The Advocate 09-24-2025

Trump blasts UN in speech

Judge rules for protesters in BR case

Activists tossed from 2017 Metro Council meeting for speaking about police shooting

BY AIDAN MCCAHILL Staff writer

Baton Rouge officials violated the First Amendment rights of activists who were thrown out of a Metro Council meeting in 2017 for speaking about the police shooting of Alton Sterling after being warned not to, a federal judge ruled.

The lawsuit stemmed from a meeting held about a year after Sterling, a Black man, was killed by a Baton Rouge police officer The week before the meeting, federal prosecutors had decided not to pursue a civil rights case against the officers involved, prompting civil rights activists to organize a protest during the meeting.

Michael McClanahan, head of Louisiana’s NAACP, and Eugene Collins, a Baton Rouge resident who later joined the group, sued in December 2017 after being among six people forcibly removed during the chaotic Metro Council meeting. The plaintiffs did not seek any compensation as part of the suit, but will be awarded compensation for attorneys fees and costs.

Cassidy wants to see data on Tylenol

FDA recommendations don’t match studies, many researchers say

BY MATTHEW ALBRIGHT

Staff writer

In a news conference Monday, President Donald Trump repeatedly gave medical advice to pregnant mothers:

“Don’t take Tylenol.”

Abandoned

State’s oversight of structures questioned

BY ALEX LUBBEN Staff writer

BLACK BAY The anonymous log, found months later in an oil platform’s living quarters, documented a worker’s tasks: He pumped oil, cleaned sludge and repaired the structure.

Then, abruptly: “Shutting in field prepping to leave Wednesday morning. We have red or orange flagging tape on every valve that we closed,” reads an entry dated

Trump was unveiling new guidance from the FDA that urges mothers to talk with their doctor and minimize the use of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in the popular pain reliever The guidance points to some studies that have found a link between the drug and neurological conditions like autism and ADHD.

and medical associations who argued that Trump’s administration is misrepresenting the scientific evidence and potentially giving bad advice.

“HHS should release the new data that it has to support this claim. The preponderance of evidence shows that this is not the case,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, the Louisiana Republican who

The announcement swiftly drew criticism and concern from many doctors

ä See TYLENOL, page 7A

U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles ruled in favor of the plaintiffs’ claims that their First Amendment rights were violated. A third plaintiff in the suit, activist Gary Chambers, did not prevail on the same claims.

During a three-minute period of public comment about the city’s sewage system, McClanahan approached the podium. Scott Wilson, who as mayor pro-tem at the time presided over the Metro Council, warned McClanahan about speaking off topic.

“I oppose the sewer item because on July the 5th, 2016, Alton Sterling was killed,” McClanahan then said, after which he was immediately removed from the meeting and building, according to court records.

ä See PROTESTERS, page 6A

oil platforms along La. coast remain untracked

Feb. 6, 2024. Now, the platform sits rusting and empty in the waters of Black Bay, northeast of Buras, just one of at least 879 offshore structures abandoned in Louisiana’s state waters, according to a new analysis by True Transition. The nonprofit compiled its report after discovering a gap in state data: While Louisiana tracks oil wells, it does not track the platforms built to service them.

Using satellite images from Skytruth, another environmental nonprofit, and data from the state’s Department of Energy and Natural Resources, the report identifies

more than 1,113 offshore structures within 3 miles of Louisiana’s coastline in state waters. Of those, only 234 appear to be near active oil and gas wells. The rest — 879 — are likely idle or abandoned. Unlike other states and the federal government, Louisiana does not know where oil and gas platforms in its state waters are located.

“We contacted everyone — DENR, the Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office, the Coast Guard and no one could provide a map or a count,” said Megan Biven, the founder of

ä See PLATFORMS, page 8A

Inmate gets 80 years for making, mailing bombs

STATESBORO, Ga. A person already in prison has been sentenced to 80 years in federal custody after authorities said the inmate built two bombs while behind bars and mailed them to a federal courthouse in Anchorage, Alaska, and the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

Federal prosecutors on Tuesday announced the sentence for the inmate authorities identified as David Dwayne Cassady, 57, who was incarcerated in a state prison in Georgia when the devices were made, authorities said. The inmate pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted malicious use of explosive materials.

The inmate has severe anxiety and gender dysphoria, defense lawyer Tina Maddox wrote in a sentencing memo to the court.

The crimes were “acts of desperation born out of unrelenting abuse, hopelessness, and mental distress,” Maddox wrote. The defendant is a transgender woman and now goes by the name Lena Noel Summerlin, the lawyer said in the July 8 court document.

The indictment says both bombs were made at a state prison in Tattnall County, Georgia, and mailed from the prison. The document does not detail how the bombs were built or where the materials were obtained

The bombs were functional and had the capabilities to explode, a plea agreement states.

The inmate admitted to mailing them “in retaliation for prison conditions,” it said.

Since the early 1990s, the inmate has been held in a variety of Georgia prisons after being convicted of more than a dozen crimes including kidnapping and aggravated sodomy, according to records from the Georgia Department of Corrections.

The defendant “intended to incite fear” in the targets and among the public, said Rodney Hopkins, the inspector in charge of the Atlanta division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

1 killed, 2 arrested in shooting at Ga. mall

AUGUSTA, Ga. One person was shot and killed Tuesday when a fistfight at a Georgia shopping mall ended in gunfire, according to the sheriff.

Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley told reporters no one else was seriously injured at the Augusta Mall, where SWAT team members went store-bystore to evacuate hiding shoppers and employees Mall security video of the shooting helped deputies quickly identify suspects, Brantley said. Two were in custody Tuesday afternoon. Investigators were still searching for two others

“It all started as a fight at first, which ended up going from a fistfight to one of the subjects pulling out a firearm and shooting the other one,” said Brantley, adding that the shooting victim was one of about six people involved in the fight.

Gabrielle spins toward the Azores in Atlantic

MIAMI Hurricane Gabrielle churned Tuesday afternoon across open Atlantic waters ever closer to the Azores as forecasters warned residents of the volcanic archipelago to be on guard for a possible strike later in the week.

In the Pacific, Narda was upgraded to a hurricane off the west coast of Mexico after steady strengthening while moving away from land, the National Hurricane Center said. Narda had top sustained winds of about 85 mph Tuesday afternoon, according to a hurricane center advisory

A hurricane watch was issued for all of the Azores chain ahead of Gabrielle. Currently a dangerous Category 4 hurricane, Gabrielle was centered about 1,635 miles west of the island chain by Tuesday afternoon and was expected to still be a hurricane upon its approach there

Thursday Gabrielle had maximum sustained winds Tuesday of 130 mph as a major hurricane and was traveling to the east-northeast at 21 mph.

Forecasters predict Gabrielle will bring up to 5 inches of rain across the central and western Azores.

By LOTHAR SPEER

Man found guilty of trying to kill Trump

Ryan Routh tries to stab self after verdict

BY DAVID FISCHER Associated Press

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The man who was charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course last year tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen shortly after being found guilty of all counts on Tuesday Officers quickly swarmed him and dragged him out of the courtroom.

The jury of five men and seven women found Ryan Routh guilty on all counts that he was facing after about two hours of deliberation

The jurors were on their way out of the courtroom after the verdict was announced when Routh grabbed a pen off a desk and tried to stab himself in the neck.

The pen Routh used to try to stab himself was a flexible pen designed to prevent people in custody from using it as a weapon, so he did not puncture his skin or otherwise hurt himself, according to a person familiar with the matter The person could not publicly disclose specific details of the incident and spoke on the condition of anonymity

As marshals were dragging him from the courtroom, Routh’s daughter Sara Routh began screaming, “Dad I love you, don’t do anything. I’ll get you out.

He didn’t hurt anybody.”

She continued screaming as her father was taken from the courtroom, saying the case against him was rigged. She was escorted from the courtroom and later waited outside with her brother Adam Routh for the motorcade that took their father away

The judge announced Routh will be sentenced Dec 18. He faces life in prison.

Routh’s standby defense attorneys did not have a comment following the verdict. They have served as standby counsel since he took over his own defense and have been present during trial the past two weeks.

Routh had been charged with attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and defended himself in court.

Following the verdict, Trump told reporters in New York that the case was “really well handled.”

“It’s very important. You can’t let things like that happen. Nothing to do with me, but a president — or even a person, you can’t allow that to happen,” Trump said. “And so justice was served. But I very much appreciate the judge and jury and everybody on that.”

Prosecutors said Routh spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through shrubbery as the Republican played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.

Routh told jurors in his closing argument that he didn’t intend to kill anyone that day

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon signed off on Routh’s request to represent himself in July The U.S Supreme Court has held that criminal defendants have a right to represent themselves in court proceedings, as long as they can show a judge they are competent to waive their right to be defended by an attorney

Man who helped integrate Tenn. high schools dies

BY TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press

NASHVILLE,Tenn Bobby Cain, who helped integrate one of the first high schools in the South in 1956 as one of the so-called Clinton 12, died Monday in Nashville at the age of 85, according to his nephew J.

Kelvin Cain

Bobby Cain was a senior when he entered the formerly all-White Clinton High School in Tennessee on a court order He had previously attended a Black high school about 20 miles away in Knoxville and was not happy about leaving his friends to spend his senior year at a new school in a hostile environment.

Cain

“He had no interest in doing it because, you know, he’d gotten to rise up through the ranks at Austin High School as the senior and was finally big fish in the pond. And to have to go to this all-White high school — it was tough,” said Adam Velk, executive director of the Green McAdoo Cultural Center, which promotes the legacy of the Clinton 12. Velk added that the 16-year-old had to do it “with the entire world watching him.”

This was a couple of years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that separating public school children on the basis of race was unconstitutional and a year before Little Rock Central High School was desegregated by force. Unlike the Little Rock Nine, the Clinton 12 students were not hand-picked and trained for the job of desegregation. They just happed to live within the Anderson County school district at the time, Velk said. Although the court-ordered desegrega-

tion in Clinton was accepted by state and local authorities, many in the local White community were against it They were soon joined by Ku Klux Klan members and other segregationists from outside the community in a series of protests that led to the National Guard being called in to restore order Cain managed to stick out the year, becoming the first Black student in Tennessee to graduate from an integrated state-run school. What should have been a triumphant moment was marred by violence. After receiving his diploma, Cain was jumped and beaten up by a group of White students. In the end, only one other member of the Clinton 12 made it to graduation. Gail Ann Epps graduated the following year, according to the Tennessee State Museum.

Cain had a lot of anger around his experience at the school and didn’t talk about it for many years. “He didn’t want to remember it,” his nephew said.

He received a scholarship to attend Tennessee State University in Nashville, where he met his wife. After graduation, he worked for the Tennessee Department of Human Services and was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. He never joined in the sit-in protests of the era, quipping to The Tennessee Magazine in a 2017 interview that it was because “you had to agree to be nonviolent.”

Cain told the magazine that he had no White friends at Clinton High School.

“You have to realize that if any White students had gone out of their way to be nice to us, they would have been jumped on,” he said.

He also had to stop playing sports because “the coaches at Clinton told me that none of the other high schools would play against us if I was on the field at the game.”

Trump cancels meeting with Schumer, Jeffries

Democratic leaders accuse president of throwing a tantrum, chickening out

BY LISA MASCARO AP congressional correspondent

WASHINGTON President

Donald Trump has abruptly canceled this week’s planned meeting with congressional Democratic leaders, refusing to negotiate over their demands to shore up health care funds as part of a deal to prevent a potential looming federal government shutdown.

In a lengthy Tuesday social media post, Trump rejected the sit-down that the White House had agreed to a day before. It would have been the first time the Republican president met with the Democratic Party’s leaders, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, since his return to the White House.

“I have decided that no meeting with their Congressional Leaders could possibly be productive,” Trump wrote in the post.

The president complained the Democrats “are threatening to shut down the Government of the United States” unless the Republicans agree to more funding for health care for various groups of people he has criticized. Trump did not close the door on a future sitdown with the Democratic leaders, but he warned of a “long and brutal slog” ahead unless Democrats dropped their demands to salvage health care funds.

The stalemate over a funding deal or even talks between the White House and Congress to strike a compromise has quickly intensified the risk of federal closures, starting as soon as next week, ahead of the Oct 1 deadline for the start of the government’s new fiscal year

The Democratic leaders swiftly accused the Republican president of throwing a tantrum and running away from the situation.

“Trump Always Chickens Out,” Jeffries posted on X.

In a post directed at Trump, Schumer said Democrats will sit down and discuss health care “when you’re finished ranting.” Schumer said Trump “is running away from the negotiating table before he even gets there” and would “rather throw a tantrum than do his job.”

Trump has been unafraid of shutting down the government and, during his first term, was president over the nation’s longest federal closure, during the 2018-19 holiday season, when he was pushing Congress to provide funds for his long-promised U.S.Mexico border wall.

Thursday’s scheduled meeting would have potentially set up a showdown at the White House, reminiscent of the 2018 funding fight when Trump led an explosive public session with Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi.

Schumer and Jeffries had been demanding a meeting with Trump to work out a compromise over the health care funds, but the Republican president has been reluctant to enter talks and instructed GOP leaders on Capitol Hill not to negotiate with the Democrats.

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office said that the Democrats are holding government funding “hostage” to their demands for vast amounts of health care funding.

Johnson, R-Benton, led the passage late last week of a temporary funding measure, which would have kept government offices running into November while talks get underway That’s the typical way to buy time during funding fights, but the measure failed in the Senate Democrats refused to support the stopgap bill because it did not include their priorities of health care funds. A Democratic proposal was defeated by Senate Republicans.

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More expertssee genocide in Israel’s actions

BY MIKE CORDER and MOLLYQUELL

Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands— A growing number of experts, including those commissioned by aU.N. body,have said Israel’soffensive in the Gaza Strip amounts to genocide, deepening Israel’s isolation and risking untold damage to the country’s standing evenamong allies.

The accusation is vehemently denied by Israel, which was established in part as arefuge for Jews after the Holocaust. Others have rejected it or saidonly acourt can makethat determination.

Even so, global outrage over Israel’swartime conduct has mounted in recent months, as images of starving children emerged, adding to the humanitarian catastropheofa 23-month war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and laid waste to much of Gaza. Acurrent offensive in the territory’slargest city further raised concern. But the genocide accusation goes further,raising the question of whether astate forged in the aftermath of the crime is now committing it. Israeli leaders brand the argumentasveiled antisemitism, saying the country abides by international law

People protest the ongoing Israel-Palestine waroutside the United Nations Headquarters during the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly’sdiscussiononatwo-state solution MondayinNew york.

andurges Gaza’s civilians to evacuate aheadofmajor military operations. They sayHamas’Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked thewar wasitself agenocidal act.

In that attack,Hamas-led militants killedsome 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251. Forty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, around 20 of whom Israel believes are alive. Israel’s ensuing operation has reduced much of Gaza

to rubble andled to famine in parts. Israeli leaders have also expressed support for themass relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, amove Palestinians and otherssay would amount to forcible expulsion.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed. The ministry—part of theHamas-run government andstaffed by medical professionals doesn’tsay how many were

U.N. leader warnsof‘an ageofrecklessdisruption’

BY EDITH M. LEDERER, JENNIFER PELTZ and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS With global peace and progress under siege, the United Nations chief challenged world leaders Tuesday to choose afuture where the rule of law triumphs over raw power and where nations come together rather thanscramble for self-interests.

Secretary-General AntonioGuterres said the U.N.’s founders faced the same questions80years ago, but he told today’sworldleaders at the opening of their annual gathering at the General Assemblythat the choice of peace or war,law or lawlessness, cooperation or conflict, is “more urgent, more intertwined, more unforgiving.”

“Wehave entered in an age of recklessdisruption and relentless human suffering,” he said in his annual “stateofthe World” speech “The pillars of peace and

progressare buckling under the weight of impunity, inequality and indifference.”

Butdespite all theinternal andexternal challenges facingthe U.N., he andGeneral Assembly President Annalena Baerbock pleaded with its membersnot to give up “Ifwestopdoing theright things,evil will prevail,” Baerbock saidinher openingremarks.

Guterres said the leaders’ first obligation is to choose peace,and withoutnaming anycountries,heurged all parties —including those in the Assembly chamber to stop supporting Sudan’s warring parties. He also didn’tname Israel but used hisstrongest words against itsactions in Gaza, saying the scale of death and destruction are the worst in his nearly nine years as secretary-general,and that “nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinianpeople.”

With global support for a Palestinianstate growing

Israel’sdevastating war in Gazaisexpected totake center stage. But humanity’s myriad conflicts,rising povertyand heating planet will also be in thespotlight

TheGeneral Assembly’s bigweek of meetings began Monday with events including aconference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Tuesday kickedoff the “General Debate” —moreof an agglomeration of speeches —inwhich presidents, primeministers,monarchs and cabinet members give their annual take on the state of the world and their own nations.

Brazilian President Luiz InacioLula da Silva —speaking first, undera longtime traditiondatingto when Brazil was the only nation that volunteered to lead off —worried aloud that theU.N.’sauthority was waning. “Weare witnessing theconsolidation of an international order blocked by repeatedconcessions to power play,” he said.

civilians or combatants, but says women and children makeuparound half. Genocide was codifiedin a1948 convention drawn up after the horrors of the Holocaust that defines it as acts “committed with intentto destroy,inwhole or in part, anational, ethnical, racial or religious group.”

According to the convention,genocidalactsinclude: killing; causing serious bodi-

ly or mental harm; and deliberatelyinflicting conditions of life calculated to bring aboutthe group’s physical destruction in wholeorin part.

In areport last week, a team of independent experts commissioned by theU.N Human Rights Council concludedthe warhas become an attempt by Israel to destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza andconstitutes genocide.

The group, which doesn’t speak for the U.N., said its determination was based on apattern of behavior,including Israel’s“total siege” of Gaza, killing or wounding vast numbers of Palestinians, andthe destruction of health and educational facilities. Israel says Hamas uses such facilities for military purposes.

TwoIsraeli rights groups have also said it’sgenocide. While the groups are respected internationally, theirviews are notrepresentative of the vast majority of Israelis.

In December,Amnesty International used the term, citing similar findings as the U.N.-commissioned experts.

“Looking at the broader pictureofIsrael’smilitary campaign andthe cumulative impact of itspolicies and acts, genocidal intent is the only reasonable con-

clusion,” it said. Twoweeks later, HumanRightsWatch accused Israel of intentionally depriving Gaza of water, saying that amounted to “an act of genocide.” Israel —where the Holocaust plays acritical role in nationalidentity —casts such allegations as an assault on its very legitimacy It says Hamas —which doesn’taccept Israel’sright to exist —isprolonging the war by not surrendering and releasing the hostages.

PrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahuhas said that Israel could have committed genocide “in one afternoon” if it wanted, implying it has acted with restraint. Experts say there’snonumerical threshold forthe crime. The Elie Wiesel Foundation, established by the Nobel laureate andHolocaust survivor,also rejected the characterization.

“Israel’sactions in Gaza do not constitutegenocide —theyare legitimate acts of self-defense against an organizationthatseeksIsrael’sdestruction,” it said in astatement.

Norman Goda, aprofessor of Holocauststudiesatthe University of Florida, sees the use of the word as part of “a long-standing effort to delegitimize Israel,” saying theaccusations are“laced with antisemitic tropes.”

BYJESSICA SCHLADEBECK

Newyork Daily News (TNS)

NEW YORK Aprocess server was arrested at Travis Kelce’shome in Kansas while attempting to serve Taylor Swift deposition papers from JustinBaldoni’s legal team, according to reports.

JustinLee Fisher,a formercop nowworkingasa private investigator, wascaught at Kelce’shome in Leawood earlier this month, after he jumped “the fence onto aprivate residenceinaprivate neighborhood,”accordingtodocuments obtained by the star He was reportedly taken intocustody on Sept. 15 around 2a.m. and faces amisdemeanor count of criminaltrespassing. Fisher was reportedly released afterposting bond. It is unclear whether he success-

fully served Swift thedocuments. His arrestcame justtwo days after ajudge deniedarequest to depose the35-year-old popstar in connectionwiththe defamation andsexual harassment lawsuit between “It EndsWith Us” co-stars, Baldoni and Swift’s former best friend, BlakeLively In late December,Lively accused Baldoni,who also served as director,ofsexually harassing her on the set of their film and launching asmear campaignagainst herafter the fact. Baldoni, who has repeatedly denied the allegations, followed up witha$250 million libel lawsuit against The NewYork Timesfor its deep dive into Lively’sclaims. He also filed a$400 million defamation suit against Lively,her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane, much of which wasdismissed in June.

Trump criticizes UN in speech to General Assembly

BY AAMER MADHANI and FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS President Donald Trump castigated the United Nations as a feckless institution in a speech to the world body on Tuesday, praising the turn America has taken under his leadership while warning Europe will be ruined if it doesn’t turn away from a “doubletailed monster” of ill-conceived migration and green energy policies.

His roughly hourlong speech before the U.N. General Assembly was both grievance-filled and selfcongratulatory as he used the platform to applaud his second-term achievements and lament that some of his fellow world leaders’ countries were “going to hell.”

The address was the latest reminder for U.S allies and foes that the United States after a four-year interim under the more internationalist President Joe Biden — has returned to an unapologetically “America First” posture with an antagonistic view toward the United Nations. Trump also sharply criticized the global body for inaction, saying it was filled with “empty words” that “don’t solve wars.”

“What is the purpose of the United Nations?” Trump said. “The U.N. has such tremendous potential. I’ve always said it. It has such tremendous, tremendous potential. But it’s not even coming close to living up to that potential.”

Afterward, Trump attempted to assuage fears from some diplomats by assuring the top U.N. leader that the U.S. remained “100%” supportive of the global body despite his earlier criticism.

“I may disagree with it sometimes, but I am so behind it because the potential for peace at this institution is great,” Trump told Secretary-General Antonio

who has urged the American president to keep up the pressure on Putin to end his brutal war on Ukraine.

Trump going back to his 2024 campaign insisted that he would quickly end the war. And he’s frequently suggested that U.S. interests in the outcome were limited.

“Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win,” Trump wrote. “This is not distinguishing Russia In fact, it is very much making them look like ‘a paper tiger.’”

France became the latest nation to recognize Palestinian statehood on Monday at the start of a high-profile meeting at the U.N. aimed at galvanizing support for a two-state solution to the Mideast conflict. Trump sharply criticized the effort.

“The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists,” Trump said. “This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including Oct. 7.”

made clear that he wants to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, repeating his spurious claim that he’s “ended seven wars” since he returned to office.

“Everyone says that I should get the Nobel Prize — but for me, the real prize will be the sons and daughters who live to grow up because millions of people are no longer being killed in endless wars,” Trump said in his address.

Guterres

It was another about-face after Trump offered a weave of jarring juxtapositions in his address to the assembly

He trumpeted himself as a peacemaker and enumerated successes of his administration’s efforts in several hotspots around the globe. At the same time, Trump heralded his decisions to order the U.S. military to carry out strikes on Iran and more recently against alleged drug smugglers from Venezuela and argued that “globalists” are on the verge of destroying successful nations.

Trump touted his administration’s policies allowing for expanded drilling for oil and natural gas in the United States, and aggressively cracking down on illegal immigration, implicitly suggesting more countries should follow suit.

He sharply warned that European nations that have more welcoming migration policies and commit to expensive energy projects aimed at reducing their carbon footprint were causing irreparable harm to their economies and cultures.

“I’m telling you that if you don’t get away from the ‘green energy’ scam, your country is going to fail,”

Trump said “If you don’t stop people that you’ve nev-

er seen before that you have nothing in common with, your country is going to fail.”

Trump added, “I love the people of Europe, and I hate to see it being devastated by energy and immigration. This double-tailed monster destroys everything in its wake, and they cannot let that happen any longer.”

Trump also addressed Russia’s war in Ukraine, once again threatening to hit Moscow with “a very strong round of powerful tariffs” if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not come to the table to end the war

He waited until after the speech, and a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to announce a dramatic shift in his position on the war: He said he now believes Ukraine, with the help of NATO, can win back all territory lost to Russia.

Trump wrote in part in his post. “I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.”

The strengthened support from Trump, if it sticks, is a huge win for Zelenskyy,

The president also pushed back on longtime American allies who are using this year’s General Assembly to spotlight the growing international campaign for recognition of a Palestinian state, a move that the U.S. and Israel vehemently oppose.

The president also took part in a group meeting with officials from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey Pakistan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan for talks focused on ending the Gaza war

“This is my most important meeting,” Trump said. “But this is the one that’s very important to me because we’re going to end something that should have probably never started.” The president again

Trump regularly points to his administration’s efforts to end several conflicts around the world, including fighting between Israel and Iran, India and Pakistan, and Egypt and Sudan.

“It’s too bad that I had to do these things instead of the United Nations doing them,” Trump said. “Sadly in all cases, the United Nations did not even try to help in any of them.”

