Afederal jury of six men and six women on Thursday convicted Lafayette Assistant District Attorney Gary Haynes on six charges he faced in connection with a bribery scheme in the District Attorney’sOffice.
Haynes, an assistant district attorney in the 15thJudicial District Attorney’sOffice,was on trial for hisrolein accepting offendersinto the pretrial diversion program some who didn’tqualify, and pushing them to take online classes and therapy from companies owned by businessman Leonard Franques. Franques kicked back money to Haynes and co-conspirator Dusty Guidry,who also worked in pretrial intervention.
Haynes, who pleaded not guilty in October,was found guilty on two counts of use of acellphone in interstate commerce in aid of bribery and on single counts of conspiracy to engage in bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds,bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, conspiring to commit money laundering and obstruction of justice.
He is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 17.
Haynes, 67, facesupto60 years in prison andupto$1.5 million in fines.
Neither Haynesnor hisattorney would comment after the verdict. He was released until sentencing.
Haynes’ defense team portrayed himasa pawninthe scheme who thought he was
BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
Haynes foundguilty in federalbribery case
Trump takesFed
Supreme Court
BY MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON TheTrump administration on Thursday askedthe Supreme Court for an emergency order to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve’sboard of governors. The Republican administration turned to the high court after an appeals court refused to go along with ousting Cook, part of President Donald Trump’s effort to reshape the Fed’s sevenmembergoverning board and strike ablow at its independence. The WhiteHouse campaign to unseat Cook marks an unprecedented bid to reshape theFed board, which was designed to be largely independentfromdayto-day politics. No president has fireda sitting Fedgovernor in the agency’s112-year history Cook,who wasappointed to theFed’s board by President Joe Biden, aDemocrat, has said she won’tleave her post and won’tbe “bullied” by Trump. One of her lawyers, Abbe Lowell, has said she “will continue to carry out her sworn duties as aSenate-confirmed Board Governor.” Separately,SenateRepublicans on MondayconfirmedStephen Miran, Trump’snominee to an open spot on the Fed’sboard. Both
House panel advances bill for vehicle AM radio
WASHINGTON A panel of U.S. House lawmakers advanced a bill this week that would require the inclusion of AM radio in all new vehicles for eight years.
“I know quite well how crucial AM radio is for receiving emergency alerts during hurricane season, for consumers and rural communities to people stuck without electricity or internet during a national disaster,” said U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla. He is the chief sponsor of the measure.
The measure, amended Wednesday by the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, is an apparent compromise between emergency management groups, automakers and fans of talk radio shows that are broadcast primarily through AM channels. The auto industry has opposed AM requirements in new vehicles, citing costs and declining AM radio listenership.
The bill directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to, within a year, issue a rule requiring automakers to offer AM radio in their new vehicles at “no additional” cost “beyond the base price of the passenger motor vehicle.”
Teen’s body found in car registered to singer d4vd
A decomposed body found inside an impounded Tesla in Los Angeles has been identified as that of a teenage girl who went missing last year
Several news outlets reported the vehicle was registered to the singer d4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, 20. Neither his representatives nor police responded to requests for comment. Authorities have not implicated d4vd in her death
Celeste Rivas, 15 was found dead inside the vehicle, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Wednesday Officials have not determined her cause of death
The body was discovered Sept. 8 at a tow lot in Hollywood after someone noticed a stench coming from the Tesla, police said, according to news outlets In a statement, the medical examiner’s office said the body “was found severely decomposed.”
An unnamed representative for d4vd told NBC Los Angeles that the singer has been cooperating with authorities since the body was found. It’s not clear why his car had been impounded.
D4vd (pronounced “David”) is a Houston-born singer-songwriter who went from recording music in his sister’s closet to becoming one of Gen Z’s most buzzed-about artists. His music blends indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop, which has made him a fresh, genre-bending voice in today’s alt-pop scene.
Autopsy finds Miss.
student died by suicide
CLEVELAND,Miss.— An autopsy by the office of Mississippi’s state medical examiner concluded that a Black student found hanging from a tree at Delta State University died by suicide, police said Thursday
The police department in Cleveland, where the campus is located, announced the findings in a news release. It said the autopsy results were consistent with a preliminary examination of the body by the Bolivar County coroner, which found no evidence of foul play
The 21-year-old student’s death was discovered early Monday
Even before the autopsy results were announced, the student’s family and their lawyers had called for an independent autopsy and implored police to show them any security camera recordings and other video gathered as evidence. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has said he will lead an independent investigation.
Crump’s office did not immediately return an email message seeking comment Thursday Cleveland police released no details of the autopsy’s findings other than to say the cause of death was hanging and the manner of death had been ruled a suicide. It said results of toxicology tests are still pending and could take weeks.
The statement said police are still investigating the death
Judge blocks deportations
Administration trying to deport Guatemalan migrant children who came to U.S. alone
BY REBECCA SANTANA and VALERIE GONZALEZ Associated Press
WASHINGTON A federal judge on Thursday blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from immediately deporting Guatemalan migrant children who came to the U.S. alone back to their home country, the latest step in a court struggle over one of the most sensitive issues in Trump’s hard-line immigration agenda.
The decision by U.S. District Judge Timothy J Kelly comes after the Republican administration’s Labor Day weekend attempt to remove Guatemalan migrant children who were living in government shelters and foster care.
Trump administration officials said they were seeking to reunify children with parents who wanted them returned home. “But that explanation crumbled like a house of
cards about a week later,” Kelly, who was nominated by Trump, wrote. “There is no evidence before the Court that the parents of these children sought their return.”
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement insisted on the administration’s initial claims that parents requested being reunited with their children “This judge is blocking efforts to REUNIFY CHILDREN with their families. Now these children will have to go to shelters,” McLaughlin said. “All just to ‘get Trump.’ This is disgraceful and immoral.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Advocates for the children also submitted a whistleblower account to the court that suggests many of the children who were
found eligible for deportation had likely been victims of child abuse, like death threats, gang violence, and human trafficking, Kelly noted in his order
“The court saw through the government’s repeated misrepresentations of critical facts to try to justify the indefensible targeting of vulnerable children who would have faced danger if forcibly sent to other countries,” Efrén C Olivares, vice president of litigation & legal strategy at the National Immigration Law Center said in a statement.
There was already a temporary order in place preventing the removal of Guatemalan children. But that was set to expire Tuesday Kelly granted a preliminary injunction extends that temporary protection indefinitely, although the government can appeal. Kelly did rebuff advocates’ push to block the removal of children
Prosecutor says shooter was armed with a rifle at his ex-girlfriend’s home
BY MARK SCOLFORO, TASSANEE
MARC LEVY
VEJPONGSA and
Associated Press
NORTH CODORUS, Pa. — A suspected stalker armed with a rifle hid at his ex-girlfriend’s home in the rolling farmland of southern Pennsylvania and ambushed police officers who came to arrest him, killing three of them, a prosecutor said Thursday
Police arriving at the scene Wednesday noticed the door to the home was unlocked even though the ex-girlfriend and her mother had locked it before leaving the property for their safety
They opened the door and were immediately fired upon by the suspect, 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth, who was carrying an AR-style rifle with a suppressor, York County District Attorney Tim Barker said He said the suspect fired multiple rounds at the four officers at the door killing three of them. A gunfight then ensued between Ruth and two officers outside. Ruth wounded a sheriff’s deputy
before police shot the gunman to death, Barker said.
Detective Sgt. Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser were the officers who were killed, he said. They all worked for the Northern York County Regional Police Department.
Investigators later found the ex-girlfriend’s dog had been shot dead in the basement.
Neighboring departments stepped in Thursday to help shoulder the workload as agency personnel grieved.
The violence erupted Wednesday afternoon as officers sought Ruth, who they believed had been at the property the night before. A woman he had briefly dated lived there. Her mother called police late Tuesday after she spotted a man wearing camouflage looking into the home with binoculars.
Officers also spoke with the daughter, who had a photo from a trail camera showing someone carrying a rifle outside and aiming a scope at the house, according to a police affidavit.
Ruth eluded police that night, leading them to return the next day with misdemeanor warrants for his arrest. The young woman’s car had been set on fire in August and she said she suspected he may have been involved.
Senate confirms dozens of nominees
BY MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
WASHINGTON The Senate has confirmed 48 of President Donald Trump’s nominees at once, voting for the first time under new rules to begin clearing a backlog of executive branch positions that had been delayed by Democrats.
Frustrated by the stalling tactics, Senate Republicans moved last week to make it easier to confirm large groups of lower-level, non-judicial nominations. Democrats had forced multiple votes on almost every one of Trump’s picks, infuriating the president and tying up
the Senate floor
The new rules allow Senate Republicans to move multiple nominees with a simple majority vote a process that would have previously been blocked with just one objection.
The rules don’t apply to judicial nominations or high-level Cabinet posts.
“Republicans have fixed a broken process,” Thune said ahead of the vote.
The Senate voted 51-47 to confirm the four dozen nominees. Thune said that those confirmed on Thursday had all received bipartisan votes in committee, including deputy secretaries for the Departments of Defense, Interior, Energy and others.
Among the confirmed are Jonathan Morrison, the new administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Kimberly Guilfoyle as U.S. ambassador to Greece. Guilfoyle is a former California prosecutor and television news personality who led the fundraising for Trump’s 2020 campaign and was once engaged to Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr Democrats have blocked more nominees than ever before as they have struggled to find ways to oppose Trump and the GOP-dominated Congress, and as their voters have pushed them to fight Republicans at every turn.
from additional countries, though he said any attempt to remove those children in a similar way would likely be unlawful. Legal advocates working with Kids in Need of Defense visited Honduras last week and found government officials and nongovernmental organizations working “furiously” to receive as many as 400 children back from the United States.
Contractors for Immigration and Customs Enforcement picked up the Guatemalan children from shelters and foster care and transported them to the airport. The government has said in court filings that it identified 457 children for possible removal to Guatemala although that list was eventually whittled down to 327. In the end, 76 got as far as boarding planes in El Paso and Harlingen, Texas, on Aug. 31 and were set to depart to Guatemala in what the government described as a first phase.
Man dies from injuries after riding coaster at Universal Orlando park
BY JEFF MARTIN and MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. — A man who was unresponsive after riding a roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort’s newest park died from blunt impact injuries, a medical examiner said Thursday Joshua Stephany, the medical examiner for the Orlando area, ruled the death an accident after performing an autopsy
The statement from Stephany did not mention any details about the injuries, including where on the body they were found.
The man in his 30s was found unresponsive after riding the coaster at Epic Universe on Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando said He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead
Dennis Speigel, CEO and founder of consulting firm International Theme Park Services, called the autopsy’s conclusion “pretty shocking,” and he said it
raised more questions than it answered.
“Was it the head or the chest? Was he banging around? Was he in his seat properly?” Speigel said.
“Was it an accident caused by the ride or him doing something?”
The roller coaster involved was Stardust Racers, Universal officials said in a statement. It’s described on the resort’s website as “a breathtaking, dual-launch coaster reaching incredible speeds up to 62 mph.”
Universal opened the park in May It has five themed sections and a 500room hotel. It’s the first major traditional theme park to open in Florida since 1999, when Universal Islands of Adventure debuted.
Florida’s largest theme parks are exempt from state safety inspections Instead, the largest theme parks conduct their own inspections and have their own protocols, but they must report to the state any injury or death.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By TASSANEE VEJPONGSA A memorial for police officers killed in a shooting is shown Thursday outside the Northern york County Regional Police Department in york, Pa.
Kimmel’s future in balanceafter suspension
BY DAVID BAUDER AP media writer
NEW YORK Jimmy Kimmel’stelevision future hung in the balance Thursday after ABCsuspended his late-night show following the host’scomments about the assassination of CharlieKirk, leaving thenetwork’sparent companyto decide whether supporting him is worth the risk to its business.
Twoother companies thatoperate dozens of ABC stations came out against Kimmel, and theyare being cheered on by aTrump administration regulator who can make life
difficult for ABC’s owner,the Walt Disney Co. But advocates for free speech say it’stime for the company to take astand.
Kimmel
Kimmel made several remarks on his show Monday and Tuesday about the reaction to the conservative activist’skilling last week, suggesting many Trump supporters are trying to capitalize on Kirk’s death.“TheMAGAgang(is) desperately trying to characterize thiskid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than oneof them and doingeverything they can to score political pointsfrom
Demonstrators
it,” Kimmelsaid. The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr,said Kimmel appearedtobemaking an intentional effort to mislead thepublic that the man accused in the fatal shooting was aright-wing Trump supporter Authorities say 22-year-old Tyler Robinson grew up ina conservative household in southern Utah but was enmeshedin“leftist ideology.”
Kimmel has not commented on thesuspension. Hissupporters
sayCarr misread what the comic said and thatnowheredid he specifically suggest that Robinson was conservative.
60+affiliates refuse to airshow ABC, which has aired “Jimmy KimmelLive!”since 2003, announced the suspension Wednesday shortly after Nexstar Communications Group said itsstations would not show Kimmel because his Kirk remarkswere “offensive and insensitive.” Nexstar operates
28 ABC affiliates.
Sinclair Broadcast Group said it would not air the show either.The companycalled on Kimmeltoapologize to Kirk’sfamily and make a “meaningfulpersonal donation” to the activist’spolitical organization, Turning Point USA. Sinclair said thatits 38 ABC stations will air a tributetoKirkonFridayinKimmel’stime slot.
Local affiliates in the past occasionally grumbled aboutsome showsfromthe network andeven refused to air them. What’snew is that so many stations are working together to apply the pressure at thesametime, said Robert Thompson,founding director of the Bleier Center forTelevision and PopularCultureatSyracuse University
The refusal by 66 stations to air aprogram represents asignificant financialhit. Roughly 230 stations across the country carry ABC programming. The network owns and operates eight of the largest stations, in citiessuchasNew York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston.
Pendingbusinessdeals
Disneyisseeking regulatory approval for ESPN’sacquisition of the NFL Network, and Nexstar needs the Trump administration’s blessing to complete its$6.2 billion purchase of broadcast rival Tegna.
For both companies, reinstating
Kimmel after asuspension would risk angering Trump, who has alreadyinaccurately claimedthat the show has been canceled.
The Kimmelsuspensionwas met withangerand disappointment in some political circlesand the creative community
“After yearsofcomplaining aboutcancel culture,the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action againstmedia companiesunless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’tlike,” former President Barack Obama said Thursday on X.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren,DMass., said: “First Colbert, now Kimmel. it sure looks like giant media companies are enabling his authoritarianism.”
Kimmel would appear to have “a very narrow path” back to the air on ABC, said Bill Carter,author of “The Late Shift” andanauthority on late-night TV.Disney is doubtless getting pressure fromstakeholders to avoid afight.
But Disney CEO Bob Igerhas no doubt learned that giving in to abully doesn’tmake him go away, Carter said. Iger may see that capitulation in theformofpermanently taking Kimmeloff theair would be astain on his reputation, he said.
BY JILL COLVIN and JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press
PHOENIX Turning Point
USA, the organization Charlie Kirk foundedtomobilize young, Christian conservatives, has seenamassive surge in interest andsupport since the activist’sassassination last week. As conservatives mourn Kirk’sdeath, thegroupappears poised to remaina MAGA juggernaut as it plots its future without Kirk at the helm.
The group’s board announced Thursday that Kirk’swidow,Erika Kirk, had been unanimously electedas its next leader and will serve
as CEO and boardchair
“This was what Charlie hoped forand wanted and he saidsonumerous times,” Tyler Bowyer,the group’s chiefoperating officer,said on socialmedia.“Erika is onewith Charlie and Charlie is one with Erika.” Turning Point became a multimillion-dollaroperation under Charlie Kirk’s leadership, and was credited with helpingtoreturn President Donald Trump to office. Since Kirk’skilling,his podcast and social mediahave attracted millions ofnew followers. There has been an outpouring of interest in expanding Turning Point’s footprintoncollegeand high school campuses, the group’s
spokesperson says, andfuture large-scale events are continuing as planned.
“It will grow,”saidTurning Point spokesperson AndrewKolvet, whoisalso a producer of “The Charlie Kirk Show” podcast. “What we’re seeing is that Charlie’s legacy will be much greater, broader,and bigger than we even realized in life.”
Both Turning Point and Kirk’s otherventureshave received unprecedented interest since he was killed.
Kirk’spodcast is now the top showonApple,his social media accounts have gained millionsoffollowers and his clips have garnered millions of views.
Turning Point has also re-
Trumpthreatens licenses of TV stations that criticizehim
BY CATHERINE LUCEY andKATESULLIVAN Bloomberg News (TNS)
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump suggested that U.S. broadcast networks should face scrutiny over theirlicensesiftheir content is overwhelmingly criticalofhim, anddefendedABC’sdecision to suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s show indefinitely over remarks about thedeath of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
“That’ssomething that shouldbetalked aboutfor licensing,too.Whenyou have anetworkand you have evening shows, and all they do is hit Trump,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “They’re licensed. They’re not allowed to do that. They’re an arm of the Democrat party.”
Trump praised FCC Chair Brendan Carr and drew adirect link between coverage that the president viewsas negative andthe prospect of TV licenses being revoked as a consequence.
“I read someplace that the networkswere 97% against me again, Iget 97% negative. Andyet Iwon it easily.Iwon all seven swing
states, the popularvote, whatever.They’re 97% against. They give me totally bad publicity,the press,” Trumpsaid. “They’re getting alicense. Iwould think maybe their license should be taken away.Itwill be up to Brendan Carr.Ithink Brendan Carr is outstanding. He’sa patriot.”
Walt Disney Co.’sABC networksaid it is taking “Jimmy KimmelLive!”off theair indefinitely followinga backlashfrom conservatives over the late-night host’s commentsabout Kirk. Earlier Thursday,Trump backed ABC’sdecision to removeKimmel amid pressure from network affiliates who had said they were pulling theshow
“Jimmy Kimmel was fired becausehehad bad ratingsmorethan anything else, and he said ahorriblething aboutagreat gentlemanknown as Charlie Kirk,” Trumpsaid Thursdayduring his press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
“Jimmy Kimmel is not atalented person,” Trump continued. “He had very bad ratings, and they should have fired him along time ago. So, you know,you can call that free speechornot. He was firedfor lack of talent.”
ceived over 60,000 inquiries to start newcampus chapters, Kolvet saidThursday. Thegroup currently has3,500 chapters on college campusesand in high schools across the nation.
Aubree Hudson, president of the Turning Pointchapter at Brigham Young University thathelped organize the Utah Valley University eventwhere Kirk was assassinated,said hundreds of students have reachedout about getting involved.
