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La. shipyards to build 30 drone ships

Navy's $1.2B purchase includes three models BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer

The U.S. Navy’s newest generation of drone ships will be built at several Louisiana shipyards after the Pentagon announced plans to buy 30 crewless boats at a total cost of $1.2 billion from a trio of defense contractors. In late September, the Navy placed orders with Austin-based Saronic Technologies, Virginia-

based Huntington Ingalls Industries and Houma-based Edison Chouest. Each will build 10 autonomous boats in Louisiana at an average cost of $40 million each, with the ﬁrst deliveries due by October 2027. The purchase is the latest bright spot for Louisiana’s shipbuilding industry, where the number of jobs has fallen by 70% since its peak in the late 1990s. But with the Trump administration ramping up mari-

their own designs and tested them at sea. Those that passed have been added to a Defense Department “drone marketplace” — a pool of approved vendors military buyers can order from. Saronic’s design — the 180foot Marauder — will be built in Franklin, where the venture capital-backed startup last year purchased the former Gulf Craft shipyard and embarked on a $300 million expansion. Huntington Ingalls Industries will divide construction of its 151-foot Romulus ships between

time military investment, the sector is poised for growth. “If you look at what was already here, plus the relationships we have and the skills we have, it makes sense that it’s coming together so big,” Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois said. Each of the three contractors will be building different models. Navy officials laid out their requirements, let companies propose

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Gulf Coast braces for landfall

Breaux Brothers Enterprises in the New Iberia area and Halimar Shipyard in Morgan City. And Edison Chouest, which has not disclosed details about its model, will build its share of the ships at its LaShip shipyard in Terrebonne Parish, according to Navy ofﬁcials. The company did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. The deal is a signiﬁcant win for Louisiana’s shipbuilding industry. Two decades ago, some 14,500

ä See SHIPS, page 7A

Parents sue over BR mall shooting death

Lawsuit targets owner, security company, alleged shooter BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY GERALD HERBERT

Mike Howard boards up Perdido Key Sports Bar as Hurricane Isaias approaches Perdido Key, Fla., on Thursday. tied down furniture and Residents greet Others nailed plywood across windows. “There’s a buzz around town,” forecast with mix of said Grant Brown, a public inanxiety, preparation formation ofﬁcer in Gulf Shores,

BY MARTHA SANCHEZ

Staff writer

Grocery shelves are emptying. Weekend plans are long abandoned. And thousands across the usually blissful shores of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle are bracing as Hurricane Isaias surges closer. Gulf Coast residents greeted the forecast with a mix of anxiety and preparation as the Atlantic’s ﬁrst hurricane of the year tracked toward the Florida-Alabama border. Some ﬁlled gas tanks and gathered sandbags.

Alabama. “People are taking it very seriously.” National Hurricane Center forecasters expect Isaias, which strengthened to a Category 2 storm with 100 mph wind speeds Thursday evening, to strike near Gulf Shores overnight Friday. The brunt of its force is expected to hammer cities east of its eyewall, and a swath of the coastline from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to Panama City, Florida, could see tornadoes, strong winds, 7-foot storm surge and up to 7 inches of rainfall.

ä See BRACES, page 5A

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The parents of Martha Odom, a Lafayette teen who was an innocent bystander killed in an April 23 shootout in a Baton Rouge mall, are suing the mall’s owner, operator, security company and alleged shooter. Four other teens who were with Odom, two of whom were shot, Martha Odom also are suing. Odom, 17, was a senior at Ascension Episcopal School in Youngsville. On senior skip day, she and some friends went to the Mall of Louisiana and were in the food court when gunﬁre erupted around them. Odom died from a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Ofﬁce. Student Rorie Williamson was shot in the right arm, and Afif Lakhan was shot in the left hand. Luke Harris and Shelby Godwin were present but not injured.

ä See MALL, page 5A

Trump says U.S. will not resume strikes on Iran before midterms BY JOSH BOAK and AAMER MADHANI

strikes on Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections in the United States. Associated Press Trump, while stumping for ReWASHINGTON — President Donald publicans this week, has hinted Trump said Thursday that he will that he was conﬁdent that an endnot order a resumption of military game to the war could come in the

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days before or after the election, while also hinting that he remained open to resuming full-scale military operations against Iran. For weeks, Trump has been threatening that a post-midterm election escalation in the seven-

month-old war remains a viable option, despite his initial promises to Americans of a military campaign that would last a matter of weeks. But Trump in a social media post on Thursday said the U.S. “will not

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

be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd.” Trump added that his team has

ä See TRUMP, page 7A

102ND YEAR, NO. 101

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Pentagon to stream firing squad execution

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Armed man fatally shot at Tenn. courthouse

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A man armed with a pistol and knife was fatally shot by a security officer Thursday just inside the busy entrance of a federal courthouse in Tennessee’s largest city, authorities said. The 42-year-old man tried to fire his gun but failed and then pulled out a knife around 9:30 a.m., said Don Aaron, spokesperson for Metro Nashville Police. “The security individual fired on the armed individual,” Aaron said, adding that the man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was later identified by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as Jack Henson II. No hometown was released, though police earlier said he was from out of state. Investigators didn’t immediately know why he was at the courthouse, and a search of his car found “nothing threatening,” Aaron said. Courthouse visitors must go through a security checkpoint, which is common at all federal courts. The entrances are typically staffed by armed former police officers contracted by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Man killed 13 at military base BY KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY GREGORY BULL

Sailors wave aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier Thursday as it returns after deployment to Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, Calif.

Long-deployed USS Lincoln returns home to California

ICE officer shoots a man while making an arrest

BY JULIE WATSON and JOHN SEEWER

NEW YORK — A federal immigration officer shot and wounded a Dominican man while arresting him in New York City on Thursday, during what the Department of Homeland Security called a “targeted enforcement operation.” Protesters decried it as an example of the dangers of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The man survived and is being treated at a hospital, the agency said. It did not describe exactly what led to the shooting, saying only that “during the incident, an ICE officer discharged his weapon” and that the man was injured. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul said they had received reports the agents ﬁred at the man while he was inside a vehicle with a 5-year-old child, who was apparently unhurt. Mamdani called the shooting “unconscionable and incredibly serious” and said he aimed to tell President Donald Trump to end all federal immigration enforcement actions in the city.

CORONADO, Calif. — Sailors disembarked the USS Lincoln on Thursday following a deployment that included a record 265 uninterrupted days at sea supporting the Iran war and reports of supply shortages and deteriorating mental health among the crew. Families waiting for the aircraft carrier’s arrival in San Diego Bay described crying and losing sleep after hearing about the ship’s food shortages and tough conditions. Many said the sailors had sent lists of the food they were craving. Abel Ramirez, 20, walked off the carrier with a big grin, overjoyed that his ﬁrst deployment was over. “It feels amazing,” he said while headed out to search for his parents who drove from Texas. “There was a certain point when I never thought I would come off.” The carrier drew national attention following reports of stress among the crew and poor mental health, as well as supply shortages, including food and hygiene products, during its Iran war mission. Dozens of sailors stood atop the Lincoln as it glided past the cityscape of downtown San Diego

Christa Pike eating, walking with help NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christa Pike has begun walking and eating again at a hospital a week after surviving Tennessee’s attempt to execute her with lethal drugs, her attorneys said Thursday. Pike, 50, survived two doses of pentobarbital as the state sought to giver her a lethal injection eight days ago for the 1995 beating and stabbing death of classmate Colleen Slemmer. The drug didn’t kill her, and her arms were left burned and blistered, according to her lawyers. For the first few days of her hospitalization, Pike was unconscious and on a ventilator. Her first steps on Wednesday were “limited” and she required some assistance as she walked on Thursday, her lawyers said in a statement. She is also regaining mobility in her arms, and she was able to eat for the first time. But the lawyers warned uncertainty remains about her physical recovery and her legal standing after the attempt to carry out her death sentence. The failed execution on Sept. 30 has renewed scrutiny of how states carry out the death penalty. Texas on Wednesday carried out the first execution in the U.S. since the Tennessee attempt.

CORRECTION A news story that was published in Wednesday’s edition of The Advocate about 19-year-old Tyler Hoggan pleading guilty to manslaughter incorrectly stated that Hoggan would be eligible for parole after turning 25. He will actually be eligible after serving 25 years of his sentence. The Advocate regrets the error.

Associated Press

toward cheering families who were carrying flowers and balloons and ringing cowbells. Cassity Garduque, 14, waved as her mom in her sailor uniform frantically waved back from the top deck. “It feels really overwhelming,” she said about being reunited, adding she’s glad her mom won’t need to eat ramen almost every day. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth flew out to the Lincoln on Wednesday to give the crew the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest honor a unit can receive. Hegseth pushed back against what he said were efforts to turn the “Lincoln into some sort of a symbol, a symbol of dysfunction or a symbol of low morale or a symbol of a failed mission.” Capt. Daniel Keeler, the ship’s commander, said most of the crew was on their ﬁrst deployment and that the issues they faced were normal for such a long deployment, adding everyone had access to four meals a day. Among the first to depart the carrier at the naval base in Coronado were 64 fathers meeting their babies for the ﬁrst time, the Navy said. Waiting for the Lincoln to bring her husband home, sailor Kathy Monterrosa held her 6-month-old daughter, Sarahi, outfitted in a

tiny blue and white sailor dress. “She’s our deployment baby,” said Monterrosa, of Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was tough to hear about the ship’s conditions while she was pregnant, she said. “I was crying a lot and worried. I wasn’t sure if he was OK or not,” she said. When she ﬁnally heard from her husband, he told her it was “pretty bad.” Sailor Steven Rivas beamed as he held his 7-month-old daughter. “I couldn’t grasp the reality of it,” he said about coming home. He said he became overwhelmed as they pulled into the bay, “seeing everyone and knowing my family was waiting for me.” Alma Solano Velez said her husband gave his family an extensive list of the foods he has been craving over the past 10 months: oxtail, barbecue chicken, broccoli and shrimp empanadas to name a few. He had told his wife about “the lack of food and showers” on board and was looking forward to seeing their daughter, who turned 4 while he was away, she said. The Navy initially downplayed any problems during the deployment, and President Donald Trump commented in August that the Lincoln’s lengthy deployment was “not nearly long enough.”

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon says the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan will be livestreamed after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the execution would be “public.” Hegseth, speaking to the conservative TV outlet Real America’s Voice News on Wednesday, said the execution of Hasan will take place at Fort Hood on Dec. 3. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in a shooting at the military base in 2009. “We’ll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it’s public,” Hegseth said. Hegseth spoke to the outlet aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier while visiting the long-deployed crew, who supported the Iran war, before their arrival at their home port in San Diego. When asked if Hasan had made any final requests or reached out to the Trump administration, Hegseth simply replied: “Don’t care. We’ll see him on Dec. 3.” Officials in the Pentagon clarified Thursday that the execution will be livestreamed and that more details would follow. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell had said Monday that President Donald Trump had approved the execution of Hasan. Trump has previously been critical of public executions in Iran, at times using the possibility of protesters being killed by the Iranian government as a possible rationale for military action. Those warnings preceded his ultimate choice to attack Iran at the end of February over its ballistic missiles and the risk of it developing nuclear weapons. “We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping,” Trump told reporters on Jan. 14 of this year.

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New U.S. indictment charges Maduro with torture of Americans

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NEW YORK — U.S. prosecutors unveiled sweeping new criminal charges against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Thursday, accusing him and his wife of heading a state-sponsored system of repression responsible for beating, asphyxiating and submitting scores of victims to electric shocks, including several Americans. The torture charges add to pressure on the ousted authoritarian leader and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were seized from their Caracas home by the U.S. military in January to face drug trafficking charges in New York. The updated indictment “alleges conduct that is truly unthinkable,” U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said outside the Manhattan courthouse where the case is being handled. “This is the epitome of corruption.” Maduro denies the charges and “looks forward to his day in court,” lawyer Barry Pollack said. Flores’ attorney said he hadn’t yet had time to review the new allegations. The indictment claims that Maduro suggested torture methods, sought and received updates on specific victims’ treatment, watched a video of a forced confession and personally threatened the killing of one prisoner’s child “as a form of psychological torture.” On occasion, he would even laugh after hearing about the abuse of prisoners, prosecutors allege. The couple pleaded not guilty in the U.S. drug case first brought years ago against them and numerous alleged coconspirators for allegedly conspiring to flood the U.S. with cocaine. Their attorneys have asked for the case to be

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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, wave after his swearing-in ceremony for a third term in 2025 at the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela.

dismissed on the grounds that they have immunity as the leader and ﬁrst lady of a foreign country. Maduro, who served as Venezuela’s president from 2013 until his capture in January, has been under investigation for years by the International Criminal Court over allegations of crimes against humanity, tied to his crackdown on opponents. He has always denied any wrongdoing. Flores’ lawyers unsuccessfully asked a judge Thursday to release her on house arrest due to medical concerns. The revised indictment covers allegations of torture stretching back to Maduro’s ascent to power in 2013, when he took over as president from his mentor Hugo Chávez, who died of cancer that year. At the time, Maduro, a former bus driver lacking his predecessor’s military pedigree, was struggling to make inroads with the armed forces — historically the arbiter of political disputes in Venezuela — as the oil-dependent economy began spiraling out of control and government opponents took to the streets.

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25 years later, Taliban firmly in control U.S.-led invasion to oust group from Afghanistan lasted decades

BY ELENA BECATOROS and ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN Associated Press

KABUL,Afghanistan — Dr. Nigar Nangrahari was on a night shift in a Kabul hospital when the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan began 25 years ago — an event that would shape her and her country’s future for decades to come. As she walked home the next morning, Nangrahari saw Kabul residents taking revenge on members of the Taliban, whose harsh, repressive rule had seen public stonings, limb amputations of alleged criminals and women obliterated from public life. “Along the way, I saw ordinary people killing anyone they caught who was a Taliban member. I witnessed with my own eyes the people of Kabul capturing and killing Taliban ﬁghters. Some had climbed trees to hide,” she said. Afraid of what was to come, Nangrahari and her family stayed home for about a month. Eventually, she was called back to the hospital and returned to work as an obstetrician-gynecologist. She no longer had to wear a burqa in the street.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY SIDDIQULLAH ALIZAI

A Taliban security officer checks a motorist’s documents Monday on a road leading to the former U.S. Embassy, which has remained closed since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan. “They granted us freedom — but not the kind that Afghans could truly benefit from,” said Nangrahari, 58. Afghanistan is a deeply conservative Muslim society, and the U.S. culture that came with the American presence in the coun-

try often rankled some segments of society. “Afghans should neither be completely unrestricted nor subjected to the kind of severe constraints imposed by the Taliban,” she said. “There needs to be a moderate balance.”

Under U.S. President George W. Bush, the American-led coalition launched Operation Enduring Freedom with the stated goal of dismantling al-Qaida, the terrorist organization whose leader, Osama bin Laden, had orchestrated the Sept. 11 attacks in the

United States from his base in Afghanistan. The invasion was to mark the start of a 20-year war that cost tens of thousands of Afghan lives, along with thousands of coalition service members, U.S. contractors, aid workers and journalists. The legacy of that war, and of the successive U.S.-supported Afghan governments during that time, endures today. “Their stated goals were to bring good governance to Afghanistan and to combat narcotics and terrorism,” said Muin Gul Chamkanai, a former doctor who now heads a humanitarian organization, the Shkula Charitable Foundation, and also works as a political analyst. “The reality turned out to be the exact opposite.” At a massive cost, both ﬁnancial and in lives, the American presence brought certain freedoms, particularly for the media and in women’s education and employment opportunities. But pervasive corruption and often heavy-handed military tactics soon bred deep resentment. Sitting at home on Oct. 7, 2001, Chamkanai switched on his television. The sight of his country being invaded enraged him. “Had I been struck by their bombs, I would have considered martyrdom far preferable. I was not afraid,” he said. “I wanted to ﬁght against them in Afghanistan using both the pen and the gun.”

Judge: Warrants used to seize ex-prince’s property unlawful BY DANICA KIRKA and BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press

LONDON — Police investigating former Prince Andrew’s links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein unlawfully searched his homes, a London judge said Thursday. Justice Nicholas Hilliard said signiﬁcant errors

were made by Thames Valley Police in applying for search warrants and by a judge in granting them in the investigation into the disgraced former prince now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Mountbatten-Windsor was not in court, but he was already aware of the partial legal victory because police had previously con-

ceded in July that the warrants were improper. Police, however, had tried to keep the matter out of the public eye while the investigation continued, leading to a delay in its revelation. Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested Feb. 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public ofﬁce and police searched two of his homes.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio talks to the staff before boarding a plane Thursday at Lisbon Airport in Lisbon.

Rubio says U.S. pressure on NATO allies ‘not hostile’

a visit to European defense as a hostile thing,” Countries pushed during NATO ally Portugal that Rubio said. “It is not a hos“the stronger the members tile thing.” to increase of NATO are, the stronger Rubio, who was in Pordefense spending NATO is, the stronger the tugal on the last leg of a

BY MATTHEW LEE and BARRY HATTON Associated Press

LISBON, Portugal — U.S. pressure on NATO allies to increase their defense spending “is not a hostile thing,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday, but reiterated that the Trump administration wants the military alliance to be a stronger deterrent against threats. Rubio told reporters

alliances and the stronger the deterrence is.” U.S. President Donald Trump has long railed against NATO allies for spending too small a fraction of their national budgets on defense, leaving the United States to shoulder what he says is an unfair burden. Some members of the 32-country alliance have been reluctant to divert funds from other government policies, however. “People sometimes view this call to invest more in

three-nation tour of NATO allies that also included Iceland and Greece, acknowledged that some smaller NATO members, such as Portugal, have difficulty ﬁnding the funds for major military projects. “Every country is of a different size and proportion. Some countries can contribute more than others, but every country in NATO needs to be as strong as they can possibly be,” Rubio told a news conference in Lisbon.

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Canadian author Anne Carson wins literature Nobel BY JILL LAWLESS, HILLEL ITALIE and KOSTYA MANENKOV Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY TOM BRENNER

Vice President JD Vance speaks Thursday as Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling listens during a news conference on the Fraud Task Force inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus.

Microsoft suspended from green card program Administration alleges fraud

BY SEUNG MIN KIM, REBECCA SANTANA and BARBARA ORTUTAY Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration announced Thursday it was suspending Microsoft and several other ﬁrms from a program allowing foreign workers to apply for green cards as it also lashed out at universities that bring international students to the U.S. on exchange programs. The announcement by Vice President JD Vance marks the latest swing from the Trump administration at employers and universities that welcome foreign students and workers into the country. Such programs have frequently been targeted by some Trump supporters who argue they undercut American students and

workers. Supporters say they allow the U.S. to attract the best talent from around the world and fill important hiring gaps. Supporters of the Republican president have long argued that various programs like H-1B visas — which Vance accused Microsoft of abusing — essentially empower American companies to recruit foreign workers for jobs that end up undercutting Americans. In the wide-ranging announcement, Vance and other top administration officials also called out universities over their use of J-1 visas for international students and information technology outsourcing firms. The announcement came hours before Trump awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Vance said the program from which Microsoft is being suspended requires companies to advertise jobs

STOCKHOLM — Canadian poet, essayist and translator Anne Carson won the Nobel Prize in literature Thursday for “bold and inventive” works that fuse the classical and the modern and blur the boundaries of poetry and prose. The Toronto-born Carson, 76, has drawn on themes from classical Greek and Roman literature, modern influences and personal experience for genreblending titles that have ranged from translations of ancient Greek poets to collaborations with dancers and musicians, including Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed.

TT NEWS AGENCY FILE PHOTO BY PONTUS LUNDAHL

Canadian poet Anne Carson, winner of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature, performs ‘Antigonick’ at the Moderna Museet art gallery in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2015. The Swedish Academy that awards the prize said she won “for her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contem-

porary literature.” The permanent secretary of the academy said the author was in Iceland “listening to the wind” when the panel reached her to notify her of the honor.

in America before applying to the Department of Labor to show they need to give a foreign worker a green card because of a lack of American workers. “They’ll put an advertisement in a small-town newspaper. They’ll go out there and say that ‘We have advertised for a position with our company, and nobody is responding to it.’ And they will use that lack of response to then go and replace American workers with what is effectively foreign indentured servants,” Vance said. “There has been no company in the United States, unfortunately, that has used this system more than Microsoft.” Microsoft is No. 5 among U.S. employers when it comes to using H-1B visas, according data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Amazon is No. 1. Vance said Microsoft last year laid off 6,000 American workers but also obtained 6,300 H-1B visas and almost 3,000 green cards.

Trump honors Microsoft’s CEO BY JOSH BOAK and ALI SWENSON Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump celebrated tech billionaires for their contributions to America on Thursday only hours after a company run by one of them, Microsoft, was accused by his vice president of abusing the visa system to bring in more foreign workers. It so happens ﬁve of the six leaders he honored are immigrants. Before the ceremony that recognized Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Vice President JD Vance announced the company was being suspended from a program that allows companies to apply for green cards. In presenting the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Microsoft’s CEO,

Trump made no statements about the company’s hiring of foreign workers. “For more than three decades, Satya Nadella has been a key figure in the transformation of Microsoft, revolutionizing the company and empowering businesses, students and consumers from all over the world with some of the most capable software ever built,” Trump said. When Vance was asked about the seeming contradiction, he said, “We’re going to continue to support Microsoft and have a great relationship with Microsoft.” Of the six tech leaders who received an award for scientific and technological achievement from the president, five came from abroad. The president gave the National Medal of Science to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Google co-founder Sergey

Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Lisa Su, CEO of the semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices. Each of them was born overseas — South Africa for Musk, Russia for Brin and Taiwan for Huang and Su. In addition to Nadella, Trump also gave the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell, who has sponsored the government’s special investment accounts for children known as Trump Accounts. Dell was born in Texas, while Nadella immigrated from India. On social media, Nadella thanked Trump. “I’m humbled to stand alongside so many giants of American innovation and looking forward for what we can continue to do together to advance technology and drive American prosperity,” he posted.

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The Advocate n theadvocate.com n Friday, October 9, 2026 n 5A

BRACES

Boat owner Tony Rice and his friend Lance Connor, left, haul doors onto his boat to secure it as Hurricane Isaias approaches Bayou La Batre, Ala., on Thursday.

Continued from page 1A Though the storm is forecast to weaken to a Category 1 before moving ashore, “Isaias is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane through landfall,” said Richard Pasch, a senior NHC forecaster. The storm has soured the plans of thousands of vacationers, including many students on fall break who planned to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast and Florida Panhandle. RV parks emptied as guests pulled out and headed north. Local Facebook pages ﬁlled with messages from frantic tourists worried about canceling their travels. Local leaders are pleading that any remaining visitors evacuate and clear the roads for residents, utility companies and first responders. But they urged calm. “Everything that we can control in this moment is under control,” D.C. Reeves, the Pensacola, Florida mayor, told reporters this week. “No need to panic at this point. This is really about preparation.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY GERALD HERBERT

be ready for power outages that could last days. The National Weather Service said the storm could also bring dangerous waves of up to 20 feet in coastal Alabama and parts of Florida. Bracing for Isaias Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey Many locals who have and Florida Gov. Ron Deendured decades of hur- Santis both declared states ricanes across the vulner- of emergency, though no able Gulf Coast viewed the widespread evacuations week’s frenzy as a familiar have been ordered. Local authorities, however, urged routine. residents to Still, many cities are also “Everything that we l e a v e s o m e preparing for can control in this low-lying ara new chaleas. moment is under Some locals lenge: Thoucontrol. No need to evacuated to sands of newpanic at this point. hotels in Louicomers from This is really about siana, where around the country have they sat glued preparation.” moved to the to news staD.C. REEVES, fast-growing tions playing region over the Pensacola, Florida mayor storm modpast six years, els on endand many have less loops. never experienced a hurri- But many appeared to be staying put, and some even cane. Jeff Silvers, a City Council seemed unfazed by the omimember in Orange Beach, nous forecast. Alabama, said local leadAbout 100 customers ers were working hard to were still hanging around spread information on social the Flora-Bama bar in Permedia to help residents pre- dido Key, Florida, around midday Thursday, said Jenpare for the storm. “There are so many pre- ifer Parnell, its marketing cautions that can be taken, director. The bar was still decidand I think they’re heeding them,” Silvers said. ing whether to close on FriA hurricane warning day and Saturday, but staff was in effect from Ocean members were busy removSprings to the area just west ing sound equipment from of Panama City Beach. Local stages and taking down awofﬁcials warned residents to nings and tents.

MALL

Continued from page 1A On Thursday, Michael and Brooke Odom, Martha Odom’s parents, along with the others present during the shooting, ﬁled a lawsuit against the Mall of Louisiana, Brookfield Properties Retail (formerly known as General Growth Services), Marksman Security and Markel Lee, who is the alleged shooter, according to a report by The Current. They allege that the mall did not provide sufficient security and cited previous

incidents of violence in or near the mall. The shooting occurred at 1:23 p.m. when two groups, who were fighting, opened fire in the mall’s upstairs food court. Initial reports stated that several suspects quickly ﬂed the scene. None of the perpetrators themselves was struck by gunfire. Law-enforcement officials said one gun was recovered from the scene and investigators believe multiple were used, though it is unclear how many. More security guards and police officers began patrolling the mall following the shooting, according to

“People don’t mind,” Parnell said.

Isaias shifts visitors’ plans Isaias still scrambled plans for thousands of visitors, many of whom were in town for Gulf Shores’ 53rd annual National Shrimp Festival. The festival, alongside dozens of other events around the region, has been canceled. Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service between New Orleans and Mobile has also been suspended through Monday. Kay Maghan, a public relations manager for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism, said several local vacation rental companies were refunding visitors or offering credits so travelers can return at later dates. Brett/Robinson Vacation Rentals, which runs the popular Phoenix condominium complexes along the beach, also closed its properties until Monday. The push to evacuate visitors came from experience. The last major storm to strike near the Florida-Alabama line was Hurricane Sally in 2020. The slow-moving Category 2 storm toppled power lines and transformed the beachfront into a quiet, soggy strip. Maghan said some visitors who did not evacuate became stuck in tall condo buildings with little water, no power and no access to elevators.

spokespeople at the Baton Rouge Police Department and GGP, the retail arm of Chicago-based Brookfield Corp., which owns the mall. They declined to specify the exact number of guards and ofﬁcers and declined to share other security updates to prevent compromising the efﬁcacy of their work. Lee, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, was indicted in August on one count of second-degree murder, six counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of illegal use of weapons. He is being held at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

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Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Mobile said Thursday that it was still hard to predict where the storm’s worst impacts would hit. But they warned powerful waves and storm surge could signiﬁcantly erode parts of the beach from the Alabama coast to Panama City. Even along Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A — about 70 miles east of the storm’s predicted landfall — authorities were bracing for damage even as they hoped to be spared. “We just have to prepare for it to be stronger and more impactful than it very well may be,” Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said.

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30 killed by Russian strike on Ukrainian public buses BY HANNA ARHIROVA Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOT0 BY THIBAULT CAMUS

Police officers spray students with pepper spray Wednesday near Sciences Po university as they protest against under-resourced schools in Paris.

Police fire tear gas at barricaded high school Student protests in Paris show no sign of ending

BY JADE LE DELEY and LORNE COOK Associated Press

PARIS — Students barricaded a high school in northeastern Paris with garbage bins on Thursday before police moved in with tear gas, as France’s nationwide protests showed few signs of ending. The Hélène Boucher high school has been a ﬂashpoint for clashes in the French capital and was one of hundreds of schools disrupted by protests Thursday. Riot police gathered in side streets as students converged on the school. Many protesters wore surgical masks or hoodies, apparently to avoid being recognized. At least a dozen demonstrations supporting the high school students’ movement were planned across France later in the day, including a rally at Place de la Bastille in Paris, where tear gas and a water cannon were ﬁred at protesters. Police have made more than 6,600 arrests since late September, when students, most of them under 18, began protesting to demand more education funding, according to the Interior Ministry. The Education Ministry said 375 schools were fully or partially closed Thursday. While the number of school

closures was down compared to Tuesday, pressure is mounting on the government of outgoing President Emmanuel Macron. The protests against the underfunding of schools — many of them struggling with dilapidated facilities and insufﬁcient staff — have drawn troublemakers not concerned about the aims of the protest movement as well as unions and political groups. In a TV address, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu lamented the “violence, students and staff being attacked, police officers and gendarmes injured, schools set on ﬁre or vandalized, thousands of hours of classes lost, not to mention threats and insults.” He took aim at “political leaders who use this anger to conduct their electoral battles.” France goes to the polls for a presidential election in April. “We cannot play with the safety of France’s youth,” Lecornu said. At the Lycee, 18-year-old university student Emma Khelil came to offer support to those at the barricades at her former high school. She told The Associated Press that she’s really concerned about police violence. “We’re here to defend our rights, not to lose an eye or a hand,” Khelil said. She also said that she had noticed insulation problems and water leaks in the school building and had even seen rats on occasion. Other students

CLASSIFIEDS continued from Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

PUBLIC NOTICE --East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Committee of the Whole Minutes Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM 1050 South Foster Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 A. Meeting Opening 1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance The Invocation was led by Board President Stew‐ ard, and the Pledge of Al‐ legiance was led by School Board Member Patrick Martin. 2. Call to Order and Roll Call Vice-President Lewis called the meeting to order at 5:02 PM. Members Present: Mark Bellue, Shashonnie Stew‐ ard, Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Members Dadrius Lanus Members Late: Powell Lewis

Absent: Carla

Others Present: LaMont Superintendent; Cole, Adam Smith, Deputy Su‐ Gwynn perintendent; Jr., General Shamlin Counsel; Catasha Ed‐ wards, Chief Academic Officer; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; An‐ drea O’Konski, Chief of Accountability and As‐ sessments; Lisa Smoth‐ ers, Chief Officer-Human Resources; John McCann, Interim Chief Operations Officer; Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Officer; Laura Chief of Williams, Schools; Kwesi Gilbert, Chief of Plant Opera‐ Stacey Dupre, tions; Chief of Support and Special Projects; and Tiffany Jenkins, Chief Student Services Officer B. Information Only 1. Fiscal Transparency Report C. Items for Considera‐ tion 1. Grants Motion to accept the fol‐ lowing teacher grants: a) 2026-2027 Greaux Healthy School Health i h

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

Moved by: Michael Gaudet; seconded by: Shashonnie Steward Yea: Mark Bellue, Steward, Shashonnie Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Not Present at Vote: Carla Powell Lewis Motion Carries 7-0

p Louisiana and related matters. Moved by: Patrick Mar‐ tin; seconded by: Emily Soulé Yea: Mark Bellue, Carla Powell Lewis, Shashonnie Cliff Lewis, Steward, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Motion Carries 8-0

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

y Program Grant in the amount of $2,000 to Riveroaks Elementary for nutrition education and health promotion. b) 2026-2027 Deborah Rochelle Teacher Grants in the amount of $29,210 for teacher projects at various schools. c) Aldi Teacher Grant in the amount of $525 awarded to McKinley Ele‐ mentary for gardening projects. Moved by: Shashonnie Steward; seconded by: Emily Soulé Yea: Mark Bellue, Steward, Shashonnie Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Not Present at Vote: Carla Powell Lewis Motion Carries 7-0 2. Early Childhood Grant: 8G Student Enhancement Block Program Approval of the 8G Stu‐ dent Enhancement Block Program in the amount of $406,581 to provide three pre-k4 classes at Audubon, Shenandoah, & Twin Oaks Elementary Schools. Moved by: Shashonnie Steward; seconded by: Michael Gaudet Yea: Mark Bellue, Steward, Shashonnie Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Not Present at Vote: Carla Powell Lewis Motion Carries 7-0 3. Healthcare and Ancil‐ lary Beneﬁts Plans Approval/authorization of the following: a) Proposed 2027 health‐ care rates for active em‐ non-Medicare ployees, and Medicare-eligible re‐ tirees participating in the Louisiana Blue adminis‐ tered medical plans for Core, Buy-Up, and HighDeductible health plans. b) Proposed 2027 renego‐ tiated pharmacy con‐ tract renewal with Ex‐ press Scripts. c) Proposed 2027 con‐ renewal with tract MetLife for legal insur‐ ance. d) Authorize the Superin‐ tendent to negotiate and execute the 2027 con‐ tract for stop loss insur‐ ance coverage. e) Proposed 2027 con‐ tract renewal with United Healthcare for Medicare retirees.

confirmed that they’d seen rats too. She was not convinced by Lecornu’s efforts to calm the situation. “I don’t think the movement is going to lose momentum. As long as things don’t change, we’re going to see the movement grow stronger, and potentially a convergence of struggles, especially with the next presidential election coming up,” she said. Not long after she spoke, police surrounded a nearby square. The crowd surged, and tear gas was ﬁred. Smoke from burning garbage nearby hung in the air at Place de la République as hundreds of high school and university students prepared to march toward Place de la Bastille, the demonstration’s focal point. Some carried signs bearing their schools’ names; others held placards reading “More money for repression than for our education” and “Who protects us from the police?” “We’re here, we’re demonstrating, and we won’t stop. Until October, November, December if necessary. Nothing will stop us,” said Soﬁa Ferdials, 18, a student at Paris 8 University. Dounia Gergeon, a 39-yearold school librarian, said she joined the demonstration at Place de la Bastille because she shared students’ concerns and worried about a broader crisis facing young people anxious about their futures.

4. Professional Services Contracts Approval of the profes‐ sional services contracts between the East Baton Parish School Rouge Board and the following: a) Amplify in the amount of $356,000 to provide develop‐ professional ment and implementa‐ tion packages for highquality instructional ma‐ terials for grades K-2. b) Savvas Learning Com‐ pany in the amount of $300,000 to provide pro‐ development fessional implementation and packages for high-qual‐ ity instructional materi‐ als for grades 3rd-5th and 6th-12th. Moved by: Shashonnie Steward; seconded by: Emily Soulé Yea: Mark Bellue, Steward, Shashonnie Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Not Present at Vote: Carla Powell Lewis Motion Carries 7-0 5. Land Purchase Agree‐ ment Motion to authorize the Superintendent, in con‐ sultation with the Ofﬁce of General Counsel, to a Purchase execute Agreement with Dawana Hamilton for the acquisi‐ tion of 863 E. McKinley Street for the purchase price of $13,000.00, and any related closing docu‐ ments necessary to com‐ plete the transaction. Moved by: Shashonnie Steward; seconded by: Patrick Martin Yea: Mark Bellue, Steward, Shashonnie Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Not Present at Vote: Carla Powell Lewis Motion Carries 7-0 6. Litigation Approval of the recom‐ mendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Coun‐ sel, EBRPSB, in the mat‐ ter of: Vanessa M. Ridley vs. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board; Dis‐ trict 5; Ofﬁce of Workers' Compensation; State of i i d l d

7. Litigation Approval of the recom‐ mendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Coun‐ sel, EBRPSB, in the mat‐ ter of: Charlene Pinkney vs. Derron Current, et al; No 651512, Sec. 26; 19th JDC, EBR Parish and re‐ lated matters. Moved by: Patrick Mar‐ seconded by: tin; Shashonnie Steward Yea: Mark Bellue, Carla Powell Lewis, Shashonnie Cliff Lewis, Steward, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Motion Carries 8-0 D. Presentations 1. Accountability Presen‐ tation Accountability Updates E. Next Meeting Dates/Announcements F. Adjournment There being no further business, the Board ad‐ journed by acclamation. LaMont Cole Secretary/Treasurer EBRP School Board Shashonnie Steward School Board President 203292-OCT 9-1T $101.12 PUBLIC NOTICE --East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Regular Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM 1050 South Foster Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 A. Meeting Opening 1. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance The Invocation was led by School Board Member Patrick Martin, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Mahki Matthews of Istrouma High School, accompanied by Lieu‐ tenant Colonel Stephen Johnston.

KYIV, Ukraine — A Russianguided bomb exploded next to public buses filled with passengers in eastern Ukraine, authorities said Thursday, killing 30 people as part of a wave of attacks that also worsened power outages in the capital. The morning attack occurred next to a bus stop in the war-torn city of Kramatorsk in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, prompting public transport to be suspended in the area. “There is no doubt that Russia is cynically targeting civilians,” Oleksandr Honcharenko, head of the city’s military administration, said, adding that the rescue effort had been hampered by subsequent Russian attacks using small drones. Russia and Ukraine are locked in a long-range aerial war while their armies remain largely deadlocked on the front line, more than 4 1/2 years since Moscow’s full-scale invasion. Russia has escalated its aerial attack in recent weeks, putting pressure on Ukraine as it prepares for winter and hitting the infrastructure keeping its war-battered economy afloat. Recent targets have included energy systems, key industries, railways, post ofﬁces, shopping centers, telecom networks, gas stations and grain exports.

Thursday’s attack followed a Russian missile strike a day earlier that killed 22, including five children, in the northern Ukrainian town of Pryluky. Rescuers were searching the rubble of a residential building. At least 54 people were wounded. Several survivors slept in heavily damaged apartments because they couldn’t ﬁnd anywhere else to stay. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Pryluky on Thursday with visiting British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, who announced new sanctions on Russia. Zelenskyy warned that Russia will likely escalate daily missile and drone attacks as winter approaches. He appealed for additional

defense support from NATO countries. “It is important that support in words takes concrete form in new packages for Ukraine’s defense,” he wrote in an online post. “Supplies of anti-ballistic capabilities, ammunition for our combat aircraft and investments in interceptors — all of this is directly helping save lives every day.” In audio clips responding to journalist’s questions Thursday evening, Zelenskyy said a Ukrainian delegation would meet in the U.S. with President Donald Trump’s representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for two days beginning Friday to discuss strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses, among other issues.

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Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

2. Call to Order and Roll Call President Steward called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM. Members Present: Mark Carla Powell Bellue, Lewis, Shashonnie Stew‐ ard, Cliff Lewis, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Members Dadrius Lanus

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY EVGENIY MALOLETKA

Locals and rescuers carry out an injured woman Wednesday from a residential building destroyed in a Russian missile strike on Pryluky, Ukraine.

