can line up at defensive end, linebacker or safety, as well. Briggs will play a huge role as a pass rusher, according to Indest, who said the junior has the prototypical edge rusher body with super-long arms.

“How will we be able to handle injuries and fatigue?” Indest said. “That’s definitely a concern. Also, special teams. ... you don’t want two-way starters to be running up and down the field there.” Indest is considering going for two points instead of kicking PATs after touchdowns. “I watched Iowa never kick an extra point and win a state championship,” he said. “It may depend on whether we think we can convert 60% on two-point tries.” Indest’s teams have never had trouble moving the chains on short yardage, so don’t be surprised if the Wildcats score eight points after the bulk of their touchdowns.

How we see it Abbeville overcame a slow start last season to win three games and nearly upend Franklinton on the road. There are seven nondistrict games, including Marksville (9-3 in 2025), Welsh, Division III select semifinalist Notre Dame, Loreauville and Acadiana Renaissance. St. Martinville, Kaplan and Erath make up the district slate, with Indest mentioning the Bobcats as a frontrunner even though they lost a large number of seniors. The Wildcats are a tough team to forecast, as they switch from a wide-open spread offense to Indest’s modern version of the old Wing-T. One thing is for certain: No opposing coach will be happy to see Abbeville in the Division III nonselect playoffs (moving down from DII). Abbeville, which could get sidetracked if injuries take a toll, hopes to get a boost in the secondary from Tre’Shaun Levine and Semaj Jones. Lebon and Karson Huntley, a linebacker who will take some snaps at tight end, will be important cogs in the machine, in addition to the big names like Levine, Hopkins and Jacolby Campbell. “I’ve never had to resort to playing this many both ways, but they want it and expect it,” Indest said. “The big question is how well we’ll handle it early in the year.” Mike Coppage

Daelon Levine OL/DL, 6-1, 255, Sr. Levine and Zalen Hopkins are leaders and cornerstones of the program, said Indest, who praised the two as wellrounded individuals: “They’re really good people, and when you combine that with being excellent football players, it’s great,” he said. Levine plays guard on offense and end on defense. Zalen Hopkins OL/DL 6-0, 350, Sr. A leader on defense, he has good sidelineto-sideline speed, and he does a great job of recognizing plays before they develop. Sullivan has proven to be a solid tackler against the run.

SCOREBOARD Hole-in-one

Los Angeles

Bobby Wade Course: Historic City Park Hole #, yardage: No. 1, 137 Club used: 9-iron Witnesses: Jerry Matthews, John Lancaster, Bert Brouillete

Odds MLB UNDERDOG Cleveland Seattle Boston at MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS at ATHLETICS

LINE +103 +109 +125 -102 +122 +136

UNDERDOG at MIAMI at WASH. N.Y Mets at ST. LOUIS at SAN DIEGO Colorado

LINE +100 +140 +108 +138 +118 +143

UNDERDOG Cincinnati at SAN FRAN. Kansas City

LINE +135 +168 +222

Major League Baseball American League glance

.381

15

Tampa Bay New York Boston Baltimore Toronto

L 46 52 53 61 63

Pct .607 .559 .547 .483 .471

GB — 5½ 7 14½ 16

Chicago Detroit Cleveland Minnesota Kansas City

W 61 58 58 58 49

L 56 60 61 61 70

Pct .521 .492 .487 .487 .412

GB — 3½ 4 4 13

Houston Texas Seattle Athletics

W 60 59 56 47

L 58 59 63 71

Pct .508 .500 .471 .398

GB — 1 4½ 13

Central Division

Colorado

46

Sunday’s games

72

.390

24

Washington 7, Cincinnati 1 Atlanta 2, N.Y. Yankees 1, 10 innings N.Y. Mets 11, Pittsburgh 1 Miami 12, L.A. Angels 3 Chicago Cubs 10, Kansas City 2 Philadelphia 7, Toronto 6, 12 innings St. Louis 7, Colorado 4 Milwaukee 4, Minnesota 3, 10 innings Arizona 4, L.A. Dodgers 2 Detroit 3, San Francisco 1, 10 innings San Diego 7, Houston 2

Atlanta 2, N.Y. Yankees 1, 10 innings Athletics 4, Boston 3 Miami 12, L.A. Angels 3 Chicago Cubs 10, Kansas City 2 Chicago White Sox 5, Cleveland 3 Philadelphia 7, Toronto 6, 12 innings Milwaukee 4, Minnesota 3, 10 innings Baltimore 10, Texas 5 Detroit 3, San Francisco 1, 10 innings Tampa Bay 4, Seattle 1 San Diego 7, Houston 2

Monday’s games

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

W 20 19 19 20 12 10 8

L 12 12 12 13 20 21 23

Pct .625 .613 .613 .606 .375 .323 .258

GB — ½ ½ ½ 8 9½ 11½

x-Minnesota Golden State Las Vegas Dallas Portland Los Angeles Phoenix Seattle

W 27 23 22 19 13 12 12 6

L 7 9 11 14 19 19 22 28

Pct .794 .719 .667 .576 .406 .387 .353 .176

GB — 3 4½ 7½ 13 13½ 15 21

N.Y. Mets at Atlanta, n Philadelphia at St. Louis, n Colorado at Arizona, n Milwaukee at San Diego, n Houston at San Francisco, n Kansas City at L.A. Dodgers, n

