Issuu

SAVE 72 ¢

SAVE $ 50 3 LB

USDA GRADE A SANDERSON FARMS

Whole Chicken

visit rouses.com for more weekly ad specials!

97 ¢ LB

— ONLY —

100% PREMIUM USDA ANGUS CHOICE BEEF

$ 49

Boneless Chuck Tender Roast or Steak

— ONLY —

ONE POUND DRY

Camellia Red, Navy or Great Northern Beans

Louisiana Local

SAVE up $ 98 to 5

When You Buy 2

— ONLY —

Pick up a premade donation bag or drop non-perishable food items into the red barrel near the exit.

Louisiana Local

SAVE up $ 78 to 1

2/$

— ONLY —

PREFERRED

PARTNER

10 COUNT PODS OR 10 - 12 OZ BAGS

$ 49

Community Coffee

Prices good at all Lafayette, New Iberia and Youngsville stores September 23rd - September 30th, 2026.

THE

ACADIANA

ADVOCATE

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

F r i d ay, S e p t e m b e r 25, 2026

TINSEL & TREASURES

$2.00X

Court offers unusual option Defendants can go to school instead of jail BY DEAN BOUDREAUX Staff writer

STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Shoppers are greeted by a Plinko prize game, free food samples and a variety of food, clothing, gift and craft vendors during the Tinsel & Treasures Holiday Market on Thursday at the Cajundome Convention Center.

Junior League’s annual holiday market brings a record 150 vendors to this year’s event at the Cajundome BY JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer

The Junior League of Lafayette’s Tinsel & Treasures market is bigger than ever this year, bringing a record 150 vendors to the Cajundome for three days of holiday shopping and events. From Thursday to Saturday, the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year will feature holiday and home decor, fashion, gifts, gourmet foods, arts and antiques, children’s and men’s items, and more. Lauren Burns, executive vice

president-elect for the Junior League of Lafayette, said the market has 150 vendors this year, the most the event has ever had. “We have vendors from Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee, and some are returning and others are new,” Burns said. Jaymie Thorn, whose brother owns A Blend Above, is one of the 150 merchants traveling from northwest Indiana to participate in the market. “We try and do as many Junior Leagues as we can,” Thorn said. “We love their concept,

ä See TINSEL, page 5A

Shoppers browse a display of holiday decorations on Thursday.

South Louisiana Community College and Lafayette City Court have launched a pilot program allowing Judge Roya Boustany to sentence some eligible defendants to shortterm workforce training as an alternative to penalties such as fines or community service. The first classes begin Saturday. The program does not serve as a pretrial diversion program. Defendants are referred after sentencing, once Boustany has reviewed the case and heard from both attorneys and the prosecutor. Through the partnership, eligible participants can complete certification courses through SoLAcc, including forklift operator, mental health first aid, SafeLand and CDL-related training. Participants without a high school diploma can instead work toward a HiSET equivalency credential. “At SoLAcc, we believe education and workforce training can be powerful instruments of motivation and skill development. That is why partnering with Lafayette City Court made sense — it has the potential to reshape how we support individuals at every stage of life,” said Tiffany J. Howard, vice president of economic and workforce development and continuing education at SoLAcc. “When someone comes before our court to be sentenced for a crime, we have an opportunity to look beyond the immediate circumstances and consider what resources may help that individual

ä See COURT, page 5A

LSU, NBA legend g Bob Pettit dies at 93 He was a two-time All-American for Tigers and two-time league MVP as a professional Staff report Bob Pettit, arguably the greatest basketball player in Louisiana history, died on Wednesday. He was 93 years old. A self-made athlete, the Baton Rouge native was a two-time AllAmerican at LSU. He led the Southeastern Conference in scoring and was the key figure as the Tigers reached their ﬁrst Final Four in 1953. As a professional with the St. Louis Hawks, Pettit was

WEATHER HIGH 90 LOW 69 PAGE 10C

Game a record four times. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in the Class of 1971. Pettit was also MVP of the league twice. And he was the MVP of the NBA’s 1958 championship series in which the Hawks broke the string of nine straight titles by the Boston Celtics. When he retired, Pettit had: n Scored 20,880 points, then the most in NBA history. n Pulled in 12,849 rebounds, then the second-most in NBA history. n Scored the most ﬁeld goals (7,349) Bob Pettit was a and the second-most free throws two-time two time All All-American American at LSU LSU. (6,182) in NBA history. Joe Dean, the late LSU athletic dinamed ﬁrst team All-NBA in 10 con- rector and athlete who watched the secutive seasons, second team in the college careers of Pete Maravich and last of his 11-year career, an All-Star ä See PETTIT, page 7A 11 times and the MVP of the All-Star

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSU basketball legend Bob Pettit speaks at the unveiling of a statue honoring him in 2016.

Business ......................6A Commentary ................3B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................4A Deaths .........................4B Opinion ........................2B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Living............................5C Sports ..........................1C

102ND yEAR, NO. 87

2A l Friday, September 25, 2026 l theadvocate.com l The Acadiana Advocate

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Meat bearing false USDA labels recalled NEWYORK — More than 83 tons of meat are being recalled across the U.S. because the products were not properly inspected by federal authorities and were shipped out with falsified inspection stickers, the Department of Agriculture said. Star Meat Delivery Inc., based in Lucama, North Carolina, is recalling more than 167,000 pounds of raw pork, beef, and goat nationwide. The USDA said that number could grow as it continues its investigation. Food produced without inspection may contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria, or other contaminants, the agency said Tuesday in announcing the recall. So far, there have been no conﬁrmed reports of illnesses or injuries from the meats, according to the USDA. The meat in question was produced “on various dates” before Sept. 22 and has USDA inspection stickers falsely bearing an establishment number — EST. 1363 — that the agency said “does not have a federal grant of inspection.” However, some packages people purchased may not bear that labeling because retail stores may have applied their own stickers with pricing and safe handling instructions, the agency warned. The products were shipped to Georgia distributor A&D Foods to send to retail and restaurant locations nationwide. The USDA said the products should be considered misbranded and unsafe to eat and be discarded or returned to the place of purchase. The agency said the problem was discovered during the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s routine checks. It’s not clear whether anyone has been arrested or criminally charged.

Kenya authorities destroy $63 million meth haul

MOMBASA, Kenya — Kenyan authorities on Thursday destroyed a massive haul of methamphetamine worth an estimated $63 million, nearly a year after the drugs were intercepted in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mombasa. The consignment, weighing about 2,257 pounds, was placed in a high-temperature kiln and destroyed as government officials watched. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen oversaw the destruction and warned drug traffickers that authorities would step up efforts to disrupt the illicit trade. Murkomen said Kenya was being used both as a “transit hub” and a “market” for illegal drugs, and pledged tougher enforcement to prevent drug trafficking and substance abuse. He said suspected traffickers would face prosecution and that authorities would pursue the seizure of property linked to the illegal trade. The Kenyan Navy intercepted the consignment on Oct. 25, 2025, about 391 miles off the coast of Mombasa in the Indian Ocean. The vessel was escorted to port under armed guard.

Boat capsizes on way to Congo; 41 dead

KINSHASA,Congo — A boat heading from Tanzania to Congo on Lake Tanganyika capsized Thursday, leaving at least 41 people dead, local authorities said. The boat was carrying about 100 people as well as cargo, said Norris Mulongoyi, the provincial transport minister for Tanganyika province, adding that 49 people have been rescued and a search is ongoing for the remaining passengers. “The vessel, traveling from Kigoma, Tanzania, to the city of Kalemie in the Congo’s Tanganyika province, capsized near the village of Mapera,” Mulongoyi told The Associated Press. Lake Tanganyika is the world’s largest freshwater lake and the second deepest, after Lake Baikal. The cause for Thursday’s tragedy was not immediately clear, but hundreds have been killed in boat disasters in Congo in recent years. Vessels are often overloaded and lacking life jackets. Congo’s rivers are a major means of transport for its more than 100 million people, especially in remote areas where infrastructure is poor or nonexistent.

lll

Energy Department to spend $2B

to use new technology to make Projects are intended to squeeze more power from aging grid ties grids more efﬁcient, lessening the

BY MARC LEVY and MATTHEW DALY Associated Press

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Energy Department said Thursday that it will spend almost $2 billion to try to squeeze more electricity out of the nation’s aging and stressed power grid, as President Donald Trump’s administration steps up efforts to avoid blackouts amid skyrocketing energy demand spurred by artiﬁcial intelligence. The money will go toward 31 projects across 26 states that are expected to produce more than 23 gigawatts of additional electricity capacity — enough to power 16 million homes. The projects will use new technologies such as sensors to measure real-time weather conditions to ensure safe transmission or direct power away from congested paths, the department said. The upgrades could improve power reliability and lower elec-

tricity costs for about 100 million Americans, ofﬁcials said. “This is a quick way to lower electricity prices and increase reliability: using fibers that are already in the transmission lines to analyze what’s the temperature out, what’s the wind out, how can we use this transmission line to distribute more power, but safely and only in the right conditions,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a news conference promoting the grants Thursday at a PPL Corp. facility in Allentown. The eastern Pennsylvania electric utility says two data centers in its territory came online this year and six more are under construction, with enough other data centers in the advanced planning stages that its peak electric demand could quintuple by 2032. PPL said it is receiving $71.5 million to modernize an existing highvoltage transmission line across

roughly 30 miles in northern Pennsylvania. The announcement comes amid warnings that AI’s voracious demand for power is threatening to overwhelm U.S. power supplies, as massive new data centers come online faster than new power plants can be built. It also comes as electricity bills rise faster than inﬂation in many parts of the U.S., blamed in some areas on demand from data centers. The snowballing opposition to data centers in communities across the country has thrown a wrench into the plans of the world’s richest companies and transformed the midterm election landscape. Trump continues to stick up for data centers, even as politicians from both major political parties criticize them and many communities try to block them. In the meantime, Congress and some states are trying to push utili-

need to build new power plants. Julia Selker, the executive director of the WATT Coalition, a trade association for grid-enhancing technologies, said both the projects and the scale of the investment are significant. Utilities in the U.S. are lagging places like Europe in adopting the technologies, despite federal investment in the past to develop and test them. Wright said that work on the projects should begin right away and he hoped some efﬁciencies are in place before this winter to tamp down price spikes when extreme weather sends demand skyrocketing. He said he didn’t know whether the projects would have gotten done without federal funding. Projects being announced Thursday will involve component enhancements on more than 1,500 miles of transmission lines and technological enhancements across nearly 21,000 miles, the department said.

Administration seeks approval to continue quick deportations Lower court halted third-country removals BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN

President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping walk along the Colonnade of the White House in Washington on Thursday.

Trump hails ‘truly great’ friendship with Xi China’s leader urges ‘healthy’ competition between 2 powers

By AAMER MADHANI, DIDI TANG and MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday hailed the “truly great friendship” he has forged with Xi Jinping as the Chinese leader began his highly anticipated state visit by pressing for the world’s two biggest economies to work more closely together to avoid friction as they compete. While Trump has many thorny issues to discuss with the president of America’s biggest economic rival, he focused on his long relationship with Xi as the two gathered with aides for opening remarks before formal talks. “From the time of my ﬁrst election in 2016, President Xi and I have forged a friendship, a truly great friendship, actually, built on mutual respect and the vital interests of our people,” Trump said. China has resisted the Trump administration’s urgings — and economic threats — to use its considerable leverage to prod Iran to agree to U.S. terms to end the nearly seven-month war. Xi wants to

see Trump permanently halt arms sales to Taiwan and loosen export restrictions on cutting-edge advanced chips. The two sides on Wednesday agreed to extend by two months a one-year trade truce that was set to expire Nov. 10 as they work to ﬁnd a more durable agreement.

Xi presses Trump on Taiwan In their private conversation, Xi also urged Trump to “prudently handle the Taiwan issue,” according to the Chinese state media outlet Xinhua. China has made clear it views Taiwan as the most sensitive issue in the U.S.China relationship. Beijing considers Taiwan to be Chinese territory and vows to annex the island by force if necessary. The United States is obligated by law to provide Taiwan with sufﬁcient hardware to deter any armed attack from the mainland. The U.S. has said it opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side. China has repeatedly pressed Washington to permanently halt the arms sales, including when Trump and Xi met in Beijing in May. After that meeting, Trump said he was holding off on ﬁnal approval for a record $14 billion arms package that was in the pipeline. He also described arms sales to Taiwan as a “very good negotiating chip” with China.

Saudi-led coalition says 6 ballistic missiles intercepted Military blames attack on Houthi rebels BY FATMA KHALED and CARA ANNA

Associated Press

CAIRO — Six ballistic missiles targeting Saudi Arabia’s port of Yanbu on the Red Sea and the southwestern city of Taif have been intercepted, a Saudi military spokesperson said Thursday, blaming Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen as ﬁghting escalates. The Houthis later claimed they ﬁred dozens of ballistic missiles and drones at the kingdom’s southwestern Jazan province. In recent days, they have been blamed for attempted attacks on the kingdom, including on Riyadh, the Saudi capital. The statement by Saudi Maj. Gen. Tur-

ki al-Malki, who is also the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, followed alerts by Saudi civil defense authorities, who later noted the danger had passed. The fighting near the crucial Red Sea shipping corridor has worried global markets as the Houthis pursue a blockade of Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, with Iranian support. The new launches came as Yemen’s internationally recognized government prepared to take its turn addressing the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations. The situation in the Arab world’s poorest country is grim as the fighting backed by the two Mideast powers, Iran and Saudi Arabia, has pulled Yemen back into civil war after four years of relative calm. Over 125,000 people have fled the fighting.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to again clear the way for continued quick deportations of immigrants to third countries where they have no ties. The government asked for an immediate halt to lower court orders finding that people must have the chance to object before the U.S. government deports them to countries other than their homelands. The justices allowed the deportation flights to continue when the case came before them last year. Since then, an appeals court has upheld a Bostonbased judge’s final ruling that migrants must have

a meaningful chance to argue a third-country deportation would put them in danger of persecution or torture. The order doesn’t completely prohibit deportations to third countries, but it adds new requirements. The Trump administration says that creates unworkable delays and has already led to the cancellation of a ﬂight carrying 70 people with criminal convictions to three different countries. “The order below would again obstruct DHS from efﬁciently removing aliens ... by inordinately delaying third-country removal for any alien who voices a fear of persecution or torture in that country, no matter how frivolous or belated the claim,” Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote. Thousands of migrants have been sent to third countries when their homelands won’t accept them or they can’t be returned there, the administration said.

GET IN TOUCH Customer Service: HELP@THEADVOCATE.COM or 337-234-0800 News Tips / Stories: NEWSTIPS@THEADVOCATE.COM Obituaries: 225-388-0289 • Mon-Fri 9-5; Sat 10-5; Closed Sun Advertising Sales: 337-234-0174 • Mon-Fri 8-5 Classiﬁed Advertising: 225-383-0111 • Mon-Fri 8-5 Subscribe: theadvocate.com/subscribe E-Edition: theadvocate.com/eedition Archives: theadvocate.newsbank.com The Acadiana Advocate (USPS # 25-866) is published daily by Capital City Press, LLC at 203 W. Third St., Lafayette, LA 70501. Periodicals postage paid at Lafayette, LA ISSN 2643-7252 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Acadiana Advocate, Circulation Accounting, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821. Newspaper carriers are independent contractors and not employees of Capital City Press.

All home delivery subscription sales are non-refundable. Should you discontinue your subscription during term, the subscription will end with the expiration date on your subscription, and there will not be a refund of a prorated amount. Subscribers who purchased their subscription before Feb. 1, 2023 and wish to cancel can request a refund of a remaining balance at https://www.nola.com/app/forms/ refund-request-form/. Refunds are considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of Capital City Press, LLC or its designee. All subscriptions purchased that include a special edition will have the special edition value deducted prior to any refund provided to subscriber upon cancellation of service. Standard subscription rates may be effective upon renewal. All standard subscriptions include digital access and e-Edition, a digital replica of the printed Advocate edition(s). The apps are free for tablets and smartphones. Smartphone apps may not be supported on all devices. The Advocate standard subscription rate is $80.89 per 4-week period, plus tax. The Acadiana Advocate standard subscription rate is $80.89 per 4-week period, plus tax. Standard digital subscriptions include e-Edition with the rate of $31.15 per 4-week period, plus tax starting 1/1/25. Special editions included in home delivery subscriptions are 1/30/26, 3/11/26, 4/15/26, 5/27/26, 7/8/26, 8/19/26, 9/30/26 11/26/26, 1/22/27, 3/10/27, 4/14/27, 5/26/27, 7/14/27, 8/18/27, 9/29/27 and 11/25/27 and are billed at $6.23 each. The Thanksgiving Day edition will be billed at your regular Thursday rate plus $6.23. To opt out of special edition delivery, email help@theadvocate.com or call 225-388-0395. By opting out of special editions you will not receive that day’s newspaper. Thanksgiving Day is not a special edition and opting out for that edition isn’t permitted. Prices shown are in U.S. dollars. Prices subject to change. Other restrictions may apply. We no longer provide credit for temporary delivery stops of 14 days or less. During a temporary delivery stop donations are made to our News in Education program. This program provides newspapers and digital access to schools across Louisiana. This program is paid for by sponsors and temporary stops so that students may use the newspaper for educational purposes in the classroom. During a temporary delivery stop of the print edition subscribers have unlimited digital access to theadvocate.com, nola. com and the apps for tablet and smartphone. Seasonal delivery times from August 2025 through February 2026 will extend to 8:00 a.m. on weekends. Subscribers may also choose to access our digital replica e-Edition of the printed Advocate, Times Picayune | New Orleans Advocate and Acadiana Advocate only. As a highly valued customer, we also value your privacy. All personal information collected by The Advocate will be used for administration and customer veriﬁcation; it may be used for promotional purposes in accordance with The Advocate’s privacy policy. Please refer to our policy located at https://www.theadvocate.com/new_policy/ for information regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. By providing your phone number and email address you agree that we can call or email you to conﬁrm delivery service, satisfaction and/or sales promotions as they may occur from The Advocate. The Acadiana Advocate: 203 W. Third Street, Lafayette, LA 70501

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● 3A

lll

Local Brands. National Brands. And Brands You Can Only Find at Rouses. We stock our shelves with everything Acadiana knows and loves. Local favorites made right here, the national brands you know, and brands you can only ﬁnd at Rouses, including our own. If it has our name on it, you can trust it’s good.

I say Cajun. You say Rouses.

We’re a local, family-owned Louisiana company with deep Cajun roots. We’ve been proud to be part of Acadiana since 2007, and we’re proud to keep growing here.

— ONLY —

fresh floral

$ 97

FRESH

3 Stem Hydrangea

We have fresh, new ﬂowers arriving daily, ﬂoral arrangements for all occasions, and you’ll love our great selection of decorations and decor.

SAVE $3 02

JUNE 18 AND - 21 ONLINE! ACCEPTED IN-STORE TH

THUR and FRI online SAT forSUN SNAP/EBT is accepted in-store Curbside Pickup and for delivery through18 Instacart, 19 DoorDash, 20 21and UberEats.

SAVE $ 20 2 LB

SAVE $ 00 1

SAVE $ 00 9

SAVE 98 ¢

When You Buy 2

— ONLY —

PREVIOUSLYY FROZEN VALUE PACK K

Split Chicken Breastt

SAVE $ 00 1

r in ou I L E D tment r e d pa

— ONLY — LLARGE

Green G B Bell PPeppers

SAVE $ 50 2

— ONLY —

6 COUNT

$ 99

Smoked or BBQ Baked Leg Quarters

2/$

WILD CAUGHT ALASKA

Caulipower Gluten Free Pizza

Dungeness Crab Clusters

99 LB

SAVE $ 66 1

— ONLY —

10 - 11.1 OZ

$ 99

— ONLY —

10 OZ

Asian Cajun Cowboy Sauce

SAVE $ 00 4

— ONLY —

5 LB

King Arthur Bread Flour

$ 99

— ONLY —

750 ML

$ 99

Ruffino Pinot Grigio or Svedka Vodka

If It’s Trending, You’ll Find It at Rouses. We’re always bringing you what’s new and what’s next.

Prices valid at our Lafayette and Youngsville locations September 25th - September 30th, 2026.

4A ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Venezuela’s acting leader Netanyahu takes U.N. stage delivers first address, as he seeks reelection at home promises elections Israeli prime minister snubbed by Trump, world leaders

Government will secure a ‘process based on equal conditions for all’

BY ERIN CUNNINGHAM Associated Press

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began the year declaring that he stood “shoulder to shoulder” with U.S. President Donald Trump as the two countries launched a war against Iran. But this week, as world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, there are no plans for the two men to be in the same room, or even in the same city. As the war with Iran has dragged on, Trump and Netanyahu have split over how to prosecute it, straining a relationship between the two allies. Netanyahu has also faced global criticism both for Israel’s war in Gaza and settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Instead of a packed itinerary, Netanyahu, who arrived on Thursday, was scheduled to meet only a handful of leaders before giving his speech. The apparent snub underscored how badly the relationship between Trump and the prime minister has fractured. Many in Washington associate Netanyahu with the increasingly unpopular ﬁght with Iran and Trump has labored to avoid the appearance that the Israeli leader forced him into a war that Trump said would be a “little excursion” lasting only weeks. Netanyahu’s brief visit also demonstrated how isolated he is globally, three years after launching a punishing war in Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. He faces an election next month widely seen as a referendum on his responsibility for the security failures surrounding the attacks and his ability to defend Israel’s reputation on the world stage.

BY NAYARA BATSCHKE Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SETH WENIG

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks Thursday during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Day after day this week, as other heads of state have stepped to the podium, many have harshly criticized Israel’s actions, particularly in Gaza. Ahead of his visit, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged his arrest, saying the U.S. should honor a warrant for Netanyahu issued by the International Criminal Court. He is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Gaza, though the U.S. is not a member of the court and New York City lacks the authority to arrest him. Still, the prime minister is a master showman, and often turns to props and visual aids during speeches in flawless English to drive home his message. Last year at the summit, scores of diplomats walked out while he was speaking. But that is unlikely to faze him, as he speaks primarily to an audience of Israeli voters. “He times his speech so that it is broadcast here in primetime,” said Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. who served under Netanyahu and lives in Israel. But experts say without the usual high-proﬁle meetings, the trip could hurt Netanyahu’s image at

home. “I think the trip is a mistake, because it exposes his weaknesses,” said Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israel relations and professor at Israel’s Bar-Ilan and Reichman universities. While many Israelis view the U.N. as hostile toward Israel, he added, the fact that he could not secure a meeting with Trump only highlights how poorly Netanyahu has managed the relationship with his nation’s strongest ally. In 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden was reluctant to host Netanyahu at the White House but still made time to sit down with him on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. “Israel cannot survive without the United States,” Gilboa said. The slight in New York follows sharp criticism from Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel and a longtime supporter of Israeli settlements, of the settlers attacking Palestinian communities in the West Bank. In unusual remarks for an ambassador, he referred to the attackers as “terrorists.” “It’s signiﬁcant of a deeper rift,” Oren said of Netanyahu’s slim itinerary.