Absent:

Others Present: LaMont Superintendent; Cole, Adam Smith, Deputy Su‐ Gwynn perintendent; Jr., General Shamlin Counsel; Catasha Ed‐ wards, Chief Academic Officer; Amy Jones, Chief Technology Officer; Lisa Smothers, Chief OfficerHuman Resources; John McCann, Interim Chief Operations Officer; Kelly Lopez, Chief Financial Of‐ ficer; Kwesi Gilbert, Chief Plant Operations; of Stacey Dupre, Chief of Support and Special Pro‐ jects; and Tiffany Jenk‐ ins, Chief Student Ser‐ vices Officer B. Minutes 1. Meeting Minutes Approval of the School Board minutes of the July 9, 2026 , Committee of the Whole meeting, and the July 23, 2026, Regular Board meeting, as pub‐ lished in the Official Jour‐ nal. Moved by: Nathan Rust; seconded by: Michael Gaudet Yea: Mark Bellue, Carla Powell Lewis, Shashonnie Cliff Lewis, Steward, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Not Present at Vote: Dadrius Lanus Motion Carries 8-0 C. Information Only 1. Monthly Financial Re‐ port 2. Personnel Changes D. Receive as Information 1. Update from the Su‐ perintendent E. Reports from Board Appointees to Commit‐ tees/Agencies 1. Board Appointees F. Consent Agenda The following items were approved as part of the Consent Agenda. Moved by: Carla Powell i d d b

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

y Lewis; seconded by: Patrick Martin Yea: Mark Bellue, Carla Powell Lewis, Shashonnie Cliff Lewis, Steward, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Motion Carries 8-0 1. Grants Accept the following teacher grants: a) 2026-2027 Greaux Healthy School Health Program Grant in the amount of $2,000 to Riveroaks Elementary for nutrition education and health promotion. b) 2026-2027 Deborah Rochelle Teacher Grants in the amount of $29,210 for teacher projects at various schools. c) Aldi Teacher Grant in the amount of $525 awarded to McKinley Ele‐ mentary for gardening projects. 2. Early Childhood Grant: 8G Student Enhancement Block Program Approval of the 8G Stu‐ dent Enhancement Block Program in the amount of $406,581 to provide three pre-k4 classes at Audubon, Shenandoah, & Twin Oaks Elementary Schools. 3. Healthcare and Ancil‐ lary Beneﬁts Plans Approval/authorization of the following: a) Proposed 2027 health‐ care rates for active em‐ non-Medicare ployees, and Medicare-eligible re‐ tirees participating in the Louisiana Blue adminis‐ tered medical plans for Core, Buy-Up, and HighDeductible health plans. b) Proposed 2027 renego‐ tiated pharmacy con‐ tract renewal with Ex‐ press Scripts. c) Proposed 2027 con‐ renewal with tract MetLife for legal insur‐ ance. d) Authorize the Superin‐ tendent to negotiate and execute the 2027 con‐ tract for stop loss insur‐ ance coverage. e) Proposed 2027 con‐ tract renewal with United Healthcare for Medicare retirees. 4. Professional Services Contracts Approval of the profes‐ sional services contracts between the East Baton Parish School Rouge Board and the following: a) Amplify in the amount of $356,000 to provide f i l d l

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

p professional develop‐ ment and implementa‐ tion packages for highquality instructional ma‐ terials for grades K-2. b) Savvas Learning Com‐ pany in the amount of $300,000 to provide pro‐ development fessional implementation and packages for high-qual‐ ity instructional materi‐ als for grades 3rd-5th and 6th-12th.

H. Organizational Items 1. Announcement of Meetings

5. Land Purchase Agree‐ ment Authorize the Superin‐ tendent, in consultation with the Office of Gen‐ eral Counsel, to execute a Purchase Agreement with Dawana Hamilton for the acquisition of 863 E. McKinley Street for the price of purchase $13,000.00, and any re‐ lated closing documents necessary to complete the transaction. 6. Litigation Approval of the recom‐ mendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Coun‐ sel, EBRPSB, in the mat‐ ter of: Vanessa M. Ridley vs. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board; Dis‐ trict 5; Office of Workers' Compensation; State of Louisiana and related matters. 7. Litigation Approval of the recom‐ mendation from Gwynn Shamlin, General Coun‐ sel, EBRPSB, in the mat‐ ter of: Charlene Pinkney vs. Derron Current, et al; No 651512, Sec. 26; 19th JDC, EBR Parish and re‐ lated matters. G. New Business 1. Resolution: Contract Review and Signature Process Motion to adopt the reso‐ lution to provide for a re‐ view of all district con‐ tracts by the Board’s out‐ side accounting firm and to provide for the Deputy Superintendent to review and countersign all con‐ going forward tracts from now through the date of adoption of this resolution, and related matters. Moved by: Carla Powell Lewis; seconded by: Cliff Lewis Yea: Mark Bellue, Carla Powell Lewis, Shashonnie Cliff Lewis, Steward, Nathan Rust, Michael Gaudet, Emily Soulé, and Patrick Martin Motion Carries 8-0

I. Adjournment There being no further business, the Board ad‐ journed by acclamation. LaMont Cole Secretary/Treasurer EBRP School Board Shashonnie Steward School Board President 203294-OCT 9-1T $98.76

Public Notices Sex Offenders

I, WALLACE JAMES THOMAS aka WALLACE J THOMAS, have been convicted of 14:81.2 Molestation of Juvenile. Date Convicted: 11/29/2001. My Address is: 20600 MCHOST RD ZACHARY, LA 70791 Race: BLACK Sex: MALE Date of Birth: 12/10/1972 Height: 5'11" Weight: 195 Hair Color: BALAD Eye Color: BROWN Scars/Tattoos: LOUISIANA

Public Notices Successions

PUBLIC NOTICE --19TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE STATE OF LOUISIANA PROBATE NO. P-116467 DIV. 22 IN THE MATTER OF THE SUCCESSION OF JANITH LYNN MILLER ******************* NOTICE OF FIRST AND FINAL TABLEAU OF DIS‐ TRIBUTION NOTICE IS GIVEN to the creditors of this Suc‐ cession and to all other interested persons, that a First and Final Tableau of Distribution has been ﬁled by Michael Miller, the administrator of this Succession, with his peti‐ tion praying for homolo‐ gization of the Tableau and for authority to pay debts of the Estate listed thereon and distribute Estate assets as de‐ scribed therein; and that First and Final the Tableau of Distribution be homologated can after the expiration of seven (7) days from the date of the publication of this notice. Any opposi‐ tion to the Petition and First and Final Tableau of Distribution must be ﬁled prior to homologization. Signed this ______ day of _____ 2026, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. _________________ Deputy Clerk of Court East Baton Rouge Parish 203327 Oct. 8. 9, 2026 2t $65.54

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SHIPS

Continued from page 1A people were employed in ship and boat building. As of last year, that number had declined to 4,900, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Much of that can be attributed to closure of Avondale Shipyard, formerly the state’s largest private employer, on account of Huntington Ingalls consolidating its Gulf Coast operations in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Now, the Navy push for more smaller, crewless ships is bringing some work back to Louisiana shipyards. And Bourgeois said the state’s supply of skilled workers and shipbuilding infrastructure gives it a head start. “We have a workforce that has worked in the shipbuilding industry before we began to really see the dramatic decrease in those jobs,” Bourgeois said. “So we have the advantage of being able to just simply turn that back on.” In Iberia Parish, Breaux Brothers has already begun scaling up operations to produce at least ﬁve Romulus boats next year. Owner and President Brannan Breaux said he’s looking to add 20 to 30 new workers to his staff of 75 — and even more if he embarks on a contemplated expansion of his 6-acre ship-

TRUMP

Continued from page 1A been “having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran.” The U.S. and Iran signed a short-lived interim agreement in June, intended to establish a 60-day ceasefire and framework for a permanent peace deal. The deal signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian collapsed within weeks amid renewed military actions and disputes over control of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical water which one-fifth of the world’s oil flowed through before the war. Negotiations had appeared at a standstill since Trump late last month publicly rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the strait within seven days if the U.S. met certain conditions. Iran, however, said last week they had received a U.S. counterproposal. And Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier on Thursday said he expected Tehran would offer a formal reply within days. Trump on Wednesday during a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas, said that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has continued indirect negotiations with Iranian officials. But at the same time, Trump suggested he had mixed feelings about ending the war at this point. “I think the deal isn’t really something that I want to do, but they’re willing to

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SARONIC TECHNOLOGIES

Saronic is building the Marauder at its Franklin shipyard. yard. Though it will be his company’s ﬁrst uncrewed vessel, Breaux said its 43 years of experience building custom aluminum hull boats for the offshore drilling industry has been good preparation for producing the Romulus. “It’s basically a glorified (fast supply vessel) with a bunch of electronics on it that makes it an autonomous vessel,” Breaux said. “So we basically build an FSV that would typically go work in the Gulf for the oil ﬁeld, but strip down a lot of things that’re unneeded because

it’s unmanned.”

offer us anything to stop,” Trump said. Trump believes that the U.S. is gaining leverage as the U.S. military is having greater success in helping oil tankers traverse the Strait of Hormuz and get Gulf allies’ oil to market, while a Navy blockade is shutting down Iran’s own oil exports. Iran has lost its near chokehold over oil flows through the vital waterway with U.S. Central Command shepherding oil tankers through the strait at night with their location systems turned off. That, with the help of Gulf pipelines that skirt the strait, has allowed Gulf countries to export oil at nearly prewar levels. But Iran has ramped up attacks on tankers passing through the strait in recent days. And overall, ship traffic remains well below prewar levels, as are shipments of liquid natural gas and fuel products. Tanker operators willing to risk running the gauntlet under Central Command’s protection are in some cases charging rates of $1 million a day or more, shipping analysts say. The situation has become further complicated as Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s government have launched a military campaign aimed at driving Iran-backed Houthi rebels from the Bab el-Mandeb strait, another critical Mideast trade route for oil and other goods. The Houthis, in turn, are targeting Saudi airports

and key infrastructure in the kingdom with drone and missile strikes. Trump’s post comes as the military has dispatched more resources to the region. U.S. ofﬁcials have said a third aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, and thousands of troops aboard it and accompanying ships could arrive as early as the end of October. Trump’s announcement was made the same day the USS Abraham Lincoln was due to arrive to its home port in San Diego after a recordlong deployment in support of the Iran war. There have been reports of crew stress and poor mental health, as well as supply shortages, including food and hygiene products. The USS George Washington, which is usually based in Asia, relieved the Lincoln in August. The other aircraft carrier in the Middle East, the USS George H.W. Bush, has been deployed for about six months, but it pulled into Phuket, Thailand, for a port visit several days ago.

Navy, said in a release announcing the purchase. Prototype procurement In its request for protoThe 10-ship orders could type proposals in April, it rebe the first of more in the quired the new boats, known future. That’s because the Navy used an “other transaction” agreement that allows for follow-up orders without another round of bidding instead of going through the standard procurement process. “Our message to the defense industrial base is simple: build fast, deliver on time, and match the urgency of the threat,” Hung Cao, acting secretary of the

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as medium unmanned surface vessels, to “operate autonomously and carry containerized payloads,” meaning two 40-foot shipping containers that can be loaded up with weapons or other equipment. The new boats needed to be able to travel about 2,900 miles at nearly 29 mph in moderately wavy conditions and be able to continue navigating by themselves without emitting any radio signals. They also had to be ready for action within 18 months. In June, the Navy picked seven companies to prove their prototypes at sea in more than 140 scenarios, testing their ability to spot other vessels using only their sensors, properly steer around other ships and complete a preset 483-mile course. “Marauder went from initial design to on-the-water in under a year, and this evaluation demonstrated that the platform holds up under the Navy’s own toughest test-

ing,” Dino Mavrookas, CEO and co-founder of Saronic, said in a release. Saronic, which was valued at $9.25 billion in its latest funding round, aims to have the capacity to produce up to 20 Marauders a year at its Franklin shipyard. Earlier this year, it opened an office in New Orleans’ Central Business District for the engineers, architects and other specialists working on the ships. The company now employs more than 400 people in Louisiana, and expects to hire more as demand grows. Last month, the company broke ground on a $3.2 billion shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, that will more than double the nation’s current commercial shipbuilding capacity. Louisiana had been a finalist in the company’s site selection. The next phase of medium drone boat procurement has already begun. The Navy will begin reviewing new proposals next month and plans to keep taking them for five years.

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80 to 100 people. “As Ascension Parish has grown, so has our school system. The scope of our work has expanded, our needs have changed and we have simply outgrown our existing office, which was built in the 1960s,” said Kourtney Turner, public information coordinator. The new office will be built right beside the current one at 1100 Webster St. in Donaldsonville on Staff report School Board-owned property. The Construction has begun on a new new office will be about 800 square $6.2 million office for Ascension feet bigger than the current one. The project is expected to be finParish public schools. The 13,300-square-foot build- ished in December 2027. Once employees have relocated ing, which is funded through the district’s general fund, will create to the new office, the existing new offices and collaborative spac- building will be demolished and es along with a new boardroom the site will be used as a green that will be able to accommodate space, Turner said.

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Two vie for judicial seat Newly created parishwide seat on Nov. ballot

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

For the ﬁrst time in more than three decades, one judge in the 19th Judicial District Court will be elected from across East Baton Rouge Parish. The seat will command a civil docket at the courthouse and potentially decide the balance between Democrats and Republicans H H H H H H on the 15-judge panel. Tw o e x p e r i enced civil attorneys, both with backgrounds in labor and employment law, are vying for the spot: Democrat Winston DeCuir Jr. and Republican Justin DeLaune. The Legislature created the parishwide seat in 2025 as part of a push to make the borders of the 19th Judicial Court District’s subdistricts match the changing racial geography of East Baton Rouge Parish. The legislation replaced three previous subdistricts with two subdistricts,

ELECTION

STAFF PHOTO BY PEARL SPURLOCK

John Cailleteau, a deputy in Community Risk Reduction, unveils a new ﬁre safety mascot, Pelly-Can, at the Ofﬁce of the State Fire Marshal in Baton Rouge on Thursday. Cailleteau came up with the idea for Pelly-Can and pitched it to his team, who had an external company create the drawing and bring the vision to life.

Southern homecoming shooting suspect arrested One of the suspects who alleg- ing a 12-year-old, a 5-year-old and edly shot at cars after Southern an 11-month-old baby. One of the victims said three University’s homecoming parade has been arrested on seven suspects pulled up to their cars counts of attempted first-degree and jumped out in the 1000 block of Osprey Avenue. One was holdmurder. Jahiem Johnson, 20, of Zach- ing an AR-15 and another was ary, turned himself in Tuesday holding a handgun, while the third was instigating the afternoon at Baton Rouge two, according to arrest police headquarters. He warrants. was booked into East Ba- CRIME The two men then beton Rouge Parish Prison on seven counts of prin- BLOTTER gan shooting at the vehicles as the victims becipal to attempted first- staff degree murder, three reports gan fleeing the area. One counts to principal to agperson was shot on his lower left side as the bulgravated criminal damage to property and principal to let entered his body in the rear and exited through the front. The illegal use of a weapon. Two other suspects are wanted other victim was hit in his upper on seven counts of attempted right back. All three vehicles were hit and first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated criminal damage damaged by gunfire. The suspect to property and one count of il- cars then fled north on Scenic Highway. legal use of weapons. According to arrest warrants, According to victim statements, three cars were driving a suspect had approached one of south on Scenic Highway after the victims earlier at the parade leaving the parade. Each vehicle and told them, “We’re going to do carried multiple people, includ- something about you.” The vic-

Fire at OYO Hotel was arson, investigators say

tim said he had given a statement to Zachary police in 2025 that led to the man’s arrest on three counts of attempted first-degree The blaze that broke out at murder. The man threatened re- the abandoned OYO Hotel on taliation against the victim for Wednesday, hours before its dehis statements, police said. molition began as part of a cityparish blight removal project, was arson, the Baton Rouge Fire Department said. The fire broke out about A store clerk at Ragusa’s Meat 6:30 a.m. on the OYO’s second Market on Beechwood Drive was floor, the department said. When firefighters arrived, found fatally shot in the store early Wednesday morning, accord- they saw smoke and flames coming from an open area on the ing to Baton Rouge police. Abdallahi Baba, 25, was found second floor. After the fire was with multiple gunshot wounds out, the crew went upstairs to at the store on 4850 Beechwood extinguish remaining hot spots Drive. Police responded to the lo- and evacuated several homecation at 5:09 a.m., and the Coro- less people who had been living ner’s Office arrived shortly after there, a department spokesperat 5:30 a.m. son said. At this time, police have no susAnyone with information about the fire is asked to call the pects. Anyone with information rela- department’s investigations ditive to this fatal shooting is urged vision at (225) 389-2050 or Crime to contact the Violent Crimes Stoppers at (225) 344-7867. Unit at (225) 389-4869 or Crime ä See BLOTTER, page 2B Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.

Meat market clerk shot dead while on the job

ä See ELECTION, page 2B

Teacher accused of sex crimes Investigation spans Livingston, Tangipahoa parishes

BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer

A former physical education teacher and coach at a Livingston Parish school has been accused of inappropriate behavior with at least one student there and other sex crimes after evidence surfaced in a separate Tangipahoa Parish case, authorities said. Trey Sparks, 30, an employee of the Tangipahoa Parish school system, had been arrested on counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. During its investigation, the Ponchatoula Police Department seized Sparks’ digital devices, which led to evidence of victims in Livingston Parish, the Livingston Parish

ä See TEACHER, page 2B

2B ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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UL expanding its space programs BLOTTER

Continued from page 1B

projects the devel- space Ecosystem Initiative, which State’s aerospace Development Woman sought in alleged opment will create 3,000 direct connects aerospace education, jobs over the next decade and more research and workforce developindustry set for rapid than attempted meat heist 8,100 indirect jobs, generating ment. The initiative will support growth, opportunity more than 11,100 new job opportu- multidisciplinary work in areas A Baton Rouge woman is want-

nities in Acadiana. “The University has a responsibility to ensure that our academic Staff writer programs continue to evolve alongThe University of Louisiana at side the industries and technologies Lafayette is expanding its academ- that are creating new opportunities ic offerings in aerospace and space for our students and our state,” intechnology, bringing together engi- terim Provost and Vice President neering and computing programs for Academic Affairs Dianne Olivito prepare students for emerging er said. “These efforts demonstrate careers and Louisiana’s growing how we can build on strengths aerospace industry. across disciplines, connect educaThe expansion includes a new tion with research and workforce aerospace engineering concentra- needs, and give students the spetion within the bachelor’s degree cialized knowledge and practical program in mechanical engineer- skills they will need to succeed.” ing and an aerospace and autonomous systems minor in the College Engineering education of Engineering, both planned for The College of Engineering’s fall 2027. The Ray P. Authement new aerospace engineering conCollege of Sciences also is adding centration will build on the mea space computing systems con- chanical engineering curriculum centration for computer science with advanced coursework in gas majors and a space computing sys- dynamics and propulsion, spacetems minor for students in other craft dynamics and control, aeromajors, both planned for fall 2027. space structures and design, air“Louisiana is entering an excit- craft dynamics and performance, ing new era of opportunity in aero- orbital mechanics and aerospace space, and the University of Loui- power systems. Students will be able to focus siana at Lafayette is committed to helping lead that progress,” uni- technical electives on either therversity President Ramesh Kolluru mal-ﬂuids-energy systems or mesaid. “Our responsibility is not sim- chanics and control. The aerospace ply to respond to economic growth, and autonomous systems minor but to help drive it. By bringing will provide another pathway for together our academic strengths, engineering students to pursue research capabilities and industry aerospace-related coursework partnerships across disciplines, we and develop expertise in emerging are preparing students for high- technologies. “The aerospace and autonomous demand careers, strengthening the workforce our state will need systems minor and the aerospace and helping create the talent and engineering concentration are part innovation that will support this in- of our broader efforts to continudustry’s continued growth.” ously align our engineering educaThe academic expansion comes tion with rapidly evolving technolas Louisiana prepares for growth ogies and workforce needs,” Colin its aerospace sector. SpaceX has lege of Engineering Dean Ahmed announced a $100 billion invest- Khattab said. “We are building on ment to build Starbase Louisiana the college’s existing strengths to near Pecan Island, about 60 miles create new academic pathways south of campus in Vermilion Par- and opportunities for our students ish. The facility is expected to while expanding our capabilities in become the world’s largest space- aerospace education, research and port by launch capacity, capable of innovation.” The new offerings are part of supporting thousands of launches annually. Louisiana Economic the College of Engineering’s Aero-

BY KRISTIN ASKELSON

including autonomous systems, robotics, artiﬁcial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, materials, propulsion and thermal systems, with applications for aircraft, spacecraft, autonomous vehicles and other aerospace technologies.

Sciences expand The Ray P. Authement College of Sciences is expanding its curriculum in the School of Computing & Informatics with a new concentration and minor in space computing systems. The programs will prepare students to apply computing expertise to spacecraft, satellites and other space-based systems. The new concentration and minor will focus on computing and cybersecurity for space applications. Students will learn how to protect satellite commands and communications, build intelligent and resilient software, manage spacecraft computing resources, design radiation-hardened and fault-tolerant systems, and analyze satellite imagery and telemetry. The programs will build on the School of Computing & Informatics’ advanced curriculum in artificial intelligence and machine learning, giving students opportunities to apply those technologies to challenges unique to space-based systems. “Computing is essential to nearly every aspect of modern space systems, from communications and cybersecurity to artiﬁcial intelligence and autonomous technologies,” College of Sciences Dean Azmy Ackleh said. “Through this new concentration and minor in space computing, we are giving students opportunities to apply the computing skills they are developing to complex, real-world challenges in space-based systems. Most importantly, we are preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow, both here in Louisiana and across the nation, and equipping them to contribute to the growing space economy.”

$110M refinery project in Acadia Parish delayed BY ADAM DAIGLE

Acadiana business editor A $110 million net-zero emissions reﬁnery that was announced for Acadia Parish last year and was to employ 60 people may not happen. Green Fuels Operating, which announced last May it would open at the former Evangeline Processing facility along the Mermentau River, could not land a deal for the property and is now looking for a site, CEO Derek Wiliamson said. Negotiations with the property

TEACHER

Continued from page 1B Sheriff’s Ofﬁce said in a statement. Sparks was transported to the Livingston Parish jail from Tangipahoa Parish on Wednesday and booked on counts of molestation of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile, computer-aided solicitation of a minor, sexual battery, possession of child sexual abuse material, as well as production of such

owner, Tristar, to purchase the property were unsuccessful, he said. The company, which is based in Dubai, and Green Fuels Operating spent months negotiating a possible deal after Williamson’s company spent time negotiating with the previous owner, he said. Tristar had bought the site out of bankruptcy from Canal Reﬁneries in 2018 for $2.55 million, according to land records. But Green Fuels Operating began negotiating with Canal on the site, including the equipment and other assets.

“By the time we ﬁgured all that out, we were like, ‘Holy crap, what a mess,’ ” Williamson said. “Then we tried negotiation with Tristar, and they just basically had too many requests and demands. We couldn’t do it.” The site, which dates back to 1957, also would not have made it through an environmental review, he said. Now having sat idle for possibly three years, the site has 500,000 barrels of storage with 15 tanks ranging from 5,000 barrels to 80,000 barrels along with barge-to-rail access.

material, and prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student, the Sheriff’s Ofﬁce said. The newly uncovered evidence pointed to inappropriate behavior with juveniles that occurred in 2023 and 2024, when Sparks was working at Maurepas School in Livingston Parish, the Sheriff’s Ofﬁce said. In a statement Wednesday night, the Livingston Parish school system said Sparks worked as a middle school and high school P.E. teacher and basketball coach at Maurepas School from Feb. 18, 2021, to

Oct. 25, 2024. The school system said Sparks resigned on Oct. 25, 2024, citing “other opportunities” related to employment with another school district. “The safety and well-being of our students and staff are the top priority of the Livingston Parish Public School System,” the statement said. “District leadership will work with law enforcement ofﬁcials in this matter.” Sparks is being held with no bail.

ed for attempting to steal more than $1,000 worth of various cuts of meat by concealing them in cases and tote bags ﬁlled with water bottles, police said. Pamela Johnson, 63, tried to steal 11 racks of lamb, two beef briskets, three rib-eyes and six other steaks as well as six bathrobes — a total of $1,348 in merchandise — from the Sam’s Club on 10444 North Mall Drive on

ELECTION

Continued from page 1B one that covers the northwestern half of the parish as well as downtown Baton Rouge and Mid City, and a second that covers the southeastern half and includes St. George. Three judges at the 19th JDC — Donald Johnson, Ronald Johnson and Gail Horne Ray — ﬁled a lawsuit last year opposing the change on the grounds it diluted Black voting power. The suit remains ongoing. Election Day for the parishwide judge’s seat will be held on Nov. 3, alongside two other judges’ races.

Winston DeCuir Jr.

Sept. 26. She abandoned the cart and items after an employee prevented her from leaving, police said. Johnson attempted to hide the bounty under cases of water and tote bags, which she did pay for, according to her warrant. She then attempted to complete a scan-andgo transaction and leave the store when an employee questioned her about the obvious hidden items. On Oct. 6, Johnson was identiﬁed through the store’s surveillance camera and her Sam’s Club membership. According to Sam’s Club’s terms and conditions, Johnson will be banned from all Sam’s Club stores and her membership will be immediately revoked.

Rouge resident, having attended St. Aloysius, followed by Catholic High and eventually LSU law school.

Justin DeLaune Like his opponent, Justin DeLaune was inspired by an older family member who also practiced law: his uncle, an injury lawyer. From him, DeLaune learned how a lawyer could be a center for advice within the family and community. And like his opponent, DeLaune has spent much of his career in employment law, albeit usually on the side of the employee. DeLaune graduated from LSU then attended Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. During his last year, he worked at the school’s wage claim clinic, helping workers who were being denied pay because of their status on a visa or as an illegal worker. There he met and was soon hired by Jay Arthur Smith with the Smith Law Firm, continuing his path into labor law. DeLaune cut his teeth on civil litigation: He handled trials in both district and federal court, worked on injury cases involving toxic substances, and appealed his cases as high as the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2017, DeLaune moved to a new law firm, Porteous, Hainkel and Johnson, where he has worked ever since, becoming partner in 2024. DeLaune said he thinks his heavy in-court experience separates him from his opponent. He also thinks it has prepped him for the large number of cases that come through the 19th Judicial District, since any suit involving a state agency has to be filed there. For his temperament on the bench, DeLaune said he plans to merge this sometimes laissezfaire attitude of the district court with the strictness of the Louisiana Middle District federal court. Specifically he wants to adopt their proactiveness in setting deadlines for attorneys for filing motions and scheduling status conferences. “What a novel idea,” DeLaune laughed, “make deadlines mean something again.”

In a race that will require support from more than just one side of the parish, DeCuir said his experience delivering wins for both of Baton Rouge’s cornerstone universities will show residents his commitment to the community. Southern University hired DeCuir beginning in 2003, while the university was working with his firm DeCuir, Clark and Adams. In his time working with the university, he assisted in negotiating contracts and helped Southern in securing a 2006 bond issue to expand the campus. He left the firm to become general counsel of LSU in 2020, and was the first Black man to serve in the position. The most intensive of this work was on LSU’s 2022 push for a 30year utility modernization project, upgrading the power plant and chilled water supply to support the campus’ next generation of buildings. Negotiating with both the utility and the construction contractor and then formalizing the deal in a contract took nearly a year and a half, DeCuir said. “But on the upside, when they ultimately build a new library, the library will simply be able to plug into their new utility plant because it now has capacity,” he said. DeCuir, who worked with Southern this year to secure a bond for its latest dorm, said his firm is also talking with the university about Email Quinn Coffman at quinn. avenues to upgrade its aging en- coffman@theadvocate.com. ergy infrastructure in a similar way. Southern has been plagued by frequent power outages, which LOTTERY has led to classes being canceled several times in recent months. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 2026 Both of those roles required DePICK 3: 1-1-3 Cuir to break down legal realities PICK 4: 5-2-0-9 for university leadership. He said PICK 5: 4-8-0-5-0 that skill will be applicable to the judgeship as well, with residents EASY 5: 9-17-20-32-35 needing an approachable and frank LOTTO: 2-8-19-36-37-41 judge to make proceedings clear. POWERBALL: DeCuir said he learned this trait 11-13-14-21-65 (19) from his father, an attorney who worked at the same law firm. Unofficial notification, keep your tickets. He sees himself as a loyal Baton

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Rising oil, falling stocks unsettle Wall Street

NEW YORK — Some sharp reversals kept financial markets unsteady on Thursday, as oil prices rose and U.S. stock indexes finished mixed. Stocks felt pressure from a 4.1% rise in the price for a barrel of Brent crude oil, the international standard, to $104.28. It’s been pinballing between $96 and nearly $110 over the last month on uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow the global energy industry to return to normal. Brent got to nearly $106 in the morning before President Donald Trump sent its price veering after saying “productive discussions” are happening with Iran and that the U.S. military would not attack it before the upcoming U.S. elections in November. That briefly sent Brent toward $103 before it eventually turned back upward. Even sharper swings shook the bond market, where yields have been jumping worldwide to their highest levels in years or even decades, which threaten to slow the economy. The 10-year Treasury yield initially rose with oil prices, going from 5.28% late Wednesday to 5.35% early Thursday morning. But it then fell all the way back to 5.23%. It dropped after the U.S. government said that it sold $22 billion in 30-year Treasury bonds at an auction with a high yield of less than 5.62%. That helped bring the 30-year Treasury yield down to 5.60% from 5.73% in the morning, which is a notable move for the bond market.

Mortgage rate rises 7th week in a row

Mortgage rates marched higher for the seventh week in a row, driving the average longterm U.S. home loan rate to its highest level in nearly three years. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed to 7.40% from 7.28% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the average rate was 6.30%. The average rate is now the highest it’s been since Nov. 16, 2023, when it was at 7.44%. The housing market has been stuck in a rut this year in large part because of rising mortgage rates, which can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, limiting homebuyers’ purchasing power and prompting many to put off buying a home. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, often sought by borrowers reﬁnancing a home loan, also rose this week. That average rate increased to 6.73% from 6.60% last week. A year ago, it was at 5.53%. Mortgage rates have been climbing in the months since the start of the U.S. war with Iran in late February. The recent run-up in rates also reﬂects heightened bond market volatility as surging oil prices due to the war fuel inflation worries.

PepsiCo is raising prices after weak quarter

PepsiCo plans to raise prices on some snacks and drinks and slash corporate costs after a disappointing performance in North America during the third quarter. The price hikes, which will hit Doritos, Ruffles, SunChips and some sodas, will be in the single-digit percentage range, and prices will still be lower than they were at the start of this year. PepsiCo said Thursday that it must raise prices to recoup rising costs for fuel, aluminum and agricultural commodities. Many companies, including PepsiCo, have offset rising costs this year by using tariff refunds issued by the U.S. government after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs. PepsiCo used its $178 million refund to do just that during the most recent quarter, but said that money will not be available in coming quarters.

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Trump Accounts enrollment automatic

would still need to for- the U.S. Treasury Department will they won’t get the $1,000 bonus. Some babies eligible guardians mally activate the accounts if they make a one-time, $1,000 “seed” That money is reserved for babies contribution once an account is born during the calendar years of for $1,000 contribution haven’t already.

BY ADRIANA MORGA and WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS AP business writers

NEW YORK — Whether you realize it or not, your child may be enrolled in a “Trump Account.” Rolled out earlier this year, the Trump Accounts program allows parents to claim special investment accounts for children who are 18 years old or younger. Some babies and newborns are eligible to receive a one-time $1,000 contribution from the government. Now, due to automatic enrollment highlighted by President Donald Trump Wednesday, the Treasury Department says every eligible child with a valid Social Security number has a Trump Account. But parents and legal

A Trump Account is a savings tool that invests money in the stock market on a child’s behalf. The child can’t access the money until they turn 18 and can use it only for speciﬁc purposes, such as paying tuition, starting a business or making a down payment on a home. All Americans under age 18 are now being automatically enrolled in Trump Accounts. But parents and legal guardians still need to formally claim the accounts in order to activate them — by using the program’s website at trumpaccounts.gov or its mobile phone app. Trump said Wednesday said that 70 million children will now be enrolled in the accounts, up from 8 million created since their launch in July. For some babies and newborns,

claimed. Other contributions will need to come out of pocket. Parents can contribute up to $2,500 annually in pretax income, much like they do for retirement accounts. But employers, relatives, friends, local governments and philanthropic groups can also pitch in. Yearly contributions are capped at $5,000, although contributions from governments and charities don’t count toward that total. To qualify for the $1,000 seed money, a baby must be a U.S. citizen, have a Social Security number and be born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028. Any parent can open an account for a qualifying child, regardless of the parent’s immigration status. As part of the initiative’s launch, parents of older children also are encouraged to open accounts, but

the current Trump administration. Once a beneficiary of a Trump Account turns 18 years old, they can choose to use the money invested in whatever way they choose. However, Trump Account beneficiaries can also choose to roll the investment over to a Roth IRA account. “You’re extending the life of this thing beyond the 18 years; you’re going all the way out into the child’s potential retirement,” said Myranda Fabian, a certified financial planner with Plante Moran Financial Advisors. Moving the earnings from a Trump Account to a Roth IRA account will be subject to taxation. Roth IRA accounts allow earnings to grow and to be withdrawn free of taxation when an adult reaches retirement age.

World Trade Organization raises merchandise trade growth forecast AI boom offsets hit from Middle East BY JAMEY KEATEN

Associated Press

GENEVA — The World Trade Organization is sharply increasing its forecast for merchandise trade growth worldwide this year, more than doubling its earlier prediction to 3.9% as booming AI investments offset a hit from the war in the Middle East. The Geneva-based trade body says global trade chugged along at a hearty pace, as supply chains adapted and AI-related spending poured in to provide “a powerful boost to goods trade.” The revised forecast marks a big jump from an initial WTO forecast in this spring for 1.9% growth for merchandise trade. The figure excludes services trade. The trade body forecast growth next year of 4.1%, up from 2.9% predicted in March. “The revision reflects evidence that global supply chains adapted to disruptions in energy and fertilizer markets, while strong investment in AI-related infrastructure boosted trade in AI-enabling goods,” WTO said. Trade of oil and gas and fertilizer through the Persian Gulf was shaken after the U.S.Israeli war against Iran began in February. WTO said merchandise trade grew 3.5% in the first half of the year, powered by the artificial intelligence market. “Demand for AI-enabling goods such as semiconductors and servers accounted for 47% of global merchandise trade growth in the first half of 2026, and trade in these products rose by 67% year-on-year, accelerating from the already rapid expansion seen in 2024 and 2025,” WTO said. Robert Steiger, its chief economist, said WTO teams — like most forecasters — have been “surprised” at the strength of the AI investment boom. They anticipated that strong

ISNA PHOTO BY AMIRHOSEIN KHORGOOI

A man checks his cellphone at a waterfront shelter as commercial vessels appear anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, on Monday. growth in AI-enabling goods like electronics and computers would moderate over time because of already-high growth last year and “market saturation” eventually. “This actually has not happened. Trade in AI-enabling goods grew 16% in value terms in 2024. It grew 31% in value terms in 2025, and it grew an astonishing 67% in the ﬁrst half of 2026,” he told reporters at WTO headquarters. Liquefied natural gas exports from the

Middle East fell by 47% in the ﬁrst half of the year, while crude oil exports dropped by nearly a quarter, WTO said. But shipments from other suppliers helped limit the decline to roughly 1% for LNG and about 6% for crude. WTO said it expects global GDP to grow 2.6% this year and 2.9% in 2027, even though it predicted that the Middle East conﬂict will continue to weigh on trade through higher energy prices and transport route disruptions.

Cost of drugs from Canada set to soar Federal customs rule suspends de minimis exemption

BY FATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Millions of Americans who buy cheap drugs from Canada could soon lose access when a customs rule goes into effect later this month, a change that has sparked opposition from Democrats and some Republicans with the cost of living a top issue for voters ahead of midterm elections. The rule applies to a swath of goods beyond drugs and is intended to collect tariffs and prevent illegal drugs from coming into the U.S. It comes as President Donald Trump has made lowering drug prices a top target in addressing soaring healthcare costs, and critics say the rule will hurt patients seeking affordable medicine. “The issue is a matter of life and death for me,” said Susan Hooper, a 75-year-old Toledo, Ohio, resident who has been on oxygen for 14

years and takes two daily medications purchased through a Canadian pharmacy that are not available in the U.S. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection rule targets the de minimis exemption, which previously allowed shipments valued under $800 to pass through customs more easily. As of Oct. 22, that exemption will be indeﬁnitely suspended, and medications mailed from outside the U.S. will require additional data and a bond guarantee. Many medications have already increased in price since customs rules went into effect in August 2025. However, the Oct. 22 compliance date includes importation rules that could eliminate the ability to import personal prescriptions. The rule puts added fees and registration requirements on lowvalue shipments that previously entered the U.S. duty-free — on everything from textiles to toys — but the people who could see the most signiﬁcant impacts are those who buy their cheap drugs from across the border.

And while the rule doesn’t specifically target Canadian drugs — it applies to international mail generally — the practical consequence could be delays, refusals or substantially more difﬁculty getting their medications delivered. Roughly 2.3 million Americans buy their drugs abroad, according to a 2020 study by JAMA Network.

Trump’s healthcare strategy The Trump administration has made lowering drug prices a priority in its bid to show Americans that it is tackling soaring costs. Trump, a Republican, has struck multiple most-favored-nation drug deals with pharmaceutical ﬁrms and has launched the discounteddrug website TrumpRx, among other steps. Federal data from this summer showed that U.S. prescription drug prices were down 3.1% from a year ago, the steepest year-over-year drop since 1963. Trump has sought to take credit for the steep decline, but the real picture is more complicated, and experts say factors beyond the president’s policies likely contributed more to the drop.