Cleveland (Bibee 4-11) at Detroit (Anderson 4-4), 5:40 p.m. Seattle (Woo 8-8) at N.Y. Yankees (Weathers 5-7), 6:05 p.m. Boston (Sandoval 1-0) at Toronto (Cease 7-5), 6:07 p.m. Baltimore (Young 8-3) at Minnesota (Ober 7-3), 6:40 p.m. Cincinnati (Lodolo 3-2) at Chicago White Sox (Burke 7-6), 6:40 p.m. Texas (TBD) at L.A. Angels (Johnson 2-6), 8:38 p.m. Tampa Bay (Martinez 11-3) at Athletics (Barnett 1-2), 8:40 p.m. Houston (Brown 3-1) at San Francisco (Whisenhunt 2-3), 8:45 p.m. Kansas City (Wacha 5-8) at L.A. Dodgers (Snell 0-1), 9:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh (Skenes 9-10) at Miami (Pérez 5-9), 5:40 p.m. Chicago Cubs (Imanaga 8-9) at Washington (Irvin 2-5), 5:45 p.m. N.Y. Mets (McLean 8-7) at Atlanta (Pérez 7-6), 6:15 p.m. Cincinnati (Lodolo 3-2) at Chicago White Sox (Burke 7-6), 6:40 p.m. Philadelphia (Sánchez 15-4) at St. Louis (Pallante 12-6), 6:45 p.m. Colorado (Sugano 11-5) at Arizona (Bratt 1-1), 8:40 p.m. Milwaukee (Harrison 9-2) at San Diego (Buehler 6-5), 8:40 p.m. Houston (Brown 3-1) at San Francisco (Whisenhunt 2-3), 8:45 p.m. Kansas City (Wacha 5-8) at L.A. Dodgers (Snell 0-1), 9:10 p.m.

New York at Indiana, 6:30 p.m. Phoenix at Los Angeles, 9 p.m. Washington at Las Vegas, 9 p.m.

Pro football

Soccer

NFL Preseason glance

MLS glance

Tuesday’s games

East Division Atlanta Philadelphia Miami Washington New York

W 71 63 60 59 52

L 47 56 59 61 67

Pct .602 .529 .504 .492 .437

GB — 8½ 11½ 13 19½

Milwaukee Chicago St. Louis Pittsburgh Cincinnati

W 74 69 59 58 56

L 44 50 59 62 61

Pct .627 .580 .500 .483 .479

GB — 5½ 15 17 17½

Los Angeles Arizona San Diego San Francisco

W 70 63 61 49

L 48 56 57 69

Pct .593 .529 .517 .415

GB — 7½ 9 21

Central Division

West Division

Tuesday’s games

Thursday’s games

Detroit at Cincinnati, 6 p.m. Green Bay at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m. Indianapolis at New England, 6:30 p.m. Arizona at Las Vegas, 7 p.m. L.A. Chargers at Houston, 7 p.m. Tennessee at San Francisco, 8 p.m.

Friday’s games

Denver at Atlanta, 6 p.m. Miami at Washington, 6 p.m. Tampa Bay at N.Y. Jets, 6 p.m.

Saturday’s games

Carolina at Buffalo, noon Cleveland at Chicago, noon Minnesota at N.Y. Giants, noon Jacksonville at New Orleans, 3 p.m. L.A. Rams at Kansas City, 3 p.m.

Western Conference

Philadelphia at Baltimore, 6 p.m. Dallas at Seattle, 7 p.m.

Boston at Toronto, n Baltimore at Minnesota, n Texas at L.A. Angels, n Tampa Bay at Athletics, n Houston at San Francisco, n Kansas City at L.A. Dodgers, n

National League glance

W 71 66 64 57 56

West Division

73

Monday’s games

Tuesday

American League FAVORITE LINE at DETROIT -126 at N.Y YANKEES -133 at TORONTO -153 Baltimore -119 Texas -144 Tampa Bay -162 National League FAVORITE LINE Pittsburgh -122 Chicago Cubs -166 at ATLANTA -132 Philadelphia -170 Milwaukee -143 at ARIZONA -176 Interleague FAVORITE LINE at CHI. W. SOX -166 Houston -200 at LA DODGERS -282

East Division

45

Sunday’s games

WESTERN CONFERENCE

W L T Pts GF GA Vancouver 10 3 4 34 38 17 Los Angeles FC 10 5 4 34 35 19 San Jose 10 5 3 33 37 24 Houston 10 6 2 32 27 24 Real Salt Lake 8 6 3 27 29 25 FC Dallas 7 5 6 27 32 25 St Louis City 7 6 5 26 24 24 Portland 7 8 3 24 33 33 Seattle 7 7 3 24 20 22 Minnesota United 6 6 6 24 20 25 Colorado 7 10 1 22 27 25 LA Galaxy 5 7 7 22 24 29 San Diego FC 5 7 6 21 32 29 Austin FC 4 9 5 17 22 36 Sporting Kansas City 4 12 2 14 18 46 NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie.

Saturday, August 8

Houston 2, New England 0

Saturday, August 15

New York 111, Las Vegas 71 Washington 95, Phoenix 75 Minnesota 103, Dallas 90 Golden State 84 Los Angeles 78

New York at Atlanta, 6:30 p.m. Columbus at Charlotte FC, 6:30 p.m. D.C. United at CF Montréal, 6:30 p.m. Cincinnati at Orlando City, 6:30 p.m. New England at Toronto FC, 6:30 p.m. LA Galaxy at Houston, 7:30 p.m. Miami at Nashville, 7:30 p.m. Sporting Kansas City at Colorado, 8:30 p.m. Minnesota at Real Salt Lake, 8:30 p.m. San Diego FC at Los Angeles FC, 9:30 p.m. St Louis City at San Jose, 9:30 p.m.