Venezuela’s acting president, delivering her first address to the U.N. General Assembly since coming to power, promised elections Wednesday and said the nation’s people will determine the “right moment.” “I wish to state this very clearly before this General Assembly: Elections will be held in Venezuela,” Delcy Rodriguez said, adding that her government has started a “political dialogue with opposition sectors” to secure a “process based on equal conditions for all.” Rodríguez said the Venezuelan people will determine the best time to get elections moving and assured the United Nations that, when the time comes, the country’s institutions “will be prepared to guarantee an inclusive and transparent process.” Rodríguez took over in Venezuela after a surprise U.S. military raid in January that captured then-leader Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the United States to face drug trafﬁcking charges. This is the ﬁrst trip to the United States by a Venezuelan head of state since 2018, when Maduro traveled to New York to participate in the U.N. General Assembly himself. He is currently being held only a few miles from the organization’s headquarters as he awaits trial. Rodríguez’s participation in the international forum also marks a milestone in Venezuela’s reintegration into global diplomacy. Addressing global leaders, she said that “the last time that two presidents of Venezuela and the United States met was in 2009.”

She added that her country is coming back strong after “setbacks” suffered this year and thanked President Donald Trump for being willing to resume relations after the U.S. military spirited her predecessor out of the country. The other setback to which she referred: On June 24, two powerful earthquakes, magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck north-central Venezuela and killed more than 6,500 people, leaving an untold number of missing and causing widespread devastation. “I come to talk about a Venezuela whose national life has been affected by a crisis of political coexistence that disrupted the life of the nation and our interaction with the world,” Rodriguez she said. “Interests alien to the common good of Venezuelans were imposed.” Rodriguez faced a delicate balance in her speech, which needed to be addressed to both her people and the U.S. government that holds her predecessor. She thanked Trump for his willingness to resume the course of diplomatic relations and cooperation with Venezuela. “We are working earnestly to resolve existing differences through dialogue, but above all to pave the way for cooperation in the energy sector, the promotion of security, the joint fight against transnational crime, and economic cooperation for the benefit of both peoples and our continent,” she said. “Today, Venezuela is being reborn.” Since rising to power, Rodríguez has forged a close working relationship with Trump. U.S. influence in Venezuela has grown following the lifting of sanctions against Rodríguez in April, one of several recent moves by Washington to recognize her as a legitimate authority ever since the U.S. military captured her predecessor.

Lawyers for Nolan Wells’ family push for investigation Legal team slams grand jury report

BY SOPHIE BATES Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. — Civil rights attorney Ben Crump released information from a forensic examination of Nolan Wells’ cellphone as well as details of the ofﬁcial autopsy Thursday, just days after a Mississippi grand jury said it found no evidence of criminal conduct in the teen’s death. Attorneys representing the 18-year-old Black college student’s family have called for transparency, asking that the grand jury investigative materials and the official autopsy report be publicly released. Crump and his team discussed the contents of the cellphone analysis, even reading a few Snapchat messages out loud, but they did not release a full report of all the messages sent and received in the days leading up to and the day of Wells’ death. The grand jury had access to that information, including 282 pages of Snapchat conversations, when it convened last week, according to the panel’s report and Crump. Crump said the forensic examiner was able to track messages received and sent and tie them to the location of Wells’ phone from the day before he went missing all the way up to when his family got the phone back. “The messaging, as I said, was very telling … some of his own friends were concerned about (how) people on Horn Island can be racist,” Crump said Thursday. Wells’ family and their legal team have slammed the grand jury report and have been working to keep the investigation open and active. They’ve asked for federal authorities to look into the events surrounding Wells’ death. His body was found two days after he went with a group of mostly White friends on a boat trip to a barrier island for a July 4 party. The high-proﬁle death in

senders deleted those messages on their own phones, but he made clear that he could not ascribe intent to those deletions. There was no evidence presented that suggested someone had unlocked Wells’ phone after it left the island and before the family got it back. The Associated Press sent a message to Crump’s team ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EMILIE MEGNIEN seeking clariﬁcation Thursday. Ben Crump, right, an attorney for the family of Nolan Wells, A lawyer who represents accompanied by Wells’ parents, Elmore and Christine some of Wells’ friends who Wonsley, speaks at a news conference in Stonecrest, Ga., on have been the subject of speculation and online hate Thursday. said it was unclear what new a Deep South state with a had been deleted. He did information the cellphone history of racial tension has not specify whether the report revealed, reiterating sparked rampant speculation and suspicion. State and local officials and several of Wells’ White friends who had become the target of that speculation had hoped that the grand jury report would quell critics.

Parents express suspicions Wells’ parents and their lawyers voiced suspicions after Wells’ friends left the island without him, saying he wanted to stay behind and talk to a girl. Wells’ phone was on the boat that took him to the island, and his family and their attorneys have expressed doubt that he would choose to stay behind without his phone. Crump said the last text message sent by Wells was July 3 around 8:30 p.m., but that was not unusual given that he and many teenagers communicate primarily on social media, including Snapchat and Instagram. Andrew Garrett, the forensic examiner who extracted the contents of Wells’ phone, said the GPS and other phone data showed that Wells had opened it with his face while it was on the boat around 2:17 p.m. It was then locked and continued to receive messages as it traveled on the boat, then by car and eventually was picked up by his family. Garrett also said at the news conference Thursday that some snap messages

that none of his clients were on the boat carrying Wells’ phone. “They never had the phone,” attorney Edward Paltzik said of his clients. The grand jury findings attempt to explicitly clear the friends who left the island without Wells from any wrongdoing, including trying to squash several online rumors.

Crump and Wells’ parents questioned how the panel could determine Wells likely drowned, when both the official and independent autopsies said the cause of death could not be determined. The state’s official autopsy report, which Crump’s team received late Wednesday, also said Wells’ airways and stomach were empty, raising questions about how the grand jury found he had Lawyers question drowning likely drowned. “What this means is that The grand jury report said the panel found Wells’ there is no water in the stomdeath to be “consistent with ach, there is no water in the drowning” and found that he lungs and there is no water had not been in a fight or al- in the throat,” Wells’ family tercation while on the island. attorney Liza Park said.

.theacadianaadvocate.com Employment

Pets

HOSPITALITY We are currently seeking experienced Chefs/Utility Hand/Housekeeping per‐ sonnel for offshore work rotating hitches of 14 days/12 hours per day then 14 days off. Must have the follow‐ ing: RIG PASS • SAFEGULF • HUET • BOSIET • MMC • TWIC • THREE YEARS OFFSHORE UTILITY EXPERIENCE. Appli‐ cants will also be required to pass a USCG Merchant Mariner Physical and a USCG DOT Drug Test. https://cardinal.bamboohr.com/jobs

Looking for the right hire?

1-800-960-6397 Public Notices

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received either electroni‐ www.centralbidd cally ing.com or in the ofﬁce of the Purchasing Divi‐ sion at the Lafayette Govern‐ Consolidated ment Building, located at 705 West University Av‐ Lafayette, enue, Louisiana, until 3:00 pm Central Time on the 12th day of October, 2026 for the following: AS-NEEDED FILCRETE RE-BID Scope of Service: The f lid d

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

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

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

p Lafayette Consolidated Government Wastewater Collection Division is re‐ questing bids for ﬁlcrete delivered on an asneeded basis. Pricing will be FIRM for a period of one (1) year from the date of the contract with the option to renew for one (1) additional year at the same terms and con‐ ditions. The effective date of the contract shall be Novem‐ ber 18, 2026, or the date the contract is executed by the Mayor-President, whichever occurs later.

p sender. Bidders may at‐ tend the bid opening in person, but are highly encouraged to virtually join the bid openings via Zoom using the following https://us02web. link: zoom.us/j/81970521067? pwd=jq8XuvUdQqVLKmX JpqpK2f0XJhGOdm.1 .

and will, shortly there‐ after, be opened and read aloud in the Ofﬁce of Purchasing located at 705 West University Av‐ enue, Lafayette, LA. Bids received after the above speciﬁed time for open‐ ing shall not be consid‐ ered and shall be re‐ turned unopened to the d idd

In accordance with RS 38:2212 Louisiana electronic Bids may be submitted on Central (www.central Bidding bidding.com). Bidders wishing to submit their bid electronically must ﬁrst be registered within LCG Vendor Access at the website listed above. The registration process can take some time; there‐ fore, LCG recommends registering days in ad‐ vance of the time that bids are due. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to ensure their bid is delivered (whether electronically via Vendor i i

y Access, in person, or via mail) to the Purchasing Division prior to the scheduled date and time of the bid opening. Ven‐ dors may request the bid electronically from Lay‐ cia Batiste at lbatiste@ lafayettela.gov. Official Bid Documents are avail‐ able on Vendor Access (www.centralbidding. com). For questions re‐ lated to the electronic bidding process, please call Laycia Batiste at 337291-7173. Vendors submitting bids are re‐ electronically quired to provide the same documents as bid‐ ders submitting through the mail as soon as avail‐ able. Only a bid bond, check or certified cashier’s check shall be submitted as the bid se‐ curity. Electronic copies of both the front and back of the check or bid bond shall be included with the electronic bid. Bids must be signed in accordance with LRS Title 38:2212(B)5. A Cor‐ porate Resolution or Cer‐ tificate of Authority au‐ thorizing the person signing the bid is re‐ quired to be submitted with bid. Failure to sub‐ mit a Corporate Resolu‐ tion or Certificate of Au‐ thority with the bid shall be cause for rejection of bid. Copies of the bidding documents are available at the Purchasing Office located at 705 West Uni‐ Avenue, versity Lafayette, LA 70506. Tele‐ phone number (337) 291(Attn: Laycia 7173 Batiste). Bidding docu‐ ments shall be available

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

until twenty-four (24) hours before the bid opening date. Each bid shall be accom‐ panied by a certified check, cashier’s check or bid bond payable to the Lafayette Consolidated Government, the amount of which shall be five dollars hundred ($500.00). If a bid bond is used, it shall be written by a surety or insurance company currently on the U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Management Service list approved bonding of companies which is pub‐ lished annually in the Federal Register, or by a Louisiana domiciled in‐ surance company with at least an A-Rating in the latest printing of the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide to write individual bonds up to ten percent (10%) of policyholders’ surplus as shown in the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide, or by an insurance com‐ pany in good standing li‐ censed to write bid bonds which is either domiciled in Louisiana or owned by Louisiana resi‐ dents. The bid bond shall be issued by a company licensed to do business in Louisiana and counter‐ signed by a person who is under contract with re‐ siding in this state. The certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond shall be given as a guarantee that the bidder shall exe‐ cute the contract, should it be awarded to him, in conformity with the con‐ tract documents within ten (10) days. No bidder may withdraw his bid for at least fortyfive (45) days after the i h d l d f h

Public Notices Bids/Proposals y time scheduled for the opening of bids. Each bid shall be submitted only on the quotation form provided with the speci‐ ﬁcations. Bids will be evaluated by the Purchaser based on the lowest responsible and responsive bid sub‐ mitted which is also in compliance with the bid The documents. Lafayette Consolidated Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause in ac‐ cordance with LA R.S. 38§2214.B. The Lafayette Consoli‐ Government dated strongly encourages the participation of DBEs (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) in all con‐ tracts or procurements let by the Lafayette Con‐ Government solidated for goods and services and labor and material. To that end, all contrac‐ tors and suppliers are encouraged to utilize DBEs business enter‐ prises in the purchase or sub-contracting of mate‐ rials, supplies, services and labor and material in disadvantaged which business are available. Assistance in identifying said businesses may be obtained by calling (337) 291-8410. PURCHASING DIVISION Lafayette Consolidated Government PUBLISH DATES: 09/25/2026; 09/27/2026 DPR 1008142 201942 Sept 25, 27, 2t $112.40

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● 5A

lll

TINSEL

Continued from page 1A and they have a lot of nice things to offer, which attracts shoppers.” Thorn traveled about 15 hours by car from Indiana to participate in the event. The family-owned company sells dips, desserts, pasta mixes, cracker seasonings and drink mixes designed to make entertaining easier. Sheri Farmer, owner of Out of the Oven, a catering business that specializes in prepared frozen casseroles and soups, has participated in the market in previous years. Farmer is bringing four of her prepared items to the market, giving shoppers an opportunity to take meals home. “It’s always a great show and we always want to do it,” Farmer said. “We have so many people that come through. This helps to promote business in such a great way.” Although shopping is the main STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK attraction, the event’s larger purpose is fundraising for the Junior Jana Coldren checks out the clothes at the Karma Living booth during the Tinsel & Treasures Holiday Market. League’s community work. “It’s a tradition that Junior Over the past 33 years, Tinsel & League has kept alive and we’re Treasures has raised more than so grateful for it,” Landry said. $7 million. The organization said “South Louisiana brings in so many 100% of the funds raised through things, and I don’t care how old you the market are invested in its misare. You know Tinsel & Treasures, sion to advance women’s leaderand everybody knows when the ship for meaningful community time comes around, it’s time to go.” impact through volunteer action, Landry said the event gives famcollaboration and training. Fumy Rita, the Junior League of ilies a reason to spend time togethLafayette’s 2026-27 president, said er, with grandparents, grandchilthe money raised through the mardren, sisters and cousins making the market part of their holiday ket helps fund the organization’s traditions. community programs. “I love that about it,” she said. “To know that everything is go“It’s a great opportunity for tradiing back into the community, it is amazing,” Rita said. “It’s our bigtions to be starting.” This year’s theme is Candyland, gest fundraiser, and it’s what helps a concept Karlie Dartez, chair of us do all the programs that we do Shoppers browse through the offerings at the Tinsel & Treasures Holiday Market on Thursday. Tinsel & Treasures, proposed. in the community.” “The thing I’m most proud of is Rita said funds are generated through ticket sales, merchant bank, Happy Wheels, Hospitality Kids Adventures, said the annual everybody always has a vision,” fees, rafﬂe ticket sales and an auc- Card, SPARK Team and Smiles market is more than a shopping Dartez said. “Our market has gottion. The Junior League supports with Miles Perret. event for many people in Acadi- ten to the point where we increase programs including its diaper Jade Landry, representing Cajun ana. the number of merchants because

COURT

Continued from page 1A move forward to lower the chances of recidivism,” Boustany wrote in a news release. “This partnership gives eligible individuals an opportunity to gain an education, develop practical skills and connect with resources that can lead to employment.” Anne Falgout, SoLAcc’s director of strategic communications, said Boustany cannot speak with defendants about their cases before they appear in her courtroom. Once she reviews the case ﬁle, hears from attorneys and hears the prosecutor’s recommendation, she can sentence a defendant to one of the courses in place of a penalty such as community service. “Not everybody who appears before her in court is a career criminal,” Falgout said, describing Boustany’s reasoning. “They’re great people who made a mistake and maybe need a different option.” Boustany has already sentenced an initial group of participants to attend the program’s ﬁrst classes, Falgout said. SoLAcc does not receive the names or number of participants, citing

privacy. Classes are not open for public enrollment. Participants are referred exclusively through the court, and a SoLAcc workforce advising team matches each person to a course based on individual eligibility, Falgout said. Mental health ﬁrst aid is the only course in the partnership also open to the public through SoLAcc’s continuing education program, and some courses require participants to be at least 18. The courses are customized versions of existing SoLAcc programs that can be completed in a single day. A full CDL certiﬁcation normally takes months, for example, but the court program offers an eight-hour introductory course that includes simulator training in a truck cab. SoLAcc is funding the courses through federal grants for institutional aid, which covers materials, instructor pay and the cost of hosting the classes, Falgout said. Boustany’s office has provided a court services contact, listed on SoLAcc’s partnership webpage, for attorneys or others who want information related to the judge ahead of a case, since she cannot discuss pending cases directly.

SoLAcc and Lafayette City Court will evaluate the pilot in December, according to SoLAcc’s website. Falgout said the college will track how many participants are scheduled for courses and how many people complete them so they can accurately report their institutional aid spending, and the court hopes to observe a fall in recidivism rates for participants. Falgout said Boustany sees the courses as a form of exposure to careers defendants may not have previously considered. “They may never have thought of CDL, rigging or a mental health career as an option,” Falgout said. “Maybe that can inspire them to say, ‘I did this for a day, I can do this.’” This marks SoLAcc’s first partnership with a court system, though the college has run similar workforce training programs with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office for incarcerated individuals, offering programs such as welding certification. Falgout said Boustany was recently inducted to SoLAcc’s foundation board, which helped inspire the partnership. Falgout said SoLAcc hopes to offer the custom-

y a D e m a G r Gear Up fo Victories with Sweet

8646 GOODWOOD BOULEVARD (225) 928-7000

ized training model to other courts in the future, including Crowley City Court and Opelousas City Court. She said other judges within Lafayette City Court could also adopt a similar sentencing approach.

everybody knows that whenever they’re coming here, they’re coming for the holiday premier market.” This year’s Tinsel & Treasures brings back the Friday evening fashion show as part of an updated Ladies’ Night experience, which is now included with the standard $15 general admission ticket instead of requiring a separate ticket. Seven merchants will be featured in the fashion show, with Junior League members modeling their looks. The night will include music, specialty cocktails for purchase and performances. General admission is $15, with a ticket providing one-time entry on either Friday or Saturday. The market continues Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ladies’ Night is Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rita describes Tinsel & Treasures as a premier holiday market and shopping experience, where people can hear Christmas music, enjoy special events and feel like they’re part of a tradition. “We have created a tradition that is an experience,” Rita said. “It’s not just going and shopping.” A separate $10 Sparkle & Shine Raffle will take place Saturday. Tickets will be sold from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with the drawing scheduled for 2:45 p.m. Prizes include $10,000 in cash and a $10,000 Lee Michaels shopping spree. Participants must be at least 18 years old to purchase or win, and winners do not have to be present. Tickets are available at Junior League of Lafayette headquarters at 504 Richland Ave. in River Ranch, by phone at (337) 988-2739, at the Cajundome box ofﬁce and through Ticketmaster. Free parking, including accessible parking, is available at the Cajundome Convention Center. Overﬂow parking is available at the LITE Center at 537 Cajundome Blvd., with a shuttle stop available for visitors. The Cajundome’s clear-bag policy applies to all attendees.

“This is what we do — educating the community and improving lives,” Falgout said. “The fact that the city court is taking this on and running with it, I think, is beautiful.” More information about

Safety. Style. Stress-Free Installation. CALL NOW 1.833.472.5859

the partnership, including eligibility and available programs, is at solacc.edu/ lafayettecitycourt. Email Dean Boudreaux at dean.boudreaux@ theadvocate.com.

SPECIAL OFFER

Waiving All Installation Costs! Add’l terms apply. Offer subject to change and vary by dealer. Expires 12/27/26. Licenses at JBRLicenses.com.

6A l Friday, September 25, 2026 l theadvocate.com l The Acadiana Advocate

lll

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

DOW 51,349.98 -161.61 -0.31%

NASDAQ 26,939.37 3.34 0.01%

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Crocs sues Five Below, alleging infringement

Crocs is suing Philadelphiabased discount retailer Five Below, alleging the company knowingly sold knockoff versions of Crocs’ famous foam clogs. Crocs’ attorneys say Five Below kept selling Crocs lookalikes and accessories even after being notified this March of their trademark, patent and intellectual property infringement. The allegations were detailed in a lawsuit filed last week by Crocs and its subsidiary, Jibbitz Charms, in U.S. District Court in Colorado, where Crocs is based. The plaintiffs take issue with Five Below’s “Juniors Charm Clog,” which look like trademarked Crocs, and the shoe’s accompanying charms, which resemble the patented Jibbitz ones that can be affixed to Crocs. Crocs’ classic adult clogs range from $50 to $75, while its kids’ version sells for about $40. Five Below’s “Juniors Charm Clog” is listed at $7 on its website. Five Below spokespeople did not return requests for comment Wednesday. Crocs’ attorneys have asked for a jury trial and are seeking an unspecified amount in damages, which include lost profits, according to the lawsuit. The company also wants a permanent injunction to prevent Five Below from selling products that resemble Crocs.

N.Y. says Polymarket is unlicensed gambling NEW YORK — New York sued the prediction market Polymarket on Thursday, arguing the platform is an unlicensed gambling operation and calling for a judge to block the company from operating in the state. Prediction market platforms have argued states do not have the authority to govern them because they are regulated at the federal level by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. New York officials filed Thursday's lawsuit against Polymarket in state court and want the company to face fines and be forced to pay restitution to users because the platform did not get a gambling license from the state. The state has previously sued other platforms such as Kalshi, Coinbase and Gemini using a similar argument. “By running an unlicensed gambling operation, Polymarket has done more than just knowingly violate state law, they have put New Yorkers at risk, especially those underage who are most vulnerable to problem gaming,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. In a statement, Polymarket’s Chief Legal Officer Neal Kumar said, “We'll fight for our users.”

Starbucks to close 250 North American stores Starbucks plans to close 250 North American stores later this week. It is the second big round of store closures under Starbucks Chair and CEO Brian Niccol, who joined the company in 2024. Last September, Starbucks closed 627 stores in North America and Europe. In a letter to employees, Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams said the locations targeted either aren't delivering acceptable financial results or can’t provide the kind of experience that Starbucks wants for customers and employees. Starbucks Workers United, which represents workers at the 700 company-owned U.S. Starbucks stores that have voted to unionize, said 20 unionized stores are among the 250 that are closing, or 8% of the total. Starbucks stores have been voting to unionize since late 2021, but the union and the company have yet to reach a labor agreement. Grams said Starbucks is continuing to retrofit North American coffeehouses to make them cozier and more inviting. The company expects 1,500 stores will be retrofitted by Sept. 30.

S&P 500 7,704.13 -1.90 -0.03%

EURO 1.1376 -0.0005 -0.04%

CRUDE OIL 92.16 1.64 1.81%

GOLD 4,263.00 -18.30 -0.43%

6-MO T-BILLS 4.37 0.03 0.69%

30-YR T-BONDS 5.49 0.1 1.82%

KFC opens Texas test restaurant breakfast and stays open late. The Open House’s design or menu will KFC will function more like an It’s looking for ways to menu will feature new drinks like eventually reach the rest of its Apple Store or a luxury retailer, he said, without stressful lines or refreshers and crunchy- 3,424 U.S. restaurants. reclaim chicken crown boba-ﬁlled The Texas concept and gleaming, grumpy cashiers. topped milkshakes, an expanded

BY DEE-ANN DURBIN AP business writer

KFC has been taking a licking from fried chicken rivals like Raising Cane's, but the global fast-food chain has a plan to return to the top of the U.S. pecking order. The Kentucky-born brand opened a new restaurant in McKinney, Texas, on Thursday to serve as a test lab in its home market. Called Open House, it serves

lineup of tenders and sauces, and new side dishes like fried green beans and spicy pickles. The restaurant has double drivethru lanes and a mobile order pickup station. But KFC designed it to encourage customers to stay a while. After ordering at a digital kiosk, they can sit and wait for employees to bring the food to their table. There is also a photo booth and a counter selling branded merch. KFC did not say how much of

multi-story ﬂagships set to open in Dubai, Seoul and London show KFC is trying to make grabbing fast food more of an experience. “People don’t remember what they eat, but they remember how they were feeling when they were eating,” KFC Chief Concept Ofﬁcer Christophe Poirier, who leads new restaurant design, said. Poirier said KFC is automating tasks like ordering so employees can focus on hospitality. Ideally,

“You leave the retailer and say, ‘Wow. The product is amazing, but beyond that the service was amazing. For 10 or 15 minutes I was feeling like a king,’” he said. In 2015, KFC commanded a 20% share of the $21.8 billion in U.S. chicken-chain sales, according to Technomic, a restaurant market research company. By 2025, KFC’s share had fallen to 8%, even as sales at chicken chains more than doubled to $57.7 billion.