Advocates say the rule will hurt patients seeking affordable medicine. Ken Hunter, executive director of the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation, which advocates on behalf of Americans who access the Canadian drugs, said those who have enjoyed the lower drug prices from across the northern border may not beneﬁt from Trump’s drug pricing moves. “There has been a lot of talk of lowering drug prices, but in many cases it doesn’t cover all drugs for all people for all conditions,” he said. Hunter warned that costs will explode for some medications after his organization conducted a study in August looking at 10 of the most commonly prescribed medications imported from Canada. He cited Eliquis, a prescription blood thinner used to prevent and treat dangerous blood clots. A three-month supply of 180 5-mg pills would cost $565 from a mail order Canadian pharmacy. The same medication would cost roughly $1,017 from Amazon’s pharmacy arm or $1,029 from GoodRx.

4B ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

Funerals Today Berthelot, James

Beam of Life Tabernacle at 6:00pm

Brignac, Paula

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs at 11am.

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Henry Byrd II (Lisa) and bonus daughter, Mckeyba Green. Services will be held at Hall Davis & Sons Fu‐ neral Services, 1160 Louisiana Ave., Port Allen, Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 10am. Visitation at 9am.

from 9:00 a.m. until funeral services begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Faithful United Methodist Cemetery.

Kinchen, Ollie S.

LeBlanc, Lenora

Holy Family Catholic Church in Port Allen at 10:20am.

Martello, Leona

Bethany Church, 13855 Plank Road, Baker at Noon.

Redman, Brian

Clouatre, Zemly W.

Rouge, Louisiana on October 2, 2026. She was a 91year-old native of Valdosta, Georgia. Viewing at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 8:00 am until Celebration of Life Service at 10:00 am conducted by Pastor Fred Jeff Smith; interment at Roselawn Memoral Park. Survivors include her children, Viney Samuel, Anthony and Valerie Kinchen; grandchildren, Michelle Samuel and

Megan Bruce; great-grandchildren, Madyson Bruce and Ronni Brown; siblings, Warren Powell of Macon, Georgia, and Carletha Leonard (Arise), Milledgeville, Georiga; other relatives and friends. Arrangements entrusted to Miller & Daughter Mortuary.

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church at 11:00am.

Waters, Thomas

St. George Catholic Church, Baton Rouge at Noon.

FIND OUT WHAT UR HOME

Entered into eternal rest at her residence in Baton

Yaun, Frank

YOURIS WORTH HOME

St. Ann Catholic Church, Marietta, Georgia at 11:00am.

Obituaries

How to place an Obituary Notice

Byrd, Henry M.

Henry M. Byrd I, a re‐ tired educator and busi‐ nessman, was born on De‐ cember 14, 1935, and passed away on October 2, 2026. He is survived by his six daughters, Debra Byrd (Mason), Elouise Byrd Auzenne (Horace), Patricia Byrd Irving (Ronald), Jackie Byrd Brown, Nanetta Byrd Respone, and Andrea Byrd (Melvin); and one son,

Zemly W. Clouatre, a native of Brignac, Louisiana, born on February 21, 1935, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on October 3, 2026. She is survived by her children, Eddie J. Clouatre and Christy C. Bourgeois (Gordon J. Bourgeois). Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at Faithful United Methodist Church from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Monday, October 12, 2026,

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Rivet, Judith Shook 'Judy'

Judith "Judy" Shook Rivet, 81, of Baton Rouge,LA, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026, at Ochsner Hospital, with her beloved sons, Troy and George,by her side. Judy was born on November 1, 1944, in Lake Charles, LA, to the late Clarence Shook and Marjorie Knapp George. She spent many years working in the service industry, where she made friends everywhere she went. Judy was funny, quick-witted, a wonderful storyteller, and never afraid to tell you exactly what she thought. She could bring comic relief to almost any situation and, in true Judy fashion, never took much nonsense from anyone. She loved animals

deeply, especially her Corgis, and opened her heart and home to dogs in need through rescue. She also loved her horse and cherished the time she spent with her. Judy never lost her sense of fun. At 80 years old, she went to see Jelly Roll in concert in Lafayette and even managed to get a hug from him — a perfect example of the memorable moments that seemed to find her. Above all else, Judy loved her family. Her sons, Troy Donaldson and George Donaldson, were her whole heart. She carried with her always the memory of her beloved son, Gevin Donaldson, who preceded her in death in 2008. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Judy was endlessly proud of them and rarely missed a game, performance, celebration, or important milestone. She showed up, cheered loudly, bragged often, and took tremendous joy in watching them grow. She is survived by her sons, Troy Donaldson and George Donaldson; her stepsons, Danny Rivet and Donny Rivet; her grandchildren, Chase, Abbie, George III, Saylor, and Britany; her great-grandchildren,

Amelia G., Tyler, Carson, Amelia M., Lilian, and Penelope; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Gevin Donaldson; and her stepson, David Rivet. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70815, on Monday, October 12, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until funeral services at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Friends and loved ones are also invited to join the family for a Celebration of Life on what would have been Judy's 82nd birthday, Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., at 8902 Rockway Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70817. Judy leaves behind countless stories, plenty of laughter, and a family who will miss her dearly. Those fortunate enough to know her will undoubtedly have a Judy story of their own.

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

Victims of domestic violence told to trust the system

I did what we tell victims of do- asking questions, writing letters, researching laws and advocatmestic violence to do. I reported the abuse. I ing for myself. And this went to court. I showed process has still been exup for every appearance, hausting. whether the defendant Even after the criminal appeared or not. I made case, I have remained revictim impact statements. sponsible for protecting I cooperated with prosecuTanja M. myself. Who was responsible tors, obtained legal protecDavis updating my stay-away tion and made sure my GUEST order? Me. voice was heard. COLUMNIST Making sure the asAnd then, when the man convicted of violently abussistant district attorney ing me was released from prison, knew the offender had been rethe criminal justice system did leased? Me. not tell me. A friend did. Finding and contacting his paHad she not known, I do not role ofﬁcer? Me. know when I would have learned Contacting the parole victim that the person I had gone advocate? Me. through the legal system to proTrying to understand which tect myself from was back in the agency is responsible for what? Me. community. At some point, we have to ask That should concern every Louwhy a person who has already isiana resident, because my exsurvived violence is expected to perience raises a question much larger than what happened to me: become the project manager of her own protection. How is the average victim supLouisiana promises victims posed to navigate this system? I had advantages many victims rights. But rights that require victims to understand a maze do not. I had an understanding of agencies, forms, registration employer and ﬂexibility to atsystems and legal terminology tend court. I had family, friends are not equally accessible to evand community members supporting me. I am comfortable eryone.

The process of informing victims of the progress of their case and the status of the offender is confusing and involves more than one system. Consider something most victims would have no reason to know: Louisiana’s Department of Public Safety and Corrections currently tells victims that registering with the notification system called LA VINE (Louisiana Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is not the same thing as registering with Louisiana Victim Outreach. A victim must register with Louisiana Victim Outreach to receive certain notifications concerning a state inmate’s projected and actual release. Why should a traumatized person be expected to understand that distinction? Why doesn’t one valid victim registration follow a case from arrest through prosecution and incarceration to release, probation or parole? Louisiana’s own legislature has already acknowledged this problem. In 2025, lawmakers recognized the challenges created when victims’ rights and services are handled through numerous law-

Today’s socialist movement is woefully misguided

enforcement, state and local agencies. The state required the creation of a comprehensive victims’ services system designed to provide information throughout a criminal case in a manner that is timely, consistent and easy to understand. That system was required to be operating by July 1, 2026. So now we should ask: Is it working? Can a victim enter the system once and trust that her information will follow her case? When an offender is approaching release, does anyone verify that the victim’s contact information is current? Does anyone review active protective or stayaway orders? Does someone contact the victim before release? Victims should participate in their cases. Our voices matter. But participation should not mean administration. Louisiana should move toward one victim registration that follows the entire case; a clearly identiﬁed victim navigator for serious violent crimes; automatic, secure transfer of updated contact information between authorized agencies; pre-release safety reviews in domestic violence

cases; clear responsibility for protective-order and parole coordination; meaningful tracking of failed notiﬁcations; and easier ways for victims to participate in appropriate court proceedings without repeatedly sacriﬁcing employment, transportation and childcare. The system should be designed around the person who must actually use it. I survived intimate partner violence. I should not also have to become an expert in Louisiana’s criminal justice system to remain safe from the person who abused me. For too long, we have asked victims: Did you report it? Did you go to court? Did you register? Did you update your information? Did you call the right agency? Did you follow up? I am asking Louisiana to change the question. Stop asking whether the victim did everything she was supposed to do. Start asking whether the system did everything it was supposed to do for her.

Tanja M. Davis is a New Orleans-based hospitality leader, writer and domestic violence survivor.

Congress should act to help childhood migraine sufferers

Socialism is moving from the margins of additional benefit from their own labor. BradAmerican political debate into the mainstream. ford changed the arrangement by assigning Nowhere is that more apparent than in New each family a parcel to cultivate for its own use. York where democratic socialist politics have He wrote that the change made “all hands very gained considerable influence and are industrious” and led to a substantial inleading the Democratic Party to debate crease in the amount of crops planted. how much control government should These early colonial experiences exercise over economic life. should not be portrayed as identical to The socialist trend is worrisome. Marxist socialism. They were not. NevSocialism does present an appealing ertheless, they illustrate an enduring promise of social equality and an even principle of human nature: People generDavid distribution of wealth. Before embracThomas ally have stronger incentives to work, invest and produce when they can benefit ing it, Americans should examine both GUEST directly from the fruits of their labor. its theory and its historical record. That COLUMNIST The international record of modern examination should include a revealing socialism is similarly troubling, although chapter from America’s own colonial not uniform. The Soviet Union achieved rapid beginnings. industrialization, but centralized control proKarl Marx and Friedrich Engels presented modern socialism’s most influential political duced chronic shortages and eventual economic declaration in “The Communist Manifesto,” collapse. Communist China’s Cultural Revolupublished in 1848. They called for the abolition tion caused catastrophic famine inflicting enorof private property and collective control of the mous social and economic damage. Venezuela’s means of production. Marx later described soextensive nationalization of oil businesses brought its output from first to worst. Cuba and cialism as a transitional stage in which workers North Korea show the tendency of communist would receive according to their contributions, ultimately leading to a communist society based societies to develop into dictatorships. The Nordic countries are sometimes preon the principle of receiving according to one’s needs. sented as proof that socialism works. However, Socialism and communism are therefore Sweden, Denmark and Norway are not Marxclosely related in Marxist philosophy. Socialism ist economies. They retain private property, is often described as “communism light,” a tran- competitive markets, private businesses and entrepreneurship while using high taxes to fund sitional system in which productive property is extensive social programs. They are more acsocially controlled. Communism is supposed to be the eventual classless society in which pricurately categorized as capitalist social democvate ownership of productive capital disappears. racies. America had an early experience with comSocial Security, Medicare, Medicaid and welfare programs incorporate quasi-socialist munal economics long before Marx was born. principles within the United States. Expanding At Jamestown, established in 1607, the Virginia government programs does not automatically Company’s early system placed land and agamount to communism, and a social safety net ricultural production under common control. is not necessarily socialism, although both point Laborers worked for the common store, and in that direction and increase the government’s rewards were distributed with little connection between individual effort and individual benefit. role in economic life. However, replacing priThis arrangement provided little incentive to vate ownership and market incentives with cenincrease production. Historical accounts report tralized government control is a fundamentally that more than half the colony died during its different proposition. The removal of personal first year. incentives was tried and failed in Jamestown, Common ownership was subsequently Plymouth and several countries. abandoned and the colony improved. Gov. Sir The early American experience offers a Thomas Dale introduced private plot ownership warning worth remembering. Because it works beginning with three-acre allotments and later against human nature, socialism is not the most expanding to larger holdings. efficient economic system. Plymouth offers an even more striking exMargaret Thatcher’s famous quote sums it up: “Socialism works very well until you run out of ample. The Pilgrims initially operated under other people’s money.” History clearly demona common-stock arrangement in which land, livestock and labor were largely held for the col- strates that equality of economic opportunity produces a far healthier society than forcing an lective benefit of the colony. Governor William artificial equality of results. Bradford later described the results as “confusion and discontent.” Young men objected to working hard for the David Thomas is CEO of Equitas Capital benefit of other families without receiving any Advisors in New Orleans.

Headache disorders — includdeserve better. My youngest patient with migraine was only 3 years old. ing migraine, cluster headache and Pediatric patients have only two chronic daily headache — affect more than 40 million Americans. But FDA-approved preventive options. While more treatment options have what often gets overlooked is how common they are in children. About 1 emerged in recent years for adults, we’re still far behind where we in 10 kids experience migraines. should be. Louisiana has one I see firsthand every day of the highest migraine rates what the impact of headache in the country. The opportunidisease looks like in children and adolescents: missing ty for better research, trainschool, sitting out of sports and ing and clinical care remains dance classes and rescheduling largely untapped — and the playdates because of a disease Rashmi R. chance for us to take action that is often undiagnosed, unis now. Rao This is why I’m urging Condertreated and underfunded. GUEST Our healthcare system is gress to make the bipartisan COLUMNIST Headache Education, Access, fundamentally unprepared to help these children. There Diagnosis and Care Health are fewer than 900 United Council Equity, or HEADACHE, Act a priorfor Neurologic Subspecialties certiity this fall. The bill would establish a coordinated national strategy to exfied Headache Medicine physicians nationwide, and even fewer who spe- pand research, training and access to headache specialists, addressing precialize in pediatric migraines. This translates to one specialist for every cisely the gaps that affect my young 44,000 people with migraine or severe patients every day. headaches. I’m based in New Orleans, This includes establishing a new but I see patients from all over the initiative and advisory council dedistate because of the lack of specialcated to headache disorders, advancists in this area. I even see patients ing research to develop new and betfrom Texas, Alabama and Florida. ter therapies and supporting public When providers do specialize in awareness campaigns to reduce headache disorders, they often report stigma and improve understanding of doing so despite limited resources headache disorders. and insufficient investment in this The House Energy and Commerce disease space. Headache disorders Committee has the power to move receive just 0.2% of National Instithis lifesaving legislation forward, and our children cannot afford furtutes of Health funding, a fraction of what their disease burden warrants. ther delays. Louisiana Sens. John This underfunding limits research Kennedy and Bill Cassidy should also opportunities, slows innovation in champion this issue by becoming treatment options and discourages original sponsors of the HEADACHE providers from specializing in headAct in the Senate, bringing the urgenache medicine. Earlier diagnosis cy of this crisis to their colleagues. and proper treatment can lead to When we help a child get the right dramatically improved outcomes and diagnosis and treatment, their world reduced disability. Yet without cooropens back up. I see it every day in dinated federal investment and strat- my clinic. They go back to being a egy, many children and adults can go kid. Their parents stop missing work. The family memories they thought years without the diagnosis and care were lost to migraine attacks are they deserve. made again. I was 20 years old when I expeFor my patients in Louisiana and rienced my first migraine, and my children nationwide, this is what pasmother also faced debilitating headaches. Years later, when my own sage of the HEADACHE Act would daughter began having migraine atmake possible. Louisiana policymaktacks, I recognized immediately what ers should act now to support this bill. she was going through. No child should have to miss their When it’s your own child, you childhood to a disease we can treat. understand viscerally what other parents are experiencing. You unRashmi R. Rao is a pediatrician based in New Orleans who derstand that your child is not alone specializes in neurology. in this suffering, but also that they

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COMMENTARY

Students walk through Cornell University’s campus in Ithaca, N.Y.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY MATT BURKHARTT

ISSUE OF THE WEEK RAPE ON CAMPUS When the details of an alleged gang rape at Cornell University in 2024 become public a few weeks ago, it sparked a firestorm of reaction.The alleged victim, using the name Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against Cornell and the fraternity members who she said had sex with her during a night when they consumed vast amounts of alcohol and drugs. After she filed a report with campus police alledging the rape, two of the men involved were expelled and others received lesser punishments. Prosecutors decided not to pursue criminal charges. Some say the case of Jane Doe demonstrates that colleges and universities aren’t doing enough to prevent rape on campus and prosecutors don’t take rape accusations seriously. Others point to the murky versions of what happened that night and argue that it’s not clear whether a crime occurred.What does the Cornell case tell us about how campuses treat rape accusations?

The system worked in the Cornell’s uncomfortable question about consent case of the Cornell 7 We’ve heard it from politicians, celebriat some point, she figured “why not do it a second time.” ties and influencers — the system failed When the guys, who behaved abysmally, the accuser in the Cornell 7 case. asked if they could snort the drug off her This near-universal view is advanced body, she said, “Sure.” with great certainty and a sense of outFinally, another young man raged righteousness, but mistaken entered the room and said he was nonetheless. Based on the information shutting it down. available to them at the time, the auStill, her so-called friend perthorities handled the matter in keeping with the facts and the law. sisted and took her to another This isn’t to defend anything that room with another male to begin occurred during that debauched night having group sex again. She said Rich at the Chi Phi fraternity, which was she was tired and plaintively Lowry “Lord of the Flies” meets “Eyes Wide asked her friend, “What hapShut.” Nor does it foreclose the pospened to just you and me?” But she apparently didn’t say “no.” Finally, sibility that Jane Doe was the victim of around 5:45 a.m., she said she “was tired crimes. and needed to turn in.” But the critics of the school and the disThis isn’t a hostile version of events contrict attorney who declined to prosecute the case fail to account for a central elecocted by a defense attorney — it’s what she attested to weeks after the night of ment of the case — a sworn statement by Oct. 19. The DA didn’t disbelieve her, or Jane Doe herself in November 2024 that decide he couldn’t prove her allegations; he appears to fail to allege any crime. correctly determined that she described After getting slammed for his handling no actual crime. of the case, Tompkins County district It’s not the job of a DA, obviously, to get attorney Matthew Van Houten publicly defended his office. He quoted extensively an alleged victim to change her story after from Jane Doe’s statement. These excerpts she’s sworn to it in writing, or to make prosecutions based on vibes. do indeed describe her actions that night, For its part, Cornell didn’t sweep the in the words of the DA, as “voluntary, conmatter under the rug. The school carried scious and consensual.” out 50 interviews involving 32 witnesses. By her own account, she drank heavIt expelled two of the students; suspended ily before heading to the fraternity. She two others; banned from campus one who danced flirtatiously with a friend she was had already graduated; and allowed two interested in, and then agreed to a threeothers to remain, provided that they comsome because of “how attracted” she was to him and “drunken curiousness.” pleted various trainings, including writing This was before she ingested any drugs. “reflective essays” (this is the source of the The assignation stopped when her friend erroneous idea that essay-writing was the dropped out because of drowsiness, while only consequence for the young men). the other male began to dry heave. She peBoth the DA and Cornell did their job. It’s not that the system failed Jane Doe riodically checked on her sleeping friend, while “consoling” the other male. This was but, rather, that she changed her version a squalid scene, but not one where she was of events two years after the fact in a civil lawsuit against the men and the university, unconscious or refusing. among others. Another male entered the room, and The risk now is that the system, with he began making out with her, with Jane New York Attorney General Letitia James Doe apparently lodging no objection. Her leading a politicized investigation, will be friend then woke up and made another perverted to produce a predetermined lewd proposal that she declined. More males piled into the room. It was suggested outcome. she take “more ketamine,” and vaguely Rich Lowry is on X @RichLowry. recalling she had already snorted some

There is no question that something and should put you in jail. terrible happened at a Cornell UniverBut we keep fighting because consent is often not clear — at least not in a way sity fraternity in 2024. The question is that is coherent with our doctrines of utwhat. Was it a brutal gang rape? Or was it something messier and more compliter sexual liberation and complete equalcated, a sexual encounter that was unity between the sexes. When two people who are both exwise but nonetheless consensual? What facts we have are not tremely drunk have sex — as I enough to distinguish between the believe may sometimes happen two possibilities. — did they rape each other? Or A Cornell student, identified as was the woman obviously the “Jane Doe” in a lawsuit filed in victim? September against the university, Given the facts we now have, seven members of the Chi Phi frait is possible to believe that Jane Megan ega ternity and others, says she was McArdle Doe assented to an encounter that she later bitterly regretted the victim of a gang rape at the when the story became known fraternity house while she was intoxicated. According to the lawsuit and a around campus. It is also possible to 2024 police statement, the brothers treat- believe something criminal happened. But most of us do know that whether or ed her abominably, posting a disgusting not she said yes, Jane Doe was treated in message about her to a group chat. a way no woman should. We think those What we cannot ascertain — and may fraternity brothers should have known never be able to — is whether she was better. too intoxicated to be able to consent. So They should have. What they did was, we are now fighting over this as we have at a minimum, a shameful violation. But fought over so many accusations over the last few decades — the Duke Univer- if we want boys and men to know that — sity rape hoax, the allegations that Chris- deep enough in their bones that they will remember the lesson even while drinktine Blasey Ford made against Brett M. Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court ing and snorting ketamine — we need to confirmation hearings, and the endless communicate something different from horrors unearthed by #MeToo. But why? “anything goes, as long as everyone says Why is it so hard to agree on something yes.” We need to say something about the that seems, to both sides, as though it differences between men and women. ought to be obvious? We’re not willing to do that, so instead One answer is that sex between people we are trying to shoehorn our contradicwho know each other is hard to adjuditory impulses into the weak framework of consent. No one in their right mind cate from outside, especially when one would consent to sex that would traumaor both parties have been drinking or using drugs, thereby lowering their intize and shame them. Jane Doe was trauhibitions, impairing their judgment and matized and shamed. Ergo, it was rape. blurring their memories. Another is that This is not a workable way to deterdifferent people can genuinely view an mine criminal liability. As the frequency encounter differently, especially in hind- of such incidents shows, it is not a worksight, after regret has set in. able cultural script, either. But it seems I know the retort that will spring to we are determined to stick to it, rather many readers’ minds: Consent is a clear than admitting that there’s something boundary. It is certainly a boundary, and wrong with many of our other ideas sometimes it is clear. If you force yourabout men and women, and the kinds of things they are likely to want. self on someone who is screaming and pushing you away or who is trembling on the edge of unconsciousness, that person Megan McArdle is on X, @ must be left alone. If you do not, we can asymmetricinfo.

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TODAY

SATURDAY

Mostly cloudy and warm

Clearing and not as warm

HIGH

LOW

HIGH

90° 67°

SUNDAY

HIGH

81° 60°

LOW

88° 61°

HIGH

LOW

91° 64°

Beaumont 92/67 Port Arthur 91/69

Baton Rouge 90/67

Lake Charles 92/65

10s

20s

30s

Houma 83/68

50s

HIGH

LOW

Well, we continue to follow Hurricane Isaias as it closes on the Gulf coast. It’s expected to make landfall east of Southeast Louisiana later on tonight. So today, expect a partly to mostly cloudy, very warm and windy day. Temperatures this afternoon will rise to the upper 80s to low 90s. Expect some scattered showers with a few storms, but your biggest issue will be strong winds. Winds today will be out of the northeast at 10 to 15 mph, with higher gusts. Winds will become northerly later tonight.

LOW

92° 66°

60s

70s

80s

NEW

OCT 10

City

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

8:54a 4:21a 3:37a 5:36a 9:50p 9:18p 10:58p

Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today

90s 100s 110s

Atlanta Austin Boston Charlotte Chicago Dallas Denver Houston Las Vegas

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

HIGH

FT.

OCT 18

76 92 69 78 68 90 85 92 97

TODAY Lo

62 60 50 61 59 66 58 64 75

FULL

LAST

OCT 25

pc pc s pc sh s s s s

NOV 1

SAT.

68 91 66 67 80 90 82 90 89

64 64 49 62 59 67 57 68 66

0.00” 0.00” 1.18” 46.38” 49.06”

FT.

HIGH

0.6 4:44a 0.5 1.4 10:04a 1.0 2.1 8:13a 1.0 1.5 11:54a 0.7 1.1 6:00a 0.7 1.5 4:00a 0.9 1.4 7:02a 0.9

7:03 a.m. 6:40 p.m. 6:01 a.m. 5:59 p.m.

FIRST

LOW

r s s r pc s s pc pc

YESTERDAY

TODAY

READING 64 MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

MODERATE

PRECIPITATION

90°/64° 84°/62° 91°/72° 93° in 1914 40° in 1952

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

New Orleans 82/69

40s

Sunshine and toasty conditions

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

Hattiesburg 84/64

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

Very warm with plenty of sun

TEMPERATURE

Alexandria 93/60

Lafayette 88/66

WEDNESDAY

Baton Rouge through 5 p.m. Thursday

Jackson 89/65 Many 93/56

TUESDAY

91° 66°

Monroe 95/65

Longview 91/63

-0s

MONDAY

Sunny and warmer Plenty of sunshine

LOW

Shreveport 92/63

-10s

lll

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--- --5:17p 1.4 4:22p 2.3 6:56p 1.6 --- ----- ----- ---

SOURCE: LOUISIANA DEQ AND AIRNOW.GOV

LOW

FT.

4:34p 0.4 9:09p 1.3 8:50p 1.4 --- ----- ----- ----- ---

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 10:36a Saturday 11:19a Sunday 12:28p Monday 12:31a Tuesday 1:24a Wednesday 2:19a Thursday 3:15a

City

4:25a 10:58p 5:07a 11:41p 5:53a ---6:43a 12:55p 7:36a 1:48p 8:31a 2:44p 9:27a 3:40p

TODAY

Los Angeles 86 Miami 90 Nashville 89 New York City 71 Philadelphia 75 Phoenix 103 St. Louis 89 San Francisco 71 Seattle 62

66 80 65 54 54 81 62 58 46

s t s s s s s pc sh

GOOD

81 91 69 68 75 92 84 67 59

4:47p 5:30p 6:16p 7:07p 8:01p 8:57p 9:53p

SAT. Lo

66 81 64 58 59 73 59 53 45

THU. 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE

34 48 48 35 27 22 17

3.70 24.30 26.70 12.40 7.50 6.36 4.80

+1.44 -1.12 -0.90 -0.50 -0.30 +0.15 -0.25

24.48

+1.83

-1.51

-0.05

18 29 8

-1.24 9.95 3.33

-0.07 -0.17 +0.16

13 15

2.58 0.85

-0.09 -0.04

47 34 29 20 12 6

11.24 7.73 6.28 5.57 3.80 3.02

+0.30 +0.36 +0.41 +0.31 -0.40 +0.42

data as of 7 a.m. Thursday

SELF-SCH TO

ULE ED

SCAN

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

pc sh r s pc t pc pc pc

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Kentucky coach Stein: ‘He’s an elite person’ Former LSU OC Sloan off to hot start at Kentucky

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

The young coach now in charge of Kentucky’s football program knew his offensive coordinator before he hired him. They had called plays against each other. They had recruited against each other. They even hung out in the offseason ä LSU at to “talk ball.” Kentucky. 6 P.M. The point is that Will Stein had his own wellSATURDAY, ESPN informed opinion of Joe Sloan last year, and because of that, he could judge Sloan’s coaching acumen on more than just the ugly numbers the LSU offense produced across the two seasons he ran it. Stein thought he and Sloan were “like-minded people” who would work well together if they ever encountered a chance to join the same staff. “I really liked his mindset,” Stein said. “I liked his conﬁdence. I liked his football IQ and his track record of developing quarterbacks.” So Stein took a chance on Sloan and tossed him the keys to his offense, giving the former LSU offensive coordinator an opportunity to take it for a spin against the school that ﬁred him last October. That shot arrives

ä See LSU, page 5C

STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson gets past Saints safety Jonas Sanker for a first down during the first half on Monday at the Caesars Superdome.

Saints looking to ‘play with technique,’ limit explosive plays BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

Three plays into the New Orleans Saints‘ devastating loss to the Atlanta Falcons, one of the team’s weaknesses in the early season was on full display. Falcons star Bijan Robinson took the handoff on a wide zone play off left tackle. He made a nifty jump cut to elude Chase Young in the backfield, found a crease and exploded through it for 59 yards. On the play in which Robinson went untouched to the end zone, only six of the Saints’ 11 defenders were blocked. Atlanta finished with four explosive runs, defined as runs that pick up 10 or more yards, to bring the Saints’ season tally to 15. Only the Detroit Lions (16) have allowed more explosive runs through four weeks. Three of those explosive runs against the Saints have gone for touchdowns, which is tied for the most in the league through four games. Some of it can be chalked up to whom the Saints have faced: Of those 15 long runs given up by the Saints, 12 be-

longed to Robinson, Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, arguably the three most explosive runners in the league. But New Orleans knows it has had its own part in those numbers. “That ﬁlm taught us a lot about who we thought we were,” edge rusher Cam Jordan said. “… We didn’t play anywhere (near) the brand of football we’ve been putting on ﬁlm. There’s a reason you see the score go the way it did. I think if we get back to playing our way, playing with technique across the board, we eliminate a lot of those plays.” When coordinator Brandon Staley’s defense is playing well, it is limiting explosive plays and forcing the opposing offense to play near-perfect football over the course of a long drive. It’s a brand of football that is built upon discipline and intelligence, with the players being in the right spot and playing with the correct technique. New Orleans has had a few notable leaks early this season.

ä See SAINTS, page 4C

LSU outlasts McNeese in ﬁrst exhibition Croatian center Ruzic granted eligibility before start of game

BY TOYLOY BROWN III

Staff writer

LAKE CHARLES — The wait to see Will Wade’s LSU team on a basketball court finally came to an end Thursday in an exhibition against McNeese. With a Tigers roster still littered with uncertainty, including ﬁfth-year seniors, a player who signed an NBA contract, and international pros hoping to gain eligibility, Wade stayed true to his promise to play a game with whoever he has at his disposal. With a seven-player rotation, LSU beat McNeese 63-60 on Thursday at Townsley Law Arena. Wade previously coached at McNeese (2023-25). LSU’s extreme shortage of players made its margin for error slim, especially with two freshmen who weren’t highly recruited out of high school. McNeese went on a 9-0 run to take a 5653 lead with 3:04 remaining. LSU guard Divine Ugochukwu drilled a right corner 3-pointer to tie it. After a pair of free throws by Michael Ruzic gave the Tigers

a two-point lead, the team’s defense maintained the lead. Wade played his starters, except for Mo Dioubate, every minute of the second half. Guard Divine Ugochukwu ﬁnished as LSU’s leading scorer with 18 points and ﬁve rebounds. Wade used a three-guard starting lineup with Donovan Dent at point guard and Ugochukwu and Abdi Bashir playing off the ball. Alongside the trio were power forward Dioubate and Ruzic, the lone international commit who played, at center. CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported minutes before the game that Ruzic, 20, was granted eligibility by the NCAA. The 7-footer from Croatia was critical in this contest as the lone center-sized player who would be in Wade’s preferred rotation if the rest of his team is declared eligible. LSU needed Ruzic’s size to rebound and defend, as the next tallest starter was Dioubate at 6-8. The other frontcourt player Wade used was 7-foot freshman Strake Pearson. Ruzic battled on the glass, collecting an impressive 10 rebounds in 16 firsthalf minutes. If he didn’t corral the ball, he would keep it alive long enough for

ä See EXHIBITION, page 2C

STAFF FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

Former LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan watches players warm up before a game against South Carolina on Oct. 11, 2025. Sloan will face his former team when LSU travels to Kentucky on Saturday.

LSU-Kentucky series has produced many memorable moments When it comes to LSU football rivalries, the Kentucky series certainly ranks behind Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Auburn in terms of intensity and, let’s call it what it is, hate-the-otherteam’s-guts-ness. Still, LSU’s games against Kentucky have provided some of the most memorable moments in program history — including arguably the Scott most memorable one. Rabalais Saturday, that series is renewed once more, as the No. 10-ranked Tigers (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) travel to Lexington, Kentucky to take on upstart Kentucky (4- 1, 2-1) at 6 p.m. on ESPN. It will be LSU’s ﬁrst game against UK since 2021, and just the Tigers’ third trip to the bluegrass since 2002. Speaking of bluegrass and that year …

The Miracle PROVIDED PHOTO BY LSU ATHLETICS

LSU center Michael Ruzic looks to take a shot during an exhibition game against McNeese on Thursday at Townsley Law Arena in Lake Charles. LSU won 63-30.

The play was called Dash Right 93 Berlin. It was a classic Hail Mary, a play with receivers streaking downﬁeld when a long, desperate heave was the only hope the Tigers had left. Nick Saban had his Tigers practice it

ä See RABALAIS, page 5C

2C ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Disputed timeout leaves Liberty reeling BY DOUG FEINBERG AP basketball writer

NEW YORK — The New York Liberty return home trying to keep their season alive after a loss to Atlanta in Game 2 of their bestof-five WNBA semifinals series left the team in a major hole and confused about whether they had a timeout at the end of the game. The eighth-seeded Liberty trail 2-0 after falling 101-98 in overtime to the Dream on Wednesday night. They now must win three games in a row to reach the WNBA Finals. No team has ever rallied from a 2-0 deficit in league history. Game 3 is Friday night in New York. “We’re not focused on winning three games straight right now,” Liberty star Breanna Stewart said. “We’re focused on winning one game, and that’s Friday, and then we go from there. This group has experience. I’ve been part of some crazy series and I have a lot of confidence in our group.” The confusion came in the final seconds of OT when New York trailed and former LSU star Angel Reese was at the foul line. Stewart asked the officials whether the team had their reset timeout remaining. Stewart said the official answered no. In a postgame pool report, the head official contradicted that, saying New York did have their timeout. Without the timeout, where New York could have advanced the ball to midcourt, Stewart missed a desperation shot at the buzzer. The Liberty have made an official inquiry with the WNBA although its not clear what would even come from that. Atlanta is now one victory away from reaching the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013. The Dream have looked dominant throughout the playoffs led by

Kentucky St. hoops player freed from ICE custody

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky State University women’s basketball player from Senegal, who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has been released after spending two months in custody. At a hearing on Tuesday a judge granted a $2,500 bond for Aminata Seck and it was posted Wednesday after ICE did not appeal, according to Hishem Alsalman, managing attorney of Alsalman Law Ofﬁce. The judge found that she was not a danger to the community or a ﬂight risk, Alsalman said Thursday. The judge also ruled that she can continue working toward her degree and praised her for her academic and athletic achievements. The 26-year-old Seck was detained on Aug. 7 at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. as she was planning to travel with her team to a tournament.

Bridgeman leads Baycurrent Classic fresh off U.S. victory

YOKOHAMA, Japan — Fresh off making the clinching putt in another U.S. victory at the Presidents Cup, Jacob Bridgeman birdied four of his last ﬁve holes Thursday for an 8-under 63 to take a one-shot lead over Jordan Smith in the Baycurrent Classic. The PGA Tour’s lone stop in Asia features its strongest ﬁeld of the FedEx Cup Fall, with 13 of the 24 players who competed in the Presidents Cup two weeks ago at Medinah in the Chicago suburbs. Bridgeman made his debut at Medinah, and his par putt to defeat Min Woo Lee on the 18th green was the clinching point for the 11th straight American victory. He was right back at it on the Yokohama Country Club course with a bogey-free round.

Missouri freshman OT Jones receives heart transplant ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY DANIEL VARNADO

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese, left, and New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones, right, fight for a rebound during Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta. ä Dream at Liberty. 6:30 P.M. FRIDAY, ESPN2.

Reese and Jordin Canada. Reese scored six of her team’s 13 points in overtime. She made two free throws with 4.3 seconds left after Sabrina Ionescu overthrew a pass with her team down one. That’s when the Liberty weren’t sure if they had a timeout or not

and Stewart asked the official. Usually it’s the responsibility of a coach on the bench to keep track of timeouts, not referees. Canada had 23 points and eight assists in the Game 2 victory and was disruptive on the defensive end. Reese and Canada have helped the team win all four of the Dream’s playoff games, leading a swarming defense. Atlanta forced New York into 35 turnovers com-

bined in the ﬁrst two games. The 16 turnovers on Wednesday led to 28 Dream points. The Dream won Game 2 without star Allisha Gray, who was sidelined with a finger injury from the ﬁrst game. She is dayto-day. A win by Atlanta on Friday would give her a week to recover before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, which is scheduled for a week from Saturday.

Missouri freshman offensive tackle Johnnie “DJ” Jones has received a heart transplant, coach Eli Drinkwitz said. Drinkwitz announced on X on Thursday morning that the surgery Wednesday went well and that Jones was recovering. “We are incredibly grateful for the medical team who cared for DJ and for the donor and donor family whose extraordinary gift made this possible,” Drinkwitz wrote. Drinkwitz said at a news conference Tuesday that Jones was hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was awaiting the transplant. The 18-year-old Jones graduated from Venice High School on Florida’s Gulf Coast and signed with Missouri as a four-star recruit.