“That’sthe beautiful part of this tragedy, that his movement, Turning Point, is exploding,” she said. She predicted conservatives who have been afraid
to share their viewsatschool will start speaking up.
Turning Point USA is not just acampus advocacy group promoting conservative causes. It andits affiliated group, Turning Point Action, played acrucial role in the 2024 election, helping to turn outvoters who don’t typically cast ballots.
It is also afundraising behemoth. Thegroup’stwo primary nonprofit arms collectively took in nearly $100 million in 2024, according to formsfiled with the IRS.
Aseparate nonprofit wing called the Turning Point Endowment hasanother $60.9 million in the bank.
Kirk’swidow and the
motheroftheir twochildren, Erika Kirk, has vowed to continuethe group’smission. She said during an emotional broadcast from herhusband’sstudio that a planned campus tour this fall would go on, as would the podcast and one of the group’smarquee events “America Fest” —planned forDecember Erika Kirk has afollowing in herown right.The former 2012 Miss Arizona USAhas worked as amodel, actress and casting director, according to abiography on her website.She founded a Christian clothing line, Proclaim, and aministry that teaches about the Bible.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JAEC.HONG
picketThursday in response to the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night showoutsideWalt Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif.
HAYNES
Continued from page 1A
investing in legitimate businesses instead of kickback schemes.
Lead defense attorney Todd Clemons put much of the blame on District Attorney Don Landry and Guidry, who he said conned Haynes and lied on the witness stand to earn favor with federal officials who might be able to reduce his sentence.
Prosecutors relied heavily on testimony from lead FBI Investigator Doug Herman and Guidry, along with audio and video recordings, some taken secretly and others with Franques’ knowledge. Franques agreed to cooperate with government officials after they raided his home and business in December 2021.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Cajun Hustle, started in July 2021 with a tip from a defense attorney that a client was being shaken down by a Carencro gym owner Joe Prejean, a formerly incarcerated individual who was offering pretrial diversion classes for the District Attorney’s Office, said he could make the offender’s charges go away for $30,000.
The FBI bugged Prejean’s phone, which soon led them to Guidry, who was splitting the kickbacks with Prejean. They bugged Guidry’s phone which led investigators to Haynes and Franques.
Landry hired Haynes, who worked on his campaign, and Guidry, whose father is friends with Landry, for the pretrial diversion program after he took office in January 2021.
Guidry is not an attorney but worked for many years in the 19th
SETTLEMENT
Continued from page 1A
not be disclosed publicly, said Leger, co-lead counsel for the plaintiff steering committee. The deal does not apply to dozens of other lawsuits filed by victims — as well as by 1031 Canal Development — against the engineer contractors and steel manufacturer involved in building the 18-story hotel.
“This is only a partial settlement,” Leger said in an interview after the hearing. “We reserve our rights to sue the others and so does 1031 But it is a big, big step and the first step in settling this case.”
The development comes less than a month before the sixth anniversary of the massive structural failure, which caused the top three floors of the $85 million building to pancake and collapse, killing three workers, injuring hundreds of others and shutting down commerce on surrounding city streets for months.
In the wake of the disaster, more than 130 lawsuits were filed against developer 1031 Canal Development, which is owned by Mohan Kailas and his family; Citadel Builders, the general contractor; dozens of subcontractors; and their insurance companies. The cases were eventually consolidated, and settlement talks began in 2023.
While a dozen or so individual suits have been settled by 1031 Canal — including those filed by the families of
Judicial District Attorney’s Office pretrial diversion program and helped other government agencies in the state set up similar pro-
grams. He’s been called the guru of pretrial diversion programs in Louisiana.
Landry also added Franques’
companies, Midway Media and Lake Wellness, to the list of businesses offering classes and counseling to offenders who pay hundreds of dollars for the classes to clear their records. Franques also was a donor to Landry’s campaign.
Guidry and Franques allegedly had already set up the scheme in the pretrial intervention program to push offenders to Franques’ companies when Haynes joined in Guidry testified that Franques wanted Haynes in on the deal because Haynes also was a city prosecutor, handling misdemeanor city court cases, and could funnel those offenders to the PTI program and Franques’ courses.
Franques allegedly had as much as $1 million invested in various online classes for the pretrial intervention program and was working with Guidry on setting up a similar program in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for people with boating and hunting violations, as well as boater and hunter licenses. That scheme reached statewide and had potential for millions of dollars in kickbacks.
Haynes allegedly overheard Guidry talking about the wildlife and fisheries scheme and wanted in on the deal. Guidry Franques and Montoucet already agreed to split the proceeds three ways.
Guidry said he agreed to split his one-third with Haynes.
Allegedly in order to disguise kickbacks from the two schemes, Haynes reactivated a dormant shell company, MD@Law, and opened a checking account in the business’ name. In a recording, he agreed to deposit Guidry’s share of the LDWF kickbacks into MD@Law and pay Guidry from that account.
Days after federal agents raided
the deceased workers, Jose Ponce Arreola, Anthony Magrette and Quinnyon Wimberly — most of the cases were unresolved until now No criminal charges were ever filed in connection with the disaster But in April
2020, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited building engineer Heaslip Engineering, steel provider Suncoast Projects and Citadel for their roles in the disaster and fined the firms a collec-
tive $220,000. All three companies have since settled with the agency, according to records.
An attorney for 1031 Canal Development declined to comment.
Several attorneys repre-
the district attorney’s offices in May of 2022, Haynes closed the bank account.
By October of 2021, there were discussions about paying Haynes some of his share of the pretrial kickbacks by Franques giving him an $80,000 pickup truck, according to an audio recording.
Haynes was captured in an audio recording telling Franques not to tell Landry he was paying Guidry Franques told Haynes they were having a good month with kickbacks and he paid Guidry $40,000. Haynes was upset Guidry didn’t split that in half with him as they had agreed.
In January and February of 2022, Haynes accepted two $10,000 checks from Franques’ company but didn’t deposit them or cash them out of caution because Guidry had been arrested in December 2021 for drug possession, and Haynes thought federal officials might be watching and listening.
Haynes warned his co-conspirators to be careful talking on the phone and told them to delete text messages.
Former LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet, who was allegedly in on the state deal, pleaded not guilty in June to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Franques pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with both schemes.
Guidry, Franques and Prejean are scheduled to be sentenced in October
Email Claire Taylor at ctaylor@ theadvocate.com.
senting individual victims contacted Thursday said they had been advised by Judge Kern Reese, who is overseeing the case, not to comment and referred all questions to the plaintiffs committee headed by Leger
The former Hard Rock construction site, at the intersection of Canal and Rampart streets, has been cleared but never redeveloped. Nearby businesses that were shuttered for months have reopened. A new hotel next door to the site is up and running, and much of the city has moved on. But the families of the men who died continue to grieve.
The families of the three deceased victims are not technically affected by the proposed settlement agreement announced Thursday as they settled their own wrongful death lawsuits in early 2024. The amount of the payout, which went to the children of the workers, was never disclosed.
Still, some victims’ family members said Thursday’s development brought up familiar feelings. Angela Magrette has been keeping the memory alive of her brother Anthony Magrette with a shrine in the Terrytown home they shared. She also holds a memorial for him every year on the Oct. 12 anniversary of the collapse. She said she is glad other victims of the disaster will be compensated for their pain and suffering, but she doesn’t think justice has been served.
“A financial settlement is not the same thing as owning
up,” Magrette said Thursday by phone. “It’s just a way of trying to make this go away I want to make sure it is never forgotten.” Thursday’s tentative agreement comes after more than two years of mediation in the case. Last fall, after the developers rejected a deal from the plaintiff’s committee on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the collapse, negotiations broke down and the plaintiffs asked the court to set a date for a trial. In the months since, however, the two sides returned to the negotiating table, even while preparing for trial. While the tentative agreement is a significant step toward resolving the case, Leger said it’s too soon to say how long it will be before a final settlement is filed and approved by the court. Even once it is, it will likely be under seal.
Leger declined to provide range of payout amounts that victims could potentially receive. But he said settlement funds will be placed into a trust and divided according to the terms of a court-approved distribution plan. The money will likely not be divided evenly among the more than 400 victims, whose injuries range from minor injuries to months of business interruption to major physical and mental disabilities. Rather, funds will be allocated based on individual injuries, Leger said.
Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@ theadvocate.com.
STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
Gary Haynes heads into the John M. Shaw Federal Courthouse on Thursday in Lafayette.
STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER
Three construction workers were killed when the Hard Rock Hotel collapsed in 2019.
BY DOUG MacCASH Staff writer
It was Sunday, Sept. 7, when
Kevin Kelly owner of the Houmas House plantation in Ascension Parish, learned that his antique, solid silver statue of Abraham Lincoln had been stolen. The foot-tall Lincoln sat pensively on a bench, stovepipe hat by his side, the weight of history on his shoulders, when suddenly, a nearby window shattered.
As Kelly explained, a thief had simply walked onto the plantation property, found a small stone statue of a dog outside the 19th-century building, used it to bash in a window, grabbed Lincoln through the broken glass and fled.
If the thief was a crazed art lover who had kidnapped the 16th president for his or her own secret collection, Kelly said, he knew he would never see the statue again. But if the burglar intended to fence the glinting Lincoln on the black market, or sell it for its value as 64 pounds of precious metal — an estimated 46 grand — the miscreant might get caught, and the rare, precious statue could possibly be returned. Kelly was right. Last week Lincoln came back home, but not in the condition he had hoped Heartbreakingly, the stunning little statue had been brutally carved up into chunks, a decapitated torso and other odd shapes. It was far beyond repair
The artwork that was stolen in Ascension Parish was disposed of in Metairie. According to Sgt. Brandon Veal, spokesperson for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the department was told to be on the lookout for the stolen Lincoln by investigators in Ascension Parish soon after the theft Sure enough, pieces the lost Lincoln statue turned up in a handful of suburban New Orleans locations. Jefferson Parish investigators identified a 28-year-old named
FIRING
Continued from page 1A
Cook and Miran took part in Wednesday’s vote in which the Fed cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point.
The next opportunity for Cook to cast a vote will be at the meeting of the Fed’s interest rate setting committee, scheduled for Oct. 28-29.
Trump sought to fire Cook on Aug. 25, but a federal judge ruled last week that the removal probably was illegal and reinstated her to the Fed’s board. Trump has accused Cook of mortgage fraud because she appeared to claim two properties, in Michigan and Georgia, as “primary residences” in June and July 2021, before she joined the board. Such claims can lead to a lower mortgage rate and smaller down payment than if one of them was declared as a rental property or second home.
“Put simply, the President may reasonably determine that interest rates paid by the American people should not be set by a Governor who appears to have lied about facts material to the interest rates she secured for herself
Steve Coronado, of Raceland, as the person who allegedly brought pieces of the statue to pawnshops and a precious metal exchange to sell. At one shop, Coronado sold shavings of silver according to Veal. At another he received cash for selling a sizable chunk of the statue. Deputies served a search warrant at a residence on Garden Road in Avondale on Sept. 10, recovering yet another piece of the ruined artwork.
Beth Higgins, manager of the venerable Southern Coin and Precious Metal shop in Metairie, said that someone sold the store a barely recognizable piece of the silver sculpture for $3,300. But she said, the shop staff was already aware of the Lincoln statue theft and “instantly reached out to the (Sheriff’s Department) investigator before it got lost in the abyss.”
“We want to see stolen items returned to the owners,” Higgins said. “That’s not the game we want
to play ”
Coronado is locked up at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna after being booked with theft and three counts of possession of stolen property His bail is set at $37,500. And he wasn’t the only one busted. Alma Fontenot, 20, of New Iberia, and Bruce Shelvin, 49, of Avondale, were each arrested by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office on counts of simple burglary and felony theft over $25,000, according to reporting by The Advocate.
The alleged bad guys may have been rounded up in record time, and the silver mostly recovered, but it’s not a happy ending. Houmas House’s little statue of Lincoln was always more than a piece of high-value metal. It was an artistic marvel.
The moody depiction of Lincoln was sculpted by John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum, the same artist who carved Mount Rushmore, the
quartet of monumental presidential portraits — including Lincoln chiseled into a mountainside in South Dakota. According to Kelly, the silver miniature of Lincoln may have been intended as a gift to benefactors who donated to a grand-scale statue of Lincoln that Borglum envisioned, but never completed. The number of identical silver castings that Borglum produced is unknown. But it is certainly a rare artifact. Kelly, a businessman, bought Houmas House in 2003 and set out to convert the historic site into a “luxury entertainment” destination. Television shows such as “Top Chef” and “The Bachelor” have used the picturesque spot for location shoots.
A couple of years after he bought the property in Darrow, Kelly spotted the silver Lincoln at an upscale garage sale on Audubon Boulevard in New Orleans, where a widow
was divesting herself of some of her late husband’s acquisitions. Kelly said he bought the piece for $1,200, which he knew was a “great steal.”
It may seem surprising that Borglum’s silver statue of the Great Emancipator would end up on an 18th- and 19th-century plantation that long ago profited by the labor of enslaved people. But historically speaking, it was a perfect fit.
According to Kelly as a teenager Abraham Lincoln traveled south on the Mississippi River in 1828 and 1831, certainly passing the plantation.
Lincoln and a partner had steered a flatboat to Louisiana in order to sell goods — possibly bacon and corn to the riverside settlements There, Lincoln beheld the system of slavery he would one day abolish. Somewhere along the line, the two young men were attacked and injured by a roving gang.
According to Kelly, the future president’s brush with death may well have taken place at a landing near Houmas House.
Kelly said that eight pieces of the Lincoln statue were returned to him He plans to produce some small display of the ruined artwork that is now even more redolent of history “There is no other choice,” he said. Security at the site he said, has been increased. Reporter Michelle Hunter contributed to this story
unemployment fund The wage base, or the wages businesses pay the tax on each year, will decrease from $7,700 to $7,000.
“On average overall, Louisiana employers will see about a 9 to 10% drop in their tax burden,” said Susana Schowen, secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
“Each employer is going to see something slightly different,” she added.
The changes are set to take effect Jan. 1. and are happening because the state’s unemployment fund is expected to grow more than previously forecast.
and refuses to explain the apparent misrepresentations,” Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in his Supreme Court filing But Cook has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.
According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, Cook did specify that her Atlanta condo would be a “vacation home,” according to a loan estimate she obtained in May 2021. And in a form seeking a security clearance, she described it as a “2nd home.” Both documents appear to undercut the Trump administration’s claims of fraud
U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that the administration had not satisfied a legal requirement that Fed governors can only be fired “for cause,” which she said was limited to misconduct while in office. Cook did not join the Fed’s board until 2022.
Cobb also held that
Trump’s firing would have deprived Cook of her due process, or legal right, to contest the firing By a 2-1 vote, a panel of the federal appeals court in Washington rejected the administration’s request to let
The balance in the fund is projected to increase by $82 million and reach roughly $1.196 billion by August 2026, according to updated official economic projections adopted by state leaders on Thursday The current balance is $1.114 billion. The fact that the fund is on track to surpass $1.15 billion triggers the lower employer taxes and higher benefit payments.
“Good policy and an efficiency-minded administration result in better outcomes for our businesses and our people,” Schowen said.
During the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the money in the unemployment fund dwindled In late summer 2020, it held just $188 million, though it was
Cook’s firing proceed.
Trump’s lawyers have argued that even if the conduct occurred before her time as governor, her alleged action “indisputably calls into question Cook’s trustworthiness and whether she can be a responsible steward of the interest rates and economy.”
Trump has previously won orders from the court’s conservative majority to fire the presidentially appointed leaders of other independent federal agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Trade Commission, even as legal fights continue.
Those firings have been at will, with no cause given. The Supreme Court has distinguished the Federal Reserve from those other agencies, strongly suggesting that Trump can’t act against Fed governors without cause.
In its new filing to the Supreme Court, the administration is asking Chief Justice John Roberts for a temporary order that would effectively remove Cook from the board and a more lasting order from the whole court that would be in place while her legal case continues.
steadily replenished over subsequent years.
The expected growth in the fund is partially a result of recent changes that cut back on how long unemployment can be claimed.
In 2024, state lawmakers and Gov. Jeff Landry altered Louisiana’s unemployment program. Previously, people out of a job could get benefits for up to 26 weeks. Now under the current scheme, the length of time a jobless person can collect unemployment benefits is tied to the state’s unemployment rate. At Louisiana’s current unemployment
PHOTOS PROVIDED By KEVIN KELLy
The sculpture of Abraham Lincoln was cut to pieces by thieves hoping to sell it for the price of the silver.
BRIEFS
FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
Bed Bath & Beyond to return to Louisiana
Bed Bath & Beyond is coming back.
The company announced
Tuesday it plans to rebrand all of the Kirkland’s Home stores, including the 9 Louisiana outlets, to Bed Bath & Beyond locations Bed Bath & Beyond purchased the Kirkland’s name and brand assets from The Brand House Collective for $10 million in a deal that closed the same day
The rebrandings are set to take place over the next two years. Kirkland’s has stores in Baton Rouge, Lafayette Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Denham Springs, Slidell, Covington and Harvey
The plan to go back to retail locations is a change in strategy for Bed Bath & Beyond
The retailer was known for its blue and white coupons offering deep discounts on kitchen gadgets and home furnishings. By 2019, it had more than 1,500 stores in North America. But the company hit a prolonged sales slump and by 2023 it filed for bankruptcy and liquidated all of its brick and mortar stores. In June 2023, online retailer Overstock.com acquired its intellectual property assets for $21.5 million, and rebranded itself as Bed Bath & Beyond.
After serving as an onlineonly business for a couple of years, Bed Bath & Beyond moved back into the physical retail business.
Hyundai expanding raided Georgia complex
Hyundai Motor Group on Thursday confirmed it is going forward with previously announced plans to expand its Georgia plant, just weeks after an immigration raid delayed the startup of an electric vehicle battery plant at the site. As part of a broader investment strategy, Hyundai said it would spend $2.7 billion to increase production capacity at the Ellabell site by 200,000 over the next three years, to a total of 500,000 vehicles a year
The company first announced the expansion in March at the grand opening of the plant west of Savannah, and had said in August that it would invest an additional $5 billion in United States overall. But the raid, which included arrests of more than 300 South Korean citizens, led to questions about the wisdom of the Asian nation investing in the U.S.
The company said it now plans to produce 10 models of electric and hybrid gas-electric vehicles in Georgia.
Starbucks workers are taking legal action
Starbucks workers in three states took legal action against the coffee giant Wednesday, saying it violated the law when it changed its dress code but refused to reimburse employees who had to buy new clothes.
The employees, who are backed by the union organizing Starbucks’ workers, filed class-action lawsuits in state court in Illinois and Colorado. Workers also filed complaints with California’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency. If the agency decides not to seek penalties against Starbucks, the workers intend to file a class-action lawsuit in California, according to the complaints.