Gulf nations keep oil flowing, but the costs are mounting Workarounds in Iran war aren’t permanent fix

BY DAVID McHUGH AP business writer

FRANKFURT, Germany — When Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the war, choking off sea passage for some 15 million barrels of oil a day, many feared that prices would skyrocket, cratering the world economy. Instead, nearly seven months on, oil is expensive but not exorbitant, and analysts say there's enough oil available to meet current global needs, even as the higher prices cause political problems for U.S. President Donald Trump and others. That's because Saudi Arabia and other Gulf producers quickly found alternative routes and reached for unused pipeline capacity. When Iran and its militant allies targeted those, the oil exporters and the U.S. military found still other ways — workarounds for the workarounds — in an often clandestine game of whack-a-mole. With oil now at around $100 a barrel — higher than before the war but not as bad as feared — Iran has diminished leverage, while a U.S. naval blockade and tightened sanctions smother its own economy. But the workarounds are expensive and may not be sustainable. The drawing down of existing commercial oil stocks — especially by China — has also helped keep prices in check, but cannot continue indeﬁnitely. And Iran could yet gain an edge with continued attacks on key oil facilities.

Pipeline backups were ready Iran began attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz in response to the U.S.-Israeli bombardment that started the war. In response, the Saudis turned to their East-West pipeline that carries oil to their Red Sea port of Yanbu. From there, tankers headed out through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait toward Asia. Likewise, the United Arab Emirates used its pipeline cutting across neighboring Oman to Fujairah — a route that skirts the strait. Both pipelines had spare capacity, and the UAE's state oil company ADNOC and Saudi Aramco used it to keep exports from collapsing completely during the ﬁrst weeks of the war. Meanwhile, some oil leaked out of the Strait of Hormuz. In May, ship operators willing to risk Iranian attack started taking advantage of a U.S.-supervised route near Oman, defying Iran's demands to use its own vetted route. They shuttled back and forth at night with location systems and mobile phones turned off, and ofﬂoaded to tankers waiting outside the strait. Flows from Kuwait, Iraq, and the UAE started to rise again.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By VAHID SALEMI

Analysts estimate 6 million barrels of oil per day or more have been passing through the Strait of Hormuz on the dark shuttle route on average. But Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen disrupted the Yanbu workaround in July by declaring a blockade of Saudi oil shipments, threatening the Bab el-Mandeb — a repeat of the Hormuz disruption. In response, the Saudis redirected Asia shipments northwest to the Mediterranean, either through the Suez Canal or — for tankers too big to use it — a pipeline across Egypt to another tanker. The oil then made a huge detour as it was shipped around Africa and back to Asia. Then the East-West pipeline was attacked earlier this month and forced to shut down, potentially for weeks.

Saudis use U.S.-protected dark shuttle With oil loading halted at Yanbu from Sept. 11, the Saudis shifted again, joining other Gulf producers sending oil through the U.S.-guided corridor in the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, six supertankers loaded 12 million barrels at Saudi terminals on the Persian Gulf, according to shipping data company Kpler. U.S. ofﬁcials have touted the role of the southern corridor in keeping energy ﬂowing while their blockade increases pressure on Iran. Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, said in a video on social media Saturday that U.S. forces had assisted 2,000 commercial ship transits and the transport of more than 1 billion barrels of oil from Gulf partner nations over “the past couple of months.” Analysts estimate 6 million barrels of oil per day or more have been passing through the Strait of Hormuz on the dark shuttle

route on average — some 40% or more of prewar ﬂows.

Workarounds keep the economy supplied Rahul Choudhary, vice president of upstream research at energy data firm Rystad Energy, did the math as follows: With 6 million or 7 million barrels per day now flowing through the southern route, plus 2 million barrels through the pipeline to Fujairah, fully 8 million or so of the blocked 15 million barrels per day from before the war have been restored. That still leaves roughly 7 million barrels per day missing from prewar flows. But wait: About 3.5 million barrels per day are being drawn down from the globe's abundant oil inventories. Meanwhile, demand has fallen by perhaps another 5 million barrels per day, due to the higher price and sluggish economic growth in key markets. Add in 500,000 to 700,000 barrels per day from other suppliers such as the U.S., and that pretty much evens out the global oil market. “Our take is that the market is very tightly balanced,” Choudhary said. “That is why you are not seeing exceptionally high prices for crude; they are still in the $100 range, and they have not touched $140-$150 per barrel — which could have been the case if there was a deficit of 5-6 million barrels.” Sending oil to Asia through the Suez Canal instead of the Red Sea can add as much as a month to the voyage. Meanwhile, the Hormuz shuttle trade involves expensive tankers waiting at least a day and a half in the Gulf of Oman for the ship-to-ship transfer.

Australian PM rebukes OpenAI’s breach of website Agent infiltrated health service portal

BY ROD MCGUIRK Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday he was extremely concerned about OpenAI’s breach of an Australian health department website and that the artiﬁcial intelligence company took too long to reveal the incident. An OpenAI agent inﬁltrated the public-facing Medicare Statistics Reporting Service portal on June 18, he said. The portal hosted aggregate data about health

spending and drug subsidies and is popular with researchers and academics. No personal information had been accessed, the government said. Albanese made the breach public following a telephone conversation with OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman. Altman was among heads of major AI ﬁrms who in speeches Wednesday pleaded with the United Nations to save the world or at least its people by somehow regulating the fast-expanding technology that they have been designing. “Today I spoke with … Altman to express Australia’s extreme concern about this incident,” Albanese told reporters. “I also ex-

pressed my disappointment that it took the company way too long to inform the government what had occurred and the nature of the way that notiﬁcation occurred as well was unacceptable.” OpenAI said in a statement it had reviewed activity involving several Australian government departments and discovered “our models took actions we did not intend.” OpenAI notiﬁed Australia of the breach in an email to a government department’s generic address on Sept. 10, Albanese said. An inquiry looking into the security breach would examine whether OpenAI could be criminally charged, Albanese said. The inquiry would also investigate

how Australian security agencies failed to detect the breach before OpenAI revealed it. Albanese said he assumed there were commercial reasons for the AI investigation of how much was being spent on particular medicines and where expenditures were changing. Government Services Minister Katy Gallagher said OpenAI had advised on Sept. 10 that an “AI agent had accessed infrastructure behind the public-facing” portal. OpenAI shared with the government the vulnerability the agent had found. She said the portal had been closed and the data moved to more secure systems.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● 7A

lll

Nominee to head FDA backs MMR vaccination She refuses to criticize Trump on his other health statements

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Bob Pettit, right, signs autographs alongside Ned Clark during an LSU game in 2023.

PETTIT

Continued from page 1A Shaquille O’Neal from a close vantage point, was adamant that his old teammate is the best LSU basketball player ever. He had a case. In 1974, 20 years after his last game as a Tiger, Pettit was voted the best in the history of the SEC. It was a remarkable rise for a man who said the only game he excelled at as a youngster was marbles. As a freshman at Baton Rouge High School, Pettit was cut from the football, baseball and basketball junior-varsity teams. As a sophomore, he decided to concentrate on basketball, but coach Kenner Day cut Pettit again. It was a move Day would never live down but one Pettit staunchly defended. “We were ﬁve over the roster limit, and I really wasn’t good enough to make the team,” Pettit said. “He knew it, and I knew it.” Determined to improve, Pettit joined a church league and spent every spare minute working on his game. He hung a bent hanger on the garage door and shot tennis balls through it for hours at a time. His father once recalled that his son “put two large reading lamps in the window, turned them toward the basket and practiced at night. He’d made up his mind he was going to make the team.” At the time, Bob, scrawny and awkward, stood 5-foot11. By the time he enrolled for his junior year, Pettit had sprouted to 6 feet, 4 inches, and was playing basketball as he had only dreamed about before. Day also coached the football team, so until that season ended, he had a senior player oversee basketball practices. Pettit said teammate Charlie Roberts told him Day was aghast when he heard Pettit was practicing at center. But that season, Pettit made the all-city squad, and the following year he was a 6-foot, 7-inch All-American on the state championship team. Still, college coaches were

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

Bob Pettit holds his trophy after being named most valuable player in the 1958 NBA All-Star Game.

not bowled over. Harry Rabenhorst offered Pettit a scholarship to LSU, which was fortunate because few other schools came calling. “Tulane, Loyola, some of the state schools and later DePaul and Western Kentucky came around, but I guess no more than six or seven actually recruited me,” Pettit said. “Coach Raby took me out for a steak one night — that’s how you recruited in those days — and said, ‘Well, we’ve got a scholarship for you if you want to come,’ and I accepted.” For LSU, which hadn’t made much of a basketball splash since Sparky Wade boosted the Tigers to what was then a mythical national championship in 1935, it was a fateful decision. Pettit’s career yielded a three-year record of 59-15 and two NCAA appearances, including the ﬁrst Final Four appearance for any SEC team other than Kentucky. He set the SEC scoring record with 1,916 points, which held until Maravich played at LSU 15 years later. Pettit averaged 27.4 points and 14.1 rebounds for his college career. He developed into an imposing 6-foot, 9-inch presence with a soft shooting touch accompanied by a wicked hook. Renowned trainer Alvin Roy worked out a weight program for Pettit to improve his strength. By that time, once Pettit got a hand on the ball, few could take it away. He had transformed himself into a basketball force. “His work ethic was incredible,” said lifelong friend and LSU teammate Ned Clark, who died in March of this year. “That

is what eventually showed up on the court. Nobody in the SEC, and very few anywhere, could fake and drive around the basket, put up a hook or hit a medium jumper the way Pettit did.” With all his accomplishments as a collegian, it was as a pro that Pettit left his biggest impression — although he wasn’t sure he wanted to go in that direction. “Pro basketball didn’t have the glamour it has today, and I came very close to signing with an amateur team, one of the teams where you work for the company and played for the company team,” he said. “The salaries were close to the NBA’s then, and each year some of the top players went that way. But it was a year-round job. I wanted to come back to Louisiana and go into business. I didn’t want to be known as an old basketball player. I wanted to be a young businessman.” Picked second by the then-Milwaukee (later St. Louis) Hawks, Pettit asked for a $15,000 contract, a bold proposal at the time for an untried rookie with $100 to his name. Hawks owner Ben Kerner counteroffered $9,500, a salary that equaled the highest amount ever given a ﬁrst-year player. The parties agreed on $11,000, but Bob had to report to Milwaukee a month ahead of schedule to help sell tickets. On the court, coach Red Holzman saw Pettit as a center who he thought could play facing the basket, and he transformed Pettit into the game’s ﬁrst power forward — and one of its greatest players. An integral part of his basketball legacy was a scintillating Game 6 performance Pettit put on to clinch the 1958 NBA championship: He scored 50 points, including 19 of the Hawks’ last 21, in St. Louis’ 110-109 victory over the Boston Celtics. Tommy Heinsohn, the primary Celtics defender against Pettit, said he never heard the end of it from legendary Boston coach Red Auerbach, who constantly reminded his old Hall of Fame player, “We would have won 10 straight (championships) if you had held Pettit to 48 points!” Funeral arrangements are pending.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy pressed President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Food and Drug Administration to stand up for vaccines in a hearing Thursday, and got some of what he wanted from her. Dr. Heidi Overton, a certiﬁed preventive care physician, contradicted President Donald Trump’s statements that the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is potentially “quite lethal” in a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, which is considering her nomination to run the FDA. She said the MMR vaccination “is our best tool” to combat the recent surge in measles cases. But Overton refused to criticize the president’s statements — not just on vaccines, but on issues like whether Tylenol could cause autism. She also wouldn’t say if she believed that healthcare access is a human right; if the nation’s consumers are paying the lowest prices in the world for prescription drugs, as Trump has claimed, despite evidence to the contrary; or if birth control amounts to abortion, again as the president has said. “This committee needs to know whether you will be radically honest. That you will use your authority to stand up for sound science and protect children’s health,” said Cassidy, RBaton Rouge. “You will also need to ensure that uninformed ideologies do not

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Dr. Heidi Overton testifies before a Senate committee on Thursday.

influence FDA’s decision on whether to approve individual products, even if the president is pressuring.” After the hearing, Cassidy wouldn’t say if Overton adequately addressed his concerns. Since losing in the May 16 closed GOP primary to Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge, Cassidy has become freer with his criticisms of the president and his allies.

Questions over vaccines

and perhaps themselves dying, perhaps someone else dying. That’s what the scientific evidence shows.” Overton said her job is to present to the president the best version of the policy he seeks. When asked by Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., if Trump was incorrect in his public views about the dangers of the MMR vaccine, Overton answered, “the president wants the best outcomes.” Hassan cut her off. “I wish it wasn’t so difficult for members of the administration to say the president was wrong.” The committee will vote at a future hearing on whether to advance Overton and other health agency nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. Before his political career, Cassidy had been a liver doctor in the Louisiana charity hospital system and published research papers in medical journals on the efficacy of certain vaccines. Cassidy sought assurances from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known vaccine skeptic, that, in return for his support, the nation’s vaccination policies would not change arbitrarily. Soon after Kennedy became secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA, he rolled back those very policies. Cassidy was one of a handful of Republican senators who voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges stemming from MAGA supporters rioting at the U.S. Capitol in an effort to sidetrack the official congressional declaration that Joe Biden had won the 2020 presidential election.

As the White House deputy assistant for domestic policy, Overton drafted the executive order that changed the schedule children receive the single dose vaccination and allowed for the inoculations to be broken up into several sticks. She was standing behind Trump when the president said the MMR vaccine possibly is “quite lethal.” “The risk is in being unvaccinated,” Cassidy said. “To say that the vaccine is ‘quite lethal’ is going to discourage people from being vaccinated when the scientific evidence says that getting vaccinated practically eliminates the risk of getting measles, of being Email Mark Ballard at hospitalized, transmitting mballard@theadvocate. the infection to other people com.

Erie Roofing Since 1976

Trust the Nation’s #1 Rooﬁng Contractor Award-Winning Roofing and Customer Service

Protection your loved ones deserve ...

GUARANTEED Life Insurance up to $30,000.00

Modiﬁed Whole Life Insurance from Physicians Life Insurance Company

Imagine what $30,000.00 could mean to your family after you’re gone — cash to help pay your funeral, medical bills or other ﬁnal expenses. • Guaranteed acceptance for ages 45 to 85* • No medical exam, no health questions • Lock in your rate for life

Find out how affordable this coverage can be — Call for your FREE Information Kit

1-877-654-4599 Life55plus.info/Acadiana

 Plus — you’ll also get a FREE

Final Wishes Planner just for calling!

*Ages may vary by state. Guaranteed for one of these life insurance policies. Benefi Benefits ts reduced fifirst rst two years. Insurance Policy L770 (ID: L770ID; OK: L770OK; TN: L770TN). 6236-0625

LIMITED TIME OFFER

50% 50 % OFF Installation

FREE ESTIMATE

SCHEDULE TODAY! Call 1.855.877.0633 • $0 Down Today • Same Day Financing Available • Premium Warranty Protection

Join over 400,000 satisﬁed homeowners with an ultra-durable roof from Erie Home.

CALL TODAY! 1.855.877.0633 New orders only. Does not include material costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum purchase required. Other restrictions may apply. This is an advertisement placedon behalf of Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc (“Erie”). Offer terms and conditions may apply and the offer may not be available in your area. If you call the number provided, you consent to being contacted by telephone, SMS text message, email, pre-recorded messages by Erie or its affiliates and service providers using automated technologies notwithstanding if you are on a DO NOT CALL list or register. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use on homeservicescompliance.com. All rights reserved. License numbers available at eriehome.com/erielicenses/

8A ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

SAINTS PLAY THE RAIDERS THIS SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27TH • 3:25PM • NEW ORLEANS

ACCEPTED IN-STORE AND ONLINE! SNAP/EBT is accepted in-store and online for Curbside Pickup and for delivery through Instacart, DoorDash, and UberEats.

SAVE 72 ¢

SAVE $ 50 3

SAVE $ 00 7

— ONLY —

USDA GRADE A

SANDERSON FARMS

Whole Chicken

LIMIT 2

Assorted Pork Chops

$ 17 LB

$ 49

100% PREMIUM USDA ANGUS CHOICE BEEF

99 ONE POUND DRY 2/$

16 OZ PACK

Camellia Red, Navy or Great Northern Beans

Louisiana Crawﬁsh Tails

Boneless Chuck Tender Roast or Steak

PODS OR SAVE 1010 COUNT - 12 OZ BAGS up $ 99 to 11 Community

PACK HALF LITERS SAVE 6SELECTED FAMILY Pepsi, 32 ¢ Coke, 7-Up, Sprite or

— ONLY —

FROZEN

When You Buy 3

$ 49

3/$$ 3/

LIMIT 2

PREFERRED

PARTNER

Pick up a premade donation bag or drop non-perishable food items into the red barrel near the exit.

Help fight hunger in our community!

10 10

SAVE up $ 98 to 5

Coffee

Coke Zero

Includes Sirloin, Center Cut and Rib End Chops!

When You Buy 2

— ONLY —

SAVE FRESH Hass $ 32 Avocados 2

VALUE PACK

Louisiana Local

SAVE up $ 78 to 1

Louisiana Local

FOOD DONATION BAG

Every donation helps support your local food bank!

LOW SODIUM

OVER A HUNDRED 10/$10 ITEMS AVAILABLE IN STORE! 16 OZ QUARTERS

14.5 - 15 OZ CAN

16 OZ SELECTED

Blue Bonnet Spread

Rouses Tomatoes

Best Choice Pasta

2 LB BAG MEDIUM OR LONG GRAIN

Rouses Rice

mix & match!

your choice!

r in ouUCE D O PR partment de

r in ou T A E M tment r depa

in ou OD FO E S Apartment de

BUY 1, GET 1 FREE! TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!

2.27 - 4.5 OZ SELECTED

Check our Oscar Mayer circular for even Lunchables more BOGOs!

8 OZ

12 OZ

SAVE UP TO $1 99 (MUST BUY 2)

Zyn Wellness Drinks

10 OZ

Freshie Shrimp Bowls

SAVE UP TO $3 49 (MUST BUY 2)

Alfredo, Scampi, Mac & Cheese or Grits & Bacon

SAVE UP TO $5 99 (MUST BUY 2)

Cedar’s Organic Hommus

SAVE UP TO $499 (MUST BUY 2)

largest selection & lowest prices on wine, spirits & beer SAVE up $ 00 to 4

6 PACK 12 OZ

Abita, Blue Moon or Urban South Wild Berry

$ 49

750 ML

Bulleit or Maker’s Mark Bourbon

POINTS

750 ML

John Sloat NAPA Cabernet or Erath Pinot Noir

$ 99

750 ML

Goose Ridge G3 Merlot or Fly By NC Cabernet

750 ML

20 99

1800 Silver Tequila

10oz Rouses Bourbon Infused Cocktail Cherries

THC

$ 99

1.75 LITER

Absolut Vodka

99 Handy & Schiller$ 750 ML SMALL BATCH COCKTAILS

Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Paper Plane or Mint Julep

1.75 LITER

Benchmark Bourbon

24 PACK 12 OZ CANS

Miller 64 Extra Light

4 PACK 12 OZ CANS

Fleur de Leaf THC Seltzer

Prices good at Lafayette, New Iberia and Youngsville locations September 23rd thru September 30th, 2026.

1599

METRO

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

F r i d ay, S e p t e m b e r 25, 2026

Moncus Park lands $50,000 grant

1bN

EBR Parish DA investigating LSU rape allegation University reduced football player’s punishment, files show BY BLAKE LESCHBER Staff writer

STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Park guests attempt to make a catch at the fully stocked pond in Moncus Park in Lafayette. Moncus Park has been awarded a 2026 Kubota Hometown Proud grant, receiving $25,000 in cash and equipment support to develop its Back 50 natural area through trail creation and habitat restoration.

Half will go to new tractor, half to expansion BY KRISTIN ASKELSON

Staff writer

Moncus Park is getting some help to expand and maintain the less-developed half of its 100-acre Lafayette green space. The park has been selected as one of 10 recipients nationwide of the 2026 Kubota Hometown Proud grant program, it announced Tuesday. Through a partnership with Sammy Broussard Equipment Center, Moncus Park will receive $25,000 in cash and $25,000 toward a new Kubota compact tractor. The funding and equipment will support the park’s Back 50: Community + Nature project, which focuses on trail development, habitat restoration and

maintaining natural gathering spaces. The tractor will replace an older, heavily used Kubota and help the park expand access to native habitats, environmental education and outdoor programming. “We’re excited to support Moncus Park’s Back 50 project because we believe in supporting our community,” said Lynn Guillotte, of Sammy Broussard Equipment Center. The Back 50 is the more natural, less-developed portion of the park, which occupies 100 acres in the heart of Lafayette. Moncus Park describes the area as a place for trails, nature and quieter outdoor experiences, in contrast with the more developed front portion of the property. The park’s back acreage already includes trails and natural areas. The Miles for Miles Trail, which opened in 2023, added a one-mile loop through the back 50 acres and more than 2,000 linear feet of ADA-accessible pathways.

ä See MONCUS, page 4B

PROVIDED PHOTO By LAFAyETTE TRAVEL

Moncus Park in Lafayette includes a lake, an amphitheater, playgrounds, splash pads, native gardens and spots to rest, relax or have a picnic.

Lafayette awarded beautification grant $6K to cover University Avenue upgrades BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer

Lafayette Consolidated Government has been awarded a $6,000 grant for its 2026 Entryway Beautification Project on East University Avenue in Lafayette. LCG’s Environmental Quality Division and Keep Lafayette Beautiful are working to improve highly visible public spaces through public art, native plants and sustainable landscaping. The grant was awarded by Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the Ofﬁce of the Lieutenant Governor. The site of the project is along East University Avenue between the Evangeline Thruway and General Mouton Avenue. Native plants, public art and sustainable landscaping will be added to medians along East University Avenue. Welcome sign planter boxes featuring colorful artwork and the messages “Welcome to Lafayette” and “Keep Lafayette Beautiful” will be complemented

For the third year, McNeese State University is celebrating a bump in fall enrollment. In the fall 2026 semester, McNeese enrollment rose by 1.6% to 6,663 students from 6,556 in 2025, according to a news release from the campus.

support those already enrolled in the school. “Our goal is not only to attract students, but to also help them stay, get involved, find their place in our community and ultimately earn their degrees,” Reese said in the release. “We know a college degree can change a student’s life, and when our graduates

isn’t the only increase that the university has seen. This year, McNeese is also seeing a higher student retention rate. “It is most pleasing to see that our efforts to enhance student retention through student support services are producing results,” said Kedrick Nicholas, senior vice president and chief operating ofﬁcer at

Company plans expansion, more jobs

youngsville manufacturer to also add full night shift BY JOEL THOMPSON Staff writer

from fall 2025 that continued to their second year is at 71%, up 2% from the previous year’s cohort. The 71% retention rate follows 69% from fall 2024, 68% from fall 2023, 70% from fall 2022, and 68% from fall 2021, according to school statistics.