Toronto at Atlanta, n Chicago at Seattle, n

Transactions

Sunday’s games

Monday’s games

Tuesday’s games

Eastern Conference Nashville Inter Miami CF New England Chicago New York City FC Cincinnati Charlotte FC New York D.C. United Orlando City Columbus Toronto FC Philadelphia CF Montréal Atlanta

W 12 11 9 9 7 7 7 7 5 6 5 3 4 4 3

L 2 2 6 6 6 6 7 7 5 10 8 7 10 10 12

T Pts 4 40 5 38 3 30 2 29 5 26 5 26 4 25 4 25 8 23 2 20 5 20 8 17 4 16 4 16 3 12

BASEBALL

GF GA 35 14 45 32 28 23 32 23 31 24 45 44 29 27 29 39 26 29 30 47 26 28 24 32 25 33 24 35 19 33

Major League Baseball American League ATHLETICS — Reinstated 3B Zack Gelof from the 10-day IL. Designated SS Jonathan Ornelas for assignment. BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Recalled RHP Cam Sanders from Norfolk (IL). Optioned LHP Cade Povich to Norfolk. HOUSTON ASTROS — Claimed LF Nelson Velázquez off waivers from St. Louis. Designated 3B Shay Whitcomb for assignment. KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Agreed to terms with RHP Craig Kimbrel on a contract. Reinstated RHP Craig Kimbrel. Optioned RHP Easton McGee to Omaha (IL). LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Selected the contract of LHP Sammy Peralta from Salt Lake (PCL). Placed RHP Shaun Anderson on the 15-day IL. SEATTLE MARINERS — Claimed RHP Nolan Kingham off waivers from Texas. TEXAS RANGERS — Recalled RHP Ben Peoples from Round Rock (PCL). Placed RHP Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-day IL, retroactive to Aug. 9.

LIVING

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

|

T u e s d ay, au g u s T 11, 2026

5CN

BUG OFF

Sooty mold isn’t a disease. It’s a sign of an insect problem. Here’s how to get rid of it. As summer wears on, it’s not uncommon to spy a crape myrtle in the Louisiana landscape whose bark — and maybe even leaves — appears to have grown a powdery, black crust. Usually, this is not a disease. It’s more likely to be something called sooty mold. “It’s actually GARDEN a fungus that NEWS is a symptom of the problem,” said LSU AgCenter entomologist Aaron Ashbrook. “It is growing on the sugary excretions from several different pest insects that are on the tree.” Those pests often include aphids, scales and mealybugs. They favor crape myrtles but also target other trees and shrubs, and they tend to come out in force in the heat of summertime. “They’re using their piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed upon the xylem and phloem to obtain sugary nutrients from the plant itself,” Ashbrook said.

STAFF PHOTOS By By MADDIE SCOTT

Turkey Tail is a type of mushroom that grows naturally in Louisiana, like here on a log in Baton Rouge’s Forest Community Park.

Fungi functionality What are functional mushrooms? Baton Rouge business says they may improve sleep, health, more

LSU AGCENTER FILE PHOTO

Aphids, whose sugary excretions provide a growing medium for sooty mold, can be seen on these crape myrtle leaves. The insects’ sticky waste, known as honeydew, lands on bark and leaves. “Honeydew has a little bit of sugary shine to it, and ultimately, that material will grow the sooty mold,” Ashbrook said. The problem isn’t limited to the infested plant. Honeydew can drip onto anything nearby — other plants, mulch, sidewalks and vehicles, for instance — and create sooty mold breeding ground. By the way, if you’ve ever stood under a crape myrtle and felt mysterious water droplets hitting your skin, that probably was honeydew.

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BY MADDIE SCOTT

with a degree in biological engineering and moved to Massachusetts where she was one of the first people in the country to cultivate cordyceps mushrooms, a medicinal fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine. Since moving back to Baton Rouge, Gros began selling tinctures in 2023.

Staff writer

rouched down in the middle of the woods in Baton Rouge, Jordan Gros pointed at something growing on the side of a log. “This is turkey tail,” said Gros, 31, a biological and agricultural engineer. “Turkey tail is one of the most studied mushrooms, and it’s very common across the U.S.” The fungi can improve metabolism, support healthy cholesterol levels and support a healthy gut microbiome, Gros said. It makes up one of five functional mushroom tinctures Gros sells through her small-batch mushroom tincture business, Mycocentrics, along with reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps and chaga. On a Monday morning in August, Gros was on one of her routine foraging walks at Forest Community Park in Baton Rouge. The park is one of many sites ideal for mushroom foraging in the city. To find mushrooms, she first tries to spot microclimates where water might

Properties, extraction process Baton Rouge-based business Mycocentrics sells functional mushroom extracts in five different varieties. be held, usually in the form of fallen trees. She forages mushrooms for personal use but also enjoys the nature walk to spot snacks like muscadine grapes or bug-repelling leaves from the beautyberry plant. “I’ve always had that connection to nature, and I’ve always wanted my own lab,” Gros said. “That’s how I pictured myself, like a nerdy scientist.” Born and raised in Thibodeaux, Gros graduated from LSU in 2018

She sources her mushrooms from small farmers across the country to extract molecules that provide benefits. On a normal day, Gros uses at least 2 milliliters of a tincture daily, often in her tea, but it can also be dropped directly on the tongue or added in a beverage. Lion’s mane is her most popular seller, which can support cognitive performance, memory, focus and mental clarity. It’s also the mushroom that got her into the business — following a skiing incident, Gros used lion’s mane when recovering from head and spinal injuries. She gets the most feedback from reishi, because customers have

ä See MUSHROOMS, page 6C

ä See MOLD, page 6C

Popular Asian bakery franchise to open second location in BR BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer

An Asian bakery franchise called 85°C Bakery Cafe is coming to Baton Rouge in the fall. The franchise has over 1,000 locations worldwide. This will be its second location in Louisiana, the first having opened in Metairie by owner Yeoh Ah Ho in May 2025. Ah Ho is also behind the new capital region location, currently under con-

struction inside a 3,300-squarefoot space, formerly the Subway in Siegen Village (7044 Siegen Lane). The bakery will likely open by late September or early November, he said. It’ll look almost exactly like the Metairie location, interior-wise and menu-wise. “I think Baton Rouge is a good area,” Ah Ho, a Metairie resident, said.

