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Cassidy says he has issues with FDA nominee PROVIdEd IMAGE

HOTEL LAFAYETTE: After some obstacles, work is expected to begin again on the 83-room hotel planned for downtown Lafayette.

Senator says pick doesn’t have necessary experience

STAFF FILE PHOTO By ENAN CHEdIAK

TRADER JOE’S: The popular grocery store, which opened a location in New Orleans in June, could have its Lafayette store on Camellia Boulevard open by the end of September.

COMING SOON

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy has raised concerns about President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the agency that oversees the safety of food and drugs, citing a lack of experience and questioning her commitment to defending vaccines. As chair of the powerful Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, Cassidy’s wari- Overton ness could pose problems for Dr. Heidi Overton’s nomination. Overton, of Gallup, New Mexico, is a deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. Trump tapped her Wednesday to replace Dr. Marty Makary, who resigned in May. “While I respect Dr. Overton’s experience as a physician, I have strong concerns about her nomination to be FDA Commissioner,” Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, wrote on X moments after Trump announced his nomination. “Her lack of managerial experience does not prepare her well for leading a large organization that is already dealing with stafﬁng and morale issues.” Cassidy has not said when or if he will convene a HELP committee hearing on Overton’s nomination. Every Republican on the panel will have to approve advancing Overton’s nomination for the full Senate to vote on her conﬁrmation. Additionally, Cassidy faulted Overton for standing behind Trump when he released his

New growth draws big commercial, residential developments to Lafayette Parish

BY ADAM DAIGLE

Acadiana business editor While much of Louisiana has lost population, Lafayette Parish has continued to grow, fueling a wave of commercial and residential development. While Acadiana waits for final confirmation on the much-talked-about SpaceX project in neighboring Vermilion Parish, Lafayette Parish’s continued population growth is bringing new businesses, housing and redevelopment projects to the area. From a Trader Joe’s expected to open soon to a $72 million Buc-ee’s project and a massive new residential development in Youngsville, here are five projects worth watching through the rest of 2026 and beyond.

Trader Joe’s This one has people excited and could open up by the end of September. Construction has been busy at the site at the corner of Camellia Boulevard and Bluebird Drive for months. An opening date should be announced soon. The store is expected to be a big draw just for its popularity, but local ofﬁcials are hoping it will stop what is described as retail leakage — people leaving Lafayette to visit Trader Joe’s store in Baton Rouge or elsewhere. And it’s also not expected to pull away

PROVIdEd IMAGE

NORTHGATE MALL: A rendering shows plans for the former Northgate Mall, Lafayette’s oldest shopping mall. Plans include a rooftop bar. sales from other supermarkets in the area. Trader Joe’s is a specialty grocer, and customers often pair stops there with other stores. It will employ up to 80 people and offer a starting wage of $17-$22 an hour.

Hotel Lafayette Ground was broken just over a year ago on the 83-room hotel planned for downtown Lafayette, but obstacles soon sur-

faced as work began. Now you might see more activity happening at the corner of Lee Avenue and Vermilion Street. The building’s full foundation will be poured early Saturday morning, said Ryan Pecot, part of the hotel’s ownership group. “Once that happens, we should see some red steel and walls getting framed up

ä See SOON, page 4A

ä See FDA, page 4A

Carrier arrives in Middle East to relieve long-deployed USS Lincoln BY BEN FINLEY and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Asia-based USS George Washington aircraft carrier is now operating in the Middle East, the U.S. military said Thursday, relieving a long-deployed carrier following reports of mental health challenges and supply shortages aboard while it was supporting the Iran war. U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said on social media that the car-

WEATHER HIGH 97 LOW 78 PAGE 12C

rier arrived in the region Wednesday. It was not clear when the USS Abraham Lincoln would arrive back in the U.S. or whether it would make a port stop along the way, but the journey takes just over a month. The Washington arrived as concerns have grown about the Lincoln’s lengthy deployment, which has included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 250 days, and about reports of crew stress and poor mental health, as well as supply shortages, including food and hygiene products. Several Democratic lawmakers have

pressed the Department of Defense for accountability over conditions aboard the Lincoln, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said were “completely misrepresented.” Hegseth spoke with the Lincoln’s crew last week, and Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, visited this past weekend. In an editorial published Sunday by The Wall Street Journal, Cooper said the crew “delivered a performance for the ages, and now you are going home.”

ASSOCIATEd PRESS FILE PHOTO By VICTOR R. CAIVANO

The USS George Washington aircraft carrier is now operating ä See CARRIER, page 4A in the Middle East.

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102Nd yEAR, NO. 52

2A ● Friday, August 21, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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FROM WIRE REPORTS

One charged in bomb plot at N.Y. State Capitol

A woman who authorities said had been plotting to bomb the New York State Capitol building because she believed laws were being passed that were an affront to Islam was caught in an FBI sting operation and is now facing a federal terrorism charge, authorities announced Thursday. Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, had been under surveillance for more than a month as she communicated with at least one conﬁdential informant posing as an ISIS facilitator, according to a criminal complaint. Operatives working for the FBI then facilitated her plans, including providing her with money to buy ingredients for a nail bomb. On Wednesday, according to the complaint, the operatives handed Bowie a gun, ammunition and an inert explosive, then gave her instructions on how to use them. FBI agents then arrested Bowie as she left that meeting with the weapons in a bag, authorities said. No attorney information was listed for Bowie. The Federal Public Defenders’ office in Albany declined to comment Thursday. After her arrest, Bowie told FBI agents during an interview that she expected to go to prison, according to the criminal complaint. “There’s no helping me, you guys know enough,” she said, according to an FBI agent’s account.

Boat capsizes in Nigeria, killing at least 47

SOKOTO, Nigeria — A boat capsized Thursday in a river in Nigeria ’s northwestern Sokoto state, leaving at least 47 people dead, ofﬁcials and residents said. The boat was carrying more than 80 people, most of whom were heading to farms for work in Gorau town in the Goronyo local government area of the state, ofﬁcials said. Abdulkadir Yusuf, Sokoto state manager at the National Inland Waterways Authority, said the death toll was 47 people “so far.” Resident Samaila Garba, 55, said his 13-year-old granddaughter, Jamila Usman, was among those who died in the capsizing. He said he had counted at least 42 bodies of victims, most of them women and children. “You know, during the rainy season, most women and children go to the farm to work,” he told The Associated Press. Another resident, Aminu Dan Hajiya, said he goes to his farm using the same waterway and he considers himself lucky to not have been on the boat. “In fact, almost every household in the community has been affected,” he said. Usman Yusuf, a community leader in Gorau, said more than 80 passengers had boarded the boat. He said 41 people have been buried so far.

Harvard settles lawsuits over stolen body parts

BOSTON — Harvard Medical School says it agreed to pay $53 million to settle class action lawsuits by relatives of body donors whose remains were sold on the black market by its former morgue manager. Harvard Medical School Deans George Q. Daley and Bernard S. Chang announced the development in a letter to the community on Tuesday, calling the actions of former morgue manager Cedric Lodge “despicable, abhorrent, and a ﬂagrant betrayal of our values as a medical community.” Pending court approval, Harvard said that two class action settlement funds totaling $53 million will be established to resolve the lawsuits. A Harvard Medical School spokesperson on Thursday referred to the letter when asked for comment and said they had no additional information to share. The lawsuits were brought by 47 relatives of people whose remains were potentially mishandled and sold. The remains were donated for research and education. Harvard has said it cannot determine precisely which donors’ remains Lodge stole.

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Agents seize ex-lawmaker’s devices Source: Move part of sexual misconduct probe into Swalwell

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Federal agents seized electronic devices from former Rep. Eric Swalwell and searched his Washington home as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the ex-Democratic congressman from California, according to a person familiar with the matter. Swalwell’s devices were seized at the San Francisco airport on Saturday and agents executed a search warrant at his home a day later, said the person, who was not authorized to publicly discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity. A message seeking comment was left Thursday with an attorney for Swalwell, who has denied allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. The Daily Mail ﬁrst reported the seizure of Swalwell’s devices on Thursday. Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress in April following allegations that Swalwell had sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him. The San Francisco Chronicle, followed by CNN, ﬁrst reported the

ASSOCIATEd PRESS FILE PHOTO By RICH PEdRONCELLI

Then-Rep. Eric Swalwell, d-Calif., speaks April 7 after holding a town hall meeting in Sacramento, Calif. Federal agents seized electronic devices from Swalwell and searched his Washington home as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, a source says. allegations. CNN also reported that three other women alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by Swalwell, including sending them unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos. The seven-term lawmaker had been seen as one of the leading candidates in California’s gubernatorial race before dropping out after the allegations surfaced. The ofﬁce of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg conﬁrmed

in April that it was investigating Swalwell after a former staffer told CNN and the Chronicle that Swalwell raped her at a hotel while he was in New York City for a charity gala in 2024. In a statement, Bragg’s ofﬁce encouraged “survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division.” A lawyer representing Lonna Drewes, a California woman who in April said she had been raped

in 2018 by Swalwell, said his team was cooperating with all law enforcement agencies investigating the former congressman. “We are encouraged to learn about the escalation of the FBI’s investigation into the allegations against Eric Swalwell,” attorney Arick Fudali said in a statement. Drewes spoke of the assault at a news conference days after Swalwell dropped out of the California governor’s race. She said it occurred at a hotel in Southern California. Swalwell denied that assault. Swalwell, an Iowa native, was elected in 2012 and represented a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but ended it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters. He was one of Republican President Donald Trump’s top Democratic antagonists in Congress. He was a prominent member of the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees during Trump’s ﬁrst term and served as one of several Democratic prosecutors for Trump’s second impeachment after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Swalwell was removed from the Intelligence Committee by thenHouse Speaker Kevin McCarthy, RCalif., in 2023 based on Swalwell’s contact with a suspected Chinese spy, Christine Fang.

Indiana residents endure 9th day without power BY LAURA BARGFELD, R.J. RICO and ED WHITE

survival mode, doing the best that we can.” More than a week after the initial storm, many residents in East Chicago, Indiana, who lost power regained it, but then lost it again. Kevin Mejia, who has a community Facebook page, was in that category Thursday. “If I make one post, I get 500 comments,” Mejia, 30, said. “A lot of people have been reaching out to me for food: ‘Hey, I threw out hundreds of dollars in groceries.’ Elderly people don’t know who to turn to.” He’s been sleeping on the ﬂoor because his mattress is too warm. With no power, his window air conditioners are silent. Raydia Martin, assistant director of the Flourish Community Hub at Flourish Church in Gary, said the “silver lining” has been the response from volunteers and

Associated Press

GARY, Ind. — Tens of thousands of residents in northwest Indiana were in survival mode Thursday as they endured a ninth day without power, throwing out spoiled food, lining up for hot meals and searching for places to charge their phones. In Gary, Indiana, schools remained closed after the deadly Aug. 11 storm downed trees and power lines. Residents turned to social media to find open laundromats and working Wi-Fi, while others sought food, diapers and cleaning wipes for low-income neighbors. Meanwhile, heavy rains in central Ohio brought flash flooding that covered roadways Thursday morning in Columbus, the state capital, where emergency crews rescued motorists from stranded cars and saved a 12-year-old boy who was swept off a bridge. Northern Indiana Public Service Co. said 68,000 customers were still without power as of Thursday morning, the majority of them in Lake County beside the Illinois border. The utility said it has restored power to 306,500 others since Aug. 11. But power is not expected to be fully restored until Tuesday in some places, including Gary. Courtney Page-Tan, an Indiana University Indianapolis professor who studies community resilience, said health concerns grow each day of a pro-

GET IN TOUCH ASSOCIATEd PRESS PHOTO By NAM y. HUH

Tyanna Borom wipes her tears while holding a free boxed lunch on Thursday at City Life Center in Gary, Ind., more than a week after a deadly storm passed through the area. longed outage. With many people using generators, poor ventilation can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, those reliant on medical devices risk having them lose their charge, while refrigerated food once safe to eat could pose health risks as it spoils. “Nine days is a long time for a community to be without power,” Page-Tan said. Shatiya Hardin, a hair stylist in Gary for 25

years, has been unable to open her salon since the storm. She said residents in her lower-income neighborhood initially took the outages in stride. But now patience is wearing thin. “We’re always in survival mode in Gary. And I think that’s probably why it wasn’t so much of an uproar because the ﬁrst few days, it was like, ‘OK, we’re used to this .... but this is the second week now,” Hardin said. “It’s not OK for us to continually be in

Russian drone, missile barrage kills at least 16 in Ukraine’s Kyiv region BY SAMYA KULLAB Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — Russia pounded the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the surrounding region with scores of missiles and drones in a nighttime aerial attack that lasted for hours and killed at least 16 people, officials said Thursday. Moscow’s forces have in recent months intensiﬁed their ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, exploiting Ukraine’s chronic shortage of U.S.-made Patriot air de-

community groups. “We thrive best, you know, as humans on certainty and predictability,” Martin said. “So for something so devastating to happen so quickly, it definitely takes a toll on people mentally. Just not knowing what’s coming next, where the next meal is going to come from, and when this is all going to be over. We need to have a light at the end of the tunnel.” The utility, NIPSCO, has called the destruction “unprecedented and widespread,” and said crews from around the country have arrived to help repair downed wires, broken poles and damaged equipment. Illinois, which is served by a different utility, recovered sooner from the same storm. “No service territory is the same,” said Melody Birmingham, an executive at NIPSCO’s parent company.

fense interceptors, the sole weapon in its arsenal able to shoot down the missiles. Large-scale Russian missile strikes have become a regular occurrence this summer. Just over two weeks ago, a Russian attack on Kyiv and its surrounding region killed 17 people, and nine were killed in the city two days before that. The United Nations said last week that Kyiv was one of the hardest hit cities in July, with at least 54 civilians killed and 202 injured. At the same time, Ukraine

has shifted the war onto Russian soil through longrange drone strikes on oil facilities that have caused fuel shortages across the country. It has also unsettled the Russian public by striking warehouses of Wildberries, the country’s biggest online retailer. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded for countries to send more Patriot interceptors for defense, but international stockpiles are low amid the Iran war and Kyiv’s more than four-year ﬁght against Russia’s all-out invasion.

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U.S. carries out deportations under pact with Liberia BY MARK MENGONFIA Associated Press

HARBEL, Liberia — The United States on Thursday carried out its ﬁrst deportation under an agreement for Liberia to accept up to 1,200 people who are not from the African country, one of President Donald Trump’s administration’s largest efforts yet to deport people to countries other than their own. The 20 deportees arrived at Roberts International Airport outside Monrovia. Deportees will include African nationals as well as nationals from North America, South America and the Caribbean, according to Liberian Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah. Liberian Justice Minister Natu Oswald Tweh has said they could seek asylum in the West African country if they wished.

The U.S. State Department declined to answer questions about the Liberia agreement, but said that implementing the Trump administration’s immigration policies was a “top priority.” It said it was “unwavering in our commitment to end illegal and mass immigration and bolster America’s border security.” The U.S. Homeland Security Department declined to conﬁrm Thursday’s deportations “for operational security reasons” and referred additional questions to the State Department. Third-country agreements are often shrouded in secrecy. Migrants have been deported to countries they have never been to or where they face safety risks and are left with little choice other than to return to the home countries they were ﬂeeing from.

ASSOCIATEd PRESS PHOTO By ALEXANdER WIAPLAH

A plane carrying the deportees from the United States arrives Thursday at the Roberts International Airport outside of Monrovia, Liberia. The Trump administration struck agreements with at least 35 countries to deport people who are from other countries, including Libe-

ria and 13 others in Africa, according to Third Country Deportation Watch, a partnership of Refugees International and Human Rights

First that relies on public records requests, news reports and other sources. More than 23,000 people have deported to 26 coun-

tries under the agreements. The U.S. State Department previously announced that Liberia agreed to accept deportees who are not from Liberia. But a six-page agreement reached in September 2025 and posted on its website does not say how many or from which countries. In October 2025, Liberia offered to accept Kilmar Abrego Garcia of El Salvador, who was mistakenly deported to prison in El Salvador. Blocked from sending him to his native country, the Trump administration has vowed to send him to a third county, including Liberia. Abrego Garcia has said he would agree to be deported to Costa Rica, which has said it will accept him. But the government has so far declined to send him there. Abrego Garcia is fighting deportation to Liberia in a federal lawsuit in Maryland.

Canadian provincial leader calls Trump a ‘bad person’ amid trade talks BY ROB GILLIES

Associated Press

TORONTO — The premier of a Canadian province launched a blistering attack on President Donald Trump on Thursday, calling him a “bad person” and “not to be trusted” and urging Canada to keep ﬁghting rather than rush to make concessions in trade talks with Washington. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Canada has leverage in the talks even as his province weighs restoring U.S. alcohol sales at Prime Minister Mark Carney’s urging to help secure a deal that would avert threatened 50% U.S. tariffs. “Everybody knows the American president by now, he’s erratic, he’s irresponsible, and he’s not to be trusted. And this is the person that we were supposed to make a deal with, and we’re going to make additional concessions for it.

CANAdIAN PRESS PHOTO By NICK IWANySHyN

Rolled coils of steel sit in the yard at the ArcelorMittal dofasco steel plant on Thursdaya in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. That’s why I say you can’t make a good deal with a bad person, because who’s to say it’s not going to be undone?” Kinew said. Dominic LeBlanc, the federal minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, said Thursday the two countries were close to finalizing an agreement after he returned

to Washington to meet again with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. “We’re very close. We continue to make progress,” he said, adding that Canadian officials would remain in Washington to keep working on the deal. Trump has called the emerging agreement “very fair” to both

sides, while tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian imports have been postponed until 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Neither side has released the full terms. Despite his criticism of Trump, Kinew said Manitoba may go along with Carney’s request as part of a “Team Canada” approach. But he urged consumers to keep buying Canadian even if U.S. products return to provincial liquor stores. Other provincial leaders, including the premiers of Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, have publicly backed the direction of Carney’s negotiation. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham said all premiers agreed during Wednesday’s call with Carney to return U.S. alcohol to store shelves, although not every premier has publicly conﬁrmed that position. “I think we should ﬁght. I

think Donald Trump is very weak. I think America is weaker around the world today than it was a year ago. He’s about to get slaughtered in the midterms and the cost of living is the number one issue and he’s completely out of touch with the cost of living of Americans,” Kinew said. “We’ve got the upper hand. They are back on their heels right now. They are coming to us for a deal right now.” Kinew said he understood Carney’s request to mean that restoring U.S. alcohol sales was effectively necessary to complete the deal. The provincial bans on U.S. alcohol have been a particular irritant for the Trump administration, which has pressed Canada to remove restrictions that sharply reduced American liquor sales. Provincial governments do not have a veto over the overall Canada-U.S. agree-

ment, but they control measures such as liquor sales and some procurement rules that have become part of the negotiations. Eight of Canada’s 10 provinces restrict or ban U.S. alcohol — measures imposed in retaliation for Trump’s previous tariffs on Canadian goods and amid anger over his repeated talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state. Kinew said Carney strongly pressed premiers to restore U.S. alcohol sales while other details of the agreement were still being finalized. “I wouldn’t say that he was begging us, but what is the step before begging?” Kinew said. Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, is especially important. Its government-run LCBO, one of the world’s largest alcohol purchasers, sold nearly $723 million worth of U.S. products annually before pulling them from shelves last year.

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4A ● Friday,August 21, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Continued from page 1A pretty quickly,” he said. The 56,130-square-foot, fourstory full-service hotel is expected to be a major draw downtown. It will also house Bayou Teche Brewery in a 4,500-square-foot event space.

Buc-ee’s

vote for some Trump nominees, even after expressing reservations. For example, he cast a decisive vote to conﬁrm Todd Blanche as attorney general, even as two other Republicans voted “no.” Back when Cassidy was seeking a third six-year term and hoping Trump would at least stay out of the race, Louisiana’s senior senator — a physician who advocates using vaccines — applied his power as a committee chair to ensure Kennedy was conﬁrmed. Cassidy couldn’t rely on Trump’s endorsement because he voted to convict the president of impeachment charges stemming from MAGA supporters storming the

U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in hopes of delaying the congressional vote that certiﬁed Democrat Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 presidential election. Louisiana Republicans were enraged and twice censured Cassidy, who had two months earlier polled more votes than any other candidate in the state’s history, except Trump. Gov. Jeff Landry and the Republican supermajority in the Louisiana Legislature changed the state’s open primary system, where voters cast ballots for a candidate regardless of party afﬁliation, into a closed primary where mostly registered Republicans

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time when China has shown more signs of aggression. The lack of a U.S. carrier in the Paciﬁc may be shortlived if the Navy deploys another in the next couple of months. But it shows how the openended operations with Iran are running some American sailors ragged, analysts say, while the Trump administration further retreats from the Asia-Paciﬁc region and focuses on the Western Hemisphere.

could participate. Trump, who had repeatedly demeaned Cassidy, endorsed Letlow. She won the primary and now faces Tensas Parish farmer Jamie Davis, a Democrat from Ferriday, in the Nov. 3 congressional midterm elections. Early voting is from Oct. 20-27. Mail-in ballots must be requested by Oct. 30 and returned postmarked by Nov. 2. Cassidy remains in office and HELP committee chair until the election’s winner is sworn in on Jan. 3, 2027.

nine months at sea that the sailors endured a “good period of time” but added that “over the years, we’ve had them out there much longer.” Trump told reporters Monday that he spoke with a retired admiral over the weekend who recounted being on ships for “much longer.” Trump said the admiral assured him that the Lincoln is “beautifully maintained and beautifully taken care of.” Trump did not name the admiral. In a statement Sunday after visiting the Lincoln, Cooper praised the carrier’s leaders for prioritizing mental health and resilience. “History will record this deployment as one of the most operationally intense and consequential of the modern era,” Cooper said. The Washington joins the USS George H.W. Bush in the Middle East, leaving Asia without an American carrier strike group at a

Things are happening at Lafayette’s oldest shopping mall, and it’s worth keeping an eye on. When owner Jacoby Landry bought the mall last year, he started with a simple plan of taking small steps to bring it back to life by turning it inside out. Now the mall’s tenants have

grown from 14 to 36, and Landry reported that a monthly rent roll that was once $15,000 is now $60,000. What to watch for there? He says a rooftop bar will be under construction on the north side of the mall. And the large spaces that housed big retailers years ago are being subdivided for smaller businesses.

Extended deployments of carriers wear on service members who are away from home for long periods and increase strain on the ship and its equipment. While renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran calmed in recent weeks, the Navy is enforcing a reimposed blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, and the Trump administration has offered no clarity on how it intends to wind down the war. Hegseth has said the U.S. can maintain the blockade “indeﬁnitely.” President Donald Trump this week downplayed reports about conditions on the Lincoln, which left its home port in San Diego in November and arrived in the Middle East in January. Trump called the nearly

Since losing the closed-party primary in May, Cassidy has felt less constrained about challenging Trump. He has done so several times since losing to U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge. He’s criticized Trump on several issues, including the Iranian military action. But most of his fire has been directed at the rollback of vaccination protocols under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of the nation’s leading vaccine skeptics. Still, Cassidy has continued to

Northgate Mall

grounds and green spaces, all open to the public and connected through a sprawling trail system for walking and biking. It will also include housing units ranging from single-family to multifamily and independent senior living, along with commercial space for businesses and restaurants and possibly a charter or private school.

Will Cassidy buck Trump?

executive order changing the vaccination schedule for children. “Dr. Overton’s active role in last week’s nonsensical vaccine executive order calls into question her commitment to standing up for sound science and protecting children’s health. That alone is almost disqualifying,” Cassidy wrote. Overton co-authored with former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal an op-ed in The Federalist attacking Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was running in 2024 as the Demo-

Continued from page 1A

This project is massive — 1,600 homes and other amenities over 716 acres just south of the Youngsville Sports Complex — and still in the works, Mayor Ken Ritter said. But it’s a very futuristic one. It will have over 100 acres of ponds, several dog parks, play-

cratic vice presidential candidate.

Continued from page 1A

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BUC-EE’S: Light construction equipment and vehicles gather at the site where a Buc-ee’s is set to be built in Lafayette. A billboard in the background tells Interstate 10 westbound motorists the distance to the next Buc-ee’s.

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This project brought a large amount of excitement when it was announced, but now the excitement surrounding Buc-ee’s has given way to a different question: When will it open? At first it was late 2025. Then mid-2026. Then 2028. Then 2027. Now it could be early 2028. A building permit was recently issued for the project, signaling that construction could start soon for the $72 million project. Having a Buc-ee’s in your city is a win, but it did not come without taxpayer assistance. Customers at the store will pay an extra 1-cent sales tax on all items on top of another 1-cent sales tax for the economic development district in that area. It will be reimbursed for its private infrastructure improvements each year by either 2% of the store’s annual revenue or $20,000, whichever is greater. Payment will be made on or before March 31 of each year. It will also get a one-time payment of $300,000 from the Lafayette Economic Development Authority if it maintains 150 employees.

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The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday,August 21, 2026 ● 5A

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Women in pink rally in support of Lindsay Clancy Woman on trial for killing her 3 children

BY MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — Hundreds of Lindsay Clancy supporters, many wearing pink clothing emblazoned with phrases such as “Believe,” “She Needed Help” and “Peace For Lindsay,” gathered Thursday outside the courthouse where she is on trial in the killings of her three children. Several of the 300 women, and a few men, said Clancy’s story resonated with them and that they wanted to raise awareness about how the mental health system treats women. Clancy’s lawyer does not dispute that she killed the children, but says she should not be held criminally responsible because she was mentally ill.