Starbucks’ new dress code went into effect on May 12. It requires all workers in North America to wear a solid black shirt with short or long sleeves under their green aprons. Shirts may or may not have collars, but they must cover the midriff and armpits.
Employees must wear khaki, black or blue denim bottoms without patterns or frayed hems or solid black dresses that are not more than 4 inches above the knee The dress code also requires workers to wear black, gray, dark blue, brown, tan or white shoes made from a waterproof material
BY STAN CHOE Associated Press
NEW YORK Wall Street rolled to more records on Thursday as Nvidia and Intel led a rally for technology stocks after announcing a deal that includes a $5 billion investment.
The S&P 500 rose 0.5% and is on track for a third straight winning week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 124 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.9%. All three set all-time highs.
Encouraging reports on the economy sent Treasury yields climbing in the bond market, meanwhile, including one that said fewer U.S. workers applied for
unemployment benefits last week than expected.
That could indicate the pace of layoffs is slowing, and it was a relief after the prior week’s data showed a disconcerting leap to a four-year high. The job market has slowed so much that the Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut its main interest rate for the first time this year in order to give it some help. The Fed also indicated more cuts may be on the way though Chair Jerome Powell warned that the Fed is in a precarious position and may have to change course quickly That’s because the economy is in an unusual situation where the job market is slowing while inflation is remaining stubbornly high at the same time.
Expectations are high on Wall Street that the Fed will keep cutting interest rates, and an unexpected halt could send stocks tum-
bling. Critics say stock prices have already shot too high and become too expensive, in part because of heavy bets on continued cuts in rates.
On Wall Street, smaller stocks led the way They can be some of the biggest beneficiaries of easier interest rates, and the Russell 2000 index of small stocks rallied 2.5% to join its bigger rivals in setting all-time highs. It topped its prior record, which was set in 2021.
Stocks in the cryptocurrency industry jumped to strong gains, including rises of 7% for Coinbase Global, 20.7% for Bullish and 7.2% for Circle Internet Group Bitcoin climbed above $117,500 following the Fed’s cut to interest rates.
Novo Nordisk saw its stock that trades in the United States rise 6.3% after the Danish company said a newly published study showed its once-a-day pill version of Wegovy helped people lose sig-
nificant weight. It also said that its Ozempic product reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke and death for patients versus another treatment for some people with type 2 diabetes.
On the losing end of Wall Street, the company behind Olive Garden and other restaurant chains sank 7.7% after it reported a profit for the latest quarter that was below analysts’ expectations. Darden Restaurants also raised its forecast for revenue growth this fiscal year, but not by much more than analysts expected.
The Walt Disney Co. slipped 1.1% after the entertainment giant announced that its ABC television division had suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely after comments that he made about Charlie Kirk’s killing led a group of ABC-affiliated stations to say they would not air the show
BY KELVIN CHAN and MATT O’BRIEN AP business reporter
Nvidia, the world’s leading chipmaker, announced on Thursday that it’s investing $5 billion in Intel and will collaborate with the struggling semiconductor company
Nvidia said it will spend $5 billion to buy Intel common stock at $23.28 a share. The investment, which is subject to regulatory approvals, comes a month after the U.S. government took a 10% stake in Intel.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang called it “a fusion of two world-class platforms” that combines Intel’s strength in making conventional computer chips, known as CPUs, that power most laptops, with Nvidia’s focus on the specialized graphics chips that are critical for artificial intelligence.
“This partnership is a recognition that computing has fundamentally changed,” Huang told reporters Thursday “The era of accelerated and AI computing has arrived.” Intel soared 22.8% for its best day since 1987. Nvidia climbed 3.5% and was by far the strongest force lifting the S&P 500 because it’s Wall Street’s most valuable company For data centers, Intel will make custom chips that Nvidia will use in its AI infrastructure platforms. While for personal computer products, Intel will build chips that integrate Nvidia technology
The agreement provides a lifeline for Intel, which was a Silicon Valley pioneer that enjoyed decades of growth as its processors powered the personal computer boom, but fell into a slump after missing the shift to the mobile computing era unleashed by the iPhone’s 2007 debut.
Intel fell even farther behind in recent years amid the AI boom that’s propelled Nvidia into the world’s most valuable company Intel lost nearly $19 billion last year and another $3.7 billion in the first six months of this year, and expects to slash its workforce by a quarter by the end of 2025.
The U.S. government stepped in last month to secure a 10% stake 433.3 million shares
of non-voting stock priced at $20.47 apiece — making it one of Intel’s biggest shareholders. Federal officials said they invested in Intel in order to bolster U.S. technology and domestic manufacturing. The news of Nvidia’s investment caused Intel’s stock price to surge more than 5% in Thursday afternoon trading, resulting in a one-day gain of $2.4 billion for the U.S. government’s stake.
Huang said Nvidia has been in talks with Intel for about a year Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who joined the press call with Huang on Thursday said he’s been talking to Nvidia since he was named Intel’s new leader in March.
“This is a very big, important milestone,” Tan said. “I call it a game-changing opportunity that we can work together.” Nvidia has soared because its specialized chips are underpinning the AI boom. The chips, known as graphics processing units, or GPUs, are highly effective at developing powerful AI systems.
The deal between the two chipmakers comes as China moves to be less dependent on U.S. semiconductor technology This
week, Chinese officials reportedly forbade several large domestic technology companies from purchasing Nvidia chips, and Huawei announced that it was expanding its development of AI chips and manufacturing. While Nvidia and Intel, both headquartered in Santa Clara, California, will work together to develop new chips, a manufacturing deal has yet to be struck between the two. The potential access to Intel’s chip foundries by Nvidia poses a risk to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which currently manufactures the tech giant’s flagship processors. Huang emphasized Thursday that both his company and Intel remain “very successful customers” of TSMC.
Of Nvidia’s own Intel stake, Huang said “the Trump administration had no involvement in this partnership at all,” though “would have been very supportive, of course.” Huang has been in Britain on a visit that coincides with Trump’s trip to the country, and he has been attending events with the president along with other Silicon Valley bigwigs.
BY DEE-ANN DURBIN Associated Press
The Federal Trade Commission and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general sued Ticketmaster and its parent company Thursday, saying they are forcing consumers to pay more to see live events through a variety of illegal tactics.
The FTC said Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, have deceived artists and consumers by advertising lower ticket prices than what consumers must pay and falsely claiming to impose strict limits on the number of tickets consumers can buy for an event.
In reality, the FTC said, Ticketmaster coordinates with ticket brokers who bypass those ticket limits. The FTC said brokers use fake accounts to buy up millions of dollars worth of tickets and then sell them at a substantial markup on Ticketmaster’s platform Ticketmaster benefits from the additional fees it collects from those sales, the FTC said.
The Associated Press left messages seeking comment Thursday with Beverly Hills, Californiabased Live Nation Entertainment.
Ticketmaster controls 80% or more of major U.S. concert venues’ primary ticketing, according to the FTC. Consumers spent more than $82.6 billion buying tickets from Ticketmaster between 2019 and 2024, the agency added.
“American live entertainment is the best in the world and should be accessible to all of us. It should not cost an arm and a leg to take the family to a baseball game or attend your favorite musician’s show,” FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said in a statement.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Joining the lawsuit were the attorneys general of Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska Tennessee, Utah and Virginia.
Ticketmaster has been in lawmakers’ sights since 2022, when it spectacularly botched ticket sales for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour The company’s site was overwhelmed by fans and attacks from
brokers’
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MAHESH
Trumpwraps up U.K. visitwithgratitude forhosts
BY MICHELLEL.PRICE, JILL
LAWLESS and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press
AYLESBURY, England Presi-
dent Donald Trump said Thursday that he was “tremendously thankful” for the pageantry and splendor lavished on him during his secondstatevisittothe United Kingdom as he wrapped up a trip that largely sidestepped major public disagreements over difficult trade and geopoliticalissues.
The mutual warmth, along with Trump’sabundance of kind words bestowed on the host country,suggested that an all-out charm offensive by the royal family and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hadits desired effect, even though there was anotable lack of progress on somekey matters.
Trump and Starmer signed what both sides hailed as a historic agreement on science and technology,and they held aroundtable with global business leaders where they suggested the deal could mean significant job gains. Among the topics tackledmostly in private talks between Trump and Starmer were the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and U.S. tariff rates on steel imported from Britain.
“The bond between our countries is like no other anywhere in the world,”
Trump said at anews confer-
holding amemorandum of understanding between the twocountries’ governments,after abusiness roundtable ThursdayatChequers near Aylesbury, England.
ence at Chequers, the 16thcentury manor house northwest of London that serves as aruralretreat for British leaders. The U.S. and U.K., theAmericanpresident said, have“done more good for the planetthan any other nation in history.” Starmer saidthat “time and time again,itisBritish and American men and women, side by side, changing the path of historyand turning it towardsour values, towards freedom,democracy and the rule of law.”
The very end of the trip sawTrump’shelicoptercarrying him from Chequers to the airport at Stansted for hisflight to Washington make an unscheduled land-
ing at alocal airfield due to what theWhite Housecalled a“minorhydraulic issue.” No one was injured, and a backup chopper completed thejourney
The Trump-Starmermutual admiration followed King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s feting of Trump and first lady Melania Trumpat WindsorCastle on Wednesdaywith all the pomp the monarchy can muster,including the biggest military honor guard ever assembled for astate visit
Trumpcalled the king and queen “two fantastic people” and said he was” “tremendously thankful” and “grateful beyond words” for the hospitality.
Even high-profile points of dissent, such as Britain’simpendingmovetorecognize a Palestinianstate,stayedcordial. “I have adisagreement withthe prime ministeron that score,” Trump said, adding that “it’s one of our few disagreement,actually.”
When Trumpwas asked about his lack of progress in brokering adeal to end Moscow’swar in Ukraine andheacknowledged that Russian President Vladimir Putinhas “let me down,” Starmerescalatedthe flattery anotch. The prime minister said he and Trumphad discussedhow to “decisively increase the pressureonPutin”and that Trumphad “led theway here.”
‘Genuinely like each other’
At an earliersigning ceremony for the agreement meant to promote tech investment, Starmer referred to the Republican president as “my friend, ourfriend” and spoke of “leaders who respect each other and leaders who genuinely likeeach other.”
TheTrumps’ final day in Britain began by bidding farewell to thekingand queen at Windsor Castle and flying by helicopter to Chequers for more spectacle: aceremonial honorguard withbagpipers, in anod to Trump’sScottish heritage, and aparachute demonstration. He also was shown the
archive of wartime leader Winston Churchill, who coinedthe term “special relationship” for the bond between the allies.
It’ssomething Trump’s British hostshavestressed repeatedly,almost 250years afterthatrelationship endured arocky start in 1776.
To coincide with the visit, BritainsaidU.S.companies had pledged $204 billion in investment in the U.K., including $122 billion from investment firm Blackstone in the next decade. Investment will also flowthe other way, includingalmost $30 billion by pharmaceutical firm GSK in the U.S. U.K. officials say the deal will bringthousands of jobs and billions in investment in artificial intelligence, quantumcomputingand nuclear energy.Itincludesa U.K. arm of Stargate, aTrumpbacked AI infrastructure project ledbyOpenAI, and ahost of AI data centers around theU.K. American companiesare announcing $42 billion in investment in the U.K.’s AI sector,including $30 billion from Microsoftfor products including Britain’slargest supercomputer British officialssaidthey have not agreed to scrapa digital services tax or water downinternet regulation to getthe deal,some details of which have yettobeannounced.
There was less movement on tariffs. In May,Starmer and Trumpsaid they had agreed to reduce U.S. tariffs on Britain’skey auto and aerospace industries. Talks on lowering duties on steel and aluminum to zero from their current level of 25% have stalledeven with apromise four months ago of asettlementwithin weeks. Trump wasaskedinaFox News Channelinterview, taped in Londonand aired whileheflew home,whether he would be willing to decrease tariffs on U.K. steel. He wasnoncommittal, saying, “We’re making alot of money.”
Little change on Ukraine
While the primeminister has playedamajor part in European efforts to shore up U.S. support for Ukraine, Trump’svisit offered few major advancements. Trump even insisted at one point, that the conflict “doesn’taffect the U.S.” The president has expressed frustration with Putin, but has not made good on threats to impose new sanctions on Russia. The king, in his statebanquet speech Wednesday night, offered Trumpa gentle nudge,noting “as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression andsecure peace.”
BY MIKE STOBBE and LAURA UNGAR Associated Press
ATLANTA— U.S. HealthSecretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’shand-picked vaccine advisory committee on Thursday recommended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adopt new restrictions on acombination shot that protects against chickenpox as well as measles, mumps and rubella.
The panel advised that the vaccine known as MMRV not be given before age 4 and that children in this age group instead get separate vaccines —one against MMR and another for varicella, or chickenpox. The vote was 8-3, with one member abstaining.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices put off an expected vote on hepatitis Bshots given to infants on the day they are born. On Friday —when it also takes up COVID-19 shots —it’sexpected to decide whether to recommend thatsomebabies can waita month for those shots. The committee makes recommendations to the CDC director on how already-approved vaccines should be used. CDC directors havealmost always accepted those recommendations, which are widely heeded by doctors and guide vaccination
programs.
Public health experts worry thevotes will raise unwarranted concerns among parents.Kennedy, aleading antivaccineactivist before becoming thenation’stop health official, has made or proposed numerous changes to the nation’svaccine system, including firing the entire17-member panel earlierthis year and replacing it with agroup that includes several anti-vaccinevoices.
Experts are also concerned the panel’sactions couldnarrow access to the vaccines. The group voted 8-1, with three abstentions, to keep MMRVcoveredfor kids as young as 12 months underthe Vaccines for Childrenprogram,which pays forabout half theshots given to kidsinthe U.S
Several committee members expressedconfusion during that follow-up vote on whether to align payments underthe programwith themore restrictivevaccine guidance theyhad just passed. Another federal official noted that there are other government insurance programs, including Medicaid, thatwill need to stop paying for that early combo dose.
Focuson rare seizures
Discussions on the MMRV vaccinefocusedlargely on rare instances of feverish seizures associated withthe first dose that is currently giventokids between ages 1and 2.
Committeemember Dr CodyMeissner saidsuch seizuresmay be “a very
frightening experience” for families,but medical experts agree they’re not linked to brain function or school problems.
The panel lastdealt with the issue in 2009, when it said either the combination shotorseparateMMR and varicella shotswere acceptable for the first dose,but that separate doseswere generally preferred. Today, 85% of kids receive separate doses for thefirst round, according to information presented at the meeting.
Some doctors and public healthexperts saytheyare not aware of any newsafety datathat would explain therevisiting of those vaccination recommendations —and, in fact, manyofthe studies discussed Thursday were more than adecade old. Discussion of hepB shot
As manyas2.4 million peopleinU.S.are estimated to have hepatitis B, which can causeserious liver infections, andhalf are unaware of infection, aCDC presenter told the panel. In adults, the virus is spread through sex or through sharing needles during useinjection-drug use.But it can also be passed to ababy from an infected mother,and as many as 90% of infected infants go on to have chronic infections.The virus canalsoliveonsurfaces formorethenseven days at room temperature, andunvaccinated children living with anyone with a chronic infection is at risk of infection.
AhepatitisBvaccine was first licensed in the U.S. in 1981. In 2005, the ACIP recommendeda dose within 24 hours of birth for allmedically stable infants who weigh at least 4.4 pounds. Infant vaccinations are stressed for women whohavehepatitis B or those who have not been tested for it. The infant shots are 85% to 95% effectivein preventing chronichepatitis Binfections, studies have shown.
Following the 2005 recommendation, hepatitis Bcases among infants fell from 5,494 cases per year in 2005 to 2,214 cases in 2023.
During Thursday’sdiscussion, somecommittee members questionedwhether babiesborntomoms who test positive for hepatitis B are the only ones whotruly need avaccine in thefirst day of life.
By giving virtually all babiesthe hepatitis Bright
after birth, “Are we asking our babies to solve an adult problem?” asked committee member Dr.Evelyn Griffin. But Meissner expressed bewilderment at some of this discussion. “This an absolutelysafevaccine,” he said. “I’m not sure what we’re gaining by avoiding that first dose within 12 to 24 hours after birth.” He later added: “Wewill be creating newdoubts in the mind of the public that are not justified.”
ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By EVAN VUCCI President DonaldTrump and Britain’sPrime Minister Keir Starmer smile,
After years of being closed oversafety concerns,the bathroomsindowntown
might be reopened.
Public restroomsin downtown mayreopen
Designscompletefor facilities at VermilionStreetgarage
BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer
After years of being closed over safety concerns, the bathrooms in downtown Lafayette’sVermilion Street parking garage might be reopened. Designs have been completed on renovations to the downtown car park bathrooms, Lafayette City Council member Kenneth Boudreauxsaid. Now it’sjust amatter of waiting for the project to go to bid. The timeline is unclear,but budget notes indicate theproject couldbegin construction in 2026.
Little by little, money has been dedicated to the project, Boudreauxsaid.
The 2025-26 city budget allocated $537,000 to fund thebathrooms’ reconstruction.
Talks to revivethe onlypublic restrooms in Lafayette’sdowntown have happenedinthe past,but they have stalled, primarily over the topic of maintenance.
The city has been able to overcome that with the launch of the Downtown Development Authority’sambassador program, and Boudreaux calledthem acritical partnerinbringing back the restrooms.
The parking tower’sbathrooms were shut down about 10 yearsago atthe behest of then-Lafayette Police Chief Jim
Craft, citing growing safetyconcerns and misuse of the facilities, Boudreaux said.
However,those bathrooms became of greater necessity as downtown and its visitor numbersgrew
Therenovated bathroomswillhave improvedlighting andbemonitored through ambassador programworkers and parking garage cameras.
Cities acrossthe country are looking to solve thegrowing need for public restrooms. Louisiana ranks among the worstinterms of public bathroom access,with astaggering one bathroom for every 100,000 people, according to anational infrastructure study
Email StephenMarcantel at stephen. marcantel@theadvocate.com.
Agency to seek new office space
Downtown Development Authorityhas grown
BY JOEL THOMPSON Contributing writer
The Lafayette Downtown Developmental Authority on Wednesday unanimously approved aresolution that authorized preparatory actions for the purchase or lease of anew building.
The DDA’s boardofdirectorsmadethe decision following apitch by DDA CEO Kevin Blanchard. While the resolution allows the DDA to takepreliminary action toward the purchase or lease of anew building,a separateresolution will need to be approved for the DDA to enter into any binding commitments. When asked about an ideal space for thenew location,Blanchardexpressed a desire for “something older,with astorefront, and has around 4,400 square feet of space. The idea is to find something we can revitalize, because that’swhat our missionisabout. Addressing blight is what we’re supposed to be here for.” Blanchard cited an increase in staff following theimplementation of the
ä See SPACE, page 4B
Road fatalities drop in La.
