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Bets on LSU playoffs stir interest
College bought insurance policy to cover potential bonuses BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK
Charmaine Bahlawan, an instructional leader at Ernest Gallet Elementary School in youngsville, is seen in a photograph taken during her Marine Corps service, left, as she talks on Tuesday about her military service and how events played out during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while she was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
Reflection of service
Lafayette teacher who served during 9/11 discusses time in military BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer
Charmaine Bahlawan remembers exactly where she was when the twin towers fell on 9/11 — at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, monitoring a typhoon. As a radio operator, it was her job to monitor communications and ensure a swift response to emergency calls. Sitting in the base command center, she was keeping an eye on a wall of televisions when all networks switched to New York. Something unprecedented was in progress. “Anytime there’s an emergency, we have to call the major, wake him up, and tell him that we have to do a lockdown,” Bahlawan said. “That’s what I did when I heard the news. “I knew I saw a tragedy happening right then and there. I was worried for my country, but I knew that my priority was my base and the people in my base, so I
Charmaine Bahlawan stands with her uniforms and other memorabilia from her period of
ä See SERVICE, page 7A service in the Marine Corps.
LSU will owe head football coach Lane Kiffin as much as $3 million in bonuses if his team wins big, so the university has bought an insurance policy to help cover the potential cost. That arrangement, which athletics officials say has become routine at some big sports schools in an era of massive coaching contracts, is now the subject of national media speculation after an unidentified insurance company reportedly took out bets on the prediction market Kalshi that roughly mirror Kiffin’s bonuses. It’s not clear whether LSU’s insurance company placed the bets. But some observers think it is an example of how prediction markets are increasingly selling themselves as legitimate financial tools. Along with his $13 million yearly salary, Kiffin’s contract includes additional incentives for winning. He will be paid $750,000 if he takes the Tigers to the College Football Playoff, $1 million for getting to the quarterfinals, $1.5 million for an appearance at the semifinals, $2 million for competing in the national championship or $3 million for winning a national title. To help manage the financial risk of that bonus, LSU has taken out insurance. “It has been a standard practice for LSU and other schools around the country for many years to insure coaching incentive structures,” said Zach Greenwell, a spokesperson for LSU athletics. “The choice to do so or not obviously depends on receiving a policy quote that is financially favorable to the institution. The entire football coaching staff’s incentive structures this year have been insured, including Coach Kiffin.” Greenwell declined to identify the
ä See LSU, page 7A
Specialty grocery store Trader Joe’s sets official opening date Long-awaited store to welcome public Thursday BY TIMOTHY BOONE
Staff writer
The Trader Joe’s store in Lafayette will open Sept. 17, company officials announced
WEATHER HIGH 89 LOW 75 PAGE 10C
Thursday afternoon. The popular specialty grocer, which has been under construction for nearly a year, will open its 9,192-square-foot store at 8 a.m. at 1710 Camellia Blvd., with a cel-
ebration that will include samples and giveaways, company officials said. Johnny Veillon will be the store manager, referred to as the store captain, officials said. The company has hired over 60 crew members from the surrounding areas and others from nearby Trader
Joe’s stores. Store hours will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. It’s the sixth store to open in Louisiana but the first west of the Mississippi River. It opened stores in New Orleans and Mandeville earlier this year. It has also opened stores in Ari-
Business ......................6A Commentary ................3B Nation-World ................2A Classified .....................4A Deaths .........................4B Opinion ........................2B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Living............................5C Sports ..........................1C
zona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New York, Texas and Washington. It has over 600 stores across the United States. Company officials began the hiring process for the Lafayette
ä See GROCERY, page 7A
102ND yEAR, NO. 73
2A ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate
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Iran, U.S. brace for a long war
BRIEFS
FROM WIRE REPORTS
Prosecutor leading probe of Trump foes resigns
WASHINGTON — An ally of President Donald Trump said Thursday that he has resigned from his post leading a Justice Department investigation into whether former law enforcement and intelligence officials conspired against the Republican president. “I did in fact resign,” Joe diGenova told The Associated Press, calling it an “honor and a privilege” to serve Trump and the Justice Department. He declined to comment on the circumstances of his departure, which came just five months after he was brought back to the Justice Department to help oversee a loosely defined investigation targeting former government officials who over the last decade had scrutinized Trump. The 81-year-old diGenova served as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia during the Reagan administration. A close Trump ally, he was brought back to the Justice Department in April and given responsibility for an investigation aimed at trying to establish a conspiracy against Trump.
Court asked to intervene in Texas surrogate case DALLAS — A surrogate from Alaska, who refused to have an abortion and instead delivered a baby boy with a severe heart condition, has been dismissed from a Texas court case and has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. McKenna West, the surrogate, gave birth in August to a baby boy in a Dallas hospital. She continued to carry the pregnancy after the fetus was diagnosed with a severe heart condition and after the biological parents asked her to undergo an abortion. West and her attorneys have repeatedly pushed for the surrogate to have decision-making authority over the baby, who has remained in his biological parents’ care. Days after birth, the baby underwent an intensive open heart surgery, the first of several he’ll need to survive. On Wednesday, West’s attorneys filed an emergency application asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene and to give West access to the baby. The Wednesday filing says that the request is coming after the Texas court on Sept. 2 dismissed the surrogate from the case.
Ryanair CEO disputes passenger window report LONDON — The CEO of Ryanair on Thursday disputed that a passenger injured during a flight on one of its planes in July was partly sucked out a window. Ljubisa Karovic injured his neck and shoulder and had friction burns after the window shattered shortly after takeoff on a flight from northern Greece to Germany on July 10. Karovic’s wife and witnesses said the pressure drop caused his head and shoulders to be pulled out the window. His wife said she held onto his legs and other passengers helped pull him back in the jet. Airline chief Michael O’Leary acknowledged Karovic was injured and was entitled to compensation but not “millions and millions.” “He wasn’t partially out the window,” O’Leary said after the Irish budget airline’s annual general meeting in Dublin. “We don’t think any part of his body got out the window, but he was certainly sucked in very dramatic circumstances towards the window.” The window shattered after being struck by fragments from a broken fan blade in the Boeing 737-800’s right engine, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report.
Several dead after bus overturns in Switzerland GENEVA — A Dutch tour bus overturned in eastern Switzerland in a serious accident that left several people dead and others injured, police said. The bus overturned between the villages of Susch and Zernez in the Alpine canton of Graubunden, authorities said. The police did not specify the number of dead and injured.
Neither side ceding ground
BY PATRICK SYKES and JONATHAN TIRONE Bloomberg News (TNS)
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO
Houthi rebels gather during a mobilization campaign Thursday in Sanaa, yemen.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels take port city Capture raises threat to Red Sea shipping
BY AHMED AL-HAJ and FATMA KHALED Associated Press
ADEN, Yemen — The Iran-backed Houthi rebel group on Thursday took over Yemen’s port city of Mokha, an area vital to controlling shipping through the Red Sea, Houthi and Yemeni officials said. The takeover gives Iran another potential point of leverage in its war with the U.S., analysts said, if the Houthis use their presence in Mokha to ramp up threats or attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Mokha is about 50 miles from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a waterway that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and through which about 12% of the world’s goods are typically shipped. The Bab el-Mandeb’s importance to global oil supplies has grown since shipping through the nearby Strait of Hormuz has been impeded by Iran during its war with the United States and Israel. The Houthis kept mostly to the sidelines when the Iran war began, but over the summer the rebels increased attacks against Yemen’s internationally recognized government and declared a blockade on Saudi Arabia, which supports it. While the Houthis have their own reasons for fighting the Saudis, the conflict also serves Iran’s interests by ramping up pressure on the Americanallied oil producer as Tehran seeks leverage against the U.S. The Houthis’ takeover of Mokha was confirmed to The Associated Press by Ahmed Baash, a commander with the National Resistance Forces allied with Yemen’s government, and Hazam alAssad, a member of the Houthis’ political bureau.
Advance threatens escalation of war
Mokha represents the Houthis’ biggest territorial gain since a truce was signed in 2022 to end a civil war that began more than a decade ago. A return to full-scale civil war would be devastating for the Yemeni people and potentially for world energy supplies. The Houthis have been at war with Yemen’s government since 2014, when the rebels swept down from their mountainous heartland and seized much of northern and central Yemen. Saudi Arabia entered the war the following year on behalf of the government. Residents of Mokha told AP that Houthi forces could be seen throughout the city Thursday. Mokha was long held by forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
Residents of Mokha flee to the south Three doctors told the AP they fled a Mokha hospital after it was seized by the Houthis. The doctors spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fears for their safety. They said other residents were fleeing south, toward the city of Aden, which is controlled by the Saudi-backed forces. The Houthis recently made advances in the western province of Taiz, where Mokha is located, according to Ahmed al-Mawazi, a trooper with the Yemeni armed forces, and Abdel Kader al-Sharabi, a member of the Saudi-backed forces supporting the Yemeni government. Both said the rebels had seized control of the al-Shaqira area in Taiz, an important supply route for Yemeni government forces in south Hodeida. The mountainous terrain around Taiz gives the Houthis a strategic area overlooking Yemen’s west coast, said Baraa Shiban, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.
Hurricane knocks out a port in Hawaii, kills 2 By The Associated Press HONOLULU — Crews began repairing the only cargo port on one of Hawaii’s smallest main islands while power was being restored to another island Thursday, two days after Hurricane Lowell skirted along the state’s western edge. At least two deaths were linked to the storm. On the island of Kauai, intense wind and surging waves damaged oceanfront resorts, ripped apart roads and knocked out power, while on Lanai, a harbor that supplies much of the food and fuel to its 3,300 residents was inoperable and will take about two weeks to repair, state officials said. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said the overall destruction to Hawaii’s infrastructure, businesses and homes may be comparable to that of Hurricane Iniki — a Category 4 storm that walloped Kauai in 1992 and caused $3 billion in damage. In Hawaii, first responders on Kauai’s south end found the body of a 74-yearold man on Wednesday near the shoreline. Authorities believe his death was related to the storm surge, police said. Another man was killed
Iran and the U.S. are digging in for a protracted war, with little sign of a near-term ceasefire or return to normal Middle East energy flows even if hostilities remain at a low intensity. Tehran’s leaders are resolved to keep fighting despite mounting economic costs as CO ONFLICT they see the conIN THE T as an MIIDDLE flict existenEAST AST tial threat, Bloomberg reported, citing a senior Iranian official. The country has been able to rebuild its missile capabilities and will escalate strikes on U.S. and Gulf assets if Washington intensifies its own attacks, the official said. Top White House advisers including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have told President Donald Trump that the war could drag on through the remainder of his term, which runs until January 2029, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials. The conflict has entered a form of stalemate, with critical issues including control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program still unresolved. While Trump has repeatedly said the purpose of the war is to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon, the International Atomic Energy Association hasn’t been able to verify the state or location of Iran’s inventory of nearbomb-grade uranium since June 2025, when Israel and the U.S. attacked the country’s sprawling nuclear facilities. The IAEA said Thursday it’s observed construction activity at Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, a heavilyfortified site suspected of housing nuclear-related activities. Trump has referenced the site twice in
recent days, warning that the U.S. could target it with fresh strikes. The preparations for an extended confrontation contradict Trump’s latest comments that the war will end “immediately” after the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Those are being overshadowed by the conflict and consequent rise in energy prices. Brent crude oil reaching $105 a barrel on Thursday. The U.S. is trying to force Iran back to the negotiating table by blockading its ports and threatening countries that don’t do more to cut economic ties with the Islamic Republic. Iran “can’t hold out any longer” and is “desperate to try and affect the election,” Trump told reporters. Many diplomats in the region don’t share Trump’s optimism. Oman, with which Iran is negotiating a new route through the Strait of Hormuz, sees no sign that the U.S.’s economic campaign is making Iran more willing to do a deal, according to a diplomat familiar with the matter. Oman’s foreign ministry didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Brent has risen more than 9% this week due to an uptick in shipping attacks around the Strait of Hormuz. About a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the strait before the war. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says its forces will hit 20 targets for every two struck by the U.S., the semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday. One U.S. warship had to evade an Iranian assault this week, drawing retaliatory American strikes on Iranian oil tankers. Tehran responded with attacks on a U.S. base in Jordan and several commercial vessels. Iran is signaling that the U.S. blockade on its Persian Gulf ports and increased sanctions pressure won’t constrain its ability to continue the fight, even with inflation rising to around 90% and the national currency slumping.
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HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT PHOTO By GUy MILLER
People walk past damage caused by Hurricane Lowell on Tuesday on Kauai’s south shore in Hawaii. on Oahu when a large tree fell on his tent Monday, the governor said. The man was homeless and living in a park, Green said. The Democratic governor on Wednesday asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration to expedite federal help for Kauai and Maui counties. “We cannot wait for every damaged road, utility pole, harbor and public facility to be assigned a dollar value before asking the federal government to act,” Green said. Lowell knocked out power to many of Kauai’s 73,000 residents on Tuesday but electricity was
being restored, with the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative saying the following day that power was back on at three hospitals. At Lanai’s main harbor, the storm opened a sinkhole, damaged part of the pier and scattered containers in the water, according to the state’s Transportation Department. Planning was underway on other options to get supplies to the island, which sees only a few visitors. Billionaire Larry Ellison bought nearly all of the island in 2012 for about $300 million from the owner of agriculture and real estate company Castle & Cooke Inc.
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U.S. Supreme Court again blocks Mo. congressional map BY JACK HARVEL, KACEN BAYLESS and BEN WHEELER The Kansas City Star (TNS)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The U.S. Supreme Court again rejected a push to use a more Republican-friendly map in the 2026 election. That leaves the Missouri Supreme Court’s decision suspending the maps and requiring the state to use the maps passed in 2022. Thursday’s decision follows a flurry of court filings and rulings this week that have cast Missouri’s
election map into chaos, with conflicting rulings from the state’s Supreme Court and a federal court. The move has left election workers in uncharted waters. People Not Politicians, a campaign seeking to strike down the map, filed an emergency application with the United States Supreme Court on Wednesday, asking Justice Brett Kavanaugh to block a federal ruling from the Eastern District of Missouri. That ruling, from Judge Stephen R. Clark, came after Kavanaugh
filed their application for a stay with the country’s highest court, asking to pause the eastern district’s decision pending an appeal. “The temporary restraining order (“TRO”) issued by the district court is in direct conflict with the order and injunction from the Missouri Supreme Court on the same question — which congressional map can and should go into effect for the November general elections,” the application from People Not Politicians said. The U.S. Supreme Court is paus-
previously declined to issue a stay in the case on Tuesday. Clark ruled that the state could only use the gerrymandered map, or HB1. The campaign against HB1 filed an emergency application for an appeal to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals after Clark’s ruling, which was ultimately denied Wednesday after the panel of judges found it lacked jurisdiction over the matter or that the opponents of the map did not meet the threshold needed for a stay. Attorneys for the campaign then
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School Uniforms Bid# 09-27 Bid Opening: September 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CST Addenda, if any, will be www. at posted beaconbid.com/solicit ations/lafayette-parishschool-system. It shall be the responsibility of all prospective bidders to check this website for any addenda issued be‐ fore the bid opening. All bids must be submit‐ ted in accordance with the requirements of the bid documents. No bid may be with‐ drawn for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time for open‐ ing of bids. The Lafayette Parish School System reserves the right to reject all bids and to waive any infor‐ malities or irregularities in bids received when such is in the best inter‐ est of the School System. In accordance with La. R.S. 38:2251, a preference of up to ten percent (10%) may be granted to products manufactured, produced, grown, or as‐ sembled in Louisiana such products when meet or exceed the spec‐ ifications of this bid. Award of this contract is subject to the availability of funds. The Lafayette Parish School System strongly encourages the partici‐ pation of minority-owned and small business en‐ terprises. Lafayette Parish School System Kristie Sam, Purchasing and Procurement Coordinator Advertisement Dates: September 4, 2026 September 11, 2026 199688 Sept. 4, 11, 2t $60.10
PUBLIC NOTICE --PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF YOUNGSVILLE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DISASTER RECOVERY SERVICES DEBRIS REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL STANDBY CONTRACT City of Youngsville, Louisiana seeks sealed proposals from qualified contractors for DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL SERVICES con‐ tingent on damages that may be caused by the approach and landfall of a Hurricane or any other natural or man-made dis‐ asters. Sealed proposals will be received on-line at www. centralauctionhouse. com and/or by the City of Youngsville, Attn: City Clerk, 201 Iberia St., Youngsville, LA 70592, no later than 3:00 PM CST on October 2, 2026. Propos‐ als received after the specified time will not be considered. On September 4, 2026, proposers can download all applicable documents through Central Bidding. For questions related to the RFP, contact Nicole Guidry, City Clerk, at nicoleguidry@youngsv illela.gov or 337-856-4181. Office hours are Monday id
1. Travelodge Lafayette, LLC, Tract A 2. Roy T Eppler, Jr Tract D-1A, D-2A, D-3A 3. GOC Landholdings, LLC, Tract 2A 4. T-Boys Tire & Automo‐ tive, LLC Lots 1-A & 1-B 5. Honoré Martin Estate, Parcels 1 & 2
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Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Lafayette Parish School System Purchasing Department at 202 Rue Iberville, Lafayette, LA 70508, or electronically at www. beaconbid.com/solicit ations/lafayette-parishschool-system until 10:00 a.m. CST on September 23, 2026. Bids received after this date and time will not be considered. Delivery to any depart‐ ment other than the Pur‐ chasing Department may result in non-considera‐ tion. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the LPSS Purchasing Department Conference Room for the following:
3. Resub of Saint Edmond Roman Catholic Church & Row Town‐ Congress houses, New Lots 1A, 3A, 5A, 6A & 7A 4. Seawall Court Right of Way Extension 5. Townhomes at Marble‐ head, Ph 2 HEARING EXAMINER RATIFICATIONS
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NOTICE TO PUBLIC
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that City Ordinance No. CO-075-2026 has been in‐ troduced and is pro‐ posed for adoption by the Lafayette City Coun‐ cil on October 6, 2026, whereby the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government would sell at public auction and public internet auction surplus vehicles, equip‐ ment and other miscella‐ neous movable property which are no longer needed for public pur‐ poses, the following de‐ scribed property, to wit:
NOTICE OF PROPOSED SURPLUS ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that Joint Ordinance No. JO-034-2026 has been in‐ troduced and is pro‐ posed for adoption by the Lafayette Parish Council and the Lafayette City Council on October 6, 2026, whereby the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Govern‐ ment would sell at public internet auction surplus equipment and other miscellaneous movable property which are no longer needed for public purposes, the following described property, to wit: misc surplus lcg move‐ able property for public internet auction fixed asset description, quantity bookcase, 3 cabinet, 7 chair, 47 charger, 2 computer equipment, 2 desk, 4 desktop computer, 20 laptop computer, 11 monitor, 82 paper folder, 1 printer, 1 projector, 2 scanner, 1 shelf, 1 shredder, 1 supplies, 1 table, 11 Any opposition to the proposed ordinance shall be made in writing and filed with the Office of the Lafayette Clerk of the Council within 15 days after the first publication of this notice. If an oppo‐ sition is filed, the Lafayette City Council shall not adopt the ordi‐ nance until hearings have been held. /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Publication Dates: Sep‐ tember 4, September 11, September 18, 2026. 199828 Sept. 4, 11, 18, 3t $49.62 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROPOSED SURPLUS ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that Parish Ordinance No. PO-039-2026 has been introduced and is pro‐ posed for adoption by the Lafayette Parish Council on October 6, 2026, whereby the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Govern‐ ment would sell at public auction and public inter‐ net auction surplus vehi‐ cles, equipment, and other miscellaneous movable property which are no longer needed for public purposes, the fol‐ lowing described prop‐ erty, to wit:
misc surplus lcg move‐ able property for public auction & public internet auction vehicle #, description, serial/vin 31201705, 2012 chevy tahoe, 1gnlc2e09cr208460 31201739, 2013 chevy tahoe, 1gnlc2e06dr273185 31201804, 2016 ford ex‐ plorer, 1fm5k8ar3g‐ gc60790 31201812, 2016 ford ex‐ plorer, 1fm5k8ar8g‐ gc60798 31201821, 2016 ford ex‐ plorer, 1fm5k8ar5g‐ gc60807 31201903, 2019 dodge charger, 2c3cdx‐ at1kh605666 31201904, 2019 dodge charger, 2c3cdx‐ at2kh605675 31201909, 2019 dodge charger, 2c3cdx‐ at5kh605668 31201914, 2019 dodge charger, 2c3cdx‐ at2kh605661 31201965, 2021 ford ex‐ plorer, 1fm5k8ab7mgc02048 31201980, 2023 ford ex‐ plorer, 1fm5k8ab9p‐ ga19111 31202003, 2023 ford ex‐ plorer, 1fm5k8ab7p‐ ga63639 31202022, 2023 ford ex‐ plorer, 1fm5k8ab9p‐ ga81611 31300002, 2003 ford f250, 1ftnf20l03eb87225 31400192, 2014 chevy im‐ pala, 2g1wd5e39e1153205 51618810, 2011 john deere backhoe, 1t0310jx‐ ea0193282 59112849, 2019 ram 1500, 1c6rr6stxks668376 70060058, 2020 ram 1500, 1c6rr6kg3ls146466 fixed asset description, quantity aed, 1 computer equipment, 9 couch, 1 desktop computer, 87 laptop computer, 371 monitor, 1 paper folder, 1 radio, 2 sandbag filling machine, 2 scanner, 1 server, 5 slab lift, 1 Any opposition to the proposed ordinance shall be made in writing and filed with the Office of the Lafayette Clerk of the Council within 15 days after the first publication of this notice. If an oppo‐ sition is filed, the Lafayette City Council shall not adopt the ordi‐ nance until hearings have been held.
misc surplus lcg move‐ able property for public auction & public internet auction
/s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
vehicle #, description, serial/vin 51713785, 1999 cajunmas‐ ter trailer, 10yus1059xv000262
Publication Dates: Sep‐ tember 4, September 11, September 18, 2026.