ASSOCIATEd PRESS PHOTO By JOSH REyNOLdS

Aimee Breault, of Acushnet, Mass., livestreams a demonstration in support of Lindsay Clancy on Thursday outside Plymouth Superior Court in Plymouth, Mass., where Clancy is on trial in connection with the deaths of her three children. The livestreamed trial has sparked massive discussions online and has brought attention to postpartum psychosis, a rare mental illness Clancy’s attorney Kevin Reddington says she had that is linked to the stress,

sleep deprivation and hormonal changes that follow childbirth. Reddington said she also has bipolar disorder. After strangling her children, Clancy jumped from a second-story window and remains paralyzed from

Nebraska’s largest school district asks police to stop using shock gloves BY KATHY MCCORMACK and JOSH FUNK Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — Omaha police agreed this week to stop carrying gloves that can deliver electric shocks to students in the halls of Nebraska’s largest public school district. The decision affecting most Omaha middle and high schools came after The Associated Press ﬁrst revealed Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s plan to give officers the gloves, which are known as G.L.O.V.E.s, or Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters. The devices have also been used in recent years by some jails. Omaha Superintendent Matthew Ray requested that police working in the schools, known as school resource ofﬁcers, stop using the gloves.

Omaha Police agreed. However, the suburban Bellevue police department that patrols two Omaha schools and the large Bellevue district said its officers will continue carrying the gloves. Three other large school districts in the metro area that have Omaha school resource ofﬁcers assigned to their buildings have not taken action to stop police from using the devices. The AP left messages seeking comment Thursday from the Millard, Elkhorn, Westside and Bellevue school districts. Ray said in a school board meeting Monday and in a letter to the public schools community that he’d only learned about the gloves the previous week. But local television station KETV found emails from 2023 when Omaha

police notified the districts that the department planned to equip officers with the gloves, and an official with the Omaha district said they were already familiar with them because Bellevue police had them at two Omaha schools. Students in all the Omaha area districts have gone back to class over the past two weeks. The Omaha Police Department held a news conference last week in which an officer demonstrated the gloves to show how they can help an officer quickly get control of someone who is refusing commands. Omaha police used the gloves twice during the 2025-2026 school year, and Bellevue police have also used them twice in previous years.

Still recovering from Lala, Hawaii prepares for a possible cyclone a tropical storm later Thurs- blamed for two deaths. BY JENNIFER SINCO Residents found the body KELLEHER and HOLLY RAMER day and pass near or south of Associated Press

HONOLULU — Communities still recovering from last weekend’s hurricane in Hawaii could get pounded again in coming days from another tropical system gaining strength over warm Paciﬁc waters. Hurricane Lala tore roofs off houses, uprooted trees, covered roads in mud and rock and left many households without electricity. With thousands of homes and businesses still in the dark Thursday, forecasters warned another tropical cyclone is likely to form southeast of the islands soon. A depression moving west and northwest could become

Hawaii’s Big Island over the weekend or early next week, according to the U.S. Central Pacific Hurricane Center. That system could dump up to 15 inches of rain across the Big Island and trigger life-threatening flooding, mudslides and rip currents, the hurricane center added. Forecasters said the disturbance had top sustained winds of 35 mph and was located about 900 miles eastsoutheast of Hilo, Hawaii. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and other state officials planned a news conference Thursday afternoon to discuss preparations for the approaching system as well as ongoing recovery efforts from Lala, which has been

of a man in his 60s in a pasture Tuesday, a day after authorities recovered the body of May Doi, 93, whom neighbors said was trying to escape from ﬂoodwaters in her home. Doi was a beloved former kindergarten teacher who taught generations of residents in a small town on Hawaii’s Big Island. “She taught grandkids of her students,” said ’Aina Akamu, a former student of Doi who is now a vice principal at a local school. “She was a ﬁxture in this community.” Lala’s heaviest recorded rainfall, 43.54 inches, occurred on the northeast coast of the Big Island, the National Weather Service said.

the waist down. Reddington says Clancy repeatedly sought help: She turned to multiple outpatient providers, tried various drugs they prescribed, called a suicide hotline, went to an emergency room, and even checked herself into a psychiatric hospital. Prosecutors say the former labor and delivery nurse planned the Jan. 24, 2023, killings and contrived to get her husband out of the house by sending him to pick up medicine for one of their children and dinner for the family. They have also questioned the seriousness of her suicide attempt, and witnesses have testiﬁed that Clancy wouldn’t always take prescribed medications. Thursday’s rally was the ﬁrst time during the nearly monthlong trial that supporters have come out in such large numbers. “Women are being dis-

missed, neglected and ignored when we speak up,” said April Vincent, a 52-year-old paralegal from Providence, Rhode Island. “We’re scared because nobody takes us seriously.” The women stood silently for more than an hour ahead of Thursday’s proceedings, where a chaplain called by the defense testified about visiting Clancy in the hospital after the killings. At the sight of Reddington outside the courthouse, the crowd broke into applause. Rally organizer Renee Kimball implored the crowd to trust that Reddington “has Lindsay’s fight.” Toward the end of their rally, supporters formed a circle, said the Lord’s Prayer, held up their arms and formed hearts with their hands. Some held flags from different countries to show that the support for Clancy was global.

Clancy, 36, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of Callan, Dawson and Cora Clancy, who ranged from 8 months to 5 years old. Researchers estimate that postpartum psychosis — which is more serious and less common than postpartum depression — afflicts 1 to 2 per 1,000 women after delivery. Jeanne Zaborski, a 72-year-old retired nurse from Rockland, Massachusetts, said she hopes the case raises awareness about postpartum health. She and many others at the rally said they had been following the trial almost daily. “It’s very sad,” Zaborski said. “I am a mother. I am a grandmother. I have a sister who had problems after birth and it’s just very sad. I hope Lindsay gets the care she needs and deserves and other women will come together like we did today.”

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6A ● Friday,August 21, 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

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FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Charter, Cox complete $34.5 billion cable deal

Charter Communications closed on its $34.5 billion purchase of Cox Communications Thursday, ﬁnalizing a deal that unites two of the largest cable companies in the U.S., both of which have a signiﬁcant presence in south Louisiana. Charter, which operates under the Spectrum name, has more than 32 million customers, making it the largest cable company in the U.S. It operates in 41 states, providing cable to the northshore, Acadiana, Hammond and Thibodaux. Cox is the third largest cable television company in the country, with more than 6.5 million digital cable, internet, telephone and home security customers. It has a strong foothold in states spanning from California to Virginia. Cox operates in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lafayette. Plans are for the merged company to change its name to Cox Communications, but it will operate all cable, broadband and telephone services under the Spectrum brand. As part of the deal, existing Cox internet customers who don’t have mobile service with the company will receive a free year of Spectrum mobile. In about a month, Charter will launch its entire suite of services to all consumers in former Cox markets, such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette.

Mortgage rates ease again, but remain high

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate eased for the second week in a row, but remains elevated compared with this time last year. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell to 6.65% from 6.67% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the average rate was 6.58%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, often sought by borrowers refinancing a home loan, also eased this week. That average rate dropped to 5.95% from 5.96% last week. However, a year ago, it was at 5.69%. Despite the recent pullback, mortgage rates have been mostly rising this year, limiting homebuyers’ purchasing power. Elevated rates can lead prospective home shoppers to delay buying a home, one reason U.S. home sales have been sluggish this year. The 10-year Treasury yield was 4.71% as of midday Thursday on the bond market. Before the war, it was just 3.97% in late February. The U.S. housing market has been in a slump since 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes were essentially flat last year, stuck at a 30-year low. U.S. sales of previouslyoccupied homes again slowed in July.

Unemployment claims drop to 206,000 WASHINGTON — Fewer people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, another sign that layoffs remain low and that most Americans enjoy job security. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims dropped to 206,000 last week from a revised 212,000 the week before. The fourweek average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week ups and downs, ticked up to 204,000 last week from 199,750. Claims for jobless benefits are a proxy for layoffs, and economists watch them because they can be a harbinger for where the job market is headed. For the past year, claims have been at a historically low range of around 200,000 to 230,000 a week. The number of people collecting unemployment benefits the week that ended Aug. 8 rose to 1.8 million from 1.78 million the week before. The U.S. unemployment rate is low at 4.1%.

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Treasury secretary’s moves to calm bond market stumble

ASSOCIATEd PRESS PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to members of the media outside the White House in Washington on Thursday.

Bessent announces Treasury to double bond buyback BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and STAN CHOE AP business writers

WASHINGTON — Interest rates rebounded Thursday despite efforts by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to put a lid on longer-term borrowing costs, a sign Wall Street investors remain worried about burgeoning government debt, heavy borrowing by tech firms, and the Federal Reserve’s commitment to fighting inflation. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, a key benchmark for mortgage rates, rose back to 4.69% Thursday. That is nearly where it stood early Wednesday before Bessent surprised financial markets by announcing that Treasury would double the size of a bond buyback program starting next month to $4 billion per operation from $2 billion. The buybacks are intended to reduce the supply of 10-year to 30-year bonds and boost their prices. Yields on bonds fall when their prices rise. Bessent said Thursday on CNBC that the bond repurchase program could be larger than $4 billion. “We have a big toolkit so we’ll see,” Bessent said. “We believe that the yields don’t reflect the underlying fundamentals.” Rising bond yields push up borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, and the Trump administration has set reducing interest rates as a top goal. Home purchases have slumped as mortgage rates have moved higher this year. President Donald Trump has often demanded that the Federal Reserve lower rates, but the ongoing increases are driven primarily by financial markets. The 30-year bond yield rose to 5.23% Thursday, down only slightly from a 19-year high reached Tuesday.

Move doesn’t fix fundamental problems Bessent also said the Trump administration would announce a new effort to reduce the government’s budget deficit, possibly by Monday. He argued that the deficit will peak this year, in part because it has been driven higher by tariff refunds, a temporary factor. While the deficit has been huge for years, overall debt topped $40 trillion on Wednesday, a staggering record that arrived just months after the national debt first blew past the $39 trillion mark in April. And the Congressional Budget Office estimated earlier this week that the annual gap between government revenue and spending would top $2 trillion this year, a remarkable number outside of recessions. But Gennadiy Goldberg, head of U.S. rates

strategy at TD Securities, said reducing the deﬁcit is mostly up to Congress, rather than the Treasury Department. “What we are seeing is the market is still a little bit skeptical that Treasury can and will be able to backstop some of these moves,” Goldberg said. Another factor pushing yields higher is how much debt Big Tech companies are raising to build AI data centers. Their deluge of bond offerings is giving bond investors more to choose from, which lowers prices for bonds and pushes up their yields.

Investors are skeptical Inflation also remains a threat because oil prices keep climbing on uncertainty about when the war with Iran will let tankers freely exit the Persian Gulf again. They rose again Thursday after Trump threatened Iran with “the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY.” The price of Brent crude oil is near $94 per barrel, compared with roughly $72 before the start of the war. The Fed typically combats inflation by raising its benchmark interest rate to slow borrowing and spending and cool the economy. Yet new Fed chair Kevin Warsh hasn’t signaled whether the Fed will take such a step. At his most recent news conference in late July, he sowed confusion about whether he sees higher rates as the right approach. He also suggested the Fed could soon switch the gauge it uses to monitor inflation, which it seeks to keep at 2%. Inflation has topped that level for more than five years, and was 3.7% in June, according to the Fed’s preferred measure. Mark Cabana, head of U.S. rates strategy at Bank of America Securities, said that a key reason for higher borrowing costs “is just elevated uncertainty about how the Fed is going to contain inflation” and what it will do “in case things don’t go to plan.” Yet Warsh has underscored he doesn’t want to provide such signals because he wants financial markets to set interest rates based on economic conditions, not on what it expects the Fed to do. Bessent’s intervention appears to be at crosspurposes with that goal, since markets are now considering what next steps Treasury might take to contain rates. The rise in rates has put pressure on Warsh to clarify his approach when he delivers a highprofile speech next Friday at an annual Fed conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. “Now the ball is in the Fed’s court and the ball is really in Kevin Warsh’s hands,” Cabana said. “And the market is questioning, will Warsh respond? Will he articulate a better plan?”

Bond market swings back, knocks stocks lower BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK — The relief that swept the bond market just a day earlier disappeared on Thursday as oil prices, worries about high inflation and the U.S. government’s debt kept rising. That helped knock the U.S. stock market to its worst day in three weeks, and Walmart led the way on concerns about its upcoming profits. The S&P 500 fell 0.9% for its fourth loss in the five days since setting its all-time high last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 703 points, or 1.3%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1%. The bond market remains the center of the action after yields charged higher through the summer. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made a surprise move Wednesday that brought some temporary relief. His department said it will at least double the size of its planned purchases of longer-term Treasurys from Sept. 9 through Nov. 4. That helped push yields down after the 10-year Treasury’s yield hit its highest level in more than a year and the 30-year yield got back to where it was in 2007. It was a big deal because high yields slow the economy by raising interest payments for people, companies and the government, and they can undercut prices for stocks and other investments. But analysts had cautioned the effect may be short-lived, given how small the purchases are relative to the overall size of the Treasury market and how they don’t fix the fundamental concerns that had driven up yields.

Meta defends child safety efforts but critics say it falls short BY WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS Associated Press

CHICAGO — Meta insists it has a long history of protecting its youngest customers as it defends itself against a swath of lawsuits alleging its social media empire harms children. In the latest such instance, the social media giant is ﬁghting allegations in a California federal court that it contributes to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately and stealthily designing features to get children hooked on its platforms Instagram and Facebook. Four states are seeking billions of dollars in damages as well as fundamental changes to how Meta runs those apps. Children’s mental health, and what they do and see on social media, are all issues “Meta takes

seriously and tries to act on,” Paul Schmidt, a lawyer for the tech giant, said in opening statements this week. Critics say the company’s safety record falls short and that many of its protections simply don’t work. They include Marc Berkman, executive director at the Organization for Social Media Safety, who said Meta introduced safeguards promising to protect children in response to public pressure rather than out of concern. There’s been a “lack of real institutional willingness to act here,” Berkman said. Most of the changes Meta has introduced focus on addressing harassment and offensive content. Instagram users have always been able to block others — and, along with Meta’s oldest crown jewel, Facebook — the app has

gradually added features for reporting problematic accounts and inappropriate content. In 2016, Instagram users were given the option to delete or ﬁlter comments they found offensive, and later added warnings that prompted users to reconsider posting potentially harmful content, as well as options to limit comments and tags on their posts. Meta also says it prevents adults from starting private chats with teens if they are not already connected, and has increased checks to make sure users under 13 — the minimum age for holding a Facebook or Instagram account — aren’t online. Schmidt said in his opening remarks that Meta recognizes some users still sign up using incorrect birthdays but that the company takes enforcement of age limits seriously.

The company says it also posts warnings and resources at the top of Instagram search results related to suicide, self-harm and eating disorders, and touts its “Teen Accounts,” launched in 2024, as a safe space for teenagers online. It aligns photo and video restrictions for teen accounts with those for a PG-13 movie, unless there’s parental permission otherwise. Critics complain these changes amount to little more than corporate posturing. A September 2025 report from former employee and whistleblower Arturo Béjar and four online safety advocacy nonprofits accused Meta of not taking “real steps” to address youth safety, instead opting for “splashy headlines about new tools for parents and Instagram Teen Accounts for underage users.”

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, August 21, 2026 ● 7A

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Sources: DOJ seeks interviews over Mar-a-Lago search Investigators examining foes of Trump

BY ERIC TUCKER and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Justice Department investigators have sought to interview law enforcement officials related to the FBI search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate as part of a Florida-based inquiry aiming to establish a conspiracy against the Republican president, multiple people familiar with the matter said Thursday. The requests for interviews, made in recent weeks, suggest that a conspiracy investigation that had mostly appeared focused on the decade-old question of Russian interference in the 2016

presidential election is also examining a more contemporary event — the 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago that resulted in the FBI seizing top secret documents from the president’s Palm Beach, Florida, estate. The requests were for voluntary interviews and not made through subpoenas, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation with The Associated Press. It is not clear when or if prosecutors might seek to bring charges, or for what, but investigating conduct that occurred in Florida might give the Justice Department the legal hook it needs to try to anchor a prosecution in the state. Joe diGenova, the prosecutor brought back to the Justice Department in April to oversee the investigation,

Trump-appointed judge, Aileen Cannon, ruled that the prosecutor who brought the indictment, Jack Smith, had been illegally appointed. Trump has long maintained that law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired against him over the last decade, drawing a straight line between an investigation into ties between Russia and his 2016 presidential campaign and the more recent investigations related to his retention of classified documents and his efforts to undo the FILE PHOTO PROVIdEd By JUSTICE dEPARTMENT 2020 election. The Justice Department Boxes of records are stored on the stage in the White and has for months conducted Gold Ballroom at President donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago an investigation in Florida in estate in Palm Beach, Fla. hopes of proving wrongdoing by the officials involved declined to comment when on charges of unlawfully re- in scrutinizing Trump. contacted by AP on Thurs- taining classified documents Much of the questioning day. The Justice Department and of obstructing FBI ef- known to have occurred so didn’t immediately respond forts to get them back. But far has centered on the govto a request for comment. the case was dismissed ernment response to RusTrump was indicted in 2023 the following year after a sian interference in the 2016

Iran dismisses U.S. economic threats

Army to shut down unit focused on drone warfare BY KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON — An Army unit based in Europe that was specializing in drone warfare has been directed to end its efforts to learn and use the battlefield technology and return to being a traditional infantry battalion, officials said Thursday. For nearly a year, soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade have been experi-

menting and building their own drones, as well as participating in drills on waging unmanned warfare after Ukraine pioneered such tactics in its yearslong conﬂict with Russia. Last November, 600 soldiers formed a battalion that specialized in drone warfare and was set up to be used as a dedicated unit that could deploy anywhere drones were required. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Army’s acting chief of

staff, has ordered the battalion to refocus on its core mission of being an airborne infantry unit, according to two U.S. ofﬁcials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal Army deliberations. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported the change. The move comes amid a broader reshuffling of the Army under LaNeve, who has been its top uniformed leader since Defense Secre-

tary Pete Hegseth suddenly ousted Gen. Randy George in April. The decision also comes despite the Iran war showing the need for the U.S. to learn lessons about drone warfare from Ukraine. Iran has deployed its low-cost Shahed drones against ships and bases, killing U.S. troops, downing an Army helicopter and forcing the military to expend precious supplies of advanced interceptors.

By The Associated Press Iran on Thursday dismissed threats by President Donald Trump of economic pain and isolation for the country. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected the economic threats made against his country, saying that such “failed policies” will stir more hostility among Iranians and “bring more failures.” Araghchi’s comments came a few hours after Trump threatened “crushing economic measures” against Iran. The U.S. president promised “Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale,” but provided few details. In a social media post, Araghchi maintained that the threats aim to divert

Authorities: Driver in N.Y. capsizing in U.S. illegally By The Associated Press NEW YORK — The pilot of a speedboat that capsized during a tour around the Statue of Liberty, drowning an infant and her mother, has been arrested by U.S. immigration authorities who say he was in the country illegally.

Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, who has a pending federal criminal case in connection with the Aug. 8 crash, lied to a border ofﬁcer and falsely claimed he was a U.S. citizen when he entered the country in Texas in 2007, the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday.

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Hernandez-Umana, 46, a citizen of El Salvador, is being held at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, according to online records. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he will eventually be

election and the creation of an intelligence community assessment that documented the extent of the meddling. It was not immediately clear why investigators want to question FBI officials in connection with the Mar-aLago search, but the act has long infuriated Trump, who decried it as an invasion of privacy. In addition, congressional Republicans have long seized on accounts of tension between FBI officials and senior Justice Department leaders before the search to raise questions about whether there was an adequate justification for it, though the law enforcement dispute centered not on whether investigators had gathered sufﬁcient evidence for a search but rather on whether there was a less dramatic and intrusive way to recover the records.

deported. Immigration authorities arrested him after he was released on bail in his criminal case, where he is charged with causing the deaths of 5-month old Antonella Garcia and 27-year-old Sara Sanchez through misconduct or neglect.

the attention of the U.S. public from domestic financial problems, saying that U.S. “economic terrorism threatens the global economy and the national sovereignty of countries around the world.” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that Iran will face the “greatest coordinated economic isolation in the history of the world.” In a CNBC interview, Bessent threatened secondary sanctions on nations and companies that conduct business with Iran, saying it’s time for U.S. allies to make a decision on where they stand. China’s government and India are major buyers of Iranian oil, though Bessent didn’t call them out by name.

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8A ● Friday,August 21, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Feedback sought on SpaceX waivers

deadline is Aug. 31 for public comment on FAA proposal

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR

Staff writer

The Louisiana Legislature recently passed a package of bills easing regulations on Elon Musk’s SpaceX spaceport planned for Vermilion Parish, exempting the company from sales and property taxes, public records disclosure and liability for damages to nearby homes and businesses.

The Legislature has already acted on those exemptions, which mostly received unanimous support from state representatives and senators. But one opportunity remains for the public to weigh in at the federal level. Aug. 31 is the deadline for the public to comment on plans to waive requirements under 13 federal laws that protect the environment, endangered species, fish,

marine mammals, air and water. The waivers will make it easier and faster for SpaceX to obtain permits to build and operate a spaceport near Pecan Island. Gov. Jeff Landry is expected next week to announce in Abbeville that SpaceX will be building a multibillion-dollar spaceport in the area near the Gulf Coast. The proposed site is located between two wildlife refuges in an

area teeming with ﬁsh, ducks, deer, alligators and migratory birds. The proposed waivers do not require congressional approval. The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing streamlining its commercial space licensing process in consultation with the appropriate agency, which it is authorized to do “when the requirement is not necessary to protect the public health and safety (and)

safety of property,” the notice in the July 30 Federal Register states. Requirements under 13 federal laws are identiﬁed that “may not be necessary in some or all licensing circumstances to protect public health and safety, safety of property, national security or foreign policy interests,” the notice states. The regulations include the: n National Environmental Policy Act

ä See SPACEX, page 4B

Defamation case against The Advocate continues State Supreme Court justice is cross-examined

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL Staff writer

STAFF PHOTOS By BRAd BOWIE

Inmates receiving technical diplomas in welding through the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Re-Entry Program are recognized during a graduation ceremony at the Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex in Lafayette on Wednesday. Since 2017 the program has helped qualifying inmates receive the training with the option to continue classes at SoLAcc to work toward an associate degree after their release.

WELD IN HIGH ESTEEM

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jeff Hughes III took the stand for the second day Thursday in his defamation suit against The Advocate, answering questions by the newspaper’s attorneys about being disciplined by the commission that oversees judicial ethics. Hughes is seeking $10 million in damages over a 2019 edi- Hughes torial stemming from stories that focused on his alleged ethical lapse as a Livingston Parish district judge in a late 1990s child custody case. The hours of cross-examination followed Hughes’ earlier testimony about his upbringing as a Denham Springs multi-sport athlete, his time as a country lawyer and his rise through the judicial system to the state’s highest court. Under questioning by his attorneys, Hughes told jurors he was embarrassed by the stories and opinion pieces by The Advocate, which he claims were inaccurate, and even faced

ä See CASE, page 4B

Joshua Menard kisses his son, Kyron, 2, after receiving his technical diploma in welding.

Vincent June speaks to Inmates receiving their diplomas on Wednesday.

Mall of Louisiana shooting suspect indicted

Teen faces multiple charges in fatal incident

Burn bans issued as extreme heat continues Multiple southwestern parishes under caution

burn bans include Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis. St. Landry also had a burn ban in effect that has since been removed from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry’s official burn ban list. They are among 25 parishes across the state subBY JOEL THOMPSON Staff writer ject to bans amid the extreme weather conditions. A heat advisory has been isExtreme heat and rapid-onset drought conditions have led sued in Acadiana, where hot multiple parishes across south- conditions are expected with western Louisiana to issue strict highs in the mid-90s, feeling much hotter due to high humidburn bans. Acadiana parishes subject to ity. The advisory remained in

effect Thursday evening, with heat indices reaching up to 110. Acadiana has seen a brutal stretch of heat the past two weeks, and temperatures may peak over the weekend before gradually returning to more typical levels — though normal for this time of year is still very hot. High temperatures over the next few days are expected to come closer to 100 degrees than they have all summer. The heat index Friday and Saturday could reach levels that warrant an excessive heat warning, an

escalation from the heat advisories in place throughout the week. Moisture is expected to increase next week, leading to more opportunities for showers, which could result in lifted burn bans. The LDAF reminds people that standard open burning restrictions vary and can be subject to parish and city ordinances as well as special zoning requirements. An ofﬁcial list of active burn bans can be found on LDAF’s website.