BY JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer
Police identifiedthe victim in adeadly shooting that occurred in New Iberia on Tuesday morning. The person has been identifiedas 23-year-old Kelsey Alexander Jr of New Iberia. The New Iberia Police Department responded to an incidentinthe 900 block of Mississippi Street about 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, according to police. Upon arrival, officers located Alexander in the doorway of a residence with agunshotwound.Alexander was pronounceddead at the scene Anyone with information about this incident is asked to come forward. Information can be reported anonymously through Iberia CrimeStoppersby
CRIME BLOTTER Advocate staff reports ä See BLOTTER,
BY JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer
The numberofpeople killedonLouisiana roads in 2024 dropped to its lowest level in five years, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. In 2024, 753 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana, a7.2% reduction, according to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety.The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says fatalities dropped 3.8% across the country in 2024. While traffic deaths have leveled off nationally from their COVID-19-era numbers, Louisiana’sfatality numbers appear to be dropping at afaster rate than the rest of the country The statisticswerereleased Tuesday in apresentationbyHelmut Schneider, executive director of the Center forAnalytics
Officialssay number is lowest in five years ä See FATALITIES, page 4B
Frank Clavelle III, aseniorat theUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette, has been named arecipientofthe 2025 Space to Succeed Scholarship. For Clavelle, the recognition is morethanjust financialsupport. It’satestimony to what he strives to be in hiscommunity The scholarship program,established by The Storage Center, supports students who volunteer and show acommitment to service.
“It really showed me whenyou are doing theright things with agood heart, someone will notice. I’mdoing what Ilove and because of it someonenoticed,” he said.
Selected fromthousands of applicants nationwide,Clavelle will receive a$5,000 awardapplied directly to UL. Brittanie Reynaud, anursing student at LSUEuniceand mother of four, was also honored with aSpace to Succeed Scholarship. Clavelle’spassion for advocacy began at an early age. When he was10years old, his teacher assigned students to write letters about any topic they chose. He decidedtowrite to the White Houseabout thedangers of drunken driving.
“I remember coming back to
PHOTO PROVIDED By FRANKCLAVELLE
Frank Clavelle III, asenior at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, has been named arecipient of the2025 Space to
The restrooms in the Vermilion Street parking garage, which were closed to the public about 10 years ago, mightreopen.
OPINION
Case againstChevron aboutfacts,not politics
investment.
Louisiana is unapologetically pro-energy.Our people proudly support and participate in exploration, production and refining oil and gas We won’tapologize for powering our nation. As Louisiana’sattorney general, Iled the nation fighting the Biden administration’s flawed energy policies. Louisiana successfully blocked a moratoriumonoil and gas leasing and led the attack on overzealous permitting requirements, aban on LNG exports, flawed social cost of carbon metrics and more But fighting for responsible energy policy does not require us to ignore environmental impacts. In its continued efforts to avoid accountability,however,Chevron and its surrogates are taking a new tack: misdirection. Chevron’s strategy is flawed for two reasons: First, its conduct is indefensible; and second, it’sjust plain wrong in its characterization of the coastal zone litigation. The trial that took place in Plaquemines Parish is agood example of what’snecessary to impose liability.InPlaquemines Parish, generations worked in the oilfield, their livelihoods dependent on continued oil and gas industry
But in thefirst of 42 cases to go to trial, aPlaquemines jury found Chevron responsible for about 25% of $2.7 billion in damages to the parish. How did such an oil and gas industry friendly jury reach such a result? Easy: Because the evidence revealed Chevron’spredecessor Texaco unlawfully dumped four billiongallons of toxic wastewaterinto the Louisianamarsh for decades, while knowingly and intentionally ignoring permitting requirements. At the same time, it profited from selling storagetootheroil companies. Thoseare the facts that recently leda jurytohold Chevronaccountablefor itsrole in the destructionofthe Louisianacoastline.Eventhen, the jury only held Chevron accountable for about 25%ofthe damage,recognizing that other factors contributed to someofthe damage.
The coastal casesare distinctly different from frivolous climate change “nuisance”lawsuits,contrary to Chevron’sattempts to characterizethemasthe same Ihave vigorouslyopposed those kinds of actionsbecause even if such acause of action could supply avehicletosue,proving that aparticular defendant’s actions directly causedparticulardamage is virtually impossible.
Plaquemines Parish. In the first of 42
trial, aPlaquemines juryfound Chevron responsible forabout 25% of $2.7billion in damages to theparish.
Not so with the coastal suits: These lawsuits require proof that aparticular defendant engaged in unlawful activitybefore1980 thatcontinued after 1980, and that caused actual identifiable harm. The Chevron case is atextbook caseofpollution and direct permitting violations, not vague nuisanceclaims. From the mid-1940s through the mid-1980s, Texaco discharged four billion gallons of toxic wastewater intothe marsh in the Delacroix field. This was an illegal discharge under then-applicable rulesand regulations. It getsworse.Texaco flatly
ignored thepermitting rules established under Louisiana’sState and Local Coastal Resources Management Actof1978. The linchpin for liability is proof of activity continuing after the act’sSept. 20, 1980, effective date. There were safer alternatives. Useofdisposal wells was the industry standard, as Texaco’s internal documents and its operations elsewhere proved. And it was feasible —several sites could have been converted at minimal expense. Texaco even owned adisposal well in anearby field and charged
other companies to dispose of their toxic wastewater,while dumping Texaco’sown waste into our marsh. This conduct continued until the late 1980s, while Texaco lied to regulatory authorities about its activities, including dates of discharge, volumes and lab data.
Dumping 4.2 billion gallons of toxic waste for four decades into our marsh was irresponsible and illegal. But why does Chevron have to pay? Because it assumed the liabilities of Texaco, and it has profited (and continues to profit) from that purchase.
The verdict did not hold Chevron accountable for damage it did not cause, such as erosion caused by hydrology changes or hurricanes. The Plaquemines jury award of $645 million reflectsthoughtful deliberation, not“hometown” justice.
The facts disproved Chevron’s case —itliedabout itsconduct being lawful; it liedabout theduration of itsunlawfulactivity; anditlied aboutthe breadth of itsunlawful activity.
Quitesimply,Chevron chose profits over people andthe law— anditcontinues to do so every day it refuses accountabilityfor itsactions. This is not controversial Liz Murrill is Louisiana’s attorney general.
Saving historic buildingsfirst
line of defenseagainst storms
Some people in Washington enjoy scaring Americans to score political points. The current debate on Medicaid is aprime example Since President Donald Trumpsigned the 2025 reconciliation bill, which some callthe OneBig Beautiful Bill, intolaw, those opposing the legislation,mostly Democrats, have been telling anyonewho will listen that the new law will cut Medicaid benefits to Americans in need If you believe that,you also believeinthe Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, and that Jimmy Hoffa died of natural causes. Here’sthe reality:Anyone who loses Medicaid benefits under the OBBB was not eligible for them in the first place.Infact, Medicaidwill grow 2.7% each year for the next decadeunderthe new law.Does that soundlike acut to you? TheOBBBdoes not cut Medicaid benefits for those who need them, butit does make sure that people who are not eligible forthese benefitsdo notcollect them.Since 2019,Medicaid spendinghas increased 60%. It’sunsustainable. If we wanted to ensure that Medicaid exists for current and future generations, Congress had to get to the bottom of thisunsustainable growth rate and makesome significant changes.
One reason Medicaid costshave ballooned is that states such as California, Illinois and Minnesota expanded Medicaid accessto illegal immigrants. An estimated 1.4million illegal immigrants collected Medicaid benefits in violation of federal law.The OBBB stops this. It ensuresthat Medicaid only benefits American citizens in need —not foreign nationals livingin our country illegally
The OBBB also protectsMedicaid by stopping fraud. Awoman in Louisiana, for example, was recently charged with Medicaid fraud after underreporting her income to claim she qualified forbenefits.
Officials became suspiciousafter the woman purchased aLamborghiniand underwent cosmetic surgery
The OBBB will helpensurethatLamborghini drivers are not among themillions
of Americans who collect Medicaid. The newlaw requires those on theprogram to confirm their income twice ayear so officials can find themillionaire Medicaid recipients and send them packing and/or put them in jail.
The new law will also help block doubledippers. Millions of Americanshave signed up for Medicaid in two states or for both Medicaid and taxpayer-subsidized Obamacare. There are 2.7 million doubledippersthat we know of. This costs the American taxpayer $14 billion per year TheOBBB will stop it.
Afinal change that the OBBB makes to protect Medicaid benefitsfor those in need is to add awork requirement. Under thenew law,healthy people with no dependentswill have to work, look for work, go to school or volunteer for 20 hours per week to keep their Medicaid benefits.
Most fair-minded Americans believe that thefederal government should save Medicaid forthose who truly need it: individuals withillnesses or other disabilities, pregnant mothers, full-timecaregivers andthe elderly.But manypeople on Medicaid can work but choose not to.
We cannot afford to pay thebenefitsof those whodonot need them, and the new law will ensure that those who can work do workifthey want Medicaid. Sometimes thebest way to get back on your feet is to getoff your butt.
So yes, it’strue that the OBBB cuts Medicaid for some individuals. But therest of the story is that they weren’teligible for Medicaid in thefirst place.
Many of thosepublic officials telling lies aboutthe OBBB are doing it because they needtojustify voting againstthe main provisioninthe OBBB: thebiggest tax cut in Americanhistory.They know most Americans are too busy going to work and raising their families to read through the Medicaid provisions in thebill, and they are choosing to scare people withlies about cuts to the program.
The truth is that the OBBB will leave Medicaid stronger than ever by protecting benefitsfor those who truly need them.
John Kennedy represents Louisiana in the U.S. Senate.
In the20years since Hurricane Katrina, New Orleansand the people who live here have been described as resilient so often that somenow cringe at theterm. Extreme weather has become ordinary,and the expectation that people should repeatedly bounce back from disasters has become exhausting.
At thePreservation Resource CenterofNew Orleans, we expect thatbuildings, unlike people,can and should remain resilient. The chiefpurpose of buildings is to protect people,and theyare a primary line of defense in keeping NewOrleans aresilient city
The devastationfrom Hurricane Katrina was unprecedented, creating layersoflossthathave continued to manifest over two decades. The impact on neighborhoods, from Katrina and subsequent storms, remains visible in vacant lots where houses collapsed or were demolished, or in blighted properties that were abandoned when families were unable or unwilling to return.
Even in mild weather,water remains thebiggest adversary to historic structures here. Moisture and other aspects of New Orleans’ harsh climate take a toll on thebuildings we rely on, with near constant humidity,extremeheat, frequent flooding and termites.
Despite this, historic buildings remain ubiquitous, and that is no coincidence. Not every building in the past was built to last, but the buildings that have survived are proof of both quality construction and resiliency.Historic buildings were built with thelocal environment in mind. Foundations were raised to allow water to rise and recede without entering the house, shutters protected windows from wind and debris and roofs were pitched to discourage rain from pooling.
Using suitable materials wasas critical as these design features. Old growthwood, especially native-grown cypress, had more time to grow,mak-
ing it denser than the lumber available today,aswell as moreresistant to rot and the appetites of insects. Historic plaster,unlike modern drywall, can dry if it gets wet during astorm.Additionally,akey ingredient in plaster is lime (made from limestone), which is mold resistant. If properly maintained, the durability of these historic materials makes it harder to damage them. When damage does occur,repairs are often possible instead of wholesale replacement. Savingthese quality materials from the landfill and encouraging (and when necessary,enforcing) proper maintenance of historic buildings is agood place to start when thinking about building resiliency.However,skyrocketing insurance costs have introduced additional threats to New Orleans. For this reason, appropriately incorporating new and robust building strategies, with proven historic construction methods and materials, is imperative to NewOrleans’ future. For example, fortified roofs that are designed to prevent damage from high winds, hurricanes, hailstorms, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can be installed on historic buildings. The Louisiana Department of Insurance is funding a$10,000 lottery-style grant for homeowners who install afortified roof on their home, and hopefully the program will continue to expand. The lottery opened on Sept. 2and closed on Sept. 12. The more roofs of this kind installed, the more likely it is residents will see discounts on insurance rates.
The PRC wasone of many local organizations that mobilized immediately after Katrina to get families back into their homes. Now,the PRC’swork to keep people in their homes remains more crucial than ever,educating about and advocating for smart preservation practices that save what has worked in the past while integrating what New Orleans needs forthe future.
MaryNellNolan-Wheatley is the Preservation Resource Center’s advocacy coordinator and public policyresearch director
MaryNell NolanWheatley
GUEST
COLUMNIST
STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
Boaters travelnear Shell Island, abarrier island west of Buras in
coastal damagecases to go to
COMMENTARY
ISSUEOFTHE WEEK OUR POLITICAL CLIMATE
The fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk —the latest in aseries of recent violent assaults on prominent political figuresfrom both parties —has left the countryonedge. It’s also prompted nationwide soul-searching over whythis keeps happening, what canbedone to stop it,how to preserve free expression despite deep divisions and howtoconductcivil conversations acrossideological lines. Here aretwo perspectives on where we stand at thisfraught moment.
Have we enteredanother eraofpolitical violence?
In his life’swork, CharlieKirk, the rising star in conservative politics, did not give me, or millions of Americans like me in the political center or left, agreat deal of optimismabout the direction of our nation’spartisan politics.
But his brutal assassination,captured in horrific video images none of us can unsee, poses adire threat to our democracy,and it is theduty of all of us, regardless of political loyalty,to renounce and defuse any further political violence.
Ideplored Kirk’spolitics. Istilldo. But hispolitics did not merit violence of any kind. In the outpouring of rage that followed the news of his shooting, many voices on theright,from the exalted studios of Fox News to the lowest sloughs of social media, bayed that the “left” did this, and that theleft would pay
Ididn’twish violence on Charlie Kirk. NobodyIrespect,oreven know, wished for it.
Quite the opposite.I actually appreciated Kirk’ssuccess at motivating young people —mostlydisenchanted and disengaged young men —toengage in politics as ameans to building thenationtheywantedtolive in. Kirk’senergy,dedication andtalent in that direction were truly impressive. What, Isometimes wondered, were the folks on my side ofthe political divide doing to reach outtothe young in this way? Whowas ourmovement builder? Kirk is gone, and Iknow what that must feel liketohis friends and admirers on the right. Butwehave had more than enough wacky politically motivated violence in recent times. We have barely recovered emotionally from the June assassinationsof Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband, Mark,aswell as the attempted assassination of Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and hiswife Yvette, and daughter Hope. Hortman and Hoffman were Democrats, as were most of the70potential targets found on alist compiledby thesuspectedassassin, VanceLuther Boelter Boelter was indicted in Julybya federal grand jury on sixcounts, some of which carry the deathpenalty. We don’tknow his motive, althoughit seems to have been political.
But I’m unaware of any Democratic politician or voice with any reach in American politics that called for reprisal for his crime with violence.
Indeed, Boelter’s crimes were cited by Democrats and others after Kirk’s assassination to counter claims by PresidentDonald Trumpand others that political violence was aproblem produced by “radicals on the left.”
In stark contrast to how politicians should actattimes like this —namely, callingfor unity and calm and for allowingjustice to take its course Trump, certain membersofCongress and an unfortunate stream of voices in right-wing media sounded moreeager to throw more kerosene on thefire.
As someone who has promoted free speech, regardless of which side is tryingtospeak out,Ihope that Democrats andRepublicans can approach this crisis with compassion, humility andself-reflection, and even learn some things from theother side.
Remember that California Gov Gavin Newsom invited Kirk to be the first guestonthe Democratic governor’s“This is Gavin Newsom” podcast in March. Among other interesting thingsthat emerged from that encounter was Newsom’sadmission that his 13-year-old son wanted to stay home from school to meet Kirk, whom he followed on TikTok.
Iunderstand.Myown adult son hasbecome my unofficial right-wing political adviser,filling me in on who Kirk was and how he seems to have more pull with afeisty,irreverent sector of the“manosphere” than the more conventional pols.
Butasanold geezer,Iremember the sort of tit-for-tat violence that plagued this country in the1960s —and I dread its possible return.
Ihave no desire to see thereturn of such eruptions.
Neither does Michael Fanone, the former Metropolitan Police officer who was beaten almost to deathbythe Jan.6mob at the U.S. Capitol.
“I have nothing but contempt for Kirk’s politics,” said Fanoneina Facebook post after Kirk’sdeath. “He poisoned young minds withgrievance, conspiracy,and hate. Butviolence has no place in American politics. None.”
Fanone learned first-hand what the threat of democracy slipping away feels like. He’drather not feel it again. Neither would I. EmailClarence Pageat clarence47page@gmail.com.
CharlieKirkleaveslegacy of free speech,anti-violence
For thoseofusofacertain age, the assassination of CharlieKirkbrought back memories of othermomentous assassinations —the moment of disbelief and then stomach-turning horror on first hearing the news, the sense that events were tilting wildly out of kilter,the fear thatmoreterrible things were in the offing. Iwas acollege sophomore visiting another school on thatsunny Friday afternoon in November 1963 when Iheard, andfor afew seconds did notbelieve, that President John Kennedy had been shot and killed in Dallas. Ihad been intending to attend aSaturday football game, which, of course, was canceled, and somehow made it back home, dazed, on abus.
In thedays that followed, Kennedy’s family and admirers, and muchofthe media, attributed his assassination to an atmosphere of right-wing hate in Dallas. It was solemnly asserted that America was fundamentally aviolent nation.
Butinthe messier and not universally accepted reality, the assassin was acommunist who hadlived and married in Russia and had been in touch with Soviet agents.
In theyears that followed, Icame to think that Americans had been especially shocked and shaken because this assassination was notconsonant with the popular narrative of American history.Inthe nation’stwo bloodiestwars, thecountry was led by two commandersinchief who died suddenly just aboutatthe moment of victory.
President Abraham Lincoln was struck down by aConfederate supporter just days after the surrender at Appomattox. President Franklin Roosevelt died suddenly of acerebral hemorrhage just weeks before thesurrender of Germany and four months beforethe atomic bombs produced thesurrender of Japan.
After their deaths, they were seen as martyrs who aged before their people’seyes and seemed to give theirlives to thecause of making the nation stronger and better
The death of Kennedy was not like this at all. He was famously vigorous and had not seemed to age significantly in office (though secretly he wasin dreadful health) Disorder followed. Less than five yearslater,aWhiteracist murdered
Martin LutherKing Jr., andaPalestinianterrorist murdered Robert Kennedy.These were yearsofunsuccessinVietnamand violent riots in major cities, of unanticipated inflationand of largely unpunished terrorist bombings andhomicides, years in whichfourconsecutive presidents were driven from office. Americanolonger seemed providentially blessed.