fixed asset description, quantity bench, 4 chair, 10 copier, 1 desktop computer, 45 laptop computer, 61 radio, 9 table, 4 Any opposition to the proposed ordinance shall be made in writing and filed with the Office of the Lafayette Clerk of the Council within 15 days after the first publication of this notice. If an oppo‐ sition is filed, the Lafayette City Council shall not adopt the ordi‐ nance until hearings have been held. /s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ
199815 Sept. 4, 11, 18, 3t $79.86 PUBLIC NOTICE --THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS ARE PROPOSED FOR REVIEW BY THE LAFAYETTE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 5:00 P.M. 220 WEST WILLOW STREET BUILDING C TOWN CENTER AUDITORIUM
OTHER BUSINESS 1. August 17, 2026 City Planning Commission Ac‐ tion Summary 2. Proposed amendments to Rules of Policy and Procedure i. Add Part III: City Plan‐ ning Commission Policy ii. Add to proposed Part III: A. The City of Lafayette Planning Com‐ mission shall not waive any sidewalk require‐ ments of the Lafayette Development Code re‐ quiring Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) compliant sidewalks to be constructed along all public streets solely for the lack of connectivity to an existing sidewalk; and, B. The City of Lafayette Planning Com‐ mission shall defer until the next regular meeting any application appear‐ ing before the Commis‐ sion except for Hearing Officer Consent / Ratifi‐ cation Items, where the applicant is not in atten‐ dance of the meeting where the application is scheduled to be heard. 3. Announcements FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT 291-8000 200070 Sept. 11 1t $21.47
Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min
PUBLIC NOTICE --See agenda documents at: http://www.lafayettela. gov/obcouncil/default. aspx REGULAR MEETING LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL 705 W. University Avenue, Ted A. Ardoin City-Parish Council Auditorium TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 4:30 p.m. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance 2. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS 3. EXECUTIVE/MAYORPRESIDENT’S REPORT JOINT RESOLUTION 4. JR-017-2026 A joint resolution of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council naming and des‐ ignating the firm of Kolder, Slaven & Com‐ pany, LLC, as indepen‐ dent auditors for the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment in accordance with 2-09 of the Section City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment Home Rule Charter. (Kenneth Boudreaux and Donald Richard)
10. JO-032-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council establishing a procedure to sell surplus movable property valued at less than $5,000 no longer needed for a public pur‐ pose through a public in‐ ternet auction. (Legal) 11. JO-033-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council Ordinance suspending No. JO-001-2021 which created a conditional two (2%) percent pay in‐ crease structure for em‐ ployees of the Office of the City Marshal, for the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget with considera‐ tion given to the City Marshal pay plan to be included in the Amended FY 2026-2027 Proposed Operating and Five-Year Capital Budget docu‐ ment. (Finance) 12. JO-035-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget and ad‐ justing the manning ta‐ bles of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by authoriz‐ ing the use of existing funds in the amount of $2,676 and appropriating within the Department of Innovation and Technol‐ ogy to add one (1) IS&T manager promotion per Civil Service recommen‐ dation. (IT) 13. JO-036-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by adjusting the manning tables and in‐ creasing the hourly rate of one (1) Clerk II posi‐ tion within the Depart‐ ment of Innovation & Technology. (IT) 14. JO-037-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the governing author‐ of the City of ity Lafayette and the Parish Lafayette, respec‐ of tively, providing for the abandonment of a cer‐ tain portion of a 50’ pub‐ lic right-of-way (Wall Street) located between Lot 13-A and Lot 14-A of the Van-Way, JP Develop‐ ment Ext 1 Subdivision, authorizing the and Mayor-Presi‐ Lafayette dent to execute an Act of Abandonment in order to effectuate the abandon‐ ment on behalf of the City of Lafayette, and Parish of Lafayette, and the Lafayette City-Parish Govern‐ Consolidated ment. (CD&P) 15. JO-038-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by authorizing the transfer of $100,000 in HOME funds within the Community Development and Planning Depart‐ ment to Catholic Chari‐ ties of Acadiana. (CD&P)
ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION
16. JO-039-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by authorizing the transfer of $164,595 in Home American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds within the Community Development and Plan‐ ning Department to Faith House, Inc. (CD&P)
5. PO-038-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated by transferring ment $60,000 from the Parish Council District 3 Capital Appropriation to the City of Broussard for the St. Deporres Street bridge project. replacement (Ken Stansbury)
17. JO-040-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by authorizing the transfer of $125,000 in HOME funds within the Community Development and Planning Depart‐ ment to Catholic Chari‐ ties of Acadiana. (CD&P)
6. PO-040-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette Parish Council authoriz‐ ing the Lafayette MayorPresident to enter into a Endeavor Cooperative with the Agreement Town of Vidalia to collab‐ orate in emergency shel‐ tering during declara‐ of emergency. tions (Mayor-President)
18. JO-041-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by authorizing the transfer of $220,000 in HOME funds within the Community Development and Planning Depart‐ ment to Lafayette Habi‐ tat for Humanity. (CD&P)
7. PO-041-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette Parish Council authoriz‐ ing and directing the Mayor-Presi‐ Lafayette dent to execute and sub‐ the “Temporary mit Housing and Shelter As‐ sistance Program Waiver of Land Use/Permitting in accordance Form” with La. R.S. 29:726(F)(3) (b)(iii)(aa). (CD&P) 8. PO-042-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette Parish Council declaring the acquisition of a ware‐ house for the Lafayette Public Library a public necessity and authoriz‐ ing the Lafayette MayorPresident to acquire cer‐ tain immovable property for the location of said warehouse. (Library)
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
JOINT ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION
1. Foreman Brothers Properties, LLC 1 Com‐ mercial lot @ 1601 W Pin‐ hook Rd 2. Ashton LeBlanc state, Tract 2A & Tract 2B 1614 W Willow St & 100 Blk of Sabatier Rd
9. JO-031-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to enter into a First Amendment to March 12, 2021 Con‐
PUBLIC HEARING 19. Convene the Public Hearing and Board of Re‐ view for all persons de‐ siring to be heard on the assessed value of both real and personal prop‐ erty. Name, Description of Property, Assessment Number, Original assess‐ ment, Reassessment Re‐ quested A. Arbours at Lafayette LLC, 121 Alcide Do‐ Dr. Personal minique 6170274, Property, $5,517,250, $4,432,000 B. ATC Apartments (Silo Apartments), 200 Frem Boustany Drive Personal 6164253, Property, $35,372,179, $14,149,000 INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES 20. PO-043-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating d i lb d f h
Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min
See agenda documents at: http://www.lafayettela. gov/obcouncil/default. aspx REGULAR MEETING LAFAYETTE CITY COUNCIL 705 W. University Avenue, Ted A. Ardoin City-Parish Council Auditorium TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 5:30 p.m. AGENDA
p g and capital budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated by transferring ment $3,210.23 from the Parish Council District 5 Capital Appropriation to Caren‐ cro Volunteer Fire De‐ partment within Section 4190 Parishwide Fire Pro‐ tection for the purchase of structural firefighting coat and protective pants with thermal liners and related accessories. (AB Rubin) 21. PO-044-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budgets of the Lafayette City-Parish Govern‐ Consolidated ment by authorizing the use of PY Fund Balance of the Juvenile Detention Facility (Fund 2650) in the amount of $187,749 and combining with existing funds and appropriating within the Office of the Chief Administrative Offi‐ cer, Juvenile Detention Division, to fund safety improvements at the Ju‐ venile Detention Home. (CAO) 22. PO-045-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by adjusting the manning tables and increasing the hourly pay rate of one (1) Cement Mason position within the Traffic, Roads, and DepartmentBridges Streets Division. (TR&B) JOINT INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES 23. JO-042-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 manning tables of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by increasing the hourly rate of the Risk and Insurance Manager position within the Office of Finance & Manage‐ ment, Risk Management Division. (Finance) 24. JO-043-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by adjusting the manning tables and reallocating funds to‐ wards the Temporary Employees Account and $194,000 transferring from Public Art Capital Projects within the Plan‐ ning Division of Commu‐ nity Development and Planning into the Inter‐ national Trade Division within the office of the Chief Administrative Offi‐ cer. (CAO) 25. JO-044-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by transfer‐ ring funds from various accounts to the Prelimi‐ Engineering ac‐ nary count and appropriating within the Capital Im‐ provements Department to create project ac‐ count. (CID) 26. JO-045-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by adjusting the manning tables and in‐ creasing the hourly pay rate of one (1) Public In‐ formation Specialist po‐ sition within the Capital Depart‐ Improvements ment. (CID) 27. JO-046-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council authorizing a Memoran‐ dum of Understanding between University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Lafayette City-Parish Govern‐ Consolidated ment to comply with the requirement for written between agreement agencies sharing respon‐ sibility for the obliga‐ tions outlined in the gen‐ eral permit for dis‐ charges from small Mu‐ nicipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. (CID) 28. JO-047-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the governing author‐ of the City of ity Lafayette and the Parish Lafayette, respec‐ of tively, providing for the abandonment of a por‐ tion of a ten (10’) foot utility easement and as‐ sociated niches, located on Lot 17-B of the Mc‐ Comb addition BLA Block 14, Lots 17-A & 17-B Sub‐ division, at 212 North Chestnut Street, and au‐ thorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to exe‐ cute an Act of Abandon‐ ment in order to effectu‐ ate the abandonment on behalf of the City of Lafayette, and Parish of and the Lafayette, City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment. (CD&P) ADJOURN IN ACCORDANCE WITH LA. R.S. 42:14(E) AS EN‐ ACTED BY ACT NO. 393 OF 2023 AND THE AMERI‐ CANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, PLEASE CONTACT JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ, COUNCIL CLERK, AT (337) 291-8810 DESCRIBING THE ASSISTANCE THAT IS NECESSARY, IF SPECIAL ASSISTANCE AND/OR AC‐ COMMODATIONS ARE NEEDED. 200419 Sept. 11 1t $113.65
CALL TO ORDER 1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance 2. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS 3. EXECUTIVE/MAYORPRESIDENT’S REPORT A) Himbola Manor Apart‐ Fire Rescue ments Recognition RESOLUTION 4. CR-016-2026 A resolu‐ tion of the Lafayette City Council officially desig‐ nating Acadiana Growers Alliance dba Freetown Community Market in the City of Lafayette as a Louisiana recognized Festival or Fair as pro‐ vided for by La. R.S. 40:4.5 and Title 51, Part XXIII of the Louisiana Adminis‐ trative Code. (Kenneth Boudreaux) REPORT AND/OR DISCUSSION ITEM 5. Update on Himbola Manor Apartments: Criti‐ cal Conditions and Path (Kenneth Forward Boudreaux & CAO) JOINT RESOLUTION 6. JR-017-2026 A joint resolution of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council naming and des‐ ignating the firm of Kolder, Slaven & Com‐ pany, LLC, as indepen‐ dent auditors for the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment in accordance with 2-09 of the Section City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment Home Rule Charter. (Kenneth Boudreaux and Donald Richard) ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION
ing the temporary restraining order pending an appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. The stay, which temporarily pauses a lawsuit or stops a judgment from being carried out, will be terminated by the 8th Circuit. Richard Von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians, immediately celebrated the ruling. “Clerks have ballots to print; they have to get moving on that,” Von Glahn said. “The only thing that is in effect is the SCOMO ruling that says ‘use the 2022 map.” Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min
Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min
g g funds in the amount of $2,676 and appropriating within the Department of Innovation and Technol‐ ogy to add one (1) IS&T manager promotion per Civil Service recommen‐ dation. (IT)
ment by increasing the hourly rate of the Risk and Insurance Manager position within the Office of Finance & Manage‐ ment, Risk Management Division. (Finance)
15. JO-036-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by adjusting the manning tables and in‐ creasing the hourly rate of one (1) Clerk II posi‐ tion within the Depart‐ ment of Innovation & Technology. (IT) 16. JO-037-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the governing author‐ of the City of ity Lafayette and the Parish Lafayette, respec‐ of tively, providing for the abandonment of a cer‐ tain portion of a 50’ pub‐ lic right-of-way (Wall Street) located between Lot 13-A and Lot 14-A of the Van-Way, JP Develop‐ ment Ext 1 Subdivision, authorizing the and Mayor-Presi‐ Lafayette dent to execute an Act of Abandonment in order to effectuate the abandon‐ ment on behalf of the City of Lafayette, and Parish of Lafayette, and the Lafayette City-Parish Govern‐ Consolidated ment. (CD&P) 17. JO-038-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by authorizing the transfer of $100,000 in HOME funds within the Community Development and Planning Depart‐ ment to Catholic Chari‐ ties of Acadiana. (CD&P) 18. JO-039-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by authorizing the transfer of $164,595 in Home American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds within the Community Development and Plan‐ ning Department to Faith House, Inc. (CD&P)
7. CO-074-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council suspending Ordinance No. O-059-2019 which created a condi‐ tional two (2%) percent pay increase structure for the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service of the employees Lafayette Police Depart‐ ment, for the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget with consideration given to the police and fire plans included in the FY 20262027 proposed operating five-year capital and budget document. (Fi‐ nance)
19. JO-040-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by authorizing the transfer of $125,000 in HOME funds within the Community Development and Planning Depart‐ ment to Catholic Chari‐ ties of Acadiana. (CD&P)
8. CO-076-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council authorizing the Lafayette City Mar‐ shal to enter into a Coop‐ erative Endeavor Agree‐ ment with the National Heritage Academies, Inc. o/b/o Willow Charter Academy for one (1) School Resource Officer to be provided on the campus of Willow Char‐ ter Academy in addition, agreement will this amend the FY 25/26 oper‐ ating budget and adjust the manning tables of the Lafayette City-Parish Govern‐ Consolidated ment by adding one (1) new Deputy City Marshal II position and by in‐ creasing revenues in the amount of $7,592 within the Lafayette City Mar‐ shal’s office. (City Mar‐ shal)
INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES
9. CO-077-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council authorizing the Lafayette MayorPresident to execute the agreement for joint use attachments of electric facilities between the City of Lafayette and Louisiana Southwest Electric Membership Cor‐ poration. (Utilities) 10. CO-078-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council authorizing directing the and Mayor-Presi‐ Lafayette dent to execute and sub‐ the “Temporary mit Housing and Shelter As‐ sistance Program Waiver of Land Use/Permitting in accordance Form” with La. R.S. 29:726(F)(3) (b)(iii)(aa). (CD&P) JOINT ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION 11. JO-031-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council authorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to enter into a First Amendment to March 12, 2021 Con‐ tract for Emergency and Ambu‐ Non-Emergency lance Services for the Parish of Lafayette and the City of Lafayette. (Legal) 12. JO-032-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council establishing a procedure to sell surplus movable property valued at less than $5,000 no longer needed for a public pur‐ pose through a public in‐ ternet auction. (Legal) 13. JO-033-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council Ordinance suspending No. JO-001-2021 which created a conditional two (2%) percent pay in‐ crease structure for em‐ ployees of the Office of the City Marshal, for the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget with considera‐ tion given to the City Marshal pay plan to be included in the Amended FY 2026-2027 Proposed Operating and Five-Year Capital Budget docu‐ ment. (Finance) 14. JO-035-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget and ad‐ justing the manning ta‐ bles of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by authoriz‐ ing the use of existing f d i h f
20. JO-041-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by authorizing the transfer of $220,000 in HOME funds within the Community Development and Planning Depart‐ ment to Lafayette Habi‐ tat for Humanity. (CD&P)
21. CO-079-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated by transferring ment $20,000 from the City Council District 2 Capital (Fund appropriation 4850) to the Lafayette Po‐ lice Department (LPD) for the acquisition of furni‐ ture for its Precinct 2 of‐ fices at the Lafayette System Cus‐ Utilities tomer Service Center on West Congress Street. (Andy Naquin) 22. CO-080-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget and adjusting the manning tables of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment to increase the hourly pay rate of vari‐ ous positions per Civil recommenda‐ Service tion. (Fiber) 23. CO-081-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council declaring South Meyers the Park Drive/Huntington Improvements Outfall Project a public neces‐ sity and authorizing the acquisition of the neces‐ sary rights-of-way, im‐ movable 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. (CID) 24. CO-082-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget and manning ta‐ bles of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by using prior year fund balance in the amount of $321 for adjustments salary within the Utilities De‐ partment. (Utilities) 25. CO-083-2026 An ordi‐ nance of the Lafayette City Council, acting in their capacity as the gov‐ erning authority of the City of Lafayette, provid‐ ing for the abandonment of a ten (10’) foot x ten (10’) foot utility niche, lo‐ cated on Lot 3-A of the C. Paul Hillard, et al. Subdi‐ vision, located at 205 Caffery Ambassador Parkway, and authorizing the Lafayette MayorPresident to execute an Act of Abandonment in order to effectuate the abandonment on behalf of the City of Lafayette. (CD&P)
27. JO-043-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by adjusting the manning tables and reallocating funds to‐ wards the Temporary Employees Account and $194,000 transferring from Public Art Capital Projects within the Plan‐ ning Division of Commu‐ nity Development and Planning into the Inter‐ national Trade Division within the office of the Chief Administrative Offi‐ cer. (CAO) 28. JO-044-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating and capital budget of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by transfer‐ ring funds from various accounts to the Prelimi‐ Engineering ac‐ nary count and appropriating within the Capital Im‐ provements Department to create project ac‐ count. (CID) 29. JO-045-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 operating budget of the City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment by adjusting the manning tables and in‐ creasing the hourly pay rate of one (1) Public In‐ formation Specialist po‐ sition within the Capital Depart‐ Improvements ment. (CID) 30. JO-046-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council authorizing a Memoran‐ dum of Understanding between University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Lafayette City-Parish Govern‐ Consolidated ment to comply with the requirement for written between agreement agencies sharing respon‐ sibility for the obliga‐ tions outlined in the gen‐ eral permit for dis‐ charges from small Mu‐ nicipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. (CID) 31. JO-047-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council, acting in their capacity as the governing author‐ of the City of ity Lafayette and the Parish Lafayette, respec‐ of tively, providing for the abandonment of a por‐ tion of a ten (10’) foot utility easement and as‐ sociated niches, located on Lot 17-B of the Mc‐ Comb addition BLA Block 14, Lots 17-A & 17-B Sub‐ division, at 212 North Chestnut Street, and au‐ thorizing the Lafayette Mayor-President to exe‐ cute an Act of Abandon‐ ment in order to effectu‐ ate the abandonment on behalf of the City of Lafayette, and Parish of and the Lafayette, City-Parish Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment. (CD&P) COMMENT(S) FROM THE PUBLIC 32. Comments from the public on any other mat‐ ter(s) not on an agenda and are within the leg‐ islative power of the Lafayette City Council. ADJOURN IN ACCORDANCE WITH LA. R.S. 42:14(E) AS EN‐ ACTED BY ACT NO. 393 OF 2023 AND THE AMERI‐ CANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, PLEASE CONTACT JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ, COUNCIL CLERK, AT (337) 291-8810 DESCRIBING THE ASSISTANCE THAT IS NECESSARY, IF SPECIAL ASSISTANCE AND/OR AC‐ COMMODATIONS ARE NEEDED. 200428 Sept. 11 1t $127.59
Public Notices Successions
PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE Administrator for the Succession of Mary Fern Cobb Briggs gives notice of his intent to sell via private sale, the follow‐ ing: 1. The immovable estate home and property lo‐ cated at 311 Sunny Lane, Louisiana Lafayette, 70506, Being the same property acquired by Mary C. Briggs by Cash Sale from Jeanie Slay Mellinger dated April 29, 1994, recorded on May 2, 1994, under instrument no. 1994-00016195 of the records of public Louisiana.; Lafayette, and 2. All movables within the estate home at 311 Sunny Lane, consisting of home furnishings, deco‐ rations, and kitchenware. Any objections to the sale of the above prop‐ erty can be filed with the Judicial District 15th – Parish of Court Lafayette under probate docket number 20250640, pursuant to LA C.C.P. art 3282. 198202 Aug. 22 to Sept. 20, 30t $456.60
STAY INFORMED
JOINT INTRODUCTORY ORDINANCES 26. JO-042-2026 A joint or‐ dinance of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 25/26 manning tables of the City-Parish Lafayette Consolidated Govern‐
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Smithsonian marks 9/11 with artifact display BY STEVEN SLOAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Seat belts and a flight attendant call button from the doomed United Airlines Flight 93. A purse filled with keys and a wallet recovered from the World Trade Center site. The telephone that sat on U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson’s desk when his wife, Barbara, called from a hijacked airplane. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is honoring the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks this week with displays of dozens of rarely seen objects that tell the story of that day in often searingly personal terms. The exhibit, which runs through Saturday, comes as the museum is under growing scrutiny by President Donald Trump and Repub-
licans in Congress over the manner in which it tells American history. The Smithsonian began collecting items just months after the attacks and regularly displays some of them throughout the sprawling museum along the National Mall. But this week’s exhibit is unique as the items are displayed on tables, rather than seen through glass. The museum’s director, Anthea Hartig, said some of the items being shown this week are “so fragile they’ll probably never go on display.” The goal, she said, is to help visitors “both never forget, but also kind of reconnect” as a new generation emerges that didn’t experience the attacks. “This has truly slipped into history rather than being part of our memory landscape,” she said.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE
A badly damaged flag recovered from the World Trade Center debris is displayed Thursday at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, the nation’s official repository for Sept. 11 materials. Some of the items, including a beeper belonging to an employee who worked on the 97th floor of the South Tower, harken back to office life at the turn of the
century. A candy dispenser from the Pentagon includes melted chocolate. The museum has faced conservative criticism since the White House released a
report on Independence Day branding the museum’s leadership as radical activists. Hartig faced two days of congressional hearings in July, where Republicans argued the museum should present a more unifying version of American history, prompting concern from historians that lawmakers and the White House were more interested in revisionism than accurate history. Trump later ordered his administration to install signs in front of the museum telling visitors that some of the exhibits are inaccurate. More than a month later, such signs have not been installed. In an interview, Hartig said the scrutiny didn’t influence how the Sept. 11 exhibit came together. “This museum exists as a repository, as a place of memory,” she said. “And so
the current political moment is like many other political moments that we document. There’s different opinions and contestation over how we do our work.” More change could be ahead after Lonnie Bunch announced his plans to step down as the leader of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian operates outside the executive branch and Bunch’s successor will be chosen by a Board of Regents that includes Vice President JD Vance, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, a bipartisan group of lawmakers and socalled citizen regents. Hartig acknowledged that “leadership transitions are always complicated.” But, she said, “I wake up every day confident in Americans’ ability to embrace the complexities of their past.”