Interimdeanfor LSUlaw school

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

LSU has announced that it has named CapriceRoberts interim dean of the law school Roberts joined LSU as atenured full professor in fall 2022 and teaches constitutional law,federal courts and remedies. She is also associate dean for faculty development and research. Before joining the Paul M. Hebert Law Center,she wasavisiting professor at the GeorgeWashington University LawSchool and has taught at anumberofother law schools.

“ProfessorRoberts hasover two decades of legalexperience, including law school teaching and administration,federal judicial clerkships, and government enforcement litigation,” interimExecutive Vice President and Provost Troy Blanchard said in aMonday email announcement.

Sheisalso deputy executive director of the Southeastern Association of Law Schools.

“Our greatest strength is the community’scollective commitment to thesuccess of LSULaw and all its students,” Roberts said in astatement.“Iamgrateful and honored to serve during this

PROTESTERS

Continued from page1A

During aseparate agenda item,Collinslikewise was taken out of the meeting by police less than three seconds aftertaking thepodium, the suit states.

“I oppose this motion because on July —” Collins said, before officers grabbed him.

The lawsuit states: “It was their view that the Baton Rouge government should not return to business as usual without first resolving how to respond to the killing.” Chambers was similarly removed after mentioning the Police Department, but did attempt to relate it to a specific agenda item.

Louisiana open meetings law allows the removal of people who “willfully disrupt ameeting to the extent that orderly conduct of the meetingisseriouslycompromised.”

The city argued Wilson was justified in removing Collins, McClanahan and Chambers because they were disruptive— citing a social media post by Chambers encouraging residents to “shut down the Metro Council” in protest. Prior

to the meeting,the NAACP alsoencouraged residents to pack the courthouse andwear black, andcourt documentsshow the Metro Council hadprepared for the meetingwith extra security.

But the First Amendment prevents governments from restricting speech based on viewpoints, even in limited public forums, the court’s decision said Plaintiffs argued Wilson hadallowed speakerstofreely speakoff topic as long as they didn’tmention Sterling or theBaton Rouge Police Department.Intheir decision,the court cited several past meetings where off-topic remarks were permitted andalso noted that justtwo months after Collins and McClanahan’s removal, Wilson expelled another resident for referencing Sterling’sdeath during an unrelated agenda item

Theseinstances, among other evidence— including no history ofdisruptiveness from CollinsorMcClanahan —led thecourtto determine Wilson engaged in viewpoint discrimination and violated bothplaintiff’sFirst Amendmentrights.

“These removals were not reasonable and viewpoint neutral,” deGravelles wrote in ruling in favor of the

important time for the Louisiana StateUniversity PaulM.Hebert Law Center.” Blanchard said Rob erts “will serve in an interim capacityuntil anational search has been conducted for apermanent dean.

“Please join me in congratulating her on this appointmentand in supporting her leadership during this important period of transition,”hesaid.

The appointment comes after LSU leadership last month told

former law school Dean Alena Allen that the Board of Supervisors would seek anew dean to lead the school. That decision prompted alegal dispute,which was eventually resolvedoutside court less than two weeks ago. Allen,who held her deanship through an at-will employment arrangement, was toldinlate August that the Board of Supervisors was “just going adifferent direction” withlaw school leadership and thatshe could serveasdean until the endofthe academic year,according to Allison Jones, Allen’s attorney

In response,Allenthreatened to sue LSU over alleged whistleblower retaliation and racial and gender discrimination. Those allegations stemmed from theuniversity’s scrutiny of Allen after she raised concerns about “irregularities” with the law school’sbudgeting practices that predated her tenure, according to Jones. Allenand LSU ultimately reached an “amicable resolution” that “resolved all claims,” Jones said. As part of the deal,Allen stepped downfrom the top post on Sept. 19 and is staying on as atenured faculty member

plaintiffs’ claimsmore than four years after the bench trial took place.

The plaintiffs, whowere Black, also argued their removalwas an attempt to silence their viewpoint based on theirrace andideology,which violated the 14th Amendment. DeGravelles ruled againstthose claims

WilliamMost, whorepresented theplaintiffs,said in astatement Tuesday that the ruling is especially importantnow

“In amoment in which the First Amendmentisunder siege,avictorylikethisshows every government official in Louisiana that they can be held personally accountable for violating anyAmerican’s freedom of speech,” Most wroteinastatement.

Cityofficialsdeclined to comment on the decision.

In deciding against Chambers’ claims, deGravelles wrote that, unlike the other twoplaintiffs, Chambers did not attempt to tieinhis comments to the specific agenda item. He added that Cham-

bers’ social media campaign to “shut down”the meeting and past history of disruptive behavior in meetings,meant that Wilson’s decision to remove him, “falls underthe type of restrictionsbroadly

permitted in alimited public forum consistent with the First Amendment.”

AltonSterling was killed by Baton Rouge police officers outside aconvenience store in July 2016. The of-

ficerswereresponding to a 911 callthat aman matching Sterling’sdescription had threatened someonewitha gun. Aloaded gunwas recovered from Sterling after he wasshot.

is a doctor and chair of the committee that oversees the health department. “The concern is that women will be left with no options to manage pain in pregnancy We must be compassionate to this problem.”

The new guidance does not go as far as Trump did in telling doctors and mothers to avoid Tylenol entirely

“The precautionary principle may lead many to avoid using acetaminophen during pregnancy, especially since most low-grade fevers don’t require treatment,”

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a statement. “It remains reasonable, however, for pregnant women to use acetaminophen in certain scenarios.”

Here’s what to know about the new recommendations, what the research says, and what other medical experts say

What do studies show?

Some studies have shown a connection between acetaminophen and autism. But those studies have not proven a causal link, many experts say, meaning it’s not clear whether the drug actually caused the condition

It’s possible, for example, that patients who used acetaminophen had other conditions, like the ones that led them to take Tylenol.

And some studies, including one published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found no direct association between acetaminophen and autism or ADHD.

“In more than two decades of research on the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy, not a single reputable study has successfully concluded that the use of acetaminophen in any trimester of pregnancy causes neurodevelopmental disorders in children,” Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, wrote in a statement

responding to Trump’s announcement.

FDA recommendations

“In the spirit of patient safety and prudent medicine, clinicians should consider minimizing the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy for routine low-grade fevers,” the FDA said in a statement Monday “This consideration should also be balanced with the fact that acetaminophen is the safest over-the-counter alternative in pregnancy.”

The agency said “evidence has accumulated” that using the drug during pregnancy “may be associated with an increased risk of neurological conditions such as autism and ADHD in children,” particularly when used chronically

“These concerns may be magnified by the fact that a very young child’s liver may still be developing and thus a child’s ability to metabolize the drug may be limited,” the statement said.

Expert recommendations

Many experts do caution against prolonged, high-dosage use of acetaminophen during pregnancy

But even some researchers who have raised caution about the drug say the conditions that it addresses, like pain and fever, can be more harmful to the fetus if left untreated.

“We recommend judicious acetaminophen use lowest effective dose, shortest duration — under medical guidance, tailored to individual risk-benefit assessments, rather than a broad limitation,” a group of Harvard University researchers said in a study that flagged potential risks.

Both the FDA statement and its critics say other, similar pain relievers, like ibuprofen and aspirin, present a greater risk

What are the politics?

Trump’s announcement Monday was not the first time he and Robert F. Kennedy, the secretary of Health and Human Services, have stirred criticism in the

medical community

Long a prominent vaccine skeptic, Kennedy fired the entire board that guides federal vaccine policy, and some of the members he appointed to replace them have a history of anti-vaccine statements. The director and other top officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were fired or quit — some of them have said Kennedy pressured them to accept vaccine recommendations without solid scientific evidence.

Cassidy, who ran vaccine clinics as a doctor before he entered politics, has questioned some of Kennedy’s actions, saying they put public health at risk. But he has also avoided directly criticizing Trump; the senator is up for reelection next year and faces several conservative opponents who have blasted his vote in favor of impeaching Trump over riots at the U.S. Capitol building.

Email Matthew Albright at malbright@theadvocate. com.

BATON ROUGE'S HIDDENGEM SINCE 1980

TheWaitIsAlmostOver Fall 2025

True Transition and one of the report’sauthors.

The EnergyDepartment confirmed that it doesnot track platforms, onlywells “Therehas neverbeena requirement thatoperators register individual platforms with the Office of Conservation, which historically only directly tracked wellhead locations, and many of thoseplatforms serve other functions,” said Patrick Courreges, an Energy Department spokesperson Arecent analysis from TheTimes-Picayune|The Advocate found that more than 3,600 wellswerelikely drilled on land or in marsh and are now in open water

The Energy Department also does not track whether wells have fallen below the waterline due to land loss and sea level rise.

Neither of Louisiana’stwo industry trade organizations, theLouisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association nor the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, responded to requests for comment.

Louisianalaw already requires abandoned wells and platforms in state waters to be dismantled at the owner’s expense. Pipelines, too, are supposed toberemovedor safely buried. In practice, enforcement is weak. Platforms, like wells, can become “orphaned” when their owners, often smalloil and gas companies, go bankrupt, leaving the state on the hook for cleanup costs. While Louisiana has aprogram for plugging wells, it has no dedicated program or sourceof funding for dismantling the platforms and pipelines associated with them.

By contrast, federal regulators maintainaformal “Idle Iron” policy,with clear regulations on how and when astructure needs to be dismantled. California, which only has four offshore platforms remaining in its state waters, also requires

platforms to be decommissioned when alease ends, according to Sheri Pemberton, aspokespersonfor theCaliforniaState Lands Commission. Texasalsomaintains a publicly accessible database of platforms associated with oiland gaswells in its state waters.

In places like Black Bay Louisiana’slack of enforcement is obvious. The platformsloom over Gulf waters, clearly decades oldand abandoned

They are notthe enormous deep-water oilrigs, like the Deepwater Horizon platform that causedthe 2010 BP oil spill. Rather,theyare adiverse and striking collection of smallerstructures, built to facilitate drillingin shallower waters.

“When we say ‘platform,’ it’s acatch-allfor different typesofinfrastructuresupportingoil and gas,” Biven said. “These are not cuttingedge,space-age-looking facilities. Mostare oldand not maintained. Many are derelict.”

One apparently damaged platform,inanoilfield east of the Bird’sFoot delta at the endofthe Mississippi River, lookedlike agiantchair.An-

other was arusting structure with alarge, collapsed gangway bridge. What appeared to be water spurted from abusted pipe attached to yet another platform

They once served avariety of purposes. Somehoused condensers, amachine that turns highly pressurizedgas into liquid so it can be more easily transported. Others housedworkers or served as batteries,where oil is stored before being piped to shore.

Leavingthesestructures in place carries risks, according to thereport.

Someold platforms constantly leak methane, apotentgreenhouse gas that contributestoglobalheating.Methane from some active platforms, which purposefully vent the gas, indicates it has madeits way intohelicopter engines and caused them to stall, according to thereport.

The pipes and platforms can also impede navigation. The Energy Department hasfieldedhundreds of complaintsofshrimping boatsorcharter fishermen running intoinfrastructure left behind afterwells were shuttered.

If they’renot dismantled

or converted into underwaterreefs, hurricanescan also topple structures. When

damaged by astorm,the report estimates that cleanup costs are 15 times higher

Louisiana does have arigsto-reefsprogram,which allows operators to sink parts of theirplatforms to create fish habitat.

The report’sauthors also advocateagainst reefing more platforms in state waters, arguing instead that salvaging them provides an opportunity to create jobs and reuse steel components.

Thatsteel,the report notes, could be processed in U.S.based facilities likethe $6 billionHyundai steelplant in Donaldsonville that will soon break ground.

“The issue with rigs-toreefs is that we already do it. We’ve doneagreat job of it,” she said. “But we’vereached peak rigs-to-reefs.”

Reefing more platforms, she argued, will not provide additional ecological benefit.

Louisiana haslost20,000 jobs in oiland gasproduction over the past 10 years, afigure that the report cites

to argue for employing some of that workforce to dismantle platforms. Cleaning up thecoast would have aclear upside, the report argues: If the stateprioritized doingit, it wouldcreatethousands of well-paid jobs. The report estimates that decommissioning all platforms in state waters would create between14,700and 16,500 job-years. (A job-year represents one full-time job that exists forone year.) To plug and abandon nearly 2,800 wells in thestate’s coastal waters would create between 3,600 and 4,800 job-years, according to the report. Courreges, the spokespersonfor the Energy Department, said theagency will aim to track platforms goingforward and locate those that already exist.

“Withthe reorganization of DENR …itishoped that better methods can be developed to help locate more non-well platforms,” he said.

Administration rehires hundreds of laid-off employees

BY JOSHUA GOODMAN and RYAN J FOLEY Associated Press

MIAMI Hundreds of federal employees who lost their jobs in Elon Musk’s cost-cutting blitz are being asked to return to work.

The General Services Administration has given the employees — who managed government workspaces — until the end of the week to accept or decline reinstatement, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press. Those who accept must report for duty on Oct. 6 after what amounts to a seven-month paid vacation, during which time the GSA in some cases racked up high costs — passed along to taxpayers — to stay in dozens of properties whose leases it had slated for termination or were allowed to expire.

“Ultimately, the outcome was the

agency was left broken and understaffed,” said Chad Becker, a former GSA real estate official “They didn’t have the people they needed to carry out basic functions.”

Becker who represents owners with government leases at Arco Real Estate Solutions, said GSA has been in a “triage mode” for months. He said the sudden reversal of the downsizing reflects how Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency had gone too far too fast.

GSA was established in the 1940s to centralize the acquisition and management of thousands of federal workplaces. Its return to work request mirrors rehiring efforts at several agencies targeted by DOGE. Last month, the IRS said it would allow some employees who took a resignation offer to remain on the job. The Labor Department has also brought back some em-

ployees who took buyouts, while the National Park Service earlier reinstated a number of purged employees. Critical to the work of such agencies is the GSA, which manages many of the buildings. Starting in March, thousands of GSA employees left the agency as part of programs that encouraged them to resign or take early retirement. Hundreds of others — those subject to the recall notice — were dismissed as part of an aggressive push to reduce the size of the federal workforce. Though those employees did not show up for work, they were to be paid through the end of this month.

GSA representatives didn’t respond to detailed questions about the return-to-work notice, which the agency issued Friday They also declined to discuss the agency’s headcount, staffing decisions

or the potential cost overruns generated by reversing its plans to terminate leases.

“GSA’s leadership team has reviewed workforce actions and is making adjustments in the best interest of the customer agencies we serve and the American taxpayers,” an agency spokesman said in an email.

DOGE identified the agency, which had about 12,000 employees at the start of the Trump administration, as a chief target of its campaign to reduce fraud, waste and abuse in the federal government.

A small cohort of Musk’s trusted aides embedded in GSA’s headquarters, sometimes sleeping on cots on the agency’s sixth floor, and pursued plans to abruptly cancel nearly half of the 7,500 leases in the federal portfolio. DOGE also wanted GSA to sell hundreds of federally owned buildings with the goal

of generating billions in savings.

GSA started by sending more than 800 lease cancellation notices to landlords, in many cases without informing the government tenants. The agency also published a list of hundreds of government buildings that were targeted for sale.

DOGE’s “Wall of Receipts,” which once boasted that the lease cancellations alone would save nearly $460 million, has since reduced that estimate to $140 million by the end of July, according to Becker, the former GSA real estate official.

As a result of the internal turmoil, 131 leases expired without the government actually vacating the properties, the official said The situation has exposed the agencies to steep fees because property owners have not been able to rent out those spaces to other tenants.

Poll finds Americans warming to benefits of legal immigration

BY ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON and AMELIA THOMSONDEVEAUX Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.

As President Donald Trump’s administration imposes new restrictions on the legal immigration system, U.S. adults are more likely than they were a year ago to think these immigrants benefit the country according to a new poll

The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that Americans are more likely than they were in March 2024 to say it’s a “major benefit” that people who come to the U.S. legally contribute to economic growth and help American companies get the expertise of skilled workers.

The survey also shows that Americans are less likely than they were in January to say the number of legal immigrants to the U.S. should be reduced. Slightly fewer than half of Americans say the number should remain

the same, a similar percentage from earlier this year

At the same time, perceptions of illegal immigration haven’t shifted meaningfully

Americans continue to see fewer benefits from people who come to the U.S. illegally, and they’re more likely to see major risks from these immigrants, including the concern that they’ll commit crimes while in the U.S.

On Friday Trump signed a proclamation to overhaul the H-1B visa program, one of the most common pathways for highly skilled foreign workers requiring now a $100,000 fee for applications. The Trump administration is also subjecting green card applicants to “anti-Americanism” screening, and students applying for visas now need to adhere to social media vetting. While slightly fewer than half of U.S. adults say the number of legal immigrants should stay as it is, about onequarter say the number of legal immigrants to the U.S. should be reduced “a lot” or “a little.” That marks a de-

crease from January when about one-third said this.

The drop is largely driven by Republicans. About 3 in 10 Republicans now say that legal immigration should be reduced, down from 45% in January

About 3 in 10 U.S. adults say the number of legal immigrants to the U.S. should be increased “a lot” or “a little,” up slightly from January when 24% of Americans wanted an increase in legal immigration.

Americans are more likely to see “major” benefits from people who come to the U.S. legally and less likely to see “major” risks, compared with an AP-NORC poll conducted early last year

About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say a “major” benefit of immigrants in the country legally is that they contribute to economic growth, which went up from about 4 in 10 in March 2024. Similarly, 51% of U.S. adults say a “major” benefit of legal immigration is that American companies get the expertise of skilled workers in fields like science

and technology compared with 41% in March 2024.

Carlos Gonzalez, who was born in the U.S. to Panamanian parents, said immigrants “provide a lot to the economy of the United States.”

“They bring different ideas that help the economy,” said Gonzalez, 53, a Democrat from Waterbury, Connecticut, adding his mother served as a military nurse in Vietnam. “A lot of people don’t realize that when they do come over here, they try to enrich the country and not take away from it.”

Jeff Witoszczak, of El

Paso, Texas, identifies as a moderate Republican and supports Trump’s efforts to conduct large-scale deportations of people in the country illegally saying he does not think the focus needs to be on those who have committed violent crimes. Witoszczak is married to a woman from Mexico who came to the U.S. legally when she was a child.

“Coming here illegally that’s a crime in and of itself,” Witoszczak said.

“They didn’t follow due process coming in. They don’t need due process going out.” Americans tend to see

Amorning of giving: PelicanCreditUnion brings $10,000infreegroceriesto Terrebonne Parish families

It wasfar from anormalWednesday morninglastmonth at Cannata’sFamily Market in Houma Shoppers beganliningupasearly as 5:30 a.m. for thelatestPelican Pays,anevent in whichPelican Credit Uniongives back to itscommunities.AtCannata’s,a totalof $10,000ingroceries were givenaway, with 200familiesleaving with $50worth of free grocerieseach. Throughout themorning, Pelicanteam memberscouldalsobeseenhelpingcashiersbag customers’groceriesandassistingshoppers. Theeventsnow knownasPelican Pays beganseveral yearsago when thePelican team wouldstopintoa locallyowned coffee shoporrestaurantunannouncedandpaythe tabfor afew hours. Thesurprised patrons expressedgratitudeandwereencouragedto payitforward.The feedback wassopositive that theprogram wasformalizedwiththe cooperationoflocal partners like Cannata’s.Pelican membership is notnecessary to receivefreegroceries or giveaway items.

CEOJeffConradsaidthe PelicanPays events have takenonadeepermeaning in recentyearsaspriceshaveincreasedacross theboard,stretchingmanypeople’sbudgets “It’satough time rightnow in this economy,”Conradtoldshoppers. “Weknowyour moneydoesn’tgoasfarasitusedto.Ourteam is committedtobeing apositivelight and making adifference throughoutreach and humanconnectionlikewe’re doingtoday.” Onemembersaidthe PelicanPaysevent at Cannata’smadea tangible difference for people in Terrebonne Parish Shesaid,“I’mjustsothankfulforwhatPelicanisdoing here today. It reallyisablessing from Godtohavetheminour community.

“Welovethisdirectformofcommunity supportthathas an immediateimpacton people,” said LeighPorta,Pelican’s Chief Growth Officer. “Wehavea lotofteam memberswho areabletoget outofthe office foraday,and they love that.We’re luckytohavegreatpeoplewho arealways excitedtogiveback.

PelicanCreditUnion hasservedLouisianaresidents for70years andopened itsHouma Branch locatedat292 South HollywoodRoadin2023. Pelicanworks with membersinevery stageoftheir lives with awidearray of financial programs andcompetitive products.Asa designated CommunityDevelopmental Financial Institution(CDFI), Pelicaniscommitted to providingfinancialsolutions to individuals, families,and communities.

To learnmoreabout Pelicanservices or becoming amember, visitpelicanstatecu. com/join

Scottgives $70million to UNCF

BY GLENN GAMBOA Associated Press

NEWYORK Billionaire philanthropist

MacKenzie Scott has donated$70 million to the UNCF,asthe nation’slargestprivate provider of scholarships to minority students works to raise $1 billion to strengthen all 37 of its historically Black colleges and universities.

The gift is one of Scott’slargest single donations ever and among the firsttobe publicly disclosed in 2025. Famously private, Scott only discusses her donations through her website and does not confirmthemuntilafterthe recipients do “This extraordinary gift is apowerful vote of confidenceinHBCUs and in the work of UNCF,” thenonprofit’s President and CEO Dr.Michael Lomax saidinastatement. “It provides aoncein-a-generation opportunity for our member institutions to build permanent assets that willsupport students and campuses for decades to come.”

Lomax said Scott’sdonation would be used forUNCF’spooledendowment, whichaims to establish a$370 million fund —$10 million for each UNCF member HBCU. That fund will be invested and designed to pay out about 4% annually,which will then be divided among theHBCUs to help stabilize their budgets. Increasing HBCU endowments is aprioritysince they trail endowments at non-HBCUs by 70%,according to the UNCF The broader $1 billionfundraising effort is an attempt to help HBCUs address thefunding disparity they face whencompared to other colleges anduniversities. A2023 study by philanthropic researchgroup Candid and ABFE, anonprofit that advocates for investmentsinBlack communities, found that the eight IvyLeague schools received $5.5 billionfrom the 1,000 largest U.S. foundations comparedto$45 million for the 99 HBCUs in 2019

SinceScott, anovelist who received thebulkofher fortune afterdivorcing Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, signed theGivingPledgein2019, promising to donate more than half herwealth,

HBCUs havebeen among her favorite grantees. She previously gave UNCF $10 million in 2020.

Scotthasn’tmade any announcementsabout her giving since she acknowledged $2 billion in giftsin2024, bringing her total to $19.2 billion. According to Forbes, Scott’snet worth is currently around $34 billion.

Her unusual donations —which aremuchlarger than most foundations give at onetime and carry no restrictions on when they can be used or what they can be used for —financially strengthened the nonprofits that received them, saidPhil Buchanan, president of The Center for Effective Philanthropy,which studied Scott’s giving over three years.

“Wedidn’tsee thefears people predicted come to pass,” said Buchanan, who disclosed thatThe Center for Effective Philanthropy receiveda one-time $10 million grant from Scott. Thoughsomeworried that thelarge gifts would cause the recipients to increase staffing too much or hurt their fundraising efforts, Buchanan said their study of 2,000 nonprofits saw little evidence of that.

BY SOPHIEBATES Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. Aformer

Omega Psi Phi pledge who alleges he was so severely beaten during the Nu Eta chapter’s“Hell Night” that he hadtorelearnhow to walk is now suing the fraternity, the UniversityofSouthern Mississippi, multiple other people and organizations.

According to thefederal lawsuit, Rafeal Joseph and otherpledges were struck repeatedly witha wooden paddle madefrom atwo-byfour plank on April 16, 2023.

Afterward, Joseph went to the hospital where he underwent ablood transfusionand emergency surgery while being treated forbruised ribs, ahematoma, posterior compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis, asevere muscle injury

The lawsuit alleges Joseph

suffered severe emotional distress andcould notwalk formonths. He ultimately dropped out of the University of Southern Mississippi. OmegaPsi PhiFraternity declinedtocommentonthe litigation. The University of Southern Mississippi was not available forcomment.

“Wesee violent incidents like these time and again across the nation but, instead of taking action, fraternity leadersand universityofficials alike sweepitunder the rug andwriteitoff as ‘boys will be boys,’ ”civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers, who is representing Joseph, said in anews release. “It’scriminal violence and abuse and it needs to end.”

The lawsuit alleges fraternity members beganhazing Joseph in December 2022by stealing his food and money, preventing him from sleeping and threatening him

N.C. Legislaturepassesbillpackage afterstabbing

BY GARYD.ROBERTSON Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. In response

to the stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on Charlotte’slight rail system, the North Carolina Legislature gave final approval Tuesday to acriminal justice package that limits bail and seeks to ensure more defendants undergo mental health evaluations. The Republican-penned bill also could help restart executions in the state.