Wilson wins her third straight WNBA MVP Norris ‘hopeful’ McLaren BY DOUG FEINBERG

and W.G. RAMIREZ Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — A’ja Wilson finetunes her shooting touch following every practice. That little bit of extra work has defined her greatness since being drafted ﬁrst overall in 2018. On Thursday, she received a voice message from former Vice President Kamala Harris congratulating her on redefining greatness leaguewide after she was named WNBA MVP for a third straight year and for the ﬁfth time overall. “Obviously, that is an honor,” Wilson said. “A woman of our history, and I’m so appreciative to be able to share that moment with her through the phone call

EXHIBITION

Continued from page 1C Dioubate to retrieve it. Ruzic’s physical play on the offensive boards also led to free-throw line opportunities. However, he didn’t capitalize at the charity stripe, going 3-of-7 in the first half. Missed free throws were a struggle as LSU shot 22 of 34. Neither team struggled for offense early. By the first media timeout, LSU was 4-of-6 from the field, and McNeese was 3-of-6. McNeese’s defensive intensity took a jump after the first break and lasted for the majority of the game. The Cowboys sent occasional double-teams on the perimeter to create live-ball turnovers. Bill Armstrong’s McNeese squad was at its best when it played a preferred up-tempo

and the message of her delivering that I won my fifth MVP.” In addition to becoming the first player to three-peat, Wilson won the award in 2020 and 2022. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Aces owner Mark Davis and team president Nikki Fargas accompanied Wilson’s mother, Eva, who presented her daughter with the trophy. “Each one of these has not been taken lightly,” Wilson said, flanked by all five of her MVP trophies. “In my heart, they’ve always been so special. But this one here, I cried a little bit harder. This one here is just a little bit different, and whatever that may look like, or whatever that may feel, my fifth one, I think, is one that’s just ... when you dream as a young girl, your dream so big

style, tiring out the LSU team with a short bench. The Cowboys had their most success when Wade played his unranked freshmen together briefly. While Dent, LSU’s lead guard, didn’t assert himself as a shot creator, Wade found offense in an unlikely place in Dioubate. Despite having a reputation as a relentless defender and rebounder, the Kentucky transfer flashed some growth as a scorer. After draining a standstill left-wing 3-pointer, the senior had multiple instances of driving and finishing at the hoop through contact. He led all scorers with 12 firsthalf points. He finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Ugochukwu, a Michigan State transfer, was also impressive at driving to the basket in the halfcourt and in transition. The 6-3 guard showcased his athleticism and made a pair of 3s.

and you write your goals out, and you just never imagine that you were able to just check them off. “And when you’re able to check them off — small wins, big wins — it truly means a lot. And so I think that’s why I cried a little bit harder on this one, because 15-year-old A’ja wasn’t sitting up here dreaming about being a fivetime MVP. She wasn’t dreaming about being a three-time champion. She was dreaming about surviving this world.” The 30-year-old Wilson once again led the league in scoring (26.2) while shooting nearly 53% from the field. She averaged 9.4 rebounds, a career-best 3.2 assists and 1.9 blocks. Wilson has the defending champion Aces back in the WNBA semifinals for the eighth

consecutive season, although Las Vegas is down 2-0 in the best-offive series against Golden State. Game 3 is Friday. Wilson received 65 first-place votes and nine second-place votes for a total of 713 points from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Minnesota’s Olivia Miles received six first-place votes and 40 secondplace votes (442 points), while Indiana guards Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark followed with 287 and 212 points, respectively. No WNBA player besides Wilson has more than three MVPs, with Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson each having a trio. On the NBA side, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had six and Michael Jordan and Bill Russell each had five.

LSU forward Mo Dioubate, a Kentucky transfer, shoots a 3-pointer during an exhibition against McNeese on Thursday in Lake Charles. PROVIDED PHOTO BY LSU ATHLETICS The Tigers’ downhill threats helped them overcome a poor 3-point shooting game overall. The team went 5-of-23 from beyond the arc. Bashir, the team’s top sharpshooter, made his ﬁrst 3-pointer and then missed his next from deep. Wade brought 14 players to the exhibition, and 13 of them warmed up before the game. The only play-

er sitting out was Austin Nunez, a UTSA transfer, who wore a boot. The only signee not in attendance was RJ Luis. The former St. John’s star was granted a preliminary injunction after being undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft and signing an NBA contract. Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com

sorted issue costing speed

SINGAPORE — Lando Norris says he’s “hopeful” McLaren has identified and fixed a car problem which deprived him of straight-line speed, with his Formula 1 title defense all but mathematically over ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. Norris is coming off a ninth-place finish at last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and was off the pace the week before in Azerbaijan before a collision ended his race. He suggested on Thursday the issue was worth two or three grid places in qualifying for both races. McLaren has worked to resolve the issue, reportedly to do with the fuel system. “They put a lot of work into trying to figure out things and I’m hopeful that it’ll be better this weekend,” Norris said.

Permanent daylight time brings odd start time in NHL

CALGARY, Alberta — Hockey fans across North America may have to be night owls at points this season to see their team play, thanks to a move by three Canadian provinces to stay on daylight saving time. Alberta, home of the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, Manitoba with the Winnipeg Jets and British Columbia with the Vancouver Canucks decided not to move clocks back an hour in November and ahead in March, a shift that throws a few wrinkles into an NHL schedule. The Canucks have some quirky road puck drops, including one trip in January with ﬁve different start times ranging from noon to 6 p.m. At the Stanley Cup Final in June, Commissioner Gary Bettman joked that nobody asked the league what it thought about the time zone changes.

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ 3C

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THE VARSITY ZONE PREP REPORT Football Thursday’s scores Area

Broadmoor 14, McKinley 6 Dutchtown 44, Live Oak 18 Beau Chene 41, Livonia 0 Dunham 62, Northeast 7 Kentwood 50, Varnado 0 East Ascension 43, Prairieville 21 Brusly 54, Tara 0 Amant 42, Walker 14 St. Charles 28, St. James 20

Statewide

Beau Chene 41, Livonia 0 Brusly 54, Tara 0 Covenant Christian Academy 40, Fisher 15 Dutchtown 44, Live Oak 18 E.D. White 42, South Terrebonne 0 East Ascension 43, Prairieville 21 East Beauregard 44, DeQuincy 20 Eunice 49, Ville Platte 6 Hahnville 49, Terrebonne 0 Huntington 33, C.E. Byrd 28 JS Clark Leadership 22, Opelousas Catholic 0 Kentwood 50, Varnado 0 Leesville 49, Rayne 6 Newman 48, Morris Jeff 0 Pope John Paul 49, Loranger 7 Rayville 66, Madison 6 Rosepine 54, Pickering 0 St. Amant 42, Walker 14 St. Augustine 48, Holy Cross 0 St. Charles Catholic 28, St. James 20 Teurlings Catholic 49, Acadiana Renaissance Charter 14 West Jefferson 39, East Jefferson 35 Westminster Christian (LAF) 27, Ascension Episcopal 26

Friday’s games

STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

Broadmoor linebacker Tyreke Robinson meets McKinley running back Chase Williams at the line of scrimmage in the second quarter on Thursday.

Broadmoor tops McKinley

Upstart Buccaneers improve to 5-1 with hard-fought victory BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

Broadmoor needed one more first down against McKinley. The Buccaneers led by eight points late in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game and the Panthers reached Broadmoor’s 39 with less than two minutes left, before the Bucs’ defense forced a fumble. Two plays after the Bucs took over looking to ice the game, they faced a third-and-7 with 52 seconds left and turned to senior Brailand Porter to close out the game. Porter took a direct snap and refused to be brought down, dragging defenders past the first-down marker to end the game. The first down helped Broadmoor (5-1) win 14-6 against McKinley at Broadmoor. “He was resilient,” first-year

Broadmoor coach Jerome Wiltz said. “We say, ‘Hey, we need this first down. Keep pumping your legs. He stepped up to the plate.’ ” Porter also broke the deadlock in the second quarter with a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown. “Brailand Porter’s special,” Wiltz said. “He does it all for us. He’s just a gene.” The Buccaneers’ ﬁfth win marks the most games they’ve won since 2011 when Broadmoor won six games and last made the playoffs. Wiltz credited his faith with his team’s turnaround. “What we did was we brought the Lord to these kids ﬁrst,” he said. “We showed them that it’s about a relationship. It’s about love.” Broadmoor’s defense bent several times throughout the contest, but rarely broke. In the second quarter, McKinley reached the

Bucs’ 30-yard line before Shaun Davis intercepted the ball to end the drive. The Bucs later forced a threeand-out near midfield that set up Porter’s punt return touchdown. Broadmoor’s defense buckled down again late in the first half. McKinley’s Kaleb Brown dropped back into his own end zone on a third-and-long. A defender attempted to bring him down and spun Brown backwards as he threw the ball out of the back of his own end zone for a safety. McKinley’s final 13 offensive plays to close the first half netted just 4 yards. Broadmoor’s defense forced a quick three-and-out early in the third. The Buccaneers got a hand on the punt as it traveled just 11 yards to the McKinley 34. One play later, Quentin Williams lofted a

34-yard touchdown pass to Tyreke Robinson, extending the lead to 14-0. The Panthers drove down the field looking to cut into the deficit, but Broadmoor’s defense came up big again. McKinley approached the red zone at the 26 before Broadmoor forced and recovered a fumble. McKinley (2-4) finally found the scoreboard early in the fourth off a 3-yard run by Brown to trim the deficit to eight points. The Panthers drove down the field late looking to tie the game. McKinley reached the Broadmoor 39 before the defense punched the ball out of Gerald Briggs’ hands for a fumble. The Bucs sealed the win with a first down. “It’s very, very special,” Wiltz said on his team’s season. “Words cannot express what I feel.”

Plaquemine QB showing star potential Quiet leader does his talking with big plays

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

Plaquemine High School quarterback Jermaine Robinson lets his game do his talking. The sophomore isn’t one of the more vocal Green Devils, but when he steps on the ﬁeld he commands the team through his bigplay ability. That play has helped Plaquemine to a 3-2 start. “Humble kid, doesn’t talk much, but his play does a lot of the talking for him,” coach Donald Williams said, joking that his quarterback can be prone to one-word replies. “It’s just his personality. He’s not going to say much, but they see the grit in him.” After the team started 1-2, Robinson has started the past two games. In those games, Plaquemine beat McKinley 41-8 and then outscored Brusly 42-36 behind Robinson’s 355 total yards (246 passing, 109 rushing) and four touchdowns.

Chance to start After Robinson started for Plaquemine’s junior varsity team as a freshman, but he was elevated to the varsity this season. Entering Week 3, Williams said he thought Robinson could make an impact. The Green Devils trailed U-High 10-0 at halftime, when Robinson entered the game. “We saw the offense could open

improve his understanding of a Green Devils offense that requires quick decision-making in its pre-snap and post-snap reads. Williams said there were shaky moments in the beginning, but he has seen improvement through two weeks in his grasp of the offense. “That conﬁdence builds throughout him and the staff,” Williams said. “Just knowing that this kid is really about to put it on soon.”

‘Instincts take over’ Robinson’s quiet demeanor hasn’t stopped him from taking leadership of the team. Williams watches his sophomore quarterback and knows he has what it takes to be a star. “Sometimes he’s doing things he doesn’t even know he’s doing just because it feels right,” Williams said. “His instincts take over. He’s a smart kid. If you tell him something once, you don’t have to tell him twice.” That ability to make plays happen helps his teammates know they can rely on him. His teammates often tell Williams to call quarterback runs because they STAFF FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON trust he can get the job done. “They ﬁgured out that he’s goPlaquemine quarterback Jermaine Robinson looks for a receiver during a ing to put it on the line for them,” game against University High on Sept. 17 in Plaquemine. Williams said. “He’s going to sacriﬁce and do all those things for doubted whether the 5-foot-10, up a little more with him there,” him. They’re ready to do the same 165-pound Robinson could meet Williams said. “He’s a tough kid, for him.” so we knew the moment wouldn’t the moment. For Robinson, he just keeps his “He’s tough as nails,” Williams be too big.” focus on one thing. said. “Anything you put in front Plaquemine lost to the Cubs “Just trying to do my part and 31-21, but Robinson’s two rushing of him, he’s going to attack it. help this team win,” Robinson He’s a ball player.” touchdowns helped cement his said. “I’m just trying to be foRobinson has continued to role as starter. Williams never cused on working on my craft.”

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted. East St. John at Denham Springs, 6 p.m. Istrouma at Belaire East Iberville at Ascension Christian White Castle vs. Southern Lab at A.W. Mumford Stadium, 5 p.m. Plaquemine at St. Michael West St. John vs. Ascension Catholic at Floyd Boutte Memorial Stadium West Feliciana at Parkview Baptist Zachary at Central Catholic-PC at East Feliciana Thrive Academy vs. Capitol at Memorial Stadium Woodlawn at St. Martinville North Vermillion at Glen Oaks University High at Kaplan

Volleyball Tuesday’s results Glen Oaks 3, Tara 0 (25-10, 25-15, 25-22) Central Private 3, North Iberville 25-11, 25-9, 25-8 Ascension Christian 3, St. John 0 (25-9, 25-9, 25-15) East Ascension 3, Brusly 0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-19) Livonia 3, Scotlandville 0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-20) Dunham 3, St. Michael 1 (25-23, 25-17, 16-25, 25-15) University 3, West Feliciana 0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-8)

Wednesday’s results Madison Prep 3, Baker 0 (25-7, 25-11, 25-8) Prairieville 3, Woodlawn 0 (25-7, 25-10, 25-2) Slaughter Community Charter 3, Vidalia 0 (25-13, 25-6, 25-10) Central 3, West Feliciana 0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-13) Glen Oaks 3, East Iberville 0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-16) GEO Next Generation 3, McKinley 0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-10) Zachary 3, Denham Springs 1 (25-23, 1925, 25-18, 25-18)

Thursday’s results Northeast at Catholic High Pointe Coupee, 5 p.m. Slaughter Community Charter def. North Iberville 25-16, 25-17, 25-9 White Castle def. LSD 25-15, 25-13, 25-18 St. Michael def. Prairieville 25-17, 19-25, 25-13, 25-27, 15-9 Livonia def. GEO Next Generation 25-11, 25-17, 25-11 Central def. Brusly 25-23, 25-19, 25-21 Central Private def. False River 25-10, 25-16, 25-7 Collegiate Baton Rouge at East Iberville, cancelled Ascension Christian def. Family Christian 25-15, 25-6, 25-5 Plaquemine def. McKinley 25-23, 25-17, 25-16 West Feliciana def. Liberty 25-23, 25-5, 25-12University def. Woodlawn 25-5, 25-7, 25-3

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placeads.theadvocate.com. For more information, call

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Saints receiver Olave Manning is the Man of the hour on Fox’s limited with foot injury NFL pregame show

BY MATTHEW PARAS

BY ROD WALKER

Staff writer

The good news: Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara practiced Thursday for the New Orleans Saints after missing the previous day’s session. The bad news: Olave was limited and popped up on the report with a new injury. A day after Saints coach Kellen Moore said the wide receiver sat due to rest, Olave was listed as a limited participant with a foot injury. Moore was not available to speak with reporters Thursday, so there was no clarification on whether Olave suffered the injury in Thursday’s practice or if the issue stemmed from Monday’s blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Moore said Olave was “ﬁne” after taking a hard hit with two minutes left in the game, though the Notebook even wideout was slow to get up and did not re-enter the contest. Asked Monday why he left the starters in so late in a blowout, Moore said he wanted the unit to play some “clean football” at the end of the game. On Wednesday, when Olave did not participate, Moore repeatedly insisted the absence was only related to rest. Elsewhere, Kamara (back soreness) returned as a limited participant. He was one of seven limited players, joining Olave, Carl Granderson, safety Julian Blackmon (shoulder), wide receiver Barion Brown (thigh), tight end Noah Fant (abdomen) and guard Jeremiah Wright (concussion). Quarterback Tyler Shough, meanwhile, was upgraded to a full participant after he was listed with a left hand injury.

New trend As the Saints prepare for Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ hectic blitz schemes, Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier has already noticed the defensive mind’s inﬂuence across the league. The Vikings blitz like no other

Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave runs out of bounds for a first down against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half on Monday at the Caesars Superdome. team, doing so on 67.9% of opposing dropbacks so far. Fittingly, the second-ranked team is the Washington Commanders (44.4%) — whose new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, worked under Flores last year. And according to Nussmeier, that approach is felt across the league. “The (cover) zero coverages has upticked and people are bringing more of it,” Nussmeier said. “They’re not as aggressive, I would say as coach Flores and that group, but you’ve seen it across the league. “It’s a copycat league. People have success doing things, other people are going to implement it.

To what extent? That varies by team.” Nussmeier said Flores’ defense is a “high-risk” concept given how many defenders they send. But there’s a high reward for the Vikings if the opposing offense can’t make them pay. “There’s a lot of grass out there and you’ve got to ﬁnd the grass on offense,” Nussmeier said. “The other thing you have to do is stay ahead of the sticks. You can’t play this game behind the sticks when you talk about yardage and distance and down.” Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

Bengals looks to end 2-game skid BY ALANIS THAMES

of developing guys.” If Chase and Higgins are both inactive, it would be the ﬁrst time since Chase was the ﬁfth overall pick in the 2021 draft that Burrow would not have at least one of them in the lineup. He said he’s confident in the banked reps he has with other re-

ceivers. “The guys that haven’t had a ton of reps will come in and take those practice reps,” Burrow said. “So, you get those reps and practice with those guys with still the hope the other guys will play. But if not, we have those reps banked throughout the week.” They’re going against a Dolphins team that is still looking for its ﬁrst win, but has played better defense as the season has progressed. Miami held Kenneth Walker and Aaron Jones under 100 yards rushing the past two weeks, and the Dolphins rank sixth in the NFL with 3.6 yards allowed per carry. The Dolphins also had four sacks against Minnesota last Sunday after entering Week 4 as the only team in the NFL without one. “We’re getting better. The communication is getting better. The execution is getting better,” Dolphins coach Jeff Haﬂey said. “The physicality is getting better. We’re becoming a better football team. We’ve played really good football teams. And it is about the process, doing our best every single day, pouring everything that we have into it, coaches and players, so when Sunday comes, we go out there and we go play. And hopefully each week we see improvement, and the next step is to win a football game.

But Atlanta scored on the first play after that penalty and quickly piled on from there. The Falcons ran the ball at will on the Saints defense, then found plenty of room in the secondary to hit on more explosives: Coming into the game, New Orleans had only allowed six pass plays of 20 or more yards, and the Falcons nearly doubled that by connecting on five of them Monday night. The nine explosive plays followed a fixable trend, Staley said. “You can study each of those plays and see a breakdown in technique,” Staley said. “The good news is they weren’t mental errors, where you have this catastrophe of missed assignments. It was really just guys playing with the wrong technique and maybe putting their eyes in the wrong spots. “When you’re off enough against

a group that is dangerous, that can happen.” The three pillars of the defense, Staley said, are assignment, technique and effort. He was pleased with the effort but deemed the other two areas lacking. His players didn’t disagree with that sentiment after getting a chance to review what happened against Atlanta. “Nobody’s perfect, right? What you try to limit is too many mistakes on each play,” Young said. “There’s a difference if I make a mistake on one play, but everybody else is doing their job. It’s probably a 3-yard gain. But when you’ve got a play where it’s ﬁve people (not doing their jobs), that’s the explosive. “That’s the game, though. So we’ve got to do our best to limit mistakes, go back to the basics, and just do our job.”

AP sportswriter

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Joe Burrow has thrown a lot of passes to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but the Cincinnati quarterback may need to find another top option when the Bengals visit the Dolphins on Sunday with both of his top receivers dealing with injuries. Chase, who has caught 21 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns, left with a concussion in the second quarter of last week’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He missed practice on Wednesday but returned as a limited participant Thursday. Higgins injured his groin against Jacksonville and has not practiced this week. Zac Taylor this week labeled both receivers as “day to day” as Cincinnati tries to snap a twogame losing streak, but the Bengals coach said he’s not concerned about putting together a game plan without the two star pass catchers. “We have a bunch of guys who see the pass game like we do and understand the things that we look for,” Taylor said. “We’ve brought the right character of guys here who know what it’s like. Joe does a really good job of fitting them in and getting them particular balls so they can get some confidence. We have a really good track record

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C “Our game is playing 11 on 11,” Staley said. “We’ve got to play team defense. … I thought after that ﬁrst (Robinson touchdown), our guys kind of went outside of themselves too often, trying to force something to happen to turn that game in our favor instead of just playing the right way.” Staley still believes in his unit. He pointed out the three possessions that immediately followed the long Robinson touchdown, when the Saints forced a pair of punts and then, after Kendre Miller fumbled the ball away deep in Saints territory, appeared to get a fourth-down stop before it was nulliﬁed by a penalty.

AP PHOTO BY TANNER PEARSON

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow looks on from the bench during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Cincinnati on Sunday.

Cooper Manning studied the chessboard as if he were reading a defense. New Orleans Saints safety Justin Reid sat on the other side of the table. The pawns stared back at Reid like defensive linemen in the trenches. The rooks were like linebackers ready to blitz, and the bishops were like defensive backs disguising their coverage. The intensity and competitiveness in Manning’s eyes would no doubt make all the quarterbacks in his football-playing family proud. His dad, Archie. His brothers, Peyton and Eli. And his son Arch. Well, except for one thing. None of that intensity and competitiveness in Cooper’s eyes was actually serious. Heck, there’s nothing about the show he was filming that’s serious. Not even the name of the show itself. It’s called “The Manning Hour,” but it actually lasts about 58 minutes less than that. That’s all the time the star of the show needs. He delivers in his two minutes of airtime much like those other Manning quarterbacks have done time and time again, when there isn’t a whole lot of time left. “The Manning Hour”, a part of Fox’s NFL pregame show on Sundays, is a mix of comedy and sports. Manning, born and raised in New Orleans, interacts with NFL players and celebrities. For this particular segment, Manning arrived at The New Orleans Chess House in the Ninth Ward sporting a plaid blazer. “This is my Bobby Fischer jacket,” he said, referring to the late chess grandmaster. Manning quickly glances over his script a few minutes before he prepares to play Reid, a Prairieville native. Reid won the NFL’s chess competition two of the past three years. It’s just the type of story Manning wants to tell. “I’ve had so much fun just showing off players’ talents,” Manning said. “I don’t care if you’re a juggler or a dancer or a singer or play an instrument or just someone who likes to have a good time. We just always try to make them look good and make me look bad.” Fox will air the episode with Reid Sunday at 10:20 a.m. before the Saints’ home game against the Minnesota Vikings. Manning’s quick wit made the show popular, which explains why it is in its 12th season. He’s recorded over 200 episodes, interacting with players from 31 of the 32 NFL teams. The one exception? The New England Patriots. “(Bill) Belichick wasn’t into doing anything fun,” Manning deadpanned. But every other team has been a willing participant. Some of his best segments have been with members of the Saints. On the very first episode back in 2015, Manning got Drew Brees to show off his musical talents. That included Brees singing Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and later playing a musical instrument that you wouldn’t find in a New Orleans jazz band: a didgeridoo, an Australian instrument. Manning has done hand yoga with former Saints receiver Michael Thomas and got his septum pierced (or at least pretended to) with Alvin Kamara. On the first episode this season, he was joined by current Saints quarterback Tyler Shough. “How many oysters could Tyler Shough shuck if Tyler Shough could shuck oysters?” Manning said as the two of them filmed in Drago’s Seafood Restaurant. “… You’re one lucky mother shucker.” Other shows have included a manicure and pedicure with Cam Newton and a baking with Baker segment, featuring Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. The show is not reserved for NFL players, though. Celebrities like Jane Fonda, Sally Field and Cuba Gooding Jr. have also made appearances. “Did they know what show they were on? I don’t know,” Manning said. “Did they know who I was? Absolutely not.” That’s understandable. Cooper didn’t garner all the attention and accolades of the other Mannings. His dad’s name hangs in the Su-

perdome rafters in the Saints’ Ring of Honor. His brothers Peyton and Eli have two Super Bowl rings each. And his son Arch, the starting quarterback at the University of Texas, will be one of the first to hear his name called in the 2027 NFL Draft. But Cooper was a heckuva athlete, too, earning all-state honors as a high school receiver at Isidore Newman School. Cooper followed in his dad’s footsteps to play at Ole Miss but had his career cut short. He was diagnosed with spinal stenosis his freshman year in 1992, ending his days on the gridiron. While Peyton and Eli may have bragging rights in football. Cooper is the self-proclaimed chess champion of the family. “I would kill them,” Cooper said. What about Archie? “They didn’t even have chess in Drew, Mississippi, where he grew up,” Cooper said. “Hell, my dad didn’t even have a pizza until he was in college.” That’s the type of humor that helped Manning find his way onto the television screen. The idea came about when Manning would interview players at the annual Manning Passing Academy. ESPN analyst Chris Mortensen saw Manning’s skills with a microphone in his hand and made a suggestion. The idea was pitched to ESPN and Fox. Ben Sorenson has produced “The Manning Hour” for the past five years. “When I first started, I thought I really had to write and make sure I come super-prepared and that my jokes are funny,” Sorenson said. “And then after doing this for a few years, I realized that if I just stick Cooper in a silly situation, he’s so naturally funny that he can just handle it. So I learned to let go a little bit and just give him some bumpers and roll him down the lane and I just know we’ll get something silly.” Cooper has always been funny, according to his dad. Archie Manning recalls those trips when he would drive his sons from New Orleans to Mississippi to attend the annual Neshoba County Fair. Cooper’s grandmother would tell Cooper a joke, and Cooper would memorize it. Then lil’ Cooper would go from cabin to cabin at the fair and charge people 50 cents to hear the joke. “He just loves to make people laugh,” Archie said. “When he meets someone, he’s going to make them laugh.” He’s usually successful. Except the one time he wasn’t. When Arch was being recruited, they visited several schools and met plenty of coaches. “I never could make Nick Saban laugh,” Cooper told his dad. “I had his wife rolling on the floor. But I couldn’t get him to laugh.” That wasn’t a problem in the filming of his latest segment with Reid. “I love how witty the whole set was,” Reid said. ”It was smooth, easy to do and a lot of fun. But I wasn’t surprised. His whole family is funny. It’s just in their bloodline.” The filming of the show takes Manning to a different city during the week. On Saturdays, he’s watching Arch. This Saturday, he will be in Dallas watching the No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns play rival Oklahoma. “Doing this show is a welcome distraction in the fall,” Manning said. “Those days between Arch’s games can last a long time if you’re thinking about those. So I enjoy the travel and the NFL side and trying to hurry up and letting the weekend just come. I don’t like to read all the stuff (about Arch) very much. There is so much nonsense out there. So this is a healthy getaway.” “The Manning Hour” will continue as long as Fox keeps him around. “We push the envelope, and the network embraces that, and we just see what we can get away with,” Manning said. “Ben writes a script and I loosely embrace the mojo. Sometimes we stick to it and sometimes we go completely rogue. Just depends which way the wind blows.” “The show is our changeup to serious football coverage,” Sorenson said. “You throw Cooper on the screen and let him crack some jokes and just lean into players’ off-the-field passions just so fans can get a glimpse of who these guys are. All I do is just give Cooper situations that he can improvise. Cooper’s the man.”

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ 5C

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Kiffin calls proposed SEC transfer rule ‘terrible’ BY JON BLAU Staff writer

LSU coach Lane Kiffin did not hold back when asked for his opinion on a rule reportedly being considered by the Southeastern Conference that would force athletes to sit out a year if they left one member institution for another. “That would be terrible. I can’t imagine a worse decision to be made,” Kiffin said Thursday evening on his coaches show. Kiffin’s point was an obvious one: If the SEC made this move without a corresponding rule change by other power conferences, then SEC schools would be at a disadvantage. “When a kid goes to transfer from the SEC, he can’t go in the SEC. Well, he’s going to go to other conferences,” Kiffin said. “So we would just be handing away a lot of players every year and limiting them that they can’t go to the other 15 SEC schools that they’ve grown up fans of, or maybe in the same area where they’re from, and they’d be forced to go to other conferences and play against us and play for other conferences.”

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C every week. The play never worked. Still, LSU needed to try it on the afternoon of Nov. 9, 2002. With :02 left down 30-27, Marcus Randall heaved a pass as far as he could, a 75-yard bomb that pinballed off three Kentucky defensive backs and into the hands of Devery Henderson, who shook off a desperation grab at his left knee by Derek Tatum before “running like hell” into the end zone. LSU won 33-30 in a scene of unspeakable chaos. Kentucky students spilling over the walls to rush the field, fans on the goalpost behind Randall and then UK coach Guy Morriss, drenched with water in a “victory” bath before the final play ran. All the while, the Tigers dogpiled in the north end zone. Afterward, I went outside Commonwealth Stadium (now Kroger Field) to watch the LSU buses pull away. I don’t know exactly what I was looking to find for my column, but my search was answered by a Kentucky fan named Chris Holian, who stood on the curb beside me with a bemused look on his face. “Fifty-nine minutes and 58 seconds,” he said. “I knew it was too good to be true.”

Transylvania team In 1909, the Tigers were

LSU

Continued from page 1C at 6 p.m. Saturday (ESPN), when coach Lane Kiffin’s Tigers are set to face Kentucky in their second Southeastern Conference road battle of the season. The LSU offense struggled when coach Brian Kelly and Sloan were in charge of it. The unit couldn’t run the ball and usually sputtered once it faced a short-yardage situation or reached the red zone. Sloan and Stein have been much more successful, at least through the first five games they’ve coached together. Kentucky scored 31 points in a road win over Texas A&M on Sept. 19 before dropping 35 in an overtime win over South Carolina last Saturday. Only ﬁve SEC teams are rushing for more yards per game than the Wildcats, who have also scored touchdowns on more than three-fourths of their red-zone trips. Stein and Sloan still have issues to sort out. Notre Dame transfer quarterback Kenny Minchey has already been sacked 11 times, and his offense is converting third downs at the lowest rate in the nation: an abysmal 25%. But Stein is pleased with

would establish more of its own rules because the NCAA, limited by its antitrust liabilities in court, has been unable to enforce its guidelines. LSU found itself at the center of a self-governance fight after Kiffin tried to add players who previously signed pro contracts. The SEC threatened significant penalties if LSU or another member institution followed through, including a fine equal to 50% of a sport’s budget and a half-season suspension for its coach. The standoff resulted in attorneys for the players, who were seeking a fifth year of eligibility from the NCAA in a Baton Rouge court, adding the SEC as a defendant in its lawsuit. The SEC then sued LSU brass, including Kiffin, president Wade Rousse, athletic director Verge Ausberry, and the board of supervisors, in a federal lawsuit in Alabama. That incident seemingly hasn’t deterred the SEC from STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON considering more rule changLSU coach Lane Kiffin motions to his team from the sideline in the third es, nor has it silenced Kiffin’s dissent. He has also been vocal quarter of a game against Texas A&M on Sept. 26 at Tiger Stadium. Kiffin in his disapproval of the SEC’s blasted the SEC’s proposed transfer rule on Thursday. move to a nine-game conference slate. The intent of a rule forcing In July, SEC commissioner the conference was exploring a Greg Sankey acknowledged self-governance model where it SEC athletes to sit out a year

coming off their first championship season in 1908, an unbeaten 10-0 record that, though LSU doesn’t officially claim it, left the school recognized by the NCAA as co-national champions with then Eastern power Pennsylvania. Late in that 1909 season, LSU thought it was going to play a game in Baton Rouge against Kentucky on Nov. 18. Instead, the most bizarre case of mistaken identity in program history, off the train stepped the team from Transylvania, also from Lexington. Transylvania University was also known then as the State University of Kentucky. It turned out, LSU officials thought they were corresponding by mail with University of Kentucky, a school that the Tigers wouldn’t meet in football until 40 years later. Despite the colossal mix-up, the teams played. LSU walloped the Pioneers 52-0, the Tigers’ most lopsided victory that season. A write-up in the next day’s State-Times newspaper, an afternoon predecessor to The Advocate, between ads promoting a cure for rheumatism and prodigious seed corn (“Ninety bushels with fertilizer!”) gave a less than glowing account of the visitors: “The Kentucky Transylvania boys simply did not know how to play football,” the story said. “… they were about as poor as ever seen on the (LSU) campus.”

the early returns on his decision to give up his playcalling duties and hand them to Sloan. The 37-year-old first-time head coach said in July at SEC media days that he made that move in large part because no head coach who doubled as an every-down play caller has won a national championship since 2013, when Jimbo Fisher pulled off that feat at Florida State. Stein wants to be involved in “all facets” of his program. “There’s just too much going on,” he said, “to only worry about the offense.” He shares that belief with Kiffin. Because offensive coordinator Charlie Weis calls the plays for LSU, Kiffin can take a big-picture approach to managing the program. The example he gave on Aug. 5, not long after the Tigers opened preseason practice, was a compliance call he wanted to hop on instead of attending an offensive meeting scheduled for the same time. “And now I can go do that,” Kiffin said, “because it’s an immediate thing that might be happening that I’m dealing with, knowing that everything’s done the exact right way. So the Charlie benefit is huge for our program.” It is for the on-field product, too. LSU is entering

Transylvania, a Division III school that was the alma mater of Confederate president Jefferson Davis, dropped football in 1941. Folks at the school like to say they’ve been unbeaten since 1942. However, its women’s basketball team won the DIII national title in 2023 in Dallas, the day before LSU’s women won their national championship over Iowa on the same court.

Secret handshake In 2007, LSU went to Kentucky ranked No. 1, falling to the No. 17 Wildcats 43-37 in triple overtime. Just like five years earlier, Kentucky fans stormed the field, this time pre-empting the postgame handshake between then-LSU coach Les Miles and UK coach Rich Brooks. One of the delirious Wildcat fans who ran across the turf that day was an 18-year-old Will Stein, now Kentucky’s firstyear coach. After the field cleared, LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette suggested to Miles, who was basically carried off through the crowd by a police bodyguard under each arm, that he have that handshake with Brooks. Miles agreed, and they met privately under the stands before LSU departed. Despite the loss, and another triple OT defeat against Arkansas, the Tigers would go on to beat Ohio State for the BCS national championship in the Superdome.

its game against Kentucky ranked top-10 nationally in both total offense and scoring offense. Kiffin and Weis’ Tigers need to score only one more rushing touchdown to double the number of such scores Kelly and Sloan’s Tigers produced all last season (10). They’re also just 164 rushing yards away from matching the total LSU scrounged together across the 13 games it played in 2025. Stein and Sloan aren’t engineering as drastic a turnaround at Kentucky, but their offense is operating much more efficiently than the one their program fielded last year. The Wildcats finished 2025 ranked 101st nationally in scoring offense and 105th in total offense. Now they’re 48th in scoring offense and 53rd in total offense. Kentucky has already scored at least 30 points as many times as it did all last year. Stein’s decision to take a chance on Sloan looks like it’s paying off. The two friends-turned-colleagues have a dangerous offense, one that can challenge the attack LSU built after it fired Kelly and Sloan. “He’s an elite person,” Stein said. “He’s an elite coach. He’s an elite recruiter. And I’m really, really happy he’s with us.”

Kentucky’s Tiger Charles McClendon, still LSU’s all-time winningest coach (137-59-7), played at Kentucky under Paul “Bear” Bryant. Stein is the first UK coach to equal Bryant’s 4-1 start in 1946 at the school. In 1969, McClendon’s Tigers topped Bryant’s Crimson Tide 20-15, making “Cholly Mac” Bryant’s first former player to beat him in a regular-season game. “Coach,” McClendon told Bryant at midfield, “this has been a long time coming.” “I know it, Mac,” Bryant said, “but don’t ever think I like it.”

LSU-UK ties The connections between

if they transfer in-conference may be to deter member institutions from poaching or tampering with each other’s athletes, but Kiffin doesn’t see how it would work. “I joked today,” Kifﬁn said, “the other conferences would celebrate that rule. It would be like in the AFC, there’s gonna be free agency coming up, but all AFC free agents, the other AFC teams can’t take when they become free agents. And they’d all go to the NFC.” According to Yahoo, SEC presidents are scheduled to meet next week to consider a “year-in-residency mandate.” If such a rule were in effect, the former Ole Miss coach Kifﬁn would have a much different roster in 2026. He brought a handful of players with him to LSU, including edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen, linebacker TJ Dottery and receiver Winston Watkins. Transfer receiver Eugene Wilson (Florida), edge rusher Jordan Ross (Tennessee), defensive tackle Malik Blocton (Auburn), offensive lineman William Satterwhite (Tennessee) and kicker Scott Starzyk (Arkansas) have all played key roles, too.

LSU and Kentucky this year run surprisingly deep. UK offensive coordinator Joe Sloan worked in that capacity at LSU under Brian Kelly in 2024-25 before they both were ﬁred. LSU offensive line coach Eric Wolford was also at UK in that capacity the past two seasons. Lance Heard, the Neville grad who played at LSU in 2023 before spending two years at Tennessee, has been UK’s starter at left tackle every game. His matchup with Tigers’ edge Princewill Umanmielen (second in FBS with eight sacks) will be one of the game’s biggest. Also on UK’s team are former Tiger defensive

tackle Ahmad Breaux (2024-25) from Ruston and receiver Nic Anderson, who played at LSU last season. Kentucky’s top receiver is Kenny Darby from Bossier Airline (25 receptions, 322 yards, three touchdowns). Offensive lineman Darren Strey transferred to LSU from UK and has played every game. Also, LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt’s ﬁrst visit after transferring out of Arizona State was to Kentucky, and offensive analyst Tee Martin was UK’s receivers coach from 2010-11. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate. com/lsunewsletter

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6C ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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MLB proposes shortening regular season BY RONALD BLUM

AP baseball writer

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball proposed to shorten the regular season to 154 games from 162 starting in 2029 and to expand the Division Series to best-of-seven in a plan given to players during collective bargaining Thursday. Owners also proposed adding nine additional days off to the current postseason format, extending it to a maximum 42 days in a move that would give top starting pitchers potential to appear more often. MLB would allow higher-seeded teams in the ﬁrst two rounds of the postseason to pick their opponents beginning next year and would make most regular-season Mondays a day off for the vast majority of teams starting in 2029 except for those in up to two nationally broadcast games. Cutting regular-season games would reduce the opportunity for players to set season and career records. “Returning to a 154-game schedule would allow us to introduce a weekly off day, which is good for player health, while also creating a new national broadcast window to showcase our most exciting teams and players,” MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said in a statement. The players’ association said it will review the plan and will respond at the bargaining table. Baseball’s five-year labor con-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO BY MIKE STEWART

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani advances to first base on a walk during the second inning in Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday in Atlanta. tract expires Dec. 1, and management is expected to lock out players in a confrontation that could delay or wipe out the 2027 season. MLB proposed a salary cap, which the union has vowed to never accept, along with limits on contract values and length. “Unfortunately, the league once again made clear that all of its

proposals are contingent on players’ agreement to a salary cap, a system that guts player rights and compensation, as well as its other anti-player proposals,” the union said in a statement. MLB’s regular season currently schedules 162 games over 187 days, and the new format would play the 154 games over 180 in

most years. MLB would keep the Wild Card Series at best-of-three at the ballpark of the higher-seeded team, add an extra day off between Games 1 and 2 and stagger series starts. There would be only two games scheduled on each of the first three days rather than the current format of up to four games per day. No. 3 seeds could select after the regular season whether to host No. 5 or No. 6 in the Wild Card Series, and the No. 1 seeds could pick which wild-card winner to play in the Division Series. Each best-of-seven series would be played over 11 days instead of nine, adding off days before Games 5 and 7 in addition to the travel days before Games 3 and 6. MLB would stop scheduling early round postseason games in afternoons after some teams have struggled to ﬁll stadiums in those slots. Management made a “pick your opponent” proposal in 2022 bargaining as part of a 14-team playoff plan players didn’t agree to. “A shorter regular season unlocks making October even better for our fans — with fewer weekday afternoon games, a longer Division Series and more opportunities to see the game’s best pitchers on the biggest stage,” Caplin said. “And allowing the top seeds to select their opponents in the ﬁrst two rounds would create compelling storylines, intensify existing

rivalries and create new ones.” As part of the proposal, each team would be scheduled for four day-night doubleheaders, one against each division rival. Minor league schedules have included days off on Mondays since 2021. Big league clubs would be scheduled for Monday games on national holidays, when many typically draw large crowds. Teams that play Mondays would be scheduled to have Thursday off. MLB said player salaries would not be adjusted to reflect fewer games and bonus provision thresholds — like those that pay players for games played — would be adjusted to reflect the shortened schedule. The National and American Leagues adopted 154-game schedules in 1904 that had every team in each eight-team circuit playing all opponents 22 times. The AL switched to a 162-game schedule when it expanded to 10 teams for 1961 and the National League followed suit the next year. The LCS started in 1969 and were best-of-five through 1984, then expanded to best-of-seven. Division Series have been bestof-five since their inception for annual use in 1995. Wild card games started with the expansion of the playoffs from eight to 10 teams in 2012 and became bestof-three Wild Card Series when the postseason increased to 12 clubs in 2022.