All these thoughts cameinto my head with the news of the assassinationofCharlie Kirk, 80 yearsafter the deathofRoosevelt, and twice 80 yearsafter the assassination of Lincoln. Kirk wasnot as prominent afigure as these leaders, and at 31 was not as prominent yetasKing or Robert Kennedy were when they were taken from us. The assassinationofKirk, as many have noted, is just one of many instances of violenceagainst political figures, including the two attempts, onenearly successful, to assassinate President Donald Trump.
People my ageusedtoask each otherwhere theywerewhen they heardthatPresident Kennedy was assassinated. Today,young people tell me thattheir parents were not yetalive on thatawful daynearly 62 yearsago.People my age rightly lament thatAmericanhistory is not properly taught, andIgather that few Americansanymore contemplate the awfulsymmetry of their successful commanders in chieffalling at the moment of victory
Perhaps thatcan be an advantage
Perhaps it is easiertonavigate the rapids of political controversy withoutthe expectation of providential blessing. Perhaps it is well to remember that the wartime Presidents Lincoln and Rooseveltwerehugely controversial in their terms, hated by millions of their fellowcitizens, by no means assuredofthe electoral majorities the recordbooksshowthey won. Many of their policies and procedureswereindeed departures from the norms of the time,asmany of the policiesand procedures of the current president are. People will disagreeabout suchthings. The optimist in me wants to think that most Americanswill emerge from this tragedy andbemoreinclinedtorespectfully tolerate disagreement. Is that too much to hope for? MichaelBaroneisonX @MichaelBarone.
Clarence Page
Michael Barone
STAFFPHOTO By ALySE PFEIL
Amemorial honoring conservativeactivistCharlie Kirk is held Sept.12atthe LSUStudentUnion Theater
Gonzales mayorlimits communicationaccess
Councilmembers
expressconcerns over changes
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
Anew Gonzales policy restricts the communication of city employees with City Council members, requiring any and all questions to be directedthrough the Mayor’sOffice.
Wade Petite, the disputed chief of staff for thecity, said the policy was instituted afew weeks ago. He said thenew rules require any questions council members have foremployees to be submitted to MayorTim Riley’sadministration.
“If you’re here to ask them howtheirday is, that’sfine. If you want to askthemaboutparticular functions that need to be done, or they wantdone, or they want to ask about policy?” Petitesaid. “… One, we need to know aboutit. And secondly,they are putting employees in adifficult position that our employees don’twant to be in.”
Under the new policy,Riley will either respond or connect council members with city staff, Petite said.
“Wewill designate the appropriate employee to answer the question,” he said.
“In some instances, we may determine that the question is bull**** and done for motives that are not pure, and we may withhold that answer.”
Several council members objected to the policy when reachedfor comment. Division Bcouncil member
Kirk Boudreaux said he has called department supervisors to relay problems he hears from constituents.
“It’snot fair to us not to be able to communicate with the employees and supervisors, and it’snot fair to thecitizens that we represent that we can’tspeak to employees,” he said.
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and ResearchinTransportation Safety at LSU. “More people buckled up and fewer peopledied in drunk driving crashes,” the Louisiana Highway Safety Commissionannounced Tuesday AccordingtoCARTS,161
SPACE
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Employee interaction
Thenew rule stems from council members asking employees about “the administration’sintent,” according toPetite.
“Wehaveemployeeswho feel like they’rebeing harassedbycouncil members andbeing putinprecarious situations and being asked uncomfortable questions about policy that they don’t feel like they should be in a positiontohavetoanswer,” he said
Previous Gonzales mayors hadsimilarpolicies, he said.
Speaking Wednesday evening, Rileyalleged that former Mayor Barney Arceneauxprevented city employeesfrom speakingwith him when he was acouncil member
“The supervisorswere told not to answerme,” he said Arceneaux did not respond to arequest for comment Wednesday about Riley’s allegation. On Tuesday, he said he had apolicy of asking department heads to keep himinformedofconversationsrequiring actions from the city,suchas road repairs.
“If acouncilman called in to make arequest,Ididn’t have aproblem. Youknow, they called adepartment head;that was fine, that was fine,” he said. “But what I requested was for the department head to at least let me know what it was.”
He didnot requireall questions about thecity to be reported to him,he added.
Council member Tyler Turner calledthe rules “concerning”ina written statement, saying council members relied on open communication to understand daily operationsinGonzales.
“Restricting this essential flow of information risks creating silos, fostering misunderstandings, and ultimatelyhindering ourcollective abilitytoaddress the needs of our city efficiently and effectively,”
people died in crashesinvolving adrunken driver in 2024, an 18.3% decrease from 2023. Meanwhile, DWI arrests increased by 4.3%, with law enforcement officers arresting13,675 people in 2024. The uptick in DWI arrests is “likely duetoanincrease in enforcement,” rather than an increase in the number of drunkendrivers, {span}
he wrote.
Petite responded by saying that “they will have open channels to city staff as designated by theadministration,” and called on council members to meet with him andthe mayorin person to discussissues.
Ongoingdispute
Thepolicy,and reactions to it by council members, highlightsthe ongoing division between Riley’sadministration and several council members.
Earlier this year,the city’s budget failedtopass, with Boudreaux voting it down along with council members Tyler Turner and TerriLambert. Muchoftheir objectionstemmed from Petite’s roleinthe city administration as the alleged chief of staff, aposition the council did not create.
In late August, the budget passed with amendments introduced by Boudreaux thatexcluded the salaries of four newroles andtwo existing positions that were part of themayor’s proposal.
Division Acouncil member Eddie Williams and Division Ccouncil member Cynthia Gray James, who have usually voted in support of Riley’sadministration, did notrespondtorequestsfor comment about thecommunication rules In awritten statement, Division Ecouncil member Terri Lambert called the directive a“gag order.”
“Not only does theMayor’s‘gagorder’ to allCity employees violate the First Amendment,italso interferes with theCouncil’s abilitytodothe jobwewere elected to do,” shewrote. “Whenthe Mayorblocks employees from talking to Council members, he’s blocking accountabilityand transparency to thepeople we were elected to serve.”
EmailChristopher Cartwright at christopher cartwright@theadvocate. com.
LHSC Executive Director LisaFreeman said “Westill have work to do,” addedFreeman. “There are still too manypeopledying because of impaired drivers andnon-seat belt usage.We will not be satisfied until our ratereaches zero.”
Email Ja’koriMadison at jakori.madison@ theadvocate.com.
Nominationsfor Civic Cupaward endThursday
Staff report
Thursday is thelast day for nominations for the annual Lafayette Civic Cup award.
In its 93rd year,the award recognizes someone who has performed outstanding humanitarian or civic deeds or otherwise servedthe Lafayette community in extraordinary ways. The honoree will be selected from nominations submitted by thepublic and chosen by a
selection committee made up of past Lafayette Civic Cup award recipients. The recipient will be honored at the Lafayette Civic Cup Awards Banquet on Nov.11atCity Club at River Ranch.
Last year’sCivic Cup honoree, recognized Nov 12, wasKip Schumacher Nominations close at 4:30 p.m.Thursday To make anomination, go to form.jotform.com/ cfacadiana/2025-lcc-nomination.
SCHOLARSHIP
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school and my teacher was so excited. She told me Ihad aletterfrom the White House.Istill have that letter from Barack Obama,” he said. Now 22, Clavelle is majoring in architecture with aminorinpolitical science. With both asister andaunt whograduated from UL, he said family and faith guided his path to the university Figuring out howto pay for college felt like a reach. But his father encouragedhim to keepthe faith.
“My dad told me to keep praying, that something would happen, anditdid,” Clavellesaid, referring to his first scholarship through the ReginaldF LewisScholars program. That opportunity became agateway forhis approach to college then and now.Heserved as College of theArts senator in theStudent Government Association,secretary for theBlack Male Leadership Association, and vicepresident for UL’s National Organization of Minority Architecture Students. Clavelle has
studied abroad in Paris and Seoul, served on an international panel about AI in education at Sorbonne University,and tied his architectural studiestoresearch on how design can impact studentwell-being Outsidethe classroom, he hasmentored children through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana,volunteered with Habitat for Humanityand participated in communityprogramming across Lafayette.
“Weare the change we want to see,” Clavelle said. “Anytime there’sa community initiative and Ihavethe time,I’m there. Looking ahead,Clavelle said he will apply to law school in 2026 andhopes to become one of UL’s first Rhodes Scholars.
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Downtown Ambassador Program in April as aprimary reason for proposing the move, saying“there is an increasedneed forworkspace, storageand employee support areas that we simply do not have in our current space.” The Downtown AmbassadorProgram, whichis aimed at the beautification and maintenance of downtown Lafayette, is the result of apartnership between the DowntownEconomic Development District, the DDAand Block by Block, a Kentucky-based organization involvedinthe upkeep of urban centers in over 100 American cities. Blanchard praised theimpact the program hashad thus far
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calling (337) 364-TIPS(8477), online at www.p3tips.com, or by downloading the P3 tips app on asmart device.
Police: Woman killed in hit-and-run ALafayettewoman was killed Wednesday night in a hit-and-run while crossing University Avenue, police said. The victim has been identified as aJasmine Lasalle, 34, of Lafayette. The driver hasbeen identified as Travis
“LastTuesday, we were stopped twice by downtown shop owners saying that they no longer had to spend half an hour cleaning outside because we’re cleaning the sidewalks,” he said. “It’s havinganimpact,and I’m gratified to see it.”
Other topics discusseddur-
Guillot, 53, of Arnaudville. The incident occurred at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, where the LafayettePolice Department responded to the 900 block of N. UniversityAvenue in regards to amotor vehicleaccident involving apedestrian. Preliminary investigation revealed Lasalle was walking across the 900 block of North University Avenue, and Guillot was traveling north on North University Avenue and hit Lasalle. Guillot fled the scene Lasalle was taken to ahospital, where she died from her injuries.StatePolice later locatedGuillot andhis vehicle
ing the meeting includeda proposal the DDA submitted to the Lafayette Downtown Economic Development District asking them to match funds LCGhas allocated toward acomprehensive downtown redevelopment planthatisfocused on adding new commerce sites and additional parking. Details on the plan arestill in thedevelopmentalstage pending approval of the proposal. The next DDA meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15. For moreinformation on events andprogramssponsored by the DDA, visitdowntownlafayette.org.
Policeobtainedawarrant to seize the vehicle, and Guillot was booked intothe Lafayette Parish Correctional Centeroncounts of felony hit-and-run and obscuring windshield or windows prohibited. Guillotalso provided avoluntarybreath sample. This crashremainsunder investigationwiththe Lafayette Police Department’s Traffic Unit.
SPORTS
Saints keep eyeonfuturewith
BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer
Alot changed for the New OrleansSaints between the end of last year and thestart of this one, but when trainingcampopened their wide receivergroup was essentially the same as the one they fielded in 2024. The only addition New Orleansmadeto its receiving corps was BrandinCooks,a 31-year-old entering his 12th NFL season. And Cooks didn’tfeel like much of achange: He is roughly similar in size andskillset to the Saints’ two starters, and he spent three seasons in New Orleans to start his career Now fast forward to mid-September,and theSaints have added threenew receiverstotheir group, two by trade andone by
waiver claim. Devaughn Vele, Ja’Lynn Polk andTreyPalmer have all joined the Saints since Aug. 20. Of thethree, only Vele has appeared in a Saints uniform, but that seems beside the point: Thesemoves all appeared to be made with one eye on the future.
“We’re alwaystrying to getbetterasa team, both nowand in the future,” said head coach Kellen Moore. “. .Wefeel like we have areally good receiver room, and we’re really trying to build it intoabig-time strength.Wewere able to acquire these guys, we’ve got aton of depth in that group, and …I thinkithelps us nowand in the fu-
ture as we continue tobuild this New Orleans now has sixr theiractiveroster.Ofthem, only one who has morethan fo NFL experience. Each of the three receive acquired has at leastone more maining on their rookie contract this season, with Vele and Polk ingtwo years left.None of them acap number higher than $2.2 the remainder of their contra urestobeimportant as both andRashid Shaheed are coming deals.
Polk will not play this season
BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer
Like most youngrunningbacks, former St. Martinville workhorse Steven Blanco didn’thave to think very long to relate what the toughest transition to thecollege game was for him.
“Oh, pass protection,”Blanco said.“In high school,asa runningback, youdon’t really block that much and you don’thave the slide calls. So it’sreally challenging to learn to block and pass protection.”
The good news for the Cajuns is apparently Blanco. The redshirt freshman has gotten 100 yards and a touchdown out of his 13 carries with UL. So if the offense needs to lean heavier on the rushing attack in the near future, Blanco appears ready to give starters Bill Davis and Zylan Perry the necessary rest to make that plan work.
“You’re going to need that,” associate head coach Jorge Munoz said. “You’re going to need Steven Blanco to be able tostepinand take some of the wearand tear offthose guys. Ithink that is huge for us.
“The guy (Blanco) has steppedupand done agreat job so far.” Blanco gives credit to Davisand Perry for showing him the ropes.
“They’re excellent role models,” Blanco said. “They toldme, ‘Don’t be scared. Just go in there and play hard.’ They taughtme alot about pass pro, how to eliminatesome people andhow to blockit.”
If the backfield’sload does increase in future weeks, Munoz is confidentthe unit can handle it.
While the passing game has struggled,the running game is averaging 5.9 yards per carry with five touchdowns.
“I don’t thinktheycouldbeany more excited about that,” he said.“They’re not nervous about that, especially those twoguys Bill and Zylan are greatyoungmen and
BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer
Theonlyother time LSU playedSoutheastern Louisiana in the modern era, it had asloppy offensive performance earlyinthe 2018 season. TheTigers still won 31-0, but they puntedsix times andwerenearlyheldscoreless in the second half inside their own stadium.
Thelastthing No. 3LSU needs right now is another game like thatagainst Southeastern at 6:45 p.m. Saturdaynight. LSU’soffense hasstruggled to get going the first three weeks,ranking last in theSEC with20points scored per game. In theory,playing Southeastern gives LSUachance to work on its issues and play its backups in the secondhalf. That’s really what this gameshould be for theTigers: onemore tuneup beforeSEC play begins to heat up at
BY SCOTTRABALAIS Staff writer
TheSoutheasternConference on Tuesdaywill announceeach school’s three “annual” football opponents and their six rotating opponentsfor 2026, The Advocate haslearned. SEC schoolsvoted in August to move from an eight- to anine-game conference schedule beginning next season. The
No.13Ole Miss next weekend.Ifit’snot,that would be ared flag. Here are four things to watch for.
HasGarrett Nussmeierreallyturnedacorner?
LSU coach Brian Kelly revealed this week that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier hasbeen playing through atorso injury that he developed in preseason camp.It limited what he could do at practice, Kelly said,and so LSU was “not doing alot” in the vertical passing game. But Kelly said repeatedly that Nussmeier has turned acorner,sohebelieves Nussmeier needs to play against Southeastern instead of taking aweek to rest. Nussmeier hasdone“some things in practicehehasn’tdoneinthe last month” this week, Kelly said.
moveisexpected toadd to SEC teams’ strength of schedule for consideration in theCollege Football Playoff, increase television revenue from ESPN/Disney and reduce the frequency of non-conference games against schools from lowerlevel conferences. In addition,eachSEC schoolisrequiredtoplayatleast one team from the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC or Notre Dame each season. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has used theterm “annual” opponents forthe three
Headed to the LSU Hall of Fame
Six former greats to be inducted including Johnson, Brady,
BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer
On Friday LSU will induct six members into its athletics hall of fame at the Manship Theater in Baton Rouge.
The latest inductees include women’s basketball point guard Temeka Johnson, former men’s basketball coach John Brady, former men’s golf coach J. Perry Cole, gymnast Rheagan Courville Branton, women’s basketball AllAmerican Cornelia Gayden and men’s basketball guard Ronald Dupree.
Here’s a closer look at each inductee.
Temeka Johnson
Johnson was a four-time AllAmerican and the winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award in 2005, an honor handed to the nation’s top point guard. She finished her LSU career first all-time in assists, also finishing eighth in Division I history in the same statistic.
Johnson’s excellence helped guide LSU to its first two Final Four appearances (2004, 05). She also holds the LSU record for assists in a game (17 against Georgia in 2005)
“I was small and always came up against so many people that always told me what I couldn’t do,” the 5-foot-3 Johnson said in an LSU news release. “That has made me feel that every area of my life is a success.”
J.Perry Cole
In 11 seasons as men’s golf coach, Cole led the program to national championships in 1940 and 1942. He helped star golfer Earl Stewart win an individual national championship in 1941 and led LSU to five
Southeastern Conference titles.
Cole also served in World War I, and during World War II helped start the Louisiana State Guard. For his efforts, he was upgraded from the rank of major to the honorary rank of colonel.
“He was a leader in battle, in his family, and in the classroom,”
Chris Garcia, who accepted the honor on behalf of Cole’s family, said, “but above all else, he was dedicated to LSU.”
Rheagan Courville Branton
Courville Branton’s gymnastics résumé speaks for itself.
The former Tigers star earned 23 All-American honors, won 26 allaround titles (the most in school history) and matched a school
record with five SEC individual titles.
Additionally, Courville Branton was a two-time NCAA national champion in the vault and scored at least 9.90 on 110 routines in four seasons at LSU. “I’ve always had a passion for LSU,” Courville Branton said. “I grew up cheering for every sport; my whole family loved LSU, it was really just in my DNA. It was the school I wanted to represent ever since I was a little kid.”
Ronald Dupree
Dupree finished his four seasons in Baton Rouge with at least 1,000 points, 200 assists and 100 steals. He’s one of just 16 players in program history to accomplish such a
feat.
In LSU history, Dupree is ninth all-time in points and rebounds. He’s one of just five LSU players to crack the top 10 in both categories, joining former greats Shaquille O’Neal, Bob Pettit, Jasmin Mitchell and Rudy Macklin.
“It means a ton. It means validation for all the work,” Dupree said. “This means ‘I did it.’ People appreciate and identify the contributions that I have given and was blessed to be able to give.”
John Brady
Brady guided the Tigers to their last Final Four appearance in 2006 and that year led LSU to its first outright SEC championship in 21 seasons.
In 10 seasons at LSU, Brady had the third-most wins for a coach in program history and was the only coach in LSU history to defeat two No. 1 ranked teams. He reached the Sweet 16 twice and won the SEC Coach of the Year award two times.