BY BLAKE LESCHBER Staff writer

The man accused of opening fire at the Mall of Louisiana, killing a 17-year-old and injuring five others, was indicted on murder charges Wednesday. A Baton Rouge grand jury indicted Markel Lee, now 18, on one count of second-degree murder, six counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of illegal use of weapons. He is being held at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. These counts are in connection with the April 23 shooting at the Mall of Louisiana that killed 17-year-old Martha Odom of Youngsville and injured

ä See INDICTED, page 4B

2B ● Friday,August 21, 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

Big Oil’s grip on government is the real emergency brags about record U.S. oil proMy experiences growing up on the Gulf Coast are inextricably duction, while ruling out a ban on linked with the Gulf itself — oil exports. watching the sunset from How can we have an my granddad’s boat, the energy emergency and resmell of crab cooking in a cord oil and gas production pot, or driving home with at the same time? And if oil sandy feet in my mom’s and gas production in the minivan. That connection Gulf is so critical to our became harder to ignore Lindsay national security, why are as disasters like Katrina Reeves we exporting millions of and the BP oil spill upendbarrels every day to other GUEST countries? ed our neighbors’ lives and COLUMNIST The answer is simple. livelihoods. We depend on American oil executives, the Gulf. Its well-being is already rich beyond imagination, intertwined with ours. That’s why it’s maddening to see want more money and power. If protecting the nation were truly the Gulf at the center of another the goal, keeping more energy one of President Donald Trump’s at home and lowering costs for shameless lies. In one breath, the administration Americans would be the priority. Instead, the Trump administraclaims there’s a national security emergency. It’s supposedly so tion is using national security serious that federally authorized rhetoric to preserve the industry’s oil and gas activity in the Gulf preferred business model, which should be exempt from some of maximizes proﬁts by selling the Endangered Species Act’s American oil on the global market. most important protections, even Leaders in Congress need to if it means entire species will go take this threat to the Endangered extinct. Species Act seriously. The profIn the next, the administration its from disregarding one of the

country’s bedrock environmental laws will be short-lived. Extinction is forever. Scientists estimate there are now as few as 51 individual Rice’s whales, which are baleen whales that live year-round in the Gulf. Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, an endangered turtle only found along the Gulf and East Coast, are still imperiled. Though populations have rebounded, there are still only about 8,300 Florida manatees. The precarious state of the Gulf and our marine wildlife is the real emergency here, and the Trump administration’s push to ignore vital protections offered by the Endangered Species Act will leave a permanent scar. A major oil spill could be catastrophic for these iconic animals, and the odds only worsen as companies venture into deeper, more dangerous waters, with fewer regulations in place. The oil industry’s risks extend well beyond wildlife, jeopardizing important Gulf industries like ﬁshing and tourism. The shrimp and oyster industries were reeling after the Loui-

siana Offshore Oil Port spill in March, which dumped roughly 31,500 gallons of crude oil into the Gulf. One oyster harvester recently told reporters that his employees, who already live paycheck-to-paycheck, are struggling. Another oil spill will spell economic ruin for small businesses that rely on a healthy Gulf. Meanwhile, business is booming for the oil industry. Roughly 3.9 million barrels of oil were exported every day in January. That same month, oil production in the Gulf exceeded 2 million barrels per day, just the fourth time that’s ever happened. The administration reported that U.S. crude oil production hit an all-time high in 2025, and 2026 will no doubt be another productive year for the industry. The Dow Jones U.S. Oil and Gas Index hit a 10-year high in late March. All of this record production happened within the guardrails of the Endangered Species Act. Oil companies can break production records while protecting endangered species, because the

Endangered Species Act does not regulate their rates of production. But as oil companies have shown time and time again, their appetite for proﬁt is insatiable. The administration’s priorities are also crystal clear. With some marine animals on the brink of extinction and communities along the Gulf threatened with economic disaster, Trump is rolling out the red carpet for an industry that is already experiencing record highs. Congress should intervene. Voters are already upset with the state of the world. Oil-covered beaches, economic devastation and extinct whales and sea turtles won’t be winning arguments come midterms. Lawmakers need to recognize that Trump’s pandering to Big Oil won’t make Americans safer, won’t make the country more secure and won’t bring down gas prices at the pump. Lindsay Reeves is a New Orleans-based attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity’s endangered species program.

Getting to space from Pecan Island will require a boat Louisiana made headlines this month world; today, Corps districts lease an agreaching for the stars: SpaceX is poised ing fleet from a handful of contractors to to take control of 136,000 acres of coastal maintain 25,000 miles of waterways. marshland in Vermilion Parish to build This strategic infrastructure sits on a a proposed spaceport that would bring a coast rapidly sinking into the Gulf. Since new chapter in American space history the 1930s, Louisiana has lost over 2,000 to a coast that has always been the square miles of land. physical foundation of that ambiThe state’s plan to restore that coast relies on the same ragtag tion. fleet, retrieving sand from the Seizing this opportunity requires Gulf’s underwater shoals to resomething that won’t appear at any ribbon-cutting ceremony: navibuild evaporating barrier islands and pipeline-pummeled wetlands. gable waterways and an armored Megan The proposed SpaceX site at coast, both reliant on a sovereign Milliken Pecan Island sits on a cheniere, dredge fleet we no longer have. Biven a narrow ridge of ancient beach Consider the rocket. rising 3 to 5 feet above the Every American who watched GUEST Neil Armstrong step onto the moon COLUMNIST marsh, facing sea level rise of 1.5 feet to nearly 2 feet by 2050, in a in 1969 was watching hardware zone that loses a football field of that left Louisiana on a barge: The land every 100 minutes. Saturn V first stage, built at NASA’s MiSpaceX wants to launch from Louisiana choud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East, moved through the Gulf Intracoast- because the geography is right: The Gulf gives the rockets their trajectory, the waal Waterway to Stennis Space Center for engine testing, then towed out into the terway gives them their supply chain and Gulf, around Florida, and up to Kennedy the marsh gives them their buffer zone. Space Center for final assembly. That model doesn’t account for the bufThe core stage of the Space Launch fer that is disappearing, the waterways System, which will carry American asthat need consistent dredging and land that is sinking. tronauts back to the moon, is also being Critics, including some of Louisiana’s built at Michoud, where it will be loaded most respected environmental voices, onto the Pegasus barge and transported rightly note that this land was won on the same route. through 20 years of coastal restoration The core stage is massive. There is no litigation meant to repair what ExxonMoother way to move it, no truck that can carry it, no aircraft that can transport it bil’s operations damaged, not to hand a and no alternative to the barge, the wanew industrial tenant the keys. That argument deserves to be heard. terway and Louisiana’s coast. SpaceX’s Louisiana site works because The real question isn’t whether Pecan Isof those same underlying federal waterland’s wetlands, home to 30 bird species and some of Louisiana’s last undeveloped ways. coastal marsh, have ecological value. SpaceX’s Marmac 3 barge will carry They do. SpaceX’s Starship hardware from Boca It’s whether restoration and responChica, Texas to the proposed Pecan Island launch site via federal navigation sible development can coexist on a site channels. already degraded, industrial and sinking. The United States government owns Louisiana has never had the luxury of exactly four operable dredge vessels choosing between economic survival and capable of maintaining these channels. coastal survival; it has always had to purAll four average more than 40 years of sue both at once. service age, and most sit tied to a dock in The path to space is by boat, through Ready Reserve status rather than doing waterways that require maintenance, maintenance work. across a coast that requires restoration, Waterways are engineered infraon ground that require protection. If the federal government commits structure. Left alone, rivers silt up and to the sovereign dredge fleet and the become impassable. A barge carrying a coastal restoration cost-share this coast heavy load, like a rocket, needs a deep requires, the launch complex and the enough draft or it runs aground. marsh can coexist. If it does not, neither America’s navigable waterways are will survive. a geographical endowment unmatched anywhere on the planet. But that endowMegan Biven is the founder of True ment requires maintenance. Transition, which advocates for energy We once built the largest, most adworkers. vanced sovereign dredge fleet in the

STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

America and La. must fix youth sports systems I enjoy watching sports year-round, Great athletes are usually the byprodbut there’s something magical about the uct of a great system, but a great system World Cup. It combines athleticism, con- should not be designed primarily to protroversy, economics, geography, hope, duce professional athletes. Its primary politics and so much more. goals should be participation, retention, Once the U.S. Men’s National Team lost physical health and the lifelong skills to Belgium, I started receiving countless sports can teach us: communication, emails, text messages and articles from confidence, resilience and teamwork, to former teammates, current coaches and name a few. families with kids who play soccer. Most If organizations want to reach these of us agree on one thing: The youth socoutcomes, they need low barriers to accer system is broken. Here are my bigcess and great coaches. They should obgest reflections post-World Cup. serve practices and games to see if kids The problems in our youth system are having fun and showing improvearen’t unique to soccer. More kids ment rather than determine their should play all sports, but the success by who gets drafted and systems we’ve built in the United how many trophies they won. States often produce the opposite Money matters and how orgaresult. Boys participate at higher nizations spend it matters even rates than girls. Children from more. Someone must invest in a wealthier families have far more Lowrey better system. Philanthropists opportunities than their peers. should support scalable solutions Crews Fewer than one in four young rather than isolated programs. GUEST people get enough daily physical COLUMNIST Travel organizations should find activity and most children quit ways to reduce family costs organized sports before high because paying more doesn’t school. We could improve youth soccer, guarantee better outcomes. Schools but we’d serve far more kids by fixing should bring back intramural sports and the broader youth sports ecosystem. can work with nonprofit organizations to We’re all responsible for this brodeliver these programs. Recreation deken youth system. Travel teams have partments should ensure that resources become prohibitively expensive and support programming, not just facilities most promise more than they deliver. and administrative overhead. Nonprofit programs usually start off The youth sports system we’ve created strong due to good intentions and startup is a problem. It’s solvable too. If we want funding, but they struggle to sustain a better system, all of the youth program themselves without raising prices on providers need to collaborate. families. Public recreation departments Collective responsibility leads to coloften operate on autopilot, receiving lective impact. Youth sports need great similar funding each year regardless of leaders to generate political will, inspire outcomes. School athletic departments philanthropic resources and ensure rarely use data to maximize participayouth program leaders operate without egos or ulterior motives. If we get this tion opportunities. The resulting youth right, we’ll produce not only better athsports system resembles a pyramid: wide participation at ages 4 and 5, folletes but also a healthier community. lowed by steep attrition every year after. By the time students reach high school, Lowrey Crews is the founder and CEO only a small fraction of the student body of The 18th Ward, a sports-oriented still participates in sports. nonprofit.

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The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday,August 21, 2026 ● 3B

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COMMENTARY

ASSOCIATEd PRESS FILE PHOTO

A sign announces a restaurant is hiring workers in Richardson, Texas.

ISSUE OF THE WEEK THE ECONOMy Affordability has become a major talking point on the campaign trail as mid-term elections approach. But so too is the larger issue of how our economy is structured. Some say that American capitalism is overwhelmingly benefiting those at the top of the income scale, while leaving the rest struggling. Candidates who use the democratic socialist label are making the case that our economic system needs reform. But is that message resonating? Here are two perspectives.

Don’t malign the economy News flash of note: We when compared to others live in a mixed economy

The United States of America may be figure showing the United States with the greatest place for functionally illiter- the highest child poverty rate among a ate people to live in all of human history. group of developed countries, at 21.1%. “We must end the outrage,” he thunAn eye-popping column in the Financial Times the other day noted how dered, “that in the richest country in the people in the U.S. with very low literacy history of the world, more than 1 in 5 make about as much per hour as children live in poverty.” the average worker in the U.K. The problem with the number Is this the result of brilliant is that it comes from the OECD public policy, carefully crafted and measures income relative to to boost the prospects of those a country’s median rather than on the margins? No, it’s a byabsolute poverty. In other words, the statistic tells us where people product of the vast, endlessly Rich stand compared to others in their dynamic wealth-generating Lowry own country, not about material machine that is the American deprivation as such. As critics of economy. The Financial Times also compared co- the Sanders post have pointed out, if evhorts of low-literacy workers in the U.S. eryone in the United States — including and the U.K.: “The same proportion of the poor — instantly earned twice what U.S. workers who score stunningly low they make now, the OECD figure would on literacy earn an average of almost $30 find the same amount of “poverty”; the per hour, and two-thirds of them are in threshold for being poor would simply work. Their British counterparts make rise together with the median income. the equivalent of $20 and fewer than half What the OECD figure is really about is are employed.” inequality, an obsession of Sanders and It continued, “Factory workers in the his ilk, but not a good indicator of ecoU.S. earn 60% more than in the U.K. nomic performance. after adjusting for differences in livIn the United States, wealthy people are very wealthy, but Americans across ing costs. Plumbers and electricians much of the income distribution are also earn 90% more, and retail workers earn richer than their counterparts in Westdouble.” While the U.K. isn’t what it used to be, ern countries. it’s still a major G7 economy — yet it has With our wealth comes incredibly been significantly outpaced by its former high living standards compared to the colony across the Atlantic. rest of the developed world. If the U.K. Our political debate is characterized or France were made states in the U.S., by a mismatch between the extraordithey’d rank near or below West Virginia and Mississippi in terms of nominal GDP nary, world-beating economic achieveper capita. And we’ve been increasing ment of the United States on the one the economic gap with peer countries hand and the determination of the left — Canada, the U.K. and the EU — over — and some elements of the right — to throw out our economic system as a rank roughly the last 15 years. So, by all means, make particular failure on the other. critiques of our system and suggest This is not to deny real economic disimprovements. All such discussions, contents — especially around high costs though, should begin with recognition of for housing, education and healthcare what we’ve built and a commitment to — but perhaps no economic system has preserving it, rather than the DSA apbeen so vilified while so consistently delivering. proach of hoping to guillotine as a class The case for revolutionary change reenemy the goose that keeps laying the lies on dishonesty and misleading claims. golden egg. Enter Bernie Sanders, the patron saint Rich Lowry is on X, @RichLowry. of the DSA, who recently posted on X a

Democratic Senate nominee Abdul Elof private business, private property and Sayed of Michigan keeps calling himself a private profit.” capitalist. And the Democratic Socialists of Roosevelt’s new government programs America keep backing him to the eyeballs. were intended to save the capitalistWhy? Because the DSA understands that market system from collapsing, not, to use El-Sayed has to say that to win over even Mamdani’s words, “replace the frigidity of Democrats in a moderate state like Michirugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” Where are the heroic peasgan. They firmly expect that once elected, he would do as they say, which hapants of the Soviet agitprop films waving banners? pily conforms with what he truly Socialist Bernie Sanders heralds believes. Sweden as the socialist model, citing Confusing? Yes, on purpose. But its free health care, free college and let’s move beyond this war of laso forth. He also says, “I don’t think bels. Let’s stop using socialist and billionaires should exist.” capitalist as either compliments or Froma Sanders may not be up to date denunciations. Harrop on Sweden’s economy. It is highly The United States has a mixed capitalist with more billionaires per economy, as do most modern capita than the United States. The social countries. It has an economic system in which both the government and the private programs he admires are supported by taxes. sector control resources. The American Sweden, meanwhile, has been tightening government runs public education, Medithe rules for receiving government benecare and the U.S. Postal Service, to name a few programs. They are all taxpayerfits. For example, it’s been cutting benefits supported. to those not working. It has also adopted Why does a stamp on a letter going from a hyper-restrictive immigration policy. In a remote farmhouse in North Dakota to addition to the shock of a massive influx Chicago cost the same as a stamp on a letof people from very different cultures, ter sent from one Chicago apartment to an- Swedes rebelled at the impoverished newother three blocks away? In a purely capicomers’ claims on its social programs. The number of migrants entering Swetalist system, the stamp’s price would have reflected the difference in cost of delivery. den was down to 12,000 last year from The North Dakotan would have had to pay 117,000 in 2016. And the country is trying for this service, a lot more. But U.S. law to get people already there with residency mandates “universal service,” which keeps permits to leave. the cost of a stamp fixed. Thus, dense cities What do the “abolish-ICE” Democratic subsidize mail delivery in rural areas. Socialists think of that? Private companies, such as UPS and FeAs conservative economist Milton FrieddEx, charge vastly higher prices for deliv- man famously put it, “It’s just obvious you can’t have free immigration and a welfare ery to remote places. Note that President state.” Donald Trump has supported selling off Here’s how it works: Our capitalistthe USPS to a private company. market system generates a huge amount of Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed through wealth that can be taxed to pay for social the Social Security Act of 1935 as part of and other programs. A balance must be his New Deal program. America was in the jaws of the Great Depression, and FDR found between encouraging wealth creused the power of the federal government ation and crafting a tax code able to raise to create jobs, stabilize the financial sysmoney for desired public needs. That’s a lot harder than throwing around dated tem and keep the destitute elderly alive. labels. New York’s Democratic Socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, says he’s another FDR. But FDR said, “No one in the United States Froma Harrop is on X, @FromaHarrop. Email her at fharrop@gmail.com. believes more firmly than I in the system

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE ARE OUR GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the

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4B ● Friday,August 21, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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New Orleans flood agency hires new police chief Amid praise, Joseph Picone sworn in

BY ALEX LUBBEN

Staff writer

New Orleans’ regional flood protection authority has hired a new police chief after ﬁring his predecessor, Joshua Rondeno, whose selfdrafted employment contract added to upheaval at the agency over changes pursued by Gov. Jeff Landry’s administration. Joseph Picone, a law enforcement veteran with close ties to Landry, will now lead the two police forces at the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, the agency tasked with overseeing the system of levees and pumps built to prevent a repeat of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation. His arrival follows more than a year of turmoil under Rondeno, who sought to increase the agency’s spending on its 50-ofﬁcer force and wrote a version of his own employment contract that would have granted him up to $910,000 in severance pay. Picone was sworn in Thursday by former New Orleans District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro, who praised Picone and called him a “cop’s cop.” “You’re going to be ex-

SPACEX

Continued from page 1B n Department of Transportation Act n Endangered Species Act n Clean Water Act n Coastal Zone Management Act n Clean Air Act n National Historic Pres-

INDICTED

Continued from page 1B five others. Lee was arrested on April 24 and booked on a count of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of illegal use of a weapon. District Attorney Hillar Moore said the charges changed because, by law, the shooting constitutes a second-degree murder charge. According to Louisiana statutes, first-degree murder charges are specifically levied when someone kills a human being with intent while committing another felony, such as aggravated rape or robbery. Second-degree murder charges can also be for intentional killings, but are less specific in terms of the victims. At 1:22 p.m. on April 23, gunfire rang out at the mall due to an argument between two groups of people in the food court that escalated to violence. Detectives in Lee’s investigation said in the arrest warrant that they observed “two groups of young Black male subjects approach each other in the food court.” As the groups crossed paths, other people in the area began running away, appearing to flee from gunshots being fired. Witnesses and family members were able to confirm that Lee was seen on camera, pointing a semi-

tremely proud of what he does,” Cannizzaro said. “He’s going to stand behind the guys that work for him on the streets.” Picone most recently served as an assistant commissioner and chief of enforcement for the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Before that, he worked for the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, under now-governor Landry, where he oversaw criminal investigations statewide. Shane Guidry, Landry’s unofficial adviser in New Orleans who has been overseeing changes at the levee authority though he holds no official position in government, also worked for Landry when he was attorney general. “Joe’s career reflects the kind of integrity, experience and commitment to public service we value at the Flood Protection Authority-East,” said Pete Vicari, the agency’s board president. “We are confident he will bring strong, steady leadership to our police department and further strengthen the work of an already dedicated team.” The flood agency’s police are tasked with protecting the region’s flood control infrastructure and providing community policing services to a handful of neighborhoods in the lakefront area of New Orleans, along the

shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain. Picone’s role includes overseeing both the Orleans Levee District Police Department and the East Jefferson Levee District Police Department. Moments before Picone’s swearing-in, the board voted 6-1 with one abstention to make Rondeno’s termination from the agency ofﬁcial. Rondeno came under scrutiny in May from state lawmakers after he drafted a version of his own employment contract that would have granted him four years’ worth of severance pay. The Louisiana legislative auditor has found that any severance pay for public employees in Louisiana is unconstitutional. In June, Rondeno was placed on leave while the authority investigated allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to a female police officer who worked under him at the agency, a source close to the investigation said. Rondeno’s attorney has said that Rondeno “responded to an Instagram post with a ﬁre emoji,” and insisted that he has not been accused of sexual harassment. Rondeno was terminated on June 28. A month later, he sued the agency, alleging that his termination violated his employment contract and asking for his job back, as well as compensation.

ervation Act n Marine Mammal Protection Act n Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act n Wild and Scenic Rivers Act n Noise Control Act of 1972 n Rivers and Harbors Act n National Marine Sanctuaries Act.

The public can submit comments through Aug. 31 on the FAA’s proposal through the federal regulations website. The notice in the Federal Register with details is available at https://www.regulations. gov/document/FAA-20268614-0001.

automatic pistol toward the food court. In July, BRPD Chief T.J. Morse said they are not planning on arresting anyone else in connection with the shooting, calling Lee a “lone shooter.” Police recovered one gun from the scene, despite

Unofficial notification, keep your tickets.

two groups being involved. Originally, investigators believed there was more than one shooter, but ballistics tests and further investigation showed that Lee was the only shooter. Lee is held without bail. He is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on Tuesday.

Continued from page 1B questions by his mother. “She’s asking me, like why are they doing this? When are they gonna stop? What’s this all about?” Hughes testiﬁed Wednesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, under cross-examination by The Advocate’s attorneys, he faced questions about past discipline taken against him as a judge and his use of campaign dollars to fund his pursuit of defamation lawsuits against his critics. Eighteenth Judicial District Judge Kevin Kimball has limited the case to a single editorial published on June 25, 2019. The judge has allowed into evidence several other stories and columns to allow Hughes to try to prove the paper refused his demands to correct the alleged error. The articles focused on Hughes’ handling of a custody case while he was a Livingston Parish district judge that included an attorney with whom he became romantically involved. While Hughes testiﬁed he has several problems with the editorial’s factual claims and the framing of the news account, much of the case centers on whether he was ruling on the custody case of a child while dating the boy’s mother’s onetime attorney, Berkley Durbin. At the time, in 1998 and 1999, the then-5-year-old’s grandmother, Brenda Nicholson, was fighting unsuccessfully to keep the boy’s mother from getting custody. The case triggered an FBI probe and an investigation by the disciplinary arm for the judges, the Judiciary Commission. On the stand, Hughes denied having ruled on any of Durbin’s cases while they were dating, which he says started after she left the Nicholson case in August 1998. The Advocate’s attorneys questioned that assertion, citing court minutes show-

ing Hughes presided over a case where Durbin was reported present on July 6, 1999 — a time when Hughes acknowledges he was dating her. Though a separate document outlining the judgment shows a different lawyer signed the order, Hughes acknowledged sometimes one attorney may attend a hearing on a matter but another signs the order. Also under cross-examination, Hughes testified Wednesday that three apology letters he wrote in 2004 to former child custody litigants in two cases in his courtroom were issued to resolve an unspecified “other investigation” into his conduct that had been running in parallel with the FBI probe into the same cases. In the letters, Hughes apologized for the harm his actions — which weren’t described in detail — may have caused. At least one of the cases had triggered a probe by the Judiciary Commission. “I offered to write this letter,” Hughes said about one of them, and the agency accepted his proposal. Hughes said the FBI probe was dropped in 2004 after the five-year window for such an inquiry expired. He testified the FBI found no wrongdoing, but kept looking, even checking to whom he may have sent flowers from a florist shop. Under questioning by attorneys for The Advocate, Hughes acknowledged spending campaign dollars to fund a defamation lawsuit he brought against Lana Venable, who was with a group that advocates against abuse of the legal system, and to pay court costs for his case against The Advocate. Suzy Montero, one of The Advocate’s attorneys, said in court that state law and other rules bar using campaign dollars for personal expenses. But the judge said he had gotten a legal opinion from an ethics attorney that he could use campaign dollars because the cases arose out of his public office.

N O R T H A M ER I CA’S

Brought months after his June 2020 lawsuit against The Advocate, Hughes’ case against Venable accused of her of defamation for a letter to the editor she wrote that was published in the newspaper. In it, she argued the ethics case involving Hughes underscored the need for greater transparency in judicial discipline. On cross-examination, Montero asked Hughes if he had received advance knowledge in 2021 of a state Supreme Court ruling letting stand an early decision from Kimball favorable to the justice’s lawsuit against The Advocate. Montero suggested Hughes used that information to call Venable’s attorney to say that The Advocate had lost and it was time for Venable to pay. Hughes disputed Montero’s suggestion it was a shakedown, saying he simply made a settlement offer of $25,000. Venable’s attorney is expected to testify later in the trial. Montero also asked Hughes why he told The Advocate reporter Andrea Gallo in a 2019 meeting with reporters and editors that he wasn’t aware of any other apology letters besides the one he sent to Nicholson. Hughes testiﬁed he hadn’t remembered at the time that he had written the two other letters, which were dated the same day he sent the one to Nicholson. Hughes’ attorneys have called a handful of witnesses to the stand to testify to the justice’s good character and how The Advocate’s reporting affected his reputation. Former Livingston Parish schools Superintendent Warren Curtis, who has known Hughes since childhood, on Thursday recalled people talking about the articles. Curtis — who grew up raising cattle — recounted a warning his father passed on to him upon college graduation: Be sure of your facts before you brand the cow because the mark remains.

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Unemployed to get $600 more per week from stimulus package BY SAM KARLIN

COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS: THE LATEST

CASES IN LA.

652 deaths

17,030 positive cases INSIDE ä Mnuchin:

direct deposits to start next week, 2A

ä New data

provides clearer picture of early

Staff writer

Louisiana is set to start doling out supercharged unemployment benefits of $600 more a week on Monday, providing the first wave of relief to a staggering number of residents seeking aid as the coronavirus rocks the state’s economy. But as benefits begin flowing and officials project no part of Louisiana is on track to run out of hospital beds or ventilators in the coming 10 days, Gov. John Bel Edwards warned Wednesday it will be a long time before things return to normal. Until there is a vaccine and medication that can treat the virus — prospects that are months or longer away — Edwards said people will likely not see “life as you knew it before COVID-19.” Although at some point restrictions will be loosened, it remains unclear exactly what that will look like, Edwards said. The state will rely heavily on the federal government and will need far more testing, along with contact tracing and isolation of patients who later test positive, he said. “I promise you no matter what the timeline looks like, it’s going to be quicker if everyone follows the stay-at-home order,” the governor said. In the meantime, as the order is set to keep thousands of businesses closed until at least A il 30 th L i i W kf C i

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democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a March campaign rally in detroit.