The House voted82-30to accept the omnibus measure passed by the Senate on Monday,sending it next to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. Stein, aformer attorneygeneral, has said he supports some pretrial reforms following thefatal Aug. 22 attack upon 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska.

It wasn’timmediatelyclear whether Stein would sign the bill into law or veto it. AStein spokesperson said he wasreviewing the measure. The attack suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., had been arrested more than adozen times andwas releasedearlier this year by amagistrate on amisdemeanor count without any bond.Brown is charged with first-degree murder in state court anda federal count in connection with Zarutska’sdeath.Both crimes can bepunishable by thedeath penalty

Brown “should have never been allowed out of the jail. The catch-and-releasepracticesfor violentoffenders will end today with your support,”Charlotte-area Republican state Rep. TriciaCothamtold colleagues during two hours of House debate. “This heinous act was preventable.”

Public outrage over Zarutska’sdeath intensified withthe release of security video showing the attack on thecommuter train, leading President Donald Trumpand GOP allies to accuse Charlotte and statewide elected Democratsofpromoting soft-on-crime policies.

Much of the bill entitled “Iryna’sLaw” focuses on eliminating cashless bail for many crimes, limiting the discretion that magistrates and judges have in making pretrial release decisions, and laying out when offenders should be examined for possible involuntary commitment.

Brown’smother toldmedia outlets that herson has been diagnosed withschizophrenia.

Several House Democrats took issue with thesoft-oncrime label, pointing out that Republicans have controlled theGeneral Assembly for over adecade. They said the bill falls wellshort in providingmental health services that advocatessay could

Cardinale, star of ‘8½’and ‘The Leopard,’dies

BY VICTOR L. SIMPSON Associated Press

ROME Acclaimed Italian actor Claudia Cardinale, who starred in some of the most celebrated European films of the 1960s and1970s,has died, AFP reported Tuesday. She was 87 She starred in morethan 100 films and made-for-televisionproductions butshe wasbestknown forembodying youthful purity in Federico Fellini’s“81/2,” in which she co-starred with Marcello Mastroianni in 1963.

Cardinale also won praise for her role as Angelica SedarainLuchino Visconti’s award-winning screen adaption of thehistorical novel “The Leopard” that same year and areformed prostitute in Sergio Leone’sspaghetti western “Once Upon aTime in the West” in 1968 She died in Nemours,France, surrounded by her children, her agent Laurent Savry told AFP Cardinale began her movie career at theage of 17 after winninga beauty

contest in Tunisia, whereshe was born of Sicilian parents who had emigrated to North Africa. Thecontestbrought hertothe Venice Film Festival, where she cametothe attention of the Italian movieindustry

“Thefact I’mmaking movies is just an accident,” Cardinale recalled while accepting alifetime achievement award at theBerlin Film Festival in 2002. “When they asked me ‘doyou wanttobein the movies?’ Isaid no and they insistedfor six months.”

Hersuccesscame in the wake of Sophia Loren’sinternational stardom andshe wastouted as Italy’sanswer to Brigitte Bardot. Whilenever achieving thelevel of success of the French actor, shenonethelesswas considered a star andworked with the leadingdirectors inEurope and Hollywood.

“They gave me everything,”Car-

dinalesaid. “It’smarvelous to live so manylives. I’ve been living morethan 150 lives, totally different women.”

One of her earliestroles was as a black-clad Sicilian girl in the1958 comedy classic “Big Deal on Madonna Street.” It was produced by Franco Cristaldi, whomanaged her early career and to whom shewas married from 1966 to 1975.

Thesensuous brunette with enormous eyes was often cast as ahotblooded woman.Asshe hada deep voice andspoke Italian with aheavy French accent, her voice was dubbed in her early movies.

Her career in Hollywood brought only partial successbecause she was notinterestedingiving up European film.

Cardinale herself considered the 1966 “The Professionals,” directed by Richard Brooks as the best of her Hollywood films, where she starred alongside Burt Lancaster,Jack Palance, Robert Ryan and Lee Marvin.

stop crimes before they occur,aswell as funds to hire additional policeofficers and crisis responders and to housedefendants being held forbehavioral problems.

“Tough on crimedoesn’t only meanlet’s payattention to punishment after the fact,” said Democratic Rep. Marcia MoreyofDurham, aformer judge. “Wegrieve the murder. It was senseless, it was horrible. But whatyou arevoting on today does nothing to takeitback or would have prevented it Let’sget smart on crime.”

Unlike Monday’sparty-line Senate vote, over one-third of House Democrats present joined all Republicans in voting for the bill Tuesday.The margins signal any Stein veto could be overridden.

The bill initially contained language that would require certain appealsfor deathrow inmates be heard and reviewedbycourts by the

end of 2027. More than 120 people are on death row in North Carolina,but an execution hasn’tbeen carried out since 2006. But an amendment from powerful Senate leader Phil Berger would direct the state Adult Correction Department secretary to find another form of execution if lethal injection —currently the state’ssole method —isdeclared unconstitutional or is “not available,” potentially if the drugs can’tbeaccessed. The secretary would have to select another method that’sbeen adopted by another state. That could include the use of afiring squad, amethod used to execute South Carolina inmates twice thisyear,orperhaps electrocution. Capital punishment has beenput on hold in North Carolina in part over legal challenges on the use of the injection drugs.

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Gonzales council rejects grants

Move sparks heated exchange

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

A heated exchange at the Gonzales City Council meeting unfolded this week as the council rejected two applications from groups seeking $5,000 grants from the city, with applicants expressing shock and disappointment at the rejection. The Arc of East Ascension had requested $5,000 to purchase replacement equipment for the organization’s pecancracking program, while the Hispanic Heritage Festival asked for the same amount or free use of the Price LeBlanc PACE Center In rejecting the applications, some council members pointed to potential legal complications from allowing the PACE Center to

State takeover of Baker schools

OK’d

Appeals court reverses judge’s injunction

BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer

The state takeover of two “F”rated schools in Baker is potentially back on after an appellate court tossed an April decision by a Baton Rouge judge that temporarily halted the move.

If it stands, the ruling by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal gives state education leaders a freer hand in wresting control of the operations of chronically low-performing schools from resistant local leaders. The original state plan was to take over one of the schools in the small suburban Baton Rouge school district when the school year ended in late May and hand it over to an Indiana-based charter school network, GEO Academies. Judge Tarvald Smith put that seizure on pause via a preliminary injunction he issued on April 21, which affected the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Smith ruled that BESE erred when it greenlighted the takeovers but neglected to first accept or reject a required reconstitution plan for the two “F”-rated schools submitted months earlier by the city of Baker school district. A three-judge panel with the 1st Circuit reversed the decision, finding that Smith had misread state law

“The trial court erred as a matter of law in interpreting the statute to add an additional requirement not included by the Legislature,” the panel found in a ruling released Friday

The panel included appellate justices Kelly Balfour, Allison Penzato and Mitch Theriot.

The Louisiana Department of Education, which lodged the appeal, released a statement describing the ruling as a vindication: “This ruling affirms our authority to intervene when schools have persistently failed students as we have done in the past and as we will do in the future as needed.”

The state education agency, however, is planning “no immediate next steps at this time” to restart the takeovers, since a new school year is underway

Smith’s preliminary injunction played a role in a chain of events that led GEO Academies’ 3-yearold GEO Baker charter school to relocate from Bethany Prayer Center on Plank Road to the former White Hills Elementary campus at Bentley Drive. Kevin Teasley, GEO’s founder and CEO, said he is still interested in the Baker Middle campus at

be used for free, as there is a standard rental rate and a discounted rate for nonprofit organizations. For the Arc of East Ascension, some council members wanted a clearer picture of the organization’s finances. Raven Labiche, executive director for the Arc of East Ascension, said she was “absolutely shocked” by the result. “I was completely speechless, and I am appalled that there was even a thought to not support people with disabilities who are

citizens of the city of Gonzales,” she said.

The Arc of East Ascension offers services, including job training like the pecan-cracking program, for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Each year, it hosts the Dancing for a Cause fundraiser.

Labiche said the organization has had a pecan-cracking machine for many years, but the device is currently out of order, so the funds would help replace it. After a brief overview, Division A

Pretty presentation

council member Eddie Williams motioned to approve it, followed by a second from Division C council member Cynthia Gray James.

Council members Kirk Boudreaux, Tyler Turner and Terri Lambert voted against it. Following the vote, Arc of East Ascension board member Anita Cann walked to the microphone and asked the group why they voted against it. “We say ‘pecan cracking,’ we

Council approves alcohol permit for restaurant

Church services move out of Denham Springs business

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

The Denham Springs City Council approved Mustard Seed Creamery’s alcohol permit, ending a dispute over whether the spot is officially a restaurant or a church.

The majority of the council on Monday approved the business’s request for an alcohol permit. In the past few months, the community has been embroiled in a debate over whether the creamery can serve alcohol, because it also held religious services for the Mustard Seed Church. Mustard Seed Creamery, located on North Range Avenue, serves ice cream and tapas. It previously has sold beer and wine. It has hosted several events, including services every Sunday for the church. The council in July

declined to renew the liquor license for the business citing a city ordinance that bans alcohol sales within 300 feet of a church. Owners Tim and Tasha Levert tried to appeal the denial, but were rejected again. Since that meeting, the church congregation has stopped meeting at the creamery in an effort to renew the restaurant’s alcohol permit.

“Mustard Seed Church has not gathered in the restaurant for weekly worship since Sunday, Aug. 10,” Tim Levert said. “Our hope is to bring this process to a close tonight so we can continue serving and contributing to our community.”

The council approved the permit in a 3-2 vote. Council members Robert Poole, Jim Gilbert and Jeff Wesley voted yes. Members Lori LammWilliams and Amber Dugas voted against the measure Levert asked the council and Mayor Gerard Landry, after the vote, if the church could re-

Developer applies for rezoning at

BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

LSUbuysmorepropertyinNew Orleans

BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer

LSU is continuing to expand its footprint along Tulane Avenue’smedical corridorwith the recent purchaseofnearly an acre of vacant land nearthe intersection of Tulane Avenue and Galvez Street.

Property records filed Sept. 17 with the Orleans Parish clerk of courtshow that the LSU Board of Supervisorspurchasedeight parcels from the LSU Health Foundation, its nonprofit affiliate, for$5.1 million.

The foundation,which raises money for LSU Health, had been gradually assembling the properties in recent years.

It’sthe second time in ayear the university has purchased land next to the LSU Health ScienceCenter campus and gives LSU

GONZALES

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also have ashredding business, we have ajanitorial business, but the pecan cracking is something that they enjoy doing; it’s aservice that we provide for the community,and it is something that they’re able to do and be successful at,” she said. “And with the ‘no’ votes, Iwas just wondering why is that the case,sowe’ll know what we need to do to go forward.” Turner asked what the funds raised by Dancing for aCause are used for, and Cann saidthey go to capital enterprise.

“So, we do have funds that we can use; however, we’re asking for assistance,” she said, mentioning federal budget cuts.

Organization’s funds

Cann directedher attention to Lambert, askingwhy the councilwoman voted against the measure.

“You said thatyou have the money,” Lambert said, andCann responded by restating herremark about budget cuts.Lambert then asked how much money the organization had in its trust account, and Cann

ALCOHOL

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sume meeting at MustardSeed Creamery,orif that would jeopardize the permit.

“When youapplied forthe license the first time, you met all the cri-

SENIOR

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constructedinthe second phase are still beingfinalized

“This is really maximizing the opportunitythat’s there,” Daniels said.

Partners Southeast and theBanyan Foundation announced plans to redevelop the 15-acre former Earl K. Long MedicalCenter campus into amixed-use

control of nearly the entire cityblock boundedbyTulane, Gravier, South Galvez andJohnson streets. In October,LSU bought the site of the longtime late-night dinerAnita’s Grill andits adjacentlots in the2100 block of Tulane for $1.1 million. Thestructure that housed the popularrestaurantsince 1989 was subsequentlyrazed Anita’s reopened in the Central Business District earlier this year LSU officials have said they do nothaveany immediate plansora timeline for developing the area, but thattheir strategicplan

asked what that had to do with thegrant “You havethe money, youhavethe money,you have themoney,” Lambert said. “That’s my point.” Cann responded before turning away. “I appreciate you,” she said. “And Iwill remember.”

Legalconcerns

The council’ssecond rejection stemmed from a request for grant money to rentthe Pace Center Earlierinthe meeting, the council tableda request fromthe Gonzales Jambalaya Festival Association, which requested to use the PACE Center for free for its two-day pageant in 2026. During that discussion, Boudreaux and Lambert pointed toaset rental rate forall nonprofits, which Community Services Director Jaycee Gill said is $3,750.

Thetopic came upagain when the Hispanic Heritage Festival of Gonzales requested $5,000 to rent thecenterfor acancer gala. Treasurer Samera Welch said the organizationrented it last year with funds it raised, and PresidentMaria Truett said the organization was seeking either the funds or afree rentalofthe center

teria. At theend ofthe year,you did not meet all the criteria; that’swhy your license wasnot renewed,” Landry responded.“Youmeet the criteria today.”

Thecreamerycelebrated the approval on Tuesday in asocial media post.

“Whilewe’re still sadour church can no longer gath-

development featuring seniorhousing and retail space in 2023. Thetwo organizations receiveda $4 million grant fromthe Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas earlier this year for theCypressatWards Creek and Capstone at North Point seniorliving communities

The twoorganizations filedanapplication earlier this month to rezone3.87 acres of at 5875 Airline Highway from heavy commercial and commercial

calls forbuying up property as it becomes available betweenClaiborneAvenue and Galvez Street and between TulaneAvenue and Poydras Street.

“The primary reason being potential futureexpansion as well as removing blightedproperty for safety reasons,” Chancellor Dr SteveNelson said lastfall, following the Anita’sacquisition.

The properties LSUhas earmarked for long-term acquisition arelocated within BioDistrict New Orleans, theeconomic development zone spanning 1,500 acres of downtown and Mid-City and funded through growth in salestax revenue under an agreement approvedin2022.

According to the BioDistrictstrategic master plan,approved by the City Council lastyear,the site of LSU’srecentpurchases as well as the rest of thatside of Tulane Avenue between Galvez andClaibornehas been set aside forLSU Health Science Center’sinstitutional campus

Boudreaux reiterated the standardnonprofit rate, andLambert argued it might runafoul of the Louisiana Attorney General’sCabela’sTest. That testrequires any transfer of public funds to be for apublic purpose, not gratuitous, and ensures the government entity receives abenefit roughly equal to the amount expended.

Williamsmotioned to approve, with Gray James seconding.Beforethe vote, Turner asked City AttorneyAllen Davis if it wouldbelegal to give a $5,000grant to an organization thatwould thenbe spentonrenting the PACE Center “I’ll have to research that and see. This is the first time it’sbeen brought to my attention,”hesaid. “But it’salmost like giving the building away for nothing, which goes againstwhat theordinance for thePACE Centerisabout.”

The motion to approve failed with the same three members voting against it, and asubsequent motion by Turner to table the decision pending legal review failed to receive a second.

Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher cartwright@theadvocate.

er in the shop (atleast for now), andweare scratching our headsabout why two members stillvoted no,we’re thrilled to finally have access to 40% of our business plan,” thebusiness wrote.

Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@ theadvocate.com.

alcoholic beveragetogeneral residential. Daniels said they plan to construct the two-phase senior housing units on the rezoned land. The proposal will be considered at the Planning Commission’sOct. 20 meeting,according to the meeting agenda.

Daniels said the remaining 11.13 acres of the property will be developedinto education,health care and workforcetraining facilities.

Commercial activity in the district, as well as sales taxrevenue growth, has been bolstered by the lastmonth’sopening of the first New OrleansTrader Joe’slocation threeblocks down TulaneAvenue from the site of LSU’slatestland purchases. Elsewhereinthe district, Tulane University is trying to finalize acomplicated financial deal, nowexpected to costatleast $650 million, to revive itslong-stalled plans to convertthe former CharityHospital intoa newcomplex of offices,lab space and apartments. Tulane has alsoinvested more than $44 million in recent years on itsown medical buildings in the downtown district.

For its part, in addition to buying up landaround its downtown campus, LSU Healthhas been renovating existing buildings in the area. In 2023, it completed the $68 million transformation of the formerHotel Dieu Hospital and interim LSU hospitalinto the Center for

SCHOOLS

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5950 Groom Road

“While we have settled into our new facilityon Bentley Drive,itisonlya one-year lease, and we don’t have agymnasium,” Teasley said. “If theGroom Road building becomes available, our students would benefit from use of the gym.”

The Bakerschool district hasnot givenupthe legal fight

“The (Baker) School Board will considerthe path moving forward, which would include taking the mattertoafull trial,” Superintendent J.T. Stroder said.

Asecond lawsuit brought by Baker also remains active.

That suit arguesBESE’s March 12 meeting violated Louisiana’sopenmeetings law becausethe agenda that daymadenodirect mention of the schools or the takeovers. Ad hocJudge Michael McDonald ruled in May,with little explanation, that the agenda could have been worded better, but it didn’tviolatethe law Baker has appealed and is awaitinga ruling from the 1st Circuit. Further complicating matters is that in early April, the Baker School Boardvoted to convert its remainingtwo schools, Park Ridge Elementary andBaker High,intocharter schools.The board hired Helix CommunitySchools, a charter group whose president andCEO is Preston Castille.

Castille is also aBESE member whosedistrict includes Bakerand was once aresident of the small city Three weeks earlier,Castille was the only BESE

Advanced Learning and Simulation. A$100 million renovation of LSU Health’s Medical Education Building is underway at the corner of Perdido Street and SouthRoman Street. That’sdue to be completed in spring 2026. Andy Kopplin, chair of the BioDistrict’sboard, said Monday thedistrict plans to make itsfirst investmentsinimprovementstoTulaneAvenue next month, with plans to spend $90,000 to plant trees between Claiborne and Carrollton avenues.

“Wecontinue to work with RTAonplans for new bus shelters as well, and look forwardtomaking investments in those alongwithnew lighting, pedestrian crosswalks and related infrastructure, greeninfrastructurefor flood mitigation, and other Tulane Avenue improvements,” said Kopplin, who also heads theGreater New Orleans Foundation LSU officials are not currently in negotiations to buy either of the two inde-

member whovoted against the Bakerschool takeovers. This summer,Castille relocated most elementary and middle school operations to Bethany,which his organizationnow occupies.

Louisianalaw provides the state with four reasons it can cite to take over a low-performing or “failing” school. One is when a school district “presents a reconstitution plan that is unacceptable to the state board.”Inthis case,BESE neverconsideredBaker’s reconstitutionplan, moving directly to takeover.Smith found that BESE fell short legally when it failed to assess thatplan.

The three-judge panel, however,found that was unnecessary because BESE hadanother acceptable rationale fortaking the action it took:Both BakerMiddle andBaker Heights Elementary were “labeled an academically unacceptable school for four consecutive years.” Indeed, Baker Middle hadbeen an “F” school for nine years.

The panel also rejected an argument madebyBaker that BESE illegally micromanaged thesmall school district by taking over schools even after the city School Boardvoted on Feb 11 to close them.Its attorneys saythe takeoversviolate aprovisionofthe state constitutionthatbarsthe state education board from interfering in the “business affairs” of public school districts.

The appellate court, however,found that BESE, in thisinstance, “is not bound by thelimitation in thebusiness affairs provision.”

In any case, the court ruled that Baker,byvoting in February,waited too long to close the two schools. The judgescited another state law that re-

pendently owned parcels within the block containing the former Anita’ssite, according to Marykay Thevis, aspokesperson forthe chancellor of LSU Health. Rahim Ebrahimpour,who owns the vacant parcel at 2100 Tulane Ave.,said he wasapproached by someone interested in purchasing it about ayear ago. But he said he had no plans to sell.

Arepresentative of 437 SJohnson St. LLC, the owner of the only other parcelonthe blockthatis yet to be acquired by LSU, could not be reached for comment.

AndthoughLSU Health has yet to disclose any plans forbuilding up the block, spending on infrastructure improvements there is already underway “Wehave begun theprocess of enhancing parking lots and green space,” Thevis said. “Wealsoplan to do stormwater management projectsinthat area.”

StaffwriterTonyMcAuley contributed reporting.

quires school districts like Baker to notify the state “of all school closures and reconstitution” by Dec. 31 of the previous academic year

Email CharlesLussierat clussier@theadvocate. com.

BUSINESS

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

U.S. stocks slip as Wall Street pauses Tuesday

NEW YORK U.S. stock indexes

slipped on Tuesday as Wall Street took a pause from its relentless rally

The S&P 500 dipped 0.6%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 88 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite sank

0.9%

It’s the first pullback for the indexes after the trio set alltime highs in each of the last three days. Since surging from a bottom in April, the broad U.S. stock market has been facing criticism that it’s shot too high, too fast and become too expensive.

Nvidia weighed on the market after giving back some of its big gain from the day before, when it announced a partnership with OpenAI to build out data centers. Wall Street’s most influential stock lost 2.8%.

Gold continued its recordbreaking rally and briefly topped $3,800 per ounce. It’s soared nearly 45% so far this year, even more than the U.S. stock market, in part on expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates to help the slowing U.S. job market.

Mexico boosts controls on cattle near border

MEXICO CITY Mexico activated emergency controls Monday after detecting a new case of New World screwworm in cattle in the northern border state of Nuevo Leon, the closest case to the U.S. border since the outbreak began last year

The animal, found in the town of Sabinas Hidalgo, came from the Gulf state of Veracruz, Mexico’s National Health for Food Safety and Food Quality Service said. The last case was reported July 9 in Veracruz, prompting Washington to suspend imports of live Mexican cattle.

The parasite, a larva of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, attacks warm-blooded animals, including humans. Mexico has reported more than 500 active cases in cattle across southern states.

The block on cattle imports has spelled trouble for Mexico’s government, which has already been busy trying to offset the brunt of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats this year.

The government and ranchers have sought to get the ban lifted. If it stays in place through the year, Mexico’s ranching federation estimates losses up to $400 million.

Kiss cam scandal was not an ‘affair,’ report says Months after the kiss cam scandal, a source close to Kristin Cabot, the HR executive seen cuddling with former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron during a Coldplay concert, is speaking out about the nature of their relationship.

When the pair were caught on the jumbotron hugged up at the band’s Boston concert in July, the duo awkwardly broke away from each other and tried to hide from the camera.

But a source told People that the viral clip didn’t paint an accurate image of the real story.

“Kristin and Andy had an excellent working relationship, a great friendship,” the Cabot source told the outlet. “There was no affair.”

“It was inappropriate to be hugging your boss at a concert, and she accepts full responsibility for it,” the insider said. “But the scandal, the downfall, the loss of the job — all of that is unfair.”

Recent reports confirmed that Cabot was already in the process of divorcing her husband before the concert, but Byron is reportedly married.

The scandal thrusted both families into the spotlight, fueling headlines, which the source says misrepresented Cabot.

“It is important to note how inappropriately mislabeled Kristin has been — as a homewrecker,” the source said “It’s unfathomable to witness what has happened, and how devastating it can be, for not just individuals, but entire families.”

Powell says labor market faces risk

BY AMARA OMEOKWE Bloomberg News (TNS)

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the outlooks for the labor market and inflation face risks, reiterating his view that policymakers likely have a difficult road ahead as they weigh further interest-rate cuts

“Near-term risks to inflation are tilted to the upside and risks to employment to the downside — a challenging situation,” Powell said Tuesday in remarks to the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce in Rhode Island. “Two-sided risks mean that there is no risk-free path.”

Powell offered no hints on wheth-

er he might support a rate cut at the Fed’s next meeting, in October

He did, however, address the tense political environment surrounding the Fed during a question and answer session following his speech, and denied accusations the central bank has acted politically in its policy decisions.

“We’re looking at what’s the best thing for the people that we serve,” he said. “Truth is mostly people who are calling us political — it’s just a cheap shot.”

President Donald Trump — in addition to pressuring the Fed for lower interest rates — has been among Republicans who have accused Powell of making rate decisions that favored Democrats.

Powell’s remarks hewed closely to those he made in a press conference on Sept 17 after Fed policymakers lowered the central bank’s benchmark interest rate to a range of 4% to 4.25%, the first reduction of 2025 Powell at the press conference described the move as a “risk-management cut” aimed at responding to growing warning signs in the labor market.

Recent data, along with revisions to previous figures, have pointed to a sharp slowdown in job creation.

“There has been a marked slowing in both the supply of and demand for workers — an unusual and challenging development,” Powell said. “In this less dynamic and somewhat softer labor market, the downside

risks to employment have risen.”

Still, Powell on Tuesday continued to argue the Fed must remain attentive to the possibility that Trump’s tariffs lead to persistent inflationary effects.