Trump’s $5,000 payout plan gets chilly reception from economists BY BILL BARROW, LISA MASCARO and JOSH BOAK Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s pitch to send Americans $5,000 checks should Republicans prevail in the November midterms is drawing scorn from some members of Congress — the very people who have constitutional authority over federal spending. Economists and other political observers are voicing concerns about the potential effects on inflation and the national balance sheet. Taken together, it’s a swift reaction that makes clear that Trump’s dubious election-year gambit is likely little more than another grand promise from a politician with a long history of them. “Donald Trump is a known liar. This is the biggest liar to ever serve in government. Period,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, a California Democrat who was in Dallas on Thursday as part of his party’s effort to counter Republicans’ mid-
term convention. “The dividend is not happening.” Trump previously pledged to use savings from the Department of Government Efficiency and revenue from tariffs on foreign imports to distribute payments of $2,000 or more, but none of that came to pass. His latest idea comes as the U.S. economy is reckoning with persistent inflation and rising interest rates, two forces that have politically undermined Republicans after previously helping them reclaim power from Democrats. Trump claimed the payments would be possible because of the economy’s strength, yet consumer sentiment is weak as gasoline prices are increasing because of the war with Iran and wages are struggling to keep pace with inflation. Trump told CBS News Texas in an interview that he doesn’t believe Congress would need to approve his planned payments, though he did not specify how he could spend more than $1 trillion
without Congress. “Well, we think not,” Trump said about congressional approval. “I think they will do it if we needed it. But we think not.” A few of Trump’s allies embraced the idea, including Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno, who said he would prepare legislation for the payments. Michigan Rep. Tim Walberg, the Republican chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, said “it was the first I heard of it last night” but called it good economic policy. “If it can be done, the American taxpayer deserves the benefit of having more in their pocket than the government,” Walberg said ahead of a brief session in the Capitol on Thursday. But critics accused him of trying to buy votes at a time when Republicans are trying to maintain slim majorities in Congress. Rep. Ted Lieu, vice chairman of the House Democratic caucus, outright mocked the president. “If Democrats flip the House and
Senate everyone will get a $10,000 dividend, and a pony, and free ice cream for life,” he posted on social media. The president’s proposal, unveiled in his nearly two-hour speech Wednesday night in Dallas, would carry a price tag exceeding $1.3 trillion if Congress were to authorize $5,000 payments to the nation’s 270 million adults. The Treasury already is running a current annual deficit approaching $1.8 trillion, and the total national debt topped $40 trillion this year. According to Treasury Department data, that interest expense for fiscal year 2026 will come to about $1.27 trillion, similar to the projected cost of Trump’s idea. Economists raised concerns about inflationary effects from such a large infusion of cash into the economy. Michael Strain, director of economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a centerright think tank, said Trump would
be repeating the same policy mistake as his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden. As part of his 2021 pandemic relief package, Biden provided $1,400 payments to most Americans, which Strain had warned at the time would spark inflation. “But Mr. Trump’s proposal would be worse than the Biden stimulus in the sense that in 2026 the economy already has an inflation problem,” Strain said, while Biden’s policy was intended to shore up an economy disrupted by COVID-19. “Trump would be pouring gasoline on lit inflationary embers and hoping it wouldn’t ignite,” Strain said. At the center-left Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, senior policy director Marc Goldwein agreed with the comparison to Biden’s policy and emphasized the potential impact on the deficit. “The idea that we’ve had fiscal success is backwards and bordering on laughable,” he said. “We don’t have surpluses to give away.”
2 governors condemn political violence BY MICHELLE BARUCHMAN The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)
PHILADELPHIA — One year ago, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was on his way to deliver one of the most sobering speeches of his political career. The conservative activist Charlie Kirk had been assassinated a university in the state, and the nation was teeming with emotion — grief, vengeance and celebration all mixed together. Amid a flurry of messages of support from other leaders, Cox, a Republican, said he spoke to Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who experienced political violence of his own and offered advice for how Cox could comfort a jostled community. “I called him on the way to the press conference, and he told me to ditch my talking points and to speak from the heart,” Cox recalled on
the eve of the anniversary of Kirk’s killing. “I’m grateful for that advice. I took it, and it was really important in that moment.” Cox, whose new book on healing political divisions released Tuesday, appeared on stage with Shapiro at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia Wednesday as a continuation of the relationship the two governors have built in part from the tragedy of politically-motivated attacks. The event, moderated by New York Times journalist Lulu Garcia-Navarro, centered on how every member of society can hold respectful and productive conversations, even with people with whom they disagree. It comes less than two months before the midterm elections, as Democrats and Republicans wage heated campaigns for control of Congress and governor’s
offices around the country, including in Pennsylvania. Shapiro, who along with his family narrowly escaped an arson attack on the governor’s mansion last year while they were staying there to celebrate Passover, said Americans should be “deeply concerned” about political violence and should not allow it to be rewarded or take deeper root in our nation. After Kirk’s killing, Shapiro condemned all political violence and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor. He also called out “dark rhetoric” that rejoiced at Kirk’s death. “The talk of celebrating this man’s death, no matter how profound a disagreement over a policy should be, he left behind a wife and two children,” Shapiro said, at the time. “No one should be celebrating that. No one. I think that kind of rhetoric is unhelpful on every level.”
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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 WIRE REPORTS
U.S. home sales at slowest pace in a year
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes declined in August to their slowest annual pace in more than a year as home shoppers grappled with rising mortgage rates and home prices. Existing home sales fell 2% last month from July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. This is the third straight monthly decline. Sales also fell 1.2% compared with August last year. The latest sales tally is just shy of the 4 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet. “It’s not a surprise home sales and mortgage rates move in the opposite direction and we have seen mortgage rates rising, rising, rising from February,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. Home sales have been mostly hovering close to a 4-million annual pace going back to 2023, far short of the historic norm that is closer to 5.2-million. The last time the annual sales pace came in below 4 million was June 2025. Despite the latest pullback, existing U.S. home sales are running 1.6% higher through the first eight months of this year than they were in the same stretch of 2025, NAR said. The housing market has been stymied in large part by rising borrowing costs, as mortgage rates have marched higher in the months since the war between the U.S. and Iran started in late February. Expectations of higher inflation amid surging oil prices have pushed up the long-term bond yields that lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans, driving mortgage rates higher. The average rate on the benchmark 30-year mortgage hit 6.76% this week, its highest level in more than 14 months. It briefly dipped below 6% before the war started. Yun noted that rate could soon reach 7%, given that mortgage rates tend to follow moves in the 10-year Treasury yield, which is at levels not seen since late 2023. The yield was at 4.92% on the bond market as of Thursday morning. Even as sales slowed, home prices continued to rise nationally last month. The U.S. median sales price increased 1.6% in August from a year earlier to $429,100, an all-time high for the month of August based on data going back to 1999, NAR said. Home prices have risen on an annual basis for 38 months in a row. The sales slowdown is leading to unsold properties sitting on the market longer, helping boost the number of available homes.
NHTSA opens probe into coolant intrusion
U.S. regulators have opened an investigation into a single petition concerning the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine in a 2017 Ford Edge, alleging coolant intrusion into the motor resulted in a significant loss of power. The Office of Defects Investigation has opened the case on whether to grant or deny the petition for a more thorough probe into the matter. If the agency were to do so and find a defect that creates a safety risk, a recall could be ordered. The agency identified model years 2015-18 Ford Edge vehicles as a part of its investigation. The petition from Sean Johnson of Cedar Hills, Utah, details an incident in June in which his 2017 Edge displayed an "Engine Coolant Over Temperature" warning, lost engine power and had pink coolant fluid "gushing" from the reservoir. The petitioner stopped in the travel lane, creating a safety risk, he wrote, because the road had no shoulder. After a service stop that was unable to duplicate the overheating, a P0301 Cylinder 1 Misfire code appeared after more use. A few days later, a check engine code appeared, and the engine shook when the vehicle was turned on.
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Oil prices drag Wall Street lower
Stocks sank under the weight of for a gallon of regular gasoline to Following Thursday’s reports, Costs soar to highest rising oil prices. Brent crude, the an average of nearly $4.28 across traders see a roughly 73% chance international standard, climbed the United States, according to the Fed will raise the federal funds levels since May another 6.3% and briefly topped AAA. That’s up nearly 34% from a rate at its meeting next week.
BY STAN CHOE Associated Press
NEW YORK — Oil prices keep climbing as the war with Iran keeps clogging the global flow of crude, and they leaped Thursday to their highest levels since before the summer. That worsened worries about inflation and cranked up pressure within the bond market, helping to send stocks lower again on Wall Street.
$108 per barrel for the first time since May before settling at $107.63. It’s jumped from less than $72 in early July as hopes fade that the war with Iran will allow oil to flow freely again from the Middle East anytime soon. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that oil prices likely won’t come down until after the U.S. midterm elections in November. The jump has vaulted the price
year earlier and is not only costing people more at the pump but also through higher prices for all kinds of products that move by truck to store shelves. A report on Thursday suggested the U.S. job market may remain solid, with fewer workers applying for unemployment benefits last week. That could give the Fed more confidence that the economy could withstand higher interest rates.
That’s up from the 61% probability seen the day before, according to data from CME Group. That’s also despite Trump’s consistent lobbying for interest rates to go lower rather than higher. The Fed’s counterpart in Europe, the European Central Bank, raised its own interest rates on Thursday in hopes of getting inflation in check. It cited “the conflict in the Middle East” and how it “continues to generate inflation pressures.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANNIE MULLIGAN
An Apple employee watches a machine in a learning lab at Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing Center in Houston.
U.S. wholesale prices rise in latest sign of stubborn inflation BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer
WASHINGTON — Wholesale inflation picked up last month after cooling earlier this summer as higher oil and gas prices stemming from the Iran war keep costs elevated. The Labor Department’s producer price index — which captures inflation before it reaches consumers — rose 5.4% in August from a year ago, up from 4.8% in July, the government said Thursday. Annual wholesale inflation peaked this year at 5.9% in May after the Iran conflict raised energy costs. On a monthly basis, wholesale prices increased 0.4% from July to August, after a 0.1% increase the previous month. Inflation has shown some signs of easing in recent months but is still high, frustrating consumers who are struggling with more expensive gas, groceries, clothing and other essentials. U.S. oil prices topped $100 a barrel Thursday on renewed fighting in the Middle East, while President Donald Trump has intensified a trade war with Canada, a sign tariffs still could push up costs. Rising prices pose a political problem for the Trump administration and Republicans run-
ning in the midterm elections. In a striking acknowledgment Wednesday, Trump said that oil prices likely won’t come down until after U.S. midterm elections, but added that prices will fall immediately after Nov. 3. “Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to take a little bit longer than the midterm.” The cost for a regular gallon of gasoline has soared 44% since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February, according to data from the AAA. Diesel, which is used in manufacturing, shipping and transportation, and can have an outsized role in producer and consumer prices, has rocketed 59% higher in that same time frame. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 0.2% from July to August, the same as the previous month. Compared with a year ago, core prices rose 4.6%, up from 4.2% in July. Energy prices were a big driver of last month's increase as fighting in the Middle East flared. The wholesale price of diesel soared 24.1% just from July to August. It has risen nearly 78% from a year earlier. Diesel fuel is used in large cargo trucks
for shipping goods all over the country, and could make groceries, clothes and other items more expensive. Shipping prices rose 2.3% just last month. Other items that jumped in price include airfares, hospital care, and electronic components, which have been lifted by rampant spending on AI data centers. Food prices ticked up just 0.1% last month, a potential signal that grocery costs could cool. Electric utility prices declined, too. Thursday's figures will come under particularly close scrutiny because they could help determine whether the Federal Reserve raises its short-term interest rate at a policy meeting next week. Data from the producer price index helps calculate the Fed's preferred inflation measure, which will be released Sept. 30. Airfares, hospital care and physician services all grew more expensive last month, with airfares jumping 4.2%. Those measures are all included in the Fed's preferred gauge and their increases could make a rate hike more likely. With wholesale inflation “still looking relatively hot, the Fed seems likely to hike this year even if it doesn’t pull the trigger this month,” wrote Stephen Brown, chief North America economist for Capital Economics.
Inflation drives hard decisions for small firms BY DEE DEPASS
The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS) The co-owner of Ingebretsen’s Scandinavian Gifts and Foods in Minneapolis stopped taking a salary for a nearly a year and cut her inventory of imported Norwegian sweaters after tariffs and other costs increased by more than she could afford. A New Hope, Minnesota, manufacturer laid off five workers when hit with higher costs of necessary items from fuel to health insurance. A Minneapolis ad agency switched health plans and went into overdrive to find new clients to pay for added costs. The same inflationary forces that
have been hitting household budgets the past few years are causing an “affordability crisis” for small businesses, said Allie Palmer, senior strategist of the 3,000-member Main Street Alliance in Minnesota. “They’re kind of at the epicenter,” Palmer said. The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis found steep increases in health care and insurance costs among inflationary challenges for small businesses, according to its six-month business conditions report released late last month. “Small businesses are saying that price increases for their inputs have been a major and consistent issue,” Federal Reserve analyst Haley Chinander said.
Profits fell at more than half of the 905 businesses that responded to the Fed’s July survey. Many of these consumer-facing businesses resist passing cost increases onto customers at the same pace as larger firms, so “their profits are taking a huge hit,” Chinander said. “We do see a few in every survey saying that they might be closing their doors soon if things don’t improve.” The rural economy also has taken a hit, according to Creighton University’s surveys of businesses. Farm equipment sales have either declined or stayed flat for 36 straight months, for example. With tariff disruptions and higher diesel costs from the U.S.-Is-
raeli war against Iran, “producers are not as willing to purchase new farm equipment due to volatility, along with low and negative cash flows,” said Creighton economics professor Ernie Goss. Besides cutting her own salary, Anna Bloomstrand — who co-owns 105-year-old Ingebretsen’s Scandinavian Gifts and Foods with her mother, Julie Ingebretsen — said she halted retirement savings and cut her import orders of handmade Norwegian sweaters 70% after prices shot from $275 to $400 each. The price tag jolt comes as loyal shoppers confided to Bloomstrand they have less discretionary money these days so are shopping less.
The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● 7A
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LSU
Continued from page 1A insurance company that LSU is using.
Prediction market bets
STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
Charmaine Bahlawan, an instructional leader at Ernest Gallet Elementary School in youngsville, talks on Tuesday about her time in the Marine Corps and how events played out during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while she was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
SERVICE
Continued from page 1A
had to quickly act and make sure the general knew, so he could distribute orders to the rest of the camp guard. It was a matter of national security, and we didn’t know where else could be hit.” Her role in history wasn’t over yet. After her tour in Japan, Bahlawan trained to join the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which was soon deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the operation to capture Saddam Hussein, her role as field radio operator was a critical link in communicating with the teams that were moving in to catch him. “I didn’t know right away that he was caught, but once we found out, it was comforting to learn — because we saw firsthand the damage he was doing to his country,” she said. “Nasiriyah was a beautiful little village where a lot of people were injured or hurt after he came through, and we were providing medical care and purifying the Euphrates River so they had clean water to drink. After seeing some of the tactics that the people were being exposed to, it was a relief to see that he was caught.” After her time in the Marines, Bahlawan always planned to return to her life goal of becoming a teacher. Raised in a military family in Illinois, she wanted to “do
her piece” before using the GI Bill to go to college for education. Bahlawan and her then-husband, who also served in the 15th MEU, decided to settle near his family in Louisiana, where Bahlawan completed her degree and master’s in education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She is now an instructional leader at Ernest Gallet Elementary School in Youngsville, where she runs summer camps, helps with the tutoring program, analyzes student learning data and hosts professional learning communities for teachers. With two daughters in high school and a flourishing career in education under her belt, Bahlawan’s time in the military seems like a lifetime ago — but as an avid scrapbooker and collector of memorabilia, the memories are never far away. A special piece that she kept through the years is a little paper heart, given to her by a young Iraqi girl. “We were purifying water for them, and as I’m giving the water, we had children come up, and one of them gave me this little heart. She was just so thankful, and that’s something that’s really special to me,” Bahlawan said. Another special item she kept is a letter from her father as she was coming back from Iraq, saying how proud he was of her service. Her Marine training might seem out of place in an elementary school, but according to Bahlawan, the
lessons around discipline and character building have come in handy with her students — and she pointed out that teaching kindergarten is a harder profession than serving in the Marines. “When I was in the classroom, I wanted to make sure my students were able to translate what I’m teaching to real life. I would integrate into the curriculum that social and emotional aspect — how we should greet each other, how we talk to each other, just the dynamics of being organized and able to change at a moment’s notice,” she said. After leaving the service, she joined organizations like Wounded Warrior Project and Veterans of Foreign Wars to connect with other Marines about transitioning to civilian life. Mostly, she credits her move into teaching for helping her process the effects of PTSD after the war in Iraq. “Transitioning to being a schoolteacher was the most helpful thing for me, because I knew that I was doing something I’m passionate about, and something that’s going to change the world,” Bahlawan said. “If you can reach that one kid and you can teach them not just academics, but also strength and courage and how to treat others — if you can do that with just one kid, that kid can reach so many other people.” Email Joanna Brown at joanna.brown@ theadvocate.com.
Kiffin’s bonuses — and LSU’s insurance for them — have generated buzz in the past week in the emerging field of prediction markets, where participants can place wagers tied to the outcomes of real-world events. In August, someone placed five trades on Kalshi that appear to mimic Kiffin’s bonuses, according to In Game, an outlet that covers prediction markets and sports betting. The contracts will pay out $837,500 if LSU makes it to the College Football Playoff, and that amount will increase with each round of the playoff LSU wins: $1,205,000, then $1,675,000, then $2,212,500. If LSU wins the national championship, the contracts will pay out $3 million, according to In Game. A Kalshi spokesperson told CBS Sports and The Athletic a third-party insurance company made the five trades, though the company did not specify which one. Kalshi did not respond to questions for this story. The five LSU-related bets were reported as block trades, which are privately negotiated between two parties and subsequently reported to Kalshi, according to In Game. “Block trades can only be placed by financial institutions, regulated insurance companies, investment funds, or people or organizations with more than $10 million in assets,” according to In Game. LSU did not place the five trades, Greenwell said. He said he could not speak to any arrangements between insurers and other third parties. At least one company, Game Point Capital, which offers insurance to college athletic departments and
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin stands on the field after a penalty was called in the third quarter of the game against Clemson on Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. professional sports teams for coaches’ buyouts and bonus payments, has publicly announced it has used to Kalshi for millions of dollars worth of hedges, according to The New York Times. “LSU is not currently engaged with Game Point Capital on insuring incentive structures,” Greenwell said.
What is Kalshi?
the insurance company’s private block trades on LSU were separate from the standard contracts regular users would buy. That means they would not affect the price or odds of the public, open-market contract. Prediction markets, which have risen to prominence in the past few years, are a source of fascination and controversy in the financial world. Kalshi and Polymarket say they have created a new class of asset that can help investors hedge financial positions and profit from market research, among other uses. They also argue their platforms provide useful data by aggregating what large masses of people think is going to happen. But some state regulators and other critics argue the prediction markets are essentially just gambling, particularly given that contracts on sporting events make up substantial part of their business. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Kalshi and other prediction markets like Polymarket allow participants to place wagers tied to the probable outcome of a realworld event. They can be on anything from sports games to whether Congress will pass a bill to what the Rotten Tomatoes score of a movie will be. In industry-speak, what someone buys or sells in a prediction market is called an “event contract.” They’re typically advertised as “yes” or “no” wagers. The price and payout of a contract fluctuates based on what traders are willing to pay based on a 0% to 100% chance of whether they Email Alyse Pfeil at think an event will occur. alyse.pfeil@theadvocate. According to In Game, com.
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share many details, but industry observers laud it Continued from page 1A for its annual revenue and 10% year-over-year growth. Broken down, the company store in July and offer a makes $2,000 in sales per starting wage of $17 to $22 square foot of floor space, which is the highest in the an hour. Trader Joe’s is a privately industry, experts say. Through the company’s held company that does not
longstanding Neighborhood Shares Program, the Lafayette store will donate each day 100% of products that go unsold to a range of nonprofit, community-based organizations. Email Timothy Boone at tboone@theadvocate.com.
addresslafayettela.com DRE#01901536 This website is a marketing and information program that sends all inquiries to state-licensed real estate professionals.
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Prices good at New Orleans, Gretna, Kenner, Metairie, Marrero, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Baton Rouge, Zachary, Gonzales and Prairieville locations September 9th thru September 16th, 2026.
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T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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F r i d ay, S e p t e m b e r 11, 2026
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Man who bit ICE officer in La. sentenced
Perez-Perez pleads guilty to assault BY DEAN BOUDREAUX
Staff writer
A man who pleaded guilty to biting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in November was sentenced this week in federal court in Lafayette. Senior Judge Dee Drell sentenced 22-year-old Maximiliano PerezPerez to time served on a count of forcibly assaulting a federal officer
causing bodily injury, according to a judgment filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Perez-Perez received credit for time already served and a $100 special assessment. The court did not order restitution or supervised release. A federal grand jury in Lafayette returned an indictment against Perez-Perez on Dec. 17, according to a release from the U.S. Attor-
ney’s Office. The release describes Perez-Perez as a Mexican national illegally in the United States. ICE agents encountered PerezPerez on Nov. 21, 2025, after they received a tip that a van would be transporting illegal immigrants in Louisiana, the release states. During a traffic stop in Tullos, the officers attempted to detain Perez-Perez, who refused to exit the vehicle and grabbed onto the vehicle’s steering wheel. When the officers removed Perez-Perez, he fled on foot. Perez-Perez was quickly caught.
An ICE officer, identified in court records by the initials B.B., tried to secure Perez-Perez’s hands, and Perez-Perez bit him. The bite broke the agent’s skin and drew blood, court filings say. ICE, Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Perez-Perez and his attorney, Angelle Boudreaux, admitted to the bite as part of the court’s plea arrangement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Sarver prosecuted the case
for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The case drew national attention. The Department of Homeland Security issued a news release the next day, saying Perez-Perez bit the officer’s hand while resisting arrest. At the time, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin cited a sharp rise in assaults and death threats against ICE officers nationally, though by how much was not clear at the time. Email Dean Boudreaux at dean. boudreaux@theadvocate.com.
HUMMING HUNGER
STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
A ruby-throated hummingbird approaches a blooming trumpet vine in the Sterling Grove neighborhood of Lafayette on Sunday.
UL gets $2.1M to improve rural access to healthcare Program addresses workforce shortages
BY JOANNA BROWN
Staff writer
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is poised to utilize expertise in health sciences and applied AI as part of an initiative to improve rural healthcare in underserved areas across Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health awarded the university nearly $2.1 million to support different components of the agency’s Louisiana Rural Health Transformation Program, which connects healthcare providers with academic and industry resources to address challenges around operational funding, workforce shortages and access to care. The award included $1.6 million to the College of Nursing & Health Sciences, and $498,723 to the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence. The Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence will use the funding to develop an AI platform that streamlines and standardizes healthcare data in rural areas. The platform will enable healthcare providers in rural clinics to compile data sets that allow them
ä See ACCESS, page 4B
SOLA Food Summit seeks to strengthen local system Event ‘to plant seeds for folks in Acadiana’ BY JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer
Whether you are a consumer or a producer, an upcoming two-day summit offers a chance to connect with others working to strengthen the local food system. Hosted by the Acadiana Food Alliance, the 2026 SOLA Food Summit returns to Lafayette this weekend, bringing together farmers, food producers, buyers, food businesses, nonprofits, educators and community members to build connections and grow south Louisiana’s local
food economy. The nonprofit Acadiana Food Alliance aims to address the larger challenge of making local agriculture a bigger and more sustainable part of the area’s economy. Nicole Ryan Johnson, interim president of the Acadiana Food Alliance and co-owner of Fightingville Fresh Market and L4S Farms, said the organization’s larger mission is to create a “thriving local food economy” in which farmers can grow their operations and create jobs, while consumers can support local producers and have greater access to local food. “We are hoping that this summit can be a first step in addressing this, to plant seeds for folks in
ä See SUMMIT, page 4B
STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD KEMP
The SOLA Food Summit event brings together a variety of groups to build connections and grow south Louisiana’s local food economy.
Lafayette woman wins $2.7M in Lotto jackpot Ticket for Sept. 2 drawing purchased at grocery BY DEAN BOUDREAUX
Staff writer
A Lafayette woman is $2.7 million richer after hitting the Louisiana Lottery’s Lotto jackpot, ending an eight-month drought without a winner in the game. Susan Savoie won the Sept. 2 drawing with a ticket she bought at Super 1 Foods No. 641 on Ambassador Caffery Parkway. The jackpot was worth $3,773,180, the largest Lotto prize since last November. After state and federal tax withholdings, Savoie took home $2,754,421.40. Tickets for the game cost $1 each. Savoie graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and works as a swim instructor, according to her LinkedIn profile. The winning numbers were 2021-23-25-32-38. Super 1 Foods No.