SCOREBOARD Hole-in-one

x-Wednesday, October 14: New York at Atlanta, TBA

Jerry Hartt

Course: Webb Memorial Hole: No. 17 Club: 7 Iron Witnesses: Ray Lamy, Joe Gray, David Morel

Odds

Pro football NFL Glance AMERICAN CONFERENCE East

Sports Betting Line NFL Sunday

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG at JAX 1½ 7½ (42) Phila Houston 3½ 7½ (38) at TEN at NE 8½ 3½ (45) Las Vegas at NY JETS 2½ 2½ (39½) Cleveland at WASH 2½ 3½ (42½) NY Giants Chicago 3 1½ (45½) at G.B. Minnesota 1½ 2½ (42) at N.O. at PITTS 2½ 2½ (44½) Ind Cincinnati 5½ 6½ (42½) at MIAMI Denver 2½ 3½ (42½) at CHRGRS Detroit 8½ 5½ (54½) at ARIZ at SEATTLE 3½ 3 (46½) San Fran at ATLANTA 4½ 3½ (43½) Baltimore

Monday

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG at LA RAMS 3 3½ (54½) Buffalo

College Football

Buffalo New England N.Y. Jets Miami

W 3 2 1 0

L 1 2 3 4

T 0 0 0 0

Pct PF PA .750 127 107 .500 65 77 .250 76 84 .000 46 101

Jacksonville Indianapolis Tennessee Houston

W 3 2 0 0

L 1 2 4 4

T 0 0 0 0

Pct PF PA .750 104 53 .500 102 104 .000 55 83 .000 84 109

Cleveland Baltimore Pittsburgh Cincinnati

W 3 3 2 2

L 1 1 2 2

T 0 0 0 0

Pct PF .750 81 .750 116 .500 77 .500 97

Kansas City Las Vegas Denver L.A. Chargers

W 4 3 2 0

L 0 1 2 4

T Pct PF PA 0 1.000 118 77 0 .750 115 84 0 .500 74 94 0 .000 67 106

L 1 2 2 3

T 0 0 0 0

Pct PF PA .750 82 79 .500 75 93 .500 122 112 .250 88 122 Pct PF PA .500 121 109 .500 96 92 .250 105 128 .000 76 96

South

North

West

PA 95 96 87 85

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Friday

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG at LOISVLLE 7½ 3½ (59½) Florida St. at SJSU 6 4½ (42½) Wyoming at WASH 1½ 3 (41½) Iowa at UTAH ST 1½ 5½ (43½) Wash St at BYU 14½ 10½ (46½) Iowa St

East N.Y. Giants Philadelphia Dallas Washington

W 3 2 2 1

Friday

Carolina Atlanta New Orleans Tampa Bay

W 2 2 1 0

L 2 2 3 4

T 0 0 0 0

Minnesota Chicago Detroit Green Bay

W 4 3 2 2

L 0 1 2 2

T Pct PF PA 0 1.000 86 51 0 .750 112 65 0 .500 119 127 0 .500 73 105

San Francisco Seattle L.A. Rams Arizona

W 4 3 2 1

L 0 1 2 3

T Pct PF PA 0 1.000 122 64 0 .750 105 73 0 .500 85 83 0 .250 87 117

NHL

FAVORITE LINE at WASHINGTON -139 at COLUMBUS -123 at DETROIT -139 at WINNIPEG -118

Saturday

UNDERDOG N.Y Rangers Pittsburgh Seattle Anaheim

LINE +117 +103 +118 -101

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Arizona 3½ 3 (61½) at W. VA at B. GREEN 6½ 7½ (44½) Sac St. at MISSOURI 1½ 3½ (48½) Texas A&M at OKLAH ST 9½ 10½ (53½) UCF Indiana 8½ 7½ (48½) at NBRSKA at ARMY 6½ 3 (48½) Tulane Wake Forest 2½ 3½ (59½)at NC STATE at PITTS 4½ 3½ (47½) N. Carolina at NWSTRN 34½ 35½ (52½) Ball State at FLORIDA 14½ 11½ (59½) S. Carolina at APPA ST 5½ 9½ (48½) Old Dom Miami (OH) 2½ 2½ (47½) at UMASS at OREGON 12½ 11½ (58½) UCLA E. Michigan 5½ 6½ (52) at AKRON Texas 6½ 7½ (39½) at OKLA at N.D. 35½ 38½ (54½) Stanford Va Tech 11½ 10 (53½) at CAL at KANS ST 1½ 2½ (55½) Houston Illinois 2½ 2½ (48½) at MICH ST at W. MICH 13½ 13½ (43½) Kent State at NAVY 3½ 2½ (48½) Tulsa at OHIO 3½ 2½ (46½) C. Michign Duke 5½ 6½ (43½) at GA TECH at TOLEDO 17½ 21 (54½) Buffalo Ole Miss 10½ 9½ (54½) at VANDER at N. TEXAS 24½ 28½ (57½) Charlotte at TEMPLE 3 3½ (54½) UConn at E. CAR 9½ 10 (47½) Rice at OHIO ST 37½ 33½ (56½) Maryland Tennessee 14½ 13½ (51½) at ARKANS at ORGN ST 14½ 15½ (53½)San Dego St N. Dakota St. 1½ 3½ (48½) at UNLV at MEMPHIS 16½ 14 (52½) UAB at MARSHLL 2½ 4 (58½) C. Carolina LSU 10½ 8½ (52½) at KNTCKY Nevada 9½ 10 (49½) at UTEP Air Force 12½ 7½ (46½) at N. ILL J. Madison 10 7½ (51½) at GA SO. at VIRGINIA 6½ 9½ (50½) Syracuse at PENN ST PK 1½ (54½) USC at LA TECH 1½ 3 (47½) Louisiana at ALABAMA 2½ 1½ (51½) Georgia Minnesota 5½ 2½ (50½) at PURDUE at UTAH 13½ 15½ (51½) Kansas Boise State 10½ 6½ (48½) at FRESNO at ARIZ ST 17½ 20½ (50½) Hawaii

Pro basketball WNBA Playoff Glance (x-if necessary) Semiﬁnals (Best-of-5)

Golden State 2, Las Vegas 0

Sunday, October 4: Golden State 71, Las Vegas 60 Wednesday, October 7: Golden State 83, Las Vegas 81 Friday, October 9: Golden State at Las Vegas, 8:30 p.m. x-Sunday, October 11: Golden State at Las Vegas, TBA x-Wednesday, October 14: Las Vegas at Golden State, TBA

Atlanta 2, New York 0

Sunday, October 4: Atlanta 92, New York 82 Wednesday, October 7: Atlanta 101, New York 98, OT Friday, October 9: Atlanta at New York, 6:30 p.m. x-Sunday, October 11: Atlanta at New York, TBA

South

North

West

Thursday’s Games

College football College Football Schedule All Times Central (Subject to change)

Tuesday’s games SOUTH

Troy 55, Southern Miss. 34

Wednesday’s games SOUTH

Jacksonville St. 27, Kennesaw St. 26 FIU 22, New Mexico St. 3

Thursday’s games SOUTH

Tampa Bay at Dallas, n

Sunday’s Games

Philadelphia vs Jacksonville at London, GBR, 8:30 a.m. Chicago at Green Bay, noon Cincinnati at Miami, noon Cleveland at N.Y. Jets, noon Houston at Tennessee, noon Indianapolis at Pittsburgh, noon Las Vegas at New England, noon Minnesota at New Orleans, noon N.Y. Giants at Washington, noon Denver at L.A. Chargers, 3:05 p.m. Detroit at Arizona, 3:25 p.m. San Francisco at Seattle, 3:25 p.m. Baltimore at Atlanta, 7:20 p.m. Open: Kansas City, Carolina

Monday’s Games

Buffalo at L.A. Rams, 7:15 p.m.

Major League Baseball MLB Postseason Glance DIVISION SERIES

(Best-of-5) x-if necessary

American League

(TBS, TruTV, HBO Max)

Chicago White Sox 2, Cleveland 1

Saturday, Oct. 3: Chicago White Sox 3, Cleveland 0 Monday, Oct. 5: Chicago White Sox 4, Cleveland 3 Wednesday, Oct. 7: Cleveland 9, Chicago White Sox 3 Thursday, Oct. 8: Cleveland at Chicago White Sox, n x-Saturday, Oct. 10: Chicago White Sox at Cleveland, 8:10 p.m. (TBS/TruTV/HBO Max)

Tampa Bay 3, N.Y. Yankees 0

Saturday, Oct. 3: Tampa Bay 1, N.Y. Yankees 0 Monday, Oct. 5: Tampa Bay 5, N.Y. Yankees 2 Wednesday, Oct. 7: Tampa Bay 4, N.Y. Yankees 3

National League (FOX, FS1)

L.A. Dodgers 3, Atlanta 1

Saturday, Oct. 3: L.A. Dodgers 5, Atlanta 3 Sunday, Oct. 4: Atlanta 3, L.A. Dodgers 2 Tuesday, Oct. 6: L.A. Dodgers 3, Atlanta 1 Wednesday, Oct. 7: L.A. Dodgers 4, Atlanta 1

Milwaukee 3, San Diego 1

Saturday, Oct. 3: Milwaukee 3, San Diego 2 Sunday, Oct. 4: Milwaukee 4, San Diego 3 Tuesday, Oct. 6: San Diego 4, Milwaukee 3 Wednesday, Oct. 7: Milwaukee 3, San Diego 1

Late Wednesday Milwaukee 3, San Diego 1 Milwaukee

ab r h bi ab r h bi Chourio lf 4 0 1 1 Tatis rf-2b 3 1 1 1 Yelich dh 4 0 1 0 Merrill cf 4 0 1 0 Contreras c 5 0 2 0 Machado 3b 4 0 1 0 Turang 2b 5 0 1 0 France 1b 3 0 0 0 Bauers 1b 1 1 1 0 Hays dh 2 0 0 0 Pratt ss 4 0 1 0 Salas ph 1 0 0 0 Frelick rf 3 1 1 1 Bogaerts ss 4 0 0 0 Mitchell cf 4 1 2 1 Campusano c 3 0 0 0 Ortiz 3b 4 0 0 0 Sheets ph 1 0 0 0 Cronenworth 2b 2 0 0 0 Andujar ph 0 0 0 0 Bowen pr-rf 0 0 0 0 Taylor lf 3 0 0 0 Totals 34 3 10 3 Totals 30 1 3 1 Milwaukee 001 011 000 — 3 San Diego 001 000 000 — 1 E_Pratt (3). DP_Milwaukee 1, San Diego 2. LOB_Milwaukee 10, San Diego 6. 2B_Pratt (1). 3B_Mitchell (1). HR_Tatis (1). SB_Frelick (1), Yelich (2). SF_Frelick (1). IP H R ER BB SO Milwaukee Gasser 4 3 1 1 1 3 Ashby W,1-0 3 0 0 0 2 3 Uribe H,1 1 0 0 0 1 1 Megill S,2-2 1 0 0 0 0 2 San Diego Buehler 3 3 1 1 2 0 Ray L,0-1 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 ⁄3 2 0 0 0 0 Rodriguez 1 ⁄3 0 0 0 0 0 Matsui Adam 1 2 1 1 0 0 Miller 1 2 0 0 1 1 Musgrove 2 0 0 0 0 2 Buehler pitched to 1 batter in the 4th, Ray pitched to 1 batter in the 5th. HBP_Musgrove (Yelich). ABS Challenge_Gasser (Ball-Conﬁrmed); Pratt (Strike-Conﬁrmed). Umpires_Home, Nic Lentz; First, Quinn Wolcott; Second, Brennan Miller; Third, Nick Mahrley; Right, Alfonso Marquez; Left, Lance Barrett. T_3:00. A_47,712 (40,222).

San Diego

Liberty 35, Sam Houston St. 3 W. Kentucky 34, Missouri St. 13

SOUTHWEST

UTSA 31, South Florida 24 South Alabama (3-2) at Arkansas St. (2-3), n

Friday’s games EAST

Columbia (2-1) at Marist (3-2), 6 p.m.

SOUTH

Florida A&M (1-4) at Alabama St. (3-2), 11 a.m. Florida St. (3-2) at Louisville (2-3), 6 p.m.

FAR WEST

Wyoming (2-3) at San Jose St. (3-2), 8 p.m. Iowa (4-1) at Washington (3-2), 8 p.m. Washington St. (1-4) at Utah St. (1-4), 8 p.m. Iowa St. (3-2) at BYU (4-0), 9:15 p.m.

Saturday’s games EAST

North Carolina (2-2) at Pittsburgh (5-0), 11 a.m. Dartmouth (1-2) at Yale (2-1), 11 a.m. Tulane (2-2) at Army (2-2), 11 a.m. Bryant (4-1) at Brown (1-2), 11 a.m. Stonehill (1-4) at Sacred Heart (2-3), 11 a.m. Robert Morris (3-2) at Morgan St. (4-1), 11 a.m. Arizona (4-1) at West Virginia (3-2), 11 a.m. Princeton (2-1) at Wagner (1-4), 11 a.m. Bucknell (1-4) at Georgetown (0-4), 11:30 a.m. LIU Brooklyn (1-5) at Duquesne (1-3), noon Harvard (3-0) at Cornell (2-1), noon American International (0-0) at CCSU (1-3), noon Howard (2-3) at Penn (1-2), noon Franklin Pierce (0-1) at Delaware St. (3-3), noon Miami (Ohio) (2-3) at UMass (4-1), 1 p.m. Richmond (5-1) at Fordham (1-5), 2:30 p.m. Tulsa (3-2) at Navy (1-3), 2:30 p.m. UConn (2-3) at Temple (2-3), 2:45 p.m. Stony Brook (3-2) at Towson (0-6), 3 p.m. Coastal Carolina (1-4) at Marshall (3-2), 6 p.m. Southern Cal (5-1) at Penn St. (3-2), 6:30 p.m.

SOUTH

Wake Forest (4-1) at NC State (3-2), 11 a.m. SC State (5-1) at Charleston Southern (2-3), 11 a.m. New Hampshire (2-4) at NC A&T (1-5), 11 a.m. South Carolina (2-3) at Florida (4-1), 11:45 a.m. William & Mary (2-4) at NC Central (2-4), noon Old Dominion (1-4) at Appalachian St. (3-1), noon Samford (1-4) at Chattanooga (3-3), noon Wofford (3-3) at Elon (4-2), 1 p.m.

Va. Lynchburg (0-3) at Norfolk St. (3-3), 1 p.m. Northeastern St. (0-2) at West Florida (3-2), 1 p.m. ETSU (4-2) at The Citadel (2-3), 1 p.m. Arkansas Baptist (0-1) at Alcorn St. (3-3), 2 p.m. W. Carolina (3-3) at Mercer (4-2), 2 p.m. E. Illinois (1-4) at Gardner-Webb (2-4), 2:30 p.m. Duke (4-0) at Georgia Tech (1-3), 2:30 p.m. Mississippi (3-1) at Vanderbilt (3-2), 2:30 p.m. UT Martin (1-4) at Tennessee St. (1-4), 2:30 p.m. Furman (2-4) at Tennessee Tech (4-1), 2:30 p.m. Rice (1-4) at East Carolina (2-2), 3 p.m. Jackson St. (5-0) at Grambling St. (3-2), 4 p.m. Davidson (2-4) at Presbyterian (2-3), 4:30 p.m. West Georgia (1-4) at E. Kentucky (1-4), 5 p.m. Tarleton St. (5-0) at Austin Peay (5-1), 6 p.m. UAB (3-2) at Memphis (4-1), 6 p.m. Bethune-Cookman (3-2) at Alabama A&M (4-2), 6 p.m. LSU (4-1) at Kentucky (4-1), 6 p.m. James Madison (5-0) at Georgia Southern (2-3), 6:30 p.m. Syracuse (2-2) at Virginia (3-2), 6:30 p.m. Louisiana-Lafayette (4-1) at Louisiana Tech (2-2), 6:30 p.m. Georgia (5-0) at Alabama (5-0), 6:30 p.m.

MIDWEST

Indiana (5-0) at Nebraska (5-0), 11 a.m. Sacramento St. (1-4) at Bowling Green (1-4), 11 a.m. Texas A&M (3-2) at Missouri (4-1), 11 a.m. Morehead St. (1-4) at Dayton (3-1), 11 a.m. Ball St. (1-4) at Northwestern (3-1), 11:30 a.m. San Diego (2-3) at Butler (4-1), noon Youngstown St. (4-2) at Indiana St. (2-4), noon S. Illinois (3-3) at South Dakota (4-2), 1 p.m. Drake (2-3) at Valparaiso (2-3), 1 p.m. SE Missouri (2-3) at Lindenwood (Mo.) (1-3), 1 p.m. Stetson (1-4) at St. Thomas (Minn.) (4-2), 1 p.m. E. Michigan (3-3) at Akron (1-4), 2:30 p.m. Stanford (2-3) at Notre Dame (5-0), 2:30 p.m. Houston (4-1) at Kansas St. (3-1), 2:30 p.m. Illinois (2-3) at Michigan St. (2-3), 2:30 p.m. Kent St. (2-3) at W. Michigan (3-2), 2:30 p.m. Buffalo (2-3) at Toledo (4-1), 2:30 p.m. Cent. Michigan (3-2) at Ohio (3-2), 2:30 p.m. Maryland (2-3) at Ohio St. (4-1), 3:15 p.m. North Dakota (5-1) at N. Iowa (2-2), 4 p.m. Air Force (3-1) at N. Illinois (0-4), 6:30 p.m. Minnesota (4-1) at Purdue (2-3), 7 p.m.

SOUTHWEST

UCF (3-2) at Oklahoma St. (3-1), 11 a.m. MVSU (2-4) at Texas Southern (1-4), 2 p.m. Oklahoma (2-2) vs. Texas (4-0) at Dallas, 2:30 p.m. Charlotte (0-5) at North Texas (3-2), 2:30 p.m. Incarnate Word (2-3) at Lamar (4-1), 3 p.m. Southern U. (2-4) at Prairie View (2-4), 3 p.m. Tennessee (4-1) at Arkansas (2-3), 3:15 p.m. Nevada (1-3) at UTEP (1-4), 6 p.m. Cent. Arkansas (2-3) at Abilene Christian (2-4), 7 p.m. SE Louisiana (3-2) at UT Rio Grande Valley (2-3), 7 p.m.

FAR WEST

Idaho (1-4) at Weber St. (3-3), 2 p.m. Virginia Tech (4-1) at California (2-3), 2:30 p.m. UCLA (4-0) at Oregon (3-1), 2:30 p.m. Utah Tech (0-6) at Portland St. (1-4), 3 p.m. Montana (5-1) at N. Arizona (4-2), 4 p.m. Cal Poly (3-3) at Idaho St. (4-1), 5 p.m. San Diego St. (2-3) at Oregon St. (3-2), 5 p.m. N. Dakota St. (5-0) at UNLV (3-2), 6 p.m. N. Colorado (2-4) at E. Washington (1-5), 6 p.m. Kansas (2-2) at Utah (4-0), 9:15 p.m. Hawaii (1-4) at Arizona St. (2-2), 9:30 p.m. Boise St. (4-1) at Fresno St. (4-1), 9:30 p.m.

Hockey NHL Glance EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Florida Ottawa Tampa Bay Buffalo Toronto Boston Montreal Detroit

GP W L OT Pts GF 4 2 0 2 6 8 3 2 1 0 4 10 3 2 1 0 4 8 3 2 1 0 4 10 4 2 2 0 4 11 4 2 2 0 4 9 3 1 1 1 3 12 3 1 2 0 2 7

GA 8 8 7 11 11 11 14 8

N.Y. Rangers Carolina Washington Pittsburgh Columbus N.Y. Islanders New Jersey Philadelphia

GP W L OT Pts GF 5 4 1 0 8 16 4 2 1 1 5 11 3 2 1 0 4 11 4 2 2 0 4 18 2 1 1 0 2 7 3 1 2 0 2 9 3 1 2 0 2 6 4 0 2 2 2 5

GA 8 12 8 13 7 7 13 17

Metropolitan Division

WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division

GP W L OT Pts GF

Winnipeg Utah Minnesota Colorado Nashville Dallas St. Louis Chicago

4 4 3 3 3 3 3 4

Paciﬁc Division

3 0 3 1 2 0 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 3

1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0

7 12 6 17 5 9 4 16 3 7 2 6 2 7 2 9

10 8 5 8 9 6 10 17

GP W L OT Pts GF GA Edmonton 4 3 0 1 7 22 16 Vegas 4 3 1 0 6 17 10 Anaheim 3 2 1 0 4 9 10 San Jose 3 2 1 0 4 9 12 Seattle 4 2 2 0 4 15 11 Vancouver 4 2 2 0 4 19 18 Los Angeles 3 0 2 1 1 9 15 Calgary 3 0 3 0 0 3 16 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. Top three teams in each division and two wild cards per conference advance to playoffs.

Wednesday’s Games

Washington 5, Pittsburgh 3 Winnipeg 3, Colorado 2 Edmonton 5, Anaheim 2

Thursday’s Games

Dallas at Buffalo, 6 p.m. Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 6 p.m. Nashville at Montreal, 6 p.m. Philadelphia at Ottawa, 6 p.m. Utah at Boston, 6 p.m. Vancouver at Carolina, 6 p.m. Chicago at N.Y. Islanders, 6:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis, 7 p.m. Colorado at Calgary, 8 p.m. Toronto at Vegas, 9 p.m.

Friday’s Games

N.Y. Rangers at Washington, 6 p.m. Pittsburgh at Columbus, 6 p.m. Seattle at Detroit, 6 p.m. Anaheim at Winnipeg, 7 p.m.

Tennis Baycurrent Classic Par Scores

Thursday At Yokohama Country Club Kanagawa, Japan Purse: $8 million Yardage: 7,322; Par: 71 First Round Jacob Bridgeman Jordan L. Smith Mac Meissner Ricky Castillo Pierceson Coody Max Homa Keith Mitchell Kris Ventura David Lipsky Michael Thorbjornsen Andrew Putnam Nicolas Echavarria Ryo Hisatsune Collin Morikawa Min Woo Lee Hideki Matsuyama C. Bezuidenhout Ryan Gerard Hiroshi Iwata Michael Kim Ren Yonezawa Michael Brennan Denny McCarthy John Parry Johnny Keefer Zachary Bauchou Lee Hodges Sungjae Im Adam Scott Justin Thomas Doug Ghim Brian Harman Stephan Jaeger Keita Nakajima Kosuke Sunagawa Wyndham Clark Beau Hossler Tomohiro Ishizaka Takumi Kanaya Xander Schauffele Matt Wallace Max Greyserman Matthew McCarty Chandler Phillips Kevin Roy Tony Finau Ben Kohles Billy Horschel Kurt Kitayama Nick Taylor Alex Smalley Taylor Moore Yoshinori Fujimoto Yusaku Hosono Jordan Spieth Sang-hee Lee Taylor Pendrith Jackson Suber Keegan Bradley Maverick McNealy Koshin Nagasaki Davis Thompson Rickie Fowler Patrick Rodgers Kevin Yu

31-32—63 32-32—64 30-35—65 32-33—65 34-31—65 31-34—65 32-34—66 32-34—66 33-33—66 31-35—66 32-34—66 34-33—67 34-33—67 35-32—67 31-36—67 35-32—67 31-37—68 34-34—68 34-34—68 34-34—68 34-34—68 34-34—68 35-33—68 33-35—68 34-34—68 32-37—69 34-35—69 34-35—69 34-35—69 34-35—69 36-33—69 35-34—69 33-36—69 34-35—69 33-36—69 32-38—70 33-37—70 31-39—70 34-36—70 36-34—70 34-36—70 33-37—70 36-34—70 34-36—70 35-35—70 35-36—71 36-35—71 34-37—71 39-32—71 33-38—71 34-37—71 35-37—72 38-34—72 35-37—72 36-36—72 33-39—72 35-37—72 35-37—72 34-38—72 35-37—72 36-36—72 37-36—73 37-36—73 39-34—73 34-40—74

-8 -7 -6 -6 -6 -6 -5 -5 -5 -5 -5 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 E E E E E E +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +2 +2 +2 +3

Transactions FOOTBALL

National Football League CAROLINA PANTHERS — Signed RB Anthony Tyus III to the practice squad.

FELINE FUN

‘WILDEST SHOW’

The Baton Rouge Cat Club show runs Saturday and Sunday at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Gonzales. Cats are divided into household pet and pedigreed class categories. A youth education program also is offered. Adults, $12; seniors/military, $10; children, $9; families of four, $35; under 3, free. lamardixonexpocenter.com.

With traditional events including bull riding and unique ones like Convict Poker, the annual Angola Prison Rodeo takes place each Sunday in October. Gates open at 8 a.m. with arts, crafts and food booths. The rodeo gets underway at 2 p.m. $25. angolarodeo.com.

BEER, BRATS AND BACH

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s annual Bachtoberfest strikes a chord starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday on the front lawn of the Main Library at Goodwood. With maestro David Torns conducting and Nick Ciraldo as soloist. General public, $40; children/ students, $20. brso.org.

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

F r i d ay, O c t O b e r 9, 2026

1dN

COWBOY MOUTH 7 p.m. Friday l The Ruins, 1919 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette l $25 l cowboymouth.com and theruinsnightclub.com

PROVIDED IMAGE

The cover of Harry Connick Jr.’s 2026 album ‘Babe: Elaboratio: A Tribute to My Mother’

A dream come true Harry Connick Jr. talks about his late mom, new album dedicated to her

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

Harry Connick Jr. routinely dedicated his albums to his late mother, even as he mostly declined to talk about her publicly. But at 59, he’s celebrating his enduring love for Anita-Francis Livingston Connick in a very public way. His new, orchestral album and a companion book, both titled “Babe: Elaboratio: A Tribute to My Mother,” honor the life and legacy of the woman affectionately known as Babe. An attorney and judge, she died of ovarian cancer when her son was just 13. That loss, as well as the conﬁdence she always expressed in young Harry’s musical abilities, affected him profoundly. Connick premiered his orchestral ode to his mother in May at New York’s Carnegie Hall. During a recent interview, Connick explained why he recorded “Babe: Elaboratio” in Australia, why he waited decades to perform at Carnegie Hall, and how memories of his mother informed his relationships with his wife and daughters. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Why do “Babe: Elaboratio” now? My mom had a dream for me to play in Carnegie Hall. She talked about that since I was really little. She was from New York City, and (Carnegie Hall) was the epitome of performing halls for her. The exact quote was, “I could die happy knowing that you played at Carnegie Hall. I want people to say, ‘Look, there goes Beethoven’s mother.’” She always knew that I was probably gonna end up a musician. She felt that more strongly than anyone, probably even me. When I was around 10, she was diagnosed with cancer. I remember calling Carnegie Hall from New Orleans and telling them, “Hey, I’m a piano player. I’d really love to play there for my mom.” They said, “Well, this is the box ofﬁce. We don’t book talent.”

ä See CONNICK, page 2D

PROVIDED PHOTO BY JAMES ZURAW

BIGGER GE THAN LIFE

BY JOHN WIRT

Contributing writer

iding the ups and downs of the music business through the past 36 years, New Orleans’ always exuberant Cowboy Mouth never stopped. “Ain’t gonna stop till I drop,” pledged the band’s singing, in-thespotlight drummer Fred LeBlanc. In the 1990s, Cowboy Mouth released albums via the major record labels MCA and Atlantic. In 1996, the group scored the national hit “Jenny Says.” Chasing rock-star dreams during those years, Cowboy Mouth played 300 shows a year and as many as eight gigs a week. “We’d do a show in the day and then ﬂy somewhere and play that afternoon or evening,” LeBlanc remembered. “You took the work

‘Gentle Keeper,’ alcohol ink and 24K details, by Claudia Benton of Baton Rouge, received the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine award at the 2025 ‘International Exhibition on Animals in Art.’ This year’s exhibition opens with a reception on Saturday. PROVIDED PHOTO FROM LSU VET MED

Cowboy Mouth brings its rock ’n’ roll evangelism to Louisiana

as you got it. It was exciting, it was fun. But that whole time was a blur. So much pressure and craziness. The shows were always great. The other 22 hours of the day were usually a pain in the butt.” Nearly 40 years into its long run, Cowboy Mouth performs a lessdemanding 80 to 100 shows each year. The group’s next Louisiana performance is Friday at The Ruins Nightclub in Lafayette.

ä Watch a video Cowboy Mouth’s performances.

GO TO THEADVOCATE.COM.

Because Cowboy Mouth typically plays two to three shows on weekends, LeBlanc has become a weekend warrior. He likes it like that. “That’s what we and a lot of our contemporaries do,” he said. “Bands like Sister Hazel, (Better Than) Ezra, Drivin’ N’ Cryin’. I’m enjoying it a lot more nowadays. There’s not as much pressure and you’re free to be creative and have break time. I’m lucky and blessed.” LeBlanc formed Cowboy Mouth after his ﬁve years with the Baton Rouge-based country-punk-rock band Dash Rip Rock. Singer-gui-

ä See COWBOY, page 2D

LSU Vet Med to celebrate ‘Animals in Art’ exhibition Staff report The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine will celebrate the opening of its 32nd “International Exhibition on Animals in Art” with a reception from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the LSU Vet Med Library. LSU Vet Med is located on the LSU campus on Skip Bertman Drive. The exhibition features 60 works selected from 293 entries submit-

ted by 163 artists from Canada and 28 states across the United States. The selected works celebrate animals through a variety of artistic styles, perspectives and media. The opening reception offers visitors an opportunity to be among the ﬁrst to view this year’s exhibition and celebrate the artists whose works were selected.

ä See EXHIBIT, page 2D

2D ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

lll

SHOWS TO WATCH — BATON ROUGE AREA FRIDAY

BURNSIDE EXPLORATON II WITH CEDRIC AND GARRY BURNSIDE: 6 p.m., Beauvoir Park BRENT ARMSTRONG: Danny’s Dive Bar, 6 p.m. DON & KONSPIRACY: VFW Post 3784 (Zachary Taylor Post), 6 p.m. 3 BLIND MICE: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 6 p.m. KEEPIN’ TIME: T’Quilas Bar and Grill, Denham Springs, 6 p.m. FLOYD BROWN BAND: Pedro’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, 6 p.m. SOUTH OF CENTRAL BAND: Ahuuas Mexican Restaurant, 6:30 p.m. BRIAN & THE BANDITS: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 7 p.m. RACHAEL HALLACK & ERIC CANTRELLE: Bin 77 Bistro & Sidebar, 7 p.m. BATON ROUGE SYMPHONY BACHTOBER FEST: Main Library at Goodwood, 7:30 p.m. A-BOMB KARAOKE: Big Dog Saloon, Denham Springs, 8 p.m. HENRY TURNER JR. & THE ALLSTARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m. KARAOKE NIGHT: Backstreet Lounge, 8 p.m. CLAYTON SHILLING DUO: Patio Lounge, 8 p.m. HILL COUNTRY BLUES: Beauvoir Park, 8 p.m. BRIAN & THE BANDITS: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 8 p.m. CLARENCE THE ENTERTAINER: Local’s Bar & Kitchen, Central, 9 p.m. SOFA KINGS: Tiger Tavern, 9 p.m. CHRIS LEBLANC: Ice House Tap Room, 9 p.m. JOEY & THE JUMPER CABLES: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

BRYAN ROMANO: Central City Steak & Seafood, 5:30 p.m. IAN WEBSTER DUO: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 5:30 p.m. POSTER CHILD: El Paso Mexican Grill, Denham Springs, 6 p.m. BRIAN RITTENHOUSE: T’Quilas Bar and Grill, Denham Springs, 6 p.m. ROCKIN ROUGE: Pedro’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, 6 p.m. PAPO Y SON MANDAO: Pedro’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, Denham Springs, 6 p.m. ACOUSTIC NIGHT W/ HENRY TURNER JR. AND DIXIE ROSE:

Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m. ANDREW NEIL LANDRY: Fred’s On The River, Prairieville, 9 p.m. DAMON KING & BO JAMISON: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 9 p.m.

THE EDDIE SMITH BAND: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m. CLARENCE THE ENTERTAINER — TACO TUESDAY: The Karaoke Bar, Walker, 9 p.m.

dal, 7 p.m. THE DRUNK UNCLES DUO: Patio Lounge, 7 p.m. THE WORLD’S LONGEST RUNNING BLUES JAM: Phil Brady’s Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. KARAOKE MEETS COMEDY: Rufﬁns II — The Clubhouse, 8 p.m. HENRY TURNER JR. AND FLAVOR BAND: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8 p.m. BARFLY KARAOKE: Brickyard South, 8 p.m. OPEN MIC NIGHT: Frankie’s Dawg House, 8 p.m. A-BOMB KARAOKE: Big Dog Saloon, Denham Springs, 9 p.m. KARAOKE THURSDAYS: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 9 p.m. CLARENCE THE ENTERTAINER — THROWBACK THURSDAY: Good Times Bar, Denham Springs, 9 p.m. KARAOKE WITH DJ MIKE: Ice House Tap Room, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY

WEDNESDAY

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY: Mason’s Grill, 5:30 p.m. LSU SCHOOL OF MUSIC OPEN JAZZ JAM: Classic Vinyls, 6 p.m. BRENT ARMSTRONG: Danny’s Dive Bar, 6 p.m. KIRK HOLDER: Bin 77 Bistro & Sidebar, 6:30 p.m. ANDY PIZZO TRIO: Hayride Scandal, 7 p.m. SINGER SONGWRITER OPEN MIC: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 7 p.m. JAM WITH THE EDDIE SMITH BAND: La Daiquiris, 8 p.m. DRUNK KARAOKE: Capital Park Bar and Grill, 8 p.m. KARAOKE PARTY W/ DJ ALEX: The Edge Bar at L’Auberge Casino, 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY KARAOKE: The Silly Rabbit Comedy Club, 8 p.m. JAM NIGHT: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 8:30 p.m. KARAOKE BY BECCALICIOUS: The Vineyard, 9 p.m. SHUT UP & SING KARAOKE: Chelsea’s Live, 9 p.m.

OUTLYING

STAFF FILE PHOTO BY LESLIE WESTBROOK

Zydeco musician Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band will perform for the Rock N Rowe free fall concert series at 6 p.m. Thursday at Perkins Rowe Town Square in Baton Rouge.

ERIC BASKIN: Watermark Hotel, 10 a.m. JUSTIN BURDETTE TRIO: Superior GrillGovernment, 11 a.m. THE ERIC WHITFIELD EXPERIENCE: Crowne Plaza Executive Center, 11 a.m. LAID BACK BRUNCH: Red Stick Social Club, noon PHAT HAT: Highland Road Park, 2 p.m. TET DUR: VFW Post 3693, Gonzales, 2 p.m. SONGWRITER SUNDAY: La Divina, 5 p.m. OPEN MIC JAM: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 7 p.m. KARAOKE PARTY: The Edge Bar at L’Auberge Casino, 8 p.m. CLARENCE THE ENTERTAINER — R&B MEETS COUNTRY: Local’s Bar & Kitchen, Central, 9 p.m.

MONDAY

NICK PERKINS: Pedro’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, Denham Springs, 6 p.m. MONDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: Spanky’s Daiquiris, 7 p.m. KARAOKE WITH PRESTIGE WORLDWIDE: The Karaoke Bar, Walker, 8 p.m. CLARENCE THE ENTERTAINER: Good Times Bar, Denham Springs, 9 p.m.

TUESDAY

CHARLSTON BOURGEOIS: Bin 77 Bistro & Sidebar, 5:30 p.m. BAR FLY KARAOKE: El Paso Mexican Grill, Denham Springs, 6 p.m.

COWBOY

Continued from page 1D

tarist John Thomas Grifﬁth joined a few months in. “I was trying to grind it out with a couple of other musicians,” LeBlanc said of his initial lineup. “It was just terrible. It wasn’t working. But then John walked in and it all clicked. Whatever it is that he brings, it’s magic.” Cowboy Mouth took its name from the 1971 one-act play of the same name written and performed by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith. In the play, Smith’s character tells Shepard: “You gotta grab all the little broken-up, busted pieces of people’s frustration … you gotta give it back to them bigger than life … you gotta be a rock ’n’ roll Jesus with a Cowboy Mouth.” Following the latter vision, LeBlanc rejected frat rock’s hedonism, punk rock’s snarling negativity and grunge rock’s primal rage.