He said recent price increases were largely being driven by tariffs, but he continued to expect that would be a “one-time” effect.

“Powell wasn’t as dovish as markets were probably hoping for, somewhat mirroring his tone at last week’s press conference,” Oren Klachkin, an economist at Nationwide, said in a note after the speech. “But he still sees tariffs as a one-time adjustment to the price level, which should give him the green light to continue easing.”

Kentucky distillery bounces back

Buffalo Trace long connected to river that flooded facility earlier this year

BY BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky — The long history of bourbon production at Buffalo Trace Distillery has been connected to the Kentucky River — summed up as a blessing and curse by a plaque on the grounds.

In the 1800s, long before the Buffalo Trace name was attached to the distillery, the river served as a floating highway to bring in grain and other production essentials and to transport barrels of whiskey to markets along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Even today river water cools down production equipment. But the river flowing past the distillery flashed its destructive side in April.

A massive flood, caused by days of unrelenting rain, sent the Kentucky River surging over its banks, inundating most of the 200-plus-acre distillery grounds on its main campus in Frankfort. Nearly every phase of production was impacted, as were several warehouses where whiskey is aged.

“It was just something that was hard to process, but we knew we couldn’t take too much time to process it,” said Tyler Adams, a distillery general manager He said they had much to do to recover from the reservoir of murky water that swamped the bourbon-making campus.

Whiskey production bounces back

Five months later, production at the distillery is back to normal, including of some of the most sought-after bourbons. Its lineup includes the namesake flagship brand, Buffalo Trace, as well as Eagle Rare, W.L. Weller and Blanton’s Pappy Van Winkle bourbons are distilled and aged at Buffalo Trace while the Van Winkle family remains in control of the coveted brand.

The distillery recently filled its 9 millionth barrel of bourbon since Prohibition, just 21/2 years since filling the 8 millionth barrel It has also introduced new whiskeys to its catalog and is renovating a campus building into a cafe and events center

The cleanup enlisted hundreds of plant employees and contract workers. Buffalo Trace fans swamped the distillery with offers to pitch in, Adams said. The distillery politely declined and suggested they might assist area residents instead.

Crews removed debris, sanitized equipment and pumped out what was left after floodwaters receded.

Few visible reminders remain of that mudcaked, debris-strewn mess. Some filled whiskey barrels touched by

floodwaters were still being cleaned and tested, but the meticulous task of examining thousands of barrels was nearly complete, the distillery said. Quality control assessments found only small amounts of aging whiskey were impacted. High water marks are etched into some buildings and tour guides casually remind visitors of the epic event

Once the river crested, it took a few days for the floodwaters to fully recede, but operations gradually sprung back to life. Finished whiskey shipped out the day after the rain stopped. Bottling soon resumed and a makeshift gift shop opened until the visitors’ center was repaired. Tours eventually resumed. But bourbon production halted for about a month as the cost for cleanup and repairs surpassed $30 million.

Several storage tanks shifted off their foundation. Some were repaired, others replaced Dozens of electrical control panels were destroyed. About three-fourths of gift shop inventory was lost

Hard times in the whiskey sector

For the American whiskey industry as a whole, it’s been anything but business as usual.

After years of growth, prospects turned sour for the sector amid sluggish sales and trade uncertainties as President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs.

In 2024, American whiskey sales in the U.S. fell nearly 2%, the first such drop in supplier sales in more than 20 years, the Distilled Spirits Council said. Initial data

for the first half of 2025 showed a continued decline, it said. American whiskey exports dropped more than 13% through July of this year compared to the year-ago period, it said. The American whiskey category includes bourbon, Tennessee whiskey and rye whiskey Kentucky distilleries producing such prominent brands as Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey and Four Roses can weather downturns better than small producers.

Heaven Hill Brands, another large producer, recently celebrated its new $200 million distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, taking a long view of market prospects by significantly boosting bourbon capacity

“As an independent, family-owned company, we don’t have to chase quarterly trends; we’re building for the next generation,” said Kate Latts, co-president of Heaven Hill Brands, whose brands include Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. “This distillery reflects that philosophy.”

At Buffalo Trace, its future is entrenched alongside the Kentucky River, realizing that more floods could come in the years ahead. The distillery learned lessons to be even better prepared next time

“This area being a National Historic Landmark, being right on the river, there’s only so much you can do to hold back that water,” Adams said “Your best bet is to prepare for it, do what you can. But holding back that water? It’s really inevitable it’s going to make it into some spaces.”

Build-A-Bear racks up market gains for second quarter

BY WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS Associated Press

NEW YORK Tariffs and years of teetering mall traffic have roiled much of the toy industry But Build-A-Bear investors are continuing to reap sizable gains.

Shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop are up more than 60% since the start of 2025, trading at just under $72 apiece as of Tuesday afternoon. That compares to just 13% for the S&P 500 since the start of the year, and marks dramatic growth from five years ago, when the St. Louis-based retailer’s stock sat under $3.

The toy industry overall has been “reasonably soft” in recent years, notes Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData — but certain categories, in-

cluding craft-oriented products, have done very well following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. And that’s key to BuildA-Bear’s core business model: welcoming consumers into their brick-and-mortar stores to make their own plush animals.

That may also set Build-A-Bear apart from the malls its stores are often inside, many of which have struggled to see overall traffic rebound over the years.

“The mall may not be a destination, but Build-A-Bear often is — because it’s often a planned trip,” Saunders said. “It’s a store within a mall that many consumers make a beeline for.”

Build-A-Bear is still not entirely immune to macroeconomic pressures, but the company’s profit has soared to record after

record in recent quarters. Last month, the retailer reported what it said were the best results for a second quarter and first half of a fiscal year in the history of the Build-A-Bear, which opened its first store in 1997. Company executives pointed to strong store performance and other expansion efforts. In the first half of its 2025 fiscal year the company’s revenues hit $252.6 million and its pretax income climbed to $34.9 million up 11.5% and 31.5%, respectively, year-over-year The company also raised its financial outlook for the full year, despite anticipated costs of President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on goods coming into the U.S. from around the world and other headwinds.

“Tariffs are a real cost that we are facing,” Voin Todorovic, chief financial officer at Build-ABear said in the company’s Aug. 28 earnings call — pointing to current U.S import tax rates of 30% on China and 20% on Vietnam, where the retailer sources much of its products. Some of that has already trickled down to the cost of Build-A-Bear’s merchandise in North America, but Todorovic noted that such levies would impact the company “even more in the second half of the year.”

Still, he and other executives pointed to preparations BuildA-Bear had made to lessen the blow, including previous inventory increases. The company also maintained that consumer-facing price impacts would be limited.

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■ Wednesday, September 24, 2025 ■ theadvocate.com ■ The Advocate

Abshire, Deborah Ann 'Debbie'

Today them close to his heart Carlissurvived by his lovingwife, Kellye Loupe Babin; his children, Justin (Macey),Chase (Kelcie), and Brody; his sisters, Angela and Karen(Paul); his brothers, Jasper(Staci) and Mark;and hisbeloved grandchildren, Layne, Mylah, Drewe,and Miller.He was preceded in deathby his parents, RosePirello Babin and Clyde Anthony Babin. Family and friends are invited to attend visitation at St. Stephen Catholic ChurchinMaurepas, LA, on Thursday, September25, 2025,beginning at 9:00 AM. AFuneral Mass willbecelebrated at 12:00PM, followed by acommittal service

Deborah "Debbie" Ann Abshire, resident of Denham Springs, Louisiana, passed at the age of 65 on September 19, 2025. She was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on October 20, 1959 to her parents William and Mary Ann Palmer. Debbie was agraduate of Robert E. Lee Highschool. She was happiest when working with her flowers and plants, taking atrip to the beach, or spending her time with her children and grand-children. She willbe deeply missed by those that had the joy to know and love her. She is survived by her daughter Denise Bonnette, son P.J Abshire, grandchildren Ashli, Bralynn, Kylie, and Jillian, great-grandchildren

Aubree, Kaiser, Xander, Brynnleigh, sisters Sheila LaFleur and Sharon Madere, brother William Palmer Jr., nephews Joshua LaFleur and Joseph Madere, and best friend Shelia Levisee. She is preceded in death by her father William Palmer Sr., mother Mary Ann Palmer, and close friend and companion Lee Haralson Jr Pallbearers willbeP.J. Abshire, William Palmer Jr., Jerry LaFleur, Jason Bonnette, Joseph Madere, and Joshua Levisee. There will be avisitation held at Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs, Louisiana on Thursday, September 25 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Visitation will resume on Friday, September 26 from 9:00am to 11:00am with a service starting at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Carl Anthony Babin, alifelong resident of Maurepas, LA, passed away on September 20, 2025, at the age of 59. He was born on February 16, 1966, in Baton Rouge, LA, to Clyde and Rose Babin. Carl had adeep love for the outdoors and spent much of his lifeworkingin tree care. In his free time, he could often be found hunting or fishing—two of his greatest passions. He was also aproud member of the Knights of Columbus, where he lived out his faith and commitment to serving others. Above all, Carl was devoted to his family. He cherished his wife, children, and grandchildren, always holding

Hogan, Willona'Trecey'

Willona"Trecey"Hogan entered into eternalrestat her residenceinBaker Louisiana surrounded by her family on September 18, 2025. Shewas a48-year old native of BatonRouge Louisiana and aretired EastBaton RougeParish School System Educator Viewing at Disciplesof OutreachMinistryonSat‐urday,September 27,2025 at9:00amuntil Celebration ofLifeService at 11:00am conducted by Bishop Michael Pearl. Survivorsin‐clude hersons, Christo‐pherHoganand J'lahn HoganJackson;mother, Helen Domengeaux;sib‐lings,Kevin Lee, Stanley and Leslie Domengeaux and Ashley Domengeaux;a hostofniecesand nephews andother rela‐tives andfriends;preceded indeath by herfather, grandparents, anda greatnephew. Arrangements en‐trusted to Miller &Daugh‐ter Mortuary

Johnson, Shirley ShirleyBradleyJohnson was born to the union of Edward and PearlM Bradley on July 21, 1940, in Gloster, Mississippi.She passed awayonWednesday, September17, 2025. Shirley was baptized at an earlyage byRev.R.J Tyson at NewHope Baptist Church. As an adult, she joinedMt. Canaan Baptist Church under the leadershipofRev.Johnny Cyrus. Shewas adedicated member of the senior usher board. Shewas marriedto the late Elijah ThomasII and Albert Johnson. From her marriage to Elijah

Thomas, she had twochildren,Elijah Thomas IIIand Dwana (Thomas) Webb. From her union with Albert Johnson, she had one child, Garland Johnson. Shirleywas blessed with seven grandchildren: Jordan Johnson, Marcus Webb, JanaWebb, Parker Johnson, Peighton Ashley, Anaya Thomas, and Aliyah Thomas. Her great-grandchildren are Shareef Johnson, Bentley Johnson, Alani Cook,a niece (Karen Asberry), twonephews (Aaron Asberry and Darryl Asberry), two daughters-in -law (Shannon A. Johnson and JudyGabriel Thomas), and one sister (Yvonne Asberry). She was survived by aspecial friend, James Collins, and ahost of friends and relatives. She was preceded in deathby her mother, Pearl Bradley.

Dr.William J. Johnson entered into eternalrestat Southeast LouisianaVet‐eranHospitalonSeptem‐ber 9, 2025. He wasbornin Bessemer, Alabama, and was a93-year-old resident ofBaton Rouge, Louisiana, and aretired Southern Uni‐versity PoliticalScience Professor.Viewing will be heldatImmaculateCon‐ception Catholic Church 1565 Curtis Street,Baton Rouge,LA, on September 24, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until theMassofChristian Burialat11:00 a.m.,con‐ductedbyFatherThomas Clark.Interment will follow at1:00p.m.atPortHudson Louisiana National Ceme‐tery, 303 W. Mount Pleas‐ant Road,Zachary,LA. He was preceded in deathby his wife,Anne Johnson, and hislong-time partner, Donna Holton.Survivors in‐clude hischildren, Evelyn Johnson of BatonRouge and WilliamJohnson (Mary Garton) of NewOrleans, Louisiana;grandchildren, WilliamKeiffer Johnson and George Garton John‐son of NewOrleans, Louisiana;along with other relatives andextended family. Arrangements en‐

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LeBlanc, Dorothy D’Albor'Dottie'

Dorothy“Dottie”D’Albor LeBlanc,pronounced Dot-T, passedawayonSaturday, September 20, 2025, at age 101. Shewas anativeand lifelongresidentofPlaque‐mine. Dot-Twas amother, grandmother andgreatgrandmother who filled her homewithlove. Shewas the last survivingclass‐mateofSt. John High School classof1941. Visit‐ing at St.Johnthe Evange‐listCatholicChurch Plaquemine, on Wednes‐day,September 24th, from 11 a.m. until Mass of Chris‐

trustedtoMiller &Daugh‐ter Mortuary tian Burial at 1p.m cele‐bratedbyRev.Martin Lawrence. Entombment willfollowinGrace Memor‐ial Park.Dot-T is survived byher children,Sterling “Boot”LeBlanc Jr.and wife Phyllis Toups, Robert “Bobby” LeBlancand wife Gina, andJeanieDupont and husbandDanny; brother,Carl“Caboot” D’Albor andwifeKatherine “Katee”;grandchildren, Tisha Payne(Kenny) CherieEdwards (Patrick), Brandon Elllis(Aslyn) BeauLeBlanc (Betsy), Drue LeBlanc (Katie), Gene LeBlanc,JessieDeshotel (Tory), Daniel Dupont (Lau‐ren)and Jacquelyn Dupont; great-grandchil‐dren, Clay Payne(Sharon), HannahEllis,ShelbyEllis, Michael PatrickEdwards Tyler Edwards, Kate Ed‐wards,DrueElizabeth LeBlanc,Indie LeBlanc, JadeDeshotel, Jeanne Deshotel, JosieDeshotel, Matthew Dupont and Emma KDupont; greatgreat-grandchildren,Pais‐ley Payneand Kenneth KnoxPayne;and to herfor‐everfamilyfor thespecial bond, unwavering care, loveand devotion Rushana “Shawna”Jordan, Kathy Harrison,and Gillie Courtade. Preceded in deathbyhusband of 63

years, Sterling “Lightnin” LeBlanc Sr.; parents, Felix J. Sr. andLouiseKratzer D’Albor;sisters,Theresa Blanchard andAda D’Albor; brothers, Felix D’AlborJr. and Paul D’Albor. Pallbear‐ers will be Sterling “Boot” Jr.,Robert“Bobby”,Beau LeBlanc,DrueLeBlanc, Danny Dupont,Daniel Dupont, MichaelPatrick Edwards,Tyler Edwards, and Clay Payne. Honorary pallbearers will be Patrick Edwards,ToryDeshotel, Brandon Ellis, Kenny Payne,and Carl “Caboot D’Albor.The familywould liketoextenda special thankstoComfort Care Hospice,especiallyJohn Barbeeand Andrea Clement Sandidge.Inlieu of flowers, memorial dona‐tions maybemadetoSt. JohnSchool,58645 St Clement Ave.,Plaquemine, LA70764. Please share memoriesatwww.wilbert services.com.

Lana LevetTramonte passedawaypeacefullyon Monday, September22, 2025, in Hammond,LAat the ageof65. Shewas born inLutcher,LAtothe late Elsie DetillierLevet and JohnT.Levet.She is sur‐vived by herhusband of 36 years,Wayne Joseph Tra‐monte;her daughter Lacie TramonteMatherneand husband Blake; 2grand‐sons, BrodyJosephand LandonOliver; twosisters, Leslie Levet, Sally Edwards and husbandDonnie, one brother,JohnC.Levet and wifeVeronica; andher niece andnephews,God‐daughterLaurenWaldo, AlexWaldo,and Godson Zachary Edwardsand wife Sara; andher beloveddog, Yoda. Lana is also survived byher husband’s five sib‐lings,their spouses, and their children,whom she adoredand wasveryclose to. Lana wasa devoted wife, mother,grandmother (“Nana”),daughter, sister, aunt,and friend whose warmthand kindness touched everyone shemet She nevermet astranger, and herjoyfulspiritlit up every room.Whether at a familygathering or acom‐munity event, Lana brought laughter,love, and a welcomingheart.Lana retired in 2020 after 40 years of dedicatedservice tothe StateofLouisiana, including many proud years as Administrative Assistantfor theLouisiana GamingControl Board. She was afaithfulmemberof HolyGhost Catholic Church,and proudly served with theSoutheast‐

ernLouisiana Fe-Lions Club. Some of herhappiest moments were spent cheeringonthe NewOr‐leans Saints andthe South‐eastern Lions. However, nothing broughther more joy than playtime with her beloved grandsons- they werethe lightofher life Visitationwillbeonheldat HolyGhost Catholic Church,601 N.Oak St., Hammond,onFriday, Sep‐tember26, at 9:00 am,fol‐lowed by aMassofChrist‐ian Burial at 11:00 am.In‐terment to follow at Rose MemorialParkCemetery and MausoleuminHam‐mond, LA.Lanahad alife‐longlovefor dogs andwas a passionate supporterof humanesocieties andani‐mal shelters.Inher honor, the family kindly requests thatinlieuof flowers, do‐nations be made to the Tangi Humane Societyor yourlocal animal shelter. The family wouldalsolike toexpress theirheartfelt gratitudetothe compas‐sionate staff at theRichard MurphyHospice Housefor the exceptionalcareand kindnesstheyshowed Lana in her finaldays. Do‐nations to thehospice house in hermemoryare alsodeeplyappreciated. Arrangementshavebeen entrusted to HarryMcK‐neely& SonFuneralHome and CrematoryofHam‐mondand Ponchatoula. An on-lineguest book is avail‐ableat www.harrymcknee ly.com

his home. He just celebrated his68thbirthday two weeks prior with his loving childrenand grandchildren on September 3. In the wake of his suddenpassing,his siblings, children, and grandchildrenworked tirelessly to honorhis memory and mournhis loss. Jeff was born and raised in BatonRouge, La by his mother and father Juanita and Frank Vicari. He was thethird childof four: Pam(Bill), Vince (Roberta), Jeff, and Tina (Richard). Jeff exhibiteda life of academicexcellence and ahard work ethic, graduated from Catholic Highand LSUwith aBachelorofScience in 1979. He was beloved and highly respectedbyhis colleagues at theLouisiana Department of Revenue.Inhis fortyyear career as aComputer Specialist, he contributed invaluable workto thestate of Louisiana. His compassion, intelligence, and hard workethic live on throughhis children. Jeff leavesbehind an amazing legacy of seven children: Aaron(Amber), Kristin (Nicolas), Michael (Courtney), Katie, Stephen (Trisha), Matthew, and Austin and seven grandchildren: Zachary, Zoe, Myka, Courtlynn,Sandro,Sasha, and Francesca.Jeffwas best known as alovingfather and grandfather. Hisprofound culinary skillswere avehicle to bring his children and grandchildrentogether. As aconnoisseur of whiskeys, he lovedsharing aglasswithhis sons to catch up on books, football,orthe latest show. Jeff was theemotional center of his family and his house was always open to hischildren. He wanted nothing morethanto

spend time withhis childrenand grandchildren. A memorial servicewillbe held at Our Lady of Mercy on September 25, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

fore retiringfromJ.E. Merit.Hemarriedthe love of hislife, Elizabeth Monson Yelverton, on June 20, 1959, and togethertheybuilt a life centered around family. He wasa dedicated member of theVeterans of Foreign Wars(VFW)and theAmerican Legion. In his free time, Murphy enjoyed camping,gardening, and grilling—especially when surroundedbyhis loved ones. Murphy is survived by hischildren: Murphy Eugene Yelverton Jr.(Tammy), NatalieYelverton Dyess (Tim), Diane Yelverton Decoteau (Todd), and CynthiaYelverton Roussel (Chad). He leaves behind a legacyoflove in hisgrandchildren: GenaYelverton, Wesley Yelverton, Molly Harriman (Oree),Kandis Lightsey,Karli McDoniell (Jacob), DevinYelverton (Kendall), Megan Benoit (Joel), Peyton Roussel (Tessa), Trevor Roussel (Cheyenne), Carter Roussel (Morgan),Todd Decoteau Jr.(Heather), Cordon Decoteau (Sara), andSylinda Weaver (John); and 17 great-grandchildren,with more on theway. Affectionately known as "Paw Paw Gene," he wascherished for hisquick wit and captivatingstorytelling.

Whethersharingtales from histimeinthe military, recalling themoment he met his belovedwife,or settling into his blue couch in theden to watch westerns or footballwhile his grandchildrenschemedto sneak up behindhim, Murphybrought joytoall who knew him. The family wouldliketoextend heartfelt thanks to Amedisys Home Healthand Hospice for theircompassionate care.Murphy's life wasa testament to love, service anddevotion to family. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Visitation will be held at Ourso Funeral Home in Gonzales, Louisiana, on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 9:30 AM until 12:00 PM, followedbya funeral service at 12:00 PM.Interment will take place at Hope Haven Cemetery in Gonzales.

Twenty yearslater, Rita’s lessonsnot forgotten

In September 2005, as Louisianawas still reeling from the blow dealt by Hurricane Katrina, another monsterstorm wasbrewinginthe Gulf. That storm, Hurricane Rita, would makelandfall Sept.24onthe Texas-Louisiana border as a Category 3hurricane with118 mphwinds and a devastating storm surge of up to 18 feet in some areas In anyordinary year,HurricaneRita,the fourth most intense storm ever recordedinthe Atlantic basin, would be rememberedasone of the most catastrophic events to strikeour state. But, of course, 2005 was noordinary year.And Rita,which led to 120 deaths, isoften forgotten in the wake of the utter tragedythatKatrina wroughtonthe New Orleansarea. But in some ways, Rita’s lessonshavebeen more relevant to the broader population. It’simportant to remember thatmost of Rita’s deaths cameinthe days before thestorm hitland. As it grew to adangerous Category 5storm in the Gulf, millions scrambled to leavethe Houston area andgot stuck in hours- longtrafficjams with some dying of heat exposure or in accidents on the road. It forced officials to examine mass evacuation plans from major population areas and put afocus on what couldbedone to prevent similar catastrophesinthe future

WhenRita struck, many who had evacuated New Orleans to southwestern parts of the state or to Texas had to evacuate again to getto higher ground. This prompted federaland state emergency managementofficials to reform sheltering plans to ensure thesafety of evacuees. If Katrina taught us the importanceofprotecting our coast, Rita, which leveledwhole cities and towns, provideda livinglaboratory for how to rebuild houses alongthe coasthigher and more resilient to storms.

Whole swaths of Cameron,Vermilion and Calcasieu parishes had to start from scratchto regain what was lost. In townslike Cameron and HollyBeach, more than90% of the structures were destroyed.

Many areas still haven’tfully recovered, but the fierce resolve and ingenuityofthose who have long lived in this culturally rich regionof our state isn’ttobeunderestimated.

Each hurricane that hitsour state is aharsh teacher.Katrina and Ritagave usavicious one-two punchin2005. At thetime,itwas hard to see how we would pickourselves up. Today we can see how far we have come.That’sdue in large part, to communities coming together andneighbors being willingtolend ahand, even when they toowere hurting.

On this 20th anniversary of thestorm’slandfall, we remember the communitiesaffected by Hurricane Rita, and we recognize the hard road they havefaced to protect their way of life.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE

HERE AREOUR

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TheAdvocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address andphone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

In March, theTrumpadministration madecuts to the CDC’sfunding to stateand local health departments worth $11 billion. The loss of funding affected red and blue states evenly,but states where Democrats had majority control of the statehouse —for example, Massachusetts,California and Illinois —fought back in court and got mostoftheir funding restored. States controlled by Republicans, like Texas and Louisiana, did not try to get funding restored, and the losses were big. Texas had thebiggest cuts to funding at atime when the state was experiencing ameasles outbreak that

The world community is in astate of utter chaos because of three world leaders: Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump.

Putin is wanted by theInternational Criminal Court for launching an unjustified war against thesovereign countryofUkraine.

Netanyahu was justified in retaliating against Hamas after Hamas attacked and killed over 1,200 people during an October 2023 concert in Israel. Since that time, however,Netanyahu has enacted ascorched-earth approach to reaching Hamas,and, in theprocess, barbarically and unjustifiably killed tensofthousands of Palestinians. The world watches as innocent women and children are willfully sub-

We evacuated for Hurricane Katrina from Bayou Liberty in Slidell to Dallas, then moved to my daughter’sin Michigan. My husband, Irwin, came back and said he was going to restore our home. The problem: No help. Everyone we knew was restoring their own homes. Then he found help in immigrants who were looking for work. Were they here illegally? We didn’t know.All we know is that without them, we wouldn’thave made it. The Mexicans helped pull muddy stuff out of the house and cleared the yard of trash, trees and debris. Granadans

sickened 4,500 andkilled at least 16. According to theKFF Health News analysis of the CDC grants, Texas lost 30 grants and Louisiana lost six. Blue states got 80% of funding restored, but red states only received 5%. Health care access and resources to respond to epidemics and disease should not depend on which party controlsthe statehouse. Ourstate officials should demand that this funding be restored by takinglegal steps used successfully by other states that refused to accept these cuts to funds that had been allocated.