ä See BAKERY, page 6C

85°C will have a large selection of pastries baked in-house every day. A variety of pastries at the Metairie location is pictured here.

PROVIDED PHOTO By yEOH AH HO

Food bank plans community kitchen initiative Staff report The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank announced plans on Tuesday for the creation of a community kitchen in partnership with another local nonprofit. According to a news release, the community kitchen will combine the Food Bank’s distribution network, volunteer base and regional reach with local nonprofit Three O’ Clock Project’s experience in food rescue and child nutrition programs.

ä See KITCHEN, page 6C

6C ● Tuesday,August 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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The unsolved case of addressing strangers

phone. So you call out — what? DEAR MISS MANNERS: Some months One category of entries pleaded ago, you asked your readers for a way of addressing strangers whose for warmth. “Friend” was the most gender is not obvious, but common suggestion, deI have not seen the answer. We need it, so as to keep scribed by one reader as from insulting unknown “a way to convey respect people when we need to get and warmth. A lovely, their attention and don’t calm way to interact.” One want to say “Hey, you.” Gentle Reader added, “I Judith Didn’t anyone have any try to make it a bit more Martin formal by expanding it to ideas? Did you give up? MISS GENTLE READER: No; there ‘good friend.’ I do not think MANNERS were many charming the Quakers have minded suggestions, and yet the my appropriation of it.” question is still open. Picky Miss Another asked, “Why not use Manners is not quite happy that the word ‘dear’? While techniany submitted so far would pass cally it’s a term of endearment, her test for usefulness. it’s a fairly safe one used mostly That test is to imagine that outside of romantic context by someone is about to exit a cafe, friends and acquaintances.” having scooped up their laptop Going a step further, someone and papers, but leaving a cellwrote, “My dear aunt, now in her 90s, uses ‘love’ — ‘Yes, love,’ phone on the table. You need to or ‘Love, would you mind …’ We shout something to stop this perneed more love these days.” son, who will be gone before you A second category emphasized can get to the door to return the

TODAY IN HISTORY By The Associated Press Today is Tuesday, Aug. 11, the 223rd day of 2026. There are 142 days left in the year. Today in history: On Aug. 11, 1934, the first federal prisoners arrived at Alcatraz Island, a former military prison, in San Francisco Bay; the island would be home to more than 1,500 prisoners over the next three decades, including gangsters Al Capone and James “Whitey” Bulger, before closing in 1963. Also on this date: In 1919, Germany’s Weimar Constitution was signed by President Friedrich Ebert. In 1929, Babe Ruth became the first baseball player to reach 500 career home runs with a homer at Cleveland’s League Park. In 1949, President Harry S. Truman nominated Gen. Omar N. Bradley to become the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1952, Hussein bin Talal was proclaimed King of Jordan, beginning a reign lasting nearly 47 years. In 1956, abstract painter Jackson Pollock died in an automobile accident on Long Island, New York, at age 44. In 1965, rioting that claimed 34 lives and lasted six days broke out in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. In 1972, the last U.S. ground combat troops left South Vietnam to return to the United States. In 1973, at a house party in the Bronx, 18-year-old DJ Kool

KITCHEN

Continued from page 5C This initiative will transform a 5,000-square-foot space inside of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank’s existing facility (10600 S. Choctaw Drive) to add a commercial production kitchen, culinary classroom and workforce training center, the news release stated. The initial operations are expected to produce approximately 1,000 meals daily, and there’s capacity to expand as food rescue efforts grow and partners join the initiative. Elizabeth Pfifer, president and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, said the community kitchen is a step forward toward meeting the needs of neighbors. “It’s more than just preparing meals,” Pfifer said. “It’s about creating opportunity, improv-

Herc began extending the musical breaks of the records he was playing and speaking over the beat, marking the (unofficial) birth of hip-hop music. In 1992, the Mall of America, the nation’s largest shopping and entertainment center, opened in Bloomington, Minnesota. In 1997, President Bill Clinton made the first use of the lineitem veto, rejecting three items in spending and tax bills. (The U.S. Supreme Court later struck down the veto as unconstitutional.) In 2012, more than 300 people were killed and more than 3,000 injured after earthquakes struck near Tabriz, Iran. In 2014, Academy Awardwinning actor and comedian Robin Williams died in Tiburon, California, at age 63. Today’s birthdays: Magazine columnist Marilyn Vos Savant is 80. Country music singer John Conlee is 80. Computer scientist and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is 76. Musician Joe Jackson is 72. Playwright David Henry Hwang is 69. Actor Viola Davis is 61. Actor Embeth Davidtz is 61. Actor-host Joe Rogan is 59. Actor Anna Gunn is 58. Actor Sophie Okonedo is 58. Rock guitarist Charlie Sexton is 58. Hip-hop artist Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest) is 56. Actor Will Friedle is 50. Rock singer Ben Gibbard is 50. Actor Merritt Wever is 46. Actor Chris Hemsworth is 43. Rapper Asher Roth is 41. Political commentator Tomi Lahren is 34. Actor Alyson Stoner is 33.

ing health and building a stronger community. The community kitchen will help us feed more people, transform more surplus food into nutritious meals and develop a sustainable model that has the potential to be adapted and replicated in communities across Louisiana and beyond.” Emily Chatelain, founder and executive director of Three O’Clock Project, said her nonprofit has seen firsthand how consistent access to nutritious meals can change a child’s trajectory and strengthen the entire family. “This community kitchen will allow us to rescue more food, prepare more healthy meals and reach more children through trusted community partners,” Chatelain said. “By combining our hands-on meal production and child nutrition experience with the Food Bank’s scale and reach, we are building a lasting solution for South Louisiana.”