“When I received the call, I was so emotional that I couldn’t speak,” Brady said. “How humbling it is to be in a list of outstanding athletes and coaches who have come through LSU. I’m grateful for the players and the coaches who allowed me to be in this position.”
Cornelia Gayden
Despite standing at just 5-9, Gayden averaged more than 22 points and eight rebounds over four seasons in Baton Rouge She led the SEC in points from 19931995 and was an AP All-American in 1995.
Against Jackson State in 1995, she set the NCAA record for 3-pointers in a game with 12 and finished her LSU career with the NCAA record for 3-pointers made (337).
“Words can’t describe how grateful I am,” Gayden said. “It means the school, the officials, and everyone on the committee thought enough about me to say that I was one of the best.”
LSU hoops to face UCF in exhibition game
BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer
LSU men’s basketball team will play Central Florida in an exhibition game at noon on Oct. 26 at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida, according to a Thursday release from UCF
Kershaw to retire after 18 seasons with Dodgers
LOS ANGELES Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw will retire at the end of this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced Thursday
The 37-year-old left-hander who got his 3,000th strikeout in July will make his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium on Friday night against the San Francisco Giants.
The 11-time All-Star and 2014 NL MVP is in his 18th major league season, all with the Dodgers, which ties him with Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the most years in franchise history Kershaw won World Series championships in 2020 and 2024.
Kershaw has a career record of 222-96 and 15 shutouts, which lead active major league players.
McLaughlin-Levrone makes history in 400
TOKYO Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone became the first woman in nearly 40 years to crack 48 seconds in the 400 meters, running 47.78 in a historically fast one-lap race at the world championships Thursday Pushed by second-place finisher Marileidy Paulino, who clocked a 47.98 of her own on the rain-slickened track in Tokyo, McLaughlinLevrone captured her first global title in the 400 flat after dominating the hurdles for the past four years. The second- and third-fastest times in history in this race trail only the 47.60 by East Germany’s Marita Koch, set Oct. 6, 1985 one of the last remaining vestiges in track from an Eastern Bloc doping system that was exposed years after it ended.
Former S.C. QB Shaw stable following collapse GREENVILLE, S.C. — Former South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw was in stable condition Thursday a day after he collapsed while coaching his son’s flag football team. The City of Simpsonville stated that Shaw was coaching at Gracely Park on Wednesday, and the incident occurred approximately 15 minutes after the game began. Shaw 33, was taken by emergency services to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital. The City of Simpsonville reported that he was in stable condition as of Thursday morning.
Shaw was South Carolina’s starting quarterback from 2011 to 2013. He passed for 6,074 yards and ran for 1,683 while posting a 27-5 career record. He was inducted into the school’sathleticsHallofFamein2021.
Spain overtakes Argentina to lead FIFA rankings
This will be the first time a coach Matt McMahon-led LSU team will play a power conference opponent in an exhibition game. The fourthyear head coach had his team play Loyola-New Orleans in an exhibition contest last season, winning 110-48.
West Virginia Jalen Reed, who returned to Baton Rouge for his redshirt junior season, had 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 13 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal.
LSU played UCF last season in the sixth contest of the regular season. The Tigers won 109-102 in triple overtime in the thirdplace game of the Greenbrier Tipoff Classic held at the Colonial Hall at The Greenbrier in
This upcoming matchup will be the first time in program history that the Tigers visit the Knights’ home arena. Excluding the exhibition, LSU will play four high-major teams in its 13-game nonconference slate. Its toughest opponent will likely be Texas Tech on Dec. 7. The Red Raiders return an AP secondteam All-American in JT Toppin and are coming off an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The Tigers’ first regular season game will be Nov 5 against Tarleton State at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center
The recipe for the ‘biggest golf event ever’
Ryder Cup might be most anticipated one
BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer
Take the loudest and rowdiest event in golf. Put it on a public golf course in New York notorious for its proud and raucous crowds. Now fill it with 50,000 flag-waving fans at Bethpage Black. It’s a recipe that has made this Ryder Cup the most anticipated of them all.
“I think hands down it’ll be the biggest golf event ever,” said Justin Thomas, the most experienced American on his team despite playing in only his fourth Ryder Cup. If all that isn’t enough, President Donald Trump wasn’t about to miss out on the ultimate “us versus them” sporting event. He plans to be there for the opening session on Sept. 26 when the Americans try to win back the Ryder Cup. The passion is unlike any other golf tournament, all for a 17-inch gold trophy donated by an English
seed merchant (Samuel Ryder) for a friendly golf competition between teams on both sides of the Atlantic in 1927. After nearly a century, it doesn’t seem all that friendly at times.
“When you’re a part of it, it really it changes you forever it really does,” said U.S. captain Keegan Bradley, who has gone 11 years since he last was part of it.
Bradley never unpacked his suitcase from his Ryder Cup debut in 2012. It’s still in his garage at his Florida home. He has pledged not to open and remove whatever is in there in whatever condition it’s in — until he’s part of a winning team.
Bradley nearly took matters into his own hands, on the verge of becoming the first playing captain in the Ryder Cup since 1963 until he decided against it. All he wants is the trophy Luke Donald returns as captain, trying to join Tony Jacklin as the only European skippers to win back-to-back and fully aware it might not be as easy as it looked in Rome. He returns the same 12
faces, one different player — Rasmus Hojgaard replaces his identical twin Nicolai.
“Even though we have a lot of continuity, this is a different animal,” Donald said. “We understand how difficult it is.”
The U.S. team made sure to avoid the mistake from two years ago, when all but two of its players went a month before the Ryder Cup without playing. They practiced together and played together at the Procore Championship last week in California, and retreated to a mansion among the vineyards as their private hang.
That got the attention of Justin Rose. He was doing a Q&A at his Rose Ladies Open in England earlier this month when he needled the Americans trying to bond as a team.
“I think America have tried too hard to become a team, whereas Europe is a bit more natural and organic, and I think it comes from deeper roots in a way,” Rose said.
Europe had all but one of its 12 players at the BMW PGA Championship in England. They met one night and received virtual reality
equipment that would allow them to experience some of the noise and heckling that might occur at Bethpage Black.
“I think we’ve been talking about the Ryder Cup in Bethpage probably for 10 years, the anticipation of it what it’s going to be like, how intense it’s going to be,” Rose said. “New Yorkers are crazy, and I think they become sort of caricatures of themselves. I think they feel like they have to live up to that reputation. So, fully expect absolute chaos out there.”
That’s one reason winning a Ryder Cup on the road hasn’t been easy the last decade.
The Americans won on home soil four years ago with their biggest shellacking ever against Europe 19-9 at Whistling Straits, which prompted Jordan Spieth to say, “If we play like we did this week, the score will look the same over there.”
But it didn’t.
Europe won for the seventh straight time at home in 2023 by a five-point margin. That prompted Rory McIlroy to say winning a Ryder Cup away from home is the biggest accomplishment in golf.
ZURICH — Spain and Lamine Yamal took top spot from Argentina and Lionel Messi in the FIFA men’s rankings published on Thursday, and lead for the first time since being dethroned as world champion in June 2014. Spain’s two-win start to a 2026 World Cup qualifying group this month — against Turkey and Bulgaria — lifted the European champion from second place behind 2022 World Cup winner Argentina, which fell to third.
Argentina’s loss in a World Cup qualifier in Ecuador also let France rise one place to No. 2. England stayed at No. 4, and Portugal climbed one place to No. 5. Mexico and the United States were Nos. 14 and 16 respectively as the World Cup co-hosts both fell one place. Canada, the third co-host next year, is No. 26.
Indy runner-up Malukas replaces Power at Penske Team Penske finally confirmed Thursday that David Malukas will replace Will Power in a decision that has dogged Power — in his 17th and final year with the organization — since it was rumored to have happened as early as the IndyCar season-opening race in March. Malukas will take over the No. 12 with sponsorship from Verizon in what Team Penske called a multiyear agreement. Malukas has never won an IndyCar race but at 23 years old is more than two decades younger than Power, a two-time series champion, Indy 500 winner and the greatest qualifier in IndyCar history with 71 career poles. Malukas, a first-generation Lithuanian American from Chicago, becomes only the second driver in Penske history to drive the No. 12.
STAFF FILE PHOTO By MARK SALTZ
LSU’s Temeka Johnson drives past Vanderbilt’s Jenn Hall on Feb 19, 2004, in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center
Saints bring back Dekkers (again), cut Wilson
BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer
Hunter Dekkers has made yet another appearance on the New Orleans Saints transactions log, and this time the team let a veteran receiver go to make room for the young quarterback on the roster
The Saints terminated the contract of veteran receiver Cedrick Wilson in order to bring Dekkers back. Wilson signed a two-year deal with the Saints before last season, but he did not make the 53-man roster out of training camp.
After adding several receivers in the last month, Wilson’s path to the playing field was extremely limited. He caught 20 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown in 15 games with the Saints last season
Since first joining the team after a tryout this summer, Dekkers has been signed six times and waived five times — and this is his second time signing back with New Orleans this week. New Orleans has used his roster spot as needed to plug various leaky positions as injuries have cropped up.
New Orleans wants to develop Dekkers, but he’s had scant opportunity to participate in practices with three quarterbacks in front of him.
“A fourth quarterback can be tricky on the roster, especially as
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they’re experienced. They handle themselves well.”
Bivines gets his shot
It’s not really how he or the new starter ahead of him wanted to get more playing time, but redshirt junior Micaiah Bivines hopes to take full advantage of the opportunity
When Maurian Eleam suffered a hip injury that is expected to keep him out for an extended time, the new starter at the Star position is Trae Tomlinson and the new backup is NE Oklahoma A&M transfer Bivines, who came to UL two years ago after the Cajuns lost Trey Amos and Cam Pedescleaux in the post-spring portal window
“His opportunities have been limited a little bit by injury,” Desormeaux said “This is a first year he’s been healthy the whole year, and he’s really come a long way.” With experience at both cornerback and safety in junior college, the Star spot fits him.
“He plays tough,” Desormeaux said. “It just took him a little while to kind of adjust. He’s just one of those guys that just worked his way through it.”
Despite his lack of playing time, Bivines stayed the course in Lafayette.
“There were many conversations with him about not being where he wanted to be on the depth chart,” Desormeaux said.
LSU
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“We had to limit a lot of things that we did the first three, four weeks,” Kelly said. “He’s finally coming to practice, feeling good and getting into a good rhythm. This was his best week of practice. So, we want him to go and play the game at a level where he’s comfortable. To hold him back at this point would not be the right thing for him.” If that’s the case, will he be able to throw deep? Nussmeier is 4 of 13 for 132 yards, one touchdown and one interception on passes more than 20 yards downfield, according to Pro Football Focus. He badly underthrew a ball deep down the left sideline against Louisiana Tech, and it got picked off. Nussmeier can show whether or not he’s able to make that kind of throw again regardless of the competition level.
Ideally, Nussmeier won’t even play the whole game, giving sophomore quarterback Michael Van Buren a chance to get reps
It looked like LSU would have an opportunity to play Van Buren against Louisiana Tech, but that never happened because the starters struggled to put the game out of reach. Two weeks later there ought to be a chance to evaluate the backup quarterback
Third-down execution
One of the things Kelly circled this week that LSU needed to im-
injuries come up and you’ve got to navigate it as best you can,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said. “We like Hunter, obviously we’ve invested a lot of time, we’ve tried to utilize as many resources as we can to keep him here.
“Unfortunately there are some challenges with the roster at times.”
Fuaga DNP again
Last week, Taliese Fuaga missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury but returned later in the week and played in the Saints loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
He did not follow a similar pattern this week.
Fuaga (back/knee) was one of four Saints players who did not participate in practice Thursday, joined by defensive end Chase Young (calf), guard Dillon Radunz (toe) and receiver Trey Palmer (hamstring).
With New Orleans traveling to Seattle on Thursday evening, the team already made the decision to rule Radunz out for the game because he did not travel with the team Radunz started the first two games of the season at left guard.
Fuaga’s absence suggests the Saints may be without him for their Week 3 game against the Seattle Seahawks.
If Fuaga were not able to play against Seattle, the Saints may have
“He’s already graduated and wanted to stay here. He said,
‘When I get an opportunity, I’ll be ready to go.’ He’s worked through it and had a great camp.”
In other injury news Kaden Moreau returns as the starting left guard.
Trusting the character
While UL’s coaching staff understands why many are concerned about the Cajuns’ 1-2 start to the season, the coaches just trust the character of the team too much to enter full panic mode.
“I said this after week one, ‘We’ve got too many people in this building that are too talented and care too much for us not to get this thing where we want it,’”
UL coach Michael Desormeaux said. “The leadership’s been really good.”
In fact, Munoz isn’t so sure this group isn’t the highest-character team so far under Desormeaux.
“That’s what gives us so much faith about what this football team can do,” he said. “We have loved this team all spring all summer and all fall camp. The attitudes, the work ethic, the leadership — it’s better than any team we’ve had up to this point.
“For some reason, we’re just not seeing the results of making plays and getting yards and touchdowns and first downs. They’re still attacking the meetings, they’re asking questions still, they’re excited about their teammates. It’s going to happen.”
Email Kevin Foote at kfoote@ theadvocate.com
“We stayed ahead of the chains in most instances, but now you’ve got to go convert in short yardage. I think short-yardage conversion needs to be a high percentage for us, and it should be.”
coach
LSU
BRIAN KELLy,
prove the most on offense was its execution on third-and-short.
LSU is 17 of 41 on third down, which ranks 70th in the country It went 4 of 14 on third down against Florida, and it failed to convert four third downs that were within 4 yards of the line to gain.
“We stayed ahead of the chains in most instances, but now you’ve got to go convert in short yardage,” Kelly said. “I think short-yardage conversion needs to be a high percentage for us, and it should be.”
Though it will be tough to judge if LSU has really improved against an opponent that should be overmatched, it’s an area of focus.
Perhaps we’ll get some clues as to whether or not LSU has changed anything through its play-calling and formations. Jack Pyburn as a fullback again perhaps?
Wide receivers
Chris Hilton has only been targeted three times, and he has one catch for 1 yard, which he then fumbled. Much bigger things were
Saints quarterback Hunter Dekkers throws a pass during a Organized Team Activities on June 5. Since first joining the team this summer Dekkers has been signed six times and waived five times — and this is his second time signing back with New Orleans.
to lean on Asim Richards, whom they acquired in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys last month in exchange for future draft considerations.
Richards played 32 offensive snaps in relief of Fuaga during a Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, allowing 2 pressures in 23 pass blocking snaps.
Moore said Wednesday that
SAINTS
Continued from page 1C
injured reserve with a shoulder injury, making the 2024 secondrounder a clear future play by the Saints. The speedy Palmer is eligible to play now, but has not yet appeared in a game after the Saints claimed him following roster cuts, and his path to being an impact player is perhaps the most limited of the three.
Vele is the one who provides clear help in both the immediate sense and in the future.
New Orleans has brought Vele along slowly since acquiring him in a trade with the Denver Broncos in August, which was the plan. The Saints intended to
SEC
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announced in 2021 that Texas and Oklahoma would join the SEC to form a 16-team league starting in 2024.
LSU expected then that its annual opponents would be Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Alabama, but that may not be the case when the schedule revealed.
Coach Brian Kelly, speaking Thursday after LSU’s final major practice session in preparation for Saturday’s home game with Southeastern Louisiana (6:45 p.m., SEC Network), said athletic director Scott Woodward has been made
Fuaga’s absence was more related to the back injury than it was the knee that bothered him in Week 1.
Young has not practiced since injuring his calf days before the season opener The Saints have maintained throughout that his injury is not something that will keep him out long term, though the pass rusher is on track to miss
limit Vele to a specific menu of plays until he became more comfortable with an offense that his teammates have been exposed to since this spring.
“I definitely feel a lot more comfortable with the playbook; things are clicking a lot better,” Vele said.
“I’m understanding the guys and understanding my role as well, and trying to fulfill that role they have for me. I’m happy to be here.”
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound receiver has played only 41 offensive snaps in the first two weeks, with the bulk of his playtime coming on running downs, and has only seen three targets. But he’s made them count.
In the opener against the Arizona Cardinals, Vele made a nice 13-yard catch on the sideline that moved the chains as the Saints
aware of the Tigers’ annual opponents, but he has not.
“The AD here knows, but the head coach doesn’t,” Kelly said.
“You can make a case for a halfdozen teams to be (LSU’s) natural rivals, but other teams want those games as well.”
Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, speaking Wednesday on SEC Network host Dari Nowkhah’s radio show in Oklahoma City, said that at one time OU thought its three permanent opponents would be Texas, Missouri and Arkansas for geographic reasons.
He said OU will play Texas annually, but that the school learned early on in the process that it would not get Mizzou and Arkansas. The SEC created a temporary
expected of the senior wide receiver He showed what he can do at the end of last season with 198 yards and three touchdowns in two games, and unlike so much of his career he isn’t injured.
“I think we’ve got to get Chris Hilton involved more in the vertical passing game,” Kelly said Monday
Similarly Oklahoma transfer Nic Anderson hasn’t been much of
his third straight game New Orleans also added receiver Devaughn Vele to the injury report
Thursday Vele was limited with a hip injury, while guard Trevor Penning — the likely starter at left guard if healthy was limited for the second straight day
‘Solid debut’
Rookie safety Jonas Sanker made his starting debut with the Saints last week in place of the injured Julian Blackmon, and while he didn’t earn a rave review from his defensive coordinator, he did show some encouraging signs.
“It was just a solid debut,” said Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley “He looked like he belonged. There were no catastrophic rookie plays. And I thought that he flashed enough on the tape.
“Ithoughtitwasagoodtacklingperformanceforhim,andthat’swherehe needs to start. And then hopefully, as he gets more experience, then you’ll see even more playmaking.”
Sanker played each of the Saints’ 68 defensive snaps, finishing with eight tackles (five solo). According to Pro Football Reference, Sanker was not charged with a missed tackle, and several of his plays came one-on-one against 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey in space.
made a late push to attempt to tie the game. Then, last week against San Francisco, he lined up in the slot and used his body to out-leverage the cornerback, beating him for a 3-yard touchdown.
“The targets haven’t shown up yet; that’s just a matter of time,” Moore said. “... He’s a really good football player, and we feel really good about him.”
“A matter of time” might be a good phrase to keep in mind when thinking of the Saints receiver room. They reshaped the group in the span of a month, and while it has yet to truly impact the games, the team clearly has a plan for what it wants the position to look like.
Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.
eight-game schedule for 2024 and 2025 with the arrival of OU and Texas and the elimination of East and West divisions. LSU and Oklahoma were paired as seasonending opponents for both seasons, with LSU making its firstever trip to Norman, Oklahoma, on Nov 29.