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Sanders drops out leaving former Vice President Biden

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OFFICIAL NEWS PARTNER OF THE LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS

SPORTS

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

Amedee to claim fifth year of eligibility Slugger taking a chance at playing with Cajuns again

F r i d ay, au g u s t 21, 2026

1CN

P R E S E A S O N • S A I N T S A T R A M S • 3 P. M . S A T U R d A y • K A T C

Saints must improve in these speciﬁc areas to break out this season

Fine-tuning

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

It appears Lee Amedee’s collegiate career with the UL Ragin’ Cajuns isn’t over after all. After not getting selected in the Major League Draft on July 11-12, Amedee signed an independent league contract with the New York Boulders of the Frontier League in an effort to keep his baseball career alive. But after the June 23 NCAA ruling that college student-athletes now get five years of eligibility after signing, those studentAmedee athletes who just finished their eligibility after the 2025-26 season began balking. The NCAA said those 2022 signees were not eligible to gain that fifth year. So while playing independent ball, Amedee began listening and wondering if he could join that parade. On Thursday, he announced he plans to return for a fifth season with the Cajuns’ baseball team. “As of right now, I’m eligible,” said Amedee, who said he might be ineligible

ä See CAJUNS, page 4C

Jordyn Tyson’s leg injury is a major blow to the New Orleans Saints. His big-play ability was one of the main reasons the Saints selected him with the No. 8 overall selection in the NFL draft. He was widely viewed as one of the most explosive playmakers available after averaging more than 14 yards a catch and had 22 touchdowns in his college career. The Saints have no one on the roster with his blend of size, speed, athleticism and skill set. As a result, the offense will be decidedly less explosive without him. And that’s foreboding, because the Saints ranked last in the NFL with 56 explosive plays last season. It’s difﬁcult to overstate how poor the Saints were in this area. Their 5.21% explosive play rate was the worst in the league, meaning they generated big plays

on only about 1 in every 20 offensive snaps — half the rate of the top teams (around 10%). Explosive plays, deﬁned as passes of 20-plus yards and runs of 12-plus yards, are a leading indicator of NFL success. Of the eight teams that produced the most explosive plays a year ago, seven had winning records, and six went to the playoffs. The leaders — the Bills (112), Rams (110), Patriots (110) and Bears (108) — advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the ﬁve teams with the fewest explosive plays — the Saints, Browns, Titans, Raiders and Jets — had a combined record of 20-65. The Saints addressed their anemic attack this offseason, signing free-agent running back Travis Etienne

Jeff Duncan

STAFF PHOTO By BRAd KEMP

UL running back darrell Smith works out during a recent practice session for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

UL freshman RB Smith ready to show off his skills BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

If redshirt freshman running back Darrell Smith has a breakout season this fall for UL’s offense, it shouldn’t shock anyone. If you listen to some of what’s been said about the 5-foot-8, 200-pound back from Picayune, Mississippi, since he arrived last year, many are expecting it. “He’s as mature as they come,” UL coach Michael Desormeaux said. “I mean, he handles his business. He has since the day he got here.” Redshirt senior defensive lineman Fitzgerald West, who transferred from LSU, called Smith “the most advanced freshman back” he’s seen. Offensive coach Steve Farmer calls Smith “special.” As for Smith himself, when asked how August camp has gone, he didn’t seem to be very overwhelmed. “I mean, it hasn’t been too complicated,” he said. “The work is the work.”

ä See UL, page 4C

ä See DUNCAN, page 4C

Saints wide receiver Barion Brown carries the ball against Jacksonville Jaguars safety Jalen Huskey in the first half of a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday at the Caesars Superdome. AP PHOTO By GERALd HERBERT

PRICEY BRAWL: Saints, Cowboys hit with hefty fines following Tuesday’s fights, Page 4C

LSU freshmen D-linemen set for big roles

Deuce Geralds — who can buck that Brown, Anderson and Geralds and conventional wisdom when the 2026 season leaving their mark on Tigers’ kicks off on Sept. 5 against Clemson. a former U-High star, is one of defensive line ahead of opener theBrown, most highly rated recruits the Tigers

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

At one point during LSU’s preseason practices, Lane Kiffin asked Ed Orgeron a question that had popped into his head. Had either of them coached a trio of freshmen defensive linemen quite like the one the Tigers have now? Kiffin and Orgeron thought back about 25 years, rolling through the groups of players they recruited and coached in stops at schools such as Southern Cal, Tennessee, Ole Miss or LSU, and came to a somewhat firm conclusion. “Neither of us has had that,” Kiffin said. Which, if true, is a fairly significant preSTAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON season storyline. Defensive linemen, in LSU defensive tackle deuce Geralds particular the ones who line up on the intewalks to a huddle on Aug. 8 at fall rior, usually don’t play significant roles as camp. Geralds is one of three freshmen freshmen. But it looks like LSU has three of that could make an impact this season. them — Lamar Brown, Richard Anderson

have ever signed. He lines up on the edge. Anderson and Gerald are interior guys who were high-profile recruits in their own right. Anderson was a top-20 national recruit when he graduated from Edna Karr, per 247Sports composite rankings, and Geralds wasn’t far behind him. The Sewanee, Georgia, native was a fringe top50 prospect. Together they make LSU’s defensive linemen one of the most intriguing position groups on the roster. There are veterans with experience at a power-conference level. There are also several young players who look like they can contribute right away — and give the Tigers a future they can look forward to at those key positions. “It’s really exciting,” Kifﬁn said. “All of them have a chance to play. Those three speciﬁcally are playing a lot, and it’s really

ä See LSU, page 4C

2C ● Friday, August 21, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Sankey opposes Luis’ return SEC commissioner trying to block LSU commitment from playing in NCAA again

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Mondo Duplantis called his victory Thursday in a vibrant lakeside Diamond League event “the greatest pole vaulting competition ever.” The Olympic and world champion, a former Lafayette High School and LSU star, then took two attempts at a world record of 6.32 meters (20 feet, 83/4 inches) and just failed to delight a noisy crowd at a pop-up venue near the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Duplantis had cleared the bar at 6.21 meters (20-41/2) — with ﬁrsttime clearances at each of six different heights — for his best result since March, the month that he raised his own world record to 6.31 (20-81/4) at an indoor meet in his native Sweden.

BY TOYLOY BROWN III

ASSOCIATEd PRESS FILE PHOTO By FRANK FRANKLIN II

St. John’s forward RJ Luis drives to the basket during a game against Creighton in the Big East Conference tournament championship on March 15, 2025, in New york. Luis, who was signed to an NBA contract, is trying to regain his eligibility and play for LSU. tain the NCAA’s rules to stop athletes from returning, stating it is “essential to the integrity of college sports.” Luis, who committed to play for LSU coach Will Wade on May 19, needed to file a lawsuit against the NCAA to gain eligibility for the upcoming season. After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft and signing an NBA contract, he wants to return to college basketball. The NCAA wants players who’ve signed NBA contracts to be ineligible. “The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract (including a two-way contract),” NCAA president Charlie Baker

said in a statement in December. Luis, a 6-foot-7 wing, entered the draft after playing three years of college basketball. After going undrafted, he signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz. The 23-year-old was then traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Georges Niang and two future second-round picks. He was waived on Oct. 15 and signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics’ NBA G League afﬁliate, the Maine Celtics. An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, minimum salary agreement that isn’t guaranteed. Luis didn’t appear in any G League games as the Maine Celtics waived him because of an injury. He also never played in the

NBA Summer League because of a knee issue. Luis did appear in three NBA preseason games for the Boston Celtics, playing seven minutes and scoring six points overall. Luis averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game at St. John’s during the 2024-25 season, winning Big East Player of the Year and being named a second-team AP All-American. He left college after his junior year while his name was in the transfer portal. He spent his freshman year at Massachusetts in the Atlantic 10 before playing for coach Rick Pitino at St. John’s for two years. Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com

SEC trying to regain championship dominance QBs bring star power

BY MARK LONG AP sportswriter

Blame Alabama and Georgia. Point ﬁngers at Auburn, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, too. The Southeastern Conference, once the most dominant league in the land, lost its stranglehold on college football over the past three years. The organization that boasts a combined 19 national championships since 1990 hasn’t even made the title game since Georgia won it all in back-to-back years to close out the 2021-22 seasons. It’s a drought the league desperately would like to end this season. But the path back to the top could be harder with the addition of a ninth conference game. Sure, it provides teams with an extra chance to prove they belong in the 12-team College Football Playoff. It’s also another potential loss on postseason résumés. “It creates, without question, the most demanding sets of football schedules in all of college football,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said last month. “No one has created the kind of weekly competition that exists in the Southeastern Conference. It’s competition that our fans will experience every week because we believe we’re the best conference in college football.” The last three CFPs would say otherwise, especially when recalling no-shows by Alabama last year (against Indiana) and Tennessee (against Ohio State) the year before. The Big Ten has won three straight national titles. The SEC is a combined 5-8 in the past three playoffs, with two of those victories coming against

Southeastern Conference communications head Herb Vincent will retire after the 2026 football season, according to a news release. Vincent, an LSU alum, rose up the ranks at his alma mater during a 43-year career, becoming the university’s top spokesperson from 2002-13. He became the SEC’s associate commissioner for communications in 2013 and has been there ever since. The native of North Little Rock, Arkansas, earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from LSU in 1983. Vincent has been inducted into the LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction, the LSU Manship School of Mass Communications Hall of Fame, the College Sports Communicators Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Duplantis relishes win, just misses world record

Staff writer

Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey is not in favor of LSU’s attempt to give basketball player RJ Luis an extra year of eligibility, according to an afﬁdavit from Sankey obtained by The Advocate. Sankey said that allowing athletes like Luis, who’ve signed professional contracts, back into the NCAA would “fuel disruption” in college Sankey athletics, according to an afﬁdavit in response to Luis’ lawsuit. “These rules are grounded in the principle that athletics are an integral part of the academic experience,” Sankey wrote. “The rules align the time permitted for college athletics with the pursuit of an undergraduate education and further the important purpose of preserving opportunities for future student-athletes to participate in college sports.” Sankey also argued that granting players like Luis a preliminary injunction would set a precedent that doesn’t help high school students trying to join a college team and current teams who’ve been following the rules. Luis has a preliminary injunction hearing set for Monday as he attempts to gain eligibility for the season. The former St. John’s star will sit in front of Judge Ronald Johnson at 1:30 p.m. in an East Baton Rouge court. Sankey asked Johnson to main-

Vincent, a longtime LSU, SEC spokesman, to retire

ASSOCIATEd PRESS FILE PHOTO By MIKE STEWART

Georgia linebacker Zayden Walker drags down Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson during the Southeastern Conference championship game on dec. 6 in Atlanta. The SEC has gone three straight years without winning a national championship or even having a team in the national title game. other league opponents. SEC coaches were initially divided on a nine-game league slate but eventually agreed under the guise that the CFP would expand to 16 or 24 teams. It stayed at 12, and now league coaches are stuck with more daunting schedules and the same access to the lucrative postseason tournament. “Like anything in this world, if you want to be really good at something, you’ve got to take risk,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “There’s calculated risks involved in life that you have to take. … Is the juice worth the squeeze or not?” The league will have a better idea in four months. Ultimately, though, SEC’s success will be decided in the CFP. After all, the league went 54-8 against nonconference opponents in the regular season last year —

including winning records against the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big 12 and the Big Ten — but ended up again watching the title game from afar. Simply put, the SEC has been good but not great in recent years. Is the league lagging behind? Not even close. But the transfer portal and the ability to compensate players through revenue sharing as well as name, image and likeness deals have clearly minimized advantages the league enjoyed for decades. “I think it’s great for the sport,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “I think having everybody competitive, more guys can be invited to the party and get to the party, mainly through the portal in a lot of ways. … It’s not a one-team dominant program. It’s really everybody.”

The SEC has plenty of star power, which provides hope of ending the Big Ten’s reign. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Texas quarterback Arch Manning and South Carolina stars LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart are just a few of the guys who could make a difference. Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy, Texas receivers Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, Georgia defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson, and Auburn linebacker Xavier Atkins also are ones to watch.

New coaches on sidelines The league has six new coaches in 2026, the largest turnover in league history. Arkansas (Ryan Silverﬁeld), Auburn (Alex Golesh), Florida (Jon Sumrall), Kentucky (Will Stein), LSU (Lane Kiffin) and Ole Miss ( Pete Golding) have new guys in charge. None of the changes caused as much of a stir as Kifﬁn’s move from Ole Miss to LSU. But all of them should provide compelling storylines.

SEC favorites This is the first season since 2015 that no SEC team received a ﬁrst-place vote in the AP Top 25 preseason poll. It’s an indication of how much parity there is in the league. Nonetheless, Georgia (plus-280) and Texas (plus-300) are the betting favorites to win the SEC. Alabama (plus-850) and LSU (plus-850) are next, followed by Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Ole Miss at plus-1000. Looking for a dark horse? Try Tennessee at plus-1800.

Alcaraz set to return from wrist injury at U.S. Open

NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz is ready to return from injury to defend his U.S. Open title. “Here we go,” Alcaraz posted on his social media pages Thursday, with one picture showing him in front of the U.S. Open logo. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined since April because of a right wrist injury, forcing him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz won his second U.S. Open title last year, beating Jannik Sinner in the ﬁnal. He then won the Australian Open and his next tournament, part of his 22-3 start to this season. But after winning his ﬁrst match in the Barcelona Open, Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament because of the injury. He is still ranked No. 2 despite his absence.

KC city council approves $600M for Royals stadium

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals’ quest to move to a new downtown ballpark cleared a major hurdle on Wednesday when the Kansas City city council approved a $600 million commitment to help make it happen. The club announced in April that it planned to partner with Hallmark Cards on a $3 billion project to create a mixed-use development, with the new stadium as the centerpiece. The Royals have pledged to pay for $760 million of the estimated costs. The club and the city will also try to secure an additional $540 million from the state government. The goal is to break ground on the $1.9 billion stadium sometime in 2027.

Utah sues Whittingham after he bolted to Mich.

SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah is suing former assistant coach Freddie Whittingham for breach of contract after he left to join his brother Kyle’s staff at Michigan. The lawsuit ﬁled in Utah’s Third District Court is seeking more than $300,000 for breach of contract and at least $1 million for general and special damages. The lawsuit contends Whittingham abandoned his role as Utah’s tight ends coach to take the same job at Michigan despite being under contract through January 2027. It alleges Whittingham failed to provide written notice of resignation, get written consent from Utah to speak with Michigan and pay liquidation damages speciﬁed under terms of the contract.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, August 21, 2026 ● 3C

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2026 SCHEDULE

PREP FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Date

Opponent

Sept. 4 Sept. 10 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct 30 Nov. 6

JS CLARK SULPHUR Lake Arthur CHURCH POINT Northwest CROWLEy Port Barre Ville Platte MAMOU Eunice

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Iota

Rance LeJeune WR/DB, 5-8, 165, Jr. One of the Bulldogs’ best athletes, Lejeune is a playmaker. Expected to impact the game on offense, defense and special teams, Lejeune is explosive and expected to be a gamechanger for the Bulldogs.

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

Colt Cormier LB, 5-9, 180, Sr. A three-year starter, Cormier will be counted on to lead the defensive charge. Capable of tracking down ball carriers from sideline to sideline, Cormier is a physical tackler and more than holds his own in coverage.

PAST FIVE YEARS 2025: 4-7 2024: 9-3 2023: 8-4 2022: 9-3 2021: 8-4

STAFF PHOTO By ERIC NARCISSE

Iota’s defensive leaders include, from left, Preston LeJeune, Ian LaCombe, Hudson daigle, Colt Cormier and Braylon darbonne. defensive coordinator Kyle Smith is pictured at center.

What we know

PROJECTED STARTERS Offense WR Rance LeJeune, Jr.* WR Braxton Meager, Jr.* WR Jakson yeager, Sr.* TE Kaylor Broussard, Sr.* OL Benton Richard, Jr.* OL Inman douget, Sr.* OL Parker Miller, Jr.* OL Maddux Fontenot, Jr.* OL dylan domingue, Jr. QB dace Fuselier, Jr.* RB Lane LeJeune, Jr.* Defense dL Ian Lacombe, Sr.* dL Josh Hogg, Sr.* dL Aidyn Pousson, Sr.* dL Preston LeJeune, Sr.* LB Colt Cormier, Sr.* LB Liam Gordan, Sr.* LB Logan Carrier, Jr.* dB Hudson daigle, Jr.* dB Braylon darbonne, Soph. dB Aiden Guillory, Soph. dB John Paul Biscoff, Sr.* * RETURNING STARTER

COACHES Head coach: Ray Aucoin (30-17) Assistants: Steven Thomas (OC), Brian Keltner (dL), Kyle Smith (dC), Brandon Arabie, Caleb Mcdaniels, Chris Ancelet, Kameron Aucoin, dylan Navarre and Kevin Mire.

For the first time since the 2016 football season, the Iota Bulldogs finished with a losing record in the regular season last year. The Bulldogs (4-7) still qualified for the division II nonselect playoffs but were defeated 49-7 by Lutcher. The Bulldogs’ performance came as no surprise to coach Ray Aucoin and his staff. In fact, it was expected. The Bulldogs decided to embrace Aucoin a youth movement and play several freshmen and sophomores last season. “(The coaching staff) said we were going to just play the freshmen and start over,” Aucoin said. “We figured it was the best way to build experience and give them the opportunity to catch up to the speed of the game faster. It really helped us to build confidence.” With more experienced players on the roster this season, Aucoin and the Bulldogs expect to reap the benefits. “We have seven juniors with three years of starting experience or who played significant minutes in those three years,” Aucoin said. “Playing experience top to bottom is the strength of our team.” On offense, the Bulldogs will be led by quarterback dace Fuselier, a returning starter and playmaker. “dace has a strong arm and he really throws a pretty ball,” Aucoin said. “He is making better decisions with the ball and he is more patient.” Running back Lane Lejeune, receivers Rance Lejeune and Jakson yeager, and tight end Kaleb Broussard highlight the skill positions. Aucoin said he expects the offense to have more success than it did a year ago, pointing to the players up front. “On the offensive line, we have improved a lot,” Aucoin said. “I think our offense is going to be on the field a lot longer than we were last year.” The offensive line is expected to start four juniors and one senior. The defensive line is another area where there’s a lot of seasoning. Four seniors are scheduled to start

there in Ian LaCombe, Josh Hogg, Aidyn Pousson and Preston LeJeune. The Bulldogs also have the luxury of having both last year’s kicker (Brayden dooley) and punter Riley Jones back.

Ian Lacombe OL/DL, 5-11, 225, Sr. Lacombe is equally solid on both the offensive and defensive lines. He is aggressive with his hands and his upperbody strength helps him to overpower opponents in the trenches.

What we don’t know While Aucoin expects the offense to be improved, the Bulldogs have yet to determine an identity on defense. “We don’t know if we are an attacking defense or not,” Aucoin said. “We don’t know if we are going to be a defense that bends but doesn’t break or a defense that is going to get three and outs.” The Bulldogs have some talented players on defense, but they lack experience at linebackerwhere they must replace all-stater Mason Lantz. “We have very little experience at linebacker and losing Mason was a big loss for us,” Aucoin said. “It’s hard to replace a two-time all-stater at that position.” The Bulldogs will rely on Colt Cormier to fill the void left by Lantz and Aucoin has liked what he’s seen from the senior. “We’re going to be counting on Colt a lot this year,” Aucoin said. “I’m really proud of Colt, because he has really stepped up. He has what it takes to lead and our young linebackers follow him.”

Lane Lejeune RB, 6-0, 185, Jr. A physical runner who doesn’t shy away from contact, Lejeune has good balance and is rarely taken down by the first tackler. He has good hands, which makes him a threat as a receiver out of the backfield.

How we see it The expectations of the coaches are lofty for the Bulldogs. Aucoin and his staff expect their combination of talent and experience to result in more success this season. Offensively, the Bulldogs expect to hit the ground running, while defensively Aucoin said he thinks they’ll get better week after week. Like most teams, another key will be staying healthy. How well the Bulldogs do in avoiding the injury bug will go a long way in determining their success. “How good can we be?” Aucoin asked rhetorically. “Well, that’s up to them. We have to have the right attitude and the right mentality to get things done.”

Jakson Yeager WR, 5-9, 180, Sr. yeager is a good route runner with good hands and enough speed to make a big play anytime the ball is in his hands. He has the ability to make would-be tacklers miss in the open field and is a willing blocker in the running game.

Eric Narcisse

SCOREBOARD Odds

Carolina at Jacksonville, 6:30 p.m. Green Bay at Denver, 8 p.m.

Saturday’s games

MLB Friday

American League FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE at N.Y YANKEES -235 Toronto +194 at BALTIMORE -134 Tampa Bay +113 Detroit -120 at KAN. CITY +101 at HOUSTON -195 Athletics +162 at TEXAS OFF LA Angels OFF National League FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE at MILWAUKEE -148 Atlanta +124 at PHILADELPHIA OFF St. Louis OFF at MIAMI -152 Washington +127 at ARIZONA -147 Cincinnati +123 at LA DODGERS -236 Pittsburgh +191 Interleague FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE at BOSTON -178 San Francisco +148 at CHI. W. SOX -152 N.Y Mets +126 Cleveland -158 at COLORADO +132 at SAN DIEGO OFF Minnesota OFF Chicago Cubs -110 at SEATTLE -10 Friday FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG NY Jets 2½ 1½ (37½) at PITT. Carolina 2½ 1½ (37½) at JAX. at DENVER 4½ 6 (40½) Green Bay

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

W 24 22 21 22 14 10 9

L 12 13 14 15 22 25 25

Pct .667 .629 .600 .595 .389 .286 .265

GB — 1½ 2½ 2½ 10 13½ 14

L 7 10 13 16 20 23 23 30

Pct .811 .714 .649 .556 .429 .361 .343 .189

GB — 4 6 9½ 14 16½ 17 23

WESTERN CONFERENCE

W x-Minnesota 30 x-Golden State 25 x-Las Vegas 24 Dallas 20 Portland 15 Phoenix 13 Los Angeles 12 Seattle 7 x-clinched playoff spot

Wednesday’s games

Washington 93, Toronto 82 Minnesota 77, Golden State 66

Thursday’s games

Indiana at Dallas, n Atlanta at Los Angeles, n Connecticut at Las Vegas, n

Friday’s games

Golden State at Chicago, 6:30 p.m. Minnesota at Washington, 6:30 p.m. Portland at Toronto, 9 p.m.

Pro football NFL preseason Thursday’s games

Las Vegas at Houston, n San Francisco at L.A. Chargers, n

Friday’s games

N.Y. Jets at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m.

Washington at Detroit, 11 a.m. Atlanta at Indianapolis, noon Baltimore at Minnesota, noon Buffalo at Cleveland, noon N.Y. Giants at Miami, 3 p.m. New Orleans at L.A. Rams, 3 p.m. Chicago at Cincinnati, 6 p.m. Philadelphia at New England, 6 p.m. Kansas City at Tampa Bay, 6:30 p.m. Dallas at Arizona, 9 p.m.

Houston Texas Seattle Los Angeles Athletics

Sunday’s games

New York City FC at New England, 3:30 p.m. Sporting Kansas City at Atlanta, 6 p.m.

Pro tennis

Sunday’s game

Seattle at Tennessee, 7 p.m.

Western & Southern Open results

Soccer

Thursday

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

Detroit Kansas City West Division

Chicago at New York, 6:30 p.m. Real Salt Lake at Orlando City, 6:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Austin FC, 7:30 p.m. Columbus at Nashville, 7:30 p.m. Houston at St Louis City, 7:30 p.m. FC Dallas at Vancouver, 8:30 p.m. Portland at Los Angeles FC, 9:30 p.m. Colorado at San Diego FC, 9:30 p.m. Minnesota at San Jose, 9:30 p.m.

W 14 11 11 10 8 8 7 7 5 6 4 5 5 5 5

L 2 3 6 7 6 7 8 9 6 11 7 10 10 10 12

Western Conference

T 4 6 2 3 6 5 5 4 9 3 9 5 5 5 3

Pts 46 39 35 33 30 29 26 25 24 21 21 20 20 20 18

GF GA 40 15 48 38 36 25 32 25 48 46 35 31 34 29 30 42 27 33 32 50 29 36 28 33 30 37 27 37 23 35

W L T Pts GF GA Houston 12 6 2 38 29 24 Vancouver 11 4 4 37 40 18 Los Angeles FC 10 7 4 34 35 21 San Jose 10 7 3 33 38 28 FC Dallas 9 5 6 33 38 29 St Louis City 8 6 6 30 28 26 Colorado 9 10 1 28 30 25 Real Salt Lake 8 7 4 28 33 30 Portland 8 9 3 27 37 36 LA Galaxy 6 8 7 25 25 30 Minn. United 6 7 7 25 22 28 Seattle 7 9 3 24 21 26 San Diego FC 6 8 6 24 34 32 Austin FC 5 10 5 20 25 39 Sport. Kan. City 4 13 3 15 19 49 NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie.

Wednesday’s games

Cincinnati 2, New York City FC 1 CF Montréal 2, Columbus 1 New England 3, D.C. United 0 Nashville 1, New York 0 Chicago 2, Orlando City 1 Miami 2, Philadelphia 2, tie Charlotte FC 3, Toronto FC 3, tie St Louis City 1, Sporting Kansas City 1, tie Atlanta 2, Minnesota 1 Colorado 1, Los Angeles FC 0 FC Dallas 4, Real Salt Lake 3 Austin FC 2, Seattle 1 LA Galaxy 1, San Jose 0 Portland 3, San Diego FC 1 Houston 1, Vancouver 0

Saturday’s games

D.C. United at Charlotte FC, 6:30 p.m. Seattle at Cincinnati, 6:30 p.m. Toronto FC at Miami, 6:30 p.m. LA Galaxy at CF Montréal, 6:30 p.m.

At Lindner Family Tennis Center Cincinnati Purse: $9,415,725 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Quarterﬁnals Flavio Cobolli (7), Italy, def. Tommy Paul (18), United States, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Women’s singles

Quarterﬁnals Jessica Pegula (3), United States, def. Amanda Anisimova (9), United States, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (4).

Men’s doubles

Round of 16 Edouard Roger-Vasselin, France, and Hugo Nys, Monaco, def. Harri Heliovaara, Finland, and Henry Patten (1), Britain, 6-4, 6-4. Albano Olivetti and Theo Arribage, France, def. Mate Pavic, Croatia, and Marcelo Arevalo (3), El Salvador, 4-6, 6-3, 10-5. Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori (4), Italy, def. Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl, Czechia, 6-3, 6-4. Robin Haase, Netherlands, and Constantin Frantzen, Germany, def. Rajeev Ram, United States, and Joe Salisbury, Britain, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 10-4.