MOLD

Continued from page 5C To get rid of sooty mold, you must get rid of the insects that cause it. To do this, Ashbrook suggests applying a systemic insecticide to the plant’s roots. “But we want to be protecting our pollinators, so be sure to use those products when flowers and blooms are not present,” Ashbrook said. Alternatively, spray the plant with a solution of 1 tablespoon of natural Castile soap mixed into 1 gallon of water to help control both insects and sooty mold. You also can dislodge insects with a strong blast of water. Ashbrook recommends keeping ant populations in check, too. “They will farm or tend the scales or aphids,” he said.

respect. Many argued for “Your honor.” One advocate added, “Yes, it’s used for judges in the courtroom, but if we use it out of the courtroom, I don’t think we’ll confuse most people, most of the time.” “Your grace” also made an appearance in this category. “You don’t need to be Christian to believe in the value of grace, with implied graciousness, in the world,” wrote a Gentle Reader, who then acknowledged, “Perhaps reviving and widening this usage would be rejected as too strongly implying subservience or entitlement.” Similarly, “Noble” was suggested, with the question “Since ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’ were originally used for those of rank and nobility, why not skip straight there in honoring someone?” And “Peer,” which can refer to aristocracy, but also to “an equal in excellence or endowments: In song he never had his peer. A compan-

n Vitamins B and C are waterDear Heloise: People spend money on vitamins without knowing soluble and can be taken without when and how to take food. When taken with food, them. Certain vitamins they’re absorbed slower. will do their job best when What your body can’t use they are absorbed or ride will be eliminated through along with certain foods. your waste product. n Vitamin C will have the For example: n Fat: Soluble vitamins best effect if taken little Hints from by little all day long. A, E, D and K are best Heloise Calcium tablets work absorbed when they are best with vitamin D, but taken with fat-rich foods such as whole milk, butter, oil and be very careful because excesyogurt. If at all possible, take them sive amounts of vitamin D can be with your largest meal of the day. harmful.

n Zinc and folate tablets work well when taken together. n However, a word of warning: Before taking any of these vitamins, please consult with your doctor about whether you should be taking any vitamins at all. While vitamins can provide a benefit, they can also cause harm if they’re not taken correctly or not taken in moderation. — Brent K., in Fayetteville,Tennessee

Send a hint to heloise@heloise. com.

STAFF PHOTO By MADDIE SCOTT

MUSHROOMS Continued from page 5C

told her that it’s allowed them to sleep through the night. For athletes, Gros recommends her personal favorite: cordyceps, which can promote more balanced, long-lasting energy through cellular energy (adenosine triphosphate) production and supported lung function, physical endurance and muscle recovery after exercise. Each tincture is part of a batch made from a multiday, dual-extract process in her lab where a portion of the mushroom is extracted into organic cane ethanol, and the other portion of it is extracted into distilled water. Gros uses a dual-extract process because certain molecules will only be extracted into one or the other, she said.

Pastries, sweets, coffee, more

Keep in mind that sooty mold won’t vanish immediately, even once the insects are under control.

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.

Jordan Gros, owner of Mycocentrics, shows off a jar of functional mushroom extract, left, and dried cordyceps mushrooms.

Continued from page 5C

LSU AGCENTER FILE PHOTO

by a daughter that it is used in science fiction — and if it is good enough for those good folks in the future, it is good enough for me.” And “Peeps” was suggested as “nonoffensive in any way, and kind of endearing.” One person wrote that they were “taking inspiration from your own ‘Gentle Reader’ usage” and trying “’GentleSoul’ … It is dignified, easy to say, respectful, benevolent and a compound of two familiar parts.” Do any of these pass the test? Miss Manners does not believe so. She would not, for example, suggest yelling “Folk!” at a stranger in a crowded cafe.

Take vitamins with appropriate food

BAKERY

Mulch covered with sooty mold under a crape myrtle

ion; a fellow; an associate: He all his peers in beauty did surpass.” A third category simply acknowledged humanity. Several suggested “Human.” And there were many advocates for “Person,” with the possibility of its being shortened to “Pers,” and the argument that “it has no particular baggage.” Also presented was “Folk,” with the interesting explanation that “Originally and properly it had no plural, being a collective noun; but in modern use, in America, it has lost its singular number, and we hear it only in the plural. Since we have already adopted a plural pronoun (they) to describe one person, I imagine people could get used to this.” Finally, there is a miscellaneous category. “Cer” was suggested by a Gentle Reader as “a neutral derivation of ‘Ser,’ a Latin contraction of ‘Senhor,’ having been assured

The bakery has an assortment of sweets galore. Cakes in flavors of red velvet, deluxe chocolate mousse, tiramisu, ube cream or creme brulee, available by the slice or in 8-inch cakes. “We make all the bread fresh every day,” he said. “Fresh everything. We will be here 4 o’ clock in the morning baking or maybe earlier.” There’ll be an assortment of over 50 pastries, which can be ordered individually or in box sets. Pastries span a variety of categories includ-