EXHIBIT

Continued from page 1D The exhibition will remain on display through Nov. 6 and will be open to the public during regular LSU Vet Med Library hours. The “International Exhibition on Animals in Art”

THURSDAY

By The Associated Press Today is Friday, Oct. 9, the 282nd day of 2026. There are 83 days left in the year. Today in history: On Oct. 9, 2009, President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for what the Norwegian Nobel Committee called “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” Also on this date: In 1963, a mega-tsunami triggered by a huge landslide at Vajont Dam in northern Italy destroyed villages and caused approximately 2,000 deaths. In 1967, Marxist revolutionary guerrilla leader Che Guevara, 39, was executed by the Bolivian army a day after his capture.

In 2010, a drill broke through into an underground chamber where 33 Chilean miners had been trapped for more than two months, opening the way to begin rescue operations days later. In 2012, former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to 30 to 60 years in prison following his conviction on 45 counts of sexual abuse of boys. In 2017, wildfires whipped by powerful winds swept through California wine country, killing more than 40 people, destroying thousands of homes and businesses and sending thousands fleeing flames that raged through high-end resorts and treelined neighborhoods. Today’s Birthdays: Musician

Nona Hendryx is 82. Musician Jackson Browne is 78. Actor Robert Wuhl is 75. TV personality Sharon Osbourne is 74. Actor Tony Shalhoub is 73. Actor Scott Bakula is 72. Actor-TV host John O’Hurley is 72. Football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary is 68. Jazz musician Kenny Garrett is 66. Film director Guillermo del Toro is 62. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron is 60. Singer PJ Harvey is 57. Film director Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”) is 57. Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sörenstam is 56. Musician Sean Lennon is 51. Actor Chris O’Dowd is 47. Actor Brandon Routh is 47. World boxing champion Amanda Serrano is 38. Actor Tyler James Williams is 34. NFL tight end George Kittle is 33. Model Bella Hadid is 30.

FRIDAY

DON RICH: Los Caravantes, Plaquemine, 6 p.m. ROUX TONES: Bayou Sara Brewing, St. Francisville, 6:30 p.m. GENERATION GAP: Ware House Saloon, Maurepas, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

WILL WESLEY: Reno’s on the River, Maurepas, 2 p.m. FLOYD BROWN TRIBUTE BAND: El Mejor Bar & Grill, St. Francisville, 6 p.m. MERLIN AVET: Big J’s Side Porch, Clinton, 6 p.m. RYAN LEBLANC: Ware House Saloon, Maurepas, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY

BACKSTREET — SWAMP POP AND SOUL MUSIC: Canal Bank Club, Maurepas, 3 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

DANO’S KARAOKE: Ware House Saloon, Maurepas, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY

CHUBBY CARRIER & THE BAYOU SWAMP BAND: Perkins Rowe Town Square, 6 p.m. DON & KONSPIRACY: La Carreta, Denham Springs, 6 p.m. DRAMA KINGS: Pedro’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, Denham Springs, 6 p.m. MIKE HOGAN: Bin 77 Bistro & Sidebar, 6:30 p.m. THE BISHOP ELLIS TRIO: Hayride Scan-

TODAY IN HISTORY

AVERAGE JOE’S: Sidelines Grill, Zachary, 6 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.

“I didn’t want to do the typical, ‘Hey, everybody! Let’s get messed up and crazy!’ All the stupid stuff,” LeBlanc said. “I was reading spiritual literature at the time. I threw some of that stuff in there, saying things like, ‘Believe in yourself! Anything’s possible!’ It got an immediate and visceral reaction. I was like, ‘Whoa. People crave this.’ And I tried to make anything that I/we put out there be constructive. The number of people who say they’ve gotten so much out of our shows, our records, it’s really gratifying.” LeBlanc, Grifﬁth, bassist Brian “Bruiser” Broussard and guitarist Frank “Frankie G” Grocholski play the Cowboy Mouth songs fans want to hear — “Everybody Loves Jill,” “I Believe,” “How Do You Tell Someone?”, “Love of My Life” and, every show’s climax, “Jenny Says.” “People want to hear the old songs,” LeBlanc said. “I love playing those songs and the band plays the hell out of

them.” This year, Cowboy Mouth is releasing a new song to digital music platforms every month. “The value of recorded music has dropped in people’s psyches over the past 15 years, because it’s so accessible and disposable,” LeBlanc said. “But I still enjoy the whole process of recording and releasing something new and having people react to it.” Cowboy Mouth released its latest album, “Cover Yo’ Azz,” last year. “It was a lot of fun and it did really well for us,” LeBlanc said of the all-remakes project. “We did Frank Sinatra to the Who to Cher to R.E.M., Hootie and the Blowﬁsh to Fats Domino to the Replacements. We have a range of influences and aren’t limited to obvious stuff. In the early days, I said, if the Neville Brothers and the Clash had a baby, it would be us.”

has become a longstanding tradition at LSU Vet Med, bringing original works of art centered on animals to the veterinary school and the Baton Rouge community. Jurors and judges for this year’s exhibition are Molly Hauck and Collin Leger with Ann Connelly Fine Art, where they are both galler-

ists. Hauck has specialized in creative consulting for more than 14 years, advising on local, regional and national art programs. Leger consults on art projects and programs across the country. He has several years of museum and gallery experience and has helped curate exhibitions locally and regionally.

PROVIDED PHOTO FROM THE HARRY CONNICK ARCHIVES

Anita-Francis Livingston Connick, aka Babe, with her children Suzanna, left, and Harry Connick Jr.

CONNICK

Continued from page 1D My mom thought that was nice that I did that for her. She died three years later, and obviously, I hadn’t had a chance to perform there. So I kept it in my mind that I was gonna do something special for her at Carnegie Hall. It was just a matter of when. Years ago, your manager reserved the dates May 22-23, 2026, which coincided with what would have been your mom’s 100th birthday. I’d never been in Carnegie Hall. I kept it like that intentionally. They had asked me to play over the years, and we always told them no; they didn’t really know why. Even on the day of the show, I didn’t go in for rehearsal. I wanted the ﬁrst time I walked out on the (Carnegie Hall) stage (to be) at 8 o’clock that night (for the show). I went out and performed this piece I wrote for her. It felt like a really celebratory moment, something that I felt emotionally ready to do. You recorded “Babe: Elaboratio”

in Australia with Orchestra Victoria. Why go to the other side of the world to record? I have a production company in Melbourne, Australia. Australia is a wonderful place for artists because they support the arts in different ways than they do in the United States. So I know the musicians down there, and I know a lot of people in the entertainment industry. I thought it would be a good idea to rehearse with an orchestra down there…. so I would be prepared to perform it the following May. We rehearsed it and recorded it. When it came time to go to Carnegie Hall, Orchestra Victoria knew the music. I felt so comfortable playing with them that I ﬂew them to New York. A lot of plane tickets — 80 to be exact. Each of the album’s three movements is inspired by your mom’s time in a particular city: New York, Nouasseur and New Orleans. The New York movement is very soundtrack-y, then it switches to a jazz club vibe. I was just thinking about my mom’s experience and writing music that sounded like that to me. I wasn’t trying to sound soundtrack-y or (like a) jazz club. I was

writing the music that I heard as I was seeing her in parts of her life that I wasn’t there to experience, which is what the name means. “Elaboratio” is just an old-fashioned way of saying “elaboration.” In the New Orleans section, you avoid musical clichés. Your piano playing is very somber in certain sections. I’m not a big cliché guy. There’s many other interesting ways to write things rather than play things that have already been done. In the beginning of the third movement, there’s actually four voices going on. There’s a bass line and then another line on my left hand that joins that, another line on my right hand, and then another line on my right hand. There’s no real tonal center there. Basically those four lines are my mother walking through New Orleans for the ﬁrst time, seeing things culturally that she had never experienced before. Walking through the French Quarter and seeing people coexisting in ways that she hadn’t seen. Email Keith Spera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

Email John Wirt at j_wirt@ msn.com.

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ 3D

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AROUND BATON ROUGE FRIDAY

THE WRECK OF THE EL NUEVO CONSTANTE: noon, Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. A special collections pop-up examining the story of a Spanish merchant ship that sank off the Louisiana coast more than 250 years ago. Free. ebrpl.com. PUMPKINS & PIROGUES AT THE LOCK: 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site, 57730 Main St., Plaquemine. Pumpkin patch, hayrides, photo booth, boat display, lockhouse tours, kids games, food, drinks, artisan booths and live music by Anna-Claire and Brady George. Rain-out date is Saturday. https://friendsofthelock.org/. BBQ & BLUES: 6 p.m., Beauvoir Park, 2834 Greenwood Drive. A fundraiser for the Baton Rouge Blues Festival featuring music, food for purchase from Salt Pepper Oak BBQ, bourbon rafﬂe and cash bar. $20.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

HARDYCO TRUCK SHOWDOWN: noon-until Friday, 10 a.m. until Saturday, Lamar Dixo Expo Center REV Center, 9039 S. St. Landry Ave. For automotive enthusiasts, families, vendors and builders to celebrate build culture and the Louisiana lifestyle. Featuring trucks, cars, ATVs, side-bysides and motorcycles. Single day, $20; full weekend, $35; kids 5 and under, free with a paying adult. https://www. lamardixonexpocenter.com/ event/hardyco-truck-show/. EVENING SKY VIEWING: 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., BREC Highland Road Park Observatory, 13800 Highland Road. See the majesty of the night sky, for those 6 and up. hrpo. lsu.edu/events.

SATURDAY

RED STICK FARMERS MARKET: 8 a.m. to noon, Fifth and Main streets, downtown. Farmfresh produce and goods, including wine, seafood, plants, ﬂowers, prepared and baked items and more. breada.org. CORN MAZE AT BURDEN: 9 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m., LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens, 4560 Essen Lane. A twohour adventure for all ages, including maze, hayrides, bounce pad, pumpkin patch, petting farm and more. $16.78 and up. https://lsuagcenterbg.ticketspice.com/cornmaze-at-burden-2026. FAMILY-HOUR STARGAZING: 10 a.m., Irene W. Pennington Planetarium at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Learn about the stars and constellations in the local nighttime sky, followed by an all-ages show. lasm.org. GREATER BATON ROUGE MODEL RAILROADERS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Republic of West Florida Historical Museum, 3406 College St., Jackson. Electric trains of all sizes will be running on ﬁve different layouts. Free admission and parking. 2X MONSTER TRUCKS LIVE: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Lamar-Dixon Expo Center Savoy Arena, 9039 S. St. Landry Ave. Featuring King Sling Race, Jekyll & Hyde, Shark Bite and Roarin Rex. $18.50-$75.50. https:// tickets.2xmonstertrucks.com. “ANCIENT BEACONS LONG FOR NOTICE”: noon and 1:40 p.m., Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. Screening of Dario Robleto’s third installment in a trilogy exploring the history and legacy of the Golden Record. Free. manshiptheatre.org. CAT TALES AND COCKTAILS: 6 p.m., Crowne Plaza Executive Center, 4728 Constitution Ave. Annual fundraiser for Cat Haven. Includes online auction that transitions to silent auction for event night, wine pull, costume contest, live music by Partly Cloudy. Gen-

STAFF FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL DUNLAP

Renee Major of Livonia looks through native plants at PlantFest! at the LSU Hilltop Arboretum on Oct. 1, 2025. This year’s PlantFest! is Saturday and Sunday. eral admission, $60; premium tickets, $100. https://cathaven.liveimpact.org/li/8258/sevent/evt/home/301141/69. ROCK THE DOME: LASER ZEPPELIN: 6 p.m., Louisiana Art & Science Museum’s Irene W. Pennington Planetarium, 200 S. River Road. This electrifying show transforms the planetarium dome into a high-energy fusion of laser light, the music of Led Zeppelin and motion. $20, general admission; $25, VIP early seating. lasm.org.

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION: 10 a.m., 601 Old Rafe Mayer Road. The public is invited to join BREC, community leaders, project partners and Alsen neighbors. www.brec.org.

TUESDAY

BECOMING LOUISIANA: THE IRISH: 5:30 p.m., reception; 6:30 p.m., lecture, Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane. Another installment of the historical exploration series tracing the many origins that converged to create the Louisiana of today. Presenter will be Chief Judge James McKay III. Free. https://louisianaoldstatecapitol.org/. BATON ROUGE CHESS CLUB: 6 p.m.-8 p.m., La Divina Italian Cafe, 3535 Perkins Road, Unit 360. A chance to play and learn; all levels welcome. Free. https:// www.facebook.com/ groups/882781911820103/. TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Court to Table, 7477 Burbank Drive. courttotable.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

PLANTFEST!: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, LSU Hilltop Arboretum, 11855 Highland Road. This year’s event celebrates the legacy of Emory Smith, who created the original Hilltop landscape and later donated the property to LSU. For sale will be more than 3,000 plants representing over 300 species of native and traditional trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, ferns, succulents and grasses. www. lsu.edu/hilltop. BASF’S KIDS’ LAB: 11 a.m.3:45 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Sunday, Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Explore the science of chemistry during 45-minute handson workshops for young scientists ages 6-12 and their accompanying adults. Included in regular admission. lasm.org.

WEDNESDAY

RUN KREWE: 6 p.m.-8 p.m., meeting at The Main Lobby, 668 Main St. Free. https:// www.heylo.com.

THURSDAY

RED STICK FARMERS MARKET: 8 a.m. to noon, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road. Farm-fresh produce, goods and more. facebook.com/redstickfarmersmarket. BAYOU BIJOU: MOVIES MADE IN LOUISIANA: 5:30 p.m.7 p.m., Old Governor’s Mansion, 502 North Blvd. Presenter Jay Dardenne takes a look at 50 movies ﬁlmed in Louisiana, some dating back more than a century and some made possible by tax credits available for the past three decades. Free. https://www. laogm.org/upcoming-events. 28TH ANNUAL SCRABBLE CHALLENGE BENEFITING ADULT LITERACY ADVOCATES: 6 p.m., Ballroom C, L’Auberge Casino and Hotel, 777 L’Auberge Ave. Three rounds of friendly team Scrabble, buffet, cash bar, silent auction, wine cork pull and 50/50 cash split rafﬂe. $35; table for 4, $100; student discounts available on request. www. adultliteracyadvocates.org. GEAUX SOUTH: AN EVENING OF SOUTHERN ART: 6 p.m.8 p.m., LSU Museum of Art, 100 Lafayette St. Celebrating the LSU museum’s fall exhibitions with light bites, music, a specialty cocktail, and a creative art activity while exploring the galleries and connecting with fellow art enthusiasts. Gothic-inspired attire/costumes encouraged. Ages 21+ only. LMOA members, free; nonmembers, $30.

SUNDAY

YWCA WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT: 2 p.m., River Center Theatre for Performing Arts, 240 St. Louis St. An afternoon of sisterhood, inspiration, connection and personal/ professional growth with Sarah Jakes Roberts, New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur and internationally acclaimed speaker. $69-$85. ticketmaster.com. “GREGG ALLMAN: THE MUSIC OF MY SOUL — MUSIC DOCUMENTARY”: 2 p.m., Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette. Tracing the turbulent, transcendent life of Allman — from a childhood ruptured by his father’s murder to the soulful emergence that reshaped American music. $25, includes popcorn and soda. Proceeds from ticket sales go directly to Live after Five. manshiptheatre.org. SENSORY SECOND SUNDAY: 3 p.m.-5 p.m., Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Dimmed lights, lowvolume music, designated quiet areas, headphones and sensory tools are available. Due to limited space, preregistration recommended at lasm.org.

MONDAY

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Compiled by Judy Bergeron. Have an open-to-the-public event you’d like to promote? Email details to red@theadvocate.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday for the following Friday’s paper.

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ANN CONNELLY FINE ART: 1670 Lobdell Ave. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Free. (225) 927-7676 or annconnelly.com. ART GUILD OF LOUISIANA: Independence Park Theatre, 7800 Independence Blvd. “Autumn Judged Show 2026,” through Nov. 11. Classes: Classes are held at AGL Park Studio, 2490 Silverest Ave. artguildlouisiana.org. BATON ROUGE GALLERY CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: 1515 Dalrymple Drive. New works by Ross Jahnke, Brian Kelly, Leslie Koptcho, Lauren Cardenas and John Alleyne, through Oct. 25. Hours: Noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. batonrougegallery.org. CAPITOL PARK MUSEUM: 660 N. Fourth St. “We the People,” a living portrait of 21st-century American identity through

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7200 or lsumoa.org. LSU TEXTILE & COSTUME MUSEUM: Human Ecology Building, Tower Drive, LSU campus. “Stitches in Time: Quilts & Fashion,” exploring the enduring dialogue between quilt making and dress, through Jan. 15. (225) 578-5992 or email textile@lsu.edu. MAGNOLIA MOUND MUSEUM + HISTORIC SITE: 2161 Nicholson Drive. Guided and self-guided tours. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. brec. org/facility/MagnoliaMound. OLD GOVERNOR’S MANSION: 502 North Blvd. Open for tours. See a hidden staircase, the grand ballroom, a watercooled solarium, the Rose Garden and a replica of the Oval Ofﬁce. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. MondayFriday. Free admission. oldgovernorsmansion.com. OLD STATE CAPITOL: 100 North Blvd. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, plus Free First Sunday. “Excursions, Expeditions, and Discoveries: A Young Nation Expands & Reimagining America: The Maps of Lewis & Clark,” through Dec. 18. Free. louisianaoldstatecapitol.org. FRANK HAYDEN HALL VISUAL ART GALLERY: Southern University. Student work, faculty showcases, alumni homecoming exhibitions, and traveling contemporary art exhibitions focusing on African American art and history. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free. https://www.subr.edu/ subhome/96. USS KIDD VETERANS MUSEUM: 305 S. River Road. Displays of a variety of artifacts that celebrate veteran and naval military history. Note: Vessel is in Houma for dry dock repairs. usskidd.com. WEST BATON ROUGE MUSEUM: 845 N. Jefferson Ave., Port Allen. “What the Fox Knows,” 30-plus watercolor paintings by artist Kathy Miller, through Nov. 22. “Brusly: Where Everyone Knows Your Name,” through Dec. 23. (225) 336-2422 or westbatonrougemuseum.org.

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https://bontempstix.com. WEEKLY COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE: 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Geaux Ride, 601 Laurel St. Including use of one glow-inthe-dark bicycle, glow-in-thedark accessories, complimentary water and lead tour guide with music. Free. geauxridebikes.com. KARAOKE, TRIVIA, BINGO AND MORE: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Brickyard South Bar + Patio, 174 South Blvd. Presented by BarFly Entertainment. Free to play. facebook.com/brickyardsouth.

nearly 200 paired photographs by Steven G. Smith shown across two giant screens, together measuring about 12 feet high and 36 feet wide, through June. “Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana and the Nation” and “Experiencing Louisiana: Discovering the Soul of America,” both permanent exhibits. (225) 342-5428 or louisianastatemuseum.org. CARY SAURAGE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER SHELL GALLERY: 233 St. Ferdinand St. “Counted: Picture the Power Volume II,” a project of the Power Coalition Arts Framework. Opening reception is 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. artsbr.org. ELIZABETHAN GALLERY: 680 Jefferson Highway. Call (225) 924-6437 or follow the gallery’s Facebook page. THE GALLERY AT MANSHIP: 100 Lafayette St. “Intelligent Worlds: Celebrating LSU Printmaking Alumni,” through Oct. 18. Hours are 9 a.m.4 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. manshiptheatre.org. KNOCK KNOCK CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: 1900 Dalrymple Drive. Offering interactive exhibits, programs and resources that inspire children to become creative problem solvers and lifelong learners. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. TuesdayWednesday and Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday. https:// knockknockmuseum.org. LOUISIANA ART & SCIENCE MUSEUM: 100 S. River Road. “Reﬂections: The Art of George Rodrigue,” through Jan. 24. “Louisiana Couture: The Legacy of San Carlin,” through Jan. 3. (225) 344-5272 or lasm.org. LSU’S BARNES OGDEN ART & DESIGN COMPLEX GALLERY: 31 S. Campus Drive. Rotating exhibitions of LSU College of Art & Design students, faculty, and alums work, and visiting artists and designers. (225) 578-5400. design.lsu.edu. LSU’S LAURA AND CLARK BOYCE GALLERY: Julian T. White Hall, 297 Field House Drive. Rotating exhibitions of LSU College of Art & Design students, faculty and alums work. (225) 578-5400 or design.lsu.edu. LSU MUSEUM OF ART: Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St. “The Folk Art Gallery,” through June 30. (225) 389-

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4D ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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zodIAC LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Spend time learning, researching and becoming more aware of people and situations that affect your perception and the decisions you make. Emotions will escalate. scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Proceed with caution. Negotiate on your own behalf. Leave nothing to chance. Show interest and curiosity, and ask questions that will help you make better decisions. sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Join the pack, do your part and shoot for the stars. Focus your energy on getting ahead, making a difference and putting your time and money where they will have the greatest impact. cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Pay attention to what brings you joy, and adjust your day to suit your emotional and mental well-being. Let go of what you cannot control, and take responsibility for achieving the lifestyle you desire. AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Bet on yourself. Let go of what's no longer working for you, and move on to what excites you most. A lifestyle change requires your input and following through with your plans. PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Count your money before you make unnecessary purchases. Learn from experience, and invest more in yourself and what will help you reach your personal or professional goals. ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Put differences aside and look for the good in others. Arguing will get you nowhere, but living in harmony will help you rise to the

top. If you volunteer your services, you'll find people who share your values. tAuRus (April 20-May 20) A change of heart will take you in a different direction. Make adjustments for the right reason; if anger is the driving force, take a moment and rethink your logic. GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Take the lead and venture into something that offers a creative or physical outlet. Put enthusiasm and imagination to work for you, and the outcome will help you bypass any negativity or interference you encounter. cAncER (June 21-July 22) Pay attention to how you look and feel. Poor behavior will lead to stress and exhaustion. Back away from drama, and find a cozy spot where you can sort through your options. LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Don't let the little things agitate you when you have so much more to gain by helping others and making a difference that will shape what comes next for you and for what and who you hold dear. VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Keep tabs on where your money goes. Don't sign up for anything without knowing exactly what you are getting in return. Be aware of the latest scams and gimmicks so you can avoid loss. The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ 5D

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

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6D ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

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Bridge By PHILLIP ALDER Marcel Proust, a French author best known for his novel “In Search of Lost Time,” said, “If a little dreaming is dangerous, the cure for it is not to dream less but to dream more, to dream all the time.” At the bridge table, you must “dream” of the best bids and plays. Sometimes they will seem to be dangerous, but bridge is not a game for cowards. If a bid or play looks best, go for it and ignore the torpedoes! In today’s deal, East has to try to defeat four hearts. West leads the club queen. South wins with dummy’s king, draws three rounds of trumps (West following throughout), and shifts to the spade king from an initial holding of king-doubleton. What should East do after winning with his spade ace? South’s two-heart rebid showed at least a six-card suit and a minimum opening, usually 12-14 high-card points. South can see 11 winners: three spades, six hearts and two clubs. But he might lose four tricks: one spade and three diamonds. However, when East gets in with his spade ace, leading away from the diamond K-J looks dangerous, and many players always return their partner’s suit (although that is much less likely to be right in a suit contract than in no-trump). Here, though, East should

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realize that leading back a club won’t defeat the contract. Also, from the bidding, South cannot have the diamond ace to go with his spade king and heart A-KQ. East must shift to the diamond three, which works like a dream. Count high-card points to place unseen honors. © 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

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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 — GARRIson: GAR-ih-sun: A military post.

Bizarro

marmaduKe

Average mark 28 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 36 or more words in GARRISON? yEstERDAy’s WoRD — BEDAZZLE bade bald bale bead bezel blade blaze bled bleed dale

daze dazzle deal dele abed able adze alee zeal lade

laze lead

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “I am the vine, you are the branches: He that stays in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 All of our strength comes from the Lord. He is the One who can make us a blessing. — G.E. Dean

The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ 7D

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classifieds.theadvocate.com Search Search& &Place PlaceAds AdsOnline Onlineatatclassifieds.theadvocate.com classifieds.theadvocate.com* Call * Call -Friday Us Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM at 225-383-0111 8AM-5PM at 225-383-0111

Announcements Anyone knowing the whereabouts of anyone associated with the Succession of Alex M. Schlattman please contact attorney Melanie Newkome Jones at 225-344-2200. 203189-Oct 9-11, 3t $79.60 ANYONE knowing the whereabouts of any property owner, heir or other related person, in regard to the properties listed below, please contact the East Baton Rouge CityParish, Department of Development – Neighborhood Revitalization Ofﬁce at 225-389-8680. 5653 BEECH ST RIO LINDO, INC, C/O JOHN A E DAVIDSON 1130 ROSENWALD RD C B DAVIS 5224 SYCAMORE ST THE ESTATE OF ALFRED J BRADY 4036 TUSCARORA ST SANDRA VERONICA LARA RAMIREZ 968 N 23RD ST BETTE BARANCO BLAND GREGORY T AND RAPHAEL A BARANCO SR. 2556 DAYTON ST PHARES FISHER 311 S 21ST ST DEBRA DENISE MILLS 4106 UNCAS ST SANDRA NETTLES 854 N DONMOOR AVE BATON ROUGE MULTI-FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC 11384 CATALPA DR CHAD ERIC CHRISTY 5103 WOODLYN DR KEJAMLEA R HOWELL 2255 E SMILEY AVE JESSIE LEE WILLIAMS 2331 JEFFERSON AVE EVLIN STERLING 2847 ADAMS AVE PREPETUAL PROPERTIES, II LLC 3235 SYCAMORE ST CEDRIC LAMPTON 4265 WOODLAWN AVE CHERRIE R LEWIS 6424 SILVERLEAF AVE DEANDRE M AGNEW 7522 MAPLEWOOD DR THE ESTATE OF CHARLIE EDWARD BOWERS 4026 TUSCARORA ST GERALDINE ROSS GALLOWAY CLECELAND, JR AND CHARLES JAMES WALLACE 2720 TECUMSEH ST BAHC PROPERTIES, LLC 8155 ALBERT DR TIMOTHY LANE JOINER 2116 LOUISIANA AVE QUENTIN WARNER 6545 SUMRALL DR JAMAL OVETE 5111 LINDEN ST JAMES HOWARD CARR 6456 CALLAHAN ST GERTIE B HOUSTON 2828 ILLINOIS ST ADDIE L BRYANT 2803 CONVENTION ST EVA MAE BUCKNER 3105 SLATE ST ECLECTIC BUILDERS, LLC 4871 BEECH ST DELISA MORRISON 9798 AVENUE C JOHN H SMITH, SR 818 MALLARD ST

PUBLIC NOTICE --ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bids will be re‐ ceived by the Louisiana Tech University, Purchas‐ ing Office, 208 Keeny Cir‐ cle, Room 408, Ruston, LA 71270. The deadline for receipt of bids is 2:00 PM on Friday, October 30, 2026 at which time bids will be opened and read aloud in Room 408, 208 Keeny Circle, Ruston LA 71272. FOR: Building Equipment Addition Institute for Micromanufacturing Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana BID NUMBER: 50012-667-27 Complete Bidding Docu‐ ments for this project are available in electronic form. They may be ob‐ tained without charge and without deposit from Aillet, Fenner, Jolly & Mc‐ Clelland, Inc. Printed copies are not available from the Designer but arrangements can be made to obtain them through most repro‐ graphic firms. Plan hold‐ ers are responsible for their own reproduction costs. Questions about this pro‐ cedure shall be directed to the Designer at: Aillet, Fenner, Jolly & McClelland, Inc. 3003 Knight Street, Suite 120 Shreveport, LA 71105 Telephone: 318-425-7452 E-mail: jwilson@afjmc. com All bids shall be accom‐ panied by bid security in an amount of five per‐ cent (5.0%) of the sum of the base bid and all al‐ ternates. The form of this security shall be as stated in the Instructions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project. The successful Bidder shall be required to fur‐ nish a Performance and Payment Bond written as described in the Instruc‐ tions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project. A PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 15, 2026 at Institute for Micromanu‐ facturing, 505 Tech Drive, Ruston, Louisiana 71270 Bids shall be accepted from Contractors who are licensed under LA. R.S. 37:2150-2192 for the classification of Mechanical Work. Bidder is required to comply with provisions and re‐ quirements of LA R.S. 38:2212(B)(5). No bid may be withdrawn for a pe‐ riod of forty-five (45) days after receipt of bids, except under the provisions of LA. R.S. 38:2214. The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In ac‐ cordance with La. R.S. 38:2212(B)(1), the provi‐ sions and requirements of this Section; and those stated in the bidding documents shall not be waived by any entity. When this project is fi‐ nanced either partially or entirely with State Bonds or financed in whole or in part by federal or other funds which are not readily available at the time bids are received, the award of this Con‐ tract is contingent upon h i f li f

teeter exercise bike teeter style gas pedal style with bars for work out with arms $450 $450.00 504-295-4327 sherylab13@gmail.com advocate FURNITURE Electric Leather coach and loveseat for $800. (225) 405-1632

IF YOU WORKED WITH LESTER MALVEO IN THE 70S OR 80S PLEASE CALL ME 205-335-9553. 202729-Oct 3-30, 28t $439.40

Tiled kitchen table set with 4 chairs Chromecraft tiled table & 4 navy blue cushioned chairs. Silvery white grey blue porcelain tile with white trim. Navy blue cushioned chairs with white trim $500.00 225-300-5628 lcdd@att.net wood end table sofa end table all wood $10.00 504-295-4327 sherylab13@gmail.com advocate george forman roaster george forman roaster never used $12 $12.00 504-295-4327 sherylab13@gmail.com advocate

Employment

george forman roaster George Forman roaster brand new $20 $20.00 504-295-4327 sherylab13@gmail.com advocate quilt never used homemade quilt $5.00 504-295-4327 $5.00 504-295-4327 sherylab13@gmail.com advocate

MARINE NOW HIRING Galleyhands Night Cooks Must hold TWIC card, pass drug test & physical. 985-851-0727 or email: personnel@sontheimeroffshore.com

Merchandise GE Electric Dryer white good condition 6.2 Cubic Ft. Capacity $100.00 225-960-8786

Garage Sales BATON ROUGE Old Jefferson Subdivision Multiple Homes Participating Look for Signs & Balloons Saturday, October 10th, 8am-2pm Rain or Shine! BATON ROUGE ROUZAN ESTATE SALE - MCM, DECOR, & MORE! 5138 CHENEAU LN. Thurs 3-7, Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5, Sun 8-5. See 150+ pics at estatesales.net

Printer Canon new in the box $25.00 225-960-8786

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Wendell Lenoir Sr. please contact attorney Larry McAlpine at 225-3171956. 203377-Oct 8-10, 3t $64.90

WANT TO BUY Old Records 33's, 45's & 78's. All types of music. Call 985-259-1889

g 3157, 208 Keeny Circle, RM 408, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana 71272 until 2:00 P.M., November 2, 2026 at which time and place they will be publicly opened for the following:

p g person or via teleconfer‐ ence.

The Airport Authority of Airport District No. One of Calcasieu Parish (hereinafter referred to as LCH or the Authority) seeks Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from qualified, interested consulting firms to pro‐ vide professional plan‐ ning, engineering, and advisory services related to the assessment, feasi‐ bility, and conceptual de‐ velopment of a microgrid system at Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH). This project aims to eval‐ uate and identify sitespecific distributed en‐ ergy resources and sys‐ tem configurations needed to ensure unin‐ terrupted critical airport operations during disas‐ ter preparation, re‐ sponse, and recovery events. The selected consultant will be expected to fur‐ nish all services required to supplement the Au‐ thority in the provision of planning, feasibility analysis, conceptual de‐ sign, and implementa‐ tion strategy develop‐ ment, in accordance with applicable FAA, LA DOTD, FEMA, and State of Louisiana requirements. For a copy of the Request for Statements of Qualifi‐ cations, interested firms should email Heath Allen, Executive Director, at rfp@flylch.com, and ref‐ erence RFQ MICROGRID2026 Proposals will be ac‐ cepted until 3:00 p.m., CST on November 2, 2026, addressed to: Courier/Hand Delivery: Mr. Heath Allen, CM Executive Director Lake Charles Regional Airport 500 Airport Service Boulevard, Suite 104 Lake Charles, Louisiana 70607 P: (337) 477-6051 Mail Delivery: Mr. Heath Allen, CM Executive Director Lake Charles Regional Airport P.O. Box 5820 Lake Charles, LA 70606 To run: Friday, October 9, 2026 Friday, October 16, 2026 Friday, October 23, 2026 (S) Heath Allen ______________ Heath Allen, Executive Director 203386 Oct. 9, 16, 23, 2026, 3t $743.88 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be re‐ ceived at the Louisiana Tech University Office of Purchasing, P.O. Box i l

MOBILE HOME 1, 2 & 3 BR mobile homes, $675 & up 6061 Plank Rd. CALL 225-978-4653

ROOMS FOR RENT Furnished Rooms. $125/wk. $500/mo. 225-933-7560

NEWLY UPDATED! 6726 PINE ISLAND AVE. Forest Heights S/D Off Mickens Rd, 3BR 2BA, with Central H/A Freshly Painted Int./Ext. New Ceramic Flooring thru out & New Kit Countertop Enclosed Screen Patio, Rear Dbl Carport with Storage Shed & Fenced backyard Call Charles for Your Showing 225-266-4078 Roy Carter Realty 225-357-6436

Reporting you can trust on stories that matter

Baton Rouge Rental APARTMENT 3060 N. Acadian Thrwy (Wtr/Swr Pd) 1BR/1BA, Rent $500, Dep $100 225-357-6436 APARTMENT AREA 5 1BR $600, 2BR $700 Tigerland. $500 Deposit. 225-475-1737

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

AKC Toy Poodle Puppies 10 weeks, vet checked, first set of shots. $1,000.00 504-598-6407 angcelino@gmail.com

g p the granting of lines of credit, or the sale of bonds by the Bond Com‐ mission or the availabil‐ ity of federal or other funds. The State shall incur no obligation to the Contractor until the Con‐ tract Between Owner and Contractor is fully exe‐ cuted.

Request for Qualiﬁcations

HOUSE

HOUSE 1911 Tennessee Street, 2BR/1.5BA, Stove, refrigerator, washer & dryer connections. $500 Security deposit $800/month. 225-921-3190

AKC Belgian Malinois Pups Beautiful, Easily Trained $2,000.00 601-299-0264 www.psdkennels.com

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Advertisement for the American Press

HOUSE BACK ON MARKET! COMPLETELY UPDATED! 5723 Hartford Ave. $145,000 P & I $869 Approx. Glen Oaks S/D Off Greenwell St., 3BR 1.5BA, w/New C H/A New Light Fixtures & Windows Newly Painted Int/Ext, & Ceramic Flr thru out Call Charles for your showing 225-266-4078 Roy Carter Realty 225-357-6436

PETS • SUPPLIES • SERVICES • OBITUARIES • LOST & FOUND

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

PUBLIC NOTICE ---

Baton Rouge Real Estate For Sale

PLACE YOUR PET SERVICES INFORMATION IN THE PET SERVICES DIRECTORY TODAY! • IT IS FAST AND EASY! • CALL 225-383-0111

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Leonard Sutton Broussard please contact attorney Larry McAlpine at 225-317-1956. 203371-Oct 8-10, 3t $64.90

202618 Oct. 2, 9, 16, 2026 3t $131.34

APARTMENT 655 North St Subsidized Efﬁciency Apartments cpabr.org 225-383-5551 TDD/TTY 711 RELAY

Pets / Pet Services Directory

Samsung Gray Active wash Aqua Jet Washer with top tub $100.00 225-960 -8786 good condition

202976-Oct 3-9, 7t $3,734.86

ANY PERSON REQUIRING SPECIAL ACCOMMODA‐ TIONS SHALL NOTIFY LOUISIANA TECH UNIVER‐ SITY OF THE TYPE(S) OF ACCOMMODATION RE‐ QUIRED NOT LESS THEN SEVEN (7) DAYS BEFORE THE BID OPENING.