Women’s doubles

Quarterﬁnals Alexandra Panova, Russia, and Magali Kempen, Belgium, def. Hao-Ching Chan, Taiwan, and Maya Joint, Australia, 1-6, 6-4, 10-2. Hsieh Su-wei, Taiwan, and Jelena Ostapenko (5), Latvia, def. Kristina Mladenovic, France, and Hanyu Guo (3), China, 6-3, 6-4. Caty McNally and Iva Jovic, United States, def. Zhang Shuai and Xinyu Jiang, China, 7-6 (8), 3-6, 10-6. Marie Bouzkova and Linda Noskova, Czechia, def. Aldila Sutjiadi, Indonesia, and Erin Routliffe (7), New Zealand, 7-5, 7-5.

Major League Baseball American League glance W Tampa Bay 76 New York 71 Boston 68 Toronto 63 Baltimore 61 Central Division W Chicago 66 Minnesota 63 Cleveland 62

66 74

.480 .426

5 12

W 64 62 60 50 49

L 63 65 68 77 79

Pct .504 .488 .469 .394 .383

GB — 2 4½ 14 15½

Wednesday’s games

St. Louis 10, Cincinnati 9 Cleveland 5, San Francisco 2 Atlanta 2, Chicago White Sox 0 Milwaukee 7, Seattle 4 Washington at Texas, n

Friday’s games

L 51 55 59 66 66

Pct .598 .563 .535 .488 .480

GB — 4½ 8 14 15

L 61 65 66

Pct .520 .492 .484

GB — 3½ 4½

Cleveland 5, San Francisco 2 Toronto 5, Tampa Bay 1 Atlanta 2, Chicago White Sox 0 Kansas City 6, Athletics 2 Milwaukee 7, Seattle 4 N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore, n Washington at Texas, n L.A. Angels at Houston, n

Friday’s games

Toronto (TBD) at N.Y. Yankees (Schlittler 10-6), 6:05 p.m. San Francisco (Webb 8-7) at Boston (Gray 15-3), 6:10 p.m. Tampa Bay (Peralta 5-10) at Baltimore (Rogers 8-8), 6:15 p.m. N.Y. Mets (Manaea 4-5) at Chicago White Sox (Burke 7-6), 6:40 p.m. Athletics (Ginn 8-7) at Houston (Wesneski 2-1), 7:10 p.m. Detroit (Melton 7-1) at Kansas City (Cameron 7-8), 7:10 p.m. L.A. Angels (Detmers 4-8) at Texas (Gore 7-9), 7:15 p.m. Cleveland (Cantillo 9-7) at Colorado (Gordon 0-3), 7:40 p.m. Minnesota (Prielipp 3-6) at San Diego (Vásquez 8-6), 8:40 p.m. Chicago Cubs (Boyd 8-2) at Seattle (Hancock 7-7), 9:10 p.m.

National League glance

East Division Atlanta Philadelphia Miami Washington New York Central Division Milwaukee Chicago St. Louis Pittsburgh Cincinnati West Division Los Angeles San Diego Arizona San Francisco Colorado

W 74 70 64 61 58

L 53 58 64 67 70

Pct .583 .547 .500 .477 .453

GB — 4½ 10½ 13½ 16½

W 78 74 65 63 61

L 49 54 63 66 66

Pct .614 .578 .508 .488 .480

GB — 4½ 13½ 16 17

W 76 68 67 52 50

L 51 60 61 74 76

Pct .598 .531 .523 .413 .397

GB — 8½ 9½ 23½ 25½

Wednesday’s games

Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 3 N.Y. Mets 4, San Diego 2

Minnesota 6, Atlanta 4 Chicago White Sox 3, Chicago Cubs 0 Arizona 7, Boston 6, 10 innings Philadelphia 4, Miami 1 San Francisco 1, Cleveland 0 Cincinnati 5, St. Louis 4 Seattle 7, Milwaukee 5 Washington 6, Texas 0 L.A. Dodgers at Colorado, n

Thursday’s games

Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 3 Minnesota 6, Atlanta 4 Chicago White Sox 3, Chicago Cubs 0 Arizona 7, Boston 6, 10 innings San Francisco 1, Cleveland 0 Tampa Bay 7, Toronto 6 N.Y. Yankees 5, Baltimore 3 Kansas City 9, Athletics 7 Seattle 7, Milwaukee 5 Washington 6, Texas 0 Houston 3, L.A. Angels 2

Thursday’s games

Men’s singles

East Division

61 55

Atlanta (Sale 12-8) at Milwaukee (Misiorowski 12-5), 3:10 p.m. St. Louis (Dobbins 3-3) at Philadelphia (Luzardo 11-5), 5:40 p.m. San Francisco (Webb 8-7) at Boston (Gray 15-3), 6:10 p.m. Washington (TBD) at Miami (Gusto 0-3), 6:10 p.m. N.Y. Mets (Manaea 4-5) at Chicago White Sox (Burke 7-6), 6:40 p.m. Cleveland (Cantillo 9-7) at Colorado (Gordon 0-3), 7:40 p.m. Cincinnati (Lodolo 3-2) at Arizona (Rodriguez 12-4), 8:40 p.m. Minnesota (Prielipp 3-6) at San Diego (Vásquez 8-6), 8:40 p.m. Chicago Cubs (Boyd 8-2) at Seattle (Hancock 7-7), 9:10 p.m. Pittsburgh (Chandler 6-8) at L.A. Dodgers (Yamamoto 12-7), 9:10 p.m.

Transactions Major League Baseball

American League DETROIT TIGERS — Sent CF James Outman on a rehab assignment to Toledo (IL). HOUSTON ASTROS — Designated LF Nelson Velázquez for assignment. Recalled 2B Raynel Delgado from Sugar Land (PCL). LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Placed LHP Samy Natera Jr. on the 15-day IL retroactive to August 17. Recalled LHP Sammy Peralta from Salt Lake (PCL). NEW YORK YANKEES — Sent LF Cody Bellinger on a rehab assignment to Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre (IL). SEATTLE MARINERS — Sent SS J.P. Crawford on a rehab assignment to Tacoma (PCL). TEXAS RANGERS — Sent RHP Jack Leiter on a rehab assignment to Frisco (TL). TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Sent 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a rehab assignment to Dunedin (FSL). National League ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Claimed RHP Andrew Hoffmann off waivers from Arizona and optioned him to Lehigh Valley (IL). Hored Mike Grahl as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Ofﬁcer. CINCINNATI REDS — Sent LHP Kent Emanuel outright to Louisville (IL). COLORADO ROCKIES — Sent RF Tyler Freeman on a rehab assignment to Albuquerque (PCL). NEW YORK METS — Sent 1B Mark Vientos on a rehab assignment to Binghamton (EL). PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Transferred LF Felix Reyes to the 60-day IL. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Placed RHP Keaton Winn on the 15-day IL retroactive to August 19. Recalled LHP Reiver Sanmartin from Sacramento (PCL).

4C ● Friday, August 21, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

LSU

Continued from page 1C exciting in an age that a lot of people play older portal players.” It’s important to note that LSU has those players, too. Kiffin and his staff signed Clemson transfer Stephiylan Green, a redshirt junior, and Auburn transfer Malik Blocton, a true junior, last December. They also retained junior Dominick McKinley, a Lafayette native who played 370 snaps last season at the heart of the Tigers’ defense. It’s unclear exactly how LSU plans to divvy up the snaps between the freshmen and the veterans. Kifﬁn’s preseason practices are open to reporters for only individual drills — not the portions in which players are grouped according to their place on the depth chart. But both Kiffin and defensive coordinator Blake Baker have signaled in news conferences that Brown, Anderson and Geralds will each play at least a rotational role this season on the defensive line. Brown is expected to be LSU’s third edge rusher

— behind Ole Miss transfer Princewill Umanmielen and Tennessee transfer Jordan Ross. As for who will be the first two defensive tackles to line up for Clemson’s first drive of the year? Those spots could actually go to Anderson and Geralds — two freshmen who have been impressing Kiffin and his staff since the Tigers began their spring practices in March. “They’re awesome,” said Bo Bordelon, a fifth-year senior expected to start at left guard this year. “I think LSU is going to be set for about probably the next three years on the defensive line.” Said Baker: “We’ve thrown more install at this group than I ever have in my career.” Kiffin still has concerns, though. Freshmen, as he pointed out on Aug. 10, tend to “make more mistakes” than the veterans, and if they do in the heart of the defensive front, then an opposing offense could wind up breaking off an explosive run play that can shift a game’s momentum. LSU struggled to limit those kinds of gains, at times, in the first two years of Baker’s tenure. But that’s why the Tigers

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made sure they added veterans, too. Green has logged 636 career snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and Blocton has 718. In 2025, McKinley played a rotational role for a unit that finished seventh among SEC teams in rushing defense, and on Thursday, Kiffin said that he’s had a “really good camp” after he “didn’t really have a good spring.” The point is that LSU thinks it has a nice mix of players on its defensive line — of veterans who can stabilize the unit and freshmen who can elevate it. “There’s been growing pains,” Baker said. “We’re gonna have to fight through the freshman wall at some point. I think all three of them are doing a good job fighting it right now, but I am proud of where they’re at now and where they’ve come from. “They work at it. They all love football. They got really, really bright futures, but you’ll see all three of those guys on the field.” And Kiffin thinks that’s new territory for him and Orgeron — two coaches who have come across their fair share of star defensive linemen over the years.

CAJUNS

Continued from page 1C for some fall ball games. “I’m here, and I’m practicing on Monday when school starts.” The move picked up steam when a Louisiana court ruling allowed several highproﬁle former college football players an extra year of eligibility. Last week, UL football coach Michael Desormeaux addressed the issue in a news conference and wondered how binding this new ruling will be long term. “That’s something we talked about,” Amedee said. “I talked to coach (Matt) Deggs and Mr. Burke (UL head of compliance Tom Burke) and there is a small chance that I might not be eligible, but I’m taking my chances.” For Amedee, there’s just too much to gain and not much to lose. “The more and more information came out about it and then with all of these NFL guys coming back, it helped my chances,” he said. “It seemed like it was really almost set in stone. Everybody I talked to felt like I’d be stupid not to come back.” The motivating factor for Amedee is a chance to make it to the College World Series. “It’s been a dream of mine since I was a child,” he said. “Right now, I’ve got one

Continued from page 1C Smith carried the ball only three times for seven yards over four games last season with no receptions. In other words, he’s got plenty to prove outside his own locker room. Smith is convinced he progressed a lot since last fall. “Last year, I wasn’t too right with the playbook,” he admitted. “Now it’s like second nature to me, so I approach practice ... it just feels much slower. “Things like the combinations for the run game, it all just feels slower — just like I felt in high school.” That could be a great sign for the Cajuns’ offense, because Smith was a star on two state championship teams at Picayune Memorial. As a senior, he led the state with 2,251 yards at 9.2 yards per carry after rushing for 1,087 yards and 15 scores as a junior. “Right now, I feel like my confidence is through the roof,” Smith said. As cool, calm and collected as Smith has been to his coaches and teammates since his arrival, he admitted to one area confounding him at ﬁrst — pass protection. “I never had to do that in high school running out of the ‘I’,” he revealed. “Coming in, that was my main goal that I wanted to set for me to

A helmet belonging to a Saints player is ripped off during a scrum with the dallas Cowboys in a joint practice on Tuesday in Oxnard, Calif. AP PHOTO By MARK J. TERRILL

NFL fines Saints, Cowboys following practice fights BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — The NFL issued a $500,000 ﬁne each to the New Orleans Saints and the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday after multiple ﬁghts erupted between the teams during a joint practice earlier this week. New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore confirmed after Thursday’s practice against the Los Angeles Rams that the league was reviewing the matter. On Tuesday, there were more than a dozen scuffles be-

DUNCAN

Continued from page 1C

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAd KEMP

UL first baseman Lee Amedee throws to first to get an out against Mississippi State on May 31. Amedee is claiming his fifth year of NCAA eligibility to play with the Cajuns next season. more chance to do it. Hopefully, I’m going to be able to take it.” The 6-foot-1, 205-pound left-handed hitter enjoyed his best season at UL this past spring, hitting .300 with 12 doubles, four triples, seven homers, 54 RBIs and seven stolen bases. Even more important, he was the leader of a team that returned to NCAA regional play after a subpar junior season. “I had a great senior year,” Amedee said. “It felt so final, but we had a great team and we made it back to a regional. That’s what I wanted. That’s how I wanted to go out, but obviously you want to win a national championship. “Now, it’s like, ‘Dang, I’d love another chance to do it again ... another chance at Omaha.’ ”

Amedee said he played “about 20 games” with the New York Boulders. He thought about coming back home earlier, but “I was told it wouldn’t matter if I played one or 50 games.” Amedee said he realizes the Cajuns’ coaching staff has already recruited to replace his spot on the ﬁeld, thinking his eligibility was over. “I’m so excited to get a chance to play with some of these new guys,” Amedee said. “Manny Salas (of Texas State), I mean that dude is amazing. I think we’re going to be able to do some special things. “We haven’t even talked about what position I’m going to play. I mean, the thing about us is we’re going to put the best nine hitters on the field, so I don’t really care where I play.”

get under control. Now I’ve got it down pat. I just need to get in the right technique. “It took me the whole year from when I got here through December to get to that point. When I came back in January, it just clicked for me because I got more in the playbook and I got more into studying.” During that ﬁrst season of mostly watching, Smith said his eyes were constantly on Zylan Perry, who transferred to Cincinnati after rushing for 689 yards and eight scores on 138 carries last season. “Zylan was a big help to me,” Smith said. “I liked watching him and his play style, because I feel like we have the same play style. Watching him was teaching me a lot. I felt like he did a good job with that.” With Perry now gone, Smith is leaning more on his new running backs coach Marquase Lovings. “Oh, he has helped me big time,” Smith said. “He’s really helped me with reading defenses and with linemen combinations ... really with everything.” The plan is for Smith to be part of a running back rotation that also features inside runner Steven Blanco, the big-play potential of JJ Garner and recently steady dual threat of junior Howard transfer Anthony Reagan. “I feel like it makes it harder for the defense because they never know what they’re going to really get,

because we all have different talents,” Smith said. “So with that coming in, I feel like that’s going to be a big factor this season.” Smith is hoping he can deliver some splash plays in addition to being a consistent all-around threat. “I feel like the playbook being second nature to me is going to be a big factor,” Smith said. “Just knowing that in the back of my mind, I could run here (pointing), or I could go right there.” While he’s a regular rushing threat, some are convinced Smith’s best skill is as a receiver. Desormeaux has already said he thinks Smith could play wide receiver if asked. When that question came Smith’s way, his response was, “Yes sir” without hesitation. “I feel like in the passing game, I could play a big factor, because I can catch and run and just be a spark for the team,” Smith said. “They know I can catch it.” Smith also feels he can help as a punt returner. “I feel like if it’s in my hands, I can crib it,” he said. “If I’m one-on-one, I don’t think anybody could tackle me.” Overall, Smith said the running back room is more than ready to revitalize UL’s offense. “My mindset is just to go kill it,” he said. “We go out to practice and get 1% better every day. We try to get high energy and just produce.”

and tight end Noah Fant and drafting three speedy receivers: Tyson, Bryce Lance and Barion Brown. Tyson, though, was the marquee addition. Now, the Saints will try to manufacture explosive plays without one of the most explosive players on the roster, at least until Tyson heals. Explosive play production is one of four critical areas of improvement for the Saints this season. A look at three other areas the Saints need to improve:

Red-zone offense The offense’s lack of explosive playmakers also revealed itself in the red zone, where the Saints ranked last in red-zone offense last year. They scored a touchdown only 44.4% of the time they drove inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. By comparison, the Eagles led the league with a 70.5% scoring rate. The struggles continued early during training camp but showed improvement in joint workouts against the Jaguars and Cowboys, with Tyler Shough and Chris Olave consistently ﬁnding the end zone. The Saints also scored touchdowns on two of their ﬁrst three red-zone trips in their preseason opener against Jacksonville, so there’s reason for hope here. The Saints coaching staff devoted part of its offseason to a self-study on the

tween the Saints and the Cowboys — about half of which resulted in legitimate ﬁghts. Saints center Erik McCoy tossed the helmet of a Cowboys defender in the middle of a heated scrap, while wide receiver Brock Reichsteiner body-slammed a Cowboys cornerback in a separate incident. On Dallas’ side, a Cowboys player punched Saints defensive end Tyree Wilson, while Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku was also ejected from the session for throwing a punch. “The Competition Com-

mittee has made sportsmanship — including at joint practices — a point of emphasis over the past several years,” the league said in a statement. “All clubs were reminded by memo prior to training camp of their responsibility in preventing unsportsmanlike behavior at joint practices that has the potential to result in injury.” Moore, who spoke to reporters before the ﬁne became public, said he was pleased that Thursday’s joint practice against the Rams did not feature any ﬁghts.

offense’s red-zone issues and added the aforementioned offensive weaponry to address this area. In particular, the Saints need to run the ball better when the ﬁeld gets condensed inside the opponent’s 20. They ranked near the bottom of the league in nearly every major red-zone rushing statistic last season. “The run game’s got to come alive in the red zone,” Moore said. “That’s just the story of the red zone offenses forever.” You can’t win consistently in the NFL if you don’t score touchdowns in the red zone. The Saints’ red-zone efﬁciency will go a long way in determining the trajectory of their 2026 season.

Slow starts

Field goal conversions If you can’t score touchdowns when you reach the red zone, you better be able to convert ﬁeld goals. And the Saints struggled here a year ago. They converted just 71.4% of their ﬁeld goals, which ranked last in the NFL. A lot of the Saints’ struggles can be attributed to Blake Grupe, who missed eight of his 26 attempts last season before being waived in Week 12. Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown are locked in a heated competition that is expected to go down to the wire. Both have NFLquality leg strength. Consistency will determine the winner of the battle. Brown, the special-teams player of the year in the UFL, has held a slight edge during the early weeks of camp.

The Saints’ slow starts were well-documented. They scored just 29 firstquarter points, the fewest in the NFL. Meanwhile, they allowed 122 points in the first quarter, the second-most in the NFL. Consequently, they found themselves constantly playing from behind. The Saints trailed at some point in all 17 of their games, the most in the NFL. Playing catch-up is no way to succeed in the NFL. The two teams that led the league in first-quarter points — the Patriots (110) and Rams (107) — combined to go 26-8 and advanced to their respective conference championship games. In an effort to jump-start the offense this season, Moore evaluated his playcalling tendencies early in games and has focused on being more aggressive. The good news is the Saints started quickly on offense against the Jaguars on Saturday, scoring on their first play from scrimmage after an 86yard return of the opening kickoff by Ty Chandler. “We put so much time into talking about starting fast and the emphasis on that throughout training camp, which we will continue to do,” Moore said after the Jaguars game. “That’s as fast as you can start a football game. I am proud of our guys with that.” Whether the fast starts continue in the regular season remains to be seen. But it’s a promising start.

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Who ya gonna call? I t ’s R oast Nig ht on F r i d ay for the 19 8 4 bloc k bus t e r “Ghostbuster s .” F un with The Family dinne r C omedy Tr oupe star t s at 7:30 p.m . at t h e M anship Theatre. It’s a n in t e r ac t i ve movie e x pe r i e nc e wit h live c omment ar y and games; costum e s e nc our a ge d. $ 1 7 . ma n s h ipth ea t r e . o r g .

LIVING

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

F r i d ay, au g u s t 21, 2026

5CN

Louisiana’s D.K. Harrell lifts the blues torch high

‘More work needs to be done’

BY JOHN WIRT

Contributing writer D.K. Harrell usually doesn’t sweat making a set list. Tuesday at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans will be different. “This is one of the ﬁrst set lists that I’m nervous about,” the rising blues star BUDDY said in advance of his ﬁrst time GUY/D.K. as Buddy Guy’s HARRELL opening act. Reaching his 90th birthday 8 p.m.Tuesday l Saenger on July 30, Guy is America’s Theatre, New preeminent Orleans l bluesman. The Pointe Coupee $60.39-$269 Parish native’s l saengernola. com and myriad accolades include dkblues.com nine Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

PROVIdEd PHOTO By LAURA CARBONE

d.K. Harrell’s Alligator Records debut, ‘Talkin’ Heavy,’ was honored as Living Blues magazine’s album of the year.

Guy achieved another career highlight last year via his striking cameo in “Sinners,” the Oscar-winning, Louisiana-shot hit movie that exposed him to a vast new audience. “We only have about 45 minutes,” Harrell said of opening for Guy next week. “So, I need to get my message across and put on a good show, for the people of New Orleans, and whoever comes from near and far, and for myself and Mr. Guy. I hope Mr. Guy and his team will be pleased.” Based in Baton Rouge since last year, 28-year-old Ruston native Harrell has already achieved career milestones. His recognitions include three Blues Music Awards from the Blues Foundation in Memphis and Living Blues magazine’s album of the year honor for “Talkin’ Heavy,” his Alligator Records debut.

ä See HARRELL, page 6C

PROVIdEd PHOTO By REd MAGNOLIA THEATRE COMPANy

Red Magnolia Theatre Company will open Jaclyn Backhaus’ ‘Men On Boats,’ following John Wesley Powell’s expedition of the Colorado River. The play was written for an all-woman cast.

Top the bill Elle Woods goes to Harvard and women play men on an expedition in upcoming theater productions

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

lle Woods is forever young, beautiful, blonde and underestimated in pop culture history, but she always perseveres, as she will when Playmakers of Baton Rouge opens “Legally Blonde Jr.” on Friday. The musical is based on the 2001 ﬁlm starring Reese Witherspoon as the blonde sorority girl whose aspiration is to earn her way into Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend. It’s not a spoiler to reveal that Harvard accepts her. If the school didn’t, there would be no story, because that’s where Elle gradually shows the world that there’s more to being blonde than, well, being blonde. The musical made its Broadway debut in 2007. Now Playmakers takes on the mantle with its production — a cast of 25 directed by

eryone shine more.” As far as Gomez is concerned, her cast is shining bright. “They are amazing,” she said. “I was pulling double duty during rehearsals because I was playing Grandmama in ‘The Addams Family’ at Sullivan Theater. So, when I came here, the cast had already made their connection to the characters, and I was able to plug in the STAFF PHOTO By ROBIN MILLER blocking for the scenes.” Annalee Templet, a 15-year-old Annalee Templet, right, is Elle University High sophomore, plays Woods, and Henry Gore is Emmett Elle Woods, who opens the show Forrest in Playmakers of Baton with a bad breakup with her rich Rouge’s ‘Legally Blonde Jr.’ boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, played by 17-year-old Connor Amy Himal Gomez in LSU’s Reilly Swillie, a junior at Episcopal High School. Theatre. Warner has dated Elle through“What I love about this show is how they made everything from the out their college years at the ﬁcmovie even grander in the musical,” tional California University, but Gomez said. “The movie is phenom- he doesn’t consider her “serious” enally bright and fun. So, when they enough to be his fiancée as he put it on stage, it was like, ‘Why not ä See THEATER, page 6C bring the sparkle out?’ It just let ev-

Netﬂix leans into promoting young adult dramas The cast of the show ‘Poser’ stands for a group photo at Netflix’s end-of-summer bash red carpet event on Aug. 13 in Los Angeles. LOS ANGELES TIMES PHOTO By RONALdO BOLAÑOS

Banks.” Streaming giant “Outer Now, the streaming giant to make it easier for sees growing threat wants viewers to ﬁnd them on its vast platform. from competitors andLasteclectic week, Netﬂix launched

BY WENDY LEE

a new hub for YA content that includes several hundred titles of original or licensed movies LOS ANGELES — Young adult and shows about the comingdramas have always been piv- of-age stories of young adults. The genre is popular with otal to Netﬂix’s programming. Think of massive global hits ä See NETFLIX, page 6C like “Stranger Things” and Los Angeles Times (TNS)

6C ● Friday, August 21, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Lafayette theater company to stage ‘True West’ classic Staff report Lauren Reilly Entertainment and Joseph Vildibill will present “True West” at Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., Lafayette, Friday-Sunday and Aug. 28-30. The American classic by Sam Shepard explores alternatives that might spring from the demented terrain of the California landscape. Sons of a desert-dwelling alcoholic and a suburban wanderer clash over a ﬁlm script. Austin, the achiever, is working on a script he has

sold to producer Saul Kimmer when his brother Lee, a demented petty thief, drops in. He pitches his own idea for a movie to Kimmer, who then wants Austin to junk his bleak, modern love story and write Lee’s trashy Western tale. Their volatile relationships swirl while staying in their mother’s house. Joseph Vildibill directs and the cast includes: n Lee, Cooper Helm; n Austin, Michael Bunker; n Saul Kimmer, Peter Lagarde; n Mom, Peggy Dersch.

“True West” was a finalist for the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Awards (2000 revival), and was nominated for best play, along with two nominations for Drama Desk Awards and Obie Awards. It is listed among Shepard’s multiple award-winning plays at the off-Broadway level. General admission tickets are $27. For more information go to LREtheatre.com, citedesarts.org or email laurenreillyeliotcompany@ gmail.com.

TODAY IN HISTORY By The Associated Press Today is Friday, Aug. 21, the 233rd day of 2026. There are 132 days left in the year. Today in history: On Aug. 21, 1831, Nat Turner launched a violent slave rebellion in Virginia, resulting in the deaths of at least 55 White people; scores of Black people were killed in retribution after the rebellion, and Turner was later executed. Also on this date: In 1911, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. (It was recovered two years later in Italy.) In 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation ofﬁcially declaring Hawaii the 50th state. In 2010, Iranian and

Russian engineers began loading fuel into Iran’s ﬁrst nuclear power plant, which Moscow promised to safeguard to prevent material at the site from being used in any potential weapons production. In 2015, a trio of Americans, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Spencer Stone, National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos and college student Anthony Sadler, and a British businessman, Chris Norman, tackled and disarmed a Moroccan gunman on a high-speed train between Amsterdam and Paris. In 2020, a former police ofﬁcer who became known as the Golden State Killer, Joseph James DeAngelo, told victims and family members in a Sacramento courtroom that he was “truly sorry” before he was

sentenced to multiple life prison sentences for a decadelong string of rapes and murders. Today’s Birthdays: Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Burton is 87. Singer Jackie DeShannon is 85. Film director Peter Weir is 82. Football Hall of Famer Willie Lanier is 81. Actor Loretta Devine is 77. Twotime Heisman Trophy winner Archie Grifﬁn is 72. Actor Kim Cattrall is 70. Rock musician Serj Tankian (System of a Down) is 59. Actor Carrie-Anne Moss is 59. Google co-founder Sergei Brin is 53. Singer Kelis is 47. TV personality Brody Jenner is 43. Olympic gold medal sprinter Usain Bolt is 40. Country singer Kacey Musgraves is 38. Soccer player Robert Lewandowski is 38.