MERRYTOUPS NewOrleans

jected to famine and starvation.

Trumphas wreaked havoc on America. The so-called Big Beautiful Bill targetsthe very populationsthat Jesus Christ deemed blessed: the poor and children.

Likethe biblical Herod, Trumphas weaponized the justice department in acampaign to exact revenge against his perceived enemies; he has terrorized immigrant communities; and he is crippling or destroying our nation’s treasured institutions, universities and museums.

How much morepeaceful would our world be if these three actually led like Christ?

FRANCISE.LEWIS Waggaman

working for aroofing company put on anew roof where ahuge branch had fallen through. APeruvian helped cut out drywall and helped clean the house with bleach and sanitizers. Ayoung Cambodian helped put the floors down. Then Irwin went back to Michigan and found ahomeless man he paid to stay for amonth and help refinish. We were so grateful, and Istill am, for those talented people. Without their help, my resourceful, hardworking husband could not have gotten it done.

CAROLYN ROUSSEAU

Slidell

Louisiana faces arapidly emerging need to invest in amore robust Department of Environmental Quality to meet challenges stemming from newtechnologies and increasing threatstoair,water and soil quality

According to the governor’sexecutive budgetdocument forFY2025, the mission of the DEQ andOffice of EnvironmentalServices is “to ensure thatthe citizens of Louisiana have aclean andhealthy environment to live andworkinfor present andfuture generations.”

However,the governor’sproposed budgetcuts DEQ’sallocation by more than$3.3million, from $160.5 million to $157.3million. That is going in the wrong direction, especially in viewofthe newand unfamiliar industries coming to Louisiana, suchasmassive AI data centers and carbon-capture operations. Forexample,two data centers have been announcedfor Richland andWestFeliciana parishes. The centerinRichland, operated by Mark Zuckerberg’sMeta, will be located less than20milesfromthe Poverty Point World Heritage Site, while the centerinWestFeliciana will be within the boundaries of the Southern Hills Aquifer,which suppliesBaton Rouge with its highquality water

Data centers arenotorious for energy usage andthe number of serverstheyburn up, creating massive pilesofdigitaljunk whose chips areloaded with chemicals such as boron, phosphorus or arsenic and heavymetalslike lead, zinc, copper andsilver.

If these metals leachinto the aquifer,weare done West Feliciana President Kenny Havard told this newspaper that the newdatacenteris“alife changer.” Indeed, it may change lives in ways thatmostofusdonot want, and both data centerprojects should be monitoredclosely to make certain theydonoharmtoour water,air or soil. We do notwanta reputation for being the nation’sdumping ground.

BILL HUEY Baton Rouge

Cops beat aman,and State

Stop me if you’ve heard this story before.

As Trumpblasts boats, Congress hits rock bottom

ABlack man in rural Louisiana is brutally beaten by police. State Police launch an investigation andconclude that the use of force was justified and that theofficers involved merited no sanction. It happened in September 2019 to aman named Jarius Brown in DeSoto Parish, in northwestern Louisiana.Brown, who was accused of stealingacar,had been taken intothe jail’s laundry room by two DeSotoParish Sheriff’s deputiesto be strip-searched. When he emerged sixminutes later, he had abrokennose, afracturedeye socket and ahideously swollen face.

The attack was caught on security camerafootage from up near theceiling in the laundry room. In thefootage, which was published lastweekbyThe Associated Press, Brown can be seen being peacefully ushered intoaroom when the two deputies, forunclear reasons, begin furiouslypunching him. Brown cowers in acorner before fallingtothe floor as the blows continue.

At one point, deputies pause their attack to pick him off the ground.Once he’s up, they resume their assault.One deputy holds Brown while theother throws haymakers. It lasts less than 50 seconds

The two deputies soughtnomedical attention for Brown, but another jailofficial, seeing his condition, sent him to the hospital for treatment. An internal review at the Sheriff’s Office concluded that “there was no way to defend” what the two deputies, Javarrea Pouncy and DeMarkes Grant, did Enter Louisiana State Police, who, it might reasonably be expected,might be more professional.

Yetdespite the graphic video, they concludedthatBrown was the“aggressor” and that the deputies’ actions were not criminal.

State Police investigators even dragged their feet on turningoverthe camera footage to the local district attorney.And when they finally did,their conclusion made asuccessful state prosecution nearly impossible.

The whole case might have drawn scant attention if it hadn’tbeen ob-

tained and published last week by The Associated Press. Use of force experts consulted by the AP were uniformly horrified. Andno wonder When AP reporter Jim Mustian asked StatePolice officials to explain their conclusion,aspokesperson told him that theevidence didn’tsupport chargingthe deputies with any crimes.They also blamed delays in the investigation on the COVID-19 pandemic, which gripped thestate six monthsafter the beatingtook place. Takenbyitself, thecase is horrifying —not just thebeating, but also the apparent indifference of the StatePolice investigators. Sprinkle in some context,though, and it looks even worse. Brown’s beatingcame just four months afteranother Black man was brutalized by officersina rural part of thestate. Ronald Greene fled from officers in Union Parish when they tried to pull him over late one night in May. Whenhedid stop, ahandful of Louisiana State troopersand one Union Parish deputy rushed his car,ignoring hispleas as they pepper-sprayed, beat anddragged him face down on the pavement Greenelater died from his injuries State Police told his family that Greenedied in acar crash and worked to keep the horrific body camera footageout of public view for two years. It mightstill be secret if The Associated Press hadn’tbroken that story,too. Greene’scase, as well as others uncovered byAP, prompted theU.S. Department of Justice to launch a“pat-

Jarius Brown is interviewedfollowinga jailhouse beating that left him witha bruised face, fractured eye socket and brokennose at the DeSoto Parish Detention Center in Mansfield on Sept.27, 2019.

tern-and-practice” investigation into whether LSP had ahabit of violating rights. That report,released in January,concluded that it did, and said that StatePolice had put citizens “at serious risk of harm.”

StatePolice leaders and Gov.Jeff Landry fired back, saying thereport was not afair representation of the agency,which underwent large-scale leadership changes in the aftermathof theGreene case. Unlike Greene, Brown did not die from theassault.He’sfiled alawsuit against the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Andfortunately,federal prosecutors got involved. Their conclusion: Brown was the victim of an illegal assault They prosecuted both deputies Pouncy pleaded guiltylast year to malfeasance, admitting that Brown posed no threat,and is in federal prison with arelease date in February 2027. Grant pleaded guiltytoobstruction of justice and served 10 months in federal prison No one denies that law enforcement officers follow anoble calling. It requires that they uphold thehighest ideals of our nation’sConstitution while dealing withpeople at their lowest points. Butwhen officers misusethat power —asthese deputies did —they must be held accountable. That’swhere theLouisiana State Police come in.Werely on them to protect us from criminals, not enable them because they wear abadge.

Faimon A. RobertsIII can be reached at froberts@theadvocate.com.

Trumpisn’t keepingNOPD chiefinloop

So many people aretalking aboutthe National Guard these days.

At the behest of President Donald Trump, they went into Los Angeles unwanted. The president called them into Washington, D.C. —unwanted.He sent them into Memphis —uninvited by the Democratic mayor but OK’d by the Republican governor Now there’sa“draft” plan to have the National Guard in New Orleans. The idea is to call up about 1,000 Guard troops to, er,dosomething to attack aviolent crime problem in Louisiana’s“urban centers.”

Our Republican governor is supportive of the idea.

There are cities led by Republicans and non-Democrats that have worse crime. Consider Baton Rouge and Shreveport,wherethe mayorsare Republican.But let’sstick with Trump’sDemocratic theme.

chiefs might be interested in getting somefederal government help. West Monroe, Bogalusa, Jennings, Baton Rouge and Bossier Cityround out the ReoLinkTop Tenlist.

I’m sure those mayors have the same general thinking as does theNew Orleans police chief.

Ihaven’theard New Orleans’ Democratic mayorweighinon whetheraTrump-ordered National Guard presence is needed or wanted. Maybe Trump or someoneonhis team has reached out to the mayor. Or certainly they’d reach out to New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. That would make sense, right?

Wrong.

“No one has called me,” Kirkpatrick told me during arecent WBOK Good Morning Show interview.“No one.” The chief has been learning aboutthe Louisiana National Guard plan,asmost of us do, through the media.

That’sadarn shame.

That’sunprofessional. And it’snot right. All the chief can do is listento, read and watch the news untilshe gets acall, an email, atext. Perhapsher National Guard update is comingvia ground delivery.Ormaybe apigeon has lost its way

The reason the presidentissending troops to different cities allegedly is becausecrime is soooo bad when Democrats are in charge.

Kirkpatrick didn’tsay athing about how New Orleans’ crimecompares to other Louisiana cities. ButIwill. New Orleans, thecity where thenumber of murders fell so much in 2024 that thenumber is the lowest since the1970s. New Orleans, where there have been crime declines in almost every category.New Orleans, where the number of murders in 2025 is solow that the city might finish the year as the least deadly on record

There are various crimestats to show that New Orleans isn’tasbad as Trumpsays it is. Take ReoLink, acompany that makes security cameras. It ranked Louisiana cities based on the violent crime rate per100,000 residents and came up with aTop Tenlist. Is New Orleans on thelist? Yes. But Marksville, Monroe, Alexandria and Opelousas rank higher than theCrescent City does.

ReoLinkranked Marksville, acity of about5,000 in Avoyelles Parish, the worst in Louisiana. The city has been called ”themostdangerous city in Louisiana.”

Monroeisright behind Marksville. It’slikely that 1in48people in that Ouachita Parish community will be a violent crime victim, statistics show Alexandria, acity of about 47,000, is next.Opelousas is just ahead of New Orleans Can New Orleans do better? Sure.

TheMarksville, Monroe, Alexandriaand Opelousas mayorsand police

“I do not want to be taken over.I don’twant atakeover,” she told me. “But Ithink they’re coming regardless.”

The bottom line, thechief said, is “National Guard, if you come, Iamgoing to work with you. We’regoing to makeitwork. Because theend game, no matter what your politics are, is that no one wantstobeavictim of crime.”

She said alot of people were concerned about Troop Nola arriving in thecity,but “we’ve madeitwork.” What would really help is money and resources she can direct to further reduce violent crimeand prevent crime.

“First and foremost,Iwould restore theagency in terms of staffing levels where we could rebuild every one of our specialty assignments, such as moretraffic officers, officers who did undercover narcotics work …,” the chief said. “If those resources were given to me, then it would be amatter of restoring and expanding our resources and dealing withupstream issues that create opportunities for people to engage in crime to begin with.”

SeemsGov.Jeff Landry holds thekey to what might be happening, or not Afriendly nudge to thegovernor from aNew Orleanian: Listen to the NOPD chief, diplomatically ask your buddy to send help and let Kirkpatrick do her job Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

Last year,when JD Vance was campaigning to become what nature designed him to be, Donald Trump’svice president, Vance gave credence to rumors about kitten-cooking Haitians: Immigrants were eating the pets of Springfield, Ohio. Given the scarcity of evidence, he defended these “stories” —his term —asinstructive. Which they were. They taught us about him. As did his response when the president recently ordered the airstrike on aboat leaving Venezuela, killing, the president says, 11 drug smugglers. The president says there have been two other missile strikes on boats near Venezuela. Vance says: “Killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military.” Higher and better,then, than Bunker Hill, Antietam, Belleau Wood, Omaha Beach and Inchon.

Well. Assume that the dead were cartel members. Assume the boats were carrying drugs. Assume the drugs were destined for Americans who would poison themselves. And assumethat this story ages better than did the story of the August 1964 Tonkin Gulf incident. North Vietnamese torpedo boats supposedly launched two attacks on U.S. destroyers. Congress promptly passed aresolution conferring on President Lyndon B. Johnson broad authority to “take all necessary measures” to defeat aggression in Indochina. There were about 20,000 U.S. troops then. Max Hastings’s“Vietnam:An Epic Tragedy,1945-1975” reveals:

The first Tonkin Gulf attack was trivial. ANavy captain cabled “ENTIRE ACTION LEAVES MANY DOUBTS” and “NEVER POSITIVELYIDENTIFIED ABOATASSUCH.” An admiral warned the Pentagon that “many reported contacts and torpedoes fired appeared doubtful.” The second attack was fictitious. Hastings says that Johnson (“The details didn’tmuch matter to him”), waging his 1964 election campaign, was eager to seem strong. Hastings: “Thereafter,itwas almost inevitable that the administration would lie and lie again to conceal the multiple blunders and deceits already perpetrated and to justify airstrikes on North Vietnam.” Johnson would have been indignant if “anticlimactic facts had pricked the bubble of his carefully crafted indignation.”

That was then. This is now:

The Supreme Court will soon consider Trump’s claim that astatute that does not mention tariffs gives him the power to impose tariffs as high as he chooses, on any country he chooses, for any reason he chooses, for as long as he chooses. About this claim,congressional Republicans are supine, because of fear or adoration. Congressional Democrats are dumbfounded by the president’sexercise of powers their party was complicit in Congress forfeiting.

So, unsurprisingly,there is tepid congressional questioning of the president’sactions as judge, jury and executioner in the waters off Venezuela. His behavior is predictable.

Given his capacious notion of presidential powers, in domestic and foreign affairs. And given Vance’sdisdain for Americans “weeping over the lack of due process” for people swept from U.S. streets and workplaces into Alligator Alcatraz and similar confinements because they are suspected members of criminal gangs. And given the president’spenchant for declaring this and that (e.g., atrade deficit) to be an “emergency.” And given that he learned opportunistic verbal extravagance (e.g., an “invasion” at the southern border) from progressives who tried to disqualify him from the 2024 election because the afternoon riot of Jan. 6, 2021, supposedly qualified as an “insurrection” under the 14th Amendment. Given all this, expect more of this. John Yoo, alaw professor at the University of California at Berkley,isnot squeamish about controversial uses of power: As deputy assistant attorney general under George W. Bush, Yoo provided legal justifications for post-9/11 “enhanced interrogation” methods against captured al-Qaeda combatants. He says, however: “There has to be aline between crimeand war We can’tjust consider anything that harms the country to be amatter for the military.Because that could potentially include every crime.” But who will draw that line? Who will enforce it? If you say Congress, you have not been paying attention.

Before Tonkin Gulf, there was Havana Harbor In 1898, America embraced war and imperialism because, well, “Remember the Maine!” The U.S. battleship supposedly was blown up by a Spanish mine.Its sinking has long since been ascribed to an accidental internal explosion. Events sprint; understanding saunters. And some tough guys think understanding is for weaklings. When an online critic of the missile strikes near Venezuela called them a“war crime,” Vance’srejoinder was rich in tough-guy testosterone but thin on arguments: “I don’tgive ashit what you call it.” Vance is, by mind and manner,where he belongs.

Email George Will at georgewill@washpost.com.

SPORTS

Line of defense

LSU coach Kelly backs right tackle Davis despite struggles

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

The LSU offense started its first drive of the second half Saturday with its starters. The Tigers led Southeastern Louisiana 35-0, but coach Brian Kelly wanted his attack to construct one more strong drive before calling it a night.

The group, led by senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier had every starter back on the field to begin the new half except for one. Instead of redshirt freshman Weston Davis at right tackle, sophomore DJ Chester took his place.

ä LSU learns its complete SEC schedule through 2029 season. PAGE 5C

Does this mean LSU has a positional battle at right tackle?

“He needed a break,” Kelly said when asked about his decision to replace Davis with Chester “We needed to get him back to where he needs to be as one of the five guys working together So it was a good learning experience for him.”

Kelly squashed any notion of Chester replacing Davis as the starting right tackle

on Monday saying that LSU has its starter in place with Davis. But despite facing an overmatched opponent on Saturday, Davis struggled. He surrendered a sack and three quarterback pressures against Southeastern, according to Pro Football Focus, and has allowed nine more pressures than any other member of the offensive line this season The LSU rushing attack also has fared better when directing its carries to the left side of the line.

On runs between the right guard and

ä See DAVIS, page 5C

Fulwiley’s fit a point of interest for LSU

SCHEINUK

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy

LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, a South Carolina transfer, performs a drill during Tuesday’s practice.

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

Sometimes, MiLaysia Fulwiley brought the ball up the court Other times, she started on the wing, then curled around screens to pop open inside the 3-point arc. Wondering where Fulwiley fits into the LSU women’s basketball team? The Tigers started to work toward an answer Tuesday when they began practicing for the season in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center This group, coach Kim Mulkey’s fifth at LSU, has eight newcomers. None arrive with more intrigue than Fulwiley, the high-profile transfer from South

“I’m going to challenge her to learn the point guard position, but I’m not going to take away her ability to play the off-guard either.

KIM MULKEy, LSU coach

Carolina. She’s the new LSU point guard — at least for now “I’m going to challenge her to learn the point guard position,” Mulkey said before practice, “but I’m not going to take away her ability to play the off-guard either, so a lot of that will depend on how

quickly she catches on to what we need her to do as a point guard. Mulkey gives her point guards important responsibilities. She likens them to quarterbacks They relay the calls on both offense and defense while controlling the pace at which LSU operates. They have to know when to speed up the action and when to slow it down. They must also make that crucial first pass, the one that gets the Tigers moving through their halfcourt sets. Too much dribbling and the offense could stall. Essentially, Mulkey said, LSU point guards are a coach on the

FULWILEY, page 6C

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

On his very first pass Sunday, Seattle Seahawks quarterback

Sam Darnold stepped to his right to avoid the oncoming rusher, scrambled to his left and hit an open Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 29yard gain.

The completion set the tone for the rest of the New Orleans Saints’ ugly 44-13 loss in Seattle as Darnold had no problem reading the black and gold’s defense.

That’s been an early theme to start the season.

After Darnold completed 77.8% of his passes Sunday and posted a 154.2 passer rating, opposing quarterbacks have posted a 70.8% completion percentage to go with a 118.9 passer rating against the Saints.

That’s the sixth-worst and thirdworst defensive rates, respectively, across the league.

The Saints want to be a zoneheavy defense that disguises well, takes away the big shot and punishes teams at the line of scrimmage. But far too often through three games, the Saints are fooling anybody

Quarterbacks stand comfortably in the pocket, scan the field and find the open spot repeatedly It seems to matter little that linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner crowd the line as if to blitz before falling back into coverage — opposing passers simply find the gap behind them. The cornerbacks also haven’t provided much resistance. KoolAid McKinstry Alontae Taylor and Isaac Yiadom have allowed 30 catches on 41 targets for 354 yards and four touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus.

Players and coaches will point out that a team’s coverage is only as good as its pressure. On that front, the Saints barely are getting after the quarterback. According to Next Gen Stats, the Saints rank last in quarterback pressure rate (22.6%) and total pressures (22). When the Saints do manage to pressure, it takes an average of 3.17 seconds to do so the longest rate in the league.

Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley isn’t just relying on a fourman front, either The Saints are sending blitzes at a league-average rate, doing so 26.5% of the time on drop-backs.

If this trend holds, the Saints’ 118.9 allowed passer rating would be in danger of setting an NFL record.

That mark belongs to the 2015 Saints, who allowed a 116.2 passer rating.

There’s still time to correct the issues In 2018, for instance the Saints got off to a horrific start defensively — teams completed 74.2% of their passes for a 141.7 passer rating through the first three games before improving dramatically the rest of the year

But those kinds of turnarounds Opposing QBs

Williamson says he’s on same page with Dumars

BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

There are times when Zion Williamson is talking to Joe Dumars and all of a sudden Williamson’s mind starts to drift. “I’m sitting with him and I’m like, ‘Man, this is Joe Dumars,’ ” Williamson said. “He’s an NBA champion. Finals MVP This dude was part of the ‘Bad Boys.’ Then I have to lock back in the conversation. It’s dope.”

Dumars is in his first season as the New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations. His impressive résumé includes

two NBA titles as a guard for the Detroit Pistons, another as the Pistons’ general manager, and an induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. Dumars’ next goal is to bring winning basketball to New Orleans. That mission starts with him untapping all of Williamson’s potential. The Pelicans will go as far as Williamson takes them, which is why Dumars has spent so much time with him. They’ve had plenty of what Williamson calls “man-to-man” conversations. “I like Joe,” Williamson said at Tuesday’s media day for the Peli-

cans. “What you see is what you get. He’s going to hold me accountable. As he holds me accountable, he’s going to give me a lot of responsibility as well. I’m excited for it and I look forward to it.” Dumars didn’t wait long to start handing Williamson responsibilities. Dumars was hired in April, and in May, he sent Williamson to Chicago to represent the Pelicans at the NBA draft lottery The two of them got to bond there. That continued as they watched NBA playoff games together When April rolls around, the playoff games Dumars and Williamson hope to be talking about are the ones the Pelicans are play-

ing in. To do that, Dumars needs Williamson to be the mega star that everyone expected him to be when the Pelicans drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2019.

“What I’ve said to him is with greatness comes responsibility,” Dumars said. “You don’t get to be great and not responsible. It’s been a heavy emphasis on that. Just being accountable and responsible for what you do.

“It’s not enough just to be talented. There is a difference between talent and greatness. Those are two different things. You can be talented without any responsibility

ä See PELICANS, page 4C

RYDER CUP

World No. 1 players no sure thing

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

FARMINGDALE, N.Y Scottie Schef-

fler has been the standard everyone is chasing for the last 856 days. That’s how long he has been No. 1 in the world, the longest stretch in golf for anyone since Tiger Woods. Now he is one of 12 at the Ryder Cup. His matches at Bethpage Black count no more than anyone else, whether it’s Patrick Cantlay or Harris English or Bryson DeChambeau.

“At the end of the day, it’s just all about going and winning your point,” Justin Thomas said Tuesday. “All of us are very happy that he’s on our team this week so we don’t have to try to figure out how to beat him in an individual tournament. It’s nice that he’s on our side.

“No, he’s just viewed as one of the 12. And we’re all one and the same, I’d say.”

It was like that for Scheffler when he was world No. 1 at Marco Simone two years ago, and he failed to win a match by going 0-2-2. That included being on the losing end with Brooks Koepka in the shortest match in Ryder Cup history Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland won in 11 holes.

Americans at No. 1

There isn’t a great history for No. 1 players in the Ryder Cup, at least on the American side. Dustin Johnson was at the top of his game when he went 1-4-0 in Paris. As for Woods, he didn’t have a winning record until his fifth Ryder Cup, in 2006 at The K Club in Ireland, when he went 3-2-0 as the Americans lost by nine points.

None of this matters to Scheffler Very little does when it comes to golf. His credo has been to show up at the first tee — Bethpage Black, Royal Portrush, Muirfield Village knowing he has done everything possible to be ready And then go compete.

“Should the expectations of me be different than any other player?

I don’t really think about that kind of stuff,” Scheffler said But there always seemed to be a burden for Woods, a different cat. He never really was one of 12 because he was Tiger Woods. He was the one of 12. A European win over Woods

self in that category.”

counted as one point. Motivationally, it felt like two. Finding the right partner

There also was the issue of finding Woods a good partner for foursomes and fourballs. He played with 10 players in his first four Ryder Cup appearances.

Scheffler has had six partners — three each for the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup — though he and Russell Henley appeared to be a good fit last year at Royal Montreal in the Presidents Cup and are likely to be together at Bethpage Black.

“I think we have 12 guys that are all equal I don’t think one player is more important than another I think that is something that is through our team room,” Scheffler said. “I’d like to think that I’m not difficult to pair with people. I’d like to think of myself as someone that’s a nice guy and easy to get along with.

“I’ve had different partners over the years and have had some success. I would definitely not put my-

Scheffler’s rookie year on the PGA Tour was the last time Woods competed in team matches, so it’s a subject on which he has limited knowledge.

“It could just be the aura that was Tiger Woods,” he said.

European top players success Europe has had its share of No. 1 players with a different result

Jon Rahm was 3-1-1 when he was at No. 1 for the 2021 matches at Whistling Straits. His one loss was to Scheffler who birdied the opening four holes for a comfortable win.

Rory McIlroy went 3-2-0 at No. 1 in the world when Europe won at Medinah in 2012, and he was 2-12 as the top-ranked player at Gleneagles in Scotland in 2024.

Nick Faldo was 2-1-2 when he played as the world No 1 at the Belfry in 1993. The only No. 1 player from Europe with a losing record was Ian Woosnam (1-3-0) in 1991.

“Rory has talked about this many times he loves what the Ryder Cup represents,” European captain Luke Donald said.