“By doing both, I’m able to make a full spectrum product, and that’s really where the benefit comes,” Gros said. “It’s not one molecule. It’s not two molecules. It’s these hundreds of molecules working in synergy together.” The process is held under low temperatures to make a terpenerich extract, the same terpenes that, for example, give reishi mushrooms a bitter taste and also may help improve sleep. The tinctures are sold on Gros’s website, but they’re also available in some Baton Rouge businesses such as Rad Dad Alternative and Focus and Flow.

outside to play. But contrary to popular belief, touching mushrooms isn’t dangerous. Even touching poisonous mushrooms isn’t dangerous, because the toxins aren’t absorbed through the skin, Gros said. “I encourage people to get out into nature and start learning about them,” Gros said, “and that might help with the mycophobia.” The practice of using mushrooms for medicinal benefits traces back to 5,300 years ago, according to the National Library of Public Medicine, and today, certain mushrooms are an approved prescription medicine in countries like China and Japan, including Centuries-old practice turkey tail. “Humans have been using them Medicinal mushrooms may turn some people away due to learned for thousands of years,” Gros mycophobia (the fear of mush- said. “So, I believe that anecdotal rooms), Gros said. In America, evidence is part of the supporting children often grow up hearing, evidence that people should con“Don’t touch that” when they go sider.”

ing Danishes, strudels, croissants, cruffins, rolls, toast and more. Those who like matcha may enjoy the strawberry matcha bun, a soft, matcha-green bun filled with strawberry custard and topped with whipped cream and freezedried strawberries. There’s also ube bread, a classic sweet bread filled with ube filling and topped with ube stripes. For a savory profile, try the pork sung bun, a Taiwanese bun topped with dry shredded pork and 85°C blend mayonnaise sauce. Those who enjoy kolaches may want to try the cheese dog, a soft bread wrapped around a hot dog, with cheddar and mozzarella cheese, then baked with ketchup, light mayonnaise, black

pepper and dried parsley. The beverage menu includes coffee, matcha, herbal teas, Thai tea, boba milk tea, fruit smoothies and more.

Opening day freebies An exact opening date hasn’t been nailed down yet, but Ah Ho expects the bakery to open by late September or early November. On opening day, the first 100 customers will get a free T-shirt, and if they spend above $30, they’ll get complimentary swag like a free tote bag, hat or mug, Ah Ho said. The first 10 customers may receive $25 gift cards. The bakery will be open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Tuesday, August 11, 2026 ● 7C

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FrAnK And erneSt

roSebUdS

zItS

zodIAC LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Let your personality shine through and your enthusiasm mesmerize those you want on your team. How you present what you want to accomplish and promote who you are will determine who wants to tag along. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You'll be tempted by suggestions. Use information as a starting point to dissect and establish how you can incorporate what might work to help improve your skills and develop your plans. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Put your best foot forward and let your charm and intellect lead the way. Refuse to show disappointment or upset if someone gives you a hard time; instead, come back with kindness. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) It's time to take a step back and reevaluate your situation. If you refuse to rush into something you have even the smallest reservation about, you'll spare yourself money, time and upset. Pay attention to detail. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Ride the wave, and engage in what excites you. Pay attention to where your money goes and the returns you receive. You can bring in cash if you handle your investments with insight and intelligence. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Communication with someone close to you will confuse and unnerve you. Don't let anger set in when what's necessary is having the ability to redirect your energy into something that works for you. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Observe what outsiders have to offer. If you show inter-

est, you'll receive double the information regarding how to avoid pitfalls and make the most out of what you want to pursue. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Put your energy into domestic solutions and improvements. Change may not be required, but an adjustment that offers space to redesign what's important to you will lead to better results. ARIES (March 21-April 19) Put your imagination to work. Explore the possibilities, and put your talents to good use. Being social will allow you to pick the brains of people who have something to contribute to your well-being and prospects. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Slow down, consider the consequences and refrain from sharing too much personal information. Focus on using your skills and traits to ferret out specifics regarding domestic and professional situations. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Push for answers. Having open dialogue will be your ticket to success. If you explore activities and projects of interest, you'll expand your mind and insight into what's possible. CANCER (June 21-July 22) Go over documents carefully, and make changes that protect you from being taken advantage of. Leave nothing to chance, and refuse to give anyone the right to disrupt your life. 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: E EQUALS H

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

dooneSbUrY

8C ● Tuesday,August 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

CurTiS

Hi and LoiS

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Sudoku InstructIons: Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday. Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

BaBY BLueS

BLondie

THe wiZard oF id

nea CroSSwordS

La TimeS CroSSword

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Tuesday,August 11, 2026 ● 9C

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B.C.

Bridge BY PHILLIP ALDER James Thurber, a cartoonist, playwright, author and wit, asked of an unknown voice, “If I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?” In bridge, working out the right number is a big help. In this deal, South and East have to come up with the important figures. South is in three no-trump. West leads the heart four. How should South plan the play? South’s two-no-trump rebid is in principle game-forcing. North may pass only with fewer than six points and no long suit. This agreement gives the responder the three-level to suggest alternative strains, or to start a slam investigation. South has eight top tricks: three spades, three hearts (given the lead) and two diamonds. Obviously, he should hope for a 3-2 diamond break to generate the extra winner that he needs. But since dummy has no entry outside diamonds, South should lead a low diamond from his hand and play low from the board. What should happen after that? It will be tempting for East to win the trick and return his second heart. But with this layout, South runs home with an overtrick. Since West is known to have only four hearts (he led a fourth-highest four, and the two and three are in the dummy), East should realize that even if West has

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

hagar the horriBle

strong hearts, one diamond and three hearts will not produce the number of tricks needed to defeat the contract. Instead, East should hope his partner has good clubs. After overtaking West’s diamond nine with his jack, East should shift to the club six. Here, that works perfectly. © 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 — BAtHER: BAY-ther: One who swims or takes a bath.