DENHAM SPRINGS Livingston Trace Garage Sale Neighborhood Garage Sale Livingston Trace Subdivision John L. Lane & Caddo Drive Denham Springs Saturday, Oct. 10 7am - 2pm

Leather sofa & rocker recliner set Navy blue leather match sofa & rocker set in beautiful navy blue leather. $375.00 225-300-5628 Lcdd@att.net

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Public Notices

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

LIBERTY BANK & TRUST COMPANY 5044 CLAYTON ST ROBERT CHARLES DUHE' 4057 MADISON AVE DARLINGTON COURAGE IDUSUYI 3036 OSWEGO ST CONNIE DENTS 9838 SCENIC HWY THE ESTATE OF MARY GEAN HALFORD 9188 SCOTLAND AVE JAMES GRAY 10481 BIRCHWOOD DR STEELES SMALL REPAIR, LLC 2057 70TH AVE GWENDA STEWART STEVENS 5521 S LEIGHTON DR KATIE N MULE 1548 GWEN DR JOHN JEFFREY SEIGEL III 2343 ERIE ST MITCHELL FAMILY LIVING TRUST 9566 RAINFORD RD BAYOU ENTERPRISES II, LLC 2040 PICKETT AVE RICHARD LEONIDAS BILES, III 1628 STARBOARD DR EMERSON DOMINGUEZ MOLINA 8271 STERN AVE KENDALL VONKEITH FONTENOT 3126 MADISON AVE LEONARD HOLLINS, JR 5465 LINDEN ST ANGEL D BONILLA VELASQUEZ 5061 WASHINGTON AVE STAACY LAMONT ELLIS 3928 SCARBOROUGH DR THE ESTATE OF TERRY G & CAROLYN M CRAWFORD 1592 SNIPE ST CHERYL A GREEN 1082 SWAN AVE HARRELL W LONDON 4640 GLEN OAKS DR THOMAS & SONS ENTERPRISES OF LOUISIANA, INC 3731 CANYONLAND DR TONY INVESTMENT PROPERTIES, LLC / TONY DO 2125 69TH AVE FREDRICK J BOUDREAUX 7522 MAPELWOOD DR THE ESTATE OF CHARLES EDWARD BOWERS 3030 72ND AVE JOHNNIE MAE ANDERSON FAURE CO SHANNONNE CRYER 1570 79TH / 1520 79TH PELICAN PROPERTIES & INVESTMENTS INC JESSE JAMES GLASPER JR. 12533 LA MARGIE AVE B & E INVESTMENT PROPERTIES LLC 9085 N PARKVIEW DR RODNEY MICHAEL BRANDENBERG 10374 N HARVEY THE ESTATE OF EDWARD P SMILEY III 1727 JADE AVE TERRY LEWIS BROWN 1976 FOUNTAIN AVE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIR 1885 FOUNTAIN AVE MARY BETH COTE'

Bid Number 50012-668-27: Purchase of an FAA Ap‐ proved Aviation Training Device Specifications and bid documents for the above may be obtained from the Director of Purchas‐ ing, Louisiana Tech Uni‐ versity, Ruston, Louisiana, phone 318257-4205 or purchasing@ latech.edu. Evidence of authority to submit the bid shall be required in accordance with R.S. 38:2212 (B)(5) and/or R.S. 39:1594 (C)(4). Any person requiring special accommodations shall notify Louisiana Tech University of the type(s) of accommoda‐ tions required not less than seven (7) days be‐ fore the bid opening. 202932 Oct. 9, 2026 1t $14.05 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS SP# 181 Sealed bids will be re‐ ceived by the Procure‐ ment Section of the Divi‐ sion of Administration, 1201 N. 3rd. St., 2nd. Floor, Suite 2-160, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 10:00 A.M. for the follow‐ ing: RFx No. 3000026777, Park‐ ing Lot and Roadway Paving - DPS, 10/27/26 RFx No. 3000026772, Bar‐ ber Services – OJJ, 10/29/26 RFx No. 3000026775, Trac‐ tor Haul Transport Units – LDAF, 11/05/26 Bid proposal forms, in‐ formation and specifica‐ tions may be obtained by accessing the bid num‐ ber in LaPac at www.doa. la.gov/doa/osp/ or from the procurement section listed above. No bids will be received after the date and hour specified. The right is reserved to reject any and all bids and to waive any infor‐ malities. Amy Vincent Director of State Procurement FAX (225) 342-8688 203305 Oct. 9, 2026 1t $13.48 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS The City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge will receive elec‐ tronic or paper bids for the construction of the following project: SALES TAX STREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 21-7 STREETS IN TARA, OX‐ FORD PLACE, SHERWOOD FOREST BLVD, DARRYL DR, BARD, & OAK KNOLL CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO. 25-AO-ST-0026 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project consists of rehabilitation of asphalt & concrete pavements, asphalt patching w/ overlay, concrete curb, and related work Electronic or sealed bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. Local Time, TUES‐ DAY _ Nov 3rd, 2026 by the Purchasing Division, Room 826, City Hall, 222 Saint Louis Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802. No bids will be received after 2:00 p.m. on the same day and date. Bid Openings can be in i l f

Teleconference Call-in In‐ formation Join by phone +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll Access code: 263 373 080 (followed by the # but‐ ton) Alternate numbers to call if number above is not available, which may occur due to network traffic (use the same Ac‐ cess Code, followed by the # button): United States Toll (Boston) +1-617-315-0704 United States Toll (Chicago) +1-312-535-8110 United States Toll (Dallas) +1-469-210-7159 United States Toll (Denver) +1-720-650-7664 United States Toll (Jacksonville) +1-904-900-2303 United States Toll (Los Angeles) + 1-213-306-3065 Electronic bids and elec‐ tronic bid bonds for the solicitation will be down‐ loaded by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, Pur‐ chasing Division. Beginning as soon as feasible after the bid closing time all elec‐ tronic bids will be down‐ loaded and publicly read aloud along with all paper bids received, if any, in 806 of City Hall immediately after the 2:00 p.m. bid closing. Bids, amendments to bids, or request for with‐ drawal of quotations, re‐ ceived after time speci‐ fied for bid opening shall not be considered for any cause whatsoever. Bids shall be firm for a period of sixty (60) days from the date of the opening of bids and no bid shall be withdrawn for any reason during this period of time ex‐ cept as allowed per R.S. 38:2214.C. Official Bid Documents are available at Central Bidding (www.central bidding.com). Electronic Bids may be submitted at Central Bidding (www. centralbidding.com). For questions related to the electronic bidding process, please call Cen‐ tral Bidding at 225-8104814. Paper copies of the plans, specifications and contract documents are on file and may be ob‐ tained from the Public Works and Planning Cen‐ ter located at 1100 Laurel St., Engineering Division, Room 137 or Post Office Box 1471, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821, upon payment of Ten Dollars ($10.00). (Make checks payable to the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge.) Fees for plans, specifica‐ tions and contract docu‐ ments are to cover the cost of reproduction and are non-refundable in ac‐ cordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes. A Certified Check or Cashier's Check, payable to the Parish of East Baton Rouge or a satis‐ factory Bid Bond exe‐ cuted by the Bidder and an acceptable surety, in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total bid, shall be submitted with each bid. Bids shall be received electronically via www. centralbidding.com or on solicitation bid forms furnished by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish East Baton Rouge, and only those bids shall be received by the CityParish which is submit‐ ted by those Contractors in whose names the so‐ licitation bid forms

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

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

and/or specifications were issued. In no event shall paper solicitation forms be issued later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the hour and date set for receiv‐ ing proposals. The City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge has established a Socially and Economi‐ cally Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SEDBE) program in ac‐ cordance with Revised Statute RS 33:2233.4. It is the policy of the Parish to ensure that Eligible Business Enterprises EBE’s, certified in accor‐ dance with the Parish program, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in parish contracts. For this project the EBR Parish Purchasing office has directed a review of the scope of work and has established a mini‐ mum EBE goal of 8.8% of the contract amount. All Bidders shall achieve this goal or demonstrate good faith efforts to achieve the goal. Good faith efforts include meeting this EBE goal or providing documentation demonstrating that the Bidder made sufficient good faith efforts in at‐ tempting to meet this goal. Only EBE firms cer‐ tified under the Parish SEDBE Certification Pro‐ gram at the time of sub‐ mittal of the bid will count toward this EBE goal. To be considered responsive, the apparent low bidder must submit EBE Forms 1, 1A, and 2, and Letters of EBE Certi‐ fication, as appropriate within 10 days after bid opening All Contractors bidding on this work shall com‐ ply with all provisions of the State Licensing Law for Contractors, R.S. 37:2150-2163, as amended, for all public contracts. It shall also be the responsibility of the General Contractor to as‐ sure that all subcontrac‐ tors comply with this law. If required for bid‐ ding, Contractors must hold an active license is‐ sued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors in the classi‐ HIGHWAY, fication of STREET AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, and must show their license number on the face of the bid envelope and the Uniform Public Works Bid Form. In accordance with La. R.S. 38:2214 (B) the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In accor‐ dance with La. R.S. 38:2212 (A)(1)(b), the pro‐ visions and requirements of this Section, those stated in the advertise‐ ment for bids, and those required on the bid form, shall not be considered as informalities and shall not be waived by any public entity. For additional informa‐ tion please contact Dan Rosenquist drosen‐ quist@brla.gov, 225-3893186. 203210 Oct. 9, 16, 23, 2026 3t $322.30 PUBLIC NOTICE -NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS The City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge will receive elec‐ tronic or paper bids for the construction of the following project: McHOST ROAD IMPROVE‐ MENTS 2 (LA Hwy 64 – Port Hudson – Pride Rd) PROJECT CITY-PARISH PROJECT

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

No. 20-EN-HC-0107 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Clearing and grubbing, grading, earthwork, drainage structures, sub‐ surface drainage, base course, asphaltic con‐ crete pavement, striping, and associated items of work. There will be no pre-bid conference.

Electronic or sealed bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. Local Time, TUES‐ DAY, OCTOBER 27TH, 2026 by the Purchasing Divi‐ sion, Room 826, City Hall, 222 Saint Louis Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802. No bids will be re‐ ceived after 2:00 p.m. on the same day and date. Bid Openings can be in person or via teleconfer‐ ence. Teleconference Call-in Information Join by phone +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll Access code: 263 373 080 (followed by the # button) Alternate numbers to call if number above is not available, which may occur due to network trafﬁc (use the same Ac‐ cess Code, followed by the # button): United States Toll (Boston) +1-617-315-0704 United States Toll (Chicago) +1-312-535-8110 United States Toll (Dallas) +1-469-210-7159 United States Toll (Denver) +1-720-650-7664 United States Toll (Jacksonville) +1-904-900-2303 United States Toll (Los Angeles) +1-213-306-3065 Electronic bids and elec‐ tronic bid bonds for the solicitation will be down‐ loaded by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, Pur‐ chasing Division. Beginning as soon as feasible after the bid closing time all elec‐ tronic bids will be down‐ loaded and publicly read aloud along with all paper bids received, if any, in 806 of City Hall immediately after the 2:00 p.m. bid closing.

Bids, amendments to bids, or request for with‐ drawal of quotations, re‐ ceived after time speci‐ fied for bid opening shall not be considered for any cause whatsoever. Bids shall be firm for a period of sixty (60) days from the date of the opening of bids and no bid shall be withdrawn for any reason during this period of time ex‐ cept as allowed per R.S. 38:2214.C. Official Bid Documents are available at Central Bidding (www.central bidding.com). Electronic Bids may be submitted at Central Bidding (www. centralbidding.com). For questions related to the electronic bidding process, please call Cen‐ tral Bidding at 225-8104814. Paper copies of the plans, specifications and contract documents are on file and may be ob‐ tained from the Public Works and Planning Cen‐ ter located at 1100 Laurel St., Engineering Division, Room 137 or Post Office Box 1471, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821, upon payment of Ten Dollars ($10.00). (Make checks payable to the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge.) Fees for plans, specifica‐ tions and contract docu‐ ments are to cover the cost of reproduction and are non-refundable in ac‐

CLASSIFIEDS WORK

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

cordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes.

tion please contact George Chike, P.E. at gchike@brla.gov. or William Wall, P.E., Project Manager at Billy.Wall@ waggonereng.com.

cess Code, followed by the # button): United States Toll (Boston) +1-617-315-0704 United States Toll (Chicago) +1-312-5358110 United States Toll (Dal‐ las) +1-469-210-7159 United States Toll (Den‐ ver) +1-720-650-7664 United States Toll (Jack‐ sonville) +1-904-900-2303 United States Toll (Los Angeles) +1-213-306-3065

A Certified Check or Cashier's Check, payable to the Parish of East Baton Rouge or a satis‐ factory Bid Bond exe‐ cuted by the Bidder and an acceptable surety, in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total bid, shall be submitted with each bid. Bids shall be received electronically via www. centralbidding.com or on solicitation bid forms furnished by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish East Baton Rouge, and only those bids shall be received by the CityParish which is submit‐ ted by those Contractors in whose names the so‐ forms licitation bid and/or specifications were issued. In no event shall paper solicitation forms be issued later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the hour and date set for receiv‐ ing proposals. The City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge has established a Socially and Economi‐ cally Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SEDBE) program in ac‐ cordance with Revised Statute RS 33:2233.4. It is the policy of the Parish to ensure that Eligible Business Enterprises EBE’s, certified in accor‐ dance with the Parish program, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in parish contracts. For this project the EBR Parish Purchasing office has directed a review of the scope of work and has established a mini‐ mum EBE goal of 19% of the contract amount. All Bidders shall achieve this goal or demonstrate good faith efforts to achieve the goal. Good faith efforts include meeting this EBE goal or providing documentation demonstrating that the Bidder made sufficient good faith efforts in at‐ tempting to meet this goal. Only EBE firms cer‐ tified under the Parish SEDBE Certification Pro‐ gram at the time of sub‐ mittal of the bid will count toward this EBE goal. To be considered responsive, the apparent low bidder must submit EBE Forms 1, 1A, and 2, and Letters of EBE Certi‐ fication, as appropriate within 10 days after bid opening All Contractors bidding on this work shall com‐ ply with all provisions of the State Licensing Law for Contractors, R.S. 37:2150-2163, as amended, for all public contracts. It shall also be the responsibility of the General Contractor to as‐ sure that all subcontrac‐ tors comply with this law. If required for bid‐ ding, Contractors must hold an active license is‐ sued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors in the classi‐ HIGHWAY, fication of STREET AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, and must show their license number on the face of the bid envelope and the Uniform Public Works Bid Form. In accordance with La. R.S. 38:2214 (B) the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In accor‐ dance with La. R.S. 38:2212 (A)(1)(b), the pro‐ visions and requirements of this Section, those stated in the advertise‐ ment for bids, and those required on the bid form, shall not be considered as informalities and shall not be waived by any public entity. For additional informa‐

202610 Oct. 2, 9, 16, 2026 3t $327.34

PUBLIC NOTICE --Sealed bids will be ac‐ cepted at the Zachary Community School Board, Child Nutrition Program Ofﬁce, until 4:00 pm October 19, 2026 for furnishing Produce Items. Bids will be opened at 9:00 am Octo‐ ber 20, 2026.

Electronic bids and elec‐ tronic bid bonds for the solicitation will be down‐ loaded by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, Pur‐ chasing Division.

Speciﬁcations and bid forms may be obtained at 3755 Church Street, Zachary, Louisiana 70791, telephone, 225-658-7049. The Public is invited to attend the bid opening at this address.

Beginning as soon as feasible after the bid closing time all elec‐ tronic bids will be down‐ loaded and publicly read aloud along with all paper bids received, if any, in 806 of City Hall immediately after the 2:00 p.m. bid closing.

The Zachary Community School Board Child Nutri‐ tion Program is funded approximately 50% with federal funds for a total of approximately $1,500,000.00

Bids, amendments to bids, or request for with‐ drawal of quotations, re‐ ceived after time speci‐ ﬁed for bid opening shall not be considered for any cause whatsoever.

200546-SEP 18-OCT 9-2T $46.68

Bids shall be ﬁrm for a period of sixty (60) days from the date of the opening of bids and no bid shall be withdrawn for any reason during this period of time ex‐ cept as allowed per R.S. 38:2214.C.

PUBLIC NOTICE -- The Louisiana Ofﬁce of the State Museum is re‐ questing proposals for a Public-Private Partner‐ ship project to design, build, furnish, operate, and maintain an in‐ door/outdoor café at the New Orleans Jazz Mu‐ seum. For more informa‐ tion go to opportuni‐ tiesinlouisiana.com. 202696-oct 2-20-t $93.29 PUBLIC NOTICE --To be published three times Legal- OCT 2nd, 9th & 16th, 2026 THE ADVOCATE BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS The City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge will receive elec‐ tronic or paper bids for the construction of the following project: SALES TAX STREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 21-6 STREETS IN WIMBLEDON ESTATES, HARVESTON, & THE HIGHLANDS CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO. 25-AO-ST-0025 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project consists of rehabilitation of asphalt & concrete pavements, asphalt patching w/ overlay, concrete curb, and related work Electronic or sealed bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. Local Time, TUES‐ DAY _ OCT 27TH, 2026 by the Purchasing Division, Room 826, City Hall, 222 Saint Louis Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802. No bids will be received after 2:00 p.m. on the same day and date. Bid Openings can be in person or via teleconfer‐ ence. Teleconference Call-in In‐ formation Join by phone +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll Access code: 263 373 080 (followed by the # but‐ ton) Alternate numbers to call if number above is not available, which may occur due to network trafﬁc (use the same Ac‐

Official Bid Documents are available at Central Bidding (www.central bidding.com). Electronic Bids may be submitted at Central Bidding (www. centralbidding.com). For questions related to the electronic bidding process, please call Cen‐ tral Bidding at 225-8104814. Paper copies of the plans, specifications and contract documents are on file and may be ob‐ tained from the Public Works and Planning Cen‐ ter located at 1100 Laurel St., Engineering Division, Room 137 or Post Office Box 1471, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821, upon payment of Ten Dollars ($10.00). (Make checks payable to the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge.) Fees for plans, specifica‐ tions and contract docu‐ ments are to cover the cost of reproduction and are non-refundable in ac‐ cordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes. A Certified Check or Cashier's Check, payable to the Parish of East Baton Rouge or a satis‐ factory Bid Bond exe‐ cuted by the Bidder and an acceptable surety, in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total bid, shall be submitted with each bid. Bids shall be received electronically via www. centralbidding.com or on solicitation bid forms furnished by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish East Baton Rouge, and only those bids shall be received by the CityParish which is submit‐ ted by those Contractors in whose names the so‐ licitation bid forms and/or specifications were issued. In no event shall paper solicitation forms be issued later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the hour and date set for receiv‐ ing proposals. The City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge has established a Socially and Economi‐ cally Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SEDBE) program in ac‐ cordance with Revised Statute RS 33:2233.4. It is the policy of the Parish to ensure that Eligible Business Enterprises EBE’s, certified in accor‐ dance with the Parish

8D ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

lll

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

program, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in parish contracts.

Bidders shall achieve this goal or demonstrate good faith efforts to achieve the goal. Good faith efforts include meeting this EBE goal or providing documentation demonstrating that the Bidder made sufficient good faith efforts in at‐ tempting to meet this goal. Only EBE firms cer‐ ifi d d h i h

g y tified under the Parish SEDBE Certification Pro‐ gram at the time of sub‐ mittal of the bid will count toward this EBE goal. To be considered responsive, the apparent low bidder must submit EBE Forms 1, 1A, and 2, and Letters of EBE Certi‐ fication, as appropriate within 10 days after bid i

For this project the EBR Parish Purchasing ofﬁce has directed a review of the scope of work and has established a mini‐ mum EBE goal of 6.9% of the contract amount. All

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals

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All Contractors bidding on this work shall com‐ ply with all provisions of the State Licensing Law for Contractors, R.S. 37:2150-2163, as amended, for all public contracts. It shall also be the responsibility of the General Contractor to as‐

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

sure that all subcontrac‐ tors comply with this law. If required for bid‐ ding, Contractors must hold an active license is‐ sued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors in the classi‐ ﬁcation of HIGHWAY, STREET AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, and must show their license

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals

PUBLIC NOTICE --To be published three times Legal- SEPT 25th, OCT 2nd & 9th 2026 THE ADVOCATE BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

40 years experience

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j dance with La. R.S. 38:2212 (A)(1)(b), the pro‐ visions and requirements of this Section, those stated in the advertise‐ ment for bids, and those required on the bid form, shall not be considered as informalities and shall not be waived by any public entity.

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

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In accordance with La. R.S. 38:2214 (B) the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In accor‐ d i h

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

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The Advocate ■ theadvocate.com ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ 9D

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS The City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge will receive elec‐ tronic or paper bids for the construction of the following project: SALES TAX STREET AND ROAD REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROJECT 21-4 STREETS IN CENTURION, STREETS IN SHERWOOD FOREST CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO. 25-AO-ST-0023 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project consists of rehabilitation of asphalt & concrete pavements, asphalt patching w/ overlay, concrete curb, and related work Electronic or sealed bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. Local Time, TUES‐ DAY, OCT 20TH, 2026 by the Purchasing Division, Room 826, City Hall, 222 Saint Louis Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802. No bids will be received after 2:00 p.m. on the same day and date. Bid Openings can be in person or via teleconfer‐ ence. Teleconference Call-in In‐ formation Join by phone +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll Access code: 263 373 080 (followed by the # but‐ ton) Alternate numbers to call if number above is not available, which may occur due to network traffic (use the same Ac‐ cess Code, followed by the # button): United States Toll (Boston) +1-617-315-0704 United States Toll (Chicago) +1-312-5358110 United States Toll (Dal‐ las) +1-469-210-7159 United States Toll (Den‐ ver) +1-720-650-7664 United States Toll (Jack‐ sonville) +1-904-900-2303 United States Toll (Los Angeles) +1-213-306-3065 Electronic bids and elec‐ tronic bid bonds for the solicitation will be down‐ loaded by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, Pur‐ chasing Division. Beginning as soon as feasible after the bid closing time all elec‐ tronic bids will be down‐ loaded and publicly read aloud along with all paper bids received, if any, in 806 of City Hall immediately after the 2:00 p.m. bid closing. Bids, amendments to bids, or request for with‐ drawal of quotations, re‐ ceived after time speci‐ fied for bid opening shall not be considered for any cause whatsoever. Bids shall be firm for a period of sixty (60) days from the date of the opening of bids and no bid shall be withdrawn for any reason during this period of time ex‐ cept as allowed per R.S. 38:2214.C.

Bids shall be received electronically via www. centralbidding.com or on solicitation bid forms furnished by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish East Baton Rouge, and only those bids shall be received by the CityParish which is submit‐ ted by those Contractors in whose names the so‐ licitation bid forms and/or speciﬁcations were issued. In no event shall paper solicitation forms be issued later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the hour and date set for receiv‐ ing proposals. The City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge has established a Socially and Economi‐ cally Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SEDBE) program in ac‐ cordance with Revised Statute RS 33:2233.4. It is the policy of the Parish to ensure that Eligible Business Enterprises EBE’s, certiﬁed in accor‐ dance with the Parish program, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in parish contracts.

For this project the EBR Parish Purchasing office has directed a review of the scope of work and has established a mini‐ mum EBE goal of 8.29% of the contract amount. All Bidders shall achieve this goal or demonstrate good faith efforts to achieve the goal. Good faith efforts include meeting this EBE goal or providing documentation demonstrating that the Bidder made sufficient good faith efforts in at‐ tempting to meet this goal. Only EBE firms cer‐ tified under the Parish SEDBE Certification Pro‐ gram at the time of sub‐ mittal of the bid will count toward this EBE goal. To be considered responsive, the apparent low bidder must submit EBE Forms 1, 1A, and 2, and Letters of EBE Certi‐ fication, as appropriate within 10 days after bid opening All Contractors bidding on this work shall com‐ ply with all provisions of the State Licensing Law for Contractors, R.S. 37:2150-2163, as amended, for all public contracts. It shall also be the responsibility of the General Contractor to as‐ sure that all subcontrac‐ tors comply with this law. If required for bid‐ ding, Contractors must hold an active license is‐ sued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors in the classi‐ HIGHWAY, fication of STREET AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, and must show their license number on the face of the bid envelope and the Uniform Public Works Bid Form. In accordance with La. R.S. 38:2214 (B) the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In accor‐ dance with La. R.S. 38:2212 (A)(1)(b), the pro‐ i i d i

Public Notices Bids/Proposals p visions and requirements of this Section, those stated in the advertise‐ ment for bids, and those required on the bid form, shall not be considered as informalities and shall not be waived by any public entity. For additional informa‐ tion please contact Dan Rosenquist drosen‐ quist@brla.gov, 225-3893186. 201752-sept 25-oct 2-9-3t $323.29

PUBLIC NOTICE --VOUCHER# 26-020078 BIDS TO BE OPENED: 10/27/2026 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Electronic or sealed bids will be received by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, Purchasing Divi‐ sion, City Hall Building, Room 826, 222 Saint Louis Street, 8th Floor, Baton Rouge, La. until 11:00 A.M. October 27, 2026 for the following: A26-20078 POLICE UNIFORMS & DUTY GEAR Ofﬁcial bid documents are available at Central (https://www. Bidding centralauctionhouse. com/rfpc10656-city-ofbaton-rouge.html) or by request from the City of Baton Rouge at ermiller@ brla.gov. Bids shall be submitted electronically via www. centralbidding.com or on the solicitation bid forms furnished by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge prior to the bidding deadline. Electronic bids for the solicitation will be down‐ loaded by the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, Pur‐ chasing Division. Begin‐ ning as soon as feasible after the bid closing time all electronic bids will be downloaded and publicly read aloud along with all paper bids received, if any, in Room 806 immedi‐ ately after the 11:00 a.m. bid closing. Bidders or their authorized repre‐ sentatives are invited to be present.

NOTE: The only vendor information shared at the bid opening will be the reading of the names of those vendors who submitted bids. Note: The City-Parish has elected to use LaPAC, the state's online electronic bid posting and notiﬁca‐ tion system, in addition to its standard means of advertising this require‐ ment. This Invitation to Bid is available in elec‐ tronic form at the LaPAC https:// website wwwcfprd.doa.louisiana. gov/osp/lapac/dspBid. cfm?search=departm ent&term=102. Bids, amendments to bids or request for with‐ drawal of bids received after time speciﬁed for bid openings shall not be considered for any cause whatsoever.

Inquiries will be received up until 5 pm on 10/20/2026. Full information may be obtained upon request from the above address or by telephoning ELIZA‐ BETH MILLER at (225) 389-3259, Ext. 3283, or via email ermiller@brla.gov. Any vendor who would like to listen to the open‐ ing of this bid can access the following link, at the date and time of this bid opening:

NOTE: The only vendor information shared at the bid opening will be the reading of the names of those vendors who submitted bids. Join by phone +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll Access code: 263 373 080 (followed by the # but‐ ton) Alternate numbers to call if number above is not available, which may occur due to network trafﬁc (use the same Ac‐ cess Code, followed by the # button): United States Toll (Boston) +1-617-315-0704 United States Toll (Chicago) +1-312-535-8110 United States Toll (Dallas) +1-469-210-7159 United States Toll (Denver) +1-720-650-7664 United States Toll (Jacksonville) +1-904-900-2303 United States Toll (Los Angeles) +1-213-306-3065 These numbers will pro‐ vide you with live audio access to this bid open‐ ing. 203282 Oct. 9, 16, 2026 2t $107.92

Public Notices Conservation

PUBLIC NOTICE ---3KINGSTON AND HOLLY FIELDS 26-341 thru 26-343 LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF LOUISIANA, DE‐ PARTMENT OF CONSER‐ VATION AND ENERGY, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA. In accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana, and with par‐ ticular reference to the provisions of Title 30 of Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, a public hearing will be held in the Hearing Room, 1st Floor, LaSalle Building, 617 North 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 9:00 a.m. on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2026, upon the application of EXCO OPERATING COM‐ PANY, LP. At such hearing the Of‐ fice of Permitting and Compliance will consider evidence relative to the issuance of Orders per‐ taining to the following matters relating to the Haynesville Zone, Reser‐ voir A, in the Kingston and Holly Fields, DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. 1. To permit the applicant to drill, designate and utilize sixteen cross unit horizontal wells as alter‐ nate unit wells: eight for HA RA SUY, in the Kingston Field, and HA RA SUH, in the Holly Field; and eight for HA RA SUH and HA RA SUUU, in the Holly Field, at the lo‐ cations and in the gen‐ eral manner shown on the plat submitted with the application and made a part hereof, in exception to the spacing provisions of the 376-D and 88-J Series of Office of Permitting and Com‐ pliance Orders, provided there are no perforations in any wellbore closer than 330’ to any unit boundary and limited to 100’ from any unit bound‐ ary in the direction of the horizontal wellbore clos‐ est to the top of perfora‐ tions or base of perfora‐ tions (200’ between wells in adjacent units), except for the common unit boundaries between said units. 2. To find that the pro‐ d ll

Public Notices Conservation p posed wells are neces‐ sary to efficiently and economically drain a portion of the reservoirs covered by each unit which cannot be so drained by any existing well within such units. 3. To permit the operator to produce the unit al‐ lowable for each unit from the respective unit wells and/or the alter‐ nate unit well, in any combination, at its dis‐ cretion. 4. To find that unit pro‐ duction from the cross unit horizontal alternate unit wells shall be allo‐ cated to each unit in the same proportion as the perforated length of the lateral in each unit bears to the total length of the perforated lateral as de‐ termined by an “as survey per‐ drilled” formed after the cross unit horizontal wells are drilled and completed, provided that unit pro‐ duction shall continue to be shared on a surface acre basis. 5. To provide that pro‐ duction from said cross unit horizontal alternate unit wells shall be sepa‐ rated and metered indi‐ vidually and this infor‐ mation shall be reported in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of the Department of Conserva‐ tion and Energy. 6. To find that, with re‐ spect to wells drilled to the Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, in the Kingston Field, within or to serve HA RA SUY and the Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, in the Holly Field, within or to serve HA RA SUH and HA RA SUUU, where the horizon‐ tal portion of the well is cased and cemented back above the top of the Haynesville Zone, Reser‐ voir A, in the Kingston Field and the Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, in the Holly Field, the distance to any unit boundary and offset well(s) should be calculated based on the distance to the nearest perforation in the well, and not based on the penetration point or ter‐ minus. 7. Except insofar as set forth above, to confirm and continue in effect the provisions of the 376D and 88-J Series of Or‐ ders, the units created thereby and applicable Statewide Orders. 8. To consider such other matters as may be perti‐ nent. The Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, in the Kingston Field, was de‐ fined in Order No. 376-D, effective November 18, 2008. The Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, in the Holly Field, was defined in Order No. 88-J, effective July 29, 2008. A plat is available for in‐ spection in the Office of Permitting and Compli‐ ance in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, Louisiana. http://dnr.louisiana.gov/ conshearings All parties having inter‐ est therein shall take no‐ tice thereof. BY ORDER OF: DUSTIN H. DAVIDSON, SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND ENGERY Baton Rouge, 10/6/26;10/9/26 S lck

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE OF PERMITTING AND COMPLIANCE AT P.O. BOX 94275, BATON ROUGE, LA 70804-9275 IN WRITING WITHIN TEN (10) WORKING DAYS OF THE HEARING DATE. 203345 Oct. 9, 2026 1t $83.93 PUBLIC NOTICE ---4PENDLETON-MANY FIELD 26-344 LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF LOUISIANA, DEPARTMENT OF CON‐ SERVATION AND ENERGY, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA. In accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana, and with par‐ ticular reference to the provisions of Title 30 of Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, a public hearing will be held in the Hearing Room, 1st Floor, LaSalle Building, 617 North 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 9:00 a.m. on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2026, upon the application of GEP HAYNESVILLE II, LLC. At such hearing the Of‐ fice of Permitting and Compliance will consider evidence relative to the issuance of Orders per‐ taining to the following matters relating to the Haynesville Zone, Reser‐ voir A, in the PendletonMany Field, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. 1. To create one addi‐ tional drilling and pro‐ duction unit for the ex‐ ploration for and produc‐ tion of gas and conden‐ sate from the Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A, said additional unit to be des‐ ignated HA RA SUC, as shown on the plat sub‐ mitted with the applica‐ tion and made a part hereof. 2. To unitize all sepa‐ rately owned tracts, min‐ eral leases and other property interests within the proposed additional unit with each tract shar‐ ing in unit production on a surface acreage basis of participation. 3. Except insofar as set forth above, to confirm and continue in effect the provisions of the Of‐ fice of Permitting and Compliance Order No. 593-D, effective February 15, 2024, the unit created thereby, and applicable Statewide Orders. 4. To consider such other matters as may be perti‐ nent. The Haynesville Zone, Reservoir A was defined in Order No. 593-D, effec‐ tive February 15, 2024. A plat is available for in‐ spection in the Depart‐ ment of Conservation and Energy in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, Louisiana. http://dnr.louisiana.gov/ conshearings All parties having inter‐ est therein shall take no‐ tice thereof. BY ORDER OF: DUSTIN H. DAVIDSON, SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF CON‐ SERVATION AND ENERGY Baton Rouge, 10/6/26;10/9/26 S lck

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE AT THE HEARING, PLEASE CON‐ TACT THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND ENERGY AT P.O. BOX 94275, BATON ROUGE, LA 70804-9275 IN WRITING WITHIN TEN (10) WORK‐ ING DAYS OF THE HEAR‐ ING DATE. 203379 Oct. 9, 2026 1t $57.35

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE --ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bids will be ac‐ cepted in the Purchasing Department at Fletcher Technical Community College until 2:00 P.M., CST, October 27, 2026, as per the speciﬁcations. id b d

Legal Notices

p p Bids must be returned to the Purchasing Office in a sealed envelope marked with the Bid Number and Opening Date and Time. Bids must be submitted on the form enclosed herewith, and in strict conformity with the intent of same with‐ out modifications. Bids must be signed in ink, dated, and title of person signing bid must be shown on bid. Bid Num‐ ber 40004-23067 – Provide Towbarless Tug. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days after receipt of bids. Fletcher Technical Com‐ munity College reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities inci‐ dental thereto. Complete bidding documents may be obtained from Fletcher Technical Com‐ munity College, Kori Hearon, khearon@bpcc. edu telephone (318) 6786242. Sealed bids must be mailed to the follow‐ ing address to be consid‐ ered for award. Bossier Parish Community Col‐ lege Attn: Kori Hearon 6220 East Texas Street, Bossier City, LA 71111 203823-oct 9-1t $138.24 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that Jefferson Davis Elec‐ tric Cooperative, Inc. (“JDEC”), an electric co‐ operative providing retail electric service to its members in Allen, Cal‐ casieu, Cameron, Jeffer‐ son Davis, and Vermilion Parishes, filed an Appli‐ cation with the Louisiana Public Service Commis‐ sion (“LPSC”) seeking ap‐ proval of a new Supple‐ mental Power Service Rate Schedule applicable to qualifying members. JDEC’s Application also seeks approval of related wholesale power supply arrangements and expe‐ dited consideration by the LPSC. Any comments or questions concerning this filing may be di‐ rected to the LPSC at (225) 342-4999. 203279 Oct. 9, 2026 1t $104.54 PUBLIC NOTICE --Notice of Funding Availability for EBR Parish Opioid Abatement Settlement Funds Baton Rouge, LA – Octo‐ ber 9, 2026 – The City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge has an‐ nounced a two-step process for those inter‐ ested in receiving Louisiana Opioid Abate‐ ment Settlement funds. Please see below:

Prospective Louisiana Opioid Abatement Settle‐ ment Applicants: Please find the link below to access the Neighborly Participant Portal in order to that your agency might sub‐ mit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Office of Community Development pertaining to 2026-2027 Louisiana Opioid Abate‐ ment Settlement funds. Participant Portal: https://portal.neighbo rlysoftware.com/CIT YOFBATONROUGELA/ Participant The LOI application will be available to the inter‐ ested parties via the Neighborly Participant Portal beginning October 5 – October 19, 2029. No LOIs will be accepted after this time! You will need to create a Neighborly participant profile in order to apply for the LOI. Once the Se‐ lection Committee re‐ views LOI submissions, only eligible parties will be invited to use the Neighborly Portal to apply for the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Opioid applica‐ tion. Please read the instruc‐ tions for clarity. Ques‐ tions should be submit‐ ted to the OCD mailbox by October 13, 2026 @ocd@brla.gov. Thank you for your inter‐ est in Louisiana Opioid Abatement Settlement funds managed by the City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge. For interviews or ques‐ tions, please contact Kelly LeDuff, Executive Director-Community De‐ velopment, Federal Pro‐ grams and Outreach, or Daryl Blacher, Chief Grant Administrator, at (225) 389-3039 ext. 3031. 203325-oct 9-12-2t $85.74 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING City of Baker, Louisiana In accordance with the Open Meetings Law at R.S. 42:26, et seq. The Mayor and Council of the City of Baker, Louisiana, will meet on October 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Baker City Hall in the Council Cham‐ bers, 3325 Groom Road, Baker, Louisiana 70714 and via www.youtube. com/@bakerforward, at which time a public meeting will be held for the following: Approval of Preliminary Plat: Paulfor Street, Baker, Louisiana Owner: Kevin Hunter Name of Applicant: Hunter Ventures, LLC 11628 S. Choctaw Drive Suite 252 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70815 Lot: A-1-B Subdivision: Winder K. Dunbar Tract City of Baker, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana Property Zoned: R-1 Proposed Use: New Single Family Residential Development Application and map can be viewed at City Hall, 3325 Groom Road, Baker, Louisiana 70714, Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the City of Baker at (225) 778-0300. In accordance with the rules of conduct of the Baker City Council meet‐ ings, any person who wishes to be heard rela‐ tive to this matter for public hearing may con‐ tact the Clerk of the Baker City Council, City of Baker, P. O. Box 707, Baker, Louisiana, 707040707, in writing, and an opportunity will be of‐ fered to speak during this public hearing. In accordance with the Americans with Disabili‐ ties Act, if you need spe‐ cial assistance, please contact Ashley Williams at (225) 778-0300, de‐ scribing the assistance that is necessary. Angela Canady Wall, LCMC, Clerk of Council City of Baker, Louisiana cc: Mayor and Council Members

CLASSIFIEDS.THEADVOCATE.COM

Legal Notices

City Attorney Department Heads Advocate 201189-sept 19-25-oct 29-4t $129.56

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE On September 30, 2026 Susan Bonnett Bour‐ geois, Secretary of Louisiana Economic De‐ velopment, determined that records pertaining to an active negotiation for the purpose of retain‐ ing, expanding, or at‐ tracting economic or business development in the state, referred to as Project Conclave, shall be confidential until con‐ clusion of the negotia‐ tion, in accordance with La.R.S.44:22. 203034 Oct. 7, 8, 9, 2026 3t $44.86 PUBLIC NOTICE --State of Louisiana Recovery Housing Program Annual Performance Report The State of Louisiana was allocated funding under Section 8071 of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, entitled Pilot Program to Help Individuals in Re‐ covery from a Substance Use Disorder Become Stably Housed, herein re‐ ferred to as the Recovery Housing Program (RHP), established the FY 2020 FY 2024 Recovery Hous‐ ing Action Plans. The Re‐ covery Housing Program is designed to support low- and moderate-in‐ come persons as they re‐ cover from a substance use disorder and begin a path to self-sufficiency by providing stable hous‐ ing for a period of not more than 2 years or until the individual se‐ cures permanent hous‐ ing, whichever comes first. The State of Louisiana has prepared their an‐ nual performance report for the program year which ended September 30, 2026. The purpose of this document is to re‐ port on the progress the State has made in ad‐ dressing the goals and objectives identified in its FY 2020 - FY 2025 Re‐ covery Housing Action Plans. The annual report is available for review at https://locd.la.gov/localgovernment-assistance/ recovery-housingprogram and at the Of‐ fice of Community Devel‐ opment located at 1201 N. 3rd Street, Ste. 3-150, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, and may be examined from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Written com‐ ments on the amend‐ ments may be submitted beginning October 9, 2026, and must be re‐ ceived no later than Oc‐ tober 26, 2026. Comments may be mailed to the Of‐ fice of Community Devel‐ opment, Post Office Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095, sent via fac‐ simile to 225-342-1947, or OCDLGA. emailed to Admin@LA.GOV. 203288-oct 9-1t $49.06