ä See MCNEESE, page 4B

ä See EXPANSION, page 4B

ä See GRANT, page 4B

McNeese President Mike Re- succeed, they have the oppor- McNeese. School touts Continuing student enrollese said in the release that he is tunity to make an even greater proud of the faculty and staff impact on their families, their ment increased mentoring, support at the university who have communities and the future of by 5.4%at McNeese this year, according worked hard to bring new stu- Louisiana.” to the release. Additionally, programs However, enrollment growth the ﬁrst-time freshman cohort dents to the campus as well as

Staff writer

ä See ALLEGATION, page 4B

A manufacturing company based in Youngsville announced plans to create up to 20 new jobs, according to a news release from Louisiana Economic Development. Leading Edge Manufacturing, which currently operates in both Youngsville and Broussard, has provided services such as sheet metal fabrication, powder coating and metal finishing solutions in the Acadiana area since 1994, according to the release. The planned expansion is anticipated to allow the company to implement a full night shift, which would increase overall production capacity. The estimated 20 jobs being created by the expansion would bring Leading Edge’s total workforce up to 82. Additionally, LED estimates that the expansion could indirectly bring an additional 30 jobs to the region. “We’ve experienced significant growth over the past several years,” said Leading Edge Manufacturing CEO Stephanie Clotiaux. “Louisiana, and specifically the Acadiana region, provides us with a strong workforce and a supportive business environment that allows us to grow strategically and sustainably.” Lafayette Economic Development Authority President Mandi Mitchell similarly praised local leaders in Youngsville and Broussard for the cities’ roles in supporting business growth. “Leading Edge Manufacturing’s expansion in Youngsville and Broussard is a strong vote of confidence in Lafayette Parish’s workforce and business climate and reflects the kind of sustained progress Mayors Bourque and Ritter

McNeese sees increase in retention, enrollment BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN

An LSU administrative process found a football player responsible for the rape of a student but reduced his punishment on appeal, determining in part that no “force” or “malice” was involved and the athlete showed “an error in judgment,” documents show. Documents from the Title IX hearing process, obtained by The Advocate, shed new light on allegations the student made public in a TikTok video posted earlier this month. In the video, the student said she is now pursuing criminal charges against the player and feels the university let her down. On Tuesday, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore said his office was opening an investigation into the rape allegation, saying a crimi- Moore nal complaint was filed. LSU issued a statement saying the university correctly followed the administrative process in handling the matter and is cooperating with the criminal investigation. Documents show the incident occurred Oct. 18, 2025, and the LSU Office of Civil Rights and Title IX received an incident report Dec. 9. The civil rights office handles allegations of sexual misconduct among students through an administrative process. The football player called LSU police the day of the incident, saying he had a sexual encounter with the student and that she was messaging him, claiming he raped her and threatening suicide, according to an incident report filed

2B ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

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

It’s time for Congress to act on road funding

to last for decades to come. And This year, federal funding that helps repair potholes across Loui- it’s equally important to create a business environment that allows siana, pave new roads, expand local manufacturers to highways and improve employ skilled crews and bridges will run out. Withproduce locally available out it, businesses across materials to restore and our state could face added enhance our roads and hurdles moving goods and highways in a safe, efproviding services. LouiJustin sianans might see longer fective and expeditious White commutes and less reliable manner. GUEST routes to work and school. That’s where federal COLUMNIST funding for surface transAnd it will force thousands of Louisianans like me to portation comes in. It pay more for car repairs afhelps pave roads and ter hitting a bad bump in the road. highways that support the indusIt’s up to Congress to change that. tries igniting the Pelican State’s Perhaps more than most states, economy. Ports, offshore oil Louisiana’s roads and highways extraction, liquefied natural gas STAFF PHOTO FILE By MICHAEL JOHNSON experience a significant amount production facilities, manufacturof wear and tear. Hurricanes, ers, farmers and small businesses A road milling machine dumps old blacktop into a waiting dump truck in heavy rain, flooding and storm need durable roads to move work- Baton Rouge. surges place enormous strain on ers, equipment and goods. And drainage systems, asphalt, conit’s all reliant on Congress passing a robust, long-term surface trans- According to one recent poll, 96% remain in good condition. When crete and the underlying materiLouisiana maintains top-notch of registered voters support fedals that hold our transportation portation reauthorization bill. networks together. It’s important Louisianans and Americans eral investments in transportation transportation networks, our businesses succeed and our comto keep funding projects that across the country overwhelminfrastructure. And 92% agree not only repair damage but also that manufacturing depends on ingly agree that strong transpormunities prosper. build stronger roads and bridges roads, highways and bridges that Funding our roads also lowers tation infrastructure is essential.

costs for every household in our state. Potholes and uneven pavement create more traffic delays and result in unexpected vehicle damage that eats into our pocketbooks. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Louisiana’s roads and highways a “D” on its 2025 Infrastructure Report Card, finding that half of our roads are in poor or mediocre condition and estimating that low-quality roads cost Louisiana motorists about $858 each year. For our families and our economy, Congress must act to extend critical surface transportation funding before it expires this year. Louisiana needs champions in Congress who fight for long-term investment that creates jobs, helps communities recover after floods and storms and supports the roads, ports and freight corridors that keep our economy prosperous. Let’s get moving.

Justin White is president of Barriere Construction.

Congress should pass America’s energy strength catch-all bill to help starts off the La. coast veterans, caregivers I became a caregiver in 2010 of Veterans Affairs caregiver prowhen the man I was dating, an gram, help pay for professional cerArmy National Guard officer, suftifications and licenses and expand their access to federal employment fered a catastrophic spinal cord programs. injury on the Ouiska Chitto River Another bill would require the VA the day after signing paperwork deto give veterans with spinal cord inclaring his intention to retire from the military. The injury left juries, such as the man I care him with quadriplegia, and for, preventive health evalu16 years later I am still his ations. The package also caregiver. includes the Major Richard Although our 12-year marStar Act to end the “wounded veteran tax,” a policy that reriage eventually ended, my Katie role as a caregiver did not. I duces Defense Department still help him several times Ferguson retirement pay for combata week, and I am often the injured vets by the amount GUEST first call when something COLUMNIST of their VA disability. The goes wrong at night or on a Star Act counts Louisiana weekend. A legal relationReps. Clay Higgins, Julia ship does not define caregiving. It is Letlow and Troy Carter among its co-sponsors. defined by responsibility, compasSome organizations object to the sion and service. way the package is paid for, through I am one of 14.3 million Americhanges to how the VA rates future cans caring for a wounded, ill or injured service member or veteran, sleep apnea and tinnitus claims. and Louisiana is home to more than The Department of Veterans Af212,000 veterans. Caregiving is fairs was the first to propose those rarely a short-term event, and it af- changes in 2022 and testified earlier fects nearly every part of a person’s this year that they are moving forlife, from career opportunities to ward. This bill captures the savings long-term financial stability. generated by those changes, which I experienced this firsthand. are going to happen anyway, and After spending 12 years as a fullapplies them back to these longtime caregiver, I found myself standing priorities. I would much reentering the workforce after our rather see that money go to the separation. Despite holding a masfamilies who earned it. House Speaker Mike Johnson ter’s degree and having enjoyed a and Majority Leader Steve Scalise successful public relations career before caregiving, I was essentially are two of our own, and the White House has said it looks forward starting over. If returning to the to working with Congress on pasworkforce was challenging for someone with my background, how sage. I am asking Johnson and much more difficult must it be for Scalise to call a vote on the Take caregivers with fewer resources? Care of America’s Veterans Act and That reality is why I am urging bring much-needed resources and Congress to pass the Take Care support to Louisiana’s veterans, of America’s Veterans Act, which caregivers and survivors who have brings more than 60 mostly biparearned it. When caregiving ends, families tisan, bicameral bills together in should not be left to navigate the a single package to reform health next chapter alone. Mine has lasted services and benefits for veterans 16 years, and it has taught me that while helping caregivers and surcaregiving is measured in decades, vivors. not months. Louisiana’s families Some provisions included in the should not have to spend another bill have been waiting decades to be addressed. One of them, the Vet- decade waiting on Washington. eran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act, Katie Ferguson, who lives in Lafayette, was a 2020 Dole would give Louisiana caregivers six more months of health coverage Caregiver Fellow with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. when they leave the Department

Oil markets have been on edge for months, and more than 50 trillion cubic feet of natural with prices swinging by double digits some gas, resources that will help meet America’s weeks on a single headline from the Middle energy needs for decades to come. East, only to settle back down just as The benefits are felt just as strongly fast. here at home. Shipping patterns near key chokeEvery lease awarded today supports years of work for fabrication yards in points have shifted too, a sign of how Houma and Morgan City, marine opmuch uncertainty is baked into global supply right now. erators in Port Fourchon, engineering Erik Against that backdrop, the federal firms in Lafayette and manufacturers government held the oil and gas lease throughout Louisiana. Together, these Milito sale Big Beautiful Gulf 3 in the Gulf of companies form an industrial ecosystem GUEST America on Aug. 12 — the third offshore COLUMNIST that cannot be switched on and off withlease sale mandated under the One Big out consequence. Beautiful Bill Act, which restored a prePredictable leasing gives companies the confidence to hire apprentices, dictable Gulf leasing schedule through invest in new equipment and develop 2040. the next generation of welders, mariIn recent years, Gulf lease sales came in fits and starts, with long gaps ners, engineers, geoscientists and between sales and years when none technicians. It creates careers that alhappened at all. The current adminislow families to build stable lives, buy Eric homes, raise children and strengthen tration made a deliberate choice to end that uncertainty and restore a predict- Zimmermann their communities. Predictability also represents longable leasing schedule that operators GUEST COLUMNIST term opportunity by creating an econocan actually plan around. That decision deserves recognition. my where people of every background, Offshore projects require billions of whether they earn a college degree or dollars in investment and often take five to sev- learn a skilled trade, can build rewarding caen years or longer to reach first production be- reers and pursue the American dream. Affordfore supplying American energy for decades. able energy begins with that opportunity. That long investment horizon also means It also keeps federal royalty dollars flowing communities need confidence that today’s caback to Louisiana’s coastal parishes, helping fund wetlands restoration and hurricane proreers will still exist tomorrow. Affordable energy doesn’t begin at the gas tection. pump. BBG3 is the third sale in a schedule estabIt begins years earlier with the policy decilished years ago, designed to deliver producsions that determine whether America will tion long after today’s headlines have faded. have the domestic supply needed to keep marIts value extends beyond future barrels of oil and cubic feet of natural gas. kets stable when the next global crisis inevitaIt helps preserve an industrial workforce, bly arrives. supply chain and culture of innovation that Consistent leasing supports consistent proAmerica cannot afford to lose. The benefits of duction, and consistent production helps cushthis kind of policy are measured over decades ion American families and businesses from rather than news cycles. the price shocks that accompany geopolitical As America marks its 250th year, it’s worth instability. remembering that many of the country’s most Just as important, it provides the long-term important strategic decisions shared one charcertainty companies need to invest in people, training and the skilled workforce that underacteristic: They invested in capabilities that would serve future generations. BBG3 is one pins America’s energy strength. more investment in that tradition. The case for BBG3 grows stronger every By reinforcing America’s offshore industrial time another global chokepoint reminds us how base, supporting Louisiana workers and commuch of the world’s energy still depends on someone else’s coastline. munities and providing reliable domestic enThe Gulf’s advantage is a strategic one. Oil ergy for decades to come, this lease sale helps produced off Louisiana’s coast doesn’t pass ensure that the next generation inherits not through a strait that an adversary can threaten only abundant resources and energy security, to close, and it doesn’t depend on whether a but the opportunity to turn those resources into ceasefire holds halfway around the world. It lasting prosperity. moves through American platforms, American pipelines, American ports and into American Erik Milito is president of the National Ocean markets. Industries Association. Eric Zimmermann is The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management chief operating officer of LLOG Exploration estimates the Gulf still contains nearly 30 bilCompany, part of Harbour Energy, and chair of NOIA’s board of directors. lion barrels of undiscovered, recoverable oil

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR LOCAL REPORTING

KEVIN HALL

President & Publisher

RENE SANCHEZ

VP/News, Executive Editor

KARYN KEARNEY EVP/Strategic Partnerships

ARNESSA GARRETT Managing Editor/ Opinion

JUSTIN MITCHELL

Managing Editor/ Audience

HANK STUEVER

Managing Editor/ Enterprise

FRED KALMBACH

JENNIFER BROWN

JERRY DICOLO

EMMA DISCHER

Managing Editor

Managing Editor, New Orleans

KRISTIN ASKELSON Managing Editor, Acadiana

BARBARA LEADER Managing Editor, Shreveport

Senior Editor Senior Editor

ANDREA GALLO

ROGER HOLMES

Chief Revenue Ofﬁcer

ASHLEY WHITCHER

VP/ Consumer Sales

JIM MYERS

General Manager/ Advertising

VP/IT

Senior Editor/ Investigations

VP/Finance

JESSICA WILLIAMS

ROBERT STOLL

Senior Editor

CHASE HEATHERLY

Executive VP, Operations

VP/Distribution

KYLE WHITFIELD

GEORGES MEDIA GROUP JOHN D. GEORGES Owner

JUDI TERZOTIS

ROBERT YOUNG

Chief Executive Ofﬁcer

LOU HUDSON

Editorial Page

VP/ Majors & Nationals

DAN SHEA

Chairman

ARNESSA GARRETT STEPHANIE GRACE WILL SUTTON QUIN HILLYER FAIMON ROBERTS

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● 3B

lll

COMMENTARY

Art teacher Joyce Hatzidakis uses the AI tool Google Gemini in her high school classroom in Riverside, Calif.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

ISSUE OF THE WEEK EDUCATION Rapid changes in technology in the classroom have affected how millions of children are taught. Some experts worry that the advent of AI will lead to students relying on these tech tools instead of using their own brains.There is evidence already that children today have shorter attention spans, and they score lower in reading comprehension than in previous decades. How will AI affect education in the future? Here are two perspectives.

A sub for real intelligence Are we getting dumber?

I have a theory about the artificial inLeaving aside what public schools are already doing without parental consent, telligence craze that is delighting some she is right. But public schools have and scaring others. It is that we are losother problems. In New York ing natural intelligence and thus City alone public schools have risk seduction by something that lost more than 150,000 students can do the thinking for us. Never since 2015, dropping from more mind acquiring wisdom, which is than a million students a decade defined as “the ability to use your ago to roughly 885,000, according knowledge, experience, and deep to reports by the New York Post. understanding to make sound Cal “A significant number of parents decisions, good judgments, and Thomas have shifted their children away insightful choices.” from traditional public schools Why bother with any of this toward charter schools, private/religious when you can have AI take the place of your brain? Except that AI only responds institutions, or homeschooling.” That trend appears to be occurring to what you ask it to do – such as write an essay on a topic. It makes no moral judg- throughout the country. According to The Reason Foundation, “Public school ments, much less conveys anything that enrollment across the United States is might be considered wise. declining nationally, with a projected Years ago, I read the final editorial in the now defunct New Times magazine. It loss of 2.7 million students (about 6%) accurately described modern America’s between 2022 and 2031.” China’s top state security officials approach to just about everything: have warned that advanced artificial “There are almost no famous people intelligence poses a direct threat to the anymore; only celebrities.” Fame as a ruling Chinese Communist Party’s grip concept, it argued, “is too suggestive of on power, reports The New York Times. steady achievement.” In a high-profile essay, State Security One has to work and sometimes work Minister Chen Yixin warned that hostile hard to achieve. If AI can do it for you, foreign forces could weaponize AI to why read books or newspapers? Why wage “propaganda and cognitive wars” even bother to think? against China. The future doesn’t offer much hope While that might be considered a good if we consider the lack of educational thing, it can cut both ways. Members of achievement. According to the Center for Education Policy Research, U.S. edu- the Trump and Biden administrations cation is experiencing a generation-long have accused China of waging a propa“learning recession with declining math ganda war against the U.S. and worldand reading performance that began wide. AI might help the Communist years before the pandemic.” It’s unlikely Party’s efforts. AI will reverse that trend. Again, it is unlikely AI will reverse In a new op-ed for MS NOW, Julie Mar- the exodus from U.S. public schools and might even accelerate it. If young people getta Morgan, president of The Century learn they don’t have to do the hard work Foundation, makes the case for putting of acquiring knowledge, wisdom and families and educators, not Silicon Valley, in the driver’s seat should AI be used thinking for themselves, AI will do it for them. That would be something Ameriin public schools: “We are not against innovation. We are against running an cans should truly fear. uncontrolled experiment on children without parental consent, independent Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribevidence, or meaningful guardrails.” pub.com

Is it the end of the Flynn effect? faddish theories of instruction. Decades ago, the researcher James The United States ranked in the middle Flynn recognized a secular increase in of the pack, even though its reading IQ scores around the world that scores are close to a quarter of a amounted to humanity getting century low. smarter all the time. What to do? First, someone Now, technology appears to be should take a sledgehammer to pushing the other way. every computer and iPad in our The new results are in from a schools. Kids get enough screen 2025 Organization for Economic time at home; they don’t need more Rich Cooperation and Development test when they are in a controlled enLowry of teenage educational achievevironment that is supposed to be devoted to learning. ment around the world, and it looks The larger problem, though, is what’s like the Flynn effect in reverse. “Learning happening outside the classroom. Educaoutcomes have stagnated or declined in many countries, in some cases for well tion expert Frederick Hess of the Ameriover a decade,” according to the OECD. can Enterprise Institute notes a study It’s a mistake to put too much weight from Common Sense Media that found on any one imperfect test, but the OECD 8- to 12-year-olds are on screens for more assessment matches up with other data. than 5 hours a day, and 13- to 18-year-olds There are various theories about what acmore than 8.5 hours. That’s a tide that’s hard to overcome. counts for the slide, but it overlaps with the The new technology may pack a one-two advent of ubiquitous smartphones, universal access to social media and the rise of AI. punch: On the one hand, screens and soAs one would expect, reading has sufcial media make people dumber by diminfered most. ishing our attention span, while, on the Average reading scores dropped nearly other, AI makes it easier to be stupid by 30 points in OECD countries over the last doing our thinking for us. decade. This amounts to about a year of AI may prove the opposite of cheap schooling; in other words, 15-year-olds paper and the printing press, which were are now reading at roughly the level of long-ago technological improvements that 14-year-olds. led to more widespread writing and readThat the trend is so widespread suging and therefore more thought. If this is the case, education may need gests that the cause is also widespread — and the new technology, which has pen- to offer the equivalent of workouts for people who want to stay physically ﬁt at a etrated everywhere, ﬁts the bill. In not exactly shocking news, the OECD time when — thanks to other technologifound that AI and other digital tools had cal improvements — physical labor no downsides: “Students tended to perform longer demands it. less well when use became excessive or Education writer Daisy Christodouwhen devices were used for leisure at lou suggests that schools might become school.” “gymnasia for the mind.” These would The share of so-called hasty readers, be “places that allow you to practice and who skimmed and then made mistakes acquire the basic skills that are no longer on the test, increased sharply, a tendency directly rewarded in daily life, but which one would expect in an era of social-media are still vital.” scrolling. Reading should be foremost among Some nations did better than others. them. England fared relatively well, probably because it has been relatively immune to Rich Lowry is on X, @RichLowry.

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

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

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCAN HERE

4B ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

Livingston Parish librarian’s defamation case going to trial BY GIGI LIMAN Staff writer

More than four years after a Livingston Parish library board meeting ignited a fight over ageappropriate books, school librarian Amanda Jones’ defamation case against a conservative watchdog group is now on track to go to trial. Judge Erika Sledge of the 21st Judicial District Court on Monday denied a motion by an attorney for Michael Lunsford, executive director of Citizens for a New Louisiana, to dismiss the suit. The two sides will now move into the pretrial discovery phase, where they will exchange the evidence

MCNEESE

Continued from page 1B In fall 2025, McNeese launched its First-Year Experience program to give freshmen a strong start to their college careers. First-Year Experience Director Jacqueline Clark said the office is dedicated to helping first-time freshmen, from the majority coming directly out of high school to nontraditional students who are coming to college for the first time at an older age, and serves as a first step after they’ve been accepted

ALLEGATION

Continued from page 1B by a university police officer. LSU police met with her and took her to the hospital, where a sexual assault kit was completed, the report says. During interviews with university Title IX investigators, the student and player provided conflicting information on what happened. Both said there was some consensual sexual activity, an LSU hearing panel found. But the student said she never agreed to it proceeding to intercourse, which continued even after she told him to stop, the panel’s report said. The player said that he stopped after she told him to, the panel reported. The panel determined the player was responsible for rape of the student because the incident between the

they plan to use at trial. Monday’s hearing was the second since the case returned to Sledge’s courtroom earlier this year. It spent nearly four years in appeals, where lawyers argued over whether the case could be heard at all, going all the way to the Louisiana Supreme Court and the appeals court twice. Jones, a librarian for Livingston Parish public schools, sued Lunsford and blogger Ryan Thames after they made Facebook posts accusing her of promoting pornography in the libraries. Jones and Lunsford had both spoken at a July 2022 Livingston Parish Library board meeting, where the

agenda items included a discussion of potentially restricting access to a list of eight books for children and preteens about dating, sex and sexuality and gender identity issues, out of concern that the books were inappropriate for children. Jones told the board that banning books would be harmful to the community, especially marginalized groups. Lunsford spoke at the same meeting, alleging that some books were inappropriate and should be restricted. Following the meeting, Jones said she was the target of several online posts from Lunsford and Thames, including one post from Lunsford’s organization

that read, “Why is she ﬁghting so hard to keep sexually erotic and pornographic material in the kid’s section?” Jones then sued for defamation. Sledge initially dismissed the case in October 2022 after she determined that the posts qualiﬁed as opinion. Jones appealed, and the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal dismissed the case on procedural grounds. Jones appealed again to the Louisiana Supreme Court, which said the appeals court erred in dismissing the case on procedural grounds and instructed it to review the substance of the case. In October 2025, after reviewing the case again,

the appeals court ruled that Jones had a strong enough case to go forward. That ruling was also appealed, this time by Lunsford and Thames. In February, the Supreme Court refused to reverse the ruling and sent the case back. Following the Supreme Court decision, Thames and Jones settled. Jones had written in her filings that she sought $1 and a public apology from Lunsford and Thames. As part of their settlement agreement, Thames issued a public apology and paid some of her court fees. Lunsford and Jones have not settled, paving the way for the two to face off in a trial.

to McNeese. “We host Cowboy Camp, which is the freshman orientation, and from day one, we try to make that as fun and educational as possible, so that way they do feel pride and excitement for their school before the semester even starts,” Clark said. “We deﬁnitely feel like that is the stepping point of the retention process.” One of the biggest things is just helping bridge that gap between high school and freshman year, getting them to understand the lingo of college and getting their documents in and making them feel welcome.