Bizarro

marmaduKe

Average mark 19 words Time limit 25 minutes Can you find 23 or more words in BATHER? YEstERDAY’s WoRD — LEAGuEs lase league lease lues luge eagle ease easel else

ague alee gale glee glue usage sage sale seal

segue slue slug

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that you have need of these things.” Luke 12:30 God knows what we need and when we need it. Trust the Lord. — G.E. Dean

10C ● Tuesday,August 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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

DOW 53,975.98 -60.95 -0.11%

NASDAQ 26,605.36 -85.26 -0.32%

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Taylor Farms recalls jalapeño products

Taylor Fresh Foods, parent company of Taylor Farms, is voluntarily recalling some products that include jalapeños because of worries about a possible salmonella contamination. The announcement comes a few weeks after Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled its iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico because of a potential link to a multistate cyclospora outbreak that has sickened people across the U.S. Taylor Fresh Foods said that it was pulling some products, including jalapeños from store shelves after finding out that Coast Citrus Distributors was voluntarily recalling fresh jalapeños due to a potential salmonella contamination. Guacamole, pico de gallo and taco dip are some of the prepared foods included in the recall. The list of recalled products was distributed by Taylor Farms in multiple states with a “Best If Used By” date up to and including Aug. 16, 2026. The products were sold at stores including Kroger, Stop & Shop, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Walmart. Taylor Fresh Foods said that the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were working with state and local partners to investigate illnesses in a multistate outbreak of salmonella infections linked to fresh jalapeños supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors. The company said that a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, a supplier to Coast Citrus Distributors, was identified as the potential source in the outbreak.

S&P 500 7,753.11 -4.53 -0.06%

EURO 1.1542 -0.0017 -0.15%

CRUDE OIL 82.13 3.95 5.05%

GOLD 4,361.80 21.10 0.49%

6-MO T-BILLS 3.97 0.04 1.02%

30-YR T-BONDS 5.25 0.05 1.0%

Stocks edge down from Friday record Oil prices rise on Iran uncertainty

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK — The U.S. stock market edged down from its all-time high on Monday, while oil prices rose on uncertainty about when the Strait of Hormuz could reopen and get the global flow of crude going again. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% from its record set on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 60 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.3%. Momentum slowed for stocks following a rally powered by soar-

ing profits for big U.S. companies. Reports are on track to show earnings per share leaped 50% in the spring from a year earlier for companies in the S&P 500, according to FactSet. That would be the best growth since five years ago, when the economy was roaring out of the chasm created by COVID. Berkshire Hathaway is one of the latest companies to deliver a stronger profit for the last quarter than analysts expected, and the company built by legendary investor Warren Buffett said over the weekend that it’s also invested some of its massive pile of cash into stocks under its new CEO, Greg Abel. Berkshire Hathaway has been famous for buying stocks at what

it considers low prices, and criticism has been high that U.S. stocks generally look too expensive. But when they report strong profits, it helps them look less pricey. Berkshire Hathaway’s stock rose 1.5%. MarineMax jumped 46.1% after the retailer, marina operator and superyacht services provider said it agreed to sell itself for about $1.5 billion in cash to a portfolio company of Blackstone. Varex Imaging leaped 48.8% after Teledyne Technologies said it would buy the maker of X-ray imaging components for $18.90 per share in cash. But Intel helped offset such gains and fell 4.1% after saying it may sell $15 billion of its stock. Such a

move would dilute the ownership stakes of shareholders, and Intel said it would likely use the cash for investments to take advantage of the huge spending underway on artificial intelligence technology. In the oil market, the price for a barrel of Brent crude rose 5% to $87.72. It had swung between $72 and $102 last month as hopes rose and fell that the United States and Iran could reach an agreement that would allow oil tankers to freely exit the Middle East again to deliver crude worldwide. But hopes are turning toward caution again, and the price of Brent is back to where it was earlier this month, as well as in mid-July, mid-June and in the first week of the war in March.

Trump extends Jones Act waiver for 90 days WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday extended a waiver for 90 days for foreign ships to transport goods, including oil, fertilizers and other fossil fuel products, among U.S. ports. The president first waived the Jones Act on March 17 so that it would be easier to transport oil and refined fuels among ports, reducing price pressures after the start of the war with Iran. The latest extension will take effect on Aug. 17 and suggests that the U.S. might be preparing for continued price pressures as the Strait of Hormuz, a primary waterway for shipping oil and natural gas, remains effectively closed because of the war. Unlike previous extensions, the Pentagon will consult with the Maritime Administration to decide which voyages are exempt from the 1920 law containing the Jones Act. The new waiver will only apply to cargo that are sources of energy and commodities related to agriculture such as fertilizers and soybean oil. Taylor Rogers, a White House spokeswoman, said the administration extended the waiver “to ensure our military and key industries maintain uninterrupted access to critical resources.”