LSU needs a season-ending opponent who does not have another bigger rival it traditionally plays around Thanksgiving weekend. That rules out schools like Texas A&M and Texas, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, and Alabama and Auburn.
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lem Berry only played four snaps against Florida. He had one carry for 2 yards. Kelly has said multiple times that Berry, the No. 1 running back recruit in the nation last year, has to learn more about how to play running back within the system. That means understanding protections and reads.
“There is some development there where he’s a little bit behind everybody,” Kelly said on his radio show last Thursday “but it’s unmistakable his running ability.” Kelly said LSU would have to find ways to get Berry on the field that don’t require him to do all those things. That did not come to fruition against Florida, a game in which Caden Durham (30 snaps) and Ju’Juan Johnson (21 snaps) handled the workload at running back But Berry should get a lot more playing time this week. Same thing goes for freshman offensive lineman Carius Curne, who has only played one snap this season.
a factor He only has four catches for 26 yards and a touchdown. Against Clemson and Florida, he played a combined 35.2% (43 of 122) of the offensive snaps. Anderson and Hilton are clearly in rotational roles behind LSU’s starting receivers at the moment.
A look at the freshmen
After flashing against Louisiana Tech, freshman running back Har-
Kelly said last week Curne had to get a shot in his knee at some point because he had a pinched fat pad, which “was a very difficult situation for him to manage early on.” But he was taking second-team reps again last week.
This would be an ideal game for him to get playing time It would help his development, and LSU could see if he’s ready to challenge redshirt freshman Weston Davis at right tackle.
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STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier looks to make a pass against Louisiana Tech on Sept 6 at Tiger Stadium. Nussmeier has been playing through a torso injury that he developed in preseason camp
STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
Dinos and Legos
‘Jurassic Quest’ and‘Brick Fest Live’ arejoining forcestopresentaweekend of interactive, educationalfun at theLamar-DixonExpoCenter in Gonzales. From animatronic dinosaurs to over 1million building bricks, it’sall happening Friday-Sunday. Tickets start at $26. lamardixonexpocenter.com/events.
LIVING
SONNY LANDRETH TRIO
7p.m. Friday l The Freyhan Cultural Center,4727 Cr-426, St. Francisville l $76.45$97.85 l facebook.com/ RedDragonListeningRoom and sonnylandreth.com
As guitar star SonnyLandreth prepsfor show,he also reflectson CliftonChenier
BY JOHN WIRT
Contributing writer
Sonny Landreth, the singer, songwriter and slide guitar master from Lafayette, will return to the Baton Rouge area for aFriday performance at the new Freyhan Cultural Center in St. Francisville.
Chris Maxwell, the longtime owner of the recently closed Red Dragon Listening Room in Baton Rouge, is co-presenting theshow Landreth also is at work on a new album, his fourth for the Dutch music company Mascot LabelGroup. True to his fiery style,Landrethhits the studio running “I do anumber of dates, come home andgorightinto thestudio,” he said. “I get ahead of steam that way,creatively and physically,having the chops up, as opposed to cooling down.”
PROVIDED PHOTO By GREG MILES
Adelighted SonnyLandreth participated in twotributes to the late zydeco pioneer Clifton Chenier at this year’sNew Orleans Jazz and HeritageFestival.
Some songs for the new album will be arranged for Landreth’s trio. Others are more intimate, reflecting the singer-guitarist’s recent one-man shows. His upcomingengagements include four solo gigs in Japan.
“Some rockers, big bluesinfluence,” Landreth said of the music he’scrafting for his album-in-progress. “Nothing unusual there. And some ballads. Thesubtleties of the solo material lends itself to that. Ilike a broad range of material ” Landreth’sthree appearances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival havebeen among this year’sLouisiana performances. Alongside his longtime bandmates, bassist ä See LANDRETH, page 6C
FUNISIN THEAIR
BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer
Although it doesn’t feel like au tumn just yet,the fall calendar filled with fairsand festivals every weekend from now to the Christ mas season. Yes, it’s only 96 days until thebig holiday,but don’tworry about that now.There are funnel cakes tob eaten, arts and crafts to peruse, live music to hear —you get th picture. With that, here’sour list for fall fun.Notethat events areinBaton Rouge unless otherwise indicated. Don’tsee your fair or festival listed here? Let us know by email ing red@theadvocate.com with th details
SATURDAY
KREWE OF ERIN CELTIC HERITAGE
FESTIVAL: 9a.m.-7 p.m.,Ponchatoula
Kiwanis Park &Club, 201 W. Magnolia St., Ponchatoula. Family-friendly event featuring Celtic musicians, dance groups, performing groups, educational workshops, arts and crafts vendors, food and children’s activities. Free. https://www kreweoferin.com/.
THURSDAY
SHADOWS-ON-THE-TECHE 8TH
ANNUAL FARM FEST: 4p.m.-8 p.m.
grounds of theShadows,317 E. Main St., New Iberia. The family-friendly event offers avariety of games from old-fashioned carnival ones to Farm Fest staples, face painting,crafting and apetting zoo. Also, food, drinks and liveentertainment. $10 per family.https://www.shadowsontheteche.org/.
OCT. 1-5
TANGIPAHOAPARISH FAIR: 12614
Arena Drive, Amite. Atraditional fair with rides, food, aparade, livestock show, cooking contests, and talent contests. tangifair.org.
FALLFEST: 9a.m.-4:30p.m., Denham Springs Antique Village, North Range Avenue. More than 160 booths, food, music, special sales in stores. https://www.denhamspringsan-
PLANTFEST!: 9a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdayand 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday,LSU Hilltop Arboretum, 11855 Highland Road. Discovermorethan 3,000 plants and morethan 300 species of nativeand traditional trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, ferns, succulents and grasses. https://lsu.edu/hilltop/. GERMAN FEST: 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m Saturdayand 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, 7212 Roberts Cove Road, Rayne
SipGerman beer and enjoyfolklore demonstrations, liveentertainment and authentic German food.robertscovegermanfest.com.
OCT. 10-12
FESTIVALS ACADIENS ET CRÉOLES: GirardPark, 500 GirardPark Drive, Lafayette. The Cajun and zydeco festival features performances by local musicians,cultural workshops and culinary experiences, and is a showcase for local artisans. Also includes theBayou Food Festival.
BR MusicStudios to celebratenew creative hub
FRIDAY
LIVE MUSIC: CaneRiver Pecan CompanyPie Bar, New Iberia, 5p.m.
GRACE NOVOSAD: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6p.m.
JACK WOODSON: Charley
G’s, Lafayette, 6p.m.
JEFF DUGAN: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT JAMS: City of Scott, 6p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s, Lafayette, 6p.m.
KIP SONNIER: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-nDuson, Duson,6p.m.
JUST US JAZZ: Whiskey & Vine, Lafayette, 7p.m.
LEIF MECHE: Silver Slipper, Arnaudville, 7p.m
“THE LOST BOY” BY RON
GABRIEL PAOLILLO: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m.
C4 AVEC STEVE RILEY: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 8p.m.
DR CPRESENTS HALL OF FAME CONCERTFEATURING ASK FORASHLEY
DR C& THE GRISGRIS, ANEW JONES: Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, 8p.m.
Jason Aldean and his ‘Full Throttle Tour’ stopsat theCajundome in Lafayette fora Thursdayshow. Special guestswill be NateSmith, Raelynn and Dee JaySilver.Doors open at 6p.m.and the show starts at7:30 p.m.Tickets startat$75.
LIVE MUSIC: The Barrel of Broussard, Broussard, 8p.m.
SATURDAY
DONNY BROUSSARD BAND: Fred’s, Mamou, 8a.m
CAJUN JAM: Moncus Park, Lafayette, 9a.m.
SATURDAY MORNING JAMSESSIONS: Savoy Music Center, Eunice, 9a.m.
CAJUN JAM: TanteMarie, Breaux Bridge, 11 a.m.
CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC
JAM: Vermilionville, Lafayette, 1p.m.
JAMMIN’ ON THEBAYOU: St. Landry Visitor Center, Opelousas,1 p.m
DAYVIBES DAYPARTY:
TODAYINHISTORY
By The Associated Press
Today is Friday,Sept. 19, the 262nd day of 2025. There are 103 days left in the year
Todayinhistory:
On Sept. 19, 2022, GreatBritain and the world said afinal goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II at astate funeral that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers —and crowds who thronged the streets of London
Also on this date: In 1796, President George Washington’sfarewelladdress was published. In it, America’s first chief executive advised, “Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peaceand harmony with all.”
In 1881, the 20th presidentof the United States, James A. Garfield, died 21/2 months after being shot by Charles Guiteau;hewas succeeded by Vice President Chester A. Arthur
In 1957, the United States conducted its first contained underground nuclear test, code-named “Rainier,”inthe Nevada desert
In 1988, Olympic diver Greg Louganis suffered aconcussion after striking his head on the diving board during the preliminary roundofthe 3-meter springboard diving competition at the Seoul Summer Games;
LANDRETH
Continued from page5C
Dave Ransonand drummerBrian Brignac, he burned theBlues Tent down on the festival’s final day.Two days prior,the delighted Landreth participated in two tributes to thelatezydeco pioneer Clifton Chenier In the centennial yearofhis birth, Chenier has been fêtedby multipletributeconcerts; anallstar album featuring the Rolling Stones and other international stars plus many Louisiana musicians; and Todd Mouton’sChenier biography,“The King of Zydeco: The Life,Music, andLegacy of Clifton Chenier.” Landreth joinedChenier’sRed Hot Louisiana Band in early 1980 After an action-packed year with Chenier,the guitarist periodically joined the king of zydeco on stage, until Chenier’sdeath in 1987 at 62 years old.
“I’m thrilled about the attention to him, honoredtobepart of that in any way,” Landreth said of the centennial tributes. “It’s so important to honor theheroes and not forget.”
Landreth didn’tsee his membership in the Red Hot Louisiana Band coming.One weeknight at the Bon TonRouley club in Lafayette, Chenier just happened to hear the young guitarist sit in with the Red Beans and Rice Revue. “Cliff came in with his friends, his littleentourage,” Landreth recalled. “Their table wasright next to my speakercabinet.He heard me play and invitedmeto sit in at the Boucherie in St. Martinville. Ithought that wouldbe it. Iremember telling afriend ‘Man, last night was the height
DOGTOBERFEST! FEATURING THE MINTLLY ILLBILLIES AND THE GOOD DUDES: Adopted Dog Brewing, Lafayette, 6p.m.
AUDREY BROUSSARD: Charley G’s, Lafayette, 6p.m.
KEN HALLOWAY: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Jim Deggy’s, Lafayette, 6p.m
Louganiswould recover from the injury and win agold medal in the eventthe following day In 1995, The New York Times andThe WashingtonPost published the manifesto of Unabomber TedKaczynski, which proved instrumentalinidentifying and capturing him.
In 2008, struggling to stave off financialcatastrophe,the Bush administration laid out aradical bailout plan callingfor atakeover of ahalf-trillion dollars or more in worthless mortgages and other baddebt held by tottering institutions. Relieved investors sent stockssoaringonWallStreet and around the globe. Today’sbirthdays: Actor Rosemary Harris is 98.Singer-songwriter PaulWilliams is 85. Singer Bill Medley(The Righteous Brothers) is 85. Singer Sylvia Tyson (Ian and Sylvia)is85. R&B singer FredaPayne is 83.Actor Jeremy Irons is 77. Model-actor Twiggy Lawsonis76. TV personality Joan Lunden is 75.MusicianproducerNile Rodgers is 73. Rocksinger Lita Ford is 67. Musician Jarvis Cocker(Pulp) is 63. Country singer Trisha Yearwood is 61.Republican Sen. TimScott of SouthCarolina is 60. News anchorSoledadO’Brien is 59. Actor SanaaLathan is 54. “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon is 51.
of mycareer.That was thebest thing I’ve ever beenapart of.’ ”
Cheniersurprised Landreth with asecond sit-ininvite, this time in New Orleans. Then came the offertojointhe Red Hot Louisiana Band.
“I was alloverthat,”Landreth said. “That was the quickest response anybody has ever got from me.”
Performingwith Chenier was among the most impactful experiences of Landreth’slife and career,he said.Many of theshows wentfourhours straight, no breaks “Clifton totallycommandedthe audience and the show,” Landreth told New Orleans’ OffBeat magazine in 2016.“He hadsucha vast repertoire of songs. He changed the keys of the songs, so he really kept you on your toes. Andifhe didn’tlike what you wereplaying, you’dknowit. Onenight at Tipitina’s…magic was happening during ‘Got My Mojo Working.’Clifton grabbed me by my belt buckle and pulled me out to the front of the stage. I’mright in the middle of asolo. He says, ‘Young man! Go!’ The crowd started screaming. It was one of those moments.”
Landreth regrets that he never recorded astudio album with Chenier.That disappointment was soothed by the 2023 release of “Clifton Chenier: Live At Tipitina’s,” featuringone of the many performances Sonny Schneidau, then sound engineer at Tipitina’s, recorded at the fabled New Orleans music venue in the late 1970s andearly ’80s. “Finally,there’ssomething that documentsmeplaying with Cliff,” Landreth said. “I can’tget over how good it sounds.”
Email John Wirt at j_wirt@msn. com.
LIVE MUSIC: Prejean’s, Broussard, 6p.m
LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-nDuson,Duson, 6p.m
THE CAST: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m.
“THE LOST BOY” BY RON
GABRIELPAOLILLO: Cité des Arts, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m.
PAUL TASSIN: CharleyG’s Seafood Grill, Lafayette, 6p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: Naq’s-nDuson, Duson, 6p.m.
RORYSUIRE: SHUCKS!, Abbeville, 6:30 p.m
CD RELEASE SHOW— SLIM BAWB &STEVE
JUDICE: Hideaway on Lee, Lafayette, 7p.m.
CIGAR SOCIAL: Wurst Biergarten,Lafayette, 7p.m. JASON ALDEAN: Cajundome,Lafayette, 7:30 p.m FIRE OF TIERRA CALIENTE: NUNU Arts &Culture Collective, Arnaudville, 7:30 p.m
JEFFERYBROUSSARD: Rock ’n’ Bowl, Lafayette, 7:30 p.m
Compiledby
MarchaundJones
Want yourvenue’s music listed?
Email info/photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadline is noon FRIDAY forthe following Friday’spaper.
HAMMOND NORTHSHORE REGIONAL
AIRSHOW: 600 Judge Leon Ford Drive (off U.S. 190),Hammond. In addition to the showupabove,thereare a kids zone, helicopter rides, food and more. hammondairshow.com.
OCT. 16-19
INTERNATIONAL RICE FESTIVAL: 303 N. Parkerson Ave.,Crowley.Festivalgoers can participate in ariceeating contest, the Crowley High 5K Run Walk and the fiddle and accordion contests. ricefestival.com.
OCT. 17
FARMERS AND ARTISANS MARKET:
1:30 p.m., BakerBranch Library,Shop local vendors for homemade crafts, homegrownvegetables and homecooked goodies. (225) 778-5960.
OCT. 17-18
BOUCHERIE &BALLOON FESTIVAL: 9690 Airline Highway, Sorrento. Observeasky filled with hot air balloons. Also, jambalaya and cracklin cook-offs, music, food and craft vendors. boucheriefestival.com.
OCT. 18
BATONROUGE MAKER FAIRE:
10 a.m.-4 p.m.,Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. This year’s focus is filmmaking, celebrating all the makers who create moviemagic behind the scenes. Live film scoreand screening, live stunt demonstrations, animatronics seminar, panel of local filmmakers, green screen and costume activities and writers room simulation. Free. batonrouge.makerfaire.com.
FALL FESTIVALATTHE FARM:
10 a.m.-2 p.m.,Lazy LFarms, 30060 Peak Lane,Walker. Games, s’mores, animal feedings, photo area and more. $20; children 5and younger free with purchase of adult ticket. https://bit.ly/FallFarmFest25.
ACADIA MUSIC FEST: PercyBrown Road, Thibodaux. This one-day musicevent welcomes local and national artists to the stage while festivalgoers can enjoySouthern food and arts and crafts. acadiamusicfest.net.
OCT. 18–19AND 25–26
BOO AT THE ZOO: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (last entry at 4p.m.), BREC’s Baton RougeZoo, 3000 ZooCircle (via 13350 La. 19).Festiveactivities, live entertainmentand seasonal treats. Highlights include: Photo opportunities, princess &character meet-andgreets, face painting,entertainment in the plaza, animal enrichments, pumpkin patch and treats, costume extravaganzaand The Children’s Village. Regular admissionapplies. https://brzoo.org/.
OCT. 23-NOV.2
GREATER BATONROUGE STATEFAIR:
HUB
Continuedfrom page5C
Founded in 2006, BRMSbegan as an after-school lessonprogram with just ahandful of students. Over the years, it grew into an established creative educationcenter,offering private instruction, rockand popbandmentorships, and student performance opportunities throughout theregion.
FormerBRMS students have gone on to tour nationally,work for recording studios, join booking agencies, and build careers across
5p.m.-10p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Airline Highway Park/Fairgrounds, 16072 Airline Highway.LegoExtravaganza,carnival midway, petting zoo, livemusic, roaming entertainers food and more. gbrsf.com.
all overcan enjoypresentations from alineup of authors and participate in activities related to reading. louisianabookfestival.org.
NOV. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 28-30AND DEC.6-7
OCT. 25
YELLOW LEAF ARTS FESTIVAL: Commerce Street at Burnett Road, St. Francisville. Artists, musicians,writers, actors, poets can enjoyexhibits from over 40 artists and craftspeople along withlivemusic and art activities. artsforallwestfeliciana. com/event-details/yellow-leaf-artfestival.
BREWSARTSFESTIVAL: 217 E. Thomas St., Hammond.Sip on your pick of 65-plus craft beers, peruse the arts market and dance to live music. hammondarts.org/brewsarts-festival.
ANNUAL SWEET DOUGH PIE FESTIVAL: 231 Burleigh Lane, Grand Coteau. The public judgesthe sweet dough pie contest, and manypies areavailablefor purchase. cajuntravel.com/events/sweet-dough-piefestival.
OCT. 26
FALL FESTFOR ALL: 11 a.m.-7 p.m., in and around theShawCenter for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St. Live music, arts market,food and family fun. Free. artsbr.org.
CITY OF GONZALES FALL FEST: 1p.m.-4 p.m., Price LeBlancPACE Center,2824 St. AnthonyAve., Gonzales.Freeactivities, music and food.