“Once they’re here, we have a freshman office where students can come,” Clark said. “Last year, we had over 1,000 students use it. Just in week five of this semester, we’re close to 2,000 students (who) have used the freshman office. So, they definitely feel a sense of belonging. They feel like they have a place to hang out and study and interact with students.” The program also offers mentoring with juniors and seniors to around 300 freshmen. In addition to the FirstYear Experience program, McNeese also contributes to

retention through tutoring offered for math, science and writing in the Center for Learning and Student Success. “Within the (Center for Learning and Student Success) umbrella, we have … the Math and Science Tutoring Center, and we had over 3,000 students visit last year, which I believe is a big, strong contender with regard to those retention efforts, with helping students come back and get connected to support in the math and science courses,” McNeese Dean of Student Success Rene Malveaux said. “We also have the Right to Excel-

lence Center, where we’ve had a lot of support with our students that are in the writing areas and help with any other areas they might need in the histories and the English classes.” Malveaux said that she truly believes the wraparound support services have lent themselves to the retention and enrollment efforts at McNeese. “Our growth in enrollment is expected to translate into growth in graduates who will help meet the workforce needs of southwest Louisiana, the greater Louisiana footprint and beyond,” Nicholas said in the release.

two went from consensual to nonconsensual. In his own statements, he said he did not ask for consent before intercourse and did not stop when he later asked and she was silent, the panel found. The panel decided he should be suspended until May 31, 2027, the documents show. He would not be allowed on university property unless given prior approval. He also would be readmitted only if he met counseling and other requirements, and the suspension would be recorded on his academic transcript. The player appealed, noting the timing of the Title IX complaint, saying he should have been represented by an adviser earlier in the process and mentioning $1,000 received by the student from his family, among other issues. In her TikTok video, the student said soon after the incident, the player’s mother

asked her not to ﬁle a criminal complaint and ruin his career. The student said she accepted $1,000 from the player’s family early on, and ﬁled a criminal complaint after learning he was back on campus. The administrative law judge reviewing the appeal rejected the player’s arguments and upheld the prior decision on forcible rape. But the review judge changed the punishment from a two-semester suspension to four semesters of probation, the records show. The original punishment was deemed too harsh, partly because while the athlete’s actions were nonconsensual, they did not “exhibit a deliberate disregard for complainant’s dignity and autonomy but was instead an error in judgment.” In a statement after Moore announced the opening of a criminal investigation, LSU said the university had

“properly followed its Title IX policies and processes to a conclusion.” “Let me assure everyone that this incident has been handled professionally and that LSU has strictly followed our policies, procedures and best practices, including the Title IX process, to guide our actions to date,” LSU President Wade Rousse said in a statement. “Now that a criminal complaint has been ﬁled, our role is to continue cooperating with our

law enforcement partners as they work through their investigatory process.” Moore said he has requested all reports, interviews, evidence and other records from LSU, the LSU Police Department, the Baton Rouge Police Department, the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office and other agencies. Neither Moore nor LSU ofﬁcials have made the name of the student or player public.

EXPANSION

portunities for businesses such as Leading Edge. Continued from page 1B “Existing Louisiana companies play an important role in driving our state’s have championed,” Mitchell economic momentum,” said LED Secretary Susan said. The expansion was also Bourgeois. “Leading Edge supported by LED’s Fast- Manufacturing’s continued Start program, which offers growth helps ensure the workforce development op- next generation of manu-

GRANT

University Ave. will also be improved with ﬂowering peContinued from page 1B rennials and native ornamental grasses. The landscaping is exby ﬂowering native perenni- pected to show how native plants can reduce the need als. Two medians within LCG’s for mowing and maintenance Capital Improvements De- while supporting stormwapartment campus at 1515 E. ter management.

MONCUS

Continued from page 1B Moncus Park’s development has transformed what was once known as the Horse Farm into a major public green space. The property was the subject of the 2005 “Save the Horse Farm” campaign after plans emerged for commercial development. Lafayette Consolidated Government purchased the land from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2012, and a nonprofit was formed the following year to develop and operate the park. Moncus Park officially opened to the public in 2022. The park now offers trails, gardens, playgrounds, a splash pad, dog parks, an amphitheater, ﬁshing and other recreational amenities. It

reported 654,000 visits in its 2025 annual report. The park has continued adding features while developing the remaining acreage. Recent projects have included the Kergan Meditation Garden, which broke ground in 2025, and other improvements designed to expand the park’s natural and recreational offerings. Moncus Park is operated by a nonproﬁt park conservancy rather than the city or state. Since its founding, the organization says it has raised more than $23 million through private donations, state funding, grants and community partnerships to build the park. The 2026 Kubota Hometown Proud grant program received more than 1,100 applications nationwide. Kubota said the program has provided more than $2.9 million

facturing talent is developed right here in Louisiana.” The company currently expects that a full implementation of the project will be completed by the end of 2026. Information about open positions can be found at Leading Edge’s website, leadingedgemfg.com, under the Careers tab.

Obituaries Partain, Carla Sensat

Carla Sensat Partain, 65. A Memorial Service honoring Carla's love and life will be celebrated at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette, LA on September 26, 2026, from 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm, followed by a visitation from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Guest book may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialf uneralhome.com. Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St. 337-981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.

How to place an Obituary Notice EMAIL:

obits@theadvocate.com OR CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION:

225-388-0289

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.

FIND OUT WHAT YOUR HOME FINF OUT WHAT

YOURIS WORTH HOME

IS WORTH Call Today for an Expert Valuation and Make Your Next Move

1-833-671-6635

CALL TODAY

One median on the property will be retroﬁtted to capture stormwater runoff from the adjacent parking lot, demonstrating how green infrastructure can be both attractive and functional. The beautiﬁcation project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

in funding and equipment to community projects since its launch. The new equipment will give Moncus Park additional capacity to maintain trails and natural areas as it continues developing the Back 50 and expanding the role of the park’s natural spaces.

THINKING

OF SELLING? A home evaluation is a great place to start

LOTTERY

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 2026 PICK 3: 9-1-8 PICK 4: 8-3-4-1 PICK 5: 7-1-2-8-4 EASY 5: 4-13-14-23-28 LOTTO: 7-8-15-19-29-41 POWERBALL: 5-15-26-29-30 (14)

Unofficial notification, keep your tickets.

addresslafayettela.com DRE#01901536 This website is a marketing and information program that sends all inquiries to state-licensed real estate professionals.

OFFICIAL NEWS PARTNER OF THE LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS

SPORTS

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

Kiffin: ‘We’ve got to improve’

F r i d ay, S e p t e m b e r 25, 2026

1CN

R A I D E R S A T S A I N T S • 3 : 2 5 P. M . S U N D A y • C B S

Breaking down LSU’s offensive line issues

BY REED DARCEY

Staff writer

You may not have noticed it, but Lane Kiffin did. LSU’s first-year coach turned on the film of his program’s dominant Week 1 win over Clemson and noticed an issue that could surface later in the year. It was a potential problem with the Tigers’ offenä Texas A&M sive line — a concern that at LSU 6:30 P.M. quarterback Sam Leavitt and running back Dilin SATURDAy, ABC Jones may have broken enough tackles to mask. Leavitt was never sacked in Week 1, after all, and LSU ran for more than 300 yards on a night in which it picked up a school-record number of first downs and scored 51 points. “We did some really good things,” Kiffin said, “but we’ve got to improve; we’ve got to play better at the guard spot, if we’re going to continue to improve and play really consistent.” It turns out Kiffin’s comments were prescient. LSU has played only two games since its offense steamrolled Clemson, and according to Pro Football Focus data, Leavitt has had to navigate more pressure than only a handful of FBS quarterbacks. It’s a

ä See LSU, page 3C

REIGNITED ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By PAUL SANCyA

Saints wide receiver Barion Brown runs with the ball during a season-opening game against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 13 in Detroit.

Saints turning former weakness special teams into strength BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt races from the pocket against Ole Miss in the first quarter on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.

Pelicans sign record-setting Reese to two-way deal

Based on the Baltimore Ravens’ alignment, Barion Brown and Jayden Price decided to switch sides of the field. Just before halftime Sunday, Ravens kicker Tyler Loop booted the ball down the right side of the field, but instead of it landing to Price, Brown was there to field the return. The New Orleans Saints wide receiver and cornerback made the right decision. The last-second swap netted a 53-yard return, a pivotal play that got the Saints into field goal range and helped them keep a one-possession game in last weekend’s 24-17 upset over Baltimore. “You can win and lose games on special teams,” Price said. “We also understand that.” The play also signaled something bigger. After being one of the NFL’s worst special teams units last season, the Saints have seemingly turned their biggest weakness into a strength. New Orleans’ upset in Baltimore featured several high-

ä UL at Charlotte 5:30 P.M. SATURDAy, ESPN+ True freshman receiver handling new role with ease come in and get extra work to try to ﬁnd a

BY ROD WALKER

Staff writer

ä See PELICANS, page 3C

ä See SAINTS, page 3C

Brooks established early work ethic and it’s paying off for UL

Forward is former LSU star Angel Reese’s younger brother The New Orleans Pelicans have added a prolific rebounder to the roster. The Pelicans are signing Julian Reese to a two-way contract, a source confirmed to The Times-Picayune Thursday. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype was the first to report the deal. Reese, a 6-foot-9 power forward, is the younger brother of former LSU star and WNBA forward Angel Reese. Reese played in 13 games last season, starting 10, for the Washington Wizards. He averaged 11.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. Reese grabbed a season-high 20 rebounds against the Utah Jazz. He had at least 10 rebounds in six of his 13 games. He recorded five double-doubles. His best game was a 26-point, 17-rebound outing, also against the Jazz. Joe Dumars, Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations, spoke at

impact special teams plays — a punt downed inside the 10-yard line, Daniel Carlson’s three made ﬁeld goals, a blocked kick by Carl Granderson — that contributed to the victory. And the unit was also solid in the Saints’ season opener in Detroit, despite the loss. “I think it was something that has been a long time coming,” Saints special teams coordinator Phil Galiano said. “Those guys left that (Baltimore) game saying, ‘If we can just do our job, this is what the result can be for us.’ … For us, we had zero missed assignments, zero missed mental efforts, we had zero LOFS (lack of effort), and the guys just played complete football. “I was really, really proud of them.” The Saints’ proliﬁc struggles in the third phase last season led many to wonder whether Galiano, one of the few holdovers from the previous coaching staff, would lose his job. But coach Kellen Moore avoided the change — he liked the group and valued the continuity — and the Saints preferred to focus on improving the unit by upgrading the personnel.

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

UL wide receiver Kristion Brooks is tackled by UAB cornerback Darrell Sweeting during the second half of a game on Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.

There’s no way to tell how quickly a high school prospect will adjust to Division I college football. UL coach Michael Desormeaux is certainly glad former Zachary High standout wide receiver Kristion Brooks has made a smooth transition for the Ragin’ Cajuns. “The guy’s done everything right,” Desormeaux said of Brooks heading into Saturday’s 5:30 p.m. game at Charlotte. “He’s kind of played, probably better than we thought. I don’t think the moments have been too big for him.” Unlike most of the other receivers, the 6-foot-2, 176-pound Brooks didn’t arrive until June, but came eager and ready to learn. “I just tried to stay in the facility as much as I could,” Brooks said. “Like almost 24/7, working out ... I was trying to

way to be a big piece of this team.” His next step was to ﬁnd out what the veteran receivers were doing to be successful and follow in their footsteps. “I followed guys like Landon Strother and Shelton Sampson,” Brooks said. “I looked up to them when I got here. Honestly, I didn’t really know the work it took ... Landon Strother, that dude is all in with everything he does. It’s all with full attention. “So I tried to watch him and Shelton and go out and compete and ball. I was doing everything they did.” In addition to truly learning the work ethic necessary to succeed at this level, Brooks also handled the other huge obstacle so many freshmen encounter — the playbook. “That was actually easier than I expected,” Brooks said. “I came from a really good 5A program at Zachary. A lot of

ä See UL, page 3C

2C ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS On TV

AUTO RACING 7 a.m. Formula 1: Qualifying APPLETV 4 p.m. NASCAR Truck Series: Practice FS2 5:05 p.m. NASCAR Truck Series: Qualifying FS2 7 p.m. ARCA Menards Series FS1 CFL 7 p.m. Toronto at Winnipeg CBSSN COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY 3 p.m. Rutgers at Maryland BTN COLLEGE FOOTBALL 3 p.m. Army at Temple ESPN 6 p.m. Howard at Rutgers BTN

6 p.m. Navy at UAB ESPN 6 p.m. Harvard at Brown ESPN2 7 p.m. Northwestern at Indiana FOX 9:30 p.m. Clemson at California ESPN MEN’S COLLEGE SOCCER 6 p.m. Wake Forest at NC State ACCN 9:30 p.m. Rutgers at Washington BTN WOMEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL 6 p.m. Texas at Tennessee SECN 8 p.m. Stanford at SMU ACCN 9 p.m. Baylor at ByU FS1 GOLF 10 a.m. LPGA Tour GOLF 1 p.m. Presidents Cup GOLF

IN BRIEF

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

HORSE RACING noon America’s Day at the Races FS2 3:30 p.m. America’s Day at the Races FS2 7 p.m. America’s Day at the Races FS2 MLB 6 p.m. Baltimore at N.y. yankees MLBN 9 p.m. Arizona at San Dieg oMLBN NHL PRESEASON 7 p.m. Dallas at Minnesota TNT MEN’S SOCCER 1:30 p.m. Italy vs. Belgium FS2 10:50 p.m. El Salvador vs. Martinique FS2 TENNIS 7 a.m. Laver Cup TENNIS

NC State’s ex-head trainer arrested BY AARON BEARD AP sportswriter

RALEIGH, N.C. — Authorities in Florida have arrested N.C. State’s former director of sports medicine, who is accused of sexually abusing former Wolfpack male athletes under the guise of treatment, which previously led to more than 30 athletes outlining allegations in civil lawsuits. Robert M. Murphy was arrested Wednesday night and was being held in the Marion County jail on out-of-state fugitive warrants from North Carolina. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office listed 23 charges of sexual battery and nine for felony sexual contact on its online database as of Thursday morning but offered no additional details. ESPN was ﬁrst to report Murphy’s arrest. The case originated with a federal civil lawsuit from a single athlete ﬁled four years ago. That complaint alleged years of misconduct by Murphy, such as improper touching of the genitals during massages and intrusive observation while collecting urine samples during drug testing. The case eventually landed in

state court in 2025 with 14 former Wolfpack athletes, with that number growing to 31 joining the lawsuit by late January and outlining similar allegations. A judge dismissed the lawsuit in June, citing procedural reasons, while attorneys for the players have appealed. Jared Hammett and Seth Blum, two Raleigh-based attorneys who have represented Murphy in the civil lawsuits, have denied wrongdoing by their client. They did so again Thursday, including a reference to N.C. State’s 2022 statement that campus police had conducted an investigation that year and filed no criminal charges. “We are very disappointed that the Wake County District Attorney’s ofﬁce would choose to prosecute based on a changing story,” Hammett and Blum said Thursday. “Four years ago law enforcement concluded there was not enough to support charges. Apparently, after enough careful editing, someone came up with a story that got a prosecutor’s attention. “We, as always, believe that when people hear the actual facts of what occurred, Mr. Murphy will be cleared and the truth will

be paramount.” Durham-based attorney Kerry Sutton, who has represented players going back to the original case, said the number of athletes who have contacted players’ attorneys with similar allegations has grown to 35. “This is a huge development for the men,” Sutton said of the criminal charges. “They are extremely grateful for (Wake) ADA Melanie Shekita’s dedication and for the assistance of law enforcement in North Carolina and Florida.” All but two of those 31 athletes were “John Doe” plaintiffs to protect their identity, while two former men’s soccer players were named. One is Benjamin Locke, who filed the original complaint in August 2022 and whose allegations dating to August 2015 were the subject of the N.C. State campus police’s initial investigation. The other is one of two athletes who ﬁled their own federal lawsuits in February 2023 and April 2023. The Associated Press typically doesn’t identify those who say they have been sexually assaulted or abused unless the person has spoken publicly about it, which Locke has done. The lawsuit with 31 athletes

as plaintiffs listed Murphy, who was at N.C. State from 2012-22, among nine defendants named individually. Others are school ofﬁcials accused of negligence in oversight roles, including former athletic director Debbie Yow and current AD Boo Corrigan. The judge’s June dismissal of the lawsuit cited reasons such as the statute of limitations expiring in claims dating back as early as 2013. It had also pointed to jurisdictional grounds, stating any complaint should go through the North Carolina Industrial Commission — a state agency that deals with workplace matters because N.C. State is a public university — rather than civil court. In a statement, N.C. State said it was aware of the criminal charges ﬁled against Murphy. “Sexual misconduct of any kind is unacceptable,” the university said. “The health and safety of students and student-athletes is paramount to N.C. State Athletics and the university. We are aware of the charges filed by Wake County against Robert Murphy. We will cooperate with law enforcement in this matter. As this is an ongoing legal matter, we cannot comment further at this time.”

Georgia to host Oklahoma in SEC matchup BY MAURA CAREY

AP sportswriter

Eight years ago, Oklahoma and Georgia clashed in a thrilling double-overtime Rose Bowl, one that sent the Bulldogs to face Alabama in the 2018 national championship. The Sooners and Bulldogs haven’t met since. That changes Saturday, when a freshly unranked Oklahoma team heads to Athens to face No. 2 Georgia in what is now a Southeastern Conference matchup. Oklahoma enters the outing with much to prove, having fallen 1710 to Michigan in Week 2 and narrowly beaten New Mexico 14-6 the following week after entering the game as a 21.5-point favorite. Georgia has yet to be challenged, with defensive line coach Tray Scott running drills during television timeouts against Arkansas as tangible proof. The Bulldogs have cruised to a 3-0 record and have a plus-138 scoring differential.

Pirates win to secure best season since 2018

PITTSBURGH — Ronny Simon raced home on Spencer Horwitz’s eighth inning sacrifice fly and the Pittsburgh Pirates assured themselves of the club’s first non-losing season in eight years with a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. Simon reached on a walk by Ryne Stanek (2-3), advanced to second on a wild pitch and scooted to third when the throw from catcher Ivan Herrera skipped into center field for an error. Horwitz’s flyball to center was plenty deep enough for Simon to score. Luke Weaver (4-1) got the final out of the eighth for Pittsburgh. Mason Montgomery struck out the side in the ninth for his 17th save in 19 chances as Pittsburgh improved to 81-78 with three games to go. The club’s previous non-losing season came in 2018 when it won 82 games.

Gauff will be a player-owner for Florida World Team Tennis

NEW YORK — Coco Gauff will be a player-owner for the Florida franchise that will compete in the new season of World Team Tennis. The two-time Grand Slam singles champion is scheduled to play in the Florida Flamingos Racquet Club’s home matches on Dec. 14 and 15. The team will play in Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, home of the NHL’s Florida Panthers. Gauff grew up in Delray Beach, Florida. The Flamingos were one of the original franchises when World Team Tennis began in 1974 as a way of having a mixed-gender team format for tennis, with Hall of Famer Billie Jean King among the founders. It returns in December with the other teams based in New York and Toronto.

FIFA’s Infantino pledges ‘culture of dialogue’

GENEVA — FIFA’s embattled president Gianni Infantino said Thursday he is committed to a fresh culture of openness at the soccer body that is “not about generating positive headlines.” Two months into a deep rift for global soccer because of Infantino’s now-dropped $4.2 billion World Cup sell-off plan, he offered to his critics this week an independent review of how FIFA is run and makes decisions. Infantino will chair an Oct. 15 meeting of the 37-member FIFA Council that also will be asked to approve consultation with the 211 member federations and six continental soccer bodies on “how to further strengthen FIFA’s decision-making processes.”

NFL fines Bengals’ Chase, Higgins for celebration

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MICHAEL WOODS

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton drops back to throw a pass against Arkansas during a game on Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

burn before an idle week leading up to “the world’s greatest cockGeorgia quarterback Gunner tail party” against No. 21 Florida. Georgia’s one remaining nonStockton boasts an 84.4 completion percentage this season, com- conference game is a rivalry week pleting 38 of 45 pass attempts for contest against in-state foe Geor583 yards and nine touchdowns. gia Tech. He tied Georgia’s single-game record with five passing touch- Sooners defense a highlight Regardless of recent offensive downs against Western Kentucky woes, Oklahoma’s defense has in Week 2. “Gunner Stockton, I love how held steady, allowing only two he plays. This is another year that touchdowns over the past three he’s started the year really, re- games — both on the ground ally well. He’s just a really good against Michigan. The Sooners lead the SEC in football player,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Tuesday. “The passing defense (104.3 yards per guy’s been a winner his whole life game), scoring defense (7.7 points — plays the game the right way.” per game), third-down converStockton’s hot start has been sion defense (22.5%), tackles for complemented with lockdown de- loss (8.7) and red zone defense fense. Georgia has yet to allow a (57.1%). The unit ranks top 10 nafirst-quarter point this season, out- tionally in each category. “It is fundamentally sound, agscoring opponents 56-0 in the first 15 minutes and 105-12 in the first gressive and attacking. They are half. Backup quarterback Ryan one of the top in the country evPuglisi has played in all three ery year in tackles for a loss and games as a result, with Stockton sacks, and I don’t think people calling it a day early after leading give their coaches and their kids the team to a cushy lead. enough credit for how they play,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. SEC gauntlet begins “They play with unbelievable pad Saturday’s matchup is Oklaho- level and an intensity that’s kind ma’s SEC opener and the second of unmatched in terms of the way of nine conference matchups for they play.” Owen Heinecke leads the SoonGeorgia. Oklahoma faces a daunting start ers with 24 tackles. Adepoju Adeto conference play, traveling to bawore has a team-high 2.5 sacks. No. 2 Georgia before hosting No. Peyton Brown has recorded four 1 Texas two weeks later. pass breakups. The Bulldogs kicked off SEC play last week with a 45-17 win Sooners offense? Not so much over Arkansas and will face Oklahoma’s offense hasn’t Vanderbilt, No. 8 Alabama and Au- played up to its standard, and

Fast starts, sharp accuracy

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase confirmed Thursday the league fined him and teammate Tee Higgins for their new “people’s elbow” celebration. Chase insisted the “people’s elbow” celebration, which involves grabbing his right elbow with his left hand and flopping the right arm forward, isn’t the sort of off-color humor others have made it out to be on social media, and they are simply creating a new way to signal a first down. The NFL fined both receivers. The first offense for an unsportsmanlike conduct fine is $14,926 while taunting offenses are $11,941. Chase, who has been fined six times by the league for various infractions, said he hopes the latest punishments from the league spur action within the NFLPA.

Braves to put Pérez on IL due to back inflammation

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALONZO ADAMS

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer passes against New Mexico during a game on Saturday in Norman, Okla. it starts with the passing game. Quarterback John Mateer threw a critical late interception against Michigan to set up the Wolverines for a game-winning, 6-yard touchdown drive. He finished the Week 2 loss with a 52% completion rating. Mateer was picked off twice more in the first half against New Mexico, prompting boos from Memorial Stadium. He has 652 passing yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions through three games and has not yet shown the same flashiness in the run game.

ror after its loss to Michigan and an uninspiring Week 3 win that knocked the Sooners out of the AP Top 25. With No. 2 Georgia and No. 1 Texas looming in the next three weeks, Oklahoma could quickly ﬁnd itself needing to run the table to emerge in the College Football Playoff conversation. Another loss wouldn’t end the Sooners’ chances, but it would make their path much more difficult with plenty of tough conference competition ahead. Oklahoma earned the No. 8 seed in the CFP last year and was What’s at stake for the Sooners? knocked out by No. 9 Alabama Oklahoma has little room for er- with a 34–24 ﬁrst-round loss.