ä See JACKPOT, page 4B
2B ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate
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OPINION T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M/opinions
SpaceX is a big win for Vermilion Parish
Southern Vermilion Parish has Landry administration for closing spent a generation watching two the deal that finally gives Vermilthings leave: land and people. ion Parish a real shot at protectThe marsh south of the ing its own coast, instead Intracoastal Waterway of another round of promhas been slipping into the ises with no money behind Gulf. Families have been them. slipping north. Anybody To the out-of-town activwho hunts, fishes or grew ists who have arrived over up below La. 82 already the last few weeks with Bob knows what doing nothing Hensgens talking points and camlooks like. Doing nothing is eras: You have not saved GUEST how a place becomes open COLUMNIST this coast. You did not put water. a single acre back. You did That is why I am proud not stop a foot of shoreline to stand with Starbase Louisiana. from washing away. SpaceX is not coming here to You show up after the hard admire the view. They are comyears, call a working landscape ing here to build, and they cannot untouched and tell the people who build on a disappearing shoreline. live here to freeze it in place for your postcard. This land is not The only realistic way this untouched. It has been hunted, stretch of coast gets protected fished, leased, pipelined and at the scale it needs is if SpaceX protects its own investment. Tax- worked for generations. Treating Vermilion Parish like a theme payers were never going to have park you visit on weekends is an the billions it will take to armor insult to the families who stayed that marsh. We have known that when the jobs left. for years. Now a company that We have the same right to build has to keep launchpads standing an economy that the cities you has every reason to stop the erocome from already claimed for sion. themselves. Nobody asked those Credit also belongs to the
equipment in so they can start restoring wetlands and slowing shoreline loss. That is self-interest lined up with the coast. I will take that over another decade of speeches and empty restoration budgets. Louisiana has always made a living from the land and water while building the next thing. Oil and gas built this parish. Now we have a chance to help open the path to the stars and, in the process, put rock and restoration on a coast that has been starving for both. The vast majority of Vermilion Parish understands this. We are STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER not confused. We are excited. We President and chief operating officer of SpaceX Gwynne Shotwell speaks want the jobs. We want our childuring the SpaceX announcement in Abbeville last month. dren to have a reason to stay. And we want a shoreline that is still cities to stay empty so someone here when those children take tory for the marsh. The return of else could feel pure. High-wage their own kids duck hunting. That humans to this part of Louisiana work — thousands of jobs, with is not selling out the marsh. That is a good thing. SpaceX saying it will hire from is finally giving it a chance — on People who say SpaceX will nearby communities — means our terms, in our parish, for our hurt the environment have the our kids can stay. It means people timeline backward. people. can come home below the IntraWithout a project like this, a lot of that ground would be Gulf in coastal. Population loss is not State Sen. Bob Hensgens 25 years. SpaceX has already said represents District 26 in the conservation. Empty camps and a shrinking tax base are not a vic- the first work on site is getting Louisiana Senate.
Congressional action is Dolly Parton may be gone, necessary on genetic but her lessons will go on treatments for heart disease I always thought heart disease was some- yet most don’t know it. Left untreated, it dramatically increases the risk of an early thing that happened to other people. I exercised. I paid attention to what I ate. heart attack or stroke. Many families don’t discover it until I showed up at my doctor’s appointments. someone experiences a life-changing carWhen my cholesterol tests kept coming back high, I did what so many people do. I diovascular event. assumed I simply needed to work harder. That matters here in Louisiana. But some things cannot be fixed with Heart disease remains the leading cause more time on the treadmill or a of death in our state, and Louisiana healthier dinner plate. ranks among the states with the Everything changed after my highest heart attack death rates in dad suffered an unexpected stroke. the nation. Nearly 4 in 10 Louisiana Years earlier, he had survived a adults have high cholesterol, making heart attack. early diagnosis and access to effecEmily Around the same time, he had tive treatment even more important. finally been diagnosed with familMcWhorter We cannot prevent every inherited disease. But we can decide whether ial hypercholesterolemia, or FH, GUEST an inherited condition that causes COLUMNIST patients have access to the innovadangerously high LDL cholesterol tions that science continues to make from birth. Watching what happossible. That is why Congress should pass the pened to him forced me to confront a quesMaintaining Investments in New Innovation I had been avoiding: Was the same thing happening to me? tion, or MINI, Act. I switched to the physician who had The MINI Act would update how the diagnosed my dad. After years of feeling Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program like my concerns weren’t being taken seri- treats a newer class of medicines known as genetically targeted technologies, or ously, I finally found someone who looked GTTs. These treatments represent a difbeyond the numbers on a lab report and saw the bigger picture. The diagnosis con- ferent approach to medicine, targeting the underlying causes of disease in ways that firmed what I feared. I had inherited FH, along with elevated lipoprotein (a), another were not possible just a generation ago. However, current policy treats them like genetic risk factor for cardiovascular distraditional small-molecule drugs, even ease. though they more closely resemble bioIt was both frightening and strangely reassuring. For the first time, I understood logic therapies in how they are developed that this wasn’t because I had failed. My and used. DNA had simply handed me a different The MINI Act would simply align the starting point. Medicare timeline for GTTs with the 11The good news was that there were year timeline already provided to biologemerging treatments designed for people ics. like me. The bad news was getting access The goal is straightforward: to help ento them. sure patients benefit from advances in sciEven though my physician knew I would ence by supporting an environment where likely need the same medication that had new treatments for chronic and inherited helped my father, my insurance company heart diseases can move from the laborarequired me to try and fail using two other tory to the people who need them. medications first. I couldn’t change the genes I inherited. Those months weren’t just frustrating; But with the right diagnosis, the right they felt like time I couldn’t afford to lose. doctor and the right treatment, I can Today, I’m finally receiving the treatment change what happens next. my doctor recommended from the beginCongress has the opportunity to make sure future patients have that same ning. I still exercise. I still eat well. But chance. I hope Louisiana’s delegation will now I also have something I didn’t have continue standing behind policies like the before: peace of mind. Instead of wonderMINI Act that protect medical innovation ing whether I’m headed toward the same and the families counting on it. future my father faced, I know I’m doing everything possible to reduce my risk. My story isn’t unusual. Emily McWhorter is a clinical mental An estimated one in 250 people has FH, health therapist in New Orleans.
In our family, legendary singer and songwriter Dolly Parton goes by “Dolly Partner.” My daughter, now 4, began calling the icon that term of endearment at barely 2 years old. From her rear-facing car seat, my toddler requested I play “Dolly Partner” as if I were her personal DJ. My daughter’s favorite Dolly song was “Coat of Many Colors,” in which Dolly describes wearing a coat her mother made of rags and being made fun of at school. Remarkably, Dolly recounts this memory with an optimistic outlook, claiming Olivia to be “rich as can be” since her mother sewed the coat Savoie with love. GUEST My daughter homed in COLUMNIST on the song and has asked to hear it at least 100 times since. Many times, I watched my daughter and noticed her focus intensify when the song played. Perhaps, like her mother, she was always searching for story. Listening for it. Attuned to it. By age 3, she was asking about Dolly’s history: “Why couldn’t her parents get her a new coat at the store, Mommy?” Or about metaphor: “How can something be made with love? How does the love even get in it?” Or about the passage of time and mortality: “Is Dolly Partner still a child or is she old or is she dead and at heaven?” More recently, she commented, “The kids laughed at her because she didn’t have enough money for a coat? But that’s mean, Mom.” I agreed it was very mean. Dolly’s song gently opened many doors to meaningful conversations I needed to have with my daughter. Conversations about a mother’s love, accepting and including everyone despite their appearance or what kind of clothes they wore, and bullying. When a new child joined my daughter’s daycare this summer, we listened to “Coat of Many Colors” on the way home. While I prepared after-school snacks, I asked my daughter if she talked to her “new friend,” or if she invited him to play. “I forgot to ask him to play,” she admitted. The next morning, I reminded her it would be a good idea to include the new boy, or else he might feel left out. “If we ask him to play superheroes with us, he won’t be sad like Dolly Partner
FILE PHOTO By J.T. BLATTy
Dolly Parton performed at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans in 2016.
used to be when she was a little girl?” my daughter wondered. She understood. Before and since, my daughter has exhibited what I know to be compassion, empathy and consideration for others — words she can’t define yet, of course — in relation to Dolly Parton’s ballad. I’m certain my daughter’s love for Dolly’s song, and her striving to understand and relate to Dolly’s story, will contribute to her growing up to be a caring, thoughtful human being. Dolly Parton wasn’t just known for her angelic voice and songs, but her kindness and generosity. What my daughter doesn’t know yet is that Dolly launched a global literacy program, helped with disaster relief and funded scholarships — just to name a few of her benevolent endeavors. My daughter will eventually learn about Dolly’s many facets. She will learn about how the same Dolly who grew up with nothing but love, one of 12 children in a shack with no running water or electricity and yes, who wore a rag-coat to school, turned into a celebrated philanthropist who flooded the world with kindness and decency. I dread having to tell my daughter the news that Dolly has died. I’ll have to, too, because my maturing little one recently lost her great-grandmother and now understands no one can live forever. When my daughter asks again about Dolly’s age and well-being, I’ll have to break the tragic news to her, yet another door gently opened for a hard but important conversation. Thank you, Dolly. Olivia Savoie is a family heirloom biographer who lives in Lafayette.
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR LOCAL REPORTING
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The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● 3B
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COMMENTARY
An American flag flies in Jersey City, N.J., with the World Trade Center and lower Manhattan skyline in background.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ADAM GRAy
ISSUE OF THE WEEK 9/11 ANNIVERSARy Twenty-five years ago, our nation watched in horror as hijackers commandeered four commercial airliners and crashed them into the World Trade Center and Pentagon.A plane headed to the U.S. Capitol went down in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back. It was the worst terror attack on U.S. soil, leaving 2,977 dead. In the weeks after, a stunned nation joined together to comfort the grieving and rally behind the flag.Airplane security was tightened.The Department of Homeland Security was created.The U.S. launched the Global War on Terror to hunt down those responsible for the attacks. Life in America changed in many other subtle ways. But are the lessons of 9/11 still relevant today? Here are two perspectives:
Never forget the lessons and history from 9/11
25 years later, 9/11 tragedy still seems like yesterday
I was sitting in my home office not far to destroy America, which he said, “is from the Pentagon when it happened. The controlled by Zionist Jews.” Nothing has TV behind me had the sound lowered, but changed and antisemitism has gotten I suddenly became aware of a major deworse. Something else died on 9/11 besides the velopment. I reached for the remote and deaths of 2,977 people. I wrote it was the cranked up the audio. A plane had struck one of the twin tow- doctrine of moral equivalency — the idea that people everywhere are just like us ers in New York. TV anchors initially or can be made so by acquiescing to their speculated it must have been a small demands. Unfortunately, that flawed line plane that had run off course, but soon of thinking continues to exist (conthey realized a much larger plane struck the building and then a secsider those making such a case in the Iran war). Unfortunately, that ond one hit the other tower. worldview is still alive. It quickly became clear AmeriEnergy independence, I said, ca was under attack. I saw smoke would free us from the grip of the rising from the Pentagon and Middle East. That, too, has not yet went up on the roof to get a better been achieved. look. My son, who was a firefightCal I was fortunate to be able to visit er, later told me he pulled bodThomas Ground Zero when others were ies out of the wreckage. He still doesn’t like to talk about it, likely because barred. A friend knew the fire chief, who let us into a roped- off area. Three imof the horrible experience. Later, United Flight 93 crashed in ages I shall never forget: the blocks and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, because of blocks of store windows with pictures of the bravery of Todd Beamer who led the missing and pleas for help in finding other passengers and crew on a revolt them; the parked cars that were filled that stopped the hijackers from possibly inside with dust from the collapse of the hitting the White House or the Capitol buildings; an unopened soft drink bottle Building. lying in the debris. I have kept the hard I wrote six columns in a row and many hat they made us wear on which I wrote others following that modern day of in“NYC 9/11/2001.” A New York City police officer gesfamy. Here are some excerpts that ring true 25 years later. tured at the ruins and said: “Look at this. On the day of the terrorist attacks, I Here is the result of years of illegal imwrote: “It brings into clear focus the state migration, softness on crime, cutting the of war that has existed for some time defense budget and lack of attention to between America and those who oppose right and wrong in this country.” Not a our values and way of life.” I called for bad summation. the expulsion of people and organizations It’s easy to say “never forget,” but each with ties to radical terrorist groups. Ungeneration must be taught to remember and one generation has been born since fortunately, that did not happen and the 9/11 and others were too young at the threat from within remains and appears to be growing. There are still unanswered time. Most importantly, it depends on who questions about how those attacks were is teaching the history and whether that allowed to happen. teaching is based on facts, or if it is filIt didn’t take long before the “blame America first” crowd was heard from. tered through the teacher’s own biases. They are still around as we see in the current election cycle. The Mufti of Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub. Jerusalem had recently called on Allah com.
Smoke still rose from the ruins of the to their own opinion. But 25 years ago, World Trade Center, and the smell of near- despite fears that New Yorkers might retaliate against their Muslim neighbors, ly 2,000 deaths lingered miles uptown. A almost none of that happened. No masked reporter asked New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani whether he worried that the city’s demonstrators clashed with police outside mosques as they have recently at synaMuslim neighborhoods would be attacked in revenge for that Islamist-inspired atroc- gogues. There weren’t calls for Saudi Araity. Giuliani responded that he would make bia, the source of nearly all the 9/11 hijacksure that didn’t happen, that he was senders, to let its sworn enemies stream into the country as has been done with Israel. ing more police to those areas to protect During the mayoral campaign, their residents. a photo was released of Mamdani Those were Giuliani’s better years, smiling arm-in-arm with Imam when he moved to calm his hurting Siraj Wahhaj, who was indicted as city. They are a study in contrast a co-conspirator at the earlier 1993 with how Mayor Zohran Mamdani attack on the World Trade Center. has allowed, even encouraged, forWahhaj had also testified as a chareign grievances to roil the five Froma boroughs. During the mayoral camacter witness for the “Blind Sheik,” Harrop then also plotting terror attacks paign, Mamdani refused to condemn against New York’s Lincoln Tunnel, a call to globalize the intifada, that the U.N. and other city landmarks. is, spread the Mideast “struggle” “Only” six people died in the 1993 attack, everywhere. but only because it failed in its mission, Mamdani has done a great deal to bring which was to take the Twin Towers down. that ugly import into America’s largest When that photo surfaced, I thought, city. He issued threats to arrest Benjamin New Yorkers couldn’t possibly elect this Netanyahu when he comes into town to adguy. But Mamdani squeaked through with dress the United Nations. Told a mayor has just over half the vote. And he had been a no such power, he urged New Yorkers to demonstrate in large numbers when the Is- U.S. citizen for only seven years. The mass of Mamdani’s support was raeli prime minister arrives. Can you imagfrom younger voters who did not experiine such a demonstration being peaceful? I was in Manhattan on 9/11, trapped in a ence 9/11 in real time. Many came from train held under Penn Station as the tunelsewhere. Many were educated, or not educated, to believe that history started in nels were inspected for bombs. The train 2005. doors were shut closed, and the conductor Before Mamdani was elected, New York kept telling us on the speakers, “This is the Jews and New York Muslims got along safest place you can be at this moment,” mostly peaceably. And in day-to-day transadding, “Pray for the people in the World Trade Center.” actions, they mostly still do. We were about 2 miles north of the horMamdani has played a double game of flooding social media with charming vidror, yet fear gripped us. We then had no idea who was behind it or whether it was eos of himself at play while attempting to over. Eventually, the conductor came on infuse New York politics with imported and told us, “Calmly take your bags and ethnic animosity. leave the train.” I emerged into that gorLook at the sickening pictures of a tergeous September day to an utterly changed rorist attack that foreign ideologies visited world. on this country 25 years ago. This cannot This is not a commentary on current be forgotten. conflicts in the Mideast. They are their Froma Harrop is on X, @FromaHarrop. own tragedy, and everyone is entitled
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4B ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate
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13 La. National Merit semifinalists are from Acadiana Students compete for $26M in scholarships
semifinalists. They are among 16,000 semifinalists named from across the nation out of the class of 2027. They are now in the running for about 6,700 National Merit scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered BY CHARLES LUSSIER in the spring. and EMMA DISCHER The 229 Louisiana semifiStaff writers nalists, who were announced A total of 229 high school this week, are the students seniors in Louisiana have who scored the highest in been named National Merit the state during the 2025 ad-
ministration of the PSAT, a preliminary test to the wellknown SAT college placement exam. About 1.2 million high school juniors took the PSAT at that time. Of these semifinalists, 125 are from the New Orleans metro area, 56 are from the Baton Rouge area, and 13 are from Acadiana. The Houma-Thibodaux-Morgan City area has one semifinalist, and Lake Charles has four.
Twenty-nine are from north Louisiana, 20 of them from Shreveport. Here are the National Merit semifinalists attending high schools located in the Acadiana region: n Ascension Episcopal School in Youngsville: Lillian A. Sheets. n Episcopal School ofAcadiana in Broussard: Christopher Arsement; Andon Bergeron; and Grace Schwarz. n John Paul The Great Academy in Lafayette: Joseph P. Heimbold.
Ex-coach avoids sex offender registry SUMMIT Continued from page 1B BR man pleads to lesser charge in molestation accusation
BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer
A former high school wrestling coach, accused of molesting a 16-year-old student in a car parked outside a local middle school, won’t have to register as a sex offender after pleading to a lesser charge Wednesday. Aujyri Harris, 23, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of obscenity this week after being previously arrested on a count each of indecent behavior with a juvenile and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. An East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation into Harris, who is described in court records
JACKPOT
Continued from page 1B 641 received a $37,731.80 bonus for selling the winning ticket, 1% of the jackpot. “Louisiana Lottery retailers are always excited when they sell the big winning ticket,” Lottery Lafayette Regional Manager Amanda Capdebosq said. “The Super 1 team put up a banner and lots of flyers near the registers so their regulars would know they are a lucky spot.” Lottery President Rose
ACCESS
Continued from page 1B to see where health services are active in the community, and which areas are underserved. Raju Gottumukkala, director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence, said, “to obtain federal funding, clinics must prove a need for services, show what their community lacks, how those needs compare to the rest of the state, and where investing resources would be most beneficial.” “That can mean weeks of manual research pulled together from scattered state and federal data sets. Many rural clinics don’t have ad-
as a nonfaculty wrestling coach at a Baton Rouge-area high school, began in February 2025 after a 16-year-old reported having a sexual encounter with him. The victim told detectives that Harris had communicated with her through texts and on Snapchat, eventually having her meet him in January 2025 in a car parked in the lot of a local middle school. There, Harris had her perform a sex act on him before driving her back to her own vehicle. Surveillance footage from a nearby building showed a vehicle matching Harris’ pull into the middle school’s lot on the evening of the crime, according to the warrant for his arrest. Harris had signed on as a nonfaculty wrestling coach at the school in October 2024, according to the warrant. A 2024 list of registered wrestling coaches with the
LHSAA shows Harris was working with Central High School’s team that season. In February 2025, EBRSO detectives interviewed Harris, who said the accusations against him were only rumors. He told detectives he was riding his motorcycle at the time. But Harris then admitted to having lied about where he was, saying he had in fact been involved in an “emotional relationship” with the victim and exchanged text messages. He further admitted to having driven to the school to meet with the victim, but denied any sexual contact. Harris told police the victim had attempted to kiss him, but that he had “pushed her off.” A forensic search of Harris’ phone following his arrest showed a Google search for “age of consent in Louisiana” from the night after the crime.
Hudson said the organization was happy for Savoie. “The Louisiana Lottery team loves to see residents win big,” Hudson said. “We are excited for Mrs. Savoie on hitting the lotto jackpot after almost eight months of rolling.” Beyond individual winners, Lotto ticket sales feed directly into Louisiana’s public-school funding. The Louisiana Lottery Corporation dedicated $181.5 million to the state treasury in fiscal year 2025 for the benefit of the Minimum Foundation Program, which provides
per-student funding to public schools statewide, according to the Lottery’s FY25 annual report. Louisiana Lottery officials remind players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchase. Players must claim winning tickets for draw-style games within 180 days of the drawing. To play Lotto, participants must be at least 21 years old. Anyone experiencing gambling-related problems, or concerned about a friend or family member, can call the Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline at (877) 770-7867.
equate staff to do this.” He said that in addition to measuring access, a rural clinic will be able to use the tool to see workforce shortages and better measure funding eligibility based on its population and needs. The College of Nursing & Health Sciences will use the $1.6 million award to fund academic programs and faculty and student support services. It also plans to launch nursing workforce development initiatives to address nursing shortages in rural areas. “We prepare a significant portion of the region and state’s registered nurse workforce, and this is simply an extension of that role,” said Dr. Linda Broussard, dean of the College of Nursing & Health Sciences.
“The overall objective is to increase the number of registered nurses prepared to work in rural areas and increase enrollment and retention in our prelicensure nursing program.”
LOTTERY
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Acadiana,” Johnson said. Money spent on food locally stays within the local economy, which benefits the region, Johnson said. The event kicks off Sunday with a farm tour that will give participants a firsthand look at Acadiana agriculture during guided tours of three local farms: Cajun Prairie Farm, Guidry Organic Farms and St. Rose Flower Farm. Participants will meet producers, explore working agricultural operations and learn about the different approaches farmers are using to build viable businesses and strengthen the region’s food system. Transportation between all farm tour locations is included. The conference Monday at the Downtown Convention Center will feature panels, buyer-farmer matchmaking, local food discussions and a local food social and tasting. Johnson said local farmers can produce an abundance of vegetables in Acadiana, but consumers don’t always know where to find them or when they are available. “Farmers leave the farmers market every Saturday or every farmers market day with produce because not enough people
n Lafayette High: Wyatt Coo-
per; Radha-Vira Kulkarni; Molly Lai; and Benjamin Richert n Notre Dame High in Crowley: Charles A. Hunt. n Southside High in Youngsville: Cooper J. Trosclair. n Teurlings Catholic High in Lafayette: Ava Blanchard and John Yongue.
Funerals Today Austin, Charlotte
Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette, LA at 11am.
Obituaries Rickey, Libby
Email Charles Lussier at clussier@theadvocate. com.
know the importance of shopping local,” she said. For people who can’t attend the summit, Johnson said there are already numerous ways to begin buying locally. The Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market operates Saturdays at Moncus Park, while Fightingville Fresh Market operates Saturdays and Tuesdays. The Acadiana Food Alliance also maintains a local food directory listing farms, farmers markets, restaurants and food trucks throughout Acadiana. Johnson said the directory is being updated as part of the summit. For farmers and producers, she recommends connecting with the Acadiana Food Alliance, which offers training and other resources. “Local farmers are competing against a national food distribution system built around scale, consistency and year-round availability,” Johnson says. Although the summit isn’t intended to solve Acadiana’s food-system challenges in two days, Johnson hopes it gives farmers, buyers and consumers the relationships and information they need to begin making different choices. For tickets to attend the SOLA Food Summit and more information, visit the Acadiana Food Alliance at acadianafoodalliance.org.