OCT. 31-NOV.2
HARVEST FESTIVAL ON FALSE RIVER: 5p.m.Friday-6p.m. Sunday,211 W. Main St., New Roads. Food,rides, arts and crafts vendors,family fun. https://www.harvestfestivalnewroads.com/.
NOV. 1
LOUISIANA BOOK FESTIVAL: downtown Baton Rouge.Bookworms from
themusic industry,according to a BRMS news release.
The new BRMS Creative was born outofthe desire to expand beyond lessons andband mentorships, creating afull ecosystem where young artists and professionals can engage in the realworld creative process. The new hub combines music education, recording andproduction facilities, liveperformance spaces and collaborative programming under one roof.
Asoft opening began in March.
“BRMS Creative represents the next chapter of ourvision,” saidDoug Gay,founder of Baton
LOUSIANARENAISSANCE FESTIVAL: 46468 River Road, Hammond.Travel back to 14th-through 17th-century Europe, an experience withover600 artisans, entertainers and educational demonstrations. Tickets start at $20. larf2023.org
NOV. 7-9
ANTIQUE TRADE DAYS: 9a.m.5p.m., commuter parking lot,East Pine Street at SE Railroad Avenue, Ponchatoula. Over 200 local and national vendors withantiques, crafts, art and collectibles; food vendors https://ponchatoulachamber.com/ antique-trade-days/. HOLYGHOST CREOLE FESTIVAL: 788 N. UnionSt., Opelousas. Experience foods likefried catfish or barbecue pork steak, gospel hymns andthe Creole Festival Parade; bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. hgcatholic.org
NOV. 13-16
PORTBARRE CRACKLIN FESTIVAL: Veterans Memorial Park, 129 Park St., Port Barre. Firstheldin1985, this multiday eventhosts astreet fair, pageant and parade while raising moneyfor thePort BarreLions Club cracklinfest.com.
DEC.5-6 AND12-13
LISTENING ROOM FILM FESTIVAL: 3p.m.-midnight Saturday and 3p.m.-9 p.m.Sunday,Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 2733 NorthSt. Films followedbyquestion and answer sessions,industrypanels and musical performances. https://hitcitydigital.wixsite.com/htjmuseum/ Staff writer Maddie Scott contributed to this report. Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@ theadvocate.com.
Rouge Music Studios. “This is morethan amusic school. It’sa place where artists of allages can collaborate, record, perform and grow.Webelieve Baton Rouge deserves avibranthub forcreative expression, andwe’rethrilledto open ourdoorstothe community …Now it’s time to expand our practice field to include digital and print media, and recording and videography technology all of the tools creatives use in therealworld.The projectswe create withour studentstoday are preparing them to collaborate with peersinthe workforce tomorrow.”
PHOTO By FRANCESy.SPENCER Brother and sister duo, Cam and Caylen DeLaney, performOct. 26 at the music tent of the 2024 yellowLeaf Arts Festival.
VIRGO(Aug.23-Sept. 22) Take the high road regardless of what others do. Keep an open mind, but stick to the script that works bestfor you. When you feel unsure,step away and conduct someresearch
LIBRA(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Express your thoughts, gather information from experts andalign yourself with people heading in asimilar direction. The connectionsyou make will be helpfulmoving forward
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Distance yourself from people trying to wreak havoc or bringabout changesthat can be disruptivetoyour lifeand prospects.Put yourself first and protect your possessionsand assets.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) When in doubt,step asideand become aspectator. What you learn will be valuable andhelp youwhen it is time to act Whatyou start now will lead to higher income, abetter position and greater prosperity.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Youcan't buy love, but youcan protect yourself from peopletryingtotake advantage of you. Askquestions, be agood listener and lookfor signs thatofferinsight into other people's intentions.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Pay attention to money, contracts and health issues. Takeresponsibility, askquestions and adopt aproactive approach to ensure youreceive the best possible advice.
PISCES(Feb. 20-March 20) Expect the unexpected and act accordingly. Examine everyangle and consider how to utilize your attributes to excel. Networking will help you discover what's possible.
ARIES(March 21-April19) Youare overdue fora change. Be original, collaborate with someone you love to be around and make plans thatwill lead to fond memories. Don't getangry; get moving and seewhat happens
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Express yourself through your actions.Looking and feeling your bestwill enhance your love life and boostyour confidence. Pick up the pace, and you will thrive.
GEMINI (May 21-June20) Shareyour thoughts, entertain, and participate in eventsand activities thatpump you up. Refuse to letemotions and ego prevent you fromdoing what's right.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) How you approach people will be the deciding factor in what you receive in return. Be open to suggestions,and something good will transpire
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Avoid temptation. Verify information beforeentering a joint ventureorsigning up forsomething that may not deliver what you expect.Time is on your side.
Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.
EQUALS
Sudoku
InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9 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
THe wiZard oF id
BLondie
BaBY BLueS
Hi and LoiS
CurTiS
Puzzle Answer
BY PHILLIP ALDER Bridge
Casey Stengel, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966, said, “Without losers, where would the winners be?”
In bridge, of course: Awinner for onepairisa loser for the opponents. Andwhen you are the declarer, you are advised to count your losers before playing from the board at trick one. After doing that, if you can also count your winners in areasonable length of time —say, five minutes! —you should do so.I estimate thatonabout 20 percent of deals, counting winners will make the best line of play apparent.
In this example,West leads the spade jack against four hearts. How should South play?
South has four potentiallosers: onein each suit. And if that is as far as declarer went, he would probably winthe first trickinhis hand, cash the clubace and play aclub to dummy’s queen. Whenit losttoEast’skingandaspadecameback, South would win on theboardand try the diamond finesse (a better bet than the heart finesse, which would need East to have exactly king-doubleton). Butwhen thatfinesse lost also, declarer wouldgo down one and complain about bad luck.
Now count winners. South has 10: two spades, five hearts, two diamonds and one club. All he needs to do is win with
Each Wuzzle is aword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example:
Average mark 27 words Time
today’s thought
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34
marmaduKe
Bizarro
hagar the horriBle
Pearls Before swiNe
garfield
B.C.
PiCKles
PROCEEDINGSOFTHE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF THEPARISHOFLAFAYETTE, STATEOFLOUISIANA, TAKEN AT AREGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 HELD AT 705 W.
UNIVERSITY AVENUE, LAFAYETTE, LA.
ATTENDANCE
COUNCIL:ABRubin (Chair,District 5), Donald Richard(Vice-Chair, District 2), Bryan Tabor (District 1), Ken Stansbury(District 3) and John Guilbeau (District 4)
ABSENT:None
COUNCIL STAFF: Joseph Gordon-Wiltz (Clerk of the Council), Jeremy J. Swiney (Associate Clerk for Legislative Affairs) and Jeremy “Rich” Richardson (Associate Clerk for Operations and Citizen Advocacy)
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:Monique B. Boulet (Mayor-President), Rachel Godeaux (Chief Administrative Officer), Karen Fontenot (Chief Financial Officer), Patrick S. Ottinger (City-Parish Attorney), Paul Escott (Assistant City-Parish Attorney) and Justin Centanni (Parish Assessor)
(4:31:00) CALL TO ORDER
Chair Rubin called the Regular Parish Council Meeting of September 16, 2025 to order
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The Chair called upon Councilmember Guilbeau to cite the invocation and called upon Councilmember Stansbury,tolead the Pledge of Allegiance.
WELCOME AND CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Rubin made the following announcements:
•Item No. 7, PO-045-2025, Public Works has requested an amendment to increase the transfer of funds from $100,000 to $200,000;
•Wished Councilmember Rubin, ahappy birthday,which he will celebrate on September 21st;
•Wished Councilmember Tabor,a happy birthday,which he will celebrate on September 26th;
•Wished Brian Smith, Drainage Director, ahappy birthday,which he will celebrate on October 6th.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Rubin thanked Mayor-President Boulet for her proclamation regarding Suicide Prevention Month. He noted that asimple hello, effort to be nice, or just noticing someone can make adifference.
Mayor-President Boulet and CAO Rachel Godeaux made the following report:
•September 16, 2025 is National Voter Registration Day;
•Lafayette Parish has two (2) millage renewals on the November 15, 2025 ballot; the Parish Roads and Bridges Millage &the Public Safety Millage;
•Invited everyone to attend the Parish Proud Day event, in Scott, on September 20, 2025;
•The Lafayette Parish Animal Shelter will host an event on October 5, 2025; offering free rabies vaccines for dogs at the Cajundome;
•LFT Fiber is sponsoring afree“Allons Danser!”event on October 5, 2025, from 10:00am to noon at ParcSans Souci; teaching Cajun and Zydeco dancing.
JOINT RESOLUTION
AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: JR-035-2025 Ajoint resolution of the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council authorizing the Lafayette MayorPresident on behalf of the Parish of Lafayette and the City of Lafayette to join with the State of Louisiana and other local governmental units as a participant in any settlement agreements or other associated agreements relative to the opioid litigation, motion to adopt by Guilbeau, seconded by Tabor,and the vote was as follows:
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.
One (1) citizen signed in, in support of the resolution, but did notwish to speak.
ORDINANCES FOR FINAL ADOPTION
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: PO-042-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 24/25 operating and capital budgets of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasing revenues in the amount of $20,000 received from the ASPCA and appropriating within the Elected Officials CAO Department, Animal Shelter and CareDivision, for the purpose of helping cover the cost to travel to South Carolina to transport animals for rescue, motion to adopt by Stansbury,seconded by Guilbeau, and the vote was as follows:
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: PO-043-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 24/25 operating and capital budgets of the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government by increasing revenues in the amount of $30,000 received from the ASPCA and appropriating within the Elected Officials CAO Department, Animal Shelter and CareDivision, for the purpose of helping offset adoption fees, medically preparing animals for adoption and giving canine adopters afreeblack wirecrate for six (6) fee-waived adoption events, motion to adopt by Tabor, seconded by Richard, and the vote was as follows:
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt was approved.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: PO-045-2025 An ordinance of the Lafayette Parish Council amending the FY 24/25 capital budget of the Lafayette CityParish Consolidated Government by transferring $100,000 from the LPCH IMPR &Inmate Holding account to the LPCC Improvements account and appropriating within the Public Works, Facilities Maintenance Division for additional funding needed, motion to adopt by Tabor, seconded by Stansbury
Amotion to amend to increase the funding transfer from $100,000 to $200,000 was offeredbyTabor, seconded by Richard, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None Motion to amend wasapproved.
The Chair called for avote to adopt, as amended, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt, as amended, was approved.
JOINT ORDINANCE FOR FINAL ADOPTION
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: JO-051-2025 Ajoint ordinance of the Lafayette CityCouncil and the Lafayette Parish Council amending Ordinance No. JO-003-2024 regarding the removal of amember of aboardor commission by that member’sappointing authority due to the member’s lack of attendance, motion to adopt by Guilbeau, seconded by Tabor,and the vote was as follows:
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury, Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to adopt wasapproved.
CONSIDER APPOINTMENT(S) BY THE COUNCIL, AS AWHOLE, TO BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: Appointment of Glen PMonte to the Lafayette Airport Commission for afour-year term effective 11-01-2025. Applicants must reside in the unincorporated area of the Parish of Lafayette.
The resumes received werefromEmilie Duhon, Glen PMonte, and Christopher“Todd” Varisco. Emilie Duhon was the incumbent.
Tabor nominated Glen PMonte, Richardnominated Emilie Duhon, and the vote was as follows: DUHON: Richard, Rubin
MONTE: Tabor,Stansbury,Guilbeau
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Glen PMonte was appointed.
Emilie Duhon said that she has enjoyed her time on the commission and serving the community.She requested that the Council reappoint her
Rubin stated that historicallythe Council keeps the incumbent. Duhon came and spoke and the Airport Commission President spoke on her behalf. Rubin further noted that he hopes that Duhon isn’tpassed over because she is awoman.
PUBLIC HEARING
AGENDA ITEM NO.10: Convene the Public Hearing and BoardofReview for all persons desiring to be heardonthe
The appellant was not present to speak on their behalf.
Centanni noted that no reassessment value was requested by the appellant for appeals A-O and recommended that the Council to deny those appeals.
Stansbury motioned to deny the appeal, seconded by Guilbeau, and the vote was as follows:
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to deny the appeal was approved.
The appellant was not present to
Stansbury motioned to deny the appeal,seconded by Tabor,and the vote was as follows:
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to deny the appeal was approved.
The appellant was not present to speak on their behalf.
Tabor motioned to deny the appeal,seconded by Guilbeau, and the vote was as follows:
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None
to deny the appeal was approved.
The appellant was not present to speak on their behalf.
Tabor motioned to deny the appeal,seconded by Guilbeau, and the vote was as follows:
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None
to deny the appeal was approved.
The appellant was not present to speak on their behalf.
Stansbury motioned to deny the appeal,seconded by Tabor,and the vote was as follows:
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to deny the appeal was approved.
The appellant was not present to speak on their behalf.
Stansbury motioned to deny the appeal, seconded by Guilbeau, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to deny the appeal was approved.
The appellant was not present to speak
Tabor motioned to deny the appeal, seconded by Richard, and the vote was as follows:
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to deny the appeal was approved.
The appellant was not
Guilbeau motioned to deny the
was as follows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None
the appeal was approved.
The
Stansbury motioned to deny the appeal, seconded by Guilbeau, and the
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None
The
Tabor motioned to deny
YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau,
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN:
to deny the appeal, seconded by Richard,and the vote wasasfollows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to deny the appeal was approved.
the vote wasasfollows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None Motion to deny the appeal was approved.
The appellant wasnot present to speak on their behalf. Guilbeau motioned to deny the appeal, seconded by Richard,and the vote wasasfollows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None
The appellant was not present to speak on their behalf.
Richardmotioned to deny the appeal, seconded by Stansbury,and the vote wasasfollows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None
ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None
was approved.
The appellant wasnot present to speak on their behalf.
Centanni noted that an identical appeal wasrequested last year and denied by the Council.
Tabor motioned to deny the appeal, seconded by Stansbury,and the vote wasasfollows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None Motion to deny the appeal was approved.
INTRODUCTORYORDINANCE
AGENDA ITEM NO. 11: PO-046-2025Anordinance of the Lafayette Parish Council authorizingand directing the Lafayette Mayor-President to execute and submit the “Temporary Housing and Shelter Assistance Program Waiver of Land Use/Permitting Form” in accordance with La. R.S. 29:726(F)(3)(b)(iii)(aa), motion to introduce by Tabor,seconded by Guilbeau, and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tabor,Richard, Stansbury,Guilbeau, Rubin
NAYS: None ABSENT:None
ABSTAIN: None Motion to introduce was approved.
(5:10:00) ADJOURN
Therebeing no further business to come beforethe Council, Chair Rubin declared the Regular Meeting adjourned.
/s/ Joseph Gordon-Wiltz
JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ, LAFAYETTE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
toriumlocated
/s/
JOSEPH GORDON-WILTZ LAFAYETTE CLERKOFTHE COUNCIL 159081-SEP19-1T $17.19 THE AMOUNT OF $20 000 RECEIVED FROM
W.
ASPCA ANDAPPROPRIAT‐INGWITHINTHE ELECTED OFFICIALSCAO DEPART‐MENT, ANIMAL SHELTER AND CARE DIVISION,FOR THE PURPOSEOFHELP‐INGCOVER THECOSTTO TRAVELTOSOUTH CAR‐OLINATOTRANSPORT ANIMALS FORRESCUE BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette Parish Council, that: WHEREAS, theLafayette AnimalShelter andCare Centerwas made aware ofanASPCA Grantto helpcover thecostto traveltoSouth Carolina totransport animalsfor rescue; and WHEREAS, Lafayette CityParishConsolidatedGov‐ernment hasreceived notification that ASPCA has awardedLafayette AnimalShelter andCare Center$20,000 forthis purpose NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Lafayette Parish Council, that: SECTION1:All of the aforedescribed “Whereas”clauses are adopted as part of this ordinance SECTION2:The FY 24/25 Operating andCapital Budgets of theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Governmentare hereby amended by increasing revenuesinthe amount of$20,000 received from the ASPCAand appropri‐ating within theElected OfficialsCAO Depart‐ment, Lafayette Animal Shelterand Care Center
Shelter and Care Center Division Budget SECTION 3: Thepurpose ofthisgrant is to help cover thecosttotravel toSouth Carolina to transport animalsfor rescue.
ORDINANCEOFTHE LAFAYETTE PARISH COUNCIL AMENDING THE FY24/25 OPERATINGAND
GOVERNMENTBYIN‐
ANDAPPROPRIAT‐INGWITHINTHE ELECTED OFFICIALSCAO DEPART‐MENT, ANIMAL SHELTER AND CARE DIVISION,FOR THE PURPOSEOFHELP‐INGOFFSETADOPTION FEES,MEDICALLY PREPARING ANIMALSFOR ADOPTIONAND GIVING CANINEADOPTERSA FREEBLACK WIRE CRATE FOR SIX(6) FEE-WAIVED ADOPTIONEVENTS BE IT ORDAINED by the Lafayette Parish Council, that: WHEREAS, theLafayette AnimalShelter andCare Centerwas made aware ofanASPCA Grantto helpoffsetadoption fees,medically preparing animals foradoptionand givingcanineadopters a freeblack wire cratefor six (6)fee-waived adop‐tionevents; and WHEREAS, Lafayette CityParishConsolidatedGov‐ernment hasreceived notification that ASPCA has awardedLafayette AnimalShelter andCare Center$30,000 forthis purpose. NOW THEREFORE BE IT
pu pose NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Lafayette Parish Council,that: SECTION1:All of the aforedescribed “Whereas”clauses are adoptedaspartofthis ordinance SECTION2:The FY 24/25 Operating andCapital Budgets of theLafayette City-Parish Consolidated Governmentare hereby amended by increasing revenuesinthe amount of$30,000receivedfrom the ASPCAand appropri‐ating within theElected OfficialsCAO Depart‐ment, Lafayette Animal Shelter andCareCenter DivisionBudget. SECTION3:The purpose ofthisgrant is to help offsetadoptionfees medically preparingani‐malsfor adoption and givingcanineadopters a freeblack wire cratedur‐ing six(6) fee-waived adoption events SECTION4:The Lafayette ParishCouncil hereby authorizesthe Lafayette Mayor-President,orher designee, to conductall negotiations, execute and submit alldocu‐ments,including,but not limited to,applications, agreements, amend‐ments,contracts,pay‐mentrequests, requisi‐tions,reimbursements, etc which maybenec‐essaryfor thecomple‐tionofthe aforemen‐tionedproject andto takeany andall otherac‐tionnecessary in con‐nection therewithfor saidproject SECTION5:Thisincrease
SECTION 5: This increase in revenuesshall be as reflectedinany pertinent documents which areat‐tachedheretoand made a part hereof and