ATLANTA — The Braves plan to put left-hander Martín Pérez on the 15-day injured list with lower back inﬂammation, leaving Atlanta shorthanded in its starting rotation as the postseason approaches. Pérez, 9-9 with a 3.04 ERA in 26 starts this season, likely would not be available until the NL Championship Series, according to Braves manager Walt Weiss. Pérez pitched 142 innings, his highest since he was an All-Star in 2022 with Texas. Fellow Braves starter Bryce Elder, who also made 26 starts this season, is on the IL recovering from knee surgery on Sept. 8. He is expected to be out three to four weeks. Reynaldo López, who was part of the rotation at times this season and started 13 games, is on the IL with right shoulder discomfort and has no timetable for a return.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● 3C

lll

NOTEBOOK

Saints conﬁdent Richards can step up at left tackle

LSU

Continued from page 1C problem that’s gotten worse each week. Most of the pressure is coming through the interior of the Tigers’ offensive line, too, which is much tougher to dodge than the kind that comes off the edge. Leavitt has faced pressure on 41 total dropbacks, per PFF. Only 10 FBS passers have been under duress more times this year, and none of them play in the SEC. Clemson pressured Leavitt on eight of his 27 dropbacks in Week 1. Then Louisiana Tech put him under duress 15 times in Week 2 before Ole Miss did it 18 times in Week 3. No SEC offensive lineman has allowed more pressures this season than LSU left guard Bo Bordelon (10). Only ﬁve have given up more than right tackle Weston Davis (seven), and just nine have surrendered more than right guard Aliou Bah (six). Some of the blame lies with Leavitt himself — for the times when he misses a read and holds onto the ball too long. PFF data says that the fourth-year quarterback is responsible for 11 of the pressures he’s faced this season, which is the secondmost among FBS passers. But the interior of LSU’s offensive line still has plenty of room to improve in pass protection. That’s why Kifﬁn changed his tune after the Ole Miss loss, saying that he and his staff are “gonna look at some different things” be-

Continued from page 1C the concepts were similar to Zachary. “I just stayed in the playbook and kind of focused on the details and the concepts of routes and things like that.” Essentially, Brooks was like a sponge, just soaking up all the information he could absorb. “Learning things like the time you have to put in and how you balance the time, the recovery and all that, while at the same time working and perfecting your craft.” Brooks said it also helped hearing teammates tell him he had a chance to make an immediate impact even before August camp starter. “They stayed in my ear,” Brooks said. “They just let me know that I deﬁnitely had a shot to play and just to continue to do what I was doing every day. Just hearing that every day kept my head up.” That doesn’t mean there weren’t some humbling days for him once camp arrived. “Oh, it definitely got to the point where I felt overwhelmed,” Brooks admitted. “I would say the ﬁrst couple of days were rough, just trying to adapt to the schedule and the fatigue, the long days and just being so tired. “But in about a week or around day seven, I kind of built a routine.” While Brooks was follow-

fore the Tigers take on Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC) in Tiger Stadium. The LSU offensive line, Kiffin said, “needs to play better and more consistent.” “Too many breakdowns in one-on-one matchups,” he said. So, what can change? Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis can call more run plays on early downs, in hopes of keeping LSU’s offense ahead of the chains and out of unfavorable down-and-distance situations. They could also give Leavitt more quick throws and easy reads. If Kiffin and Weis want to take a more drastic step, though, they can make personnel changes on the offensive line. Bordelon, a fifth-year senior, is a converted tackle who played only 20 career snaps at left guard before this season. Kiffin moved him to that spot early in spring practice and liked the change enough to stick with it through preseason camp. On Aug. 20, LSU’s first-year coach said that Bordelon benefited from “new eyes and a new system” and that he hoped to use his example to motivate players in the future. “It doesn’t matter where you are on the depth chart, what year you are,” Kiffin said. “If you play really well, your time’s gonna come.” The problem, of course, is that Bordelon didn’t play really well in his first taste of SEC action as a starter. He and Bah combined to allow nine pressures, seven hurries and two sacks in LSU’s

loss to Ole Miss, according to PFF. The Tigers could pivot to either Devin Harper or Ja’Quan Sprinkle, the two second-team guards who saw the field during the blowout wins over Clemson and Louisiana Tech. But neither player can offer proven production. Harper, a Shreveport native, was a top-100 national recruit in 2025, but Bordelon beat him out for the starting left guard spot in camp, and he’s played fewer than 100 career snaps. Sprinkle spent the first three years of his career at North Carolina Central, an FCS school. The good news, for LSU, is that the Texas A&M defense is off to an uncharacteristically slow start. The Aggies rank last among SEC teams in both sacks (four) and tackles for loss (14), and in Week 3, their defensive front pressured Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey on only six of his 23 dropbacks. Kiffin hopes Leavitt faces a similarly low amount of duress on Saturday. LSU can’t allow opposing defensive linemen to find passrush lanes up the middle — or else its offense will look more like it did against Ole Miss and less like it did against Clemson. “That’s what affects quarterbacks,” Kiffin said. “I love Sam’s competitiveness; I love that he put us in a position to win the game, taking us down there, where we settle for the field goal, and so we gotta play better around him. We gotta protect him better.”

ing the right examples, UL’s staff still knew he was a true freshman, so they didn’t try to throw too much at him all at once. “I’ve been really pleased and proud of the consistency in which he’s played,” Desormeaux said. “We’re not putting him in positions ... we’re not trying to overload him. We’re trying to let him be a part of the offense. But realistically, I think he’s handled it extremely well.” So much so that Brooks was listed as the starter for Saturday’s road trip to Charlotte with Sampson still “a game-time decision” at the ‘X’ receiver spot. The reality of being potentially thrust into that role hit Brooks early on when Sampson suffered a knee injury days before the start of camp and missed all of August. “Shelton getting hurt, it deﬁnitely took a toll on me,” Brooks admitted. “Just being behind him and seeing the amount of work that he put it. They always say, ‘Next man up’, so I kind of saw it as an opportunity and just went all in, treated every day like it was my last and just continued to compete. “It deﬁnitely sped up the process, just knowing I was going to be playing a bigger role than I expected. It allowed me to stay motivated and keeps me driven.” So far, it hasn’t translated into tons of targets for Brooks, who has four

catches for 37 yards, but he’s certainly in position to be targeted more. For many true freshmen, just catching a pass in one of their first three games would be a treat. For Brooks, even a very impressive 11-yard reception at USC couldn’t be treated as a novelty. It needed to be scrutinized too. “We looked it over on film, but it was also a learning moment, too,” Brooks said. “I actually came out of my break kind of too fast. I turned my head around and was trying to play a little too fast. So, you know, it was still a learning moment.” The good news is having that extra pressure on his shoulders has allowed him to overcome the natural fear most true freshmen experience in September. “There’s definitely a lot of confidence going in,” Brooks said. “I put the work in all summer and fall camping. I know that the coaches are doing the best thing for the team and I’m just trusting in their process.” And the coaches have taken notice of how Brooks has handled his increased role. “He’s done a really good job,” Desormeaux said. “I’m proud of him. I mean, honestly, I think if some of these other guys hadn’t stepped up and you had to rely on him a little more, I think he could handle it ... I really do.” Email Kevin Foote at kfoote@theadvocate.com.

“Asim’s done a nice job,” Moore said. “He’s prepared as if he’s ready to play every single week, and you saw that by the way he handled that situation going to Baltimore and hopping in there. I think he’ll do some good stuff.”

Injury report Three Saints defenders saw an upgrade in their practice participation status Thursday. Edge rusher Chase Young (calf), defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd (hip) and star defender Jonas Sanker (knee) all practiced fully after being limited in Wednesday’s session. Running back Travis Etienne (hamstring) was the only player who was limited at Thursday’s practice. The only new additions to the injury report were running back Kendre Miller, who missed practice with an illness, and veteran defensive lineman Davon Godchaux, who took his customary Thursday rest day. Wide receiver Barion Brown (hamstring), defensive back Martin Emerson (shoulder) and defensive line-

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C They did exactly that. The Saints made a rare decision to pay a punter, handing Ryan Wright a four-year, $14 million contract. The deal not only made Wright the league’s seventh-highest-paid punter, but it also marked the ﬁrst time the Saints pursued a punter in free agency since Toby Gowin in 2000. The Saints felt the move was necessary after rotating through three different punters in three years. Wright, the former Vikings punter who played college football at Tulane, has made a difference early on. Through two games, Wright may not have gaudy stats — his longest punt of 57 yards ranks 23rd — but three of his eight punts have been downed inside the 20, including a 37-yard punt that put Baltimore at the 6-yard line. The punt even led to another standout specialteams highlight: Granderson’s tip on Loop’s 49-yard attempt, forcing a miss.

PELICANS

Continued from page 1C the end of the season about how he wanted to add some toughness to the roster. “We have to be able to compete every night,” Dumars said in April. “We cannot get banged around, pushed around. We have to be physical and compete every night.” Reese should be able to help with that. On his two-way deal, Reese will split time between the Pelicans and the Laketown Squadron, the Pels’ G League afﬁliate that will play its games in Kenner. NBA teams are allowed to have

men Christen Miller (toe) continued to miss practice with their various injuries.

Shough stats Tyler Shough has now played in 13 NFL games (with 11 of them being starts). He is the first player in NFL history to throw for 3,000 yards while completing at least 67% of his passes in his first 13 games of his career. He ranks 14th in NFL history for passing yardage in his first 11 starts (2,918). Shough is also leading the NFL in passing through two weeks, becoming the first Saints quarterback to achieve that feat since Archie Manning in 1979. His 662 passing yards through two games are the most by a Saints quarterback since Drew Brees had 682 yards in the first two games of the 2018 season. Since Shough took over as the starter in Week 9 last year, his 283.9 offensive yards per game (passing and rushing) rank only behind Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (291.4), according to Next Gen Stats.

“It’s a good two games to build on,” Wright said of the unit. “I think we’re going to do just ﬁne.” Punter wasn’t the only add. The Saints even drafted a returner when they selected Brown, the all-time SEC leader in kickoff returns, in the sixth round. The Saints avoided using Brown as a kick returner in the preseason, but the Ravens game showed why: They knew what he could do. The Saints have had special returners in recent years, including Rashid Shaheed and Deonte Harty, but those additions have typically been signed as undrafted free agents. Even Carlson, a late training-camp addition, has proven steady. The Saints’ kicking battle over the summer did not unfold as envisioned, as incumbent Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown struggled in training camp. But Carlson, the longtime kicker on the Raiders, was available and has since done his job. His lone miss was a 62-yarder at the end of regulation in New Orleans’ Week 1 loss to Detroit. But the Saints were

understanding of the miss, given the distance. Galiano said he’s starting to see players play fast and noted they “have belief now.” The coordinator has been with the Saints since 2019, but last year was his ﬁrst full year in his current role. Galiano previously worked under Darren Rizzi, who still oversaw the unit when he became the Saints’ interim coach in 2024. As for his job status, Galiano said he was never worried whether he’d be ﬁred at the end of last season. He was, however, disappointed. Disappointed by how his unit performed and how he had coached. “All I try to do is be who I am, be the same every single day,” Galiano said. “It’s never them that was at fault. It was us. I didn’t do a good enough job preparing, they didn’t do a good enough job playing and we were working together and trying to get better each and every day. “That’s who I’ll continue to be. I’m not going to change who I am. And so far it’s working. Hopefully we can keep it going that way.”

three players on a two-way contract. Those players are allowed to be active for up to 50 NBA games. The other two-way players on the Pelicans roster are Jaron Pierre and Malik Dia. Pierre is a New Orleans native and St. Augustine High grad who was drafted in the second round in June. Dia played at Ole Miss and was one of the promising players on the Summer League team. Reese attended the University of Maryland and was teammates with Pelicans forward Derik Queen during the 2024-25 season. Reese went undrafted in 2025, but played with the Los Angeles Lakers Summer League team. He signed a two-way deal with

the Wizards in February. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets in August but was released. Reese and Queen, both from Baltimore, were also high school teammates at St. Frances Academy for one year. When Reese was a senior and Queen was a freshman, they went undefeated during the regular season at St. Frances. The Pelicans averaged 43.9 rebounds per game last season, which ranked 15th in the league. The Pelicans begin training camp on Tuesday. The season opener is Oct. 21 at Smoothie King Center against the Indiana Pacers. Email Rod Walker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.

Stop cleaning-out your gutters this season

Debris Buildup Stands No Chance With LeafFilter

U L E YO U R

Heavy leaves

Pinecones

Pine needles

Seed pods

This week against the Las Vegas Raiders, the New Orleans Saints will try to get over their ﬁrst major in-season injury hurdle. Asim Richards, a 25-year-old swing tackle who is in his fourth NFL season and second with the Saints, will start for the foreseeable future at left tackle in place of the injured Kelvin Banks. “It comes with the job of being a swing tackle,” Richards said. “It deﬁnitely gets your heart pumped up, but I’ve been there before, so it’s just another day honestly.” The ankle injury Banks suffered in the third quarter last week was, without question, a significant blow for a Saints offense that is off to a strong start in 2026. New Orleans selected Banks with the No. 9 pick in last year’s draft and he’s provided high-level play from the jump. His injury required surgery and will likely keep him out until late in the regular season. Which is where Richards comes

just before the 2025 season began — a move that was informed by the Saints’ coaching connections to the Cowboys and one would return dividends. Richards started four games at right tackle last season as right tackle Taliese Fuaga dealt with multiple injuries. He also subbed in at left tackle in the season ﬁnale after Banks suffered his lone injury last season. That starting experience in coach Kellen Moore’s offense was invaluable. “Just learning the offense a little more,” Richards said. “Last year it wasn’t as smooth to me, I was thinking a lot, but now it’s a lot smoother. I don’t have to think as AP PHOTO By MATT PATTERSON much. I can just let it all out.” While playing a career-high 363 Saints offensive lineman Asim offensive snaps last season, RichRichards lines up for a snap during ards allowed 23 pressures and two a preseason game against the sacks in 204 pass-blocking reps, Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 28 in according to Pro Football Focus. Last week, he was thrown into the Arlington, Texas. ﬁre during the Saints’ second-half comeback and largely held his own in — again. New Orleans acquired Richards against Ravens All-Pro Trey Hendrickin a trade with the Dallas Cowboys son.

Staff writer

SCH

BY LUKE JOHNSON

SPECT

Acorns Stainless Steel Micromesh uPVC Frame

Storm debris

EXPIRES: 11/30/2026

Custom Fit To Your New or Existing Gutters

AN ADDITIONAL

25% OFF + 10% LeafFilter

Discount For Seniors + Military

Get a FREE full gutter Promo: 285 inspection and estimate: 1-877-582-6101

*Promotional offer includes 25% off plus an additional 10% off for qualified veterans and/or seniors. Cannot be combined with other offers. See representative for full warranty details. DC 420223000087, AZ ROC 344027, AR 0366920926, CA 1035795, CT HIC.0671520, FL CBC056678, ID RCE-51604, IA C127230, LA 559544, MD MHIC164488, MA 213292, MI 262300331, MI 262300330, MI 262300329, MI 262300328, MI 262300318, MI 262300173, MN IR2025-810524, MT 266192, NE 50145-24, NV 0086990, NJ 13VH13285000, NM 408693, ND 47304, OR 218294, PA PA179643, RI GC-41354, TN 10981, UT 10783658-5501, VT 174.0000871, VA 2705169445, WA LEAFFLH763PG, WV WV056912, WI 537-DCFRR

4C ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

Opelousas may be Parish powerhouses Acadiana, STM square off best-kept secret in the Acadiana area

BY MIKE COPPAGE Contributing writer

One of the favorites in District 3-5A will have to climb out of a hole after St. Thomas More visits Acadiana in the league opener on Friday. The Cougars (2-1) and Wreckin’ Rams (3-0), along with Southside (1-2), Barbe (3-0) and Lafayette High (3-0), are expected to ﬁght it out for the 3-5A title. Acadiana, which has had three different running backs rush for more than 200 yards in a game, could be the team to beat with its stellar offensive line play. “The guys up front, from tight end to offensive tackle, are paving the way for some really good running backs,” Acadiana coach Doug Dotson said. “Our goal is to knock people off the football. We’re doing what we do.” Da’Shun Lightfoot leads the area in rushing with 594 yards on 73 carries and 10 TDs. Syrian Joseph (21 carries for 245 yards, four TDs against Carencro) and Holden Sam (12-235, two TDs against Central) have battled injuries. “We’re going to run it until you stop it,” said Dotson, who hopes to get injured receiver Collin DiBetta back in time for the playoffs. “Our motto is ‘next man up.’ You better be prepared to play.” Lightoot, a transfer from Franklin High in St. Mary Parish, also leads the Rams in interceptions. “He wants to be in there in pressure situations,” Dotson said of Lightfoot, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior. “He won’t come off the ﬁeld. “He’s special and does things not many people can do. Every week, we’re in awe.” Joseph, another senior with good size (6-1, 205), made his season debut last week. “He has a full year at running back under his belt after beginning as a receiver,” Dotson said of Joseph. “He has 10.7 (-second)

BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Acadiana running back Dashun Lightfoot breaks the tackle of Zachary’s Darius Lee on Sept. 11 in Scott. Lightfoot leads the area in rushing with 73 carries for 594 yards and 10 touchdowns. speed in the 100 meters. He was on a record-setting 4x200 relay team that is pretty dang fast.” Trailing by 14 points at Catholic of Baton Rouge with two minutes left, STM pulled off an amazing come-from-behind 43-42 win last week. Sophomore quarterback Grayson Hemard threw two TD passes to senior Jared Quoyeser, who also hauled in the winning two-point conversion. “We just so happened to spend last week in practice focusing not on the scoreboard or the previous play, but on the next play,” STM offensive coordinator Shane Savoie said. Hemard ranks third among area passers with 560 yards and eight TDs with three interceptions. He won the starting job after duking it out with four teammates. “Grayson is blessed with a large number of seniors who insulate him and allow him to play freely,” Savoie said. The Cougars have a lot of depth at receiver and running back. Quoyeser is the fourth-leading receiver behind Bennett Stelly,

William Foreman and Jacques Christie. “Jared and Grayson have developed quite a bit of chemistry,” Savoie said. “They’ve done some extra stuff to get the nuances down.” Like Acadiana, the Cougars feature a robust offensive line and talented backs. Conner Baer, Owen Bailey and Landyn Craft have combined for almost 600 yards rushing. Hemard has added another 167 yards on 35 carries. “Grayson is so good on the move,” Savoie said of his ability scramble and roll out of the pocket. “He can manufacture things.” Savoie said he is wary of the Rams, who lost to STM last year in a nondistrict game before the Cougars moved up to Class 5A. “Acadiana is another extremely talented team in the state,” he said. “They play a style of football that is different and requires a different mentality. “It’s an exciting matchup for the city and District 3-5A. In the last 10 years, the number of district games Acadiana has lost is in single digits.”

When Harry Coleman was hired last year as the Opelousas football coach, his message to the players was simple. Commitment, buy-in and hard work would result in the Tigers being successful. It took some time to get everyone pulling in the same direction, but the 3-0 Tigers have opened the season by building on the momentum garnered from midseason through the second round of the playoffs. “The buy-in kind of took some time last year because they didn’t really know me as their coach,” said Coleman, whose Tigers will travel to face Westgate at 7 p.m. Friday. “But you saw it begin to change around Week 6 of the season. You started to see the buy-in, and then we just rolled with it. We made it to the second round of the playoffs and lost by one. Coming into this year, you could tell in the summer that the hunger was there.” The result through three weeks of the season has been exceptional. The Tigers, who have dominated in all three phases of the game, have two shutouts and have outscored their opponents 148-7. “I’m not surprised at all by our success so far,” Coleman said. “I have been watching these kids grind since the summer. In the offseason, we had 100% participation. These guys wanted to be good and we knew we could be good if we put the work in. We got 1% better every day and we’ve been doing that since May. We just grind.” The Tigers didn’t allow their first points of the season until the fourth quarter of their

Week 3 game against Northwest. That defense is led by linebacker Brandon Gradnigo, defensive end Braylon Gradnigo, Jaylon Owens and Marley Richard. “Brandon is the captain of our defense. He’s the leader and our communicator who makes sure everyone is lined up,” Coleman said. “But we also have other guys on defense that makes plays. We are a senior-led team, so there’s a lot of maturity on the field.” The Opelousas offense is led by quarterback Collin Rideau and running back Joseph Clues. Rideau has completed 20 of 26 passes for 329 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 275 yards and three TDs on just 19 carries. Clues is the leading rusher with 498 yards and six TDs on 31 carries, while Owens is the top receiver with 10 catches for 189 yards and two TDs. “I know the guys like Collin, Joseph, Jaylon and Marley are the ones making the plays, but it all starts with those five guys on the offensive line,” Coleman said. “Those big hogs up front are the guys that make this thing roll.” As they look to extend their winning streak, the Tigers will face their toughest test at topranked Westgate (3-0). Coleman said he sees a lot of similarities between the two teams. “It’s going to be a tall task,” Coleman said. “But it’s just another game. They’re a well-coached team and they do a great job of flying around. They’re going to be physical and they are going to be fast. But if you really put the tape on, we are looking ourselves in the mirror.”

SCOREBOARD Hole-in-one Greg Smith

Course: The University Club Hole: No. 16 Yardage: 97 yards Club: A wedge Witnesses: Hal Lancon, Don Bailey, Steve Hartman

Prep football \Week 4 schedule All games at 7 p.m.