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Maude "Libby" Rickey born on June 14, 1932, passed away on September 7, 2026, at the age of 94. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, for 12pm, with visitation beginning at 10:30am at Asbury United Methodist Church of Lafayette. Please leave your condolences at www.lafuneralse rvices.com.
How to place an Obituary Notice EMAIL:
obits@theadvocate.com OR CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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How to place a Memorial Ad An “In Memory Of” ad, is a way to pay tribute to your loved one. This remembrance is often printed on the anniversary of a loved one’s death. The deadline is two days prior to the day you want your ad to appear. TO PLACE A MEMORIAL AD GO TO:
obituaries.theacadianaadvocate.com, click submit an obituary and select create a memoriam.
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SEC still mulling possible punishment for LSU
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Presidents, chancellors reach no resolution in Thursday’s virtual meeting
BY REED DARCEY Staff writer
The SEC’s presidents and chancellors met virtually on Thursday to discuss potential punishments they could levy against LSU following its pursuit of former pro players but left the meeting without a firm decision. In a statement released Thursday evening, the league said that its ä La Tech: at leaders met to discuss “reLSU 6:30 P.M. cent matters involving conSATURDAy, SECN+ ference expectations and responsibilities” and that “discussions will continue as the conference and its member universities work toward an appropriate resolution.” LSU president Wade Rousse attended Thursday’s meeting but “only briefly,” according to an ESPN report. He told the group that LSU’s university counsel advised him not to participate because he’s a defendant in the federal lawsuit the league filed against top LSU officials on Sept. 3. The SEC’s 16 presidents and chancellors were initially scheduled to vote on whether they wanted to expel LSU from the league in their Thursday meeting. The conference removed the vote from the agenda on Wednesday, though, after the Tigers decided not to sign the two former Ole Miss starters and NFL training camp players at the heart of the legal saga: tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris. LSU instead gave the two roster spots it saved for Wright and Harris to a pair of players who are rehabbing season-ending
ä See SEC, page 3C
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
LSU coach Lane Kiffin chats with school president Wade Rousse following a seasonopening win over Clemson at Tiger Stadium. Rousse attended Thursday’s SEC meeting briefly.
Inside pass rusher young’s evolution with the Saints Brandon Staley was there to look at draft prospects. And on Ohio State’s campus last spring, there were plenty of players to keep the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator busy. But as he made his way through the program’s lavish facility, Staley couldn’t help but get caught up in the hardware. His eyes darted around the rooms — homing in on the honors dedicated to one particular player. He found them, one by one. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top defensive player. The Nagurski-Wooden, dedicated to the Big Ten Player of the Year. The Heisman invitee wall, with the player’s pictures framed. Staley pulled out his phone to take pictures of the accomplishments. Once he reached the “Legacy of Leadership”— a wall than before. He even started mentoring. Consider this to be the next evolution of Chase Young. dedicated to Ohio State’s past captains — the coordinaLast year was only the beginning. Or it should be, if tor decided to send Chase Young a message. Young continues to ascend after recording a ca“I just said, ‘Hey, if you’re not a captain for us, then man, you’re falling short,’” Staley said. “‘Because reer-high 10 sacks in just 12 games. you should be one of the leaders on our team.’” The 27-year-old has been in this position once “It meant a lot,” Young said. before. As a rookie in 2020, Young’s potential The challenge was accepted. On Monday, Young looked limitless after a midseason surge fueled achieved that goal when the Saints named him SEASON the Washington Commanders into the playoffs. as a captain for the first time. After a breakout PREVIEW During that stretch, Washington named Young a season on the field, the next logical step for Young was captain late in the year, and the campaign even earned to become a leader off it. So, Young spent his offseason Young his first hardware in the NFL — a Defensive Rookembracing the responsibilities now expected of him. He ie of the Year trophy. attended every voluntary offseason workout. He adä See SAINTS, page 3C dressed the team in huddles, speaking out more often
Key receivers out for Cajuns ahead of big game at USC BY KEVIN FOOTE
ä UL at USC 10 P.M. SATURDAy, BIG TEN NETWORK
UL’s coaching staff has interesting decisions to make ahead of Saturday’s game at No. 14-ranked Southern California in Los Angeles. Once again, coach Michael Desormeaux’s staff is dealing with a long list of troubling injuries. “It’s kind of one of those deals,” Desormeaux said. “You’ve got some in and out, but none of it’s long-term, which is a good thing.” The position hit the hardest is wide receiver. Desormeaux revealed Wednesday that receivers Shelton Sampson and Trenton Chaney both suffered sprained ankles against Lamar and aren’t expected to play against the Trojans. The good news is both are considered week-to-week injuries, and also Landon Strother is expected to return next week against UAB. The worst injury situation currently is redshirt junior tight end Caden Jensen, who will likely miss at least two more games. The consolation there is Brock Chappell,
who missed the opener with a leg injury, is expected to return for Saturday’s game. Still, Wednesday’s report means this offense is heading to meet the Trojans without its top four receiving targets, including Jensen. “We’re working to prepare,” Desormeaux said, “we got the guys we’re trying to put the pieces in place to, you know, to go out there on Saturday and go, you know, and go compete and go do it the right way. Also returning is redshirt freshman running back Darrell Smith, who suffered a calf injury in the third quarter against Lamar. “Darrell, I would say, is very likely after what he did (Wednesday) at practice, which is really good,” Desormeaux said. The injury decisions can appear complicated. Do you sit a player who is a 50-50 injury decision on the road against a top 15 team in hopes he’ll be available for UAB and Charlotte? For Desormeaux, it’s not as tough a decision as you’d think.
Staff writer
STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP
UL’s Ja’Corian Norris is having to contribute more at wide receiver in addition to being a ä See CAJUNS, page 3C dangerous kickoff returner.
2C ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate
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BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS On TV COLLEGE FOOTBALL 6 p.m. Villanova at Louisville ACCN 6 p.m. Richmond at NC State ESPNU 6:30 p.m. Rutgers at Boston College ESPN2 7 p.m. Missouri at Kansas FOX WOMEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL 5 p.m. Stanford vs. Penn St. BTN 5 p.m. Illinois at Marquette FS1 7 p.m. Baylor at Nebraska BTN
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Wisconsin at Texas A&M Arizona at Southern Cal GOLF Amgen Irish Open Sanford International Simmons Bank Open HORSE RACING America’s Day at the Races MLB Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs N.y. Mets at N.y. yankees
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FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
SECN BTN GOLF GOLF GOLF FS1 MLBN MLBN
6:40 p.m. Cincinnati at Milwaukee APPLETV 9:15 p.m. San Diego at San Francisco APPLETV WOMEN’S SOCCER 7:45 a.m. England vs. Brazil FS2 10:45 a.m. Argentina vs. Mexico FS2 9 p.m. Denver at Angel City ION TENNIS 11 a.m. U.S. Open ESPN2 2 p.m. U.S. Open ESPN 6 p.m. U.S. Open ESPN
Center Koval granted NCAA U.S. makes semifinals waiver to transfer from LSU FIBA WORLD CUP
with rout of Hungary Women continue their winning streak BY DOUG FEINBERG
AP basketball writer
BERLIN — Napheesa Collier scored 19 points and the U.S. routed Hungary 108-56 to advance to the semifinals of the women’s FIBA World Cup on Thursday. The U.S. will play the winner of the Spain-Australia game on Saturday in the medal round. France played China and Belgium played host Germany in the other quarterfinal matchups. The Americans have now won 34 consecutive games in the tournament dating to a loss to Russia in the 2006 World Cup semifinals. The U.S. has made every medal round since 1983 when the format changed to have medal rounds. It was a record-breaking performance for the U.S. The 108 points was the most by any team ever in a quarterfinal. The U.S. had 31 assists, again the most in this round. “When that ball is moving, we want to get the best possible shot,” said Kahleah Copper, who had 10 points. “We want to make sure everybody gets involved. Everyone here on this roster, we know what they’re doing on their respective (WNBA) teams. But you come here, you sacrifice a little bit of that.” Copper said the players were always looking to turn good scoring opportunities into great ones. The Americans did just that. The U.S. was off and running early against Hungary, jumping out to a 36-12 lead after the first quarter. The Americans were constantly pounding the ball inside and converting turnovers into easy layups. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese showed their growing chemistry on the court, finishing the quarter with a nifty pick and roll just before the buzzer. Collier had 10 points in the first 10 minutes. The offense was sizzling early on as the Americans hit 20 of their first 26 shots (77%), including five of six 3-point attempts to race to a 50-18 lead with 6 minutes left in the first half. The Americans led 5930 at the break — the highest scoring first half in team history in a knockout game at the event according to FIBA. The Americans got a little scare when Sonia Citron had to leave in the third quarter when she was hit in the nose by a Hungary player’s hand by accident. Citron returned to start the fourth quarter. Clark finished with 10 points and nine assists, just missing out on her second double-double of the tournament. The U.S. was also solid on defense. They contained Hungary’s top scorer Dorka Juhasz, who plays for the Minnesota Lynx. She came into the game averaging 15.3 points and 11 rebounds in the tournament. She missed her first seven shots and didn’t get her first basket until 2:26 was left in the half. She finished the game with two points on 1 of 12 shooting. Hungary came away with its best finish ever in the World Cup by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time. Hungary was fifth in the 1957 tournament but back then it was a round robin with no medal rounds.
BY REED DARCEY Staff writer
The NCAA has granted former LSU women’s basketball center Kate Koval an eligibility waiver that will allow her to enter the transfer portal, find a new team and suit up for the 2026-27 season, a source confirmed Thursday. Koval, a 6-foot-5 junior from Ukraine, left the program on Aug. 23 because the Tigers signed Russian player Anna Minaeva. Koval said in a statement on Sept. 2 that she did not learn about the move until after the transfer portal closed in April and that coach Kim Mulkey’s decision to recruit Minaeva led her to question whether she wanted to play for LSU this year. Koval’s father, Oleksandr, serves in the Ukrainian military. He’s been fighting Ukraine’s war with Russia since it started in 2022. “For me,” Koval said, “this war is not distant or abstract. People close to me have been killed and wounded in Russian attacks, and places where I grew up and first began playing basketball have been destroyed by missile strikes. “The timing of this situation and the deeply personal effect it has had on me, my family and those we care about who continue to live through and fight this war ultimately made me question whether LSU remained the right place for me.” Mulkey told The Advocate in an interview on Aug. 17 that she talked to Koval before she started recruiting Minaeva. The two met in a parked car outside Koval’s apartment complex, she said, and discussed Mulkey’s hope that Koval and Minaeva could become “ambassadors” for peace and kinship as teammates this coming season. The LSU coach thought the pairing could turn into an uplifting story. “I want you to understand I’m not here to ask you to change how you feel about Russia,” Mulkey said, recalling her conversation with Koval. “I’m just here out of respect for your family and out of respect for you, to let you know. Because I know how personal it is for you. “Know that what I have to do in this business, I cannot make a
AP basketball writer
BERLIN — Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark’ s interactions are a subplot of the women’s FIBA World Cup, the WNBA season and if you spend enough time on social media, a divided country. Clark and Reese have shown their relationship on the court is thriving. Both players are intense and animated competitors, and their fan bases’ are fiercely loyal. On much of social media you’re either for Reese or for Clark. It has that feel of rooting for Duke or Carolina; Yankees or Red Sox or Bird or Magic. The pair have definitely bonded so far in the World Cup in their national team debuts. Clark said many of the stories about their relationship are “false takes,” saying she loves the fiery competitiveness that she and Reese share. “No matter what, there’s always going to be people that create those narratives and say whatever they want to say,” Clark said. “There’s definitely no stopping that and they’re always going to be there. I think for ourselves, like I said, it’s easy for us to just come in here and compete.” Reese has enjoyed playing with Clark as well as the other young members of the roster, including
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left practice Thursday with an oblique injury. Tagovailoa bent over in obvious discomfort after throwing a pass during a portion of practice open to media and grabbed his right side. He dropped to the ground for a few seconds before getting up and trying to shake off the injury. It’s unclear if he returned to practice. The Falcons listed him as a limited participant. Tagovailoa’s first game with the Falcons is at Pittsburgh on Sunday. It’s the same spot where he made the last start of his rocky final season with Miami. Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski announced Monday that Tagovailoa will open the season as the starter and Michael Penix will be inactive.
Niemann leads Irish Open after four straight birdies
DOONBEG, Ireland — Joaquin Niemann ran off four straight birdies down the closing stretch at the Irish Open on Thursday that carried him to a 5-under 65 and a two-shot lead among those who managed to finish in wind strong enough to slow play and keep the round from finishing. Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm faced the worst of the wind at Trump International, the cliffside course along the Atlantic Coast. Lowry played bogey-free on the back nine, saving par with a 10-foot putt on the 17th hole, and came in at 67. He was tied with Shaun Norris of South Africa, while three others — including Adrian Meronk — were on 3 under and unable to finish before darkness.
STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
LSU forward Kate Koval looks to shoot against UT Arlington forward Laura Bello on Dec. 21 at the PMAC. decision to not recruit somebody that can help our program because of a conflict between two countries.” Koval said in her statement that she “fully intended” to return to LSU before the Tigers started recruiting Minaeva, and that deciding to leave the program was “not easy.” “While I understand and respect that roster decisions are a part of college basketball,” Koval said, “I have to remain true to myself, my values and my country. “I felt I had found a home at LSU, and I am incredibly grateful for my teammates who became family, as well as my coaches, staff, professors and the entire LSU community. I will always cherish the relationships, experiences, and memories I made there.” Koval, a former top-five national recruit, spent her freshman season at Notre Dame and her sophomore year at LSU. In 2025-26, she started 17 of the 35 games the Ti-
gers played, averaging 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 56% from the field. Minaeva is a 17-year-old who has played at the top two tiers of Russia’s women’s professional basketball league. She first appeared on LSU’s radar not long after Mulkey added former Miami assistant coach Fitzroy Anthony to her staff. He deserves “all the credit,” Mulkey said, for landing the Tigers’ two international signees: Minaeva and Spanish forward Noa Morro. Koval would’ve likely started for LSU this season. Now, because her waiver was approved, she can take her talents elsewhere. USA Today first reported the news that the NCAA had granted Koval’s request for a waiver. Email Reed Darcey at reed. darcey@theadvocate.com. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter
Rivals Reese, Clark say they’re having ‘fun’ playing together BY DOUG FEINBERG
Falcons QB Tagovailoa leaves practice with injury
Paige Bueckers and Aliyah Boston. “We know each other’s game like the back of each other’s hand, she knows my spots,” Reese said of Clark. “We just continue to build chemistry because we know we’re going to be USA teammates for a while.” In Thursday’s quarterfinal that the U.S. won 108-56, the growing chemistry showed. The pair had a nifty pick-and-roll to end the first quarter that ended with a layup by Reese. The Atlanta Dream forward returned the favor hitting Clark on a fastbreak for an easy lay-in later in the game. “She’s got it for me a lot of times so it’s probably finally due for me to get one to her and she easily finished it,” Reese said smiling. Clark and Reese have played together on the 2024 WNBA AllStar team that beat the U.S. Olympic team, but they will forever be joined at hips after their clash in the 2023 NCAA title game catapulted them into the center of debates. Reese’s LSU squad topped Clark’s Iowa team in the matchup, but the players actions and interactions (who can forget Reese pointing to her ring finger in the closing seconds), drew attention to them. Clark said she appreciates Reese’s desire to win and her relentlessness on the court, saying “it’s been fun to to be able to play with
her.” Clark laughed recalling one incident in the tournament between she and Reese that has gotten some attention. When Clark was subbing in during the opener against China and started to step on the court before being officially told to, Reese, who was entering the game at the same time, pulled her back off the court. “Well, the ref had gotten mad at me a couple of times prior, so she was saving me from the ref getting mad at me again,” Clark said laughing. In another fun moment, Reese was talking to the media after the tight win over Italy and Clark ducked past her, apologizing for interrupting her interviews. Reese smiled and gave Clark a high-five as she went by. They’ll be back on opposite sides soon enough — Reese’s Atlanta Dream and Clark’s Indiana Fever are both headed for the WNBA playoffs and both have 26-14 records. They could meet in the first round if the current seeds hold. But for now, they share a common goal and the fact that Reese and Clark say they are having fun on the court together is good news for U.S. women’s basketball fans. The duo could be part of a core group of players expected to be teammates in the next several Olympics.
Braves OF Thomas headed to IL after pregame injury
ATLANTA — Braves outfielder Lane Thomas is headed to the 15-day injured list after hurting himself in the batting cage before the game Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Thomas was set to start the series finale against the Rays, but he sustained an intercostal injury in his right side while taking swings in the cage, according to manager Walt Weiss. The 31-year-old Thomas was acquired from Kansas City ahead of the trade deadline to give the firstplace Braves another right-handed batter. He is hitting just .171 with one homer and three RBIs in 21 games with his new team. Brewer Hicklen started in place of Thomas and went 0-for-2 in Atlanta’s 3-1 victory.
French soccer withdraws support for Infantino
PARIS — The French Football Federation withdrew its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president on Thursday after his controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March. “Whilst support had initially been given to the FIFA president, who was then the sole candidate for his own succession, the conditions for that support are no longer met,” the FFF said. UEFA has led the calls for Infantino to go, saying it lost confidence in him and previously threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup. Several national associations, including England, have withdrawn support for Infantino’s re-election.
UConn men’s hoops lands 5-star recruit in Bowman
HARTFORD, Conn. — The UConn men’s basketball program landed its first commitment in the 2027 class as NaVorro Bowman, a five-star guard, reportedly pledged to the Huskies on Thursday. Bowman, the son of former fourtime NFL All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman, is the No. 11 overall recruit and No. 2 combo guard in his class, according to 247Sports. His commitment was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. At 6-foot-3 guard out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., Bowman made up his mind shortly after visiting Storrs earlier this week. He reportedly had additional visits planned to Illinois, Texas and Arizona later this month, but he didn’t waste any time after his inside look at Hurley’s program.
The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● 3C
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Lafayette High O-line paves way for opening win BY ERIC NARCISSE
touchdowns on 19 carries. “Obviously, Jaden had a great individual performance,” coach Stephen Hearen said. “Which I know at this point everybody expects from him because of the junior year he had last year.” As outstanding as Celestine was, he had plenty of help from the guys up front. “Our offensive line, and our tight ends did such a great job,” said Hearen, whose Lions hostFranklin at 7 p.m. Friday. “It kind of felt as the flow of the game went that we were going to have to be able to win the game up front and our
kids definitely answered the call. I was really pleased with the way we ran the football.” Leading the way in the trenches are left tackle D’myrie Clay, left guard Gabe Cooper, center Grigore Roman, right guard Evan Delaney, right tackle Jamari Perkins, and tight ends Hayes Swain, and Cooper Bolivar. “That was a group that, once we came together, I was excited about and expected them to be a strength for us this season,” Hearen said. Hearen said offensive line coach Andrew Menard, who came over to
Lafayette High with him from Ascension Episcopal, deserves a lot of credit. “I think he’s one of the best offensive line coaches in the area,” Hearen said. “The kids love him and there’s no doubt that he cares about them. I think that’s kind of one of the things that allows him to get the most out of his guys. He’s a really sharp guy and he is very prepared. He watches a ton of film, and he always has a plan for what he wants to do every day in practice. He does a great job.” With one great performance under their belt, Hearen said
Email Eric Narcisse at enarcisse@theadvocate.com.
The saga began on Aug. 19, when Wright, Harris and a group Continued from page 1C of roughly 40 athletes from the high school graduating class of 2022 won a temporary restraininjuries: cornerback Aidan Anding ing order in the lawsuit they filed (Achilles) and defensive end Gabe against the NCAA in Louisiana state court. Reliford (ACL). In response to that decision, the Rousse confirmed that LSU had made that decision in a letter he SEC passed a rule barring playsent to SEC commissioner Greg ers who had signed NFL, NBA and Sankey on Wednesday. In the letter, WNBA contracts from competing he said that LSU would not “chal- in the league. The plaintiffs and lenge, disrupt or seek to cancel or their attorneys then added the SEC and Sankey to their suit as defenpostpone” Thursday’s meeting. “The roster is now locked for the dants, leading the conference to season,” Rousse said. “LSU complied file a countersuit against top LSU with SEC rules. This issue is moot.” officials in an Alabama federal
court. In that filing — which eventually named Kiffin, Rousse, athletic director Verge Ausberry and Louisiana attorney general Liz Murril as defendants — the SEC accused LSU of orchestrating the initial lawsuit that made those athletes eligible to return to college sports and denying the league its First Amendment rights to create and enforce its own rules. Kiffin has said that he did not initiate the players’ lawsuit. The league said Tuesday when it filed an amended version of its lawsuit, that it had scheduled a vote to kick LSU out of the league
on Thursday. The threat of that major step, which would’ve had no precedent in the modern history of college sports, led Kiffin and LSU to wave the white flag on their push to sign Wright and Harris. The Tigers can, however, leave one of the Louisiana plaintiffs on their football roster. Former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka did not sign an NFL deal this summer, which means he’s free to play this season for LSU. In a Week 1 win over Clemson, he logged 11 snaps on special teams. LSU must now decide if it wants to take on a similar fight for men’s
basketball commitment RJ Luis. On Aug. 24, a Baton Rouge judge awarded him a preliminary injunction that will allow him to return to college basketball this season. But if coach Will Wade formally adds him to the roster, then he’d run afoul of the same SEC pro player ban that Kiffin nearly violated when he recruited Wright and Harris. Luis, a former Big East player of the year who’s appeared in NBA preseason games, will likely need to amend his lawsuit to add the SEC as a defendant if he wants to continue his fight for more NCAA eligibility.
the momentum en route to a win. “If you want to be a leader, you have to do things right,” Elliss said. But since re-joining the Saints for a second stint, Elliss has immediately picked up on how teammates “gravitate” toward Young. That’s in part because, even as seriously as he takes his craft, Young can be known to joke around. Safety Julian Blackmon calls the edge rusher a “goofball” whose energy is contagious. Cornerback Jayden Price, who is White, revealed Young calls him “8 Mile.” Ask almost any Saint about Young’s trash-talking, and they’ll immediately laugh before saying the comments are either too absurd — or inappropriate — to repeat. That’s part of the charm. “I think he’s got a very genuine sense of brotherhood,” Staley said. “He was trained the right way in high school, trained the way in college. He’s got really good parents and understands the team aspect of how you gotta be one of the guys, too. “You can be a dog, and one of the top players in the league. But you’ve got to be one of the guys.”
sages from Young throughout the spring, featuring clips of the pass rusher working out. Away from the Saints’ facility, Young would chronicle his two-a-days and send them to his coordinator. The workouts would begin around 10 a.m., break for lunch and then pick back up for another few hours. Young estimated he took only four days off the entire offseason. This, of course, will mean little without production. Before his sophomore slump, Young would send then-Washington coach Ron Rivera similar updates on his training, only to baffle the coach come the fall when Young was pressing to make plays that weren’t there. Still, there are significant differences between now and then — the kinds that suggest Young has matured as he’s gotten older. Five years ago, Young skipped Washington’s voluntary workouts to film commercials that came with his rising stardom. The pass rusher sent those updates to Rivera in part to assure the coach he was still working hard. But this year, Young’s messages got to Staley while the pass rusher continued to show up to the facility for New Orleans’ scheduled work. Young has consistently attended New Orleans’ offseason program since arriving in 2024. “He came back (to training camp) in premium condition,” Staley said. At one point in camp, Staley told reporters that Young has made as much progress as any player that he’s coached this late into their career. That, to be clear, is not normal. Players in Year 7, if they even make it that far, are either in the midst of their prime or reaching the tail end of it. But Young is not normal. He plays with a rare blend of speed and power. And even when injuries threatened to take that away from him, Young’s drive ensured that wouldn’t happen. And he found a home that could bring the best out of him. Staley said the biggest thing he’s learned about Young since they’ve started working to-
gether is the edge rusher’s “desire to be a great player.” Young finally reached doubledigit sacks for the first time last year. The pass rusher has not only developed a better repertoire over the years of when to use certain techniques, but in 2025, he reached the point where the defense dramatically improved once he made his season debut. In the five games without Young, the Saints had a 24.3% pressure rate. With Young? The Saints posted a pressure rate of 35.3%, which would have put them in the upper half of the league. “One of the definitions of value is if you weren’t at work, would you be missed?” Staley said. “There was a drastic change in our defense with him back.” Said Young: “Every player hits (their prime) differently.” At 27, Young is now the same age that Khalil Mack was when Staley first got to coach the edge rusher as the outside linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears. Staley, who normally avoids these types of comparisons, noted that Mack arrived in Chicago already having established his credentials. The two-time All-Pro, with a Defensive Player of the Year trophy under his belt, was seen as the league’s best edge rusher. But … “One more big year and then he’s going to be in that same spot Khalil was in terms of their career arc,” Staley said. And Staley has confidence that bold prediction can happen. He said Young believes in himself and is willing to put in the work, just as the other great edge rushers Staley has coached. This year, Young will do so with a captain’s “C” on his chest. “He’s shown us why we should believe in him,” Staley said. “And we think that he’s gonna be a monster, because he’s showing us every day that he can be the best player on the field.”