There were tears from McIlroy when Europe lost big at Whistling Straits. There was that dispute with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie on the 18th green at Marco Simone two years ago, that resulted in McIlroy having to be restrained later that evening in the parking lot. He used that as motivation for Europe on Sunday to finish the job by smoking the Americans.

“He sees himself as a leader, but also just one of the 12,” Donald said. “We try and talk about that a lot. We all have an opportunity to contribute to the team. To have someone of his caliber, though, what he’s achieved in the game is tremendous.” American inexperience

Scheffler is a leader of the U.S. team by his sheer stature in the game, even if he doesn’t see it that way This is only his third Ryder Cup. Then again, Thomas is the most experienced American and this is only his fourth appearance. It’s a young U.S. team by experience — the 12 players have combined to play in 15 Ryder Cups. Scheffler is among six players on the last team in Rome.

Veteran U.S. golfers get rookies ready

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press

FARMINGDALE, N.Y It was the wisdom U.S. Ryder Cup rookie J.J. Spaun needed, even after winning a major, climbing to No. 6 in the world and automatically qualifying for the team.

Justin Thomas, who’s played in more Ryder Cups than anyone on this American squad, told the U.S Open winner: “You earned your spot on this team. Don’t feel like this is a handout or a pick. You have a major that a lot of us are very jealous of, and you deserve to be on this team.”

“I think hearing that has helped me feel like I fit in more as a core player than a rookie who’s just trying to make some sort of impact,” Spaun, 35, said Tuesday at Bethpage Black.

“I think that’s huge for my confidence.”

A year removed from being in danger of losing his PGA Tour card until rallying to finish at No 98 in the FedEx Cup, Spaun might be the truest rookie of the U.S. team’s four first-timers. While the others have teed it up in the Presidents Cup, he’s never played in an international team competition as a pro. The rookies — Spaun, Ben Griffin Russell Henley and Cameron Young — are bringing fresh en-

Europe has just one Ryder Cup rookie, Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard.

He doesn’t need to go far to get a sense of what it’s like. His twin brother Nicolai played in 2023.

“A lot of these guys have played multiple Ryder Cups,” Spaun said. “(I’m) just trying to pick their brains.

“It’s a new arena for me, first national team appearance pretty much ever in my career I just want to know how they feel, just so I can kind of get an estimation of how I’ll most likely feel.”

Schauffele, off the last five weeks for the birth of his son, said Spaun asked him on Monday “how I felt year to year playing in these, and I was happy to tell him.”

players are always open to helping.”

“It makes my job a lot easier when our veteran players are so open to help,” Bradley added, recalling veterans Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods helping him when he played in Ryder Cups in 2012 and 2014.

“I think when you come into these team events you really need to rely on those older players.”

But, with this year’s team, age doesn’t always equal experience Spaun and Henley, 36, are two of the older U.S. players while Thomas, 32, is making his fourth Ryder Cup appearance after debuting in 2018.

Texans cut former Saints safety Gardner-Johnson

The Houston Texans released starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday after only three games with the team.

Houston acquired the former Saints player from Philadelphia in the offseason in a trade for offensive lineman Kenyon Green in hopes that his ball-hawking ability would provide a boost.

Gardner-Johnson played 96% of the defensive snaps as Houston got off to an 0-3 start. He had 15 tackles but had no interceptions or passes defensed. The Texans restructured Gardner-Johnson’s contract before the season to give him a $6.6 million signing bonus that he keeps despite getting cut.

Gardner-Johnson had six interceptions for the Eagles as he helped Philadelphia reach the Super Bowl twice and win it all last season.

Bucs WR Evans will miss games with hamstring injury

Tampa Bay Buccaneers six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans is expected to miss less than four weeks with a hamstring injury a person with knowledge of his MRI results told The Associated Press on Tuesday Evans was injured in Tampa Bay’s 29-27 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday The Buccaneers (3-0) host the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) this week in a matchup between two of the NFL’s six undefeated teams. Evans missed three games and part of another last season with a hamstring injury He is the only player in NFL history to start his career with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Only Hall of Famer Jerry Rice had that many at any point.

Giants replace quarterback Wilson with rookie Dart

After Russell Wilson threw an interception during a third consecutive loss to start the season on Sunday night, the Giants are turning to rookie Jaxson Dart to start at quarterback in their next game Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to two people familiar with the decision.

Dart replaces Wilson with New York off to an 0-3 start and the unbeaten Chargers coming to town. Wilson is expected to dress as the backup with journeyman Jameis Winston remaining third on the depth chart. Dart is set to make his first NFL start after getting a handful of snaps the past two weeks. He has yet to attempt a pass, while Wilson has thrown all of them so far going 65 of 110 for 778 yards, three touchdowns and three picks.

Oklahoma QB to undergo surgery, expected to return Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, one of the nation’s top players in the early weeks of the season, will have surgery to repair an injury to his throwing hand.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Tuesday that Mateer, a Washington State transfer who has led the Sooners to wins over Top 25 teams Michigan and Auburn, will have surgery on his right hand on Wednesday Venables said Mateer is expected to return this season.

Mateer ranks second nationally with 351.3 yards of total offense per game. He is a key reason the Sooners (4-0, 1-0 SEC) have risen to No. 7 in the AP Top 25.

Mateer was injured in the first quarter of the 24-17 win over Auburn last Saturday

Tennis star Nadal warns about fake AI videos of him

ergy and a clean slate to a squad that’s whiplashed between the joy of winning the Ryder Cup at home at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in 2021 to the heartache of losing to Europe in Rome in 2023.

Five returning U.S. players — world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay, plus two-time major champions Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Thomas — were there for the highs and lows of 2021 and 2023.

Now under first-time captain Keegan Bradley, they’re counted on to bring the new guys up to speed as the U.S. fights to retake the Ryder Cup in front of a what’s sure to be a raucous New York crowd

“I’m as nervous as anybody when I get to that first tee. I’m as nervous as anyone when I need to hole a putt,” Schauffele said. “But I just told him that there’s nothing more rewarding than to be at home and to make a putt to win a hole or to even tie a hole if you’re in a bad spot and get these fans going and get them going quickly.”

Bradley who at 39 remains a toptier PGA Tour player and flirted with being a playing captain, said he’s proud of his veteran players for rallying around the rookies.

“What’s really unique about this team is they all really take care of each other,” Bradley said.

“J.J. Spaun is the U.S. Open champion and he’s willing to go to his peers and ask for advice how to go about this, and these veteran

Asked about his leadership role, Thomas shied away from the “veteran” label, saying he associates that with older players “and (he’s) just not quite ready for that yet.”

But, he conceded, “It’s coming at me head on. It’s just the reality.”

“I know that I’m one of the leaders on the team,” Thomas said.

“But I don’t think there’s necessarily one person on the team the last handful or couple times I’ve been on that I’m like, ‘This is the person that when in doubt, you’re looking at.’”

After a season of big moments — pushing Rory McIlroy to a playoff at The Players championship in March, draining a 65-foot putt to take the U.S. Open and fighting Europe’s Justin Rose to sudden death in a FedEx Cup playoff event Spaun is ready for the Ryder Cup stage.

Rafael Nadal is warning about fake online videos of him offering financial advice, and the risks of artificial intelligence.

The retired tennis great said on Tuesday he has never endorsed any of the online videos or their messages.

Nadal wrote on Linkedin, “In recent days, together with my team, we have detected fake videos circulating,” he said.

“These were generated with artificial intelligence In those videos, I am falsely attributed with investment advice or proposals that in no case come from me.” He talked about society’s challenge of learning to distinguish between what is real and what is manipulated, and of “promoting an ethical and responsible use of technology.”

SCOREBOARD

Det: Montgomery 31 run (Bates kick),1:42 Bal: Andrews27pass from L.Jackson (pass failed), :29. A: 70,642. Det Bal First downs 24 21 Total Net Yards426 318 Rushes-yards38-224 19-85 Passing 202 233 Punt Returns

Fumbles-Lost

Penalties-Yards

Time of Possession33:18

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Detroit, Montgomery 12-151, Gibbs 22-67,Goff 4-6. Baltimore,Henry 12-50 L.Jackson 7-35. PASSING: Detroit, Goff 20-28-0-202. Baltimore, L.Jackson 21-27-0-288, Henry0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING: Detroit, St. Brown7-77,Gibbs 5-32, LaPorta 4-33, J.Williams 2-43, Montgomery 1-13, Raymond 1-4. Baltimore,

6-91, Bateman 5-63,Hill 3-45,Kolar

Flowers 2-13, Walker 1-34,Hopkins 1-13, Henry 1-7. MISSED FIELD GOALS: Detroit,

League Baseball

p.m. Miami (Weathers 2-1) at Philadelphia(Luzardo14-7),5:45 p.m. N.Y. Mets (Tong 2-2) at Chicago Cubs (Boyd 13-8), 7:05 p.m. Colorado (Gordon 6-7) at Seattle(Castillo 10-8), 8:40 p.m. L.A. Dodgers(Snell5-4) at Arizona (Nelson 7-3), 8:40 p.m. St. Louis (Gray14-8) at San Francisco (Ray 11-8), 8:45 p.m. Pro basketball WNBAplayoffs (x-if necessary) Semifinals (Best-of-5) Minnesota 1, Phoenix 1 Sept. 21: Minnesota 85, Phoenix69 Tuesday: Phoenix 89, Minnesota 83, OT Friday: Minnesota

Oklahoma State firesGundy

BY CLIFF BRUNT Associated Press

The Mike Gundy era is over Gundy,one of college football’smost colorful coaches over the past two decades, wasfiredbyOklahomaState on Tuesday

The 58-year-old Gundy had acareer recordof17090 at his alma mater,where he was astar quarterback in the 1980s. He posted winning records every season from 2006 to 2023 buthad losing records in his final two years. He entered the season ranked third among active coaches in victories at their current school, trailing only Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and Dabo Swinney of Clemson.

In all, Gundy spent over 30 years at OSU as aplayer and coach. As aplayer,hewas the undersized gunslinger who balanced the Cowboys offense when it featured star running backsThurman Thomas and Barry Sanders. He ended his career as the Big 8all-time leading passer, then had several assistant coaching roles at the school before reviving the program as head coach.

“Cowboy football reached an unprecedented levelof success and nationalprominence under coach Gundy’s leadership,” OSU athletic director Chad Weiberg said in astatement. “I believe I speak for OSU fans everywhere when Isay that we aregratefulfor allhedid to raise the standard and show us all what is possiblefor Oklahoma State football.”

After coach Les Miles departed Oklahoma State for LSUfollowing the 2004season, Gundy was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach.The Oklahoma City native’scharm and sense of humorappealed to fans and recruits and helped the Cowboys compete with and often surpass better-fundedschools

As late billionaire T. Boone Pickens poured millions into the program, Gundy turned Oklahoma State into an unlikely powerhouse that often

By LyDIAELy Former OklahomaState coach MikeGundywalks on the

against Oregon on Sept. 6inEugene, Ore. Gundywas fired onTuesday.

affected the national championshiprace. TheCowboys won the Big 12 in 2011 and played in theBig 12 title game in 2021 and 2023.He led the Cowboystofive New Year’sSix bowl appearances and eight10-win seasons.

He wascapableofcapturing the nation’sinterest at any time, whether it be with aquip or one-liner,orwith hisabilitytobreak down complex issues. In his final two seasons, he emerged as arefreshingly open and honestvoice aboutthe changes in the sport. During camp before the 2024 season,he’d had enough of talking about money

“I told the players there’s no negotiating now,” he said. “Portal’sover.All negotiation’shistory.Now we’re playing football. Just coachingand playing football. “The business side of what we do now is, we have to have those conversations with them,” he said. “Tell your agent to quitcallingus and asking for more money It’snon-negotiable now Start againinDecember.”

His personality wasn’t enoughascollegefootball changed. The transfer portal andNIL madeitmore difficult for acoach who made his name mining diamonds in the rough. He lost11of his final 12games with the program.

On Monday, Gundy said he wanted to stay “Ever since Iwas hired,

I’ve put my heart and soul into this, and I’ll continue to do that until Idon’twant to do it anymore, or until someone elsesays we don’twant you to do it,” he said.

For all his positives, Gundy came with quirks. He is known as much forhis “I’m aman,I’m 40” rant that he madedefendinga player —adiatribe that remains a part of popculture through aConsumer Cellular commercial —asfor his success. In 2020, he apologized forcallingCOVID-19the “Chinese virus” and again months later afterhewore aT-shirtfeaturing thefarright One America News Network that created adisagreement with running back Chuba Hubbard.

Allthose things were forgivenasthe team won. But the Cowboyslosttheir last nine games last season,the final defeat a52-0 blowout at Colorado.

This season, OSU struggled out of the gateagainst FCSprogram TennesseeMartin.The next week,the Cowboys lostatOregon 693. Last Friday, the Cowboys lost at home to Tulsa for the first time since 1951. The fans booed him during the loss, with some chanting “Fire Mike Gundy.” Doug Meacham has been promoted from offensive coordinator to interim head

Y

ou knowhim well.Scotthas been covering LSU since 1992. He is theauthor of three highly acclaimed booksonLSU and was chosen as an LSU Expertfor ESPN’s SEC 150 Documentary

Each Monday,Scottwill puthis thoughts on the last week’sgameand thenextweek’sgame into avideo essayplacing the game in its context anddrawing historical parallels

PRESS FILE PHOTO By LINDSEy WASSON

ASSOCIATED

An outfield screen shows agraphicindicating Seattle Mariners batter Julio Rodriguez challenged apitch call, initiating areviewwith theautomated ball-strike system during agameagainst the Arizona Diamondbacks on Feb.23inPeoria, Ariz.

Robotumpires getting called up to MLBin’26

BY RONALD BLUM AP baseball writer

NEW YORK Robot umpires are getting called up to the big leagues next season.

Major League Baseball’s 11man competition committee on Tuesday approved use of the Automated Ball/Strike System in the major leagues in 2026.

Human plate umpires still will call balls and strikes, but teams can challenge two calls per game and get additional appeals in extra innings. Challenges must be made by a pitcher, catcher or batter —signaled by tapping the helmet or cap —and ateam retainsits challenge if successful.Reviewswill be shown as digital graphics on outfield videoboards New York Yankees outfielder Austin Slater,one of fourplayers on thecompetition committee, said three voted in favorafter gettingsupport from22ofthe 30 teams. All six management reps voted in favor “I think withany sort of technology,there’snot 100% certainty of the accurateness of the system,” Slater said. “I think the same can be said of umpires. So Ithink it’s just coming to grips with the impact that technology is going to have and whether or not we were

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold completed

of

willing to livewiththat error that was associated with the system, even if theerror is very,very miniscule.”

Big league umpires call roughly 94%ofpitches correctly,according to UmpScorecards.

Adding the robot umps is likely to cut down on ejections. MLB said 61.5% of ejections among players, managers and coaches last year wererelatedtoballs and strikes, as were 60.3% thisseason through Sunday.The figures include ejections for derogatory comments, throwingequipment while protestingcalls andinappropriate conduct Yankees manager AaronBoone, wholeads theAmerican League in ejections for the fifth straight year, called theadoption “inevitable.”

“Throughout the year,I’ve been alittle nottotally on board withit or exactly how it’sgoing to be implemented but it’sgoing to be here and hopefully that’sagood thing,” he said. “A lot of the things that MajorLeague Baseball has done Ithink have been really successful in the changes they’ve made andhopefully this is another one of them.”

Guardiansmanager Stephen Vogt said players will have to adjust.

“You can like it, dislike it, it

doesn’tmatter,”Vogt said. “It’s coming. It’s going to change the game. It’sgoing to change the gameforever.”

ABS, whichutilizes Hawk-Eye cameras, hasbeen tested in the minor leagues since 2019. The independent Atlantic Leaguetrialed the systematits 2019 AllStar Gameand MLB installed the technology forthatyear’sArizona Fall League of top prospects. The ABS was tried at eight of nine ballparks of the Low-A Southeast League in 2021, then moved up to Triple-A in 2022.

At Triple-A at thestart of the 2023 season, half the games used therobots for ball/strike calls and half had ahuman making decisions subject toappeals by teams to theABS

MLB switchedTriple-Atoan all-challenge systemonJune 26, 2024, then used thechallenge systemthis year at 13 spring training ballparks hosting 19 teams for a totalof288 exhibition games. Teams won 52.2% of their ball/ strike challenges (617 of 1,182) “I love it.Iloved it in spring training,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “Notall of the players, but mostofthe players, if youask them, they really liked it too. Ithink it keeps everybody accountable. It keeps everybody on their toes.”

aweek earlier

SAINTS

Continued from page1C

are far from guaranteed, and there are real problems plaguingthe defense.

Scramble drill

SpencerRattlersaid the Saints have to do betterwhen the play breaks down and thequarterback is forced to make something out of nothing. CoachKellen Moore agrees. The pass-catchers haven’talwaysbeen on the same pagewhen Rattler bails out of thepocket, Moore said.

“Plays are designed to be on time, and alot of times in this league they can become off schedule,” Moore said. “We’re not doing agood enough job. Jack (Stoll’s touchdown) was agreat example (ofdoingitcorrectly). Jack did aphenomenal job. He got to the back corner in ascramble drill and found the voided zone and (caught) atouchdown as aresult of it

“There were too many other

timeswhenwe’re notmirroring thequarterback, running back to the quarterback to findourselves opportunities where we can at least steal yards.”

Numberstoknow

80.3%:The Saints are in zone coverage 80.3% of the time, the seventh-highest mark in the league. According to TruMedia, their most preferred styleofzone is Cover 3—running it at a45.4% clip.

21.4%:Only three of Kai Kroeger’s 14 punts (21.4%)have been successfully downed inside the 20. That’stied for thefifthworst rate in the league. The coverage hasn’thelped. (See: Tory Horton’s95-yard touchdown.)

+0.17: The Saints rank 16th in passing yardsallowedper game, but that’smisleading.

Thepass defense has apassing EPA(expected points added) per play allowed of +0.17, trailing only Miami and Dallas.Thatmeasures efficiency

3:The Saints recorded just three pressures on Darnold’s18dropbacks. He waspressured 14 times

Parsons says sacking Prescott will be ‘painful’ Cowboys, Packersset

to face offSunday

BY ROBMAADDI AP pro football writer

Sacking DakPrescott would be bittersweet forMicah Parsons.

The two-timeAll-Pro pass rusher downplayed his upcoming return to Dallas and expressed his feelings about potentially taking down his friend and former teammate in aconversation with The Associated Press on Tuesday Parsonsand the Green Bay Packers(2-1) face offagainstPrescott andthe Cowboys (1-2) in front of anational TV audience on Sunday night

“It’sgoing to be painful,” Parsons said about getting achance to sack Prescott. “That’smyguy He was always like agood mentor forme. Butyou know how it is, he always told me if Iever faced him that it’llbea great matchup,soI’m excited to see what Sunday brings itself.”

Parsons plans to treat it like an ordinarygame, though it’llbehis first time inside AT&T Stadium as avisitor

“I accepted my fateweeks ago when the trade happened,” Parsons said.“So forme, it’s justall about playing anothergame and just doing what Idobest, and that’s just be adisruptive footballplayer. Ithink the media and the fans are trying to blow it up to be such abig thing. ButI just look at it as just

another gameatAT&T.”

Just agamethat was circled on everyone’scalendar after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones traded Parsons to the Packers one week before the NFL season opener, ending alengthy contract dispute.

The Packersincreased their Super Bowlhopes with Parsons and madethe 26-year-old the highestpaid nonquarterback in NFLhistory by signing him to a$188 million, four-yearcontract that includes $136 million guaranteed.

The Cowboys (1-2)havestruggled without Parsons, especially on defense.

They’ve allowed thethird-most yards (397.7 per game), mostpassing yards (288) and sixth-highest points (30.7). Despite missingall of training camp and arriving in Green Bay aweekbefore thefirstgame, Parsons made an immediateimpact on defense in a27-13 winover the two-timereigning NFC North championLions in Week 1. The Packers defeated Washington soundly 27-18 four days later,but the offense couldn’tget going in a 13-10 loss at Cleveland in Week 3.

“Besides the fans, just the teammates, the support staff, Imean they made this transition so great and I’m just extremely honored and blessed to be with such agreat group of guys that want to winand that just want to play football and Ithink we’ve been playing really goodfootball so far,sothathelps andIjusthopewecontinue that,” Parsons said.

PELICANS

Continued from page1C

Youcan’tbegreat without anyresponsibility.You just can’t. That’s not what greatness is.”

The talent is there. Williamson hasbeen named to the All-Star Game twice.Heaveraged24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and acareerbest 5.3 assists last season. That’s talent.

But the numbers that will get him to greatness are the ones underthe games playedcolumn. Williamson has played in just 214 games in his six seasons. He played in just 30 games last season, abig reason the Pelicans finished 21-61.

Williamson said he’snot concerned aboutanything that happened last season —orthe seasons before that.

season. Now he wants to see that carry over intothe season.Win or lose, Dumarswants Williamson to be front and center

“When things go welland the team is going great, you’re going to get the bulk of the compliments and credit,” Dumars told Williamson. “But when things are not going well, you should be the first one to step to themedia after the games and speak for the team.That goes back to accountability and responsibility Youcan’tjust be the person when things are going well. Youhave to be theperson whenthings don’t go well.”

Williamsonsaidall theright things Tuesday.The Pelicans are 0-0 right now,and Williamson has putlastseason’sdismal,injuryplagued season in the rearview mirror

Up next

One of the bestteams in football.

The Buffalo Bills are favored by a161/2 points, marking thelargest spread involving the Saints as underdogs since 1975. ButBuffalo is favored for agood reason.

TheBills arefirst in total offense, first in rushing efficiency and fourth in passing efficiency Oh,and theyhavereigning MVP Josh Allen.

The Saints likely won’tsee abetter quarterback this season, and Allenagain hasbeenspectacular to start theyear.But don’toverlook Buffalo’spotent rushing attack or its dominating offensive line —the latter of which is holding teams to aleague-low 20.7% quarterback pressurerate. If there is an area of slight concern for Buffalo, it’sthe defense But after giving up 40 pointsin theopener to theRavens, theBills held theirnexttwo opponents to 10 and 21 points, respectively

Email Matthew Paras at matt paras@theadvocate.com

“The past is going to stay in the past,” Williamson said. “I’m only looking forward to thefuture Whatever my team needs, that’s what Iwill do.”

He lookstobeinthe best shape of hisNBA career.And he feels that way,too. He credits Daniel Bove, the director of performance and sports science forthe Pelicans, forthat. They’ve come up with aworkout planthatincludes everything from boxing to workingout on the football field. He’salso worked out with former Pelicans assistant coachTeresa Weatherspoon, who is like abig sister to him

“It feels good to feel good,” Williamson said. “I haven’tfelt like this since high school or college.” Now the Pelicans need to see that translate to availability and wins. Williamson, when asked about his personal goals for this season, didn’treveal them.

“I have somegoals, but those Ikeep to myself,” he said. “So when that time does come, Iknow how to celebrate.” Dumars likes the way Williamsonhas pushed himselfthis off-

The Dumarsera seemslike a fresh start for Williamson. The conversations he hadwith Dumars andseniorvicepresident of basketball operations Troy Weaver have resonated withthe face of the franchise.

“They embraced me,” Williamson said. “I told them,‘I’mnot going to let y’all down.’ That helps alot thattheyreally believe in me.They are going to hold me accountable and with that accountabilitytheywill give me a lot of responsibility.And I’m here forit.”

GAy

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ERIC

LSU cornerback Kary Vincent breaks up a pass intended for Texas wide receiver Brennan Eagles on Sept. 7, 2019, in Austin, Texas. LSU won 45-38, the last time the two teams met. They are scheduled to meet again next season in Tiger Stadium.

Tigers’ league slate set

LSU’s SEC foes over next four seasons unveiled

BY KOKI RILEY and SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writers

LSU’s opponents in Southeastern Conference play for the next four seasons have been revealed. The SEC announced on Tuesday that the Tigers will face Alabama, Texas and Tennessee, among others, in 2026, the first season of the conference’s nine-game schedule format. Game dates will be determined in December

LSU will have Arkansas, Texas A&M and Ole Miss as its annual opponents over the next four seasons The rest of LSU’s 2026 schedule includes Alabama, Mississippi State, Texas, Auburn, Kentucky and Tennessee.

The Tigers will be at home next season against Texas A&M, Alabama, Texas and Mississippi State and on the road for Ole Miss, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Auburn LSU also has Clemson and McNeese State at home and needs to schedule one other nonconference game, almost certain to be at home.

LSU’S SEC SCHEDULE THROUGH 2029

Southern in no rush to name starting QB

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

At Tuesday’s media availability, Southern coach Terrence Graves borrowed a line from Jackson State coach T.C. Taylor, the Saturday opponent for the Jaguars.

Taylor was asked a day earlier how he would resolve his team’s “quarterback situation” after starting a different player than his usual starter in the team’s last game Sept. 13.