Thursday’s games

Delcambre (3-0) at Highland Baptist (0-3), n Ascension Episcopal (1-2) at Jeanerette (2-0), n Centerville (2-1) at Westminster-Lafayette (3-0), n Southside (1-2) at New Iberia (1-2), n Sacred Heart (3-0) at Opelousas Catholic (1-2). n

Friday’s games

St. Thomas More (2-1) at Acadiana (3-0) Lafayette (3-0) at Barbe (3-0) Teurlings (0-3) at Lafayette Christian (2-1) Erath (1-2) at Acadiana Renaissance (1-2) Lafayette Renaissance (1-2) at Liberty (0-3) Carencro (1-2) at West Feliciana (3-0) Bunkie (1-2) at Northside (0-3) Delhi (2-1) at North Vermilion (3-0) Eunice (3-0) at Rayne (1-2) Opelousas (3-0) at Westgate (3-0) Loreauville (2-1) at Kaplan (2-1) Catholic-NI (2-1) at Notre Dame (3-0) Helix Academy (1-2) at Beau Chene (3-0) Breaux Bridge (0-3) at Franklin (2-1) St. Martinville (2-1) at Cecilia (2-1) Church Point (2-1) at Iota (1-2) Crowley (1-2) at Northwest (1-2) Abbeville (1-2) at Menard (0-3) St. Edmund (2-1) at JS Clark (2-1) North Central (3-0) at Westminster (0-3) Vermilion Catholic (0-3) at Welsh (2-1)

Odds Sports Betting Line

NFL

Sunday

FAVORITE OPEN Seattle 3½ at NY GIANTS 3 Kansas City 7 Carolina 2½ at JAX 1½ Cincinnati 1½ Houston 2½ at DETROIT 9½ at BUFFALO 2½ Minnesota 1½ at SAN FRAN 11½ at N.O. 3 Baltimore 2½ LA Rams 3

TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 7½ (40½) at WASH 2½ (38½) Tennessee 10½ (46½) at MIAMI 2½ (42½) at CLE 3 (46½) NE 3½ (42½) at PITT 1½ (42½) at IND 6½ (47½) NY Jets 7½ (50½) Chargers 1½ (42½) at TAMPA 8½ (48½) Arizona 3½ (43½) Las Vegas 3½ (52½) at DALLAS 2½ (44½) at DENVER

FAVORITE OPEN Philadelphia 1½

TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 4½ (41½) at CHI

Monday

College Football Friday

FAVORITE OPEN Army 3½ Navy 12½ at RUTGERS 42½ at INDIANA 23½ Clemson 1½

Saturday

TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 3 (48½) at TEMPLE 6½ (51½) at UAB 43½ (55½) Howard 20½ (49½) Nrthwstrn 1½ (50½) at CAL

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG at KENT ST 3½ 3 (50½) Ball State at OHIO ST 26½ 27½ (54½) Illinois at TX TECH 40½ 34½ (55½) Sam Hou at PITTSBURGH49½ 52½ (63½) Bucknell Texas 6½ 4½ (55½) at TEN at UTSA 10½ 13½ (58½)Colorado St Virginia Tech 14½ 14 (47½) at B. COLL (57½) W. Forest at LOUSVLLE 13½ 13½ at TOLEDO 3½ 3 (51½) Sdsu at BAYLOR 6½ 9½ (55½) Colorado UNLV 13½ 13½ (52½) at AKRON at KENTUCKY 20½ 20½ (54½) S. Alabama at E. MICH 28½ 25½ (49½) Lnenwood UCLA 1½ 1½ (56½) at MRYLND Notre Dame 27½ 27½ (58½) at PURDUE at GEORGIA ST 8½ 10½ (56½) N. Illinois

Hawaii 5½ at FSU 43½ at MARSHLL 26½ TCU 1½ at FLORIDA 1½ at MIAMI (OH) 5½ Utah 11½ Boise State 7½ at MICHIGAN 4½ at GEORGIA 10 at BUFFALO 28½ New Mexico 13½ at DUKE 43½ at OHIO 37½ Houston 20½ at E. CAR 31½ at AUBURN 8½ Nebraska 5½ South Florida 14½ at PENN ST 11½ at VIRGINIA 21½ J. Madison 1½ at FLA INTL 34½ at TEXAS ST 30½ at MIAMI (FL) 42½ UL 13½ at JAXV ST 12½ Kansas St 6½ at W. KENT 37½ at ALABAMA 11½ at W. VIRGINIA 2½ at ARKAN ST 5½ at TULANE 16½ Oregon 5½ at NC ST 11½ at LSU 3 at N. TEXAS 38½ at UTAH ST 1½ Arizona 12½ at MISSI ST 1½ at ARKANSAS 10½ Florida Atl 11½ at SMU 34½ Oregon St 10½ UMass 5½ at FRESNO ST 12½ Georgia Tech 5½ Air Force 3½ at WASH 8½

MLB

3½ 45½ 23½ 3 3½ 3½ 8½ 7 5½ 13½ 28½ 11½ 43½ 33½ 18 35½ 9½ 5½ 17½ 10 19½ 6 35½ 30½ 41½ 10 7 6½ 40½ 12½ 1½ 6½ 17½ 3 14 9½ 39½ 3 10½ 6 7 13½ 34½ 10½ 3½ 13½ 3½ 5½ 10

Friday American League

FAVORITE at N.Y YANKEES Cleveland Texas at ATHLETICS at SEATTLE National League FAVORITE N.Y Mets Atlanta at MILWAUKEE at SAN DIEGO at SAN FRAN Interleague FAVORITE at BOSTON at BOSTON at PHILADELPHIA Pittsburgh at TORONTO at CHI WHITE SOX

(43½) at WYMNG (61½) C. Arkans (50½) Grdnr-Wbb (48½) at UCF (58½) Ole Miss (51½) UConn (47½) at IOWA ST (49½) at W. MICH (38½) Iowa (44½) Oklahoma (45½) R. Morris (48½) at NMSU (62½) W & Mary (52½) Stonehill (56½) at GA SOU (56½) N. Car Cent (54½) Vanderbilt (49½) at MSU (49½)at B. GREEN (44½) Wisconsin (52½) Delaware (44½)at OLD DOM (53½) LIU (65½) Incar Word (54½) C. Mich (49½) at CHAR (51½) M. Tenn (55½) at CIN (58½) Mrcyhurst (53½) S. Carolina (61½) Oklah St (52½) Kennsw St (52½) S. Miss (62½) at USC (55½) Appa St (51½) Texas A&M (58½)H. Christian (47½) Troy (48½)at WASH ST (58½) Missouri (50½) Tulsa (57½) at ULM (60½) Missouri St (56½) at UTEP (48½) at SAC ST (44½) Rice (48½)at STANFRD (50½) at NEVADA (46½) Minnesota

UNDERDOG Baltimore at K.C. at MIN Houston LA Angels

LINE OFF +109 OFF OFF +112

LINE -135 -124 -182 -138 OFF

UNDERDOG at WASH at MIAMI St. Louis Arizona LA Dodgers

LINE +114 +105 +148 +114 OFF

LINE OFF OFF -161 -113 -135 -229

UNDERDOG LINE Chicago Cubs OFF Chicago Cubs OFF Tampa Bay +132 at DETROIT -108 Cincinnati +115 Colorado +184

WNBA Glance EASTERN CONFERENCE

W 30 28 27 26 16 11 10

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

Thursday’s Games

Friday’s Games

No games scheduled.

NFL Glance AMERICAN CONFERENCE Buffalo New England N.Y. Jets Miami

W 2 1 1 0

L 0 1 1 2

T Pct 0 1.000 0 .500 0 .500 0 .000

PF 77 30 40 26

PA 62 16 30 62

Jacksonville Tennessee Houston Indianapolis

W 1 0 0 0

L 1 2 2 2

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .500 .000 .000 .000

PF 47 30 37 53

PA 30 47 56 74

Cincinnati Baltimore Pittsburgh Cleveland

W 2 1 1 1

L 0 1 1 1

T Pct 0 1.000 0 .500 0 .500 0 .500

PF 53 58 23 33

PA 33 47 33 53

Kansas City Las Vegas Denver L.A. Chargers

W 2 2 1 0

L 0 0 1 2

T Pct 0 1.000 0 1.000 0 .500 0 .000

PF 64 53 30 28

PA 40 27 44 52

South

North

West

NATIONAL CONFERENCE East

Philadelphia N.Y. Giants Dallas Washington

W 2 1 1 0

L 0 1 1 2

T Pct 0 1.000 0 .500 0 .500 0 .000

PF 48 34 57 42

PA 42 48 48 61

Carolina New Orleans Tampa Bay Atlanta

W 1 1 0 0

L 1 1 2 2

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .500 .500 .000 .000

PF 71 54 46 16

PA 62 48 56 54

Minnesota Detroit Chicago Green Bay

W 2 1 1 1

L 0 1 1 1

T Pct 0 1.000 0 .500 0 .500 0 .500

PF 48 62 62 42

PA 25 71 46 56

Seattle San Francisco L.A. Rams Arizona

W 2 2 1 1

L 0 0 1 1

T Pct 0 1.000 0 1.000 0 .500 0 .500

PF 44 62 35 33

PA 17 20 33 45

W 32 31 30 27 17 16 16 8

x-clinched playoff spot

L 14 15 16 18 27 32 33 L 11 12 13 17 27 27 27 36

Pct GB .682 — .651 1½ .628 2½ .591 4 .372 13½ .256 18½ .233 19½ Pct GB .744 — .721 1 .698 2 .614 5½ .386 15½ .372 16 .372 16 .182 24½

North

West

91 85 78 77

67 73 81 82

.576 .538 .491 .484

5 11 18½ 19½

Cleveland Chicago Minnesota Detroit Kansas City

W 82 82 75 74 68

L 76 77 84 85 91

Pct .519 .516 .472 .465 .428

GB — ½ 7½ 8½ 14½

W Texas 79 Houston 78 Seattle 74 Athletics 63 Los Angeles 60 x-clinched division y-clinched wild card

L 80 80 84 95 98

Pct .497 .494 .468 .399 .380

GB — ½ 4½ 15½ 18½

West Division

Pro football

East

y-New York y-Boston Baltimore Toronto

Central Division

Toronto at Connecticut, 6 p.m. Chicago at Washington, 6:30 p.m. Indiana at Minnesota, 7 p.m. Golden State at Los Angeles, 9 p.m. Las Vegas at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

South

LINE OFF -132 OFF OFF -136

Pro basketball

x-Atlanta x-Indiana x-Washington x-New York Chicago Toronto Connecticut

Wednesday’s Games Atlanta 83, New York 65 Dallas 103, Seattle 91

Wednesday’s Games

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

Thursday’s games

Chicago White Sox 9, Kansas City 1 Texas 3, N.Y. Mets 1 Cleveland at Boston, n Tampa Bay at N.Y. Yankees, n Houston at Athletics, n L.A. Angels at Seattle, n

SOUTH

Liberty at Coastal Carolina , n

Friday’s games EAST

Friday’s Games

Chicago Cubs (Peterson 9-8) at Boston (TBD), 12:05 p.m., 1st game Chicago Cubs (Holmes 6-8) at Boston (Bennett 9-7), 5:05 p.m., 2nd game Pittsburgh (Chandler 8-9) at Detroit (Jobe 2-3), 5:40 p.m. Tampa Bay (Peralta 9-11) at Philadelphia (Sánchez 18-6), 5:40 p.m. Baltimore (Rogers 10-11) at N.Y. Yankees (Warren 10-6), 6:05 p.m. Cincinnati (Lodolo 3-6) at Toronto (Soriano 12-8), 6:07 p.m. Cleveland (Williams 14-8) at Kansas City (Cameron 9-8), 6:40 p.m. Colorado (Quintana 2-3) at Chicago White Sox (Burke 10-7), 6:40 p.m. Texas (TBD) at Minnesota (Ryan 6-10), 7:10 p.m. Houston (Wesneski 5-2) at Athletics (Lopez 6-5), 8:40 p.m. L.A. Angels (Detmers 6-8) at Seattle (Miller 4-9), 9:10 p.m.

National League W 93 87 78 75 73

Pct .589 .551 .491 .472 .459

GB — 6 15½ 18½ 20½

Atlanta at Green Bay, n

Central Division

L 65 71 81 84 86

Carolina at Cleveland, noon Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, noon Houston at Indianapolis, noon Kansas City at Miami, noon L.A. Chargers at Buffalo, noon N.Y. Jets at Detroit, noon New England at Jacksonville, noon Seattle at Washington, noon Tennessee at N.Y. Giants, noon Arizona at San Francisco, 3:05 p.m. Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 3:05 p.m. Baltimore vs Dallas at Rio de Janeiro, BRA, 3:25 p.m. Las Vegas at New Orleans, 3:25 p.m. L.A. Rams at Denver, 7:20 p.m.

x-Milwaukee Chicago Pittsburgh St. Louis Cincinnati

W 99 88 81 77 73

L 59 71 78 82 85

Pct .627 .553 .509 .484 .462

GB — 11½ 18½ 22½ 26

W x-Los Angeles 97 San Diego 88 Arizona 84 San Francisco 65 Colorado 57 x-clinched division

L 61 70 74 94 101

Pct .614 .557 .532 .409 .361

GB — 9 13 32½ 40

Sunday’s Games

Monday’s Games

Philadelphia at Chicago, 7:15 p.m.

Major League Baseball American League East Division x-Tampa Bay

W 96

L 62

Pct .608

GB —

West Division

Wednesday’s Games

Washington 4, Detroit 2 Minnesota 4, San Francisco 2 Milwaukee 4, Philadelphia 1 St. Louis 5, Pittsburgh 1 Atlanta 3, Cincinnati 2, 10 innings N.Y. Mets 7, Texas 2 Miami 3, Chicago Cubs 2 Arizona 5, Colorado 3 San Diego 5, L.A. Dodgers 1

Thursday’s Games

Pittsburgh 2, St. Louis 1

Chicago Cubs (Peterson 9-8) at Boston (TBD), 12:05 p.m., 1st game Chicago Cubs (Holmes 6-8) at Boston (Bennett 9-7), 5:05 p.m., 2nd game Pittsburgh (Chandler 8-9) at Detroit, 5:40 p.m. Tampa Bay (Peralta 9-11) at Philadelphia (Sánchez 18-6), 5:40 p.m. N.Y. Mets (TBD) at Washington (Alvarez 2-6), 5:45 p.m. Cincinnati (Lodolo 3-6) at Toronto (Soriano 12-8), 6:07 p.m. Atlanta (Holmes 10-5) at Miami, 6:10 p.m. Colorado (Quintana 2-3) at Chicago White Sox (Burke 10-7), 6:40 p.m. St. Louis (McGreevy 7-9) at Milwaukee (Gasser 5-5), 6:40 p.m. Arizona at San Diego (Mize 6-9), 8:40 p.m. L.A. Dodgers (Skubal 11-7) at San Francisco (Marte 0-1), 9:15 p.m.

All Times Central (Subject to change)

x-Atlanta Philadelphia Miami Washington New York

Thursday’s Games

Friday’s Games

College football

Thursday’s Games

East Division

Chicago Cubs 2, Miami 1 Texas 3, N.Y. Mets 1 Arizona at Colorado, 2:10 p.m. Milwaukee at Philadelphia, n Cincinnati at Atlanta, n San Diego at L.A. Dodgers, n

Army (1-1) at Temple (1-2), 3 p.m. Howard (1-2) at Rutgers (0-3), 6 p.m. Harvard (1-0) at Brown (1-0), 6 p.m.

SOUTH

Navy (1-1) at UAB (1-2), 6 p.m.

MIDWEST

Northwestern (2-0) at Indiana (3-0), 7 p.m.

FAR WEST

Clemson (2-1) at California (2-1), 9:30 p.m.

Transactions Major League Baseball

American League CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Placed RHP Luis Castillo on the 15-day IL. Recalled RHP Tyler Davis from Charlotte (IL). KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Placed RHP Steven Cruz on the paternity list. Recalled RHP Spencer Bivens from ACL Royals. NEW YORK YANKEES — Placed RHP Clarke Schmidt on the 15-day IL, retroactive to Sept. 21. Recalled RHP Bradley Hanner from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL). SEATTLE MARINERS — Placed SS Brock Rodden on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Sept. 23. Recalled 3B Leo Rivas from Tacoma (PCL). TAMPA BAY RAYS — Optioned RHP Mason Englert to Durham (IL). Selected the contract of RHP Jake Woodford from Durham. National League PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Recalled LHP Evan Sisk from Indianapolis (IL). Optioned RHP Khristian Curtis to FCL Pirates. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Claimed RHP Camilo Doval off waivers from Pittsburgh. Transferred RHP Blade Tidwell to the 60-day IL.

BASKETBALL

National Basketball Association NEW ORLEANS PELICANS — Signed F Julian Reese to a two-way contract. Women’s National Basketball Association

FOOTBALL

National Football League CHICAGO BEARS — Signed LS Beau Gardner to the practice squad. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS — Signed WR Gary Jennings to the practice squad. MIAMI DOLPHINS — Signed WR A.J. Henning to the practice squad. NEW YORK GIANTS — Placed QB Jaxson Dart on injured reserve. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Signed CB Shaun Wade to the practice squad. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Waived DL Deshawn MckKnight with an injury settlement.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League BOSTON BRUINS — Assigned G Simon Zajicek to Providence (AHL).

Feline fun C a t V ideo F es t 2 02 6 packs the latest and be s t c at videos i n t o o n e af ter nnoon at t he Manship Theatre. Running f r om 2 p . m. t o 3: 30 p . m . S unday, t he event also offers on-site c at adoptions . $12. 50, wi t h a por t i on of ever y tic ket suppo r t ing Cat Haven’s m ission. manshiptheatre.o r g .

LIVING L

THE ADVOCA AT E.C O M

F r i d ay, S e p t e m b e r 25, 2026

5CN

TY MYERS: THE LEGAL TOUR 2026 With Lanie Gardner, Benny G

Ashari Harper plays first lady Margaret in LSU Theatre’s production of the comedy, ‘POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive.’ | STAFF PHOTO By ROBIN MILLER

7:30 p.m.Thursday (doors 6:30 p.m.) l Raising Cane’s River Center Arena, 275 S. River Road l $45 and up l axs.com/ events/1357373/ty-myers-tickets

Ty Myers talks inﬂuences ahead of BR show BY JUDY BERGERON Staff writer

At just 19, breakout singersongwriter and guitarist Ty Myers took on a giant — country music icon Willie Nelson. For his third album, Myers chose to pay tribute to his fellow Texan and greatest musical influence. The result is “Two Braids & The Truth — My Tribute To Willie,” released last week. When Myers and Nelson met up in Chicago for the album’s cover photo shoot on Aug. 25, the world was learning that country music had lost another icon, Dolly Parton, that morning. “It was just a very surreal thing. Going on his bus to cap- Myers ture this photo and getting the opportunity to tell him what he means to me on such a heavy day,” Myers said. “I won’t forget it and how emotional and special it was.” The two had ﬁrst met in 2024 when Myers opened for one of Nelson’s concerts. Now, Myers is headlining his own show, “The Legal Tour 2026,” which stops at the Raising Cane’s River Center Arena in Baton on Thursday. It’s been a quick rise for the Austin-born Myers, who just last month made history as the youngest country artist to headline at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. Also this year, he’s made his ﬁrst Stagecoach Music Festival appearance and his late-night debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” In addition, he’s been named “Artist to Watch” by Billboard, Apple Music, GRAMMY.com, Spotify and Pandora. Before his tour stop in Louisiana next week, Myers discusses his music and career.

Women lead the White House at LSU, BR Ballet’s mixed bill and a vengeful spirit at Sullivan Theater ‘POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE’ WHERE: Shaver Theatre, LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building, Dalrymple Drive. WHEN: Friday to Sunday; Sept. 30-Oct. 2; and Oct. 4. Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m.All other performances begin at 7:30 p.m. ADMISSION: $11-$24. TICKETS: lsu.edu/cmda/ events/index.php.

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

LSU Theatre’s production of Selina Fallinger’s comedy, “POTUS” has so many twists and turns that director Lori Elizabeth Parquet can reveal little about the story. Her smiles turn into laughter when she thinks about characters in individual scenes, but she stops herself from elaborating. Revelations might prove to be spoilers, and she doesn’t want to ruin any surprises when the play opens Friday in LSU’s Shaver Theatre. The comedy, fully titled “POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” premiered on Broadway in 2022. The

story revolves around a public relations nightmare and the women who run interference to keep the president out of trouble. And who are these women? The list begins with first lady Margaret, played by Ashari Harper, senior theater major from Houston. “In our production of ‘POTUS,’ Margaret is different than most first ladies in the sense that she carries a lot on the inside,” Harper said. “As for her being there for her husband, well, it’s both yes and no. She’s really there for herself in a lot of different ways. In the end, she’s just a strong Black woman trying to make it in the White House.” And while the first lady tries to

ä See THEATER, page 6C

ä See MYERS, page 6C

A BOX OFFICE HIT

Underground Film Fest attracts thousands, gives grants and awards Staff report The Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival’s sophomore year was another success story, according to BRUFF cofounder and ﬁnancial director Joe Carleton. The August event at the Manship Theatre drew 2,222 attendees over the course of

four days, up 375 from the inaugural festival in 2025. “The festival saw not only more attendees but more programmed content — more workshops, panels and screenings than year one,” Carleton said. After a Thursday night opening gala, participants dove into seven panels, five hands-on

workshops, nine feature-length films, two extended short films and 56 short film projects. Two venues participated in BRUFF for the first time, Mother’s Bar and Lounge and the Shaw Center, Carleton said. The festival also awarded grants worth more than

Over the course of four days, 2,222 people attended the second Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival in August at the Manship Theatre.

ä See FESTIVAL, page 6C

PROVIDED PHOTO FROM BRUFF

6C ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

TODAY IN HISTORY By The Associated Press Today is Friday, Sept. 25, the 268th day of 2026. There are 97 days left in the year. Today in history: On Sept. 25, 1957, nine Black students who had been forced to withdraw from Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, because of unruly White crowds were escorted to class by members of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division and the National Guard. Also on this date: In 1513, Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama and sighted the Pacific Ocean. In 1789, the first United States Congress adopted 12 amendments to the Constitution and sent them to the states for ratification. (Ten of the amendments became the Bill of Rights.) In 1956, the first transAtlantic telephone cable

ofﬁcially went into service with a three-way ceremonial call between New York, Ottawa and London. In 2012, President Barack Obama, speaking to the U.N. General Assembly, pledged U.S. support for Syrians trying to oust President Bashar Assad, calling him “a dictator who massacres his own people.” In 2013, skipper Jimmy Spithill and Oracle Team USA won the America’s Cup with one of the greatest comebacks in sports history, speeding past Dean Barker and Emirates Team New Zealand in the winnertake-all Race 19 on San Francisco Bay. In 2018, Bill Cosby was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison for drugging and molesting a woman at his suburban Philadelphia home. (After serving nearly three years, Cosby went free in June 2021 after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court

SHOWS TO WATCH — ACADIANA AREA overturned his conviction.) Today’s birthdays: Basketball Hall of Famer Hubie Brown is 93. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates is 83. Actor-producer Michael Douglas is 82. Model Cheryl Tiegs is 79. Actor Mimi Kennedy is 78. Film director Pedro Almodovar is 77. Actor-director Anson Williams is 77. Actor Mark Hamill is 75. Basketball Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo is 75. Actor Heather Locklear is 65. Actor Aida Turturro is 64. Actor Tate Donovan is 63. Actor Maria Doyle Kennedy is 62. Basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen is 61. Actor Will Smith is 58. Actor Catherine Zeta-Jones is 57. Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups is 50. Actor Clea DuVall is 49. Rapper T.I. is 46. Actor-rapper Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) is 43. Actor Zach Woods is 42. Actor Jordan Gavaris is 37. Actor Bella Ramsey is 23.

PROVIDED PHOTO FROM BATON ROUGE BALLET THEATRE

Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre will open its 2026-27 season by featuring its pre-professional dancers in the mixed-bill program, ‘Lagniappe: Classical Masterpieces & Contemporary Visions.’

THEATER

Continued from page 5C strike a balance in her role, chief of staff Harriet, played by senior kinesiology major Liberti Jackson, of Dallas, frantically tries to maintain control of the situation. The story takes place during an afternoon in the White House, with not only the first lady present but also the the president’s mistress, Dusty, played by senior theater major Sydney Fuqua, of Prairieville. If the potential for disaster isn’t already at code red, the president’s drug-dealing sister, Bernadette, played by junior theater major Priya Hildebrand, of Indiana, enters through a side door. So, stress levels are running high for White House secretary Jean, played by Madison Dumas, a senior theater and animal science major from Baton Rouge, not to mention the president’s personal secretary, Stephanie, played by Abigail Anderson, a junior mass communications major from Houston. Veteran White House reporter Chris, played by Layla Brown-Collado, a senior theater major from Washington, D.C., has a front-row seat to it all. But this character grouping only presents the show’s premise. The actors playing these women are as tightlipped as their director, providing only a hint at what’s to come. “Dusty is the mistress, and she’s there for the love of her life,” Fuqua said. “But there comes a point where her view shifts, and instead of trying to find a man, she finds six other women, who, in a way, become her sisters.” A visit to the Shaver Theatre, whose stage has been transformed into the Oval Office, is the only way to find out what happens.

‘Lagniappe’ For the second year, the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre is providing more performance opportunities for its pre-professional dancers by opening its season with the mixed-bill program, “Lagniappe: Classical Masterpieces & Contemporary Visions.” “Our plan is to make this an annual program,” said Jonna Cox, who shares the company’s co-artistic direc-

LAGNIAPPE — CLASSICAL MASTERPIECES & CONTEMPORARY VISIONS Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s ﬁrst production of the 2026-27 season.