SAINTS
Continued from page 1C But his career did not take off as planned. The next season, Young mustered just 11/ 2 sacks in nine games before suffering a crippling knee injury that lingered into the next three years. In that span, his loud, thunderous voice had quieted. His injury led teammates to vote him only as an alternative captain in 2022, and then snub him completely a year later. Now, Young is on the verge of stardom once again. His first two seasons in New Orleans have been a revelation that Young may still be capable of reaching the lofty heights expected when he was billed as a “generational” prospect. “What I did last year,” Young said in training camp, “it just set a standard for me this year, right?”
Understanding brotherhood At the end of last month’s joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams, the Saints were exhausted. The outing marked the third practice against another team in a seven-day span. The blazing California sun — not to mention the Rams — had made it a tough afternoon. So, before the team headed for the buses, Young stepped in front of the group to deliver a message. The pass rusher told them to think of Week 15, Week 16, when the Saints would be late in the season. By then, he told them, the Saints would be at another level. And they would be at that level because of the type of work they put in on this exact kind of practice when they had to push through. They may be physically tired, but they’d be mentally sharp. “Don’t get me wrong, Chase has always been vocal,” linebacker Isaiah Stalbird said. “But this year, he’s definitely taken more of that leadership role.” Staley’s push in April was only part of Young’s motivation. The pass rusher knew there would be an opening for someone to step up
CAJUNS
Continued from page 1C “Look, I’m not a doctor and I tell our players this at the beginning of every year in fall camp,” the coach said. “Whatever our doctors say is kind of what we do. I think that’s the most fair way for the kids.” It’s been two decades since Desormeaux played quarterback for the Cajuns, but he still remembers how a player thinks. “I think you’re limited an opportunity for that kid to be able to play,” he said. “I played once upon a time and I know I wouldn’t have accepted being cleared (by doctors) and not being able to play. “If they’re not cleared, then certainly we would never put them in harm’s way. Our doctors and our training staff, they do a great job. The communication’s always really open. They work really hard to get them back
after linebacker Demario Davis — the longtime heartbeat of New Orleans’ defense — left for the New York Jets in free agency. And in training camp, Young said he wasn’t the type of person to “shy away” from leading the pack. “I’ve been playing football my whole life for these type of moments,” Young said. But at 27, Young is a different leader than he was at 21. In Washington, Young was an emotional leader whose boisterous personality drew people in. He’d hype teammates up, calling them “dogs” and “dudes.” He’d stroll up and down the sideline whenever he wasn’t on the field. He would trash talk opponents, backing up his words with dominant play. Former Washington quarterback Alex Smith once said it was ”crazy unusual” for a rookie to enter the league with that type of leadership. But more than anything, Smith said, Young connected with teammates because he was genuine. Six years later, Young still considers himself to be an “energizer bunny.” But he’s added more to his plate. During camp, Young pulled second-year tackle Kelvin Banks aside to discuss their reps against each other. The pass rusher noticed Banks had taken the bait on a move that Young set up directly to counter, warning that other defensive linemen may try the same. He reiterated to just stay patient and not force anything. Young started trading notes with Banks last year, when the tackle was still a rookie. But the longer Young has stayed with the Saints, the more comfortable he has become using his voice. Last year made this possible. While he wasn’t with the Saints last season, linebacker Kaden Elliss believes in a tried-and-true philosophy: Your leaders have to be your best players. And in 2025, Young disrupted games. A clutch sack on Carolina’s Bryce Young set up a game-winning drive for New Orleans. A strip-sack fumble on Tennessee’s Cam Ward turned into a 33-yard touchdown and flipped
‘They let me be me’ Told that Young credited himself for six sacks in the Saints’ first joint practice of the summer, Kellen Moore was amused. “Chase had half a dozen sacks?” the Saints coach asked, smiling and shaking his head. “He’s never jumped offsides and he’s got a million sacks. So that’s Chase for ya.” The Saints, particularly under this coaching staff, have learned to let Chase Young be Chase Young. That means not only accepting his personality — but also understanding how to tap into the defensive end’s potential. The latter idea can take shape in a myriad of ways, such as not pressuring him to return early from an injury last season or staying in constant communication even during the offseason. “They let me be loud,” Young said. “They let me be me.” The approach is how Staley ended up receiving text mes-
as fast as we can.” ‘At first, it was a little iffy. Decisions already an- There were some plays that nounced mean the Cajuns I couldn’t really grasp. But will be shorthanded in tar- I worked with some of the gets with Sampson, Stroth- veteran receivers and coach er, Chaney and Jensen not (Tim) Leger ... now I’m startavailable. ing to really understand it.” As a result, the Cajuns Norris has already proven have moved kick returner he’s capable of making big Ja’Corian Norris plays at the Divito a backup role “It’s actually been sion I level as a at the slot spot in a good transition kickoff returner. Chaney’s place. for me. Coming out Now it’s a matThat’s not a of transferof high school and ter simple transition ring those skills even younger for a player who in open space to than that, I was wide receiver. was playing defensive back last “I definitely playing receiver.” year and moved feel like I’m JA’CORIAN NORRIS, to wide receiver. ready to step Cajuns kick returner “It’s actually in, but I’m like been a good tranmore of a team sition for me,” player,” he said. Norris said. “Coming out of “So I know it’s like points high school and even young- and like the flaws in my er than that, I was playing game ... certain things that I receiver.” know I can’t do, but I know UL’s coaches saw him play it’s somebody else. We’ve safety as a high school se- got players everywhere. So nior and decided to give that it’s not just only me being a try. ready.” “I definitely think I know more of the playbook now Email Kevin Foote at from camp,” Norris said. kfoote@theadvocate.com.
Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com
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he hopes to see the offensive line follow up with another one against Franklin. “I think we have a chance to be really good,” Hearen said. “I think we have a chance week in and week out to compete, and that’s really all I can ask for. If our offensive line stays healthy and they continue to progress like we have from the month of June to now, I feel really good about our chances to go out and compete every week.”
I
O
When a team rushes for more than 350 yards in a win, it’s understandable that most of the postgame conversation revolves around the leading rusher. For Lafayette High, which rushed for 361 yards and five touchdowns in a 39-23 seasonopening win over Live Oak, the talk centered around running back Jaden Celestine. Celestine deserved to be talked about as the former Comeaux High star rushed for 224 yards and four
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4C ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate
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Lafayette Christian’s offense Acadiana’s OL takes pride in pounding defenses rolls despite personnel changes BY ERIC NARCISSE
Staff writer
BY MIKE COPPAGE Contributing writer
Any preseason concerns about Lafayette Christian’s offense have been put to rest. With quarterback Braylon Walker and receiver Brayden Allen — now at UL and LSU — from last year’s team, as well as Draylon August at Nicholls State, it was expected that the Knights would rely on running back Caiden Bellard in the early going, but the junior transferred to University Lab in Baton Rouge. As it turned out, LCA is running and throwing the ball just fine. Kyzer White, Kaleb Simon, Landon Prudhomme and Ty Hills combined for 258 yards rushing in a 30-6 win over Carencro in the season opener.. White and Hills teamed up to complete 12 passes for 129 yards. “We knew we’d be effective in the run game if our offensive line played together as a unit,” coach Matt Standiford said. “That’s the best they’ve looked, and it was against a quality opponent. “Don’t be surprised if Carencro ends up in the (Division II select) quarterfinals.” Simon, who led the team in tackles the past two years, rushed for 64 yards on 10 carries with a TD and spearheaded the defense, which held Carencro quarterback Carson Gurzi to 50 yards passing and minus-16 yards rushing. “We view Kaleb as one of the top linebackers in the entire state in any class because of what he does,” Standiford said of the senior. “Playing offense and defense is physically demanding, and it also takes a mental toll.” Standiford said Simon had to attend both offensive and defensive meetings during the week.
STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP
Lafayette Christian quarterback Ty Hills has provided a solution at quarterback for the Knights so far this season. “The little things set Kaleb apart,” he said. White, who rushed for a game-high 95 yards on 17 carries with two TDs, finished the game at quarterback after Hills (80 yards passing, 48 rushing) went down with cramps and completed 5 of 7 attempts for 49 yards. “Kyzer did a tremendous job of being ready for all circumstances,” Standiford said. “I can’t say enough about him. He was efficient and made some big-time plays.” Defensive end Josh Wilson collected six tackles with two sacks, and his counterpart, junior Joseph Adams, added two tackles for loss. “Josh was the focal point of our defense,” Standiford said. “We really challenged Joseph, who is a good pass rusher, to be good against the run game. Stopping Carencro’s veer can be tough.” Junior tight end Wyatt Whitney led all receivers with three catches for 47 yards. The 6-foot-4,
220-pounder was also an excellent blocker for the Knights, who averaged more than 6 yards per carry. “When you watch the film, Wyatt was blocking guys 7-to-9 yards down the field and pancaking them,” Standiford said. “He’s taken blocking to heart. Everyone wants that receiving tight end, but good teams have both. “Look at (LSU tight end) Trey’Dez Green. He’s one of LSU’s best blockers.” Standiford was equally pleased that his squad played a clean game with minimal penalties as the Knights prepare to travel to his old school, Westminster Christian, on Friday. The LCA coach, who played and coached at WCA, said the Crusaders’ 42-6 loss at Kentwood wasn’t as bad as the score appeared. “Honestly, it should’ve been 3521,” he said. “It was a crazy game in a hostile environment.”
Before the season started, Acadiana coach Doug Dodson was noticeably excited about many aspects of his team. He was especially pumped about the offensive line, which Dotson lauded for its size, strength and experience. That offensive line combined with an explosive backfield could result in one of its best Rams offenses in school history. “We certainly got a lot of work to do to get where we want to go,” said Dotson, whose Rams host Zachary at 7 p.m. Friday. “There’s a whole lot of stuff that we can get corrected and that we have to get corrected moving forward to be the kind of football team to compete for any type of championship.” The Rams are off to a great start, getting an impressive 4735 win at Central. The victory was led by a rushing attack that had nearly 500 yards rushing behind an offensive line that pounded Central. “Our offensive line is the sledgehammer that breaks the rock,” Dotson said. “Certainly, I think if you asked Central’s defensive line what the difference was in the game, (they’d say) our offensive line. Our offensive line has really jelled as a unit.” Running back Holden Sam led the way with 235 yards and two touchdowns, while DaShun Lightfoot added 225 yards and four TDs. “Believe it or not, that’s the
first time we’ve had two running backs to go for 200 yards in the same game,” Dotson said. “We’ve always had one and maybe one that was close to 200.” The offensive linemen made it possible. “Everybody likes to talk about the running backs, and I get it,” Dotson said. “But it’s the offensive line that made us go the other night without a doubt. Those dudes for 48 minutes were relentless, and they’re the ones that opened the holes. The running backs can’t do anything without those guys in front of them.” The offensive line, comprised of left tackle Brandon Neazy, left guard Keddric Bourgeois, center Landon Lavergne, right guard Nicholas Cooper, right tackle Isaias Avalos and tight ends Axel Cruz and Nathan Mendoza, excels at “beating the person in front of them.” “I think it’s leverage,” Dotson said. “We preach leverage and we’ve been working with them since the spring on ball get off and leverage. Getting under people and popping them up and being able to drive them out of there.” Although he was beyond pleased with their Week 1 performance, Dotson knows they are not a finished product. “We’re certainly happy with the success we had, but we’re not satisfied, and the kids know that,” Dotson said. “Our district is going to be really tough, so we can’t rest on where we are by any means, but we are certainly happy with where we are. Week 1 this year compared to Week 1 from last year, it has been a world of difference.”
SCOREBOARD Prep football Football schedule All games at 7 p.m.
Thursday’s games Acadiana Renaissance (0-1) at Ascension Episcopal (0-1), n Cecilia (1-0) at Teurlings (0-1), n Westgate (1-0) at Southside (0-1), n Northside (0-1) at Carencro (0-1), n Mamou (1-0) at Opelousas (1-0), n St. Martinville (0-1) at Breaux Bridge (0-1), n Sulphur (1-0) at Iota (1-0), n
Friday’s games
Zachary (0-1) at Acadiana (1-0) Franklin (1-0) at Lafayette (1-0) Jesuit (1-0) at St. Thomas More (1-0) Crowley (0-1) at North Vermilion (1-0) South Beauregard (1-0) at Rayne (1-0) Lafayette Renaissance (0-1) at Catholic-NI (1-0) Lafayette Christian (1-0) at Westminster (0-1) Ville Platte (0-1) at New Iberia (0-1) Basile (0-1) at Beau Chene (1-0) Notre Dame (1-0) at Church Point (1-0) Jennings (0-1) at Eunice (1-0) Northwest (0-1) at Kinder (1-0) Abbeville (0-1) at Marksville (1-0) Walker (1-0) at Erath (1-0) Kaplan (1-0) at Assumption (1-0) Delcambre (1-0) at Berchmans (1-0) Loreauville (0-1) at Central Catholic (0-1) East Iberville (0-1) at JS Clark (0-1) Gueydan (0-1) at North Central (1-0) Opelousas Catholic (1-0) at Welsh (1-0) Morgan City (0-1) at St. Edmund (1-0) Jeanerette (1-0) at West St. Mary (1-0) Catholic-PC (0-1) at Vermilion Catholic (0-1) Port Barre (0-1) at Westminster-Lafayette (1-0)
Odds Sports Betting Line NFL Sunday
FAVORITE OPEN at JAX 7½ at DETROIT 7 at TEN 2½ at CIN 3½ Baltimore 3½ Buffalo 1½ at PITT 3 Chicago 2½ at MIN 1½ at LAS VEGAS 3½ at CHARGERS10½ at PHILA 4½ Dallas 2½ GIANTS
TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 8½ (40½) Cleveland 7 (49½) New Orle 1½ (38½) NY Jets 3½ (50½) Tampa Bay 3½ (48) at IND 1½ (44½)at HOUSTON 4½ (41½) Atlanta 3 (47½) at CAR 1½ (46½) Green Bay 3 (40½) Miami 9½ (47½) Arizona 5½ (44½) Wash 3 (48½) at NY
FAVORITE at K.C.
OPEN 2½
TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 2½ (43½) Denver
FAVORITE OPEN at MIA (FL) 49½
TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 59½ (65½) Fla A&M
FAVORITE OPEN at NC STATE 30½ at VIRGINIA 43½ at LOUISVILLE37½ at B. COLLEGE 6½ Missouri 7
TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 32½ (50½) Richmond 44½ (54½) Norfolk St. 36½ (56½) Villanova 3½ (54½) Rutgers 5½ (51½) at KANSAS
FAVORITE OPEN Wake Forest 3½ at ARMY 1½ at VA TECH 14 Penn State 23½ at UNC 35½ Oregon 19½ at KENT ST 14½ at TEX A&M 14½ at INDIANA 55½ at KANS ST 18½ Oklahoma 2½ at E. CAR 8½ at GEORGIA 35½ at C. MICH 26½ at W. VIR 34½ at MIA (OH) 33½ at BALL ST 18½ at UAB 9½ at J. MAD 45½ at AKRON 28½ at WASH 24½ at TEX ST. 1½ 36½ at COL Alabama 10½ at ND 44½ at MICH ST 16½ Maryland 10½ Mississippi St 2½ 6½ at BYU at PITT 8½ at UMASS 24½
TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 3 (49½) at PURDUE 3½ (46½) S. Florida 18½ (50½) Old Dom 23½ (49½) at TEMPLE 35½ (54½) E. Tenn St 23½ (56½) at OKLA ST 11½ (47½) Wofford 14½ (51½) Arizona St 56½ (66½) Howard 17½ (49½) Wash St 5½ (43½) at MICH 6½ (56½) App State 40½ (55½) W. Kent 23½ (49½) Colgate 41½ (55½) UT Martin 30½ (50½) Holy Cross 14½ (57½) Stny Brook 10½ (55½) UL Monroe 45½ (55½) Wagner 27½ (41½) R. Morris 26½ (55½) Utah State 1½ (67½) UTSA 33½ (54½) Weber St 10½ (49½) at KENT 44½ (54½) Rice 17½ (49½) E. Michigan 12½ (52½) at UCONN 1½ (55½) at MIN 7½ (47½) Arizona 7½ (57½) UCF 23½ (53½) Sac Heart
Monday
College Football Thursday Friday
Saturday
at TOLEDO 35½ at ILLINOIS 8½ at SYRACUSE 2½ UNLV 6½ at TROY 24½ at WYOMING 23½ at SMU 24½ at NEW MEX 41½ at VAND 23½ at FLORIDA 49½ at OHIO 1½ at FLA INTL 7½ at BOISE ST 6½ at LIBERTY 27½ at W. MICH 28½ at TULANE 10 at MISOU ST 21½ at HOUSTON 50½ at CSU 20½ Tennessee 8½ at MARSHLL 17½ at KNNSW ST 9½ Illinois St. 3½ at S. CAR 42½ at NEB 25½ at ARK ST. 28½ Tulsa 12½ at CIN 36½ at WISC 36½ at UCLA 8½ at C. CAR 31½ at LSU 31½ Navy 6½ at IOWA 11½ at CLEMSON 26½ Texas Tech 29½ at TEXAS 1½ at AUBURN 29½ at OLE MISS 46½ at BAYLOR 38½ at TCU 44½ at UTEP 27½ at SJSU 21½ Ndsu 6½ at UTAH 10 Montana St 3½ at FRSNO ST 18½ at USC 28½
MLB
34½ 5½ 3½ 3 22½ 22½ 26½ 41½ 21 49½ 2½ 10½ 8½ 27½ 25½ 9½ 19½ 51½ 20½ 11½ 13½ 8½ 3½ 43½ 30½ 29½ 13½ 36½ 38½ 12 34½ 35½ 4½ 14 20½ 26½ 1½ 33½ 47½ 39½ 43½ 25½ 20½ 2½ 12½ 3½ 18½ 31½
(56½) C. Conn. St. (51½) Duke (56½) Cal (56½) at N. TEXAS (51½) Alabama St (47½) N. Colorado (58½) UC Davis (54½) Mercyhurst (54½) Delaware (65½) Campbell (50½) Jax St (47½) Buffalo (55½) Memphis (54½) Grdnr-Wbb (53½) Monmouth (49½) S. Alabama (53½)Lindenwood (60½) Southern (57½) S. Utah (55½) at GA TECH (57½) M. Tenn (54½) Georgia St (48½) at N. ILL (55½) Towson (51½) B. Green (57½) W. Georgia (51½)at SAM HOU (60½) W. Carolina (48½) W. Illinois (55½) Sdsu (52½) Fordham (55½) La Tech (58½) at FLA ATL (40½) Iowa State (55½) Ga Southrn (54½) at ORGN ST (49½) Ohio St (56½) S. Miss (60½) Charlotte (55½) PV A&M (54½) Grambling (53½)Texas South (57½) Cal Poly (47½) at A.F. (55½) Arkansas (49½) at NEVADA (45½) Sac St (59½) Louisiana
Friday
American League FAVORITE LINE at TORONTO -123 at BOSTON -199 at TAMPA BAY OFF Cleveland -119 at ATHLETICS OFF National League FAVORITE LINE at CHICAGO CUBSOFF at MIAMI OFF at ATLANTA -175 at MILWAUKEE -181 San Diego -145 Interleague FAVORITE LINE at DETROIT OFF at WASH -154 at N.Y YANKEES OFF at ST. LOUIS OFF at ARIZONA OFF
UNDERDOG LINE Baltimore +105 Kansas City +165 Houston OFF at MINNESOTA +100 Seattle OFF UNDERDOG Pittsburgh LA Dodgers Philadelphia Cincinnati at SAN FRAN
LINE OFF OFF +146 +151 +122
UNDERDOG Colorado LA Angels N.Y Mets Chi White Sox Texas
LINE OFF +127 OFF OFF OFF
WNBA Glance EASTERN CONFERENCE
W 26 26 24 24 15 11 10
WESTERN CONFERENCE x-Minnesota x-Golden State x-Las Vegas x-Dallas Portland Los Angeles Phoenix Seattle
W 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 1
T 0 0 0 0
Pct .000 .000 .000 .000
PF 0 0 0 10
PA 0 0 0 13
Jacksonville Houston Tennessee Indianapolis
W 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 0
T 0 0 0 0
Pct .000 .000 .000 .000
PF 0 0 0 0
PA 0 0 0 0
Cleveland Baltimore Cincinnati Pittsburgh
W 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 0
T 0 0 0 0
Pct .000 .000 .000 .000
PF 0 0 0 0
PA 0 0 0 0
Las Vegas Denver L.A. Chargers Kansas City
W 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 0
T 0 0 0 0
Pct .000 .000 .000 .000
PF 0 0 0 0
PA 0 0 0 0
Washington Dallas N.Y. Giants Philadelphia
W 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 0
T 0 0 0 0
Pct .000 .000 .000 .000
PF 0 0 0 0
PA 0 0 0 0
Atlanta Carolina Tampa Bay New Orleans
W 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 0
T 0 0 0 0
Pct .000 .000 .000 .000
PF 0 0 0 0
PA 0 0 0 0
Minnesota Green Bay Detroit Chicago
W 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 0
T 0 0 0 0
Pct .000 .000 .000 .000
PF 0 0 0 0
PA 0 0 0 0
Seattle L.A. Rams Arizona San Francisco
W 1 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 0
T Pct 0 1.000 0 .000 0 .000 0 .000
PF 13 0 0 0
PA 10 0 0 0
South
North
West
NATIONAL CONFERENCE East
South
North
West
Wednesday’s Games
Seattle 13, New England 10
Thursday’s Games
San Francisco vs L.A. Rams at Melbourne, VIC, n
Sunday’s Games
Atlanta at Pittsburgh, noon Baltimore at Indianapolis, noon Buffalo at Houston, noon Chicago at Carolina, noon Cleveland at Jacksonville, noon N.Y. Jets at Tennessee, noon New Orleans at Detroit, noon Tampa Bay at Cincinnati, noon Arizona at L.A. Chargers, 3:25 p.m. Green Bay at Minnesota, 3:25 p.m. Miami at Las Vegas, 3:25 p.m. Washington at Philadelphia, 3:25 p.m. Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 7:20 p.m.