SHOWS TO WATCH — ACADIANA AREA FRIDAY

LIVE MUSIC: Cane River Pecan Company Pie Bar, New Iberia, 5 p.m. ALL HAPPENING DUO: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6 p.m. FRIDAY NIGHT JAMS: La Maison de Begnaud, Scott, 6 p.m. JACK WOODSON: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. JAYME & MIKE: Cafe Sydnie Mae, Breaux Bridge, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza & Brewery, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6 p.m. MIKE BROUSSARD: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m. NIKKI NEEDHAM: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m. ADAM LEGER TRIO: Silver Slipper, Arnaudville, 7 p.m. BONSOIR CATIN “BONNE VIE” ALBUM RELEASE SHOW: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 7 p.m. FRENCH, ROSEN, SMITH, TYLER: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 7 p.m. JEAN BERTRAND: Artmosphere, Lafayette, 8 p.m. JULIAN PRIMEAUX: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8 p.m. CAROL BOURQUE & OLD TIME CAJUNS: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30 p.m. DAD ROCK NIGHT WITH MAGIC CRAWFISH: Rock ’n’ Bowl de Lafayette, Lafayette, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

HARRELL

Continued from page 5C “I value it,” the singer-guitarist said of his multiplying awards. “It makes me feel that I’m doing something right with my music. But I can’t let it get to my head, because there’s more work that needs to be done.” Harrell has been a blues fan since he was 2. His ﬁrst words were from a B.B. King classic. “My family thought I was going to be a mute,” he said. “I didn’t even say ‘Mama.’ But one day I was in my baby seat in the car and my mother put on the record ‘The Thrill Is Gone,’ with Tracy Chapman doing it with B.B. Then my mother heard a little voice singing ‘the thrill is gone.’ She almost wrecked the car. The way she tells the story is: ‘That’s how he starting talking and now I can’t get him to shut up.’ ” King became Harrell’s role model. When he was 15 years old, Harrell and his mother drove the 220 miles from their home in Ruston to King’s 2013 concert at the

NETFLIX

Continued from page 5C viewers: 23 young adult titles made Netflix’s global top 10 list this year. Those include the third season of “XO Kitty,” about a young woman studying in Korea; and an ice skating drama called “Finding Her Edge.” Since 2023, Netflix said its YA shows and movies have generated more than 10.5 billion global views. The programs also are buzzy on social media, with YA titles representing 30% of Netflix’s most-talked-about titles since 2022, according to the Los Gatos-based company. “It’s just been really clear that this audience has a voracious appetite, and they really look to Netflix as a premier destination for these types of stories,” said Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of scripted series for U.S. and Canada. Netflix is not alone. The genre has become increasingly important to streamers as stories about first loves, high school drama and coming-of-age tales connect with a wide demo-

River Center Theatre in Baton Rouge. “He was 87 at the time, and he did wonderful,” Harrell remembered. “His playing was great. He remembered songs. The one hiccup was that he started a song and stopped and said, ‘Naw, I don’t want to play that.’ ” After the show, Harrell and other fans made their way to the stage’s edge in hopes of meeting King. Harrell’s unselfish effort to secure an autograph for a fan who struggled to get King’s attention drew the star’s notice. “I called out ‘Mr. King! Mr. King!’ He looked dead at me and leaned down and shook my hand. I said, ‘I got my hair conked (straightened) like you had it in 1951!’ He laughed. He said, ‘Well, an old man don’t have hair. Better be careful with that stuff.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir. I want to be just like you when I grow up.’ He said, ‘Well, that’s ﬁne. But make sure you be yourself while you’re doing that. Try to keep it going. We need more young people in the blues.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir. I’m going to do my best.’ ” Having met his hero, the thrilled Harrell ran up the

aisle to the theater lobby. “As soon as I hit the doors, I started crying. My life was complete.” Harrell grew up hearing the blues, gospel and soul music records his mother, Christal, and grandfather, C.H. Jackson, played at home. “My grandfather exposed me to so much music,” Harrell said. The late Jackson predicted an unordinary life for his grandson. “When I was born, my grandfather held me in the hospital, looked at my mother and said, ‘Christal, I don’t what it is, but it’s something about this boy. He’s going to be special.” Twenty-eight years later, Harrell knows there’s something special about music. “I’ve just been realizing,” he said, “especially lately with touring, that the world needs more musicians, a lot more festivals and musical events. Because right now there’s a lot of selﬁshness and separation in the world. … If we can just be together as a people in the outside world, the way we are at these festivals, I feel like things will be a lot better.”

graphic, from young people to older generations. The third and final season of “Euphoria” ranks among HBO Max’s three most-watched returning seasons. Amazon Prime Video in June held a fan event for its YA series and films called “Obsessed Fest.” “Off Campus,” which launched in May, reached 36 million viewers in its first 12 days on Prime Video, Amazon said. Disney+, Paramount+ and HBO Max have also released young adult titles, including “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” “School Spirits” and “Euphoria.” “There’s just this hunger for this kind of content that’s very relationship driven and set in a time period of growth and struggle and really figuring yourself out,” said Sarah Lampert, creator and executive producer of Netflix YA series “Ginny & Georgia,” about a mother and daughter’s relationship. “It’s just so deeply human.” The young adult push comes as Netflix faces growing pressure from investors to increase the amount of time people spend on the service. To that end, Netf-

lix has diversified the type of content it offers, adding games, video podcasts and live events like NFL football games to its platform. Still, the streamer’s stock is down 35% from a year ago, as competition from other platforms has grown. YouTube in particular remains a formidable rival, representing about 14% of streaming-watch time by U.S. viewers on TVs, compared to Netflix’s 8% in May, according to Nielsen. Despite the competition, Netflix’s original programs still dominate the mostwatched streaming lists. What sets Netflix apart is its large library of content, said Alejandro Rojas, a vice president with Parrot Analytics. Netflix gets a higher percentage of viewership on its platform for programs whose primary audience are young adults compared to other streamers, he said. “Netflix has so much more content than some of the other competitors that in every category, they’re always going to be either the leader, or be close to leading in that category,” Rojas said.

TROY LEJEUNE BAND: Fred’s, Mamou, 8 a.m. RUSTY METOYER THE ZYDECO KRUSH: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 8:30 a.m. CAJUN JAM: Moncus Park, Lafayette, 9 a.m. SATURDAY MORNING JAM SESSIONS: The Savoy Music Center, Eunice, 9 a.m.

G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. PAUL TASSIN PIANO: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 6 p.m. TERRY HUVAL & FRIENDS: Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 6 p.m. GREENLIGHT SESSIONS OPEN MIC: The Jefferson Street Greenroom, Lafayette, 7 p.m.

PROVIEd PHOTO

Cajun band Bonsoir Catin will celebrate the release of its new album, ‘Bonne Vie,’ at a Friday show at Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, at 7 p.m. CAJUN JAM: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m. CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC JAM: Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park, Lafayette, 1 p.m. CAJUN JAM SESSION: Touchet’s Bar, Maurice, 2 p.m. SIDESHOW: Cypress Cove Landing, Breaux Bridge, 3 p.m. CHRIS HIMEL DUO: Lakeview Park, Eunice, 5 p.m. AUDREY BROUSSARD: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. JADA & KEVIN: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza & Brewery, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6 p.m. RORY SUIRE: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m. SHAY CHIK: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m. BUDDY ANDREWS & THE BRANDED: Silver Slipper, Arnaudville, 7 p.m. MATT GARY TRIO: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 7 p.m. HORACE TRAHAN: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 8 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8 p.m. LUKE HUVAL BAND: La Poussiere Cajun Dancehall, Breaux Bridge, 8 p.m. MITCH REED + EBN +

LVCD + NILLZ!: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m. PASSENGER ELEVEN + SADNEY: Artmosphere, Lafayette, 8 p.m. BOBBY DWYER AND HONKY TONK NONC: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30 p.m. SPANK THE MONKEY WITH THUNDER CHILD: Rock ’n’ Bowl de Lafayette, Lafayette, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY

LIVE MUSIC: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m. THE SUNDAY PEOPLE: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 11 a.m. LES FRERES MICHOT: Prejean’s, Carencro, 11:30 a.m. BAL DU DIMANCHE — ZYDECO ROUX: Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park, Lafayette, 1 p.m. JAMIE BERGERON: Cypress Cove Landing, Breaux Bridge, 3 p.m. MICHALIS: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m.

MONDAY

PATRICIO LATINO SOLO: Cafe Habana City, Lafayette, 11 a.m. SAM SPHAR: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. BLUEGRASS JAM: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY

MICHALIS: Charley

WEDNESDAY

DULCIMER JAM: St. Landry Visitor Center, Opelousas, 10 a.m. ANDREW WAIN & LOGAN TURNER JAZZ: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 6 p.m. SAM SPHAR: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. VIEILLE MANIÈRE: Park Bistro, Lafayette, 6 p.m. WANTED WEDNESDAY KARAOKE NIGHT: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: The Tap Room, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m. STAY LOST/TAN AND HANDSOME/HOLEOPENER: The Loose Caboose, Lafayette, 7 p.m. CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY

LADIES NIGHT WITH DJ DONOVAN IN THE MIX: Cowboys Nightclub, Scott, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-nDuson, Duson, 6 p.m. PAUL TASSIN: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. KIP SONNIER: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m. KARAOKE PARTY — PANDA ENTERTAINMENT: Black Bull, Youngsville, 8 p.m.

Compiled by Marchaund Jones. Want your venue’s music listed? Email info/photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY for the following Friday’s paper.

THEATER

‘LEGALLY BLONDE JR.’ to play more roles than what

Continued from page 5C

Playmakers of Baton Rouge’s production of the hit Broadway musical.

enters Harvard Law School and then embarks on a political career. That’s when Elle puts her plan in place. “Elle is definitely an icon since the movie was released, then the musical in the early 2000s,” Templet said. “I think she is a really empowering figure, especially for women who are judged for being who they are and are stereotyped. She breaks down all those barriers and really opens up a new path for women. And, at the same time, she’s just so fun and bubbly while being honest and sticking up for what she believes.” Though Harvard proves to be a different world from the sunny disposition of California, Elle’s sorority sisters are always there to support her. In this show, they are Margo, played by Lily Keyser, 15, a sophomore at Episcopal High; Serena, played by Amelia Oliver, 15, a sophomore at Prairieville High; and Pilar, played by Ava Rheubottom, 17, a senior at Episcopal High. Along the way, Elle meets teaching assistant Emmett Forrest, played by Henry Gore, who gradually recognizes Elle’s intelligence, talent and sharp legal instincts. “At first, I think Emmett definitely sees her like everybody else does,” the 16-yearold homeschooled junior says of his character. “He’s as confused as everyone else is when she walks in the classroom with a dog dressed in all pink. But as the story goes on, he has a moment with her, and he realizes that she’s not a stereotype.” No “Legally Blonde” production would be complete without Elle’s friendship with manicurist Paulette, played by Emmie Hale, a 17-yearold senior at Dutchtown High. While navigating her way through law school, Elle also devotes time to building Paulette’s confidence.

7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Aug. Saturday-Sunday, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, and 2 p.m. SaturdaySunday, Aug. 29-30. l Reilly Theatre, 10 Tower drive, LSU campus. l $20-$30. l playmakersbr.org.

‘MEN ON BOATS’ Red Magnolia Theatre Company’s production of Jaclyn Backhaus’ satirical drama.

Friday-Sunday, and FridaySunday, Aug. 28-30. Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. All other performances begin at 7:30 p.m. l Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, 233 St. Ferdinand St. l $25-$35. l redmagnoliatc.org. “Paulette is such a dreamer,” Hale said. “The stage character is a bit different from her movie counterpart, but she’s just so alive, and I believe all she wants is a genuine connection with somebody, and it’s so fun to see her bond with Elle.” In the end, it seems, Elle has a way of bonding with everyone while taking on a big court case. If you’ve never seen the movie or musical, well, head to the Reilly Theatre to see what happens.

‘Men On Boats’

they would usually play.” Madalyn Mullins directs this cast of 10 playing the John Wesley Powell and his 10 volunteer explorers on their 1869 expedition on the Colorado River, which ultimately resulted in the discovery of the Grand Canyon. The group travels in four boats in this story inspired by Powell’s travel logs and journals. The drama was first staged in 2015 by the Clubbed Thumb theater company in New York. It moved to off-Broadway in 2016 and is described as satiric and subversive. Playing the expedition’s youngest member, George Young Bradley, simply known as Bradley, is LSU sophomore Madelyn Ray. “George Young Bradley was technically 30 during the expedition, but his age was changed to 19 to make the play more palatable and interesting,” she said. “He’s a very lively man, and this is his first time ever doing something like an expedition, so he’s very excited and chatty. He comes off as annoying at first, but I think everyone grows to love him.” Bradley also is Ray’s first time playing a male character, which came with its own set of challenges. “It’s different,” she said. “It’s not so much that we have to have super deep voices; it’s more like you’re taking your natural feminine parts of yourself and giving them more edge. I find myself just doing stereotypical stuff I see men do, but in almost a feminine way sometimes.” Powell’s discovery of the Grand Canyon is a given, meaning this story is more about the journey than the destination. The teamwork, friendships and conflicts among the men are a part of that. So, will there be boats on stage? Definitely. And the audience will ride along.

The title of Red Magnolia Theatre Company’s drama, “Men On Boats,” surely will stir curiosity when the company opens Jaclyn Backhaus’ drama on Friday in the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center. Red Magnolia, after all, is an all-woman theater company, but Backhaus had this in mind when writing her play. “It’s a play with all male characters, but it’s written for women to play these characters,” stage manager Madelaine Dunlap said. Email Robin Miller at “Jaclyn Backhaus saw it as a romiller@theadvocate. way to give women a chance com.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday,August 21, 2026 ● 7C

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FrAnK And erneSt

roSebUdS

zItS

zodIAC LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Visualize and follow through. Leave nothing to chance. Explore, expand and enjoy what comes your way. You are ready to engage and to push for your heart's desires. Make a statement. VIRGo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Keep your opinions to yourself and your plans a secret if you want to accomplish what you set out to do. A change may not be in your best interest. Consider consequences. LIBRA (Sept. 23-oct. 23) Look over prospects, and pursue as much as you can. Diversification is your path to success. Put laziness aside, and gear up to make the most out of every opportunity you encounter. ScoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) What you achieve today will depend on how well you distance yourself from worry, obstacles and those who take advantage of you. Pour your energy into tidying up loose ends. SAGIttARIuS (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Take advantage of your skills, talents and experience by jumping into opportunities with two feet. How you handle matters will determine the response you receive and the connections you make. cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Manage your time. A wrong move can cost you if you aren't careful. Protect yourself from injury or illness, and enforce discipline when temptation calls your name. AQuARIuS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Think big, but follow through with discretion. Balance

will be necessary while you sort through your differences and make plans that serve you. A job search or recommendation will pay off. PIScES (Feb. 20-March 20) Distance yourself from drama. Taking part in someone else's issue will set you back. Your best results will come from self-improvement and personal growth. Make self-help your priority. ARIES (March 21-April 19) Don't let negative energy ruin your day. Channel your angstintohomeimprovementsthatmake your life and your personal relationships easier. Consider the possibilities. tAuRuS (April 20-May 20) Take time to analyze and formulate what you want to do next. Don't feel obligated to participate in someone else's entertainment. Shift your focus inward. GEMInI (May 21-June 20) You'll thrive under pressure and demand. Change is your middle name, and excitement is part of the game. Rise to whatever occasion presents itself and takes you front and center. cAncER (June 21-July 22) Take better care of your health and emotional well-being. Don't rely on others or fall short when being responsible is necessary. Look out for your interests. 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

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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: Z EQuALS n

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

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8C ● Friday,August 21, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

CurTiS

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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

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La TimeS CroSSword

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday,August 21, 2026 ● 9C

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B.C.

Bridge By PHILLIP ALDER Edith Sitwell, an English poet who died in 1964, said, “I have often wished I had time to cultivate modesty. But I am too busy thinking about myself.” A friend of mine said that all top bridge players have egos the size of planets. But they do not stop thinking. Even when things seem to be going well, they do not drop their guard. This deal is a good example. South is in four hearts. West leads the spade ace. What should happen after that? South’s two-club rebid was New Minor Forcing. It announced at least gameinvitational strength and asked North to describe his hand further. When North showed three-card heart support, South went for game in that suit. Yes, three notrump would have been easy to make, with nine top tricks, but bidding isn’t always perfect. Since East does not want West to shift, he should encourage spades enthusiastically by dropping his nine. West should then cash the spade king and lead a third round of the suit. Let’s suppose East thoughtlessly switches to a club. South, who must play the trump suit without loss, should hope that East has the king and jack. Declarer takes the fourth trick with dummy’s club queen, plays a heart to his 10, crosses back to dummy with a diamond, leads a

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

hagar the horriBle

heart to his queen, cashes the heart ace and claims. However, an East who is thinking will realize that, based on the point-count, West is unlikely to have a high club. Instead, East will lead his last spade, which promotes a trump trick for the defense. © 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 — BALSAMIc: bol-SAM-ik: Made from balsam, an aromatic

Bizarro

marmaduKe

substance flowing from various plants. Average mark 20 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 33 or more words in BALSAMIC? yEStERDAy’S WoRD — ADoPtIon adit adopt anti atop danio dint onto option paid pain paint

pant patio piano pinot pint pinto pita piton point pond potion

toad topi inapt into iota

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “So likewise you, when you shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Luke 17:10 This should be the attitude of every blood bought child of God. — G.E. Dean

10C ● Friday,August 21, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Legal Notices

y g p 2. Hearing Review No. 2026-71-HE Proposed Plat Name: TBoys Tires and Automo‐ tive LLC, Lots 1-A & 1-B Plat Location: 4601 & 4605 W Congress St Jurisdiction: City of Lafayette Proposed Use: Commer‐ cial Surveyor: Jared Normand 3. Hearing Review No. 2026-72-HE Proposed Plat Name: Debra Ann Decou Pier‐ son, Tract 3A-1 Plat Location: 300 Blk Tracteur Road Jurisdiction: Parish of Lafayette Proposed Use: Residen‐ tial Surveyor: Jeremy Soirez 4. Hearing Review No. 2026-73-HE Proposed Plat Name: Honore Martin Estate, Parcels 1 & 2 Plat Location: 1555 N Bertrand Dr Jurisdiction: City of Lafayette d

y Proposed Use: Commer‐ cial Surveyor: Jacob Jarrell III. Adjourn

Public Notices

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE --HEARING EXAMINER AGENDA AUGUST 28, 2026 COMMUNITY DEVELOP‐ MENT AND PLANNING AUDITORIUM 220 WEST WILLOW STREET, BUILDING B 8:30 A.M. I. Call to Order & Intro‐ duction / Morgan Hart II. Development Review 1. Hearing Review No. 2026-70-HE Proposed Plat Name: Ledia Sonnier Roger Par‐ tition, Plot 10-A Plat Location: 925 LA 93 Jurisdiction: Parish of Lafayette Proposed Use: Residen‐ tial Surveyor: Craig Spikes i i

STORE.THEADVOCATE.COM

198090 Aug. 21 1t $13.97

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE The Lafayette City Coun‐ cil and the Lafayette Parish Council met in Special Joint Session on August 18, 2026 and adopted the following or‐ dinance: ORDINANCE NO. JO-028-2026 A JOINT ORDINANCE OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY

PROCEEDINGS OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCIL AND THE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE AND THE PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF AUGUST 18, 2026 HELD AT 705 W. UNIVERSITY AVENUE, LAFAYETTE, LA. ATTENDANCE CITY COUNCIL: Kenneth P. Boudreaux (Chair, District 5), Liz W. Hebert (Vice-Chair, District 3), Elroy Broussard (District 1), Andy Naquin (District 2) and Thomas Hooks (District 4) ABSENT: None PARISH COUNCIL: Donald Richard (Chair, District 2), Ken Stansbury (Vice-Chair, District 3), Bryan Tabor (District 1), John Guilbeau (District 4) and AB Rubin (Chair, District 5) ABSENT: None COUNCIL STAFF: Joseph Gordon-Wiltz (Clerk of the Council), Jeremy Richardson (Associate Clerk for Operations & Citizen Advocacy, Cindy M. Semien (Associate Clerk for Legislative Affairs) and Kelly Comeaux (Assistant Clerk for Legislative Affairs) ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: Monique B. Boulet (Mayor-President), Rachel Godeaux (Chief Administrative Officer), Karen Fontenot (Chief Financial Officer), Robert Mahtook (City-Parish Attorney) and Paul Escott (Assistant City-Parish Attorney) (5:17:00) CALL TO ORDER City Chair Boudreaux opened the Special Joint Council Meeting and called the City Council Meeting to order. Parish Chair Richard called the Parish Council Meeting to order. Boudreaux announced: • The Councils may consider amending the agenda to add a resolution following the discussion of Item #1; • Item #2 - Homewood and Coulee Ile des Cannes Projects update– CAO requested that this item be deferred indefinitely; • Budget Wrap-Up is scheduled for August 27th – Parish 1 p.m., Joint 2 p.m., City 3 p.m.; and • Final adoption of the budget is scheduled for September 10th. REPORT AND/OR DISCUSSION ITEMS AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Briefing by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Vermilion Reiver Dredging Project Col. Scotty Autin of the US Army Corps of Engineers, provided an update on future debris removal efforts of the Vermilion River. Autin explained that Lafayette is the largest civil works district in the state. He noted that the plan is to clear out debris with their own crew starting October 2026. Autin urged the Council to encourage the navigation industry to communicate to the Corps of any problems. Hebert questioned if the clearing and snagging is part of the $46 million. Autin indicated that it is not part of that allocation. Boulet stated that there is too much trash in the river. She announced that the Environmental Quality Convenience Center will open at 400 Dugas Road to provide residents with a location to dispose of household materials throughout the year.

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

COUNCIL AND THE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL, ACTING IN THEIR CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE AND THE PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, RESPECTIVELY, PROVIDING FOR THE ABANDONMENT OF A CERTAIN PORTION OF A TEN (10’) FOOT UTILITY SERVITUDE ON LOT 2A OF THE ESTATE OF KAREN BRASSEAUX, TRACT 2A SUBDIVISION, AT 122 BODENGER ROAD, AND AUTHORIZING THE LAFAYETTE MAYORPRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AN ACT OF ABANDONMENT IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE ABANDONMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE, PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, AND THE LAFAYETTE CITY-PARISH CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT

R.P.L.S. dated July 31, 2023, recorded under Act No. 2013-027081 of the Lafayette Parish Con‐ veyance Records; at‐ tached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit B; and WHEREAS, the ten (10’) foot utility easement on Tract 2A, has been pro‐ posed for abandonment and is clearly shown on a plat of survey prepared by Craig P. Spikes R.L.S. dated June 22, 2026, at‐ tached hereto and made a part hereof; and Exhibit C; and WHEREAS, it has been determined by the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the govern‐ ing authority of the City of Lafayette and the Parish of Lafayette, re‐ spectively, and jointly, as the governing authority of the Lafayette CityParish Consolidated Gov‐ ernment, that a certain ten (10’) foot utility ease‐ ment on Tract 2A of the Estate of Karen Brasseaux, Tract 2A Sub‐ division in the City of Lafayette is no longer needed for public use and, accordingly, it is ap‐ propriate to abandon that certain ten (10’) foot utility easement on Tract 2A, subject to the condi‐ tions detailed herein. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Lafayette City Coun‐ cil and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the gov‐ erning authority of the City of Lafayette and the Parish of Lafayette, re‐ spectively, and jointly, as the governing authority of the Lafayette CityParish Consolidated Gov‐ ernment, that: SECTION 1: All of the

aforedescribed “Whereas” clauses are adopted as part of this joint ordinance. SECTION 2: The Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the governing author‐ ity of the City of Lafayette and the Parish of Lafayette, respec‐ tively, hereby abandon a certain portion of a ten (10) foot utility ease‐ ment, as shown on a plat of survey prepared by Craig P. Spikes R.L.S. dated June 22, 2026, at‐ tached hereto and made a part hereof in Exhibit A. SECTION 3: The Lafayette Mayor-President is hereby authorized and empowered to execute an Act of Abandonment on behalf of the City of Lafayette, the Parish of Lafayette, and the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Govern‐ ment in order to effectu‐ ate the abandonment of a certain portion of a ten (10) foot utility easement on Tract 2A of the Estate of Karen Brasseaux, Tract 2A Subdivision in the City of Lafayette, as shown on the plat of survey pre‐ pared by Craig P. Spikes R.L.S. dated June 22, 2026, a copy of which is at‐ tached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit C. SECTION 4: The Act of Abandonment authorized in Section 3 shall be sub‐ stantially in the form at‐ tached hereto, but may be revised, and may con‐ tain such additional pro‐ visions, as the MayorPresident, in consulta‐ tion with the City-Parish Attorney, may deem nec‐ essary, convenient, or desirable to carry out the intent and provisions of this joint ordinance. ll di

BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the govern‐ ing authority of the City of Lafayette and the Parish of Lafayette, re‐ spectively, and jointly, as the governing authority of the Lafayette CityParish Consolidated Gov‐ ernment, that WHEREAS, a ten (10’) foot utility easement was dedicated to the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Govern‐ ment, on Tract 2A of the Estate of Karen Brasseaux, Tract 2A Sub‐ division, by that certain act of dedication and plat of survey con‐ veyance prepared by Walter S. Comeaux

#1(a), by City Council, was approved. A motion by the Lafayette Parish Council to add a resolution to the Special Joint Meeting Agenda as Item #1(a), by Stansbury, seconded by Tabor, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor, Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau NAYS: None ABSENT: Rubin ABSTAIN: None Motion to add a resolution to the Special Joint Meeting Agenda as Item #1(a), by Parish Council, was approved. Jeremiah Supple informed those present that he would be willing to consider accepting spoil on his property. AGENDA ITEM NO. 1(a): JR-016-2026 A joint resolution of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council urging the United States Army Corps of Engineers to promptly execute spot dredging and maintenance of the Vermilion River throughout Lafayette Parish, including the removal of accumulated silt and shoaling, debris, and overgrowth in order to restore and maintain the river’s authorized navigational dept and width. A motion by the Lafayette City Council to adopt by Broussard, seconded by Naquin, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt, by City Council was approved. A motion by the Lafayette Parish Council to adopt, by Guilbeau, seconded by Stansbury, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor, Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau NAYS: None ABSENT: Rubin ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt, by Parish Council, was approved. The City Chair requested that this adopted resolution be forwarded to Col. Scotty Autin of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Item #2 was deferred indefinitely. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Status Update on Homewood and Coulee Ile des Canes Projects

A motion by the Lafayette Parish Council to defer indefinitely, by Tabor, seconded by Guilbeau, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor, Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau NAYS: None ABSENT: Rubin ABSTAIN: None Motion to defer indefinitely, by Parish Council, was approved. PUBLIC HEARING

Boudreaux questioned Autin if the Corps can commit to an annual maintenance program. Naquin urged Autin to reach out to the Bayou Vermilion District to get help with the maintenance work as they have resources to do so.