China fails to launch a rocket carrying satellite BEIJING — China‘s launch of a rocket carrying a communications satellite on Monday evening was not successful, state media reported, adding that the cause of the failed launch was under investigation. The ChinaSat 4B satellite aboard a Long March 7A rocket was launched from the country’s southern island of Hainan, which is home to the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, part of China’s space program. The ChinaSat 4B is a comms satellite. “The rocket experienced an anomaly during the flight and the launch mission failed,” the Xinhua news agency said. It was the first reported Long March 7A failure since its maiden flight in March 2020, when the rocket malfunctioned after launching from Wenchang, according to Xinhua. China has launched hundreds of missions using Long March carrier rockets delivering internet and communication satellites into a pre-set orbit.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

A 1981 Commodore SP9000 ‘Super PET’ computer and floppy disk drives displayed at the Vintage Computer Festival in Mountain View, Calif. More than 3,500 people attended the two-day festival that celebrated the 50th anniversary of Apple.

VINTAGE TECH

As AI grips world, the thrill of collecting older computers is growing BY TERRY CHEA

“The enthusiasm for the history of computers and all the stuff around it is growing,” said Erik Klein, president of the Vintage Computer Federation, which organizes an annual festival at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Bringing collectors together

Associated Press

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Software engineer Josh Dersch loves old computers. He spends countless hours tinkering in his garage, trying to coax decades-old machines back to life. He estimates he owns more than 200 vintage computers and devices in his Seattle home. “It’s always been fascinating to me to see the origins of things,” Dersch said. “It’s a fun challenge to debug and repair. You can understand the entire system from top to bottom.” Dersch is part of a growing community of vintage computer collectors who are preserving the classic machines that helped launch the digital revolution. While Silicon Valley has since moved on to shaping the future of artificial intelligence, these hardware enthusiasts are intent on saving the Atari, Commodore and IBM machines that are ancestors to today’s laptops, wearable devices and smartphones. Where others see junk, people like Dersch see artifacts of computer history that are worthy of attention and respect. They delight in hearing the beeps and chimes of their childhood and firing up a low-def game of “Pong” or “Space Invaders.”

This year more than 3,500 people attended the two-day Vintage Computer Festival in early August that celebrated the 50th anniversary of Apple, founded in 1976 in nearby Cupertino, Calif. It featured a panel with cofounders Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne reminiscing about the company’s early days as a scrappy startup led by the late Steve Jobs. More than a dozen such gatherings have since sprung up in cities across North America, South America and Europe. Growing interest is reflected in more demand for vintage computers in online marketplaces, Klein said. Rare, iconic computers like the Apple-1 — the company’s first product — can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars. Collectors exhibited the computer systems that they have painstakingly restored to their original working condition, allowing attendees to play with the computers built long before the internet, social media and AI transformed the world.

Restoring the ‘grandfather’ Dersch drove down from Seattle to showcase the pride of his collection: the Xerox

Alto. He spent years restoring what’s considered “the grandfather of the modern computer,” which was developed at the pioneering Xerox Palo Alto Research Center in the 1970s. The Alto was one of the earliest computers to move beyond text on screen and use the mouse and graphical user interface — such as windows, icons and cursors — that became the industry standard. The model famously inspired Jobs and Bill Gates to incorporate the technologies in their early products. Dersch’s exhibit featured a fully functioning Xerox Alto workstation with its boxy vertical monitor, chunky keyboard and mouse, as well as pizza-sized spinning disks that store tiny amounts of data by modern standards. “It’s fun to share what I’ve done with people. It’s fun to share in what other people have done,” Dersch said. “Also, there’s a consignment area where I can buy more junk to take home with me, so that’s always fun.” Klein, a Silicon Valley software engineering manager, was a passionate collector until his hobby overwhelmed his home and family life. He had as many as 150 computer systems — complete with accessories, documents and packaging — crammed into his closets and garage. He said his beloved collection had become an “albatross” and he worried about burdening his family. So he started selling and giving away his machines until he only had a few favorites left at home.

Trump officials propose new rules for food additives, ingredients BY MATTHEW PERRONE Associated Press

WASHINGTON — U.S. health officials on Monday proposed a rule change that would require food manufacturers to notify regulators before introducing new ingredients or additives into processed or packaged foods. The proposal would change a decades-old policy that advocates have called a regulatory loophole, blaming it for allowing thousands of unvetted ingredients into the U.S. food supply. Under the proposed rule from the Food and Drug Administration, companies would have to document and submit their safety rationale

for new ingredients, giving regulators the opportunity to investigate if they see a potential risk. Currently, companies can decide for themselves if an ingredient or additive is “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS, and there is no requirement to notify or submit evidence to the FDA, although some firms do. “Shifting to a mandatory notification system closes a decades-old information gap, giving the FDA the comprehensive visibility needed to enhance postmarket safety,” acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas told reporters on Monday. The FDA will take comments on the proposal for 120 days. Susan Mayne, former director of

FDA’s food program, said the new requirement would give the FDA a clearer picture of the vast number of ingredients on the U.S. market, though only a small portion would actually undergo review. “This is a reasonable first step towards a more complete inventory, but most self-affirmed GRAS ingredients will still not be reviewed for safety by the FDA, with food ingredient safety continuing to be risk-based,” said Mayne, who is now a public health expert at Yale University. The FDA also plans to publish a list of company-submitted ingredients. Mayne said Americans should understand that “inclusion on the list would not mean FDA thinks the

ingredient is safe.” In a separate move, the FDA said it has completed work on the federal government’s first definition of ultraprocessed food, but did not release any details or the proposed language. The agency said it submitted the definition to the White House for further review. Health advocates consider an official definition of ultraprocessed food a key step toward bringing greater scrutiny to meals that are blamed for multiple chronic health problems afflicting Americans. A government-backed definition could pave the way for more federal research and, eventually, possible warning labels or other restrictions.