“I don’t think we really have a situation,” Taylor said during a virtual Southwestern Athletic Conference media availability Monday “We got two guys that can play That’s a great situation.”

Graves said he feels the same about his quarterback room at Southern (1-3) as he explained why a decision on a starter hasn’t been made yet ahead of his team’s contest against Jackson State at 6 p.m. Saturday at A.W Mumford Stadium. This will be both programs’ first game that will count in the SWAC standings.

“We’ll make the decision toward the end of the week,” Graves said. “Again, I’m not opposed to playing multiple quarterbacks.

“I was listening to what T.C. said (Monday), they were asking him if he had a quarterback problem. He said, ‘No, I don’t have a

ä Jackson St. at Southern.

quarterback problem. I got two good quarterbacks.’

That’s the same thing I say. You know, you got two good quarterbacks. Can’t be afraid to play ’em.”

Junior transfers Ashton Strother from Coahoma Community College in Mississippi and Cam’Ron McCoy from Jackson State are the two Southern quarterbacks who could start.

Graves said Jalen Woods, the lone returner at the position, is going through a “return to play” protocol after his concussion in the second quarter of the Jaguars’ 34-29 win over Mississippi Valley State on Aug. 30.

Graves said practice performance this week will determine Saturday’s starter

While Graves likes his options under center, the offense has not been strong

The Jaguars are 11th in yards passing (130.5) and ninth in points per game (15.5) out of 12 SWAC teams.

The last quarterback to run the offense was Strother, who joined the team a week before the Aug. 23 season opener In Southern’s 56-7 loss at Fresno State on Sept. 13, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound quarterback played as soundly as anyone has at the position this season He

completed 9 of 14 passes for 127 yards in his three quarters and led a nine-play TD drive for 75 yards after replacing McCoy

“I thought he played well,” Graves said. “A guy that got here like, you know eight days before school started, and he’s still learning the offensive scheme. He’s a sharp young man. He’s attentive. He pays attention to detail.” The other option is McCoy, who has played the majority of three games and is averaging 79 yards passing per game, which is the lowest of any quarterback in the SWAC to start at least two games. He also has the lowest completion percentage of any quarterback at 50% In three drives against Fresno State, he completed 1 of 4 passes for 4 yards. What he lacks in accuracy, he makes up for with his mobility McCoy has 177 yards rushing and two TDs on 30 attempts. Graves said since the season opener that finding an everyday starter is not a hard rule to win games. He’s focused on finding the best players to help his team be the best version of itself

“Perfect world, yeah, you want to have one guy to go out there,” Graves said. “But then, in the real world, if you got athletes, you need to use your athletes and, you know increase your chances of winning.”

This will be the first time that Texas will play in Tiger Stadium since 1953. The fact that New Orleans native and highly publicized quarterback Arch Manning is expected to return to the Longhorns next season adds an extra dimension to the matchup. LSU and Alabama, which have played each other every year since 1964, will continue their annual rivalry one more year but won’t play in 2027 The Tigers will go to Alabama in 2028. LSU and Florida won’t play each other next season for the first time since 1970. But LSU will go to Gainesville in 2027 and the Gators will play in Tiger Stadium in 2029. The Tigers will have four SEC home games and five conference road games in 2026 and 2028 and presumably will schedule three home nonconference games in those years. In 2027 and 2029, LSU will play five SEC opponents at home and four on the road, allowing it to schedule a nonconference road game. Every SEC school is required to play at least one nonconference team from the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC or

Notre Dame. Annual opponents for teams will be reevaluated every four years, meaning that the Tigers could have a different set of yearly foes starting in 2030.

Tuesday’s announcement follows the SEC’s vote in August to increase its conference slate from eight games to nine. In the new schedule format, teams will have three annual opponents and face six others in a rotation. Each team will face one another at least once every two years and will play each other home and away within a four-year period. No. 4 LSU resumes SEC play Saturday when it travels to No. 13 Ole Miss (2:30 p.m., ABC).

Continued from page 1C

right end — running plays to the right of the right tackle — LSU is averaging 4.3 yards per carry. On runs between the left guard and the left end of the line, the Tigers are averaging 6.8 yards per carry

Considering Davis’ struggles, combined with Chester starting the second half Saturday and freshman Carius Curne’s emergence during the preseason, it’s fair to wonder whether LSU is due for a change at right tackle.

“We wanted to get DJ some more tackle reps,” Kelly said. “As you know, he’s gotten plenty of center reps. He started 13 games for us last year He’s our first guy in at any one of those five positions.”

This week at Ole Miss, Chester won’t be an option in the first half. He was ejected during the third quarter Saturday for targeting, and because of it, he will be suspended for the opening 30 minutes in Oxford, Mississippi.

Kelly said Chester’s suspension means Curne will be LSU’s next in line at right tackle. Kelly said Curne is “an exceptional physical specimen,” but someone who still needs to develop from a technical standpoint.

“He’s made really good progress,” Kelly said. “I think we all know that I’m willing to play freshmen at that position We did it in 2022 (but) it’s just really difficult.

“When you’re asking somebody to go in and play a position at this level for the first time, there’s going to be a learning curve. I like what he’s doing I like the maturity that he’s showing and the consistency. And again, I still think you’re going to see him playing in some capacity, and he’s got to be prepared to do so.”

LSU already has faced tougher pass rushes and defenses this season.

Despite Clemson and Florida’s struggles, both teams own talented defensive fronts,

LSU’s DJ

started the second half at right tackle against Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday but was ejected for targeting in the third quarter

and LSU still scored enough to win those games and start the year 4-0. But the Tigers’ attack likely will need to put up more points than it did against Clemson or Florida to beat Ole Miss, a team that owns the best offense LSU has faced this year Therefore, Davis’ play at right tackle could go a long way in determining the Tigers’ success in keeping up with the Rebels.

“Ole Miss is an outstanding football team,” Kelly said. “Well coached. (Coach) Lane (Kiffin) does a great job. Again, they have an established winning culture, and certainly an offense that has again put up incredible numbers offensively.”

Email Koki Riley at Koki.Riley@ theadvocate.com.

By Amanda McElfresh|

FewtraditionscapturethespiritofLouisiana quiteliketailgatingonLSU gamedays.Even beforesunrise,theairaroundTigerStadium fills with thearomasofCajun delicacies Friends andstrangers clad in theirbest purpleandgoldgreetoneanotherwithcheers of “Geaux Tigers”throughoutthe day. For many,tailgatingisjustasimportant as the game itself –a time to reconnect, celebrate team prideand welcomenew fans into the Tigerfamily. If there’sany LSUtailgatinggroup that knowshow to covertheir bases, it’s the KreweofBATT. Originally started in the 1990s,the krewehas beenled by Heather andPaulMiller, alongwithTasha andKarl Mears, since2019. Relyingondecadesof experienceand knowledge, they have put together an all-encompassing tailgating eventthatcan attractupto200 people on gamedays

“Weweresoproud to continue thetradition,” Heather Miller said.“It’s achanceto fellowship with both LSUand theopposing team’s fans.It’sthe best waytospend a Saturday.”

Thefoodatthe KreweofBATTissecond to none.Popular menu itemsinclude boudin eggrolls,Creolesundaes,grits andgallades

andBanansFosterFrenchtoast.There’salso no shortage of your adultbeverageofchoice.

“Wehave astocked trailerand we arrive by 7a.m ”Millersaid.

TheKrewe of BATT also knowshow to stay cool.After all, tailgating is an all-day eventand theBaton Rougeweathercan stay warm foralmostthe entire season.Tokeep everyone going, Miller said thekreweis readywithcoolers,ice,fansand frozen rags With theirroutine well-established, Miller said theKreweofBATTplans to continue tailgating at LSUfor many more yearstocome.

“Welovethe friends,family, food andfun Welove hostingpeoplewho have neverbeen to atailgate,”she said.“Seeing people enjoy themselves makesushappy.”

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St. Joseph’s bid to hand STM first loss falls short

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

St. Thomas More trailed 10-8 in the fifth set against St. Joseph’s on Tuesday Behind an energetic student section, the Redstickers inched closer toward giving the Cougars their first loss of the season. But St Thomas More refused to give up. A kill by STM junior Virginia Blanchard pulled the Cougars back within one. The play swung the momentum, and the Cougars closed out the match with seven straight points to seal the fifth set and win, 15-10.

“My team, they have zero quit,” Cougars coach Jessica Burke said. “No matter what, they don’t believe that they’re going to lose.”

St. Thomas More (15-0) won the final two sets at St. Joseph’s Academy Blanchard led the team in kills with 12 and added 18 digs. Senior Marvel Potier and sophomore Abby Strother each tallied

Volleyball

Tuesday’s matches Southside 3, Ascension Episcopal 0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-22) Lafayette Christian 3, Central Private 1 (2513, 20-25, 25-21, 25-19) Teurlings 3, Notre Dame 1 (25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 25-15) ESA 3, Sulphur 1 (25-17, 25-21, 25-19) St. Martinville 3, Acadiana 0 (25-23, 15-25, 25-21, 25-15) St. Edmund 3, Opelousas 0 (25-10, 25-8, 25-15) Breaux Bridge 3, Franklin 0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-9)

11 kills in the win.

STM senior Eleanor Guidry totaled 33 digs. Senior Audrey Wheeler finished with 26 assists and sophomore Clare Thomson had 25.

The St. Joseph’s gym was packed and making noise all night long. Burke wanted her team to feed into the energy of a tough road environment.

“I just told my team,” Burke said, “there’s nothing more fun than playing in that environment. Let’s not be afraid of it. Let’s welcome it.”

St Joseph’s (6-5) lost its fourth straight match. St. Joseph’s coach Donna Pixley still saw positives from her side.

“We were probably the most consistent that we’ve been,” Pixley said. “Against a team like that, one of the best coaches that I know of in our state. I thought they showed up big.”

In the fourth set, St. Joseph’s held an 11-10 lead midway through the set St. Thomas More

PREP REPORT

Port Barre 3, Cecilia 1 (25-18, 19-25, 25-22, 25-17) Iowa 3, North Vermilion 0 (25-13, 25-22, 25-17) Centerville 3, Westgate 0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-15) Westminster Christian 3, Catholic-N.I. 0 (25-10, 25-14, 25-20) Marksville 3, Church Point 0 (25-19, 25-12, 25-11) Westminster-Lafayette 3, Barbe 0 (25-10, 25-14, 25-20) St. Louis 3, Rayne 0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-8) Abbeville 3, Glencoe Charter 0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-20) Highland Baptist 3, Delcambre 0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-9)

bounced back with four straight points, capped off by an ace from Blanchard. The Cougars had 13 total aces. The run sparked a momentum shift, with the Cougars closing out the fourth set on a 15-5 run to win it 25-16. The Redstickers held a 13-12 lead midway through the third set before three kills from senior Gracie Mann sparked a 4-0 run for a 17-12 advantage. St. Joseph’s would hold on to take set three 2522. Mann finished with 18 kills and 22 digs.

St. Joseph’s took the first set, 2624, and St. Thomas More won the second set, 25-19. St. Joseph’s sophomore Emmy Graves also had 12 assists and five digs. She was one of three starters for the Redstickers who were sophomores or younger Sophomore Lexi Sumich and freshman Madison Mann also started.

“We’re going to be in good shape if that’s our future,” Pixley said.

Woodlawn 3, McKinley 0 Woodlawn 25 25 25

McKinley 9 14 14

Team leaders: WOODLAWN: Bri Graham (13 kills, 6 digs, 4 aces), Mikenzie Wells (12 kills, 8 digs), Laila Smith (21 assists, 3 digs, 3 aces), Cassandra Aruajo (12 digs, 2 aces) Zachary 3, St. John 1 Zachary 25 15 25 25 St. John 12 25 23 23 Team leaders: ZHS: Asia Sterling (1 ace, 11 digs, 22 kills, 3 blocks), Alyssa Albert (3 aces, 9 digs, 35 assists), Karsyn Marshall (1 ace, 27 digs, 3 assists), Amelia Mitchem (2 aces, 15 digs, 5 kills)

Parkview Baptist takes down Hannan

CHARLES SALZER Contributing writer

Positive results against the Archbishop Hannan volleyball team have been scarce in recent seasons for Parkview Baptist. That changed Tuesday night at the Eagles gym.

Sparked by strong blocking Parkview turned the tables on Hannan, picking up a 3-1 win by scores of 25-21, 25-16, 19-25 and 25-22.

The win was special for a Parkview team (7-4) that has battled injuries and illnesses in the past few weeks. It came at the expense of Hannan (12-5), a program that defeated Parkview in the Division III playoff semifinals each of the past two seasons.

“It was a match where we really needed to play hard,” Parkview coach Allison Leake said. “Hopefully, we’re starting to get into a groove. I’m OK if we’re not peaking right now but we definitely are a better team than what we’ve been showing.”

Against Hannan, the Eagles controlled play for most of the match. They got five blocks from senior Jana Thymes and four apiece from underclassmen Marin Price and Olivia Kohn.

The Eagles’ play at the net, especially in the first two games, impressed Hannan coach Rebekka Bonnaffee.

“Their blocking was unbelievable,” Bonnaffee said. “I thought it took us a while to get going. Once we did, our serve receive was good and our defense got better, but their blocking was phenomenal. It is what it is.”

Wanting to avoid a deciding fifth set, Parkview finished off Hannan with a 25-22 win in the fourth set. The Hawks whittled a six-point deficit down to one at 2322. Parkview scored the last two points on Thymes’ kill and an ace from Aadyn Polk. Thymes and Price each had 16 kills while Rylan Varnado had an efficient 11 kills. Kennedy Otwell had 20 digs, and Polk gave out 46 assists.

Parkview showed it was ready to control the match from the outset. A pair of kills from Thymes helped the Eagles take a 4-0 lead in the first set. Hannan got as close as 8-7 on Goldie Lowe’s kill, but Parkview responded by scoring the next seven points. The Eagles went on to a 25-21 win capped by Price’s block for the final point. In the second set, Hannan led briefly at 9-8 before Parkview surged back out to a 14-10 lead Two blocks each from Kohn and Varnado were key factors in the Eagles’ 25-16 set win.

Hannan never trailed in the third set. Parkview was as close as 1918 before Hannan won six of seven points to close out a 25-19 win.

Parkview took control of the fourth set after it was tied 10-10.

“This is a great win for us,” Thymes said. “Winning in four sets against Hannan, I think, has been a dream for everybody on this team. It’s definitely a milestone win, and it’s a huge awakening for us.” Hannan was led in kills by Lowe with 13 and Khloe Renton with 10. Avery Lewis pitched in with 20 digs, and setter Josie Pathoumthong had 37 assists.

Rangers infield stars Semien, Seager done for season

BY STEPHEN HAWKINS Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas Corey Seager and Marcus Semien won’t try to return to play this week for the Texas Rangers, ending the fourth season together for middle infielders who have been sidelined since late August.

“They’re done. They’re pretty much shut down,” manager Bruce Bochy said before the Rangers opened their final home series

FULWILEY

Continued from page 1C

floor

“And as you’ve seen,” Mulkey said, “that’s hard to do in just a year. It just is.” Whoever starts at point guard in LSU’s season opener on Nov 4 will be the Tigers’ fourth primary ballhandler in as many years. Hailey Van Lith took over the job after Alexis Morris exhausted her eligibility, but she transferred to TCU after one rocky year at the helm of Mulkey’s system. Last season, LSU split duties between transfer Shayeann Day-Wilson and Last-Tear Poa.

Both have since moved on, which opened the door for Fulwiley to transfer in and earn the top point

Tuesday night against Minnesota. Semien has been out since Aug. 22, after the second baseman sustained a broken bone and sprained ligament when fouling a pitch off his left foot That was a week before shortstop Seager had an appendectomy

While Seager and Semien are done and the Rangers are out of playoff contention, Bochy said Jacob deGrom (12-8, 3.01 ERA) will make his last scheduled start Wednesday against the Twins.

guard job. She played that position for most of the two seasons she spent at South Carolina but she always came off the bench. She didn’t play more than 19 minutes per night, and she averaged only about 10 field goal attempts.

This season, Fulwiley’s role could change. Van Lith was the last highprofile transfer guard to choose LSU, and she logged more than 30 minutes per game in her lone season at LSU— a year in which she posted a career-low scoring average (11.6) and field-goal percentage (38%) Day-Wilson’s numbers took similar dips last season after her transfer to LSU.

“So much is asked of you,” Mulkey said. “It’s not just what you’re capable of doing. You’ve got to know everybody else.” Mulkey is leaving the door open for Fulwiley to spend time on the wing

It will be the two-time Cy Young Award winner’s 30th start this year after missing most of the past two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery DeGrom already has thrown 167 2⁄3 innings this season, after only 35 starts and 1971⁄3 innings combined the past four seasons. That included his final two injuryplagued years with the New York Mets before leaving in free agency and then having surgery after only six starts in his Rangers de-

but in 2023, the season of their only World Series title.

“He wants to pitch,” Bochy said. Seager and Semien were a halfbillion dollar addition for the Rangers in free agency after the 2021 season, when Seager got a $325 million, 10-year contract, and Semien signed for $175 million over seven seasons. The following offseason, deGrom arrived with a $185 million, five-year deal that included a conditional sixth-year club option worth at least $20 mil-

because LSU has other ballhandlers, she said. Jada Richard, the sharpshooting sophomore from Lafayette, is a natural point guard — just like Divine Bourrage, the freshman from Iowa who joined the Tigers as one of the nation’s 30 best recruits.

There’s also star junior Mikaylah Williams. She can handle the ball in a pinch, just like she did last season when LSU hit the heart of SEC play

But it looks like Fulwiley will get the first crack at earning the all-important job of running point for LSU. She started learning how to play the position Tuesday, six months after she left her hometown South Carolina team to join its top rival.

“She’s beaten me too many times for me not to have taken her into this program,” Mulkey said. “She’s fitting in well. I mean, ballers want to play with ballers, and she’s going to be fun to watch.”

lion for 2028 that has been triggered because of the time missed injured.

Both Seager and Semien had indicated that they hoped to get back to play this season, especially when the Rangers made a late push for a playoff spot with a 13-3 run that included a pair of sixgame winning streaks.

But a seven-game losing streak, their longest of the season, ended their postseason hopes with six games left.

BLASTFROM THEPAST

St., Baton Rouge, and is made with cucumber and spicy salmon wrapped in nori and topped with kani salad, eel sauce, spicy mayo and tempura flakes. Fall has also made its way to the menu at Vicious Biscuit,333 St. Christopher Ave., Gonzales. Trythe caramel apple beignets, caramel apple macchiato and pumpkin spiced latte. In theknow

Game daybreakfast buffet: 8a.m. to noon Saturdays and 8a.m.to 10 a.m. SundaysatThe Gregory,150 Third St., Baton Rouge Kick off game days with a breakfast buffet that includes fried chicken, waffles, cinnamon rolls, eggs, bacon, grits and grillades, and an omelet station. The buffet is $24.95 for adults and $12.95 for kids.

The 13th Gate opening weekend: 8p.m.Saturday at Brickyard South, 174 South Blvd., Baton Rouge Visit BrickyardSouth fora spooky soiree to celebratethe opening weekend of The 13th Gate. Dress in your best costume and buy aHalloween drink special to be entered into araffle to win two skip-the-line tickets. Wine andspirits

Fall cocktails: 6p.m. Oct. 10 at Martin’s, 6463 Moss Side Lane, Baton Rouge Sip into the season withfive fall-inspired cocktails. Staff at Martin’swill demonstrate how to mix, shake and garnish each drink like apro. Cheese and charcuterie willbeprovided as well as arecipe book to take home. Tickets are $33.87,available at eventbrite.com.

Mark your calendar

Save the date for Nov.21for White Light Night,anart and vendor extravaganzadown Government Street in Mid City.The night includes livemusic, local vendors and restaurant specials.

Email lauren.cheramie@ theadvocate.com. Cheers!

BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer

ANunsuspecting time machine sits next doorto HootersonCollege Drive in BatonRouge, transporting to atime of old-fashionedcocktails, jazz and debauchery

Welcometothe Hayride Scandal. This unique cocktaillounge is curated with plush vintage-style sofas beneathdim-lit chandeliers, and its wall art dates back to the Prohibition era.

“You come here fora different experience because youdon’t want to be at home,”said co-owner LancePaddock.“Youwanttobe withpeople. Youwant to be in asocial environment.”

Paddockisa walkingchronicle of cocktail history,apprising stories like where commercial ice was born (New Orleans)orthe origin of theGold Rush cocktail (a New York City bar called Milk &Honey).

“Both of us love history,” coowner Remi DeMatteo saidabout himself andPaddock.“Ialways feel, though, that bars should have

its name rootsinthe city that it’sin because bars necessarily are productsoftheir environment.” Thestory behind HayrideScandal’sname is derived from aTimesPicayune headline from the 1930s.

the “hayride scandals,” millions in state funds were stolen in kickbacks and mailfraud. Hundreds of Louisiana state officials were

dicted, seven sent to prison, including former LSU President James Monroe Smith and the former Louisiana Gov.Richard Leche.

In 2017,Paddock andDeMatteo opened the perfect hideaway at 5110 Corporate Blvd. to sip craft cocktails themed afterone of Baton Rouge’smost infamous government scandals. Good bones

Different members on theHayride Scandalteam contributed bits and pieces to the space’sdesign, but it couldn’thave beendone without interior designer Sharae Hand.

“Whenever you walk through those doors, it’slike you were transported somewhere else,” Hand said. “Not that you were just beside Hooters.”

The building,formerly Lock &Key WhiskeyBar, had “goodbones,” Hand said, evidentbyelements that were already in the building like the woodpaneling and front bar She wanted ablend of textures to touch all five senses, whether it was the Edison bulbs above the bar,red velvet armchairs or wallpaper from Paddock’smother’s attic. To achieve the look, Hand and the team explored several antique shops, estate sales and warehouse salesin the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas.

The parlor room, aseparate space just past the mainbar,was added afew years after the lounge’s opening, and one of its most eye-catchingelements is its light-pinkand black floral wall.

“That wallpaperwas everything when it firsthit the scene,”Handsaid. “It was big and bold and reallyexpensive.”

Across that wallisa gallery of antique mirrors, most of which were bought from antique stores in Denham Springs and Circa 1857 in Baton Rouge.

“I love mirrors, and Ilove to decorate with mirrors,” Hand said. “I have mirrors all in my house sort of like that. Definitely aVersailles

goldrush are servedatHayride

moment on averysmall scale.”

Hand hasseveral favorite pieces throughout thespace, including apair of brass candelabrasfrom Circa 1857 sitting to the leftand right of themantel. Shealso loves the grandchandelierin the center room.

Some pieceshave been switched outsince theinitial opening, and the furniture layout fluctuates.

“It’sanever-evolving space,” Hand said.

Theart of bartending

In additiontobeersand wines,the menuoffers house-crafted cocktails like the Paper Plane, with bourbon, aperol, meletti and lemon.There are also classic cocktails likethe Gold Rushwith bourbon, honey and lemon, which can be orderedfor $8 duringthe 4p.m.to7p.m. happy hour Paddock and DeMatteo believe bartending is more than just making drinks— it’sanart, acraft.

“The smallest difference can throw acocktail off,” Paddock said.“You’re talking about bitters and small things in there. Whenyou start getting to fivetosix ingredients,it’sa total disaster if youdon’tget it right.”

Andsomething like shaking instead of stirring radically changesa drink, he said.

“The first step for abartender from beingagreat craft bartender is, Do you care?’ As long as you care, you can master this,” Paddocksaid.

DeMatteo believes agreat bartender’sbestskill isn’t making acocktail.

“Tome, 90% of bartending

is observation and communicationskills,” DeMatteo said. “Ten percent is technical knowledge, historical knowledge.”

Live music, free redbeans

Livejazz sounds through Hayride Scandaltwo nights every week.Andy Pizzo Trio, ajazzy funk fusion band, performs 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Wednesdays, and theBishopEllis Trio plays from 7p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays.

On Mondays,guests can enjoy free, self-serve red beans. The Louisiana staple is cooked fresh by one of the bartenders, Andre James. Thebeansare already flavorful, but there’salsohot sauce and Tony Chachere’s seasoningonthe side for thosewho want an extra kick.

Baton Rouge native Elena Herring had afront-row seat at the red beans station whilesipping aclassic daiquiri. This was her fifthtime visiting after her cousin introduced her to thespot two years ago.

Herring said shefell in love with thevibe of the lounge and the cocktails. She brought her friends one time, and agentleman bought them wings from Hooter’snextdoor. It wasa hit

“Wehave nothing elsein Baton Rouge like this,” Herring said. “Nothing is quite unique like this.It’sbeautiful.”