Three (3) citizens who did not wish to speak, signed in, in support of funding for tennis court improvements.

Boudreaux designated Hebert to coordinate a navigation meeting with the U.S. Army Corps.

Three (3) citizens who did not wish to speak, signed in, in opposition of funding for greenspace for the homeless.

Boudreaux designated Naquin to coordinate a meeting with the Bayou Vermilion District and the U.S. Army Corps.

Kathy Ruckstuhl requested that funding be allocated get the tennis courts at Beaver Park brought up to standard.

Jeremiah Supple, Chris Gros, Gordon Schoeffler, Dr. Patrick Herrington, Karen Hail and Darrell Fontenot gave a joint 29-page PowerPoint presentation in support of the river being dredged. They noted Lafayette’s FEMA National Risk Index of 99.8%, regional cost of flooding, economic cost of a shrinking channel that floods, risks of not dredging, and a rising riverbed. The requests to the Corps are to reconsider dredging, note the responsibility of this federal navigation channel, and to have an alternative plan.

Denise Lanclos urged the Council to allocate funds to improve bike lanes and signs. She emphasized that the bike path located on Cajundome Blvd should continue down to Eraste Landry Road.

Bob Stander, signed in to speak, but passed when called upon. Chair Boudreaux announced that the Administration requested that the Councils consider a motion to take up a resolution which was not included on the published agenda. AGENDA ITEM NO. 1(a): JR-016-2026 A joint resolution of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council urging the United States Army Corps of Engineers to promptly execute spot dredging and maintenance of the Vermilion River throughout Lafayette Parish, including the removal of accumulated silt and shoaling, debris, and overgrowth in order to restore and maintain the river’s authorized navigational dept and width. A motion by the Lafayette City Council to add a resolution to the Special Joint Meeting Agenda as Item #1(a), by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to add a resolution to the Special Joint Meeting Agenda as Item

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

j SECTION 5: All ordi‐ nances or resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict herewith are hereby re‐ pealed. SECTION 6: After first having been adopted by a majority of the autho‐ rized membership of both the Lafayette Parish Council and the Lafayette City Council, this joint ordinance shall become effective upon signature of this joint or‐ dinance by the Lafayette Mayor-President, the elapse of ten (10) days after receipt by the Lafayette Mayor-Presi‐ dent without signature or veto, or upon override of a veto, whichever oc‐ curs first. *****

y acting in their capacity as the governing author‐ ity of the City of Lafayette and the Parish of Lafayette, respec‐ tively, providing for the abandonment of a por‐ tion of a 60’ public rightof-way (Live Oak Boule‐ vard) located between Lots 53-55 and Lots 56-59 of Live Oak Park Subdivi‐ sion, and authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-Presi‐ dent to execute an Act of Abandonment in order to effectuate the abandon‐ ment on behalf of the City of Lafayette, Parish of Lafayette, and the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Govern‐ ment.

/s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL 198294 Aug. 21 1t $49.98 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE The Lafayette City Coun‐ cil and the Lafayette Parish Council met in Special Joint Session on August 18, 2026 and in‐ troduced the following ordinances. JO-029-2026 A joint ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the governing author‐ ity of the City of Lafayette and the Parish of Lafayette, respec‐ tively, providing for the abandonment of a cer‐ tain portion of a ﬁve (5’) foot x ﬁve (5’) foot utility niche on the Lot 72-A of the Vineyard Subdivision, located at 101 Everett Ridge, and authorizing the Lafayette MayorPresident to execute an Act of Abandonment in order to effectuate the abandonment on behalf of the City of Lafayette, and Parish of Lafayette, and the Lafayette CityParish Consolidated Gov‐ ernment. JO-030-2026 A joint ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, i i h i i

Bill Phillips requested that the tennis courts at Beaver Park tennis parks be repaired and brought up to standard. Jamie Angelle, Executive Director of AOC, explained the need to eliminate the cost of rent that AOC pays. He noted that there is a need to replace the 15-year-old cameras. Angelle reported that there has been a 64% decline of support in the last two (2) years.

The ordinances will ap‐ pear before the each, the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council for public hear‐ ing and ﬁnal adoption in the Ted A. Ardoin CityParish Council Audito‐ rium located at 705 W. University Avenue, Lafayette, LA on Septem‐ ber 1, 2026. /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL 198298 Aug. 21 1t $18.90 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE The Lafayette City Coun‐ cil met in Regular Ses‐ sion on August 18, 2026 and adopted the follow‐ ing ordinances: CITY ORDINANCE NO. CO-068-2026 AN ORDINANCE OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCIL AMENDING THE FY 25/26 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS OF THE LAFAYETTE CITYPARISH CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT BY INCREASING ANTICIPATED REVENUES IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,820,013 FROM THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION (FTA) FY 23/24 SECTION 5307 URBANIZED AREA FORMULA GRANT AND

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

APPROPRIATING THESE FUNDS ALONG WITH THE REQUIRED MATCH IN THE AMOUNT OF $280,002 FOR USE WITHIN THE TRAFFIC, ROADS & BRIDGES DEPARTMENT, TRANSIT DIVISION BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette City Council, that: SECTION 1: The FY 25/26 operating and capital budgets of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government is hereby amended by increasing anticipated revenues in the amount of $1,820,013 from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grant and appropriating these funds within the Traffic, Roads & Bridges Depart‐ ment, Transit Division. SECTION 2: The purpose of the grant is to provide federal funding to replac‐ ing low floor transit buses within Traffic, Roads & Bridges Depart‐ ment, Transit Division. SECTION 3: LCG city match funds were appro‐ priated for use in the FY 23/24 budget year and carried over each FY for use in FY 25/26. SECTION 4: The Lafayette City Council hereby au‐ thorizes the Lafayette Mayor-President, or her designee, to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all docu‐ ments, including but not limited to applications, amendments, payment request and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the afore‐ mentioned funding. SECTION 5: The increase in revenues shall be re‐ flected in any pertinent documents which are at‐ tached hereto and made a part hereof and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Council. SECTION 6: All ordi‐ nances or resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict herewith are hereby re‐ pealed. SECTION 7: This ordi‐ nance shall become ef‐ fective upon signature of the Lafayette MayorPresident, the elapse of ten (10) days after re‐ ceipt by the Lafayette Mayor-President without signature or veto, or upon an override of a veto, whichever occurs

Jacob White explained that he is pleased with the new AOC leadership. Khadijah Rashad urged the Council to consider eliminating the $12,000 rent that AOC pays each month. She explained that decades of AOC sweat equity has helped make Lafayette Hub City as it is today. JOINT ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: JO-028-2026 A joint ordinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the governing authority of the City of Lafayette and the Parish of Lafayette, respectively, providing for the abandonment of a certain portion of a ten (10’) foot utility servitude on Lot 2A of the Estate of Karen Brasseaux, Tract 2A Subdivision, at 122 Bodenger Road, and authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to execute an Act of Abandonment in order to effectuate the abandonment on behalf of the City of Lafayette, Parish of Lafayette, and the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government. A motion by the Lafayette City Council to adopt, by Broussard, seconded by Naquin, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt, by City Council, was approved. A motion by the Lafayette Parish Council to adopt, by Tabor, seconded by Stansbury, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor, Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau NAYS: None ABSENT: Rubin ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt, by Parish Council, was approved. JOINT INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES Chair Boudreaux asked for a motion to introduce, in globo, items 5 and 6 was offered by Hebert, seconded by Naquin. Chair Richard asked for a motion to introduce, in globo, items 5 and 6 was offered by Stansbury, seconded by Tabor. 5.

JO-029-2026 A joint ordinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the governing authority of the City of Lafayette and the Parish of Lafayette, respectively, providing for the abandonment of a certain portion of a five (5’) foot x five (5’) foot utility niche on the Lot 72-A of the Vineyard Subdivision, located at 101 Everett Ridge, and authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to execute an Act of Abandonment in order to effectuate the abandonment on behalf of the City of Lafayette, and Parish of Lafayette, and the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government.

JO-030-2026 A joint ordinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the governing authority of the City of Lafayette and the Parish of Lafayette, respectively, providing for the abandonment of a portion of a 60’ public right-of-way (Live Oak Boulevard) located between Lots 53-55 and Lots 56-59 of Live Oak Park Subdivision, and authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to execute an Act of Abandonment in order to effectuate the abandonment on behalf of the City of Lafayette, Parish of Lafayette, and the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government.

A motion by the Lafayette City Council to defer indefinitely, by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to defer indefinitely, by City Council, was approved.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Public Hearing for Citizen Input on the FY 26/27 Budget One (1) citizen who did not wish to speak, signed in, in support of AOC not paying rent.

Jeff Roy, Brent Logan, Harold Schoeffler, Sr., Ross Keogh, Jeff Lemon, Wayne Colvin and Raney Redmond spoke in support of dredging the river and urged for positive action to a neglected river.

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

Chair Boudreaux then called for a vote to introduce the ordinances (items 5 and 6), in globo, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion by the City Council, to introduce, in globo, was approved. Chair Richard then called for a vote to introduce the ordinances (items 5 and 6), in globo, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor, Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau NAYS: None ABSENT: Rubin ABSTAIN: None Motion by the Parish Council, to introduce, in globo, was approved. Item #6: 63 citizens who did not wish to speak, signed in, in support. One (1) citizen who did not wish to speak, signed in, in opposition. Andre Comeaux explained that the abandonment would make it available to access the nearby Asbury Methodist Church. He urged the Council to vote in support.

John Pastor urged the Council to allocate funding to support AOC.

Rev. John A. Cannon indicated the plan for improvements to the area.

William McFarlain asked the Council to help AOC do more with what they have.

Bennett Broussard stated that this is the best thing for the community as it would cater around safety and accessibility.

Sally O. Donlon stated that AOC faces struggles and requested funding support.

Mark Miller noted his support for closing Live Oak Boulevard for safety reasons.

Tanya Foster reported that Thomas Park and Beaver Park both lack shaded viewing areas and usable bathrooms.

There being no further business to come before the Councils, Parish Chair Richard declared the Parish Council Meeting adjourned.

Vivian Brown signed in to speak but was not present when called upon.

City Chair Boudreaux declared the Joint Meeting and the City Council Meeting adjourned.

Greg Grace urged the Council to advocate for responsible spending of tax dollars, especially for roadways. Erica Gardner signed in to speak but was not present when called upon. Matt Mick requested that the Council allocate funds for bike roadway improvements. Donald Landry spoke in regards to the District Attorney budget. He noted that he is pleased to continue to keep Acadiana safe.

(8:00:00) ADJOURN /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ, LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL 198280-679951-aug 21-1t $ 357.21

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday,August 21, 2026 ● 11C

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Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

ﬁrst.

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ing for the Council Audi‐ Projector Re‐ torium placement Project.

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CITY ORDINANCE NO. CO-069-2026 AN ORDINANCE OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCIL AMENDING THE FY 25/26 OPERATING BUDGET AND CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY-PARISH CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT BY INCREASING REVENUES IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,986,192 IN SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL GRANT FUNDS RECEIVED FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AS WELL AS TRANSFERRING $2,001,498 IN CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDS TO SERVE AS A LOCAL MATCH, AND APPROPRIATING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT FOR SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ALONG JOHNSTON STREET BETWEEN BERTRAND DRIVE AND CHURCHILL DRIVE BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette City Council, that: SECTION 1: The FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment is hereby amended by increasing revenues in the amount of $7,986,192 received from the U.S. Department of Trans‐ portation Safe Streets and Roads for All pro‐ gram and appropriating within the Community Development and Plan‐ ning Department. SECTION 2: The FY 25/26 capital budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment is hereby amended by transferring $2,001,498 in Capital Outlay funds to the Community Develop‐ ment and Planning De‐ partment as match for the grant from the U.S. Department of Trans‐ portation. SECTION 3: Funds will be used for safety improve‐ ments along Johnston Street between Bertrand Drive and Churchill Drive. SECTION 4: The Lafayette City Council hereby au‐ thorizes the Lafayette Mayor-President, or her designee, to conduct all execute negotiations, and submit all docu‐ ments, including but not limited to applications, amend‐ agreements, payment re‐ ments, quests, memoranda of understanding, and so on, which may be neces‐ sary for the completion of the aforementioned project. SECTION 5: This transfer of funds shall be as re‐ flected in any pertinent documents which are at‐ tached hereto and made a part hereof and filed in the Office of the Clerk of Council. The the Mayor-Presi‐ Lafayette dent, or her designee, is hereby authorized to amend the operating budget within the grant period by de-obligating unused funds any deemed unnecessary for the completion of the project. SECTION 6: All ordi‐ nances or resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict herewith are hereby re‐ pealed. SECTION 7: This ordi‐ nance shall become ef‐ fective upon signature of the Lafayette MayorPresident, the elapse of ten (10) days after re‐ ceipt by the Lafayette Mayor-President without signature or veto, or upon override of a veto, whichever occurs first. *** /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL 198301 Aug. 21 1t $54.27 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE The Lafayette City Coun‐ cil met in Regular Ses‐ sion on August 18, 2026 and introduced the fol‐ lowing ordinances. CO-070-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council amending the Lafayette Develop‐ ment Code and the offi‐ cial map of the City of Lafayette, providing for the annexation of addi‐ tional land into the cor‐ porate limits of the City of Lafayette, Louisiana, Case No. 2026-15-REZ 200 Coussan Road (Tract 1-A) Annexation, located gen‐ erally north of West Pont Des Mouton Road, east of Veterinarian Road, and south of Coussan Road; and assigning a zoning classification of RS-1 (Residential Single-Fam‐ ily) (District 1). CO-071-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council authorizing the Lafayette MayorPresident to enter into an Act of Deposit on behalf of the Lafayette Police Department of mounted horse Levi to Lieutenant Karn (Police Bridget Horse). CO-072-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by increasing rev‐ enues in the amount of awarded $3,982,500 through a federal SubAward Grant Agreement by the administered Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy under the U.S. Depart‐ ment of Energy’s Grid De‐ ployment Office for the System Hardening and Resiliency Project under Section 40101(D) of the bipartisan infrastructure law and appropriating within the Utilities De‐ partment. CO-073-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by transferring ap‐ propriations from the City General Fund (Fund 1010) to establish fund‐

The ordinances will ap‐ pear before the Lafayette City Council for public hearing and final adop‐ tion in the Ted A. Ardoin City-Parish Council Audi‐ torium located at 705 W. Avenue, University Lafayette, LA on Septem‐ ber 1, 2026. /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL 198303 Aug. 21 1t $22.33 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE The Lafayette Parish Council met in Regular Session on August 18, 2026 and introduced the following ordinances. PO-036-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 capital and operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated by transferring ment funds from account EXT APP-LPSO Maint Salaries to the Building Mainte‐ nance account within Adult Correctional Center Fund to provide addi‐ tional funding for man‐ dated expenditures. PO-037-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by increasing the use of prior year fund balance in Library Fund 2630 by $50,000 and ap‐ propriating in the capital budget of Library Fund 2630 in the amount of $50,000 for the purchase of a replacement library van. The ordinances will ap‐ pear before the Lafayette Parish Council for public hearing and final adop‐ tion in the Ted A. Ardoin City-Parish Council Audi‐ torium located at 705 W. Avenue, University Lafayette, LA on Septem‐ ber 1, 2026. /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL 198291 Aug. 21 1t $13.54 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE The Lafayette Parish Council met in Regular Session on August 18, 2026 and adopted the fol‐ lowing ordinances: PARISH ORDINANCE NO. PO-032-2026 AN ORDINANCE OF THE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL AMENDING THE FY 25/26 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY-PARISH CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT BY TRANSFERRING $60,000 FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 CAPITAL APPROPRIATION TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS DEPARTMENT, FUND 2600, FOR THE NORTH WILDERNESS TRAIL RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette Parish Council, that: SECTION 1: The Lafayette Parish Council desires to provide funding assis‐ tance for the North Wilderness Trail Recon‐ struction Project through the reallocation of the existing Parish Council District 1 capital appro‐ budgeted at priation $60,000. SECTION 2: The FY 25/26 Operating and Capital Budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government is hereby amended by transferring $60,000 from the Parish Council District 1 Capital to the Appropriation Improvements Capital Department, Fund 2600, for the North Wilderness Trail Reconstruction Pro‐ ject. SECTION 3: These adjust‐ ments shall be as re‐ flected in any pertinent documents which are at‐ tached hereto and made a part hereof and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Council. SECTION 4: All ordi‐ nances or resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict herewith are hereby re‐ pealed. SECTION 5: This ordi‐ nance shall become ef‐ fective upon signature of the Lafayette MayorPresident, the elapse of ten (10) days after re‐ ceipt by the Lafayette Mayor-President without signature or veto, or upon an override of a veto, whichever occurs first. ***** PARISH ORDINANCE NO. PO-033-2026 AN ORDINANCE OF THE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL AMENDING THE FY 25/26 OPERATING AND CAPI‐ TAL BUDGET OF THE LAFAYETTE CITYPARISH CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT BY TRANSFERRING $10,000 FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 CAPITAL APPROPRIATION TO DUSON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT WITHIN SECTION 4190 PARISHWIDE FIRE PROTECTION FOR THE PURCHASE OF GAS MONITORS, A WASHER, A DRYER, AND MISCELLANEOUS COSTS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette Parish Council, that: SECTION 1: The Lafayette Parish Council desires to provide funding assis‐ tance to the Duson Vol‐ unteer Fire Department to enhance emergency capabilities response and firefighter safety through the reallocation of existing Parish Council District 2 capital appro‐ priations budgeted at $ b i h

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Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min p g $60,000, but with a cur‐ rent balance of $10,000. SECTION 2: The FY 25/26 Operating and Capital Budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government is hereby amended by transferring $10,000 from the Parish Council District 2 Capital to the Appropriation Duson Volunteer Fire De‐ partment within Section 4190 – Parishwide Fire Protection for the pur‐ chase of gas monitors, a washer, a dryer, and mis‐ cellaneous costs associ‐ ated therewith. SECTION 3: These adjust‐ ments shall be as re‐ flected in any pertinent documents which are at‐ tached hereto and made a part hereof and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Council. SECTION 4: All ordi‐ nances or resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict herewith are hereby re‐ pealed. SECTION 5: This ordi‐ nance shall become ef‐ fective upon signature of the Lafayette MayorPresident, the elapse of ten (10) days after re‐ ceipt by the Lafayette Mayor-President without signature or veto, or upon an override of a veto, whichever occurs first. ***** PARISH ORDINANCE NO. PO-034-2026 AN ORDINANCE OF THE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY TO COLLABORATE IN PET AND/OR LIVESTOCK AID EFFORTS DURING DECLARATIONS OF EMERGENCY BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette Parish Council, that: WHEREAS, Louisiana De‐ partment of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF) is the state agency responsible for promoting, protect‐ ing, and advancing agri‐ culture, forestry, and soil and water resources; and WHEREAS, Lafayette CityParish Consolidated Gov‐ (“LCG”), ernment through its Animal Care Center, and LDAF (collec‐ tively, the “Parties”) de‐ sire to establish a work‐ ing relationship between LCG and LDAF in prepar‐ ing for and responding to declarations of emer‐ gency; and WHEREAS, the Parties have determined that it is in the best interests of and the themselves Parish of Lafayette, to foster communications and the sharing of re‐ sources, personnel, and equipment in the event of a declaration of emer‐ gency that threatens the welfare of pets and/or livestock; and WHEREAS, LCG desires to enter into a Memoran‐ dum of Understanding with LDAF to provide the framework for coopera‐ tion and communication between the Parties in providing assistance and service to pets and/or livestock during declara‐ tions of emergency in Lafayette Parish, as well as for other services for which cooperation may be mutually beneficial. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by Lafayette Parish the Council, that: SECTION 1: All of the aforedescribed “Whereas” clauses are adopted as part of this ordinance. SECTION 2: The Lafayette is Mayor-President hereby authorized to enter into the Memoran‐ dum of Understanding, substantially in the form as is attached hereto, and made a part hereof. The Lafayette MayorPresident is further au‐ thorized to sign any and all other documents in with the connection Memorandum of Under‐ standing. SECTION 3: All ordi‐ nances or resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict herewith are hereby re‐ pealed. SECTION 4: This ordi‐ nance shall become ef‐ fective upon signature of the Lafayette MayorPresident, the elapse of ten (10) days after re‐ ceipt by the Lafayette Mayor-President without signature or veto, or upon an override of a veto, whichever occurs first. ***** PARISH ORDINANCE NO. PO-035-2026 AN ORDINANCE OF THE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL DECLARING THE COBURN’S AT RIDGE ROAD DRAINAGE PROJECT A PUBLIC NECESSITY AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF THE NECESSARY RIGHTS-OFWAY, IMMOVABLE PROPERTY AND OTHER PROPERTY RIGHTS REQUISITE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF SAID PROJECT, EITHER ON AN AMICABLE BASIS OR THROUGH THE PROPER USE OF THE EXPROPRIATION PROCESS IF NECESSARY BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette Parish Council, that: WHEREAS, the Lafayette Parish Council has de‐ clared the Coburn’s at Ridge Road Drainage Pro‐ ject (hereinafter referred to as “Project”) a public necessity; and WHEREAS, the public purpose to be served by the construction of said project is to provide for improvement of public and public drainage safety at this location; and WHEREAS, the project limits are shown on the attached Exhibit “A” for the project and is gener‐ ally, but not limited to, the installation of sub‐ surface drainage from Road to W-5 Ridge Coulee Ile des Cannes, Lateral 7; and WHEREAS, engineering work has progressed to a point wherein it is deter‐ mined that certain tracts of land or portions thereof will be required for construction of the Project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

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FURTHER ORDAINED by Lafayette Parish the Council, that: SECTION 1: All of the aforedescribed “Whereas” clauses are adopted as part of this ordinance. SECTION 2: The Lafayette is Mayor-President hereby authorized to ac‐ quire such land, immov‐ able property, rights-ofway, servitudes, or other property rights as are determined to be neces‐ sary under good engi‐ neering standards to provide for the construc‐ tion of said project; and she is authorized to do so on an amicable basis or by the proper use of the power of expropria‐ tion granted to munici‐ palities under applicable State law. In pursuing said land, immovable right-of-way property, acquisitions, she is au‐ thorized to acquire said land, immovable prop‐ erty, right-of-way and to settle the matters thus presented, on such terms and conditions as he shall deem proper and in the best interest of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment. SECTION 3: All ordi‐ nances or resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict herewith are hereby re‐ pealed. SECTION 4: This ordi‐ nance shall become ef‐ fective upon signature of the Lafayette MayorPresident, the elapse of ten (10) days after re‐ ceipt by the Lafayette Mayor-President without signature or veto, or upon an override of a veto, whichever occurs first. ***** /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL 198282 Aug. 21 1t $91.14 PUBLIC NOTICE --PROCEEDINGS OF THE LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 18, 2026 HELD AT 705 W. UNIVERSITY AV‐ ENUE, LAFAYETTE, LA. ATTENDANCE COUNCIL: Kenneth Boudreaux (Chair, Dis‐ trict 5), Liz Hebert (ViceChair, District 3), Elroy Broussard (District 1), Andy Naquin (District 2), and Thomas Hooks (Dis‐ trict 4) ABSENT: None COUNCIL STAFF: Joseph Gordon-Wiltz (Clerk of the Council), Cindy M. Semien (Associate Clerk for Legislative Affairs) and Kelly Comeaux (As‐ sistant Clerk for Legisla‐ tive Affairs) ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: B. Boulet Monique (Mayor-President), Rachel Godeaux (Chief Administrative Officer), Karen Fontenot (Chief Fi‐ nancial Officer), Robert A. Mahtook, Jr. (CityAttorney) and Parish Paul Escott (Assistant City-Parish Attorney) (8:15:00) COMMENCEMENT Call to order Chair Boudreaux called the Regular City Council Meeting of August 18, 2026 to order. AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Invo‐ cation and Pledge of Al‐ legiance The Chair called upon Councilmember Naquin to cite an invocation and Councilmember upon Broussard to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. WELCOME AND CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS Boudreaux made the fol‐ lowing announcements: - Public Hearing for Citi‐ zen Input on the Budget was held during a Spe‐ cial Joint Council Meet‐ ing today at 5:15 p.m. for all matters related to the 2026-2027 Proposed Bud‐ get; - Budget Wrap-Up is scheduled for August 27th; - Final Adoption of the Budget will be held dur‐ ing a Special Joint Coun‐ cil Meeting on Septem‐ ber 10th at 5:15 p.m.; - Wished a happy birth‐ day to Inger Malbrough, Council Receptionist who will celebrate on August 22nd. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: COUNCIL ANNOUNCE‐ MENTS No Council Announce‐ ments were made. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: EXECUTIVE/MAYORPRESIDENT’S REPORT Boulet’s announcements: - Demolition of the La Quinta hotel located at NE Evangeline 2100 Thruway was August 17th; - Growth Plan Commu‐ nity Discussion Public Meeting will be held at the South Regional Li‐ brary on September 8th at 6 PM. - Mouton Park Improve‐ ments Public Meeting will be August 25th from 6 PM – 8 PM at 901 Mudd Avenue. - Applications are open through August 21st for Mayor-President’s the Youth Advisory Council. Boudreaux thanked the Administration for the demolition efforts of the La Quinta. He noted the need for accomplishing more to rid the city of blight. REPORT AND/OR DISCUSSION ITEMS AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Op‐ portunities for Geaux Mow Program Improve‐ ment Martin Poirier, Director of Improvements, Capital noted the challenges that cause delays to Geaux Mow contractors maintaining public prop‐ erty and public rights-ofway. Broussard stressed that the contractors do not pick up the trash and properties are left in dis‐ array. Boudreaux questioned h bili f