Monday’s Games
Denver at Kansas City, 7:15 p.m.
Seattle 13, New England 10
Pro basketball
x-Atlanta x-Indiana x-New York x-Washington Chicago Toronto Connecticut
Miami N.Y. Jets Buffalo New England
W 31 29 27 24 16 15 14 8
x-clinched playoff spot Wednesday’s Games No games scheduled.
Thursday’s Games No games scheduled.
Friday’s Games
No games scheduled.
Pro football NFL Glance AMERICAN CONFERENCE East
L 14 14 16 16 25 29 30 L 9 11 13 16 24 25 26 32
Pct .650 .650 .600 .600 .375 .275 .250 Pct .775 .725 .675 .600 .400 .375 .350 .200
GB — — 2 2 11 15 16 GB — 2 4 7 15 16 17 23
New England 0 7 3 0 — 10 Seattle 0 0 3 10 — 13 Second Quarter NE_Raridon 2 pass from Maye (Borregales kick), 9:11. Third Quarter NE_FG Borregales 50, 11:49. Sea_FG Myers 30, 3:13. Fourth Quarter Sea_Smith-Njigba 45 pass from Lock (Myers kick), 11:26. Sea_FG Myers 26, 5:50.
A_68,744.
NE Sea First downs 19 13 Total Net Yards 277 285 Rushes-yards 31-109 22-97 Passing 168 188 Punt Returns 0-0 1-9 Kickoff Returns 4-107 3-80 Interceptions Ret. 0-0 3-30 Comp-Att-Int 23-33-3 17-24-0 Sacked-Yards Lost 3-10 2-12 Punts 4-44.25 5-45.4 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0 Penalties-Yards 7-50 10-98 34:17 25:43 Time of Possession INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING_New England, Stevenson 18-51, Maye 7-47, Kiner 6-11. Seattle, Price 10-52, Holani 8-29, Lock 2-13, Wilson 2-3. PASSING_New England, Maye 23-33-3-178. Seattle, Lock 16-22-0-187, Darnold 1-2-0-13. RECEIVING_New England, Stevenson 5-44, Douglas 5-20, Hollins 4-51, A.Brown 3-26, Henry 3-26, Larison 2-9, Raridon 1-2. Seattle, Smith-Njigba 8-122, Kupp 2-35, Russell 2-20,
Barner 2-13, Price 2-6, Shaheed 1-4. MISSED FIELD GOALS_None.
College football College Football Schedule Thursday’s games SOUTH
Florida A&M (1-1) at Miami (1-0), n
Friday’s games EAST
Rutgers (0-1) at Boston College (0-1), 6:30 p.m.
SOUTH
Richmond (2-0) at NC State (0-1), 6 p.m. Norfolk St. (1-1) at Virginia (1-0), 6 p.m. Villanova (1-1) at Louisville (0-1), 6 p.m.
MIDWEST
Missouri (1-0) at Kansas (1-0), 7 p.m.
Saturday’s games EAST
South Florida (1-0) at Army (1-0), 11 a.m. Elon (2-0) at Rhode Island (1-1), 11 a.m. Penn St. (1-0) at Temple (1-0), 11 a.m. Albany (NY) (1-1) at LIU Brooklyn (0-2), 11 a.m. Marist (1-1) at Lafayette (0-1), 11:30 a.m. UT Martin (1-1) at West Virginia (1-0), noon William & Mary (2-0) at Lehigh (2-0), 1 p.m. Bowie St. (0-0) at Delaware St. (1-1), 2 p.m. Maryland (1-0) at UConn (1-0), 2:30 p.m. UCF (1-0) at Pittsburgh (1-0), 2:30 p.m. Sacred Heart (0-1) at UMass (1-0), 2:30 p.m. California (0-1) at Syracuse (1-0), 2:30 p.m. Merrimack (0-2) at Maine (1-1), 4 p.m. Va. Lynchburg (0-1) at Morgan St. (1-1), 5 p.m. Stonehill (1-1) at New Hampshire (0-2), 5 p.m. Middle Tennessee (1-0) at Marshall (0-1), 6 p.m.
SOUTH
Dickinson Red Devils (0-0) at Davidson (0-2), 11 a.m. Old Dominion (1-0) at Virginia Tech (1-0), 11 a.m. ETSU (1-1) at North Carolina (1-0), 11 a.m. Appalachian St. (1-0) at East Carolina (0-1), 11 a.m. W. Kentucky (0-1) at Georgia (1-0), 11:45 a.m. Bucknell (0-2) at VMI (0-2), 12:30 p.m. Alabama (1-0) at Kentucky (1-0), 2:30 p.m. Louisiana-Monroe (0-1) at UAB (0-1), 2:30 p.m. Wagner (1-1) at James Madison (1-0), 2:30 p.m. Alabama St. (2-0) at Troy (1-0), 3 p.m. Stetson (1-1) at Bethune-Cookman (0-1), 3 p.m. MVSU (0-2) vs. Lincoln (Pa.) (0-0) at Chicago, 3 p.m. Delaware (1-0) at Vanderbilt (1-0), 3:15 p.m. Morehead St. (1-1) at Austin Peay (1-1), 4 p.m. Campbell (2-0) at Florida (1-0), 4:30 p.m. Buffalo (1-0) at FIU (0-1), 5 p.m. Furman (1-1) at Mercer (2-0), 5 p.m. Gardner-Webb (0-2) at Liberty (0-1), 5 p.m. Chattanooga (1-1) at E. Kentucky (0-2), 5 p.m. NC A&T (0-2) at NC Central (1-1), 5 p.m. Virginia St. (0-0) at SC State (2-0), 5 p.m. Bryant (1-1) at Hampton (1-1), 5 p.m. Charleston Southern (0-2) at The Citadel (1-1), 5 p.m. Tennessee (1-0) at Georgia Tech (0-1), 6 p.m. Tarleton St. (2-0) at McNeese St. (1-1), 6 p.m. Alcorn St. (1-1) vs. Ark.-Pine Bluff (1-1) at Memphis, Tenn., 6 p.m. Georgia St. (1-0) at Kennesaw St. (1-0), 6 p.m. Towson (0-2) at South Carolina (1-0), 6 p.m. Tennessee St. (0-2) at Alabama A&M (1-1), 6 p.m. South Alabama (1-0) at Tulane (0-1), 6 p.m. UT Rio Grande Valley (1-1) at Nicholls (1-1), 6 p.m. North Alabama (1-1) at SE Louisiana (0-2), 6 p.m. Samford (0-2) at Tennessee Tech (2-0), 6 p.m. Valparaiso (1-0) at Murray St. (0-2), 6 p.m. Louisiana Tech (1-0) at LSU (1-0), 6:30 p.m. Navy (1-0) at FAU (0-1), 6:30 p.m. Georgia Southern (1-0) at Clemson (0-1), 6:30 p.m. Fordham (0-2) at Coastal Carolina (0-1), 6:30 p.m. Southern Miss. (1-0) at Auburn (1-0), 6:45 p.m. Charlotte (0-1) at Mississippi (1-0), 6:45 p.m.
MIDWEST
Wake Forest (1-0) at Purdue (1-0), 11 a.m. Thomas More (0-0) at Dayton (1-0), 11 a.m. Wofford (2-0) at Kent St. (0-1), 11 a.m. Howard (1-1) at Indiana (1-0), 11 a.m. Washington St. (0-1) at Kansas St. (1-0),
11 a.m. Oklahoma (1-0) at Michigan (1-0), 11 a.m. Colgate (2-0) at Cent. Michigan (0-1), noon Holy Cross (0-2) at Miami (Ohio) (0-1), noon Drake (0-2) at N. Iowa (0-1), 1 p.m. N. Michigan (0-0) at St. Thomas (Minn.) (1-1), 1 p.m. E. Washington (1-1) at South Dakota (2-0), 1 p.m. Stony Brook (1-1) at Ball St. (0-1), 1 p.m. Duquesne (0-1) at Youngstown St. (1-1), 1 p.m. Rice (1-0) at Notre Dame (1-0), 2:30 p.m. E. Michigan (1-1) at Michigan St. (1-0), 2:30 p.m. Mississippi St. (1-0) at Minnesota (1-0), 2:30 p.m. CCSU (0-1) at Toledo (0-1), 2:30 p.m. Duke (1-0) at Illinois (1-0), 2:30 p.m. Robert Morris (2-0) at Akron (0-1), 2:30 p.m. Jacksonville St. (1-1) at Ohio (0-1), 5 p.m. Franklin (0-0) at Butler (1-1), 5 p.m. Monmouth (NJ) (1-1) at W. Michigan (0-1), 5:30 p.m. SE Missouri (1-1) at S. Illinois (1-1), 6 p.m. New Haven (1-1) at S. Dakota St. (1-1), 6 p.m. Illinois St. (2-0) at N. Illinois (0-1), 6 p.m. Indiana St. (0-2) at E. Illinois (1-1), 6 p.m. Bowling Green (0-1) at Nebraska (1-0), 6 p.m. W. Carolina (1-1) at Cincinnati (1-0), 6 p.m. Lindenwood (Mo.) (1-1) at Missouri St. (0-1), 6 p.m. W. Illinois (1-1) at Wisconsin (0-1), 6:15 p.m. Iowa St. (1-0) at Iowa (1-0), 6:30 p.m.
SOUTHWEST
Oregon (1-0) at Oklahoma St. (0-1), 11 a.m. Arizona St. (1-0) at Texas A&M (1-0), 11 a.m. UTSA (1-0) at Texas State (0-1), 2:30 p.m. UNLV (1-1) at North Texas (0-1), 2:45 p.m. UC Davis (2-0) at SMU (1-0), 3 p.m. Northwestern St. (0-2) at East Texas A&M (0-2), 6 p.m. West Georgia (0-2) at Arkansas St. (0-1), 6 p.m. Arkansas Baptist (0-0) at Houston Christian (1-1), 6 p.m. Tulsa (1-0) at Sam Houston St. (0-1), 6 p.m. Cent. Oklahoma (0-0) at Cent. Arkansas (1-1), 6 p.m. Southern U. (1-1) at Houston (1-0), 6 p.m. Ohio St. (1-0) at Texas (1-0), 6:30 p.m. Prairie View (1-1) at Baylor (0-1), 7 p.m. Stephen F. Austin (2-0) at Abilene Christian (0-2), 7 p.m. Grambling St. (2-0) at TCU (0-1), 7 p.m. Texas Southern (1-1) at UTEP (0-1), 8 p.m.
FAR WEST
Kentucky Christian (0-1) at Chicago State (0-2), noon Utah Tech (0-2) at Montana (2-0), 2 p.m. Weber St. (1-1) at Colorado (1-0), 2:30 p.m. Arizona (1-0) at BYU (1-0), 2:30 p.m. Utah St. (0-1) at Washington (1-0), 2:30 p.m. N. Colorado (0-2) at Wyoming (0-1), 3 p.m. Mercyhurst (0-2) at New Mexico (1-0), 3 p.m. Lamar (1-1) at Idaho (0-2), 3 p.m. Incarnate Word (1-0) at N. Arizona (1-1), 4 p.m. Memphis (2-0) at Boise St. (0-1), 5 p.m. San Diego (0-1) at Idaho St. (2-0), 5 p.m. S. Utah (1-1) at Colorado St. (1-0), 6 p.m. San Diego St. (1-0) at UCLA (1-0), 6:15 p.m. Texas Tech (1-0) at Oregon St. (0-1), 6:30 p.m. Cal Poly (2-0) at San Jose St. (1-1), 8 p.m. N. Dakota St. (2-0) at Air Force (1-0), 9 p.m. North Dakota (2-0) at Portland St. (0-2), 9 p.m. Arkansas (1-0) at Utah (1-0), 9:15 p.m. Sacramento St. (1-1) at Fresno St. (0-1), 9:30 p.m. Montana St. (2-0) at Nevada (1-0), 9:30 p.m. Louisiana-Lafayette (1-0) at Southern Cal (2-0), 10 p.m.
Sunday’s games FAR WEST
New Mexico St. (1-1) at Hawaii (0-2), 11 p.m.
Tennis US Open Results Thursday
At The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center New York Purse: $4,780,000 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Results Thursday from US Open at The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (seedings in parentheses):
Men’s Doubles
Semifinals Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz (6), Germany, def. Rajeev Ram, United States, and Joe Salisbury, Britain, 6-3, 6-4. Christian Harrison, United States, and Neal Skupski (5), Britain, def. Harri Heliovaara, Finland, and Henry Patten (1), Britain, 7-6 (4), 6-2.
Concert Kitchen Live! Th r o ugh live music , food and c onversation, New O r le ans c hef Kevin Belton and ar tist Jo hn Papa Gros w ill explor e how t he state’s histor y has been passed from generation to gene r at i on t hr ou g h r e c i pe s , m usic an d st o r ytellin g . Th e even t is 2 p. m. - 4 p . m. Su n d ay a t t h e Ma n s h i p Theat r e. $ 3 5 and up. mansh iptheatre.o rg .
LIVING
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
The state of play
BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer
Evan Hansen messes up. That’s not giving away a spoiler preceding Mid City Civic Theatre’s production of the hit Broadway musical, “Dear Evan Hansen.” It’s the story’s premise. Because if Evan doesn’t knowingly mess up his already precarious situation, there would be no story. And the story is complicated. Mid City Civic will open this musical with all of its complexities on Friday on its stage at 7155 Florida Blvd. The production will mark the community theater’s second show since its inception in October 2025. “We’re almost to a year from when we took the keys and changed our name,” board member Caty Lejeune said. “And we’re getting ready to open this giant musical with an amazing cast. Every time I watch one of their rehearsals, it’s like watching a dream. They’re singing, and I’m sitting there with tears in my eyes.”
5CN
Fill your fall with more than just football at area fairs and festivals SEPT. 30-OCT. 4
BY JUDY BERGERON Staff writer
TANGIPAHOA PARISH FAIR: 12614 Arena Drive, Amite. A traditional fair with rides, food, a parade, livestock show, cooking contests, and talent contests. tangifair.org.
There’s so much more to fall in south Louisiana than football. How about 32 festivals celebrating anything and everything, from Hungarian culture to Halloween, seasonings to sweet dough pie? Here’s a preview of what’s in store. Happy festival season! Don’t see your fair or festival listed here? Let us know by emailing red@theadvocate.com with the details.
OCT. 3
FALLFEST: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Denham Springs Antique Village, North Range Avenue. Hometown-style festival offering more than 160 arts & crafts vendors, children’s activities, food, music, costume contest, special sales in stores. https://www.denhamspringsantiquedistrict.net/dsantique-village-festival-information.
OCT. 3-4
SEPT. 17 AND 19-20
A TASTE OF THE DEEP SOUTH FESTIVAL: 7 p.m.-midnight Thursday, and noon-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. Featuring various genres of music; a vendor village with arts and crafts, clothing and jewelry; and a food court with Southern festival food favorites. Free. Note that the Thursday night pre-party at Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 2733 Third St., is a ticketed event. https://ultimatelouisianapar.wixsite. com/henryslisteningroom.
SEPT. 26-27
PROVIDED PHOTO By SHUTTERANDSOULPHOTOS
HUNGARIAN HARVEST FESTIVAL: Fayard Field, 32127 Church St., Springfield. Hosted by the Arpadhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural
Marion Mayfield as single mom Heidi Hansen hugs her son, Evan Hansen, played by Xavier Haynes, in an emotional scene in Mid City Civic Theatre’s production of ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’
ä See THEATER, page 6C
F r i d ay, S e p t e m b e r 11, 2026
Come one, come all
Evan Hansen weaves a complex web at Mid City and Hamlet seeks revenge at La. Shakespeare Co.
Lejeune refers to Mid City Civic Theatre’s taking stewardship of the late Theatre Baton Rouge’s nonprofit charter, then reviving the theater space. Mid City staged its first production, William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” in June. Now it’s a major shift to “Evan Hansen,” which won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Musical. It tells the story of a Maryland high schooler named Evan who suffers from social anxiety and depression. Evan is assigned by his therapist to start out each day by writing himself a letter about how the day is going to be good and why. Each letter begins with the salutation, “Dear Evan Hansen.” But things go sideways when Evan purposely leaves one of his letters on a printer to be discovered by an antisocial student, Connor Murphy. Without giving too much more away, something happens to Connor,
|
PROVIDED PHOTO
Candon Alfred, of East Feliciana Parish, has a ticket to ride at the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair.
Association, the event celebrates Hungarian heritage with folk dancing and authentic cuisine like goulash, cabbage rolls, kolbasz po-boys, homemade bread and pastries. Also featuring family-friendly activities, cultural exhibits, local vendors with goods and crafts, and Hungarian folk bands. www.albanymagyars. com.
GERMAN FEST: 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, 7212 Roberts Cove Road, Rayne. Sip German beer and enjoy folklore demonstrations, live entertainment and authentic German food. robertscovegermanfest.com.
OCT. 8-11
FESTIVALS ACADIENS ET CRÉOLES: in or around Girard Park, 500 Girard Park Ave., Lafayette, and on the grounds of the Hilliard Art Museum adjacent to the park. World’s largest Creole and Cajun music and folklife festival combining the Bayou Food Festival, Louisiana Crafts Fair, and a symposium. Free. https://
ä See FALL, page 6C
THE BODEANS
40 years of uplifting songs, good vibes heading to La. Forty years after their first album, the BoDeans have a new one in progress, with the working title ‘1983.’ PROVIDED PHOTO By LOU BILOTTI
BY JOHN WIRT
THE BODEANS
“It’s about songs that sustained them7:30 p.m.Wednesday selves in people’s lives,” BoDeans In the 40th annil Manship Theatre, versary year of the 100 Lafayette St., Baton singer-songwriter Kurt Neumann said. BoDeans’ album deRouge l $36-$71 l “For 40 years, we’ve but, the no-frills rock band from Wisconsin manshiptheatre.org and gotten together to sing these songs toisn’t focusing on that bodeans.com 1986 breakthrough. gether.” Rather than showcase songs While much has changed for from “Love & Hope & Sex & the BoDeans, Neumann’s apDreams,” the BoDeans’ 2026 proach to songwriting remains setlists survey a four-decadeä See BODEANS, page 6C deep discography. Contributing writer
6C ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate
lll
BODEANS
TODAY IN HISTORY
Continued from page 5C
By The Associated Press
constant. “Simple songs with singable melodies and uplifting themes,” he said. A few years after the BoDeans formed in Waukesha, Wisconsin, they signed with Slash Records, the Los Angeles label whose roster included Los Lobos, X and the Blasters. The BoDeans landed their producer of choice, too, future multi-Grammy winner T Bone Burnett (“O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, Roy Orbison and many more). “T Bone’s production for his solo record was phenomenal,” Neumann recalled. “And he did Los Lobos’ record (“How Will the Wolf Survive?”), which we loved. What he told us early on was ‘get to the soul of that song.’ We wanted to write classic songs, so T Bone was the perfect fit.” The ’80s also brought the BoDeans unexpected exposure because they reluctantly agreed to tour with big stars. They opened for U2, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, the Pretenders and David Bowie. U2 befriended the BoDeans during their 30 shared concert dates. “They understood what we doing,” Neumann remembered. “They watched us play all the time and studied what we were doing.” Simon befriended them, too. “I can’t tell you how cool it was, because his songs on the radio, back in the late ’60s and throughout the ’70s, were my life,” Neumann said. “A lot of young people are lost and don’t know where to go for connection. Music was that connection for me. With my little transistor radio, late at night, I dialed up WLS out of Chicago. It sounded so magical.” Email John Wirt at j_wirt@ msn.com.
FALL
Continued from page 5C festivalsacadiens.com/.
OCT. 10
FALL ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Gardens of Shadows-onthe-Teche, 320 E. Main St., New Iberia. Original art, fall-themed decor, children’s clothing and tasty treats are some of what’s in store for shoppers. $5; children 12 and younger, free. IberiaTravel.com.
OCT. 10-11
PLANTFEST!: 9 a.m.2 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, LSU Hilltop Arboretum, 11855 Highland Road. Discover more than 3,000 plants and more than 300 species of native and traditional trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, ferns, succulents and grasses. https://lsu.edu/hilltop/.
OCT. 15-18
INTERNATIONAL RICE FESTIVAL: 303 N. Parkerson Ave., Crowley. Festivalgoers can participate in a rice-eating contest, the Crowley High 5K Run Walk and the fiddle
Today is Friday, Sept. 11, the 254th day of 2026. There are 111 days left in the year. Today in history: On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people were killed as 19 al-Qaida hijackers seized control of four jetliners, sending two of the planes into New York’s World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the fourth into a field in western
Pennsylvania. It remains the deadliest terror attack in history. Also on this date: In 1789, Alexander Hamilton was appointed the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. In 1936, Boulder Dam — later renamed the Hoover Dam — began operation as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a button in Washington to signal the startup of the dam’s first hydroelectric generator. In 1954, the Miss America pag-
FRIDAY
LIVE MUSIC: Cane River Pecan Company Pie Bar, New Iberia, 5 p.m. UNCORKED ART NIGHT: Napoleon Avenue, Arnaudville, 5:30 p.m. FRIDAY NIGHT JAM: La Maison de Begnaud, Scott, 6 p.m. JARED CRENSHAW: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6 p.m. JULIE WILLIAMS: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LEIF MECHE: Cafe Sydnie Mae, Breaux Bridge, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s Brick Oven Pizza & Brewery, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-nDuson, Duson, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6 p.m. THE ENVIES TRIO: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m. YVETTE LANDRY: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m. AVERY COHEN TRIO: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 7 p.m. GENO DELAFOSE & FRENCH ROCKIN BOOGIE: La Poussiere Cajun Dancehall, Breaux Bridge, 7 p.m. THE HOT LINKS: The
Ruins Lounge, Lafayette, 7 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8 p.m. THE PRESERVATIVES: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m. WAYNE SINGLETON & SAME OL’ 2-STEP: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 8 p.m.