WHERE: Baton Rouge Magnet High School Theatre, 2825 Government St. WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday. ADMISSION: $25. TICKETS: batonrougeballet.org.

‘BLITHE SPIRIT’ WHERE: Sullivan Theatre, 8849 Sullivan Road, Central. WHEN: Friday-Sunday and Oct. 1-4. Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. All other performances begin at 7:30 p.m. ADMISSION: $28-$34. TICKETS: sullivantheater.com.

pre-professional dancers’ training. “We need to get them out of the studio and on a stage before an audience and learning choreography and different types of choreography, not just classical choreography,” she said. “We brought in Shannon Johnson Grayson, who choreographed for us last year. She teachers at the University of Southern California, and she is teaching modern work that is just fantastic on our dancers. So, we have a great program to start the season.”

‘Blithe Spirit’ Sullivan Theater will continue its 2026 season with an oldie but goodie when it opens Noel Coward’s comedy, “Blithe Spirit,” on Friday. Director Delilah Guilbeau is keeping the play in Coward’s 1930s setting, though he wrote it in 1941 during the London Blitz in World War II. “He wrote the play in six days, and he set it before World War II,” she said. “His ﬂat and his apartment were both bombed in London, so he escaped and wrote ‘Blithe Spirit’ as a humorous escape from the war.” The play’s 1941 premiere was in London’s West End. The story follows novelist Charles Condomine, played by David Hanks, who invites eccentric medium Madame Arcati, played by Emily Rodriguez, to his home for a seance as part of the research for his latest book. Also in attendance is his second wife, Ruth, played by Sharonda Morris, who becomes an instant target when the seance conjures the spirit of Charles’ deceased wife, Elvira, played by Brittany Zimmerman. From there, chaos ensues as Charles plays referee between the living and dead. Without revealing any spoilers, it’s safe to say things become even more frantic when the world of the dead expands. Guilbeau fell in love with the play after playing the role of Madame Arcati while a student at Baton Rouge Magnet High School. Her co-director, Adam Marks, is new to the play. “But I have to say I love it,” he said. As have so many audiences through the decades.

tor title and duties with Rebecca Acosta. “One of the goals when Rebecca and I took over as artistic directors in 2024 was providing more performing opportunities for our dancers. So, we begin the year with ‘Lagniappe,’ which means, ‘something extra,’ then we move to ‘The Nutcracker,’ and we end the season with a springtime story ballet, which will be ‘Mary Poppins’ this year.” “Lagniappe” will feature nine locally choreographed contemporary and classic dances featuring the company’s advanced student dancers, also called preprofessionals, along with the ballet’s professionals-in-residence, Elliana Chaney, Leah Cox and Patrick Jefferson. The one-night performance will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in the Baton Rouge Magnet High School Theatre. “By staging it at Baton Rouge High, we’re able to offer tickets at a lower price,” Cox said. “It’s a beautiful place to perform, and we had a great turnout last year when we performed there.” Also, the company is partnering with Josephine’s Italian Bistro, 5350 Government St., in offering an opening night “pre ﬁxe” meal, where patrons can make reservations for the $50 meal from which $10 will be donated to Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre. Email Robin Miller at Cox said the “Lagniappe” romiller@theadvocate. program is important to the com.

FRIDAY

BACH LUNCH FEATURING SADNEY: Parc San Souci, Lafayette, noon DOWNTOWN RISING WITH BIG FREEDIA, BOYFRIEND, VOID, KIDD LOVE, DJ RO AND DK SNUX BUTT’N: Parc International, Lafayette, 5 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Cane River Pecan Company Pie Bar, New Iberia, 5 p.m. AUDREY BROUSSARD: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. DANNY AIRHART PROJECT: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6 p.m. FRIDAY NIGHT JAM: La Maison de Begnaud, Scott, 6 p.m. KEN & JANSEN HOLLOWAY: Cafe Sydnie Mae, Breaux Bridge, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: 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. CLIFF BERNARD: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m. DOYLE TAUZIN: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m. HUNTER DEBLANC: The Ruins Lounge, Lafayette, 7 p.m. SATIN SOUL: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 7 p.m. GIRL NAMED TOM: Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. SUPERCOLLIDER: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. “A DOLL’S HOUSE” BY HENRIK IBSEN (HERZOG): Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. EGEE + TOBIAS LUND + GEE SCOTT & THE POCKET: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8 p.m. TROUBLE DOWN TECHE: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 8 p.m. CHEAP WHISKEY: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30 p.m. ’80S VS ’90S WITH ORDINARY WORLD & THAT ’90S SHOW: Rock ’n’ Bowl de Lafayette, Lafayette, 9 p.m. DOWNTOWN RISING AFTER PARTY WITH SALMON SHORTS AND CAZAYOUX:

Chez la Fete, Lafayette, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

TROY LEJEUNE BAND: Fred’s, Mamou, 8 a.m. WAYNE & SAME OL 2 STEP: 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. LOUISIANA MOSQUITO FESTIVAL 2026: Landon Pitre Memorial Park, Cankton, 10 a.m. CAJUN JAM: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m. STEVE & BOBBY: Cafe Sydnie Mae, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m. CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC JAM: Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park, Lafayette, 1 p.m. CAJUN JAM SESSION: Touchet’s Bar, Maurice, 2 p.m. SIDESHOW: Cypress Cove Landing, Breaux Bridge, 3 p.m. DOWNTOWN RISING WITH ANDERS OSBORNE, DUMPSTAPHUNK, FLOW TRIBE, SKYE ISAAC AND DJ RV: Parc International, Lafayette, 5 p.m. MINTILLY ILLBILLIES: Adopted Dog Brewing, 5 p.m. JAKE SPINELLA: 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. CHLOE MARIE FONTENOT: Buck & Johnny’s, Breaux Bridge, 6:30 p.m. DAREL GROS: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m. MATT GARY TRIO: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 7 p.m. THE GOOD DUDES: Adopted Dog Brewing, 5 p.m. MIA MONTERO W/ JASON HARRINGTON + MICHAEL PHILIPPE: The Sidecar, Lafayette, 7 p.m. “A DOLL’S HOUSE” BY HENRIK IBSEN (HERZOG): Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. FLOW STATE LIVE: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m. HORACE TRAHAN: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

MYERS

Continued from page 5C The interview has been edited for clarity and length. With Willie Nelson’s vast volume of work, how did you approach the tribute album? I simply approached it by picking my favorites and the ones that I had spent my life singing the most. Of course, there were several that didn’t make the cut, but only because I thought they were best left to Willie. When did you realize a music career was the direction you wanted to take? Pretty much as early as my ﬁrst memory! Has it always been country, or have you experimented with other genres? I feel like genres are re-

FESTIVAL

Continued from page 5C $50,000 to ﬁlmmakers. Craft awards went to: n 2026 Best Picture, Louisiana Shorts Block: “Batter up Queen” directed by Cameron M Brown; n 2026 Best Picture, Louisiana Genre Shorts Block, “Convulsions” directed by Adrien Picquenot and Pierrot du Saillant; n 2026 Best Picture, Shorts Block: “We’re All Black Down Here” directed by James William Mellors; n 2026 Best Picture, Genre Shorts Block: “The Knight” directed by Lottie Sweeny; n 2026 Best Picture, Stu-

LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8 p.m. STEVE RILEY AND THE MAMOU PLAYBOYS: La Poussiere Cajun Dancehall, Breaux Bridge, 8 p.m. THE EIGHTIES EXPERIENCE: Lakeview Park, Eunice, 8 p.m. HURRICANE ROAD: Toby’s Lounge, Opelousas, 8:30 p.m. DOWNTOWN RISING AFTER PARTY WITH ARNIE BRENN, KIDD LOVE AND PRETTY NA$TY: Chez la Fete, Lafayette, 9 p.m. NIK-L BEER: Rock ’n’ Bowl de Lafayette, Lafayette, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY

ASHLEY ORLANDO: Cafe Sydnie Mae, Breaux Bridge, 10:30 a.m. LIVE MUSIC: Tante Marie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m. THE SUNDAY PEOPLE: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 11 a.m. BACK TO SCHOOL MUSIC SHOWCASE: Adopted Dog Brewing, 11:30 a.m. LES FRERES MICHOT: Prejean’s, Carencro, 11:30 a.m. BAL DU DIMANCHE — JULIAN PRIMEAUX: Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park, Lafayette, 1 p.m. “A DOLL’S HOUSE” BY HENRIK IBSEN (HERZOG): Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 2 p.m. ALPHONSE ARDOIN: Cypress Cove Landing, Breaux Bridge, 3 p.m. DOWNTOWN RISING: Parc International, Lafayette, 5 p.m. JAKE SPINELLA: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. C4 AVEC STEVE RILEY: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 7 p.m.

MONDAY

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

TUESDAY

LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. MICHALIS: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m.

ROB SAXXY: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 6 p.m. TERRY HUVAL & FRIENDS: Prejean’s Restaurant, Lafayette, 6 p.m. GREENLIGHT SESSIONS OPEN MIC: The Jefferson Street Greenroom, Lafayette, 7 p.m. “JERSEY BOYS”: Heymann Center, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. OOF COMEDY HOUR OPEN MIC: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

DULCIMER JAM: St. Landry Visitor Center, Opelousas, 10 a.m. ANDREW WAIN & LOGAN TURNER JAZZ: Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette, 6 p.m. DION PIERRE: Park Bistro, Lafayette, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. MERCREDI SHOW FEATURING GLEN AND FRIENDS: Pelican Park, Carencro, 6 p.m. SAM SPHAR: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. WANTED WEDNESDAY KARAOKE NIGHT: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: The Tap Room, Youngsville, 6:30 p.m. CAJUN JAM: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY

LADIES NIGHT WITH DJ DONOVAN IN THE MIX: Cowboys Nightclub, Scott, 6 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: Charley G’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6 p.m. THE CREOLE CONTINUUM — TRANSCENDING TRADITION: Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. KARAOKE PARTY — PANDA ENTERTAINMENT: Black Bull, Youngsville, 8 p.m. LIVE MUSIC: The Tap Room, Lafayette, 8 p.m.

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

ally outdated. I make music and however people want to label it is ﬁne by me. Besides Nelson, who are some of your other musical influences? Oh gosh, everyone from John Mayer to Otis Redding to Little Feat, The Eagles, Billy Joel, Tyler Childers to JID. It’s vast. What is your first memory of performing? Probably my cousin’s wedding reception when I was 3 years old, although I probably only remember that because of pictures. Describe your songwriting process. Sometimes it will start with a melody, sometimes with a chord progression, sometimes with lyrics. But I know pretty quick if it will be good and if not I’ll scratch it and walk away from it. Sometimes a song takes 30 minutes and sometimes it takes months.

What would you say are the biggest differences between today’s country music and that of the past? I think past country has an authenticity that seems very hard to fake in today’s country. A lot of new country is a little too commercial for my taste, but I listen to everything truly; ’70s classic country is my favorite from the entire genre, and if I listen to country, it’s usually from that era. Have you ever been to Louisiana, and will you have time to be a tourist for a little while? Louisiana feels like my second home state. They are my favorite neighbors. The food, the music, the culture. If I wasn’t from Texas, Louisiana would be my second choice.

dent Shorts Block: “At What Cost?” directed by Ant Robertson; n 2026 Best Picture, Animation: “GRUFF” directed by Julian Curi; n 2026 Best Picture, Music Videos: “This Song Was Stolen by Pirates,” Karama and the Killjoys; n 2026 Best Director: “Peeping Todd” directed by Josh Munds; n 2026 Best Cinematography: ‘Unseen Olympiad,” Levi Porter; n 2026 Best Performance: Lauren Kitchen, “Cramps! A Period Piece”; n 2026 Best Editing: “Three Colors” edited by Ivan Alvaro, Lisa Ranran Hu, Jay Liu; n 2026 Best Writing: “Cramps! A Period Piece”

written and directed by Brooke Cellars; n 2026 Best Louisiana Feature: “Peeping Todd” directed by Josh Munds; n 2026 Best Picture: “West of Greatness” directed by Jared Cliff LaReau; n 2026 LBLE Pictures + Poste Studios Grant (free camera and lighting equipment rental): “Bluescreen” directed by Darrell Forest; n 2026 Celtic Studios Grant (5 days of free stage space): “West of Greatness” directed by LaReau; n 2026 Shoestring Award ($5,000 cash prize): “Plastic Cowboy” directed by Jan Winters.

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate. com.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● 7C

lll

FrAnK And erneSt

roSebUdS

zItS

zodIAC LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) — If you let your mind wander and your imagination take over, you'll discover something about yourself that will help you be more decisive. Having an innovative outlook will help you try something new. scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) — Test your physical skills. Participate in events that offer a competitive edge. Your ability to rise and shine when challenged will help you go the extra mile. sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Sort through emotional differences so you can get on with your life. Whether it's you alone having the problem or it's with someone you spend time with, small steps will not suffice. cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Look for alternatives when faced with opposition. Arguing is misleading and a waste of valuable time. Do something physical, and what you accomplish will shadow any negativity you receive from outside influences. AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Go over your financial situation carefully and set a budget that will help you lower stress. Lower your overhead through smart living. Talk to experts and set up interviews. PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) — Taking a genuine approach to who you want to become and what you enjoy most will help you align yourself with those heading down a similar path. ARIEs (March 21-April 19) — Taking a direct approach to whatever you desire is necessary if you want to finish what

you start. Having too much information will lead to interference from those less likely to take a risk. tAuRus (April 20-May 20) — Be aware of what's unfolding around you. Prepare to move out of the way if risk comes into play. Too much of anything will cause problems. Avoid overspending or promising the impossible. GEMInI (May 21-June 20) — Gravitate toward what and who interests you. A change will help you understand the logistics behind getting what you want. Take responsibility for yourself. cAncER (June 21-July 22) — Take more time for people and pastimes you feel passionate about. Be honest with yourself and those you deal with regarding what you are able and willing to do to make your relationship and lifestyle more accommodating. LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Set a schedule that allows you to learn something new or upgrade your skills. Broadening your awareness and focusing on qualifications that ensure a better position will lift your spirits. VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) — Reach out and do something nice for someone, and the returns will far exceed your expectations. How you make others feel about themselves and their contributions will put you in a leadership position. 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: s EQuALs D

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

dooneSbUrY

8C ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

CurTiS

Hi and LoiS

lll

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 25, 2026 ● 9C

lll

B.C.

Bridge By PHILLIP ALDER Pablo Picasso said, “There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.” At the bridge table, we start with 52 cards. Afterward, once the bidding and play begin, the players can be accurate or make mistakes. What do you think about the bidding in this deal? How should South plan the play in three no-trump after West leads the club two (low from a tripleton in partner’s unsupported suit)? South was right to upgrade his hand, counting it as worth 18 points. He had an excellent five-card suit, three aces and one king. After North responded one spade, East should have made a takeout double. The two-club overcall was bizarre. Then South rebid two no-trump, showing 18 or 19 (or a poor 20) points. That was a reasonable choice. (However, if North-South had been using support doubles, South should have doubled to show three spades. Then North would have rebid two diamonds, and South couldhavecontinuedwithtwono-trump.) North’s raise to game was optimistic. South started with eight top tricks: one spade, five diamonds and two clubs. He had to gain a second spade trick. So he took the first trick with dummy’s king and led the spade jack. When East cov-

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

hagar the horriBle

ered with the queen, South won with his ace and played another spade, happy to see the eight and nine from West. East took this trick and returned ... the club queen. He should, of course, have first cashed the heart king (lead king from ace-king and from king-queen after trick one) to get a signal from partner. © 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 — cEREBRAL: suh-REE-brul: Relating to the brain or intellect.

Bizarro

marmaduKe

Average mark 27 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 38 or more words in CEREBRAL? yEstERDAy’s WoRD — HELIcon hole hone echo lice lichen lien line lion loin lone icon

inch chile chin chine chino clone coil coin cole cone once

nice niche noel

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28-29 Jesus is coming back. There will be a day of judgment. Have you committed your life to him? G.E. Dean

lll

TODAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Mostly sunny

Partly sunny

Sunny to partly cloudy

A t-storm around in the p.m.

An afternoon thunderstorm

Humid; a few afternoon showers

LOW

HIGH

LOW

HIGH

90° 70°

LOW

91° 70°

Beaumont 91/71 Port Arthur 89/73

Baton Rouge 90/66

Lake Charles 91/70

New Orleans 86/72 Houma 85/66

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

Hattiesburg 89/63

Alexandria 90/66

Lafayette 90/69

10s

20s

30s

40s

50s

LOW

HIGH

LOW

89° 74°

YESTERDAY

Lafayette through 5 p.m. Thursday

Jackson 88/63 Many 89/63

HIGH

89° 73°

TEMPERATURE

Longview 90/66

-0s

LOW

Monroe 90/65

Shreveport 90/66

-10s

HIGH

91° 72°

60s

70s

80s

90s 100s 110s

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

9:09p 5:37a 4:13a 6:23a 11:00a 10:08a 12:08p

NEW

OCT 3

Austin Boston Dallas Fairbanks Honolulu Las Vegas Louisville Miami Nashville

FT.

TODAY

97 63 94 57 88 97 76 89 84

69 56 72 34 77 74 56 74 57

FIRST

OCT 10

s r pc s sh s pc t s

OCT 18

95 60 93 56 87 96 77 88 81

SAT. Lo

70 56 74 36 79 78 52 73 58

LOW

0.00” 2.37” 4.15” 46.16” 47.83”

FT.

HIGH

0.6 5:40a 0.4 1.4 9:38a 1.3 2.0 8:01a 1.4 1.6 12:14p 1.0 1.1 6:32p 0.9 1.5 4:50p 1.0 1.4 7:34p 1.0

6:58 a.m. 7:01 p.m. 6:24 p.m. 5:50 a.m.

LAST

City

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

HIGH

Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today

SEP 26

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

89°/73° 88°/68° 91°/73° 97° in 1931 47° in 1897

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

FULL

PRECIPITATION

pc r pc pc c pc s t pc

--3:39p 3:37p 5:52p 11:11p 10:33p ---

FT.

MAIN POLLUTANT Ozone

LOW

FT.

----- --1.5 10:31p 1.0 2.1 8:16p 1.0 1.5 --- --0.9 --- --1.1 --- ------- ---

City

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

86 84 74 95 70 73 76 80 87

4:33a 11:06p 4:55p 5:15a 11:49p 5:38p 6:02a ---- 6:25p 6:53a 1:06p 7:19p 7:51a 2:05p 8:18p 8:53a 3:08p 9:23p 9:59a 4:15p 10:30p

TODAY Lo

72 67 59 79 48 50 61 68 69

s pc c t s s c s s

89 86 66 103 72 80 70 81 87

SAT. Lo

71 63 58 81 52 50 61 71 68

pc s r s s s c pc s

-1.71 16.45 19.37 7.04 3.90 3.56 2.82

+0.39 +0.06 +0.07 +0.24 -0.10 +0.05 -0.08

20.36

+3.02

-1.54

-0.02

18 29 8

-1.21 9.81 2.43

-0.03 -0.08 +0.03

13 15

1.42 0.61

-0.06 -0.01

47 34 29 20 12 6

6.73 4.50 2.99 3.50 2.80 2.16

+0.13 +0.08 +0.08 +0.02 -0.50 +0.03

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

Now

34 48 48 35 27 22 17

Featuring our Free Shower Package Plus 15% Off

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

FREE Back by Pop SHOW ular De ER P mand! AC K A GE !

1Selling Walk-In Tub

READING 56 MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

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

MODERATE

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

Today 10:44a Saturday 11:27a Sunday 12:14p Monday 12:41a Tuesday 1:37a Wednesday 2:39a Thursday 3:44a

TODAY

MODERATE

HIGH

90° 69°

Well, the dry air has been filtering into southwest Louisiana since yesterday and it continues today. The result is much lower dew point temperatures which means much lower humidity. So today, expect a mostly sunny and hot day with a light breeze. Temperatures this afternoon will rise into the upper 80s to low 90s. With low humidity, temperatures will only feel like it’s in the mid-90s. Winds are northeast at 5 to 10 mph and rain chances remain at zero. Expect clear and warm conditions for high school football.

AP P

10C ● Friday, September 25, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

OI N T

50% OFF BUY ONE WINDOW OR DOOR, GET ONE WINDOW OR DOOR

$0 down, 0 payments, 0% interest for 18 months*

✓ First walk-in tub available with a customizable shower ✓ Fixed rainfall shower head is adjustable for your height and pivots ✓ High-quality tub complete with a comprehensive lifetime warranty on the entire tub ✓ Top-of-the-line installation and service, all included at one

Now you can have the best of both worlds–there isn’t a better,

FREE SHOWER PACKAGE PLUS $1600 OFF

MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION HOMEOWNERS RECOMMEND RENEWAL BY ANDERSENb

We are available 24/7. Call us to schedule your FREE in-home consultation before 9/30

225-605-9679

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

Call Toll-Free 337-221-0958

With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase.

Call Today for Your Free Shower Package

337-221-0958

FINANCING AVAILABLE WITH APPROVED CREDIT CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 13VH11096000

10414 Plaza Americana Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70816

*Offer not available in all areas. Discount applied by retailer representative at time of contract execution and applies to purchase of 4 or more windows and/or entry or patio doors. Buy two (2) windows and/or doors, get the second two (2) windows and/or doors, of equal or lesser value, 50% off. Discount applied to lowest-priced window and/or door products in purchase. Cannot be combined with other offers. To qualify for discount offer, initial contact for a free Window and Door Diagnosis must be made and documented on or before 9/30/26, with the appointment then occurring no more than 10 days after the initial contact. 18-Month Promo Period financing available to well-qualified buyers on approved credit only. During the Promo Period, no payments are required and interest accrues but will be waived if the promo balance is paid in full before the Promo Period expires. Any unpaid balance remaining after the Promo Period, including accrued interest, will be repaid under the terms outlined in the customer’s loan agreement. Not all buyers will qualify. Higher interest rates may apply for customers with lower credit ratings. Financing is not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Renewal by Andersen retailers are neither brokers nor lenders. Any finance terms advertised are estimates only, and all financing is provided by third-party lenders unaffiliated with Renewal by Andersen retailers, under terms and conditions arranged directly between the customer and such lender, all subject to credit requirements. Renewal by Andersen retailers do not assist with, counsel or negotiate financing, other than providing customers an introduction to lenders interested in financing. By responding to this offer, you agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and consent to receive marketing communications from Renewal by Andersen and its affiliates, including calls, prerecorded messages, AI-assisted calls, emails, and text messages (SMS/MMS) at the phone number and email address provided, even if your number is listed on a state or federal Do Not Call registry. Consent is not required as a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Calls may be recorded. Renewal by Andersen is an independently owned and operated retailer. “Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are marks of Andersen Corporation. ©2026 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. b Based on Medallia homeowner satisfaction surveys of Renewal by Andersen customers January 2019-December 2025. Average scores between 9 and 10 using Net Promoter Score methodology on all survey questions after design consultation or installation project completed. †It is the only warranty among top selling window companies that meets all of the following requirements: easy to understand terms, unrestricted transferability, installation coverage, labor coverage, geographically unrestricted, coverage for exterior color, insect screens and hardware, and no maintenance requirement. Visit renewalbyandersen.com/nationsbest for details. For J.D. Power 2025 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards.

Renewal by Andersen Impact Resistant Windows