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Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min q the ability for LCG em‐ ployees to participate in cutting the grass and re‐ ceiving overtime. He fur‐ ther questioned if herbi‐ cide can legally be used. Boudreaux requested that Community Devel‐ opment and Planning provide a list of the 144 properties where Geaux Mow services are regu‐ larly utilized. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: SUN Community Center Up‐ date (Former Truman Ele‐ mentary) Dr. Christopher Williams; Kelly Courville, Architect of Diverse Studio and Anderson of Monty Neighborhood Evolution, discussed turning the former school into a new community center. They shared the progress that is being made and asked for continued support. A 12-page PowerPoint pre‐ sentation was provided. Broussard noted his sup‐ port for the investment in keeping the landmark open. Naquin stated that it is a great endeavor. ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: CO068-2026 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Coun‐ cil amending the FY 25/26 operating and capi‐ budgets of the tal City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by increasing antic‐ ipated revenues in the of $1,820,013 amount from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) FY 23/24 Section 5307 Ur‐ banized Area Formula Grant and appropriating these funds along with the required match in the amount of $280,002 for use within the Traffic, Roads & Bridges Depart‐ ment, Transit Division, motion to adopt by Naquin, seconded by Hebert, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hooks, Hebert, Boudreaux NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was ap‐ proved. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: CO069-2026 An ordinance of the Lafayette City Coun‐ cil amending the FY 25/26 operating budget and capital budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by increasing rev‐ enues in the amount of $7,986,192 in Safe Streets and Roads for all grant funds received from the U.S. Department of Trans‐ portation, as well as transferring $2,001,498 in Capital Outlay Funds to serve as a local match, and appropriating within the Community Develop‐ ment and Planning De‐ partment for safety im‐ provements along John‐ Street between ston Drive and Bertrand Churchill Drive, motion to adopt by Hebert, sec‐ onded by Broussard, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Hebert, Hooks, Boudreaux NAYS: Naquin ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was ap‐ proved. Naquin noted that he would not vote in sup‐ port of this ordinance be‐ cause a center median on Johnston Street will kill commerce. Godeaux explained that it will allow safety im‐ provements along John‐ ston Street. She reported that within three (3) years, there have been over 500 crashes along the stretch of Johnston Street which is what is driving the project. Hebert noted that there is a compromise when down money turning from the federal govern‐ ment. Hooks stated that he is not opposed to medians for safety reasons. Eight (8) citizens who did not wish to speak, signed in opposition. Tim Metcalf, Greg Grace, TJ Delhomme and Annie Delhomme requested de‐ ferral of the ordinance. CONSIDER APPOINT‐ MENT(S) BY THE COUN‐ CIL, AS A WHOLE, TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: CSB - Appointment of Can‐ dace Fontenot to the Lafayette Municipal Civil Service Board for a fourterm effective year March 1, 2026. Nomina‐ tion list supplied via ASHRM in lieu of South‐ ern University. Naquin Fontenot, nominated nominated Broussard Monica D. Bartie, and the vote was as follows: FONTENOT: Hebert Naquin, Hooks BARTIE: Broussard, Boudreaux NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Candace Fontenot was appointed. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES A motion to introduce agenda items 9 thru 12, in globo, was offered by seconded by Hebert, Naquin. 9. CO-070-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council amending the Lafayette Develop‐ ment Code and the offi‐ cial map of the City of Lafayette, providing for the annexation of addi‐ tional land into the cor‐ porate limits of the City of Lafayette, Louisiana, Case No. 2026-15-REZ 200 Coussan Road (Tract 1-A) Annexation, located gen‐ erally north of West Pont Des Mouton Road, east of Veterinarian Road, and south of Coussan Road; and assigning a zoning classification of RS-1 (Residential Single-Fam‐ ily) (District 1). 10. CO-071-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council authorizing the Lafayette MayorPresident to enter into an Act of Deposit on behalf of the Lafayette Police Department of mounted horse Levi to Lieutenant Bridget Karn (Police )

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min g Horse). 11. CO-072-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by increasing rev‐ enues in the amount of awarded $3,982,500 through a federal SubAward Grant Agreement by the administered Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy under the U.S. Depart‐ ment of Energy’s Grid De‐ ployment Office for the System Hardening and Resiliency Project under Section 40101(D) of the bipartisan infrastructure law and appropriating within the Utilities De‐ partment. 12. CO-073-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by transferring ap‐ propriations from the City General Fund (Fund 1010) to establish fund‐ ing for the Council Audi‐ Projector Re‐ torium placement Project. The Chair then called for a vote to introduce the ordinances (items 9 thru 12), in globo, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Broussard, Naquin, Hooks, Hebert, Boudreaux NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to introduce, in globo, was approved. COMMENT(S) FROM THE PUBLIC AGENDA ITEM NO. 13: Comments from the pub‐ lic on any other mat‐ ter(s) not on an agenda and are within the leg‐ islative power of the Lafayette City Council. There were no Com‐ ments from the Public. (10:15:00) ADJOURN There being no further business to come before Council, Chair the Boudreaux declared the Meeting ad‐ Regular journed. /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ, LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL 198309 Aug. 21 1t $99.72 PUBLIC NOTICE --PROCEEDINGS OF THE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF THE PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 18, 2026 HELD AT 705 W. UNIVERSITY AV‐ ENUE, LAFAYETTE, LA. ATTENDANCE COUNCIL: Donald Richard (Chair, District 2), Ken (Vice-Chair, Stansbury District 3), Bryan Tabor (District 1), John Guil‐ beau (District 4) and AB Rubin (District 5) ABSENT: None COUNCIL STAFF: Joseph Gordon-Wiltz (Clerk of Council), Jeremy the (Associate Richardson Clerk for Operations & Citizen Advocacy, Cindy M. Semien (Associate Clerk for Legislative Af‐ fairs) and Kelly Comeaux (Assistant Clerk for Leg‐ islative Affairs) ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: B. Boulet Monique (Mayor-President), Rachel Godeaux (Chief Administrative Officer), Karen Fontenot (Chief Fi‐ nancial Officer), Robert A. Mahtook, Jr. (CityAttorney) and Parish Paul Escott (Assistant City-Parish Attorney) (4:31:00) COMMENCEMENT Call to order Chair Richard called the Regular Parish Council Meeting of August 18, 2026 to order. AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Invo‐ cation and Pledge of Al‐ legiance The Chair called upon Councilmember Rubin to cite the invocation and called upon Councilmem‐ ber Tabor, to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. WELCOME AND CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS - Public Hearing for Citi‐ zen Input on the Budget will be held during a Spe‐ cial Joint Council meet‐ ing today at 5:15 p.m. (or following immediately this Regular Parish Coun‐ cil meeting, whichever occurs later) for all mat‐ ters related to the 20262027 Proposed Budget; - Budget Wrap-Up is scheduled for August 27th; - Final Adoption of the Budget will be held dur‐ ing a Special Joint Coun‐ cil Meeting on Septem‐ ber 10th at 5:15 p.m.; - Wished a happy birth‐ day to Inger Malbrough, Receptionist, Council which she celebrates on August 22nd. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: COUNCIL ANNOUNCE‐ MENTS No Council Announce‐ ments were made. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: EX‐ ECUTIVE/MAYOR-PRESI‐ DENT’S REPORT Boulet’s announcements: - Growth Plan Commu‐ nity Discussion Public Meeting will be held at the South Regional Li‐ brary on September 8th at 6 PM; - Martin Luther King Recreation Pool will ex‐ tend the open swim sea‐ son through October 4th. Rates for adults is $5 and children is $3. ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: PO032-2026 An ordinance of Lafayette Parish the Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capi‐ budget of the tal City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated by transferring ment $60,000 from the Parish Council District 1 capital appropriation to the Cap‐ ital Improvements De‐ d f

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Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

p partment, Fund 2600, for the North Wilderness Trail Reconstruction pro‐ ject, motion to adopt by seconded by Tabor, Stansbury, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor, Richard, Guilbeau, Stansbury, Rubin NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was ap‐ proved.

y Bolgiano, Matt Romero, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Champagne. NAYS: None. ABSTAINED: None. ABSENT: None. Motion Approved. 4. FINANCE REPORT 4.1. Approval of June 2026 finance report. Motion made by Shannon D. Bares, seconded by Matt Romero, approving the June 2026 finance report. YEAS: Shannon D. Bares, Bolgiano, Matt Lindy Romero, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Champagne. NAYS: None. ABSTAINED: None. ABSENT: None. Mo‐ tion Approved. 5. PRELIMINARY PLATS (PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION) 5.1. Request for Prelimi‐ nary Plat approval of a Boundary Survey creat‐ ing Common Areas 3, 3A, 3B & 3C Sugar Mill Pond, Phase 27, located in Sec‐ tion 12, T11S, R5E, was read aloud and opened for Public Hearing by Mayor Ritter. Ms. Pamela Granger stated that this request is to address the common areas of Sug‐ armill Pond Ph 27, as the owner would like to sep‐ arate 1 common area into 4. She explained that some of the common area will be under the ownership of SMP HOA and the remaining would be owned by whoever owns the remainder of Phase 27 ‘The Cottages’. She noted that her letter does not provide a full recommendation as her firm was not provided with legal documenta‐ tion that shows who maintains what, who has the privilege and ability to access, and who has ownership of drainage pipes that lead into the detention pond. Upon developer questioning, Jordan Daigle stated that it would take a couple of days to get legal docu‐ ments to City Hall. Hear‐ ing no further comments, a motion made by Si‐ mone B. Champagne, seconded by Shannon D. Bares, granting Prelimi‐ nary Plat approval of a Boundary Survey creat‐ ing Common Areas 3, 3A, 3B & 3C Sugar Mill Pond, Phase 27, located in Sec‐ tion 12, T11S, R5E, as amended to include 3D and as recommended by McBade Engineers in a letter dated August 5, 2026, contingent upon special conditions and receipt of legal docu‐ ments showing owner‐ ship & maintenance on the pond, dumpster com‐ mon areas and pipes leading into the pond. YEAS: Shannon D. Bares, Bolgiano, Matt Lindy Romero, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Champagne. NAYS: None. ABSTAINED: None. ABSENT: None. Mo‐ tion Approved. 6. OTHER BUSINESS 6.1. Will Keaty an‐ nounced his candidacy for 15th JDC District Court Judge, Division I. 6.2. David Way was not presented to announce his candidacy for 15th JDC District Court Judge, Division I. 6.3. Bid Review – 20262028 Roadway Striping Motion made by Matt Romero, seconded by Lindy Bolgiano, awarding the base bid in the amount of $139,475 to Highway Graphics, LLC for the 2026-2028 Road‐ way Striping Construc‐ tion Project; plus $75,000 for contingencies as well as inspection & materials testing, for a total of $214,475 at this time. YEAS: Shannon D. Bares, Bolgiano, Matt Lindy Romero, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Champagne. NAYS: None. ABSTAINED: None. ABSENT: None. Mo‐ tion Adopted. 6.4. Bid Review – Pump Station #8 & #17 Up‐ grade. Motion made by Lindy Bolgiano, seconded by Shannon D. Bares, awarding the base bid in the amount of $809,512 to Mechanical, Preferred LLC for the Pump Station #8 & #17 Upgrade Pro‐ ject. YEAS: Shannon D. Bares, Lindy Bolgiano, Matt Romero, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Cham‐ pagne. NAYS: None. AB‐ STAINED: None. ABSENT: None. Motion Adopted. 6.5. Gaylon Morales re‐ quested a variance to omit the installation of a along 4900 sidewalk Decon Road. Prior to the vote, various discussions were held on the ab‐ sence of sidewalks on neighboring lots the along Decon Rd. Motion made by Nicholas Niland, seconded by Simone B. Champagne, granting a variance to omit the in‐ stallation of a sidewalk along 4900 Decon Rd. YEAS: Shannon D. Bares, Matt Romero, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Cham‐ pagne. NAYS: Lindy Bol‐ giano. ABSTAINED: None. ABSENT: None. Motion Adopted. 7. RESOLUTIONS 7.1. Resolution No. 202620 - A Resolution of the City of Youngsville autho‐ signatures for rizing bank authorization cards and any other financial matters. Motion made by Simone B. Champagne, by Matt seconded Romero, adopting Reso‐ lution No. 2026-20. YEAS: Shannon D. Bares, Lindy Bolgiano, Matt Romero, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Champagne. NAYS: None. ABSTAINED: None. ABSENT: None. Resolu‐ tion Adopted. 7.2. Resolution No. 202621 – A Resolution of the of Youngsville City adopting the Lafayette Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan 2026. Motion made by Simone B. Cham‐ seconded by pagne, Lindy Bolgiano, adopting Resolution No. 2026-21. YEAS: Shannon D. Bares, Bolgiano, Matt Lindy Romero, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Champagne. NAYS: None. ABSTAINED: None. ABSENT: None. Resolution Adopted. 7.3. Resolution No. 202622 - A Resolution autho‐ rizing and directing the mayor to execute for and on behalf of the City of Youngsville of the Parish of Lafayette, Louisiana, an Act of Substantial Completion from Glenn Lege Construction, LLC, pertaining to the comple‐ tion of a contract for the Langlinais Road Exten‐ sion (South East-West Connector/Chemin Agre‐ able Roadway Improve‐ ments) project. Motion made by Simone B. seconded Champagne, by Lindy Bolgiano, adopt‐ ing Resolution No. 202622. YEAS: Shannon D.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: PO033-2026 An ordinance of Lafayette Parish the Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capi‐ budget of the tal City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated by transferring ment $10,000 from the Parish Council District 2 capital appropriation to Duson Volunteer Fire Depart‐ ment within Section 4190 Parishwide Fire Protec‐ tion for the purchase of gas monitors, a washer, a dryer, and miscella‐ neous costs associated motion to therewith, adopt by Stansbury, sec‐ onded by Guilbeau, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor, Richard, Guilbeau, Stansbury, Rubin NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was ap‐ proved. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: PO034-2026 An ordinance of Lafayette Parish the Council authorizing the Mayor-President to enter into a Memorandum of with Understanding Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry to collaborate in pet and/or livestock aid efforts dur‐ ing declarations of emer‐ gency, motion to adopt by Rubin, seconded by Tabor, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor, Richard, Guilbeau, Stansbury, Rubin NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was ap‐ proved. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: PO035-2026 An ordinance of Lafayette Parish the Council declaring the Coburn’s at Ridge Road Drainage Project a public necessity and authoriz‐ ing the acquisition of the necessary rights-of-way, immovable property and other property rights requisite to the construc‐ tion of said project, ei‐ ther on an amicable basis or through the proper use of the expro‐ priation process if neces‐ sary, motion to adopt by Guilbeau, seconded by Rubin, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor, Richard, Guilbeau, Stansbury, Rubin NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was ap‐ proved. INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES A motion to introduce agenda items 8 and 9, in globo, was offered by seconded by Rubin, Tabor. 8. PO-036-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 capital and operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated by transferring ment funds from account EXT APP-LPSO Maint Salaries to the Building Mainte‐ nance account within Adult Correctional Center Fund to provide addi‐ tional funding for man‐ dated expenditures. 9. PO-037-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by increasing the use of prior year fund balance in Library Fund 2630 by $50,000 and ap‐ propriating in the capital budget of Library Fund 2630 in the amount of $50,000 for the purchase of a replacement library van. The Chair then called for a vote to introduce the ordinances (items 8 and 9), in globo, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor, Richard, Guilbeau, Stansbury, Rubin NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Motion to introduce, in globo, was approved. (4:40:00) ADJOURN There being no further business to come before Council, Chair the declared the Richard Meeting ad‐ Regular journed. /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ, LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL 198305 Aug. 21 1t $67.13 PUBLIC NOTICE --PROCEEDINGS OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUN‐ CIL OF THE CITY OF YOUNGSVILLE, LOUISIANA TAKEN AT THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026 AT 6:00 PM AT YOUNGSVILLE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS. 1. OPENING 1.1. Invocation was led by Pastor John Cannon, As‐ bury United Methodist Church. 1.2. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Nicholas Ni‐ land. 2. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor Ken Rit‐ ter, Shannon D. Bares (Di‐ vision A), Mayor Pro Tem Lindy Bolgiano (Division B), Matt Romero (Divi‐ sion C), Nicholas Niland (Division D), Simone B. Champagne (Division E). ABSENT: None. STAFF: Guidry (City Nicole Clerk), Terry Bourque (COO), Cathryn Greig (CFO), Jean Paul Brous‐ sard (Police Chief), Wade Trahan (City Attorney). 3. MINUTES 3.1. Approval of July 9, 2026 minutes. Motion made by Matt Romero, seconded by Lindy Bol‐ giano, approving the July 9, 2026 minutes. YEAS: Shannon D. Bares, Lindy l i

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

Bares, Lindy Bolgiano, Matt Romero, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Cham‐ pagne. NAYS: None. AB‐ STAINED: None. ABSENT: Resolution None. Adopted. 7.4. Resolution No. 202623 – A Resolution of the City of Youngsville de‐ claring various equip‐ from the ment Youngsville Police De‐ as surplus partment property and authorizing the donation of said equipment to the Sunset Police Department in ac‐ cordance with La. R.S. 38:2319.21. Motion made by Matt Romero, sec‐ onded by Simone B. adopting Champagne, Resolution No. 2026-23. YEAS: Shannon D. Bares, Bolgiano, Matt Lindy Romero, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Champagne. NAYS: None. ABSTAINED: None. ABSENT: None. Resolution Adopted. 8. ORDINANCES FOR IN‐ TRODUCTION 8.1. Ordinance No. 5172026 – An Ordinance of the City of Youngsville, Louisiana, amending the of Ordinances Code Chapter 130 “Land Use Regulations” as it relates to regulations of gas sta‐ tions. Motion made by Lindy Bolgiano, seconded by Matt Romero, intro‐ ducing Ordinance No. 517-2026.YEAS: Shannon D. Bares, Lindy Bolgiano, Matt Romero, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Cham‐ pagne. NAYS: None. AB‐ STAINED: None. ABSENT: None. Motion Approved. 9. MAYOR & COUNCIL AN‐ NOUNCEMENTS 9.1. Mayor/Staff An‐ nouncements Water/Sewer: WWTP – formations and concrete pouring continues. Water Filter 4 Addition – deliver of ﬁlter expected in Feb. with anticipated comple‐ tion by May. SMP PS Up‐ grade – working on plans and awaiting funding. PS #5 - LDH permit received, funding. awaiting Roads/Drainage: Hwy. 89 Ph. 1A – work with En‐ tergy on locations for lights, Ph. 1B – started work, Ph 2 – 60% com‐ plete with plans. School St. left turn lane & Hwy Improve‐ 92/Prescott ments requires gas line relocation. S. Larriviere Improvements – improve‐ ments continue, antici‐ pated completion at end Sept/Oct. Chemin of Agreable – lien period. Striping improvements to start near ARCA School. LWI Grant Anslem Coulee – property acquisition phase in progress. Police Department: introduced Glenn Rice, ofﬁcer newest SRO. Eat Sweet Restaurant Week – now through the end of the month, 38 participating restaurants. Little Big Town – Sat, Sept. 12, Kylie Frye an Opelousas native will be the opening act and Opening for Kylie will be Thea Lissi. Coffee & Keynotes on Aug. 27. The S. Larriviere Rd. Recon‐ struction Project was awarded Honorable Men‐ tion for the LMA Commu‐ nity Achievement Award. Mayor Ritter welcomed Jim Hayes who made a presentation on the qual‐ ity of life and sugar cane smoke toxicity. Mayor Ritter welcomed Lucas Ledoux who requested a PSA on how to operate the Fortune & Hwy 89 roundabout. 9.2. Council Announce‐ ments – none. 10. ADJOURNMENT 10.1. Adjourn Meeting Motion made by Lindy Bolgiano, seconded by Matt Romero, to adjourn the meeting. YEAS: Shan‐ non D. Bares, Lindy Bol‐ Matt Romero, giano, Nicholas Niland, Simone B. Champagne. NAYS: None. ABSTAINED: None. ABSENT: None. Motion Approved. /s/ Ken Ritter, Mayor /s/ Nicole Guidry, City Clerk 198087 Aug. 21 1t $128.15

Public Notices Successions

PUBLIC NOTICE --SUCCESSIONS OF MARGARET ANN DONOVAN & GEORGE THOMAS DONOVAN 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PROBATE DOCKET NUMBER: 20250899 PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the creditors of the es‐ tate and to all other in‐ terested persons herein to show cause within seven (7) days from this notiﬁcation why the First Tableau of Distribution presented by the Admin‐ istrator of this Estate should not be approved and homologated and the funds distributed in accordance therewith by order of the court. Lafayette, Louisiana this 17 day of August, 2026. BY ORDER OF THE 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT /s/ Darla Veron DEPUTY CLERK OF COURT ATTORNEY: Gregory J. Logan PO Box 52704 (337) 406-9685 greg@loganﬁrm.com PUBLICATION: The Acadiana Advocate 203 W. Third Street Lafayette, LA 70501 acadianalegals@ theadvocate.com (337) 234-0800 198052 Aug. 21 1t $43.25

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12C ● Friday,August 21, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

TODAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

A t-storm around in the p.m.

A stray afternoon thunderstorm

Some rain and a thunderstorm

HIGH

LOW

HIGH

97° 78°

LOW

HIGH

97° 78°

LOW

98° 78°

Beaumont 97/77 Port Arthur 96/78

Baton Rouge 97/75

Lake Charles 98/79

New Orleans 96/79 Houma 94/75

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

Hattiesburg 99/74

Alexandria 99/75

Lafayette 97/78

10s

20s

30s

40s

50s

HIGH

LOW

95° 75°

60s

70s

80s

90s 100s 110s

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

YESTERDAY

Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today

AUG 27

City

Austin Boston dallas Fairbanks Honolulu Las Vegas Louisville Miami Nashville

PRECIPITATION

98°/76° 92°/75° 95°/75° 102° in 1925 61° in 1940

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

FULL

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

LOW

Lafayette through 5 p.m. Thursday

Jackson 99/73 Many 100/73

HIGH

94° 79°

TEMPERATURE

Longview 105/75

-0s

LOW

Monroe 104/75

Shreveport 104/75

-10s

HIGH

95° 77°

Acadiana is under either a heat advisory or an extreme heat warning because dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 115 or higher are expected this afternoon. The actual temperatures today will rise into the upper 90s to low 100s, and we’re under either a major or an extreme heat risk today. There’s a slight chance of isolated storms this afternoon and this evening. The UV index is very high, and more extreme heat is expected this weekend.

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

HIGH

2:59p 8:35a 3:51a 5:46a 4:48a 3:58a 5:56a

6:39 a.m. 7:43 p.m. 3:24 p.m. 12:32 a.m.

LAST

NEW

SEP 4

104 73 106 64 90 107 86 92 89

TODAY Lo

77 66 82 48 78 87 68 79 68

FIRST

SEP 10

s sh s sh sh pc t t t

SEP 18

105 70 107 66 90 107 87 92 91

SAT. Lo

76 65 83 50 78 86 66 79 67

s sh s c pc s t t pc

FT.

0.7 1.6 2.0 1.9 1.4 1.7 1.7

LOW

3:02a 9:47p 4:37p 8:42p 4:59p 3:16p 6:01p

0.00” 1.18” 3.94” 41.97” 41.36”

FT.

HIGH

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1

---------------

FT.

---------------

MOdERATE

REAdING 55 MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

SOURCE: LOUISIANA dEQ ANd AIRNOW.GOV

LOW

---------------

FT.

---------------

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 6:53a 12:40a 7:18p Saturday 7:39a 1:27a 8:05p Sunday 8:25a 2:13a 8:51p Monday 9:11a 2:58a 9:35p Tuesday 9:55a 3:43a 10:19p Wednesday 10:38a 4:26a 11:01p Thursday 11:21a 5:10a 11:44p

City

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

96 92 81 112 78 86 87 80 92

TODAY Lo

79 76 71 91 61 71 71 69 80

t t pc pc pc t pc s t

TODAY

MOdERATE

98 93 77 115 81 85 85 80 91

1:05p 1:52p 2:38p 3:23p 4:07p 4:50p 5:32p

SAT. Lo

78 76 69 90 62 71 66 69 79

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

t t r c t t t s t

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

THU. 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE

10.30 20.00 22.20 8.10 4.60 3.22 3.20

+1.60 +0.61 +0.40 none -0.10 +0.01 +0.06

27.47

+0.46

-1.52

+0.08

18 29 8

-1.00 10.06 1.23

+0.19 -0.17 +0.13

13 15

1.41 0.83

+0.01 +0.05

47 34 29 20 12 6

8.24 5.21 3.66 3.77 2.90 1.53

+0.28 +0.23 +0.05 +0.13 none -0.10

data as of 7 a.m. Thursday

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