PUBLIC NOTICE --STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHESTER Randall McFarland, Petitioner vs. Lou Ann Kiessig, Brandi McFarland, Richard McFarland, Zoe McFarland and Melissa Kuhn Respondent, IN THE PROBATE COURT CASE NO.: #2026-CP-12 -00066 SUMMONS TO THE DEFENDANT MELISSA KUHN ABOVE NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY SUM‐ MONED and required to appear and defend the within action and to an‐ swer the Petition for For‐ mal Appointment filed in the Office of the Probate Court for Chester County and to serve a copy of your answer to said Complaint on the sub‐ scribers at their office at 813 Davis Drive, P.O. Box 1038, Chester, S. C. 29706 within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to appear and defend the within action within the time aforesaid, then judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. IN THE EVENT THAT YOU ARE AN INFANT UNDER FOURTEEN (14) YEARS OF AGE OR ARE INCOMPE‐ TENT OR INSANE, then you and your Guardian or Committee and the per‐ son with whom you re‐ side are further sum‐ moned and notified to apply for the appoint‐ ment of a Guardian ad Litem to represent said infant under fourteen (14) years of age or said incompetent or insane person within thirty (30) days after the service of this Summons and No‐ tice upon you. If you fail to do so, application for such appointment will be made by the Plaintiff herein. Please note that a hear‐ ing has been scheduled in this matter for Decem‐ ber 1, 2026 at 10:30 am at the Chester County Pro‐ bate Court located at 1476 J. A. Cochran ByPass, Chester, SC 29706 September 29, 2026 Chester, SC s/Cyrus Corbett Cyrus Corbett, SC Bar #103156 Cyrus Corbett, Attorney at Law, LLC 813 Davis Drive P. O. Box 1038 Chester, S. C. 29706-0608 Phone: 803-818-2007 Attorneys for Petitioners 202686-oct 2-9-16-3t $799.54 PUBLIC NOTICE --The Planning Commis‐ sion of the City of Baton Rouge and the Parish of East Baton Rouge will hold a public meeting on Monday, October 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., in Room 348, City Hall located at 222 St. Louis Street, 3rd floor, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Planning Commis‐ sion will consider the fol‐ lowing rezoning requests and amendments to the “Comprehensive Land Use Plan” as indicated: PUBLIC HEARINGS – CITY & PARISH CURRENT ZONING CASES: PA-8-26 1850 Carolyn Sue Drive To amend the Com‐ prehensive Land Use Plan from Compact Neighborhood to Com‐ mercial, located on the west side of Carolyn Sue Drive, north of Old Ham‐ mond Highway, on prop‐ erty now or formerly known as Lot 27 and Lot 31 of Hillcrest Acres. Sec‐ tion 85, T7S, R1E, GLD, EBRP LA (Council District 6- Dunn, Jr.) CASE 36-26 1850 Carolyn i f

Legal Notices

y Sue Drive To rezone from Transition (B1) to Heavy Commercial One (HC1) on property located on the west side of Carolyn Sue Drive, north of Old Hammond Highway, on property now or formerly known as Lot 27 and Lot 31 of Hillcrest Acres. Sec‐ tion 85, T7S, R1E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 6- Dunn, Jr.) CASE 37-26 8150 Perkins Road To rezone from Light Commercial (C1) to Commercial Alcoholic Beverage (restaurant) (CAB-1) on property lo‐ cated on the west side of Perkins Road, south of Bles Avenue, on property now or formerly known as a portion of Lot Z-5-B of George Baker Tract. Section 55, T7S, R1E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 12- Racca) One (1) certain parcel of ground designated as "Area to be Rezoned", containing 1.658 Acres (72,239 Sq. Ft.), being all of Tract Z-5-B, George H. Baker and Mary Francis Baker Property, together with all improvements thereon, located in Sec‐ tion 55, T-7-S, R-1-E, Greensburg Land District, Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, and more fully described as follows: Commence at a cross cut on the south‐ east corner of Tract Z-5-B at the west right of way of Perkins Road; The Point of Beginning thence proceed in a southwesterly direction along the south line of Tract Z-5-B a bearing of S62°24'00"W a distance of 450. 78' to a point; thence proceed in a northeasterly direction along the north line of Tract Z-5-B a bearing of N28°32'00"E a distance of 562.27' to a point; thence proceed in a southeast‐ erly direction along the east line of Tract Z-5-B being the west right of way of Perkins Road a bearing of S27°24'43"E a distance of 177.78' to a point; thence proceed in a southeasterly direction along the east line of Tract Z-5-B being the west right of way of Perkins Road a bearing of S25°16'33"E a distance of 95.68' to a point; thence proceed in a southwesterly direction along the south line of Tract Z-5-B being the north right of way of Perkins Road a bearing of S62°24'00"W a dis‐ tance of 10.01' to a point; thence proceed in a southeasterly direction along the east line of Tract Z-5-B being the west right of way of Perkins Road a bearing of S25°16'33"E a distance of 39.98' to a point; The Point of Beginning CASE 38-26 8401 Green‐ well Springs Road To re‐ zone from Commercial Alcoholic Beverage (restaurant) (C-AB-1) to Commercial Alcoholic Beverage (bar and lounge) (C-AB-2) on prop‐ erty located on the north side of Greenwell Springs Road, east of Greentree Drive, on property now or formerly known as a por‐ tion of Lot A-1 of Sunny Brook Farms. Section 49, T6S, R1E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 5- Hurst) ONE CERTAIN AREA OR PORTION OF LAND CON‐ TAINING APPROXIMATELY 0.115 ACRES, BEING A PORTION OF LOT A-1 OF SUNNYBROOK FARMS, BEING LOCATED IN SEC‐ TION 49, T-6-5, R-1-E, GREENSBURG LAND DIS‐ TRICT, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, CITY OF BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DE‐ SCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: Commencing at a point being the southwest property corner of the subject property, being the intersection of the northerly right of way line of Greenwell Springs Road {LA-37} and the westerly right of way line of Greentree Road, said point being the Point of Commencement; thence proceed along the east‐ erly right of way line of Greentree Road North 01°52' 46" West a dis‐ tance of 92.08 feet to a point, thence leaving the Greentree Road right of way proceed North 88°11'00" East a distance of 25.00 feet to a point and corner, said point being the Point of Begin‐ ning; Thence proceed North 01°49'00" West a distance of 53.60 feet to a point and corner; Thence proceed North 88°11'00" East a distance of 6.00 feet to a point and cor‐ ner; Thence proceed North 01 °49'00" West a distance of 9.50 feet to a point and corner; Thence proceed North 88°11'00" East a distance of 38.00 feet to a point and cor‐ ner; Thence proceed North 01 °49'00" West a distance of 48.00 feet to a point and corner; Thence proceed North 88°11'00" East a distance of 20.59 feet to a point and cor‐ ner; Thence proceed South 01°49'00" East a distance of 111.10 feet to a point and corner; Thence proceed South 88°11'00" West a dis‐ tance of 64.59 feet to a point and corner, said point being the Point of Beginning. CASE 39-26 5132 Oleson Street To rezone from Single Family Residential (A1) to Light Commercial One (LC1) on property lo‐ cated on the west side of Oleson Street, north of Brightside Drive, on prop‐ erty now or formerly known as Lot 26 of Ar‐ lington Plantation. Sec‐ tion 65, T7S, R1W, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 10- Coleman) CASE 40-26 10188 Hy‐ acinth Avenue To rezone from Single Family Resi‐ dential (A1) to Light Commercial Two (LC2) on property located on the east side of Hyacinth Av‐ enue, south of Perkins Road, on property now or formerly known as a por‐ tion of Tract A of Tracy Baker Property. Section 59, T8S, R1E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Council District 12Racca) One (1) certain tract or parcel of ground desig‐ nated as “TRACT A-2”, being a portion of the Tracy Baker Property, containing 2.074 Ac. (90,362 Sq. Ft.), together with all improvements thereon, located in Sec‐ tion 59, T-8-S, R-1-E, Greensburg Land District, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, and more par‐ ticularly described as fol‐ lows: Commence at a point and corner at the intersection of the southerly right-of-way of Perkins Road with the property line common to Tracts A-1 and A-2, said point also being the Point of Beginning; Thence, along said rightof-way, S 69°44'39" E a distance of 115.49 feet to a point and corner; thence, S 55°23'11" E a distance of 126.59 feet to a point and corner; thence, along the arc of a curve to the left, having a radius of 1979.86 feet, an arc length of 97.76 feet and a chord which bears S 51°59'10" E a distance of 97.75 feet to a point and corner; thence, de‐ parting said right-of-way, S 27°11'02" W a distance of 246.55 feet (255 feet Record) to a point and corner; thence, N 62°48'46" W a distance of 337.08 feet to a point and corner; thence, N 27°22'32" E a distance of 267.34 feet to the Point of Beginning. CASE

41-26

5762,

5862

Legal Notices

and 5894 Hooper Road To rezone from Single Fam‐ ily Residential (A2), Light Commercial (C1) and Heavy Commercial (C2) to Heavy Commercial One (HC1) on property located on the south side of Hooper Road, west of Mickens Road, on prop‐ erty now or formerly known as Lee Davis Tract, Tract A and Tract B of E. Martherne Tract. Sections 40 and 90, T6S, R1E, GLD, EBRP, LA (Coun‐ cil District 5- Hurst) PUD-4-08 Woman’s Hos‐ pital, Phase I Final Devel‐ opment Plan Revision 4 (7000-7100 Stumberg Lane) Proposed billboard on property located on the south side of Stum‐ berg Lane, north of Air‐ line Highway, on Tract 3 of Eola McCall Anderson Tract. (Council District 9Hudson) CUP-7-26 Discovery Baton Rouge Phase III (17255 South Harrell’s Ferry Road) Proposed educa‐ tional institution on property located on the north side of South Har‐ rell’s Ferry Road, east of O’Neal Lane, on property now or formerly known as Tract B-1 and Tract C-1 of Robert B. Aldrich Tract. (Council District 9- Hud‐ son) Run Dates: 10/9/2026 10/13/2026 10/15/2026 203217-oct 9-13-15-3t $365.01

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

PUBLIC NOTICE --Central Community Schools School Board Meeting 09/14/2026 06:00 PM Central Administrative Office 11576 Sullivan Road Central, LA 70818 MEETING MINUTES Voting Members Roxanne Atkinson, Board President Michael Hooper, Vice President Jason Leaphart, Board Member Nick Carmena, Board Member Mike Davis, Board Member Carol Norwood, Board Member 1. Call to Order Chairperson Roxanne Atkinson called to order the Regular School Board Meeting of the Central Community School Board on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Central Administrative Office, at 6:00 PM. 2. Prayer Prayer led by Ms. Barbra Guyon, Chief Financial Officer 3. Pledge 4. Roll Call Tracy Barnes conducted a roll call. The following persons were present: Roxanne Atkinson, Nick Carmena, Mike Davis, Michael Hooper, Jason Leaphart and Carol Nor‐ wood. David Walker was absent. A quorum was present. 5. To consider approval to amend agenda items #11-#15, to correct the wording to reflect "Origi‐ nal" in leu of "Revised" and take appropriate ac‐ tion. A motion was made by Mr. Hooper and sec‐ onded by Mr. Leaphart to approve amending the agenda to correct the wording of agenda items #11-#15, to reflect "Origi‐ nal" in leu of "Revised." A Roll Call vote was taken for the board to approve amending the agenda to correct the wording of agenda items #11-#15, to reflect "Origi‐ nal" in leu of "Revised" and is listed as follows: For: Atkinson, Carmena, Davis, Hooper, Leaphart, Norwood Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Walker There being six (6) votes "For", zero (0) votes "Against", zero (0) votes "Abstain" and one (1) vote "Absent", the mo‐ tion passed. 6. To consider approval of the minutes from the Public Hearing held on Monday, August 10, 2026 and take appropriate ac‐ tion. A motion was made by Mr. Carmena and sec‐ onded by Ms. Norwood to approve the minutes from the Public Hearing held on Monday, August 10, 2026. There being no objections, the motion passed. 7. To consider approval of the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, August 10, 2026 and take appropriate action. A motion was made by Ms. Norwood and sec‐ onded by Mr. Hooper to approve the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, August 10, 2026. There being no objec‐ tions, the motion passed. 8. To receive the Superintendent's report on personnel. (Dr. Foun‐ tain) Board members received a report of two (2) Resig‐ nations. This was a re‐ port only and required no action. Board members received a report of one (1) Ap‐ pointment. This was a re‐ port only and required no action. a. Administrative Contracts Board members received a report regarding ad‐ ministrative contracts. This was a report only and required no action. 9. To receive a report from the Finance Com‐ mittee Meeting held on Monday, August 31, 2026. (Dr. Fountain) A Finance Committee meeting was scheduled on Monday, August 31, 2026. A quorum was not present, so no official business was conducted. Committee members in attendance were pro‐ vided with updates re‐ garding several budgets and the compensation plan for the 2026-2027 fis‐ cal year. No action was taken during this meet‐ ing. 10. To consider approval of the Capital Projects Budget for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year and take ap‐ propriate action. (Dr. Fountain) A motion was made by Mr. Hooper and sec‐ onded by Mr. Leaphart to approve the Capital Pro‐ jects Budget for the 20262027 Fiscal Year, as pre‐ sented by the staff. There being no objec‐ tions, the motion passed. 11. To consider approval of the Original Debt Ser‐ vice Budget for the 20262027 Fiscal Year and take appropriate action. (Dr. Fountain) A motion was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Mr. Hooper to approve the Original Debt Service Budget for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year, as presented by the staff. There being no objections, the motion passed. 12. To consider approval of the Original Child Nu‐ trition Budget for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year and take appropriate action. (Dr. Fountain) A motion was made by Mr. Hooper and sec‐ onded by Ms. Norwood to approve the Original Child Nutrition Budget for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year, as presented by the staff. There being no ob‐ jections, the motion passed. 13. To consider approval d l f h i i l

Public Notices Meet/Hear/Min

pp of the Original Federal Grants for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year and take ap‐ propriate action. (Dr. Fountain) A motion was made by Mr. Carmena and sec‐ onded by Mr. Leaphart to approve the Original Fed‐ eral Grants for the 20262027 Fiscal Year, as pre‐ sented by the staff. There being no objec‐ tions, the motion passed. 14. To consider approval of the Original State Grants for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year and take ap‐ propriate action. (Dr. Fountain) A motion was made by Ms. Norwood and sec‐ onded by Mr. Carmena to approve the Original State Grants for the 20262027 Fiscal Year, as pre‐ sented by the staff. There being no objec‐ tions, the motion passed. 15. To consider approval of the Original Compen‐ sation Plan and take ap‐ propriate action. (Dr. Fountain) A motion was made by Mr. Hooper and sec‐ onded by Mr. Leaphart to approve the Original Compensation Plan for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year, as presented by the staff. There being no objec‐ tions, the motion passed. 16. To receive a report from the Human Re‐ sources/Policies Com‐ mittee Meeting held on Monday, August 31, 2026. (Dr. Fountain) A Human Resources/Poli‐ cies Committee meeting was scheduled on Mon‐ day, August 31, 2026. A quorum was not present, so no ofﬁcial business was conducted. Commit‐ tee members in atten‐ dance were provided with updates regarding several policy revisions and a job description for an Educational Diagnos‐ tician position. No action was taken during this meeting. 17. To consider a 1st Reading of Proposed Re‐ vised Policies regarding the following: Board members received a 1st Reading of several revised policies, as pre‐ sented by the staff. This was a report only and re‐ quired no action. a. Policy E-1.1b Emergency Operations Plan b. Policy F-10.4 - Sick Leave c. Policy F-10.5 - Personal Education of Students with Exceptionalities e. Policy G-2.4c.3 Cameras in Special Education Classrooms f. Policy H-3.5 Discipline g. Policy H-3.5b – Suspension h. Policy H-3.5c – Expulsion i. Policy H-3.6h Behavioral Health Services for Students j. Policy H-4.4 - Child Abuse 18. To consider approval of an Educational Diagnostician Job Description and take appropriate action. (Dr. Fountain) A motion was made by Ms. Norwood and sec‐ onded by Mr. Carmena to approve the Educational Diagnostician job de‐ scription, as presented by the staff. There being no objections, the motion passed. 19. To receive a report from the Curriculum/In‐ struction/Accountability Committee Meeting held on August 31, 2026 and take appropriate action regarding the following: a. 2026-2027 Pupil Progression Plan The committee recom‐ mended approval of the Pupil Progression Plan for the 2026-2027 School Year, as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Mr. Carmena to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed. 20. To adopt a Resolution regarding a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana De‐ partment of Treasury re‐ garding Act 961 of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session regarding LineItem Appropriations. (Dr. Fountain) A motion was made by Mr. Carmena and sec‐ onded by Ms. Norwood to adopt a resolution re‐ garding a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana De‐ partment of Treasury re‐ garding Act 961 of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session regarding LineItem Appropriations. A roll call vote was taken for the board to adopt a resolution regarding a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Treasury regarding Act 961 of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session re‐ garding Line-Item Appro‐ priations and is listed as follows: For: Atkinson, Carmena, Davis, Hooper, Leaphart, Norwood Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Walker There being six (6) votes "For", zero (0) votes "Against", zero (0) votes "Abstain" and one (1) vote "Absent", the mo‐ tion passed. a. New Computers The line-item appropriation contained in Act 961 of the 2026 RLS for new computers is $50,000. b. CHS Fishing Team The line-item appropriation contained in Act 961 of the 2026 RLS for the CHS Fishing Team is $25,000. c. Shady Park Improvements The line-item appropriation contained in Act 961 of the 2026 RLS for Shady Park Improve‐ ments is $1,000,000. 21. To consider approval of some Out-of-State Field Trip Requests and take appropriate action. (Dr. Fountain) A motion was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Mr. Hooper to approve the three (3) Out-of-State Field Trip requests. There being no objections, the motion passed. 22. To consider a request to change the board meeting date in October and take appropriate ac‐ tion. (Dr. Fountain) A motion was made by Mr. Hooper and sec‐ onded by Mr. Carmena to approve changing the board meeting date for October 2026, from Octo‐ ber 12th to October 5th. There being no objec‐ tions, the motion passed. 23. Superintendent's Report Tanglewood Elementary School will host repre‐ sentatives from the Louisiana Department of Education this Thursday, September 17, for Cele‐ brate Freedom Week. Cel‐ ebrate Freedom Week is part of Louisiana’s com‐ mitment to strong civics education in K-12 schools. Held each Sep‐ tember in conjunction with Constitution Day and Constitution Week, the observance gives students opportunities to learn about govern‐ ment, citizenship, and our nation’s founding principles. We are ex‐ cited that TES was se‐ lected for this opportu‐ nity! Central Intermedi‐ ate School will partici‐ pate in Raising Cane's nights on Tuesday, Sep‐ tember 22 through Thurs‐ day, September 24. A portion of purchases made during these dates will beneﬁt CIS directly. CIS will also have its Ju‐ nior Beta Induction on Tuesday, September 22. Tanglewood Elementary School will host its First Grade Family Fall Picnics on Wednesday, Septem‐ ber 23, and its Second Grade Family Fall Picnics on Friday, September 25. b i

y p September committee meetings will be on Mon‐ day, September 28, at 5:15. The next school board meeting will be on Monday, October 5, at 6:00. Students from Ms. Wall's EDCI 1010 Dual En‐ rollment Class were in attendance as part of their Southeastern as‐ signment in School Gov‐ ernance. 24. Announcements a. Committee Meetings will be held on Monday, September 28th b. Next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on Monday October 5th 25. Adjourn A motion was made by Mr. Davis to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 203368 Oct. 9, 2026 1t $168.83 PUBLIC NOTICE --The City of St. George City Council will hold public hearings on Tues‐ day, October, 13, 2026, at 5:00 pm at St. George City Hall, 11207 Proverbs Ave, St. George, LA 70816, to consider the following: Zoning Matter No. S-260028 – Ordinance revok‐ ing an existing servitude on property located at 10012 Glen View Ave, Lot 37-A of the Bluebonnet Terrace Subdivision, 1st Filing, and provide for re‐ lated matters. 202684-oct 2-9-12-3t $48.40

Public Notices Sex Offenders

I, BRYANT KEITH GREEN Sr., have been convicted of 14:43.1 Sexual Battery. My Address is: 1840 WALNUT ST BATON ROUGE, LA 70802 Race: BLACK Sex: MALE Date of Birth: 07/16/1984 Height: 5'4" Weight: 157 Hair Color: BLACK Eye Color: BROWN Scars/Tattoos: LOUISIANA 203333, OCT 9-10 $250

I, Charles Lee McDermic Jr AKA DUDDLE, have been convicted of 14:43.1 Sexual Battery. Date Convicted: 05/29/2002. My Address is: 2453 Jefferson Ave Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Race: BLACK Sex: MALE Date of Birth: 5/14/1984 Height: 5'3" Weight: 274 Hair Color: BLACK Eye Color: BROWN Scars/Tattoos: LOUISIANA 203336, OCT 9-10 $250

I, ISAAC Cordell GREEN AKA ISSAC GREEN, have been convicted of 14:81 - Indecent Behavior with Juveniles. Date Convicted: 08/01/2014. My Address is: 477 WINGATE DR BATON ROUGE, LA 70815 Race: BLACK Sex: MALE Date of Birth: 08/25/1976 Height: 6' Weight: 265 Hair Color: BALD Eye Color: BROWN Scars/Tattoos: LOUISIANA 203362, OCT 9-10 $250

I, MARCUS MONTRELL JOHNSON aka MARCUS MONTRAEL JOHNSON, have been convicted of 14:92 (A)(7) CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF JUVENILES PERFORM SEXUALLY IMMORAL ACTS. Date Convicted: 11/01/2001. My Address is: 6377 Beechwood Dr Baton Rouge, LA 70805 Race: BLACK Sex: MALE Date of Birth: 8/8/1979 Height: 5'11" Weight: 200 Hair Color: BALD Eye Color: BROWN Scars/Tattoos: LOUISIANA 203348, OCTY 9-10 $250

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10D ■ Friday, October 9, 2026 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate Legal Notices

Legal Notices

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MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEETING St. Gabriel Council Chambers I 5035 Iberville Street, St. Gabriel LA 70776 Thursday, August 20, 2026 I 6:00 p.m. MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL – PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was called to order at approximately 6:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Councilman William Cushenberry, Jr. Councilman Jeffery Hayes, Sr Councilman Melvin Hasten, Sr. Councilman Hoza Redditt, Sr. Absent: Councilman Randall Johnson 4 of 5 Council members were in attendance for a quorum. Presiding: Lionel Johnson, Sr., Mayor Recording: Constance Barbin, City Clerk PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson led with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT • Ms. Susan Landry –B. P. Lane and Colored School update requested. • Jeanne Bujol Medie – Iberville Parish School Board Candidate AtLarge • Mr. Quinten Picard – Update on NWI nuisance noise update 3. MOTION TO APPROVE - To Approve and Adopt Minutes for Regular Meeting dated July 16, 2026 Motion to approve and adopt minutes from Regular Meeting, dated July 16, 2026 made by Hayes, seconded by Hasten. 4. MOTION TO APPROVE – Resolution of Condolence a. Family of Carl Jackson Motion to approve resolution of condolence made by Hayes, with a unanimous second. 5. PRESENTATION – Work Based Learning Internships, Katie Heck, M.Ed. Presentation included information on JTPA/GCE programs 6. RESOLUTION – Resolution authorizing mayor to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with Iberville Parish Council, represented by Councilman Bart Morgan and Freddie Frazier, to construct a sidewalk on LA Hwy 75 (points of interest St. Gabriel Catholic Church to LA Hwy 74). Motion to approve resolution made by Hayes, seconded by Hasten. 7. POLICE DEPARTMENT 8. MAYORS REPORT 9. ADJOURNMENT

Legal Notices Recording:

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Constance Barbin, City Clerk

PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson led with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. PUBLIC COMMENT None registered. 2. DISCUSSION - 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Budget Discussion on 2026-2027 fiscal year budget led by Joshua Smith of Faulk and Winkler, LLC 3. ADJOURNMENT On a unanimous motion, meeting was adjourned. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEETING St. Gabriel Council Chambers I 5035 Iberville Street, St. Gabriel LA 70776 Thursday, June 18, 2026 I 6:00 p.m. MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL – PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was called to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Councilman William Cushenberry, Jr. Councilman Jeffery Hayes, Sr Councilman Randall Johnson Councilman Hoza Redditt, Sr. Absent: Councilman Melvin Hasten, Sr. 4 of 5 Council members were in attendance for a quorum. Presiding: Lionel Johnson, Sr., Mayor Recording: Constance Barbin, City Clerk

4. MOTION TO APPROVE – 2026-2027 Holiday Schedule Motion to approve 2026 - 2027 Holiday Schedule made by Cushenberry, seconded by Redditt.

MINUTES

5. MOTION TO APPROVE – A Resolution to Adopt the adjusted millage rate (s) for the 2026 tax season

1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL – PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Motion to approve Resolution to Adopt the adjusted millage rate (s) for the 2026 tax season made by Johnson, seconded by Hayes.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT • Mr. Will Adams – NWI noise issue • Mr. Quinten Picard – NWI noise issue. (Mayor gave an overview of meeting with NWI.) • Ms. Susan Landry – BP Colored School update and NWI noise issue. (Mayor gave brief update.) 3. MOTION TO APPROVE - To Approve and Adopt Minutes for Regular Meeting, dated June 18, 2026 Motion to approve and adopt minutes from Regular Meeting, dated June 18, 2026, made by Hayes, seconded by Johnson. 4. MOTION TO APPROVE – Resolutions of Condolence a. Family of Maranda Videau b. Family of Alphonse Williams, Jr. c. Family of Enola Ambeau d. Family of Delores Cushenberry Grace On unanimous motion and second, Resolutions were approved. 5. MOTION TO ADOPT – The Advocate as the City’s official journal Motion to approve made by Johnson, seconded by Hasten.

Motion by Hasten, second by Redditt, to ratify 4/14/2026 hire date of Michael Hanks. 7. MAYOR’S REPORT • Mayor would like to thank everyone for a series of activities happening within the City – the State of the City, 4th of July celebration, summer camp activities and the Senior Center. • Making progress on a variety of projects – City parks, Community Center and City Hall. • Continuing summer employment initiative. • LMA Conference - August, 4th - 6th. • Continuing to make progress with recreation department. • Mayor, along with the Council, expressed their condolences to Chief Ambeau. • Pay App #1 – Mitchell Contracting, Inc. $48,038.65 St. Gabriel Pump Station Rehab On a motion by Johnson, and second by Hayes, pay app was approved. 8. ADJOURNMENT On a motion from Hayes, seconded by Johnson, meeting was adjourned. ____________________________ Constance Barbin, City Clerk

6. MOTION TO BEGIN - A Public Hearing a. Proposed amendments of 2025-2026 Operating Budget and adopt 2026-2027 Financial Budget Motion to start a Public Hearing made by Hayes, seconded by Cushenberry. 7. MOTION TO END – A Public Hearing and Return to Regular Meeting Motion to end a Public Hearing and Return to Regular Meeting made by Hayes, seconded by Redditt. 8. MOTION TO APPROVE a. Proposed amendments of 2025-2026 Operating Budget and adopt 2026-2027 Financial Budget Motion made by Johnson, seconded by Hayes (unanimous second), to amend proposed 2026 - 2027 Operating Budget to add $150,000 for the establishment of fire department, EMS and hazmat services within the city limits. ROLL CALL: YEAS: [Cushenberry, Hayes, Johnson, Redditt] ABSENT: [Hasten] Motion made by Cushenberry, seconded by Redditt (unanimous second), to edit proposed 2026 - 2027 PD Operating Budget to reinstate the lieutenant and administrator positions and salaries and benefits for $150,000. ROLL CALL: YEAS: [Cushenberry, Hayes, Johnson, Redditt] ABSENT: [Hasten] On a motion made by Hayes, seconded by Redditt (unanimous second), motion to approve proposed amendments of 2025 - 2026 Operating Budget and adopt 2026 - 2027 Financial Budget with amendments ROLL CALL: YEAS: [Cushenberry, Hayes, Johnson, Redditt] ABSENT: [Hasten] 9. POLICE DEPARTMENT a. Employment Application – Kyler Pierre N/A b. Employment Application – Dakota Fagan motion to begin employment application process made by Cushenberry, seconded by Johnson.

6. POLICE DEPARTMENT – a. Employee: Hire Date: Michael Hanks 4/14/26

______________________________ Lionel Johnson, Jr., Mayor

MAYOR & CITY SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING St. Gabriel Council Chambers I 5035 Iberville Street, St. Gabriel LA 70776 Wednesday, June 3, 2026 I 6:00 p.m. MINUTES

c Chief Ambeau: Need policy change requiring reimbursement from officers should they leave the force before completing 2 years of employment; issues with PD building. 10. MAYORS REPORT • Working to make clarifications regarding overtime and exempt & nonexempt personnel City wide; • Working on leave process. • Standardizing hiring process • Contract/onboarding new officers • Invited Council to meet with Associated Grocers on Tuesday morning. • Councilman Redditt spearheading Juneteenth Celebration, in cosponsorship with St. Gabriel Buffalo Soldiers. Begins tomorrow at 5:00 and ends at 9:00. • Recognized and thanked Councilman Johnson who helped co-host Environmental Justice meeting this week • Monday with the Mayor scheduled for next Monday, 6/22/2026, 6:30 p.m. at Community Center. • Summer employment initiative is going well; to date, 53 employed with a possible addition of 6 or seven more. • Add Resolution of condolences to family of Ms. Delores Bess Grace to next agenda. • Making plans for 4th of July and American’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Celebration on Friday, July 3rd. • State of the City and Employee Recognition for years of service Saturday, July 4th. • Tailgating will start at 2:00 and fireworks at 9 on the 4th. • Revised holiday schedule – staff will work 7/3 and be off 7/6. • Michael Gilyea, with Enterprise Fleet Management, stated he has been working the Mayor, Ms. Hall and the Chief to put together a program for the city for the upcoming fiscal year. 11. ADJOURNMENT On a unanimous motion, meeting was adjourned.

CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL – PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was called to order at approximately 6:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Councilman William Cushenberry, Jr. Councilman Melvin Hasten, Sr. Councilman Jeffery Hayes, Sr Councilman Randall Johnson Councilman Hoza Redditt, Sr. 5 of 5 Council members were in attendance for a quorum. Presiding: Lionel Johnson, Sr., Mayor

5 of 5 Council members were in attendance for a quorum. Presiding: Lionel Johnson, Sr., Mayor Recording: Constance Barbin, City Clerk PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson led with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT • Ms. Susan Landry – B. P. Colored School repair status; COSG speed limit signs. • Mr. Charles Pouch – Flooding and drainage on Hwy. 74. • Mr. Quinten Picard – Status of meeting between City and NWI. • Ms. Chauncy Verrett – Proposed LSU Ag Center Audubon Sugar Institute becomes host site for summer student workers. • Ms. Felicia Leo – Discussed her experience working at E. Iberville and the need for more staff and services. 3. MOTION TO APPROVE - To Approve and Adopt Minutes for Regular Meeting, dated April 16, 2026, and Special Meeting dated May 13, 2026 Motion to approve and adopt minutes from Regular Meeting, dated April 16, 2026, and Special Meeting dated May 13,, made by Hayes, seconded by Redditt. 4. PRESENTATION – Orbia (Stakeholder Updates) by Erick Comeaux, Plant Manager Mr. Comeaux said that a variety of things have and are happening: 1st ever Iberville Day at the Capitol; most of the people enrolled their Orbia Empowerment Scholarship program are now graduating and being offered (and accepting) jobs ; 3rd installment of Annual Summer Gear Up Program beginning; continuing Educator Internships (2 interns). Mr. Comeaux thanked COSG for working with Orbia.

Jeff Diamond and Jason Landrum gave an update on where QE is in the concept planning of the purposed COSG Sports Complex and ATV Park. They have been tasked to create around a 42-acre sports complex that has multi-purpose fields. It will include a maintenance barn, restrooms/concession area and 700 parking spots. About 13 acres will be for ATV trails and a pond. It will include a large pavilion and playground area.

St. Gabriel Council Chambers I 5035 Iberville Street, St. Gabriel LA 70776 Thursday, July 16, 2026 I 6:00 p.m.

PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson led with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL Present: Councilman William Cushenberry, Jr. Councilman Melvin Hasten, Sr. Councilman Jeffery Hayes, Sr Councilman Randall Johnson Councilman Hoza Redditt, Sr.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT • Ms. Susan Landry –B. P. Colored School update requested. • Mayor: Pre-bid meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 25th. • Ms. Grace Marcell – Update on drainage efforts for St. Francis Ln and Besson Ln area requested. • Mayor: In final negotiation with property owner. • Mr. Quinten Picard – Update on NWI nuisance noise. • Mayor: NWI has given a thorough response of their position. Meeting will be scheduled in 2 weeks.

MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEETING

4 of 5 Council members were in attendance for a quorum. Presiding: Lionel Johnson, Sr., Mayor Recording: Constance Barbin, City Clerk

Legal Notices

5. PRESENTATION – Quality Engineering Presentation on potential City of St. Gabriel Sports Complex and ATV Park

Motion to approve and adopt minutes from Regular Meeting, dated May 21, 2026 and Special Meeting dated June 3, 2026, made by Johnson, seconded by Hayes.

ROLL CALL Present: Councilman William Cushenberry, Jr. Councilman Melvin Hasten, Sr. Councilman Jeffery Hayes, Sr Councilman Randall Johnson Councilman Hoza Redditt, Sr.

Legal Notices

PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson led with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. MOTION TO APPROVE - To Approve and Adopt Minutes for Regular Meeting, dated May 21, 2026 and Special Meeting dated June 3, 2026

CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was called to order at approximately 6:00 p.m.

Legal Notices

MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEETING

6. PRESENTATION – City Master Planning Presentation, Bret Keast, AICP, CEO and Owner of Kendig Keast Collaborative Mr. Keast said that because this is city master planning it is a citizen driven process. They will need to talk to citizens, property owners and business owners to determine what are the needs of St. Gabriel for the next 20 years. They would start with kickoff meeting, then meet with councilmembers and, subsequently, schedule small group meetings with residents to identify issues, needs, concerns and things they would like to see in the future. Zoning regulations and ordinances would need to be updated and created. The plan would be a road map for future planning for the City and help with writing grants. They would also look for state and federal funding to help with the project. 7. INTRODUCTION – Proposed 2026 – 2027 fiscal year budget and ordinance by Mayor Johnson and Faulk and Winkler, LLC Motion to set a Special Meeting on Proposed 2026 – 2027 fiscal year budget on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. made by Hasten, seconded by Cushenberry. Motion to set a Public Hearing on Proposed 2026 – 2027 fiscal year budget on Thursday, June 18, 2026, made by Hasten, seconded by Johnson. 8. POLICE DEPARTMENT a. Personnel Matters: Employment Ratification Employee: Hire Date: Braylon Jones 3/20/26 Porcha Wilson 3/26/26 Motion by Cushenberry, seconded by Redditt, to ratify the hiring of Braylon Jones effective March 20, 2026, was approved. Motion by Hasten, seconded by Johnson, to ratify the hiring of Porcha Wilson effective March 26, 2026, was approved. b. Employment Application – Patrick Lawayne Stevenson, Jr. N/A Captain William said all PD staff who drive City vehicles have taken 3 hours of training – Basic Defensive Driving Principles and Advanced Defensive Driving. 9. MAYORS REPORT • Mayor will either text or email informational packet to Councilmembers. • Mayor told Councilmen Cushenberry, Hasten, Hayes, Johnson and Redditt that it is a pleasure working with them and that what they did today, signing paperwork to purchase 18.37 acres of land with the express intention of building a grocery store in the City limits of St. Gabriel is monumental and historical. 10. ADJOURNMENT On a unanimous motion, meeting was adjourned. ____________________________ Constance Barbin, City Clerk

______________________________ Lionel Johnson, Jr., Mayor

MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEETING St. Gabriel Council Chambers I 5035 Iberville Street, St. Gabriel LA 70776 Wednesday, May 13, 2026 I 6:15 p.m. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL – PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was called to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present:

Councilman William Cushenberry, Jr. Councilman Melvin Hasten, Sr. Councilman Jeffery Hayes, Sr Councilman Randall Johnson Councilman Hoza Redditt, Sr.

5 of 5 Council members were in attendance for a quorum. Presiding: Recording:

Lionel Johnson, Sr., Mayor Constance Barbin, City Clerk

PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson led with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. PUBLIC COMMENT None registered 2. MOTION CONSIDERATION - To Approve a Resolution authorizing the Mayor of the City of St. Gabriel to execute documents to purchase land owned by Britco, L.C. and Simon Corp and receive a donation of land owned by Britco and Simon Corp On a motion by Councilman Hasten and a unanimous second, resolution was approved. ROLL CALL: Yea: [Cushenberry, Hasten, Hayes, Johnson, Redditt] 3. ADJOURNMENT

St. Gabriel Council Chambers I 5035 Iberville Street, St. Gabriel LA 70776 Thursday, May 21, 2026 I 6:00 p.m. MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL – PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was called to order at approximately 6:00 p.m.

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