SATURDAY
DONNY BROUSSARD BAND: Fred’s, Mamou, 8 a.m. KEYUN & THE ZYDECO MASTERS: 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. AMELIA POWELL: Cafe Sydnie Mae, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m. CAJUN JAM: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m. CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC JAM: Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park, Lafayette, 1 p.m. ZYDECO CAPITAL JAM: St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, Opelousas, 1 p.m.
OCT. 24-25
BOUCHERIE & BALLOON FESTIVAL: 9690 Airline Highway, Sorrento. Observe a sky filled with hot air balloons. Also, jambalaya and cracklin cook-offs, music, food and craft vendors. boucheriefestival.com.
YELLOW LEAF ARTS FESTIVAL: Commerce Street at Burnett Road, St. Francisville. Artists, musicians, writers, actors, poets can enjoy exhibits from artists and craftspeople along with live music and art activities. artsforallwestfeliciana.com/event-details/ yellow-leaf-art-festival.
OCT. 17
OCT. 29-31
OCT. 16-18
ACADIA MUSIC FEST: Percy Brown Road, Thibodaux. This one-day music event welcomes local and national artists to the stage while festivalgoers can enjoy Southern food and arts and crafts. acadiamusicfest.net.
OCT. 22-NOV. 1
GREATER BATON ROUGE STATE FAIR: 5 p.m.-10 p.m. MondayFriday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Airline Highway Park/ Fairgrounds, 16072 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge. Lego Extravaganza, Louisiana Snake ID, Human Cannonball, carnival midway, petting zoo, live music, roaming entertainers, livestock shows, food and more. gbrsf.com.
FIFOLET HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL: various locations, Baton Rouge. The 10/31 Consortium’s annual spooky celebration takes on an “Unsweet 16” theme signifying the festival’s 16th year. Things kick off with a pub crawl downtown at 6 p.m. Thursday ($45). The parade follows at 7 p.m. Friday along a new route beginning and ending on North Boulevard. On Saturday, it’s the costume ball at LSU’s Lod Cook Alumni Center at 8 p.m.; tickets are $60. https://1031consortium. com/fifolet/.
OCT. 30-NOV. 1
HARVEST FESTIVAL ON FALSE RIVER: 5 p.m. Friday-6 p.m. Sunday, 211 W. Main St., New Roads. Food, rides, arts and crafts vendors, family fun.
‘DEAR EVAN HANSEN’
Mid City Civic Theatre, 7155 Florida Blvd. l Friday-Sunday, and ThursdaySunday, Sept. 17-20. Sunday and his parents discover Evan’s matinees begin at 2 p.m. All other note in their son’s pocket. performances start at 7:30 p.m. l They believe their son wrote the $20-$45 l midcitycivic.org note to Evan. Instead of fessing up, Continued from page 5C
Evan opts to perpetuate a lie that wins him friends while spiraling into disaster. The 18-member cast is led by 15-year-old Xavier Haynes as Evan, a role that requires the Zachary High School sophomore to be onstage 99% of the musical. “I didn’t think I was going to be in this show at first,” he said. “And I didn’t think I was going to be Evan. Then I wondered if I would even accept the role, because it’s so demanding.” But here he is wearing Evan Hansen’s signature blue and white striped shirt, tackling the musical’s demanding numbers like a pro. “This is a monster of a role, and it requires the lead to sing in a high range,” Music Director John Thomas said. “Xavier is great in this part.” Thomas not only is impressed with Haynes’ musical ability but also the rest of the cast, which in-
Pärt is 91. Film director Brian De Palma is 86. Singer-actordancer Lola Falana is 84. Musician Mickey Hart is 83. Guitarist Leo Kottke is 81. Actor Amy Madigan is 76. Rock musician Tommy Shaw (Styx) is 73. Actor Scott Patterson is 68. Actor/director Roxann Dawson is 68. Actor John Hawkes is 67. Actor Virginia Madsen is 65. Musician-composer Moby is 61. Singer Harry Connick Jr. is 59. Actor Taraji P. Henson is 56. Rapper Ludacris is 49.
SHOWS TO WATCH — ACADIANA AREA
and accordion contests. ricefestival.com.
THEATER
eant made its network TV debut on ABC. In 1985, Pete Rose, of the Cincinnati Reds, broke Ty Cobb’s MLB career hits record with his 4,192nd hit. In 2012, a mob armed with guns and grenades launched a nightlong attack on a U.S. diplomatic outpost and a CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. Today’s birthdays: Composer Arvo
CAJUN JAM SESSION: Touchet’s Bar, Maurice, 2 p.m. ONE TRICK PONY: Cypress Cove Landing, Breaux Bridge, 3 p.m. CASEY COURVILLE: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6 p.m. JULIE WILLIAMS: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, 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. SLIM & JIM: Cafe Sydnie Mae, Breaux Bridge, 6 p.m. SUGAR JAM FEATURING THE GOOD DUDES: Sugar Mill Pond, Youngsville, 6 p.m. CHEAPER THAN THERAPY TWO-O: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m. KIP SONNIER: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m. FRENCH, ROSEN, SMITH, TYLER: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 7 p.m. DUSTIN SONNIER & THE WANTED: Lakeview Park, Eunice, 8 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8 p.m. MICHAEL JUAN NUNEZ: Blue Moon Saloon,
https://www.harvestfestivalnewroads.com/. C’EST BON SEASONING FESTIVAL: Pelican Park, 110 Softball Drive, Carencro. A three-day community celebration honors South Louisiana’s rich seasoning and culinary traditions. Live music, a carnival midway with rides and games, a “Seasoning Showdown” tasting contest, arts & crafts vendors, a pageant, and lots of local food. https:// cestbonseasoningfest. com/.
OCT. 31
LOUISIANA BOOK FESTIVAL: downtown Baton Rouge. Bookworms from all over can enjoy presentations from a lineup of authors and participate in activities related to reading. louisianabookfestival.org. GRAND COTEAU SWEET DOUGH PIE FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Town Park, 231 Burleigh Lane, Grand Coteau. Look for sweet dough pie vendors, food trucks, arts & crafts, Halloween activities and a sweet dough pie contest. Children are welcome to wear Halloween costumes. Live music by Sheryl Cormier & the Cajun Sounds, Next Gen Zydeco, Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws +
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.
SUNDAY, NOV. 1
CAP CITY BEER FEST: 2 p.m.-5 p.m. (VIP early admission, 1 p.m.), Fourth Street, between North Street and Spanish Town Road, downtown Baton Rouge. The Companion Animal Alliance’s signature fall fundraiser, the event brings together beer lovers, animal lovers, local businesses and community partners for an afternoon of craft beer, food and live entertainment. General admission, $50; designated drivers, $15; VIP, $100. Tickets on sale now at capcitybeerfest.org/ tickets/.
NOV. 6-8
HOLY GHOST CREOLE FESTIVAL: 788 N. Union St., Opelousas. Experience foods like fried catfish or barbecue pork steak, gospel hymns and the Creole Festival Parade; bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. hgcatholic.org. BERWICK LIGHT HOUSE FESTIVAL: Belleview Front Street, Berwick. This small-town celebration features rides, live bands, food, craft
Now for something completely different. That’s how the Monty Python comedy troupe would put it, and they would be exactly right. But the main character in the Louisiana Shakespeare Company’s upcoming production is a bit more serious. Make that a lot more serious, becludes three adults, Natalie Over- cause the company will be tackall and Chase Duhe in the roles ling Shakespeare’s saga, “Hamlet: of Connor’s parents, and Marion Prince of Denmark.” The play is Mayfield in the role of Evan’s sin- not only one of the Bard’s bestknown but also his lengthiest. gle mom, Heidi Hansen. “If we were to perform ‘HamRounding out the main cast is LSU theater and marketing stu- let’ in its entirety, it would be a dent Coy Lyles as Connor Mur- four-and a-half hour play,” said phy and LSU accounting student Jennifer Bouquet, executive and Cameron Augustine as Connor’s artistic director. “So, we’ve cut the roles down from 28 to 14, and younger sister, Zoe.
Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, 233 St. Ferdinand St. l FridaySunday, and Friday-Saturday, Sept. 18-19. The Sunday matinee begins at 2 p.m. All other performances begin at 7:30 p.m. l $31.60 l lashakes.org
SUNDAY
LIVE MUSIC: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m. THE SUNDAY PEOPLE: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 11 a.m. BAL DU DIMANCHE — CHÈRE ELISE: Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park, Lafayette, 1 p.m. JULIE WILLIAMS: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LIL’ NATE: O’Darby’s Pub & Grill, Carencro, 7 p.m.
D.J. Hawk. No alcohol; no pets; $5 parking. (337) 331-6352.
The show is directed by Lily McGill with Rebecca Smith as assistant director. “We’re the first theater in Baton Rouge to perform ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ so this is a Baton Rouge premiere,” McGill said. “And we’re so blessed to have an age-appropriate cast for this show, meaning, for the most part, we have teenagers playing teenagers. And in staging ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ it’s like saying this theater is back.”
LOUISIANA SHAKESPEARE CO.’S ‘HAMLET: PRINCE ‘Hamlet: Prince of Denmark’ OF DENMARK’
Lafayette, 8 p.m. STEVE RILEY & C4: La Poussiere Cajun Dancehall, Breaux Bridge, 8 p.m. TJ GAUTREAUX: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30 p.m. THE CHEE WEEZ + FEW BLUE: Rock ’n’ Bowl de Lafayette, Lafayette, 9 p.m.
TUESDAY
JAZZ TRIO|PAUL TASSIN + BILLIE CASTLE + RICK CONDIT: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. KURT BOUDREAUX: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, 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.
WEDNESDAY
DULCIMER JAM: St. Landry Visitor Center, Opelousas, 10 a.m. CAMERON FONTENOT: Park Bistro, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. MERCREDI SHOW FEATURING $IDEQUE$T WITH GINO V. AND ZACH EDWARDS: Pelican Park, Carencro, 6 p.m. WANTED WEDNESDAY KARAOKE NIGHT: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: The Tap
vendors and community bike ride on Friday night. Saturday includes a gumbo cook-off, cookie bake-off and fireworks show over the river. Sunday starts with Mass, and then the golf cart parade.
NOV. 7-8
GIANT OMELETTE CELEBRATION: 9 a.m.5 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, downtown Abbeville. It’s the 42nd year of the 5,000-egg family-oriented event, which includes a kids’ world, arts & crafts show, live music, an egg-cracking contest, antique cars. Note that the cooking of the huge omelette is only on Sunday afternoon. www. giantomelette.org.
NOV. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 27-29; DEC. 5-6, 12-13
LOUISIANA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL: 46468 River Road, Hammond. Travel back to 14th- through 17th-century Europe, an experience with over 600 artisans, entertainers and educational demonstrations. Adults, $31.18 + tax; children (6-12), $15.74 + tax. larf2023.org.
we’ve cut the script down to the major scenes.” Even with all the cuts, “Hamlet” will run two hours when it opens on Friday in the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, 233 St. Ferdinand St. It will tell the same story of Prince Hamlet’s attempts to exact revenge against his uncle, Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet’s father in order to seize the throne and marry Hamlet’s mother. “We thought it was high time for us to do a tragedy,” Bouquet said. “We’ve gotten the audience to know that we can take care of them with comedy, because everything we’ve done up until this point has been Shakespeare’s comedy. But we wanted to let the audience know that we could take care of them with a tragedy, too.” When the company announced that it would be staging “Hamlet,” 31 actors showed up to audition for its 14 roles. “I mean, just the amount of talent we have in this area is amazing,” Bouquet said. “And we have an incredible cast for this show.” Shakespeare wrote his tragedy between 1599 and 1601. The play was first performed in 1601, though it wasn’t published until 1603.
Room, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m. INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL NOLA: Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m.
THURSDAY
VILLAGE BEATS FEATURING WAYNE TOUPS: West Village, Scott, 5 p.m. JEFF GEORGE: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LADIES NIGHT WITH DJ DONOVAN IN THE MIX: Cowboys Nightclub, Scott, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-nDuson, Duson, 6 p.m. MICHALIS: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. DUSTIN SONNIER: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m. OEUVAL: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 7 p.m. KARAOKE PARTY — PANDA ENTERTAINMENT: Black Bull, Youngsville, 8 p.m.
Compiled by Marchaund Jones.
NOV. 12-15
PORT BARRE CRACKLIN FESTIVAL: Veterans Memorial Park, 129 Park St., Port Barre. First held in 1985, this multiday event hosts a street fair, pageant and parade while raising money for the Port Barre Lions Club. cracklinfest.com.
NOV. 14
LA. THEATRE FESTIVAL: Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, 233 St. Ferdinand St., Baton Rouge. The second annual event, presented by Baton Rouge Theatre Collective, will offer performances, workshops and classes. 225theatrecollective.com.
DEC. 4-6 AND 11-13
LISTENING ROOM FILM FESTIVAL: 3 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday and 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 2733 North St. Films followed by question-and-answer sessions, industry panels and musical performances. https://hitcitydigital. wixsite.com/htjmuseum/.
Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@ theadvocate.com.
Louis Mangiaracina plays Hamlet while Travis M. Daigle plays his uncle, King Claudius. Julie Roundtree plays Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude; Devin Bureau plays Hamlet’s best friend Horatio and Antoni Amina Rogers plays Ophelia. Rounding out the principal roles are Chase Bernard as Laertes and Chris Dalton as Polonius. “Hamlet” will not only mark the company’s first Shakespeare tragedy but its first production with swordplay. “We have the sword fight at the end between Laratis and Hamlet,” Bouquet said. “You have to choreograph sword fights, and that was the first thing we did. We had our first read-through right after July 4 weekend, and we told everyone to get familiar with their characters. And then when we came back, we started with the combat. That way, they could practice it throughout the rehearsal process.” The sword fight is a key part of this tragedy. “And it was time for us to do it,” Bouquet said. Email Robin Miller at romiller@ theadvocate.com.
The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● 7C
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zodIAC VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Live and learn. How you succeed depends on what you know. Learning from experience and mistakes will teach you not to take anything or anyone for granted. Immerse yourself in situations that test you. LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Be a dreamer and let your imagination run wild. What you discover about your relationships will help set the stage for how you engage and who you offer your time and help to in the future. scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Don't let anger surface when it's up to you to make your dreams come true and to choose what makes you happy. Pay attention to how you look, feel and treat others. sAGITTARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Think before you push forward. An emotional twist will leave you questioning what's best for you. A change of heart, position or reputation is looking good. cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Reason your way through any questionable situation you face today. Weigh the pros and cons, and think twice before making an investment or purchase that may put you in debt. AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Use intelligence when dealing with contracts, investments or legal matters. Put your emotions and anger aside so you can do what's best for everyone. Knowing what you can live with will make life easier. PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Being pampered will point you in the right direction if you don't overspend. It's on you to
take responsibility for your happiness. Address physical and financial situations that are weighing you down. ARIEs (March 21-April 19) An innovative idea will change how others view you. Don't be afraid to speak your mind and to offer suggestions. Discipline will be necessary regarding domestic affairs and your personal habits. TAuRus (April 20-May 20) Be good to yourself. Relax, consider your options and begin your day with a plan and a smile. Put your energy where it counts, and earn the right to enjoy your weekend without the weight of unfinished business. GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Let's get this party started. Be the social butterfly who leads. Speak passionately about your intentions, and find out who is a candidate to come along for the ride. cAncER (June 21-July 22) Ponder your next steps before deciding what to do first. The order in which you do things will have an impact on the results. Listen and observe before you get started. LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Look before you leap. Patience and planning are necessary to avoid insult or injury. A change of plans may be in your best interest, but don't expect others to join in if you force your objective on them. The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication
For better or For WorSe WonderWord
peAnUtS
SALLY Forth
beetLe bAILeY CeLebrItY CIpher Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.
ToDAy's cLuE: X EQuALs H
Mother GooSe And GrIMM
SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS
dooneSbUrY
8C ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate
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Sudoku InstructIons: Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday. Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
BaBY BLueS
BLondie
THe wiZard oF id
nea CroSSwordS
La TimeS CroSSword
The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● 9C
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Bridge By PHILLIP ALDER Sue Gardner, a Canadian journalist and former executive director of the Wikimedia Foundation, said, “It’s a funny habit to write encyclopedia entries. It’s not a mass taste.” When Encyclopedia Britannica was still publishing its annual Yearbook, I wrote the bridge entry and did not consider it a funny habit — but each to her or his own taste. We could fill a chunk of an encyclopedia with deals in which players did not watch their entries carefully enough. In this layout, South is in four hearts. West leads the diamond ace. When East signals enthusiastically with his nine, West continues with the diamond king and another diamond. East wins the third trick with his queen and shifts to a spade. How should South continue? When South jumped to four hearts, he wondered if four spades might have been better, but had no sensible way to investigate. South must play his trump suit without loss. We all know the “eight ever” ditty that advises finessing as the percentage action. But should declarer cash a high heart first? If the suit is 3-2, South will get home if East has the queen and fail when West has her majesty. But if East started with four hearts, he is four times more likely to have the queen than West. (There are four low singletons that West can hold
garfield
Pearls Before swiNe
hagar the horriBle
and there is only one singleton queen.) So declarer should take two heart finesses, which requires two dummy entries. South must overtake his spade jack with dummy’s queen and play a heart to his jack. Then he should overtake his club king with dummy’s ace, repeat the heart finesse, draw trumps and claim. © 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 — GARRuLITy: gah-ROO-lih-tee: The state of being annoyingly
Bizarro
marmaduKe
talkative. Average mark 25 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 38 or more words in GARRULITY? yEsTERDAy’s WoRD — BoTcHInG bight bigot bingo bong botch both obit thin thing thong ting
tonic chin chino chit coin hint icon inch ingot into itch
nigh night notch gothic
loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer
today’s thought “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To show that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” Psalms 92:14-15 Old age is no excuse for not serving the Lord. G.E. Dean
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TODAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
Humid with a t-storm in spots
Humid with a thunderstorm
Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm
Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm
A t-storm around in the p.m.
A t-storm around in the p.m.
LOW
HIGH
LOW
HIGH
88° 74°
LOW
91° 75°
Beaumont 88/76 Port Arthur 88/76
Baton Rouge 91/75
Lake Charles 90/76
New Orleans 90/76 Houma 87/74
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
0s
Hattiesburg 87/74
Alexandria 93/73
Lafayette 89/75
10s
20s
30s
40s
50s
LOW
HIGH
LOW
92° 75°
Lafayette through 5 p.m. Thursday
Jackson 91/74 Many 95/72
HIGH
92° 75°
TEMPERATURE
Longview 96/75
-0s
LOW
Monroe 95/74
Shreveport 96/76
-10s
HIGH
91° 76°
60s
70s
80s
90s 100s 110s
High/low Normal high/low Last year’s high/low Record high Record low
TODAY’S TIDES Lake Pontchartrain (Tchefuncte River) Shell Beach South Point, Marsh Island Cypremort Point Grand Isle (Barataria Pass) Mississippi River (Southwest Pass) Wine Island
SEP 18
City
Austin Boston Dallas Fairbanks Honolulu Las Vegas Louisville Miami Nashville
24-hour total Month to date Normal month to date year to date Normal year to date
HIGH
10:32p 6:45a 5:10a 7:22a 12:42p 11:31a 1:50p
Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today FIRST
Shown are areas of precipitation and high temperatures for the day.
92°/75° 90°/72° 91°/70° 101° in 1954 52° in 1918
FT.
LAST
SEP 26
Hi
TODAY
100 77 97 56 88 105 83 91 94
Lo
78 59 80 50 74 84 72 81 73
NEW
OCT 3
W
t pc t r s s t t t
OCT 10
Hi
102 75 101 59 89 103 85 91 88
SAT. Lo
77 65 80 46 74 80 70 79 70
0.21” 1.46” 1.92” 45.25” 45.60”
FT.
0.6 7:06a 0.3 1.2 10:22a 1.1 1.9 9:06a 1.2 1.6 12:44a 0.6 1.1 8:03p 0.9 1.4 5:54p 1.0 1.3 9:05p 1.0
6:50 a.m. 7:18 p.m. 7:16 a.m. 7:34 p.m.
FULL
LOW
W
s s s c pc s t t t
READING 51 MAIN POLLUTANT Ozone
MAIN POLLUTANT Ozone
HIGH
--4:47p 4:47p 6:51p --11:04p ---
FT.
LOW
FT.
----- --1.5 11:33p 0.9 2.1 9:36p 0.9 1.6 12:54p 1.0 ----- --1.1 --- ------- ---
The solunar period schedule allows planning days so you will be fishing in good territory or hunting in good cover during those times. Major periods begin at the times shown and last for 1.5 to 2 hours. The minor periods are shorter. MAJOR MINOR MAJOR MINOR
Today 12:00p 5:48a 12:23p 6:11p Saturday 12:25a 6:36a 12:47p 6:58p Sunday 1:14a 7:25a 1:37p 7:48p Monday 2:05a 8:17a 2:28p 8:40p Tuesday 2:57a 9:10a 3:22p 9:34p Wednesday 3:51a 10:03a 4:16p 10:28p Thursday 4:44a 10:57a 5:09p 11:22p
City
New Orleans Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Raleigh St. Louis San Diego Tampa
Hi
90 91 84 105 79 94 81 82 92
TODAY Lo
76 76 65 84 65 72 71 72 78
W
t t pc pc pc t pc s t
GOOD
Hi
90 91 82 104 77 88 90 79 91
SAT. Lo
76 76 72 86 67 73 72 70 78
W
t t pc s t t pc pc t
-2.60 17.70 21.10 8.30 4.70 4.35 3.00
+0.16 -1.24 -1.20 -0.50 -0.30 -0.08 -0.05
40
13.09
-0.84
19
-1.50
-0.06
18 29 8
-1.14 10.41 2.32
-0.20 -0.05 +0.17
13 15
1.51 1.19
+0.03 +0.21
47 34 29 20 12 6
7.97 5.39 3.96 4.22 3.30 2.37
-0.65 -0.54 -0.21 -0.27 -0.10 +0.17
Forecasts and graphics, except for Damon’s Outlook, provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2026
SCAN
SELF-SCH TO
ULE ED
relaxing warm bath, or enjoy a convenient refreshing shower while seated or standing with Safe Step Walk-In Tub’s FREE Shower Package!
THU. 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE
data as of 7 a.m. Thursday
R
U
Now
34 48 48 35 27 22 17
YO
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FLOOD STAGE
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
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TODAY
SOURCE: LOUISIANA DEQ AND AIRNOW.GOV
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.
N O R T H A M ER I CA’S
YESTERDAY MODERATE
PRECIPITATION
T
HIGH
89° 75°
We’re at the climatological height of hurricane season and the news remains good: the Atlantic basin is quiet and that’s not expected to change over the next few days. Locally, some of the rain and storms we were dealing with yesterday will return today. Expect a partly to mostly cloudy, very warm, humid and breezy day with rain and thunderstorms. Temperatures this afternoon will range from 88 to 93, feeling like the upper 90s. There may be some rain for the start of high school football tonight.
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10C ● Friday, September 11, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate
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