Hayride Scandal, 5110

Corporate Blvd., Baton Rouge. Open 4p.m. to 2a.m. Monday through Saturday and 4p.m. to midnight Sunday

By The Associated Press

Today is Wednesday, Sept.24, the 267th day of 2025. There are 98 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Sept.24, 2017, more than 200 NFL players knelt or sat during thenational anthem after President Donald Trumpcriticized theplayers’ protests in aspeech and aseries of tweets

Also on this date: In 1789, President George Washington signedaJudiciary Act establishing America’sfederal court systemand creating the post of attorney general.

In 1869, thousands of businessmen were ruined in aWall Street panic known as “Black Friday” after financiers Jay Gould and James Fisk attempted to corner thegold market.

In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt established

Devil’sTower in Wyoming as the first U.S. national monument.

In 1957, the Los Angelesbound Brooklyn Dodgers played their last game at Ebbets Field, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0.

In 1960, the USSEnterprise, the first nuclearpowered aircraft carrier, waslaunched at Newport News,Virginia.

In 1969, the trial of the Chicago Eight, later the Chicago Seven, began.

(Five werelater convicted of crossing state lines to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic convention, but the convictions were ultimately overturned.)

In 1988, Jackie JoynerKersey won gold and set a world record in the women’sheptathlon at the Summer Olympics in Seoul.

In 2013, apowerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked southwest Pakistan, killing at least 376 people.

In 2015, astampede and crush of Muslim pilgrims occurred in the holy city of Mina, Saudi Arabia. While the official Saudi death toll stood at 769, The Associated Press estimated that morethan 2,400 people were killed. In 2022, Russian forces launched new strikes on Ukrainian cities as Kremlin-orchestrated votes took place in occupied regions of Ukraine to create apretext fortheir annexation by Moscow Today’sbirthdays:

benefits end with retirement, paying dentalbills out-of-pocketcan comeasa shock, leading people to put offorevengowithout care.

Simply put—without dentalinsurance, there maybe an importantgap in your healthcare coverage.

Medicare doesn’t pay fordental care.

That’s right.Asgood as Medicare is, it wasnever meanttocover everything. That means if you wantprotection, youneed to purchase individualinsurance.

Early detection canprevent smallproblems from becoming expensive ones.

The best way to preventlarge dental bills is preventivecare. TheAmerican Dental Association recommends checkups twice ayear.

Siblingwants to help sister goingthrough divorce

Dear Harriette: My sister recently went through adivorce, and it’sbeen difficult for her.She has two young kids, and Ican see how overwhelmed and stressed she is, trying to juggle her work, taking care of the kids, managing the household and trying to keep her life on track. Iwant to be there for her, but I’m notsure of the best way to help. Idon’twant to overstep or make her feel like I’m judging her,but Ialso don’t want to sit back and do nothing while she struggles. I’ve tried asking my sister if she needs help, but she often insists she’sfine, even when Iknow she’snot. Iworry about her mental health as well as how the stress is affecting her children. Iwant to support her in practical ways, like helping with errands, meals or child care, but Ialso want to be asource of emotional support and comfortwithout overwhelming her How can Ibethere for my sister in away that truly helps her and her kids during this challenging time while respecting her space and independence? —Want To Help Dear Want To Help: Why not

She’sonthe phone, dad

Harriette Cole SENSE AND SENSITIVITy

start with asimple offer like spending afew hours on theweekendengaging the kids? That may mean takingthem to dance class or sports practice or designing aspecialouting to give your sister a break. This will also help you connect with yoursister’s kids and keep their minds off their parents’ divorce. Be specificwith your offers so she doesn’t have to thinkmuch.Suggest pizza night —your treat —onFriday,and see how she responds. Offer to pickupgroceriesthe next time youare already going to the grocery store. If you make it seem like it’s not an imposition to you, shemay be moreinclined to agree to acceptyourhelp Dear Harriette: I’mhaving a major dilemma. At the beginning ofthis year,Ishared with my boss thatI was interestedinleaving inabout threemonths to head to a newcity.I gave them ample noticebecause I’vebeen there for years and knew they’d appreciate me being there to train my replacement. My company ended up offering me atransfer to an office in thecity ofmy choice; they just requested

thatI stayput long enough for themtohire someone else. In the interim,I’ve been shopping for ahome and preparing to move, but my company continues to push back my leave date. It feels like they’reholding their offer hostage. I am now under contract for ahome in California, but my employer is asking for “just one moremonth,” which theysaid lastmonth and the one beforethat.It feels like if Iwait for their green light,I’ll never get to move, and if Igoonmyown timeline, I’ll losemyjob and subsequently notbeable to move. What are my options?

—Damned If IDo

Dear Damned If IDo: Ask your company to make the mortgage payment on your new home until theyare ready for you to move. Point out thatyou have accommodated their request,and now it’stheir turn to help you after changing the terms of their previous offer.Ifthat doesn’twork, it may be time to look for another job since theyare stringing youalong.

Send questions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO 64106.

BEST

Continued from page1D

alively atmosphereona Friday night before an LSU football Saturday when I went to pick up my mountains of food.

Pro tip: Order the garlic naan and aside of cheesy dosa to soak up the extra sauce leftoverinthe dish.

The extra sauces can also be frozen and used to marinate chicken for adelicious second meal.

—Margaret DeLaney, health section coordinator Brisket barbecue plate lunch

n Bon Creole, 1409 E. St. Peter St., New Iberia

Bon Creole, amuch-loved NewIberia lunch spot serving plate lunches, po-boys and one of the best gumbos in the region, opens at 11 a.m. on Sundays. The parking lot starts filling up

about 30 minutes before, for one reason only: Bon Creole only sells barbecue platesonSundays, by the hundreds, and they sell out quickly.

This Sunday,Ioptedfor thebrisket dinner,which was juicy and tender and coated with amildly sweet barbecue sauce. The beans and potato salad were the perfectcomplementtoeach meaty forkfulofbrisket and rice dressing, withflavors well worth standing in line for

—JoannaBrown, staff writer

Lunch special

n Duang Tawan, 4850 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd Baton Rouge

I’ve never had Thai food before,but Iknowgoodfood when Itaste it. Not only is the lunch special from

Duang Tawan agood deal, but it’sspicy and delicious. The server gave me amenu rundown, and I settled on starting with the TomYum soup. It came with the chef’s choice of appetizer,which was a fried vegetable spring roll on Friday.The soup (with lemongrass, lime juice, scallions, mushrooms and chicken) came hot, and the lime acidity made the broth just delightful. As asoup fanatic, Iwill be returning for more.

Ialso had the fish with choo chee curry,adish that arrived on bed of vegetables and with aside of rice. The sauce’scitrusy components heightened everything on the plate. It’s ahearty meal that doesn’t overdo it.

—Maddie Scott, features reporter

Dear Miss Manners: Icame home from work one evening and found my daughter on the phone, so Ipassed her anote. She immediately said, “I am on the phone, Dad.”

Iwas upset by this response, and asked who shewas talking to —tomake sure Ididn’tinterrupt anything important— but it happened to be her boyfriend Am Ioverreacting, or shewas shewrong to say that?

CDs, thinking he would use it at the food pantry.(We hadbeen downsizing at our house,and ourstereo was notbeing used.)

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

Gentle reader: Wasshe wrong to remind you that shewas on the phone and that your note was therefore an interruption,even if not averbal one? Or was shewrong to tellyou who was on theother end?

No and, judging by your reaction, yes.

MissManners cannot answer your leading question aboutoverreacting, as it presupposes your daughter’s guilt Butshe can point out that if your daughter is old enough to have a boyfriend, it is no longer your prerogative to determine what constitutes an important call.

Assuming your note was not to tellher that thehouse was on fire, thepolite thing for you to do would have been to hold your communicationsuntil shefinished her call.

Dear Miss Manners: Our smallrural communityhad afire in three downtown buildings that caused the food pantry to need anew location.

On thespur of the moment, when Iwas talking with the food pantry’s manager,Igraciously offered him my beloved stereo receiver and CD player,along withsome

The manager was very pleased at my offer.Imadeitclear (my husband was witness) thatifhe didn’twantitlater, he should getahold of me andIwould take it back Ichecked back last week andfound outthathedecidedhe didn’twantitatthe pantry so he gave it away to someonehethought would enjoy it. Iwas very angry when Ifound out, andtoldhim thatwas notthe arrangement we’d made and that I wanted it back WasIwrong in asking for it back?Now thatIhave calmed down andthought aboutit, Idon’t knowwhat

Iamgoing to do with it if Iget it back.I feel better knowing thatsomeone can have some joyusing it. Howcan Isaveface and tell him thatwewill letit be,and thatitdoesn’tneed to be returned?

Gentle reader: Thatwill depend on what you mean by “very angry” —and Miss Manners would leave the assessment of thatto amoreimpartial witness thanyourself. Certainly,anapology is needed,not just an explanation. Whetherthat should be in person or in written form will depend on whether the manager is likely to bolt the door and reach for the fire extinguisherwhenhesees you coming.

Sendquestions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www.missmanners.com.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) How you engage with issues that matter to you will have an impact. Stand tall and refuse to let anyone or anything get between you and what's important to you.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Be careful. Acting on your anger will cost you. Be prepared for the consequences if you decide to engage in a conflict with a friend, neighbor or family member.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Money is within reach if you put in the effort. Use your experience and knowledge to convince others to take a chance on you. Stick to what you know and do best, and your confidence will carry you forward.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) It's up to you to create opportunities. If you snooze, you'll lose, so put on your best attire and attend an event. Be sure to verify facts before sharing information.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Figure out a budget and map out a plan that makes your home and lifestyle more appealing. Look for something that will appease those who may stand between you and your heart's desires.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Review your options and consider how you want to proceed. Take responsibility for your happiness and prioritize your needs. A commitment will prove to be lucrative.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Stifle your fiery, combative rhetoric if you want to accomplish what you set out to do.

Choose your words wisely and strive to live up to your promises.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Pay attention to how you look and feel. Trust your instincts, not what someone else tries to talk you into doing. Implement home improvements that will make your life easier.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Get the ball rolling. Utilize your intelligence and connections to develop a plan, and implement change based on your findings. Follow your heart, and don't look back.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Get out and do something that motivates you to look and do your best. Be willing to compromise if it will help you complete tasks on time A new look or a little pampering can rejuvenate you.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Stay alert. Problems at home will mount if you let your emotions and ego get in the way. Taking on someone else's burden isn't required; kindness and advice are sufficient

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Be careful what you agree to; certain things will not be as described. It's best to stay in control of whatever changes are heading your way instead of letting someone else decide for you.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

toDAy's cLuE: J EQuALs W

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject 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. Thedifficulty level of theSudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

By PHILLIP ALDER

Samuel Johnson said, “The two offices of memory are collection and distribution.”

Bridge players should collect and use distribution information. There are even a few deals, like today’s, in which the bidding tells declarer exactly who has what.

West did not have a clear-cut opening with those two honors doubleton in spades, but everyone bids these days. East’s response was hardly a thing of beauty, either. And not too long ago, many expert pairs treated South’s sandwich no-trump as unusual, showing a weak 5-5 in the unbid suits. The argument against one no-trump as natural was that if North had a weak, balanced hand, it would be easy for the opening side to double and penalize South. But now, because players open and respond on used tram tickets, experts treat one no-trump as strong, promising a good 15 to 18 points.

West led the spade king, which South ducked.Then,whenWestcontinuedwith the spade queen, South knew the deal’s distribution. How?

Since East had started with only four spades, West had to have four hearts. (If East had had 4-4 in the majors, she would haverespondedoneheart,notonespade.)

And therefore, the West hand had to be 2-4-3-4 and East’s 4-3-3-3. South took the second trick and played three rounds of diamonds. East shifted to a heart. South took that and played a club to the jack and king. Now East should have persevered with another heart, but she erred byreturning aclub, sodeclarertooknine tricks: two spades, two hearts, four diamonds and one club. Use the bidding to place the unseen cards. © 2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD = GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous

InstRuctIons:

toDAy’s

Average mark 23 words

Anyone knowingthe whereabouts of DevanRichardson, hissuccession representative(s), child(ren), and/or heirs, please contactWyman E. Bankston,P.O.Box 305, Livingston Louisiana70754 at (225) 435-4980 159801-9/24-25-26-3t $109.00

Anyone knowingthe whereabouts of NICHOLEGANNA/K/A NICHOLE SALINAS A/K/ANICHOLE CASTILLE A/K/ANICHOLE THOMAS,please contactAttorney ALLISON B. COSTANZA,225-664-4335 acostanzalaw@gmail.com. 159738-Sept 24-26, 3t $121

Newstrategies

aim to ease burdens forcancer patientsinrural communities

Cancer remainsone of theleadingcausesofdeath in theUnitedStates, but itstollisparticularlyheavy in therural South. In states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama andKentucky, ruralpatientsoften face higher mortalityrates andlater diagnosesthanpeopleinurban areas. Thesechallenges aresignificant,but so arethe efforts under waytosolvethem.

Oneofthe most pressingbarriersfor ruralcancerpatients is distance.Many of them live severalhours away from thenearest comprehensivecancer center, making treatmentexhaustingand expensive

To addressthis, health systems acrossthe Southare expanding satellite oncologyclinics andcommunity partners.Inaddition,somephysicians are openinglocations in smaller townstogivepatients easier accesstocare. These approacheshelpreduce theneed forlongtravel, save patients moneyoncosts fortransportation, food andhotel stays; andcan helpimprove their outcomes with earlier detection andtreatment

Otherefforts aregearedtowardplacingmoreoncologists andoncology nurses in ruralcommunities. Some loan repaymentand scholarshipprograms encourage youngdoctors to practice in underserved areas. In addition,certain academic medical centers have launched ruralresidency tracks to preparenew physicians. And, onlinementoring programs helprural doctorsconnect with specialistsatlargerinstitutions. By sharingexpertise virtually, theseprograms allowlocal providers to manage more casesdirectly, reducing theneedfor patienttravel.

In more recentyears,telehealth visits have proven to be avaluabletoolin bridging ruralgaps. With telehealth,patientsand doctorscan connectthrough a videocall Thesecannotreplace everytypeofvisit needed,but canbehelpful for follow-upcare, geneticcounseling, survivorship programs androutine checkins. That meansthatspecialists in NewOrleans,Baton Rouge, Birmingham or Lexington canbeconnected with patients with just afew keystrokes.

To harnessthe true potentialoftelehealth visits, governmental andbusiness leadersatall levels areworking to addressingwidespreadbroadband limitations in ruralareas.Manycommunities arestill so isolated that reliable internet connectionsare difficult to come by,ifnot possible Work continues on infrastructureprogramstoexpandinternetaccess, ensuring that telehealth can become apermanent solutionfor more patients.

Whilethe medical aspectsofcancer treatmentare daunting enough,patients also need helpaddressingdaily needsliketransportationand childcare. They mayalsohave financialchallenges, especiallyiftheir illnesspreventsthemfrom working. In timeslikethose,the fellowship andcommunity strength that is so often foundinsmall townstruly comestolight

Forexample,severalnonprofits andfoundations nowoffer gasvouchersand shuttleservices to helppatients accesscancertreatment.Churchesand civic groups have been knowntoorganic meal deliveries andfundraisingdrives. Plus,familyand friends often step in to helppatients manage appointments, insurancepaperwork andmore, reducing theirriskofdroppingout of treatment.

The fightagainst cancer in therural Southisfar from over,but solutions are gainingground. Investmentsinmobilecareunits, telehealth andruralhospital partnerships arereshaping andexpanding access. Workforcedevelopment programs arebuilding apipelineofproviderswillingtoserve in remote regions. Communitynetworksare demonstratingthe poweroflocal support.

With thesecombinedefforts,the outlookisshifting. Whileruralcancer patients in theSouth still face unique barriers, thegrowing emphasis on equity, innovation andresilience suggests amorehopeful future

Hematology Oncology Clinic Expands Access to Cancer Treatment Across Louisiana

ForDr. Michael J. Castine III, the path to medicine began with family

By Amanda McElfresh |amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

Hematology OncologyClinic,apartner practice ofAmericanOncology Network.

Myinfluence mainly comesfrommy mother.Inthe 1970s, when people were ill,there wasnohomehealthor hospice,somymom often steppedintothat role,” Dr.Castine said.“SinceIwas theyoungest child, Itendedtotag alongwithher andsee how she caredfor people That definitely made an impact on me.”

That earlyexposuretocompassioninaction has shaped everystepofCastine’s career.Today he oversees HematologyOncologyClinic, which has offices in Zacharyand Alexandria.

“Our clinic caresfor patients with avariety of cancers. Themostcommonare breast,lung, colonand prostate,”Dr. Castinesaid. “But,I wind up seeingeverything, includingsomerare cancers. ”

AnativeofNew Orleans, Dr.Castine earned hisundergraduate degreefromthe University of Virginiabeforereturning home formedical school at theLSU School of MedicineinNew Orleans. He completed postgraduate training at theComprehensiveCancer Center in Birmingham,Alabama,thensettled in Baton Rougein1999.

Dr.Castine is board-certified in internal medicine, hematologyand oncology. His clinic locationsallow him to serveboth suburban patients andthose from small rural communities acrossLouisiana

Themostunique aspect of my practice is that themainmissionistobring thetreatmentsto thepatients as closetohomeaspossible,”he said.“Ihavepatients from theShreveportarea

Prostatecancer remainsone of themost common health concerns formen in theUnitedStates, touchingmillions of families each year.InLouisiana,experts predict more than 4,000 newdiagnoses of prostate cancer this year,putting thestate thirdinthe nation in termsofincidence rate.

Whileadvances in screeningand treatment have improved prostate cancer survival rates, disparities in outcomes andquestionsabout when andhow to screen continue to shapethe national conversation

Accordingtothe American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is themostfrequently diagnosedcancer in American menafter skin cancer.In2025, an estimate 290,000 newcases areexpectednationwide.For many men, the diagnosiscomes as asurprise, sinceearly-stage prostate cancer often causes no symptoms

Prostate cancer formsasatumor that

allthe waydowntoHouma and Thibodaux.”

When Dr.Castine beganpracticing, cancer treatmentoptions were much more limited. He notedthatthere were about40chemotherapy medications or cancer-approvedtherapies available. Today, that number is more than 1,200

“Peoplewithcancer arelivinglongerthanthey everhavebefore,”hesaid. “Inaddition,many of thesetherapies have become less toxic, so patients cantolerate them forlongerperiods of time.”

Dr.Castine said he is most impressedwith theriseofimmunotherapy –treatmentsthat harnessthe body’simmunesystemto fight cancer.Asthe practice growsand expands, Dr.Castine said he expectsimmunotherapy to become even furtherentrenchedincancer treatmentasthe yearsgoon.

With multiple cancer treatmentoptions now available, Dr.Castine said that when apatientis firstdiagnosed,hespendstimeanalyzingtheir test resultstospecifythe exacttypeofcancer they have,thendevises thebesttreatment plan

Patienteducation is acrucial part of hispractice as well “Wetry to setexpectationsearly,” he said “Eachpatientisdifferent. Some have fixedideas aboutcancertreatment basedonexperiences they’veseenother people have.Someare hesitant aboutany kind of treatment. Some areappreciativeofanythingthatyou cantry, especiallyifthey’ve been diagnosedfor afew years. We talk alot aboutwhattheir specific diseaseisand howweplantomanageit.”

Dr.Castine said hiscolleagues play acrucial role in hisworkwithpatients, from diagnosis throughtreatment.Eachclinic hasabout 10 employees, andtwo nursepractitioners, Kasey Gill andWendy Gill,workcloselywithDr.

Castine.

“They aresocompassionate andvery intelligent,”Dr. Castinesaid. They listen to what Itellpatients andare able to convey the correctinformation to them if Iamnot there.

WendyGill,NP, said hermainresponsibilities include carrying outeachpatient’streatment plan andanswering their questionsabout their diagnosis, care andpotential side effects.

Once apatientcompletes treatment, she helps to establishand carryout surveillance recommendationsfor long-termmonitoring andcare.

“I feel like cancer care is ever-changingand it’s oneofthe things that Iloveabout the field of oncology. There’salwaysnew advances and newtechnologies that areevolvingand Ithink oncologyisreallyaprofessionofcontinuous learningand growth,” she said.“Staying knowledgeableabout advances in cancer treatmentisanimportant waytobeableto adapttothe changesthatoccur in oncologycare whichallowspatients to have theopportunity forhighquality care righthereintheir community.”

Kasey Gill,APRN, said herroleincludes assessments, diagnosis, treatmentplanning andmanagementofside effects from both the diseaseitselfand treatmentregimens. Gill said themostcommonquestion is howcanceror

treatmentwill affectaperson’squality of life

“Itisanhonor to be apartofany patient’s journey, implementing all of thenew advancements in cancer care andseeingpatients live with excellentquality of life whilereceiving treatment,”Gill said Dr.Castine’s work has extendedbeyondthe clinic andtothe statecapital.Whileserving as presidentofthe LouisianaOncologySociety, he advocatedfor ameasure knownasLouisiana’s parity law. At thetime, oral cancer medications were revolutionizingtreatment butwere prohibitivelyexpensive formanypatients. “Thebill that waspassedinLouisiana capped theco-payment at $100 amonth for anybodywho needsoraltreatment forcancer,” Dr.Castine said.“Ifeltlikethatwas abig accomplishment that hadapositive impact for thousandsofpeopleinLouisiana.”

Services at Hematology OncologyClinic include infusion therapy,oralmedications,care coordinationand financialcounseling. The clinic participatedinMedicare’sPrincipal Care Management andEnhancingOncologyModel program, whichisdesignedtofocus efforts on improvingquality andloweringcosts for patients. Visit www.hocbr.com to learnmore.

developsinthe prostate gland, awalnut-sized organlocated belowthe bladderinmen.Cancer arises when cellsacquiregenetic mutationsthat disruptnormalcellcycle regulation.Instead of diving in an orderly,controlledfashion, these cellsgrowuncontrollably,formingatumor that caninvade surroundingtissue.

Theriskofprostatecancer increases with age, particularly formen over age65. Family history also playsamajor role –men with afatheror brotherwho hadprostatecancer aremorethan twice as likely to be diagnosed. Researchers continue to studyhow aman’s genetics, diet andlifestyle factors influence prostate cancer development.

Race is anotherimportant factor. Blackmen faceadisproportionateburden, beingnearly70 percentmorelikelytodevelop prostate cancer than whitemen andtwice as likely to die from it.Scientistsand physicians arecontinuing to investigatebiological differences, accessto healthcare andsocialdeterminants of health that contribute to thesedisparities.

When it comestoprostatecancer screening more recentguidelines recommendanindividualizedapproach. TheU.S.PreventiveServices Task Force, an independent volunteerpanel of national experts, suggests that menages55to 69 discussscreeningwiththeir doctors. These conversationsgivemen achancetoweighthe benefits of earlydetection againstthe risk of

unnecessary biopsiesand treatments. Routine screeningisgenerally notrecommended for menage 70 andolder

Formen whoare diagnosedwithprostate cancer,treatment hasexpandedsignificantly

Options nowinclude:

Active Surveillance: Monitoring slow-growing cancerswithregulartesting

Robotic Surgery: Offeringgreater precision andpotentially faster recovery

Targeted Radiation: Techniques like proton beam therapy reduce tissuedamage

Hormone Therapy: Slowsthe growth of cancersfueledbytestosterone

Immunotherapyand Genetic Testing: Emerging approaches help tailor treatments to thebiologyofeachpatient’stumor

Prostate cancer survival ratesremainhigh

overall The five-yearrelativesurvivalrateis nearly 97 percentwhenprostatecancerisdiagnosedearly.For localizedand regional cases, survival ratesapproach100 percent. However, once thedisease spreadstootherorgans, the five-yearsurvivalratedrops to about34percent. Beyond theimmediate medical impact,pros-

tate cancer canhavedeeppersonalimpacts for patients andloved ones. Treatments canaffect urinaryfunction, sexual health andemotional well-being. Increasingly, doctorsare recommendingsupport groups, counseling andpatient educationasessential components of care Across thenation, many organizationsare workingtoclosethe gaps in prostate cancer diagnosisand treatment. Efforts include mobile screeningunits in underserved communities, culturallytailoredoutreachand work to expand insurancecoverage forpreventativecare. Whilethatcommunity work continues, researchersare pursuingnew testingoptions to more accurately distinguishaggressivecancers, as well as geneticprofilingtohelponcologist predictwhich patients mayrespond best to certain therapies. Clinical trials arealsounderwayacrossthe country, offeringpatients access to cutting-edge therapies whilecontributingtoa broader understandingofthe disease.

Overall,prostatecancer in theUnitedStates is astory of progress,persistence andaddressing challenges. With nearly 3.5millionsurvivors living today, doctorsknowthatearly detection andmoderntreatment cansavelives. However, racial disparities, difficult choices about screeningand theemotional toll of thedisease highlightthe work still to be done

Whencancer interruptsyour life,everymoment matters. At the Hematology OncologyClinic in Zachary,westand with you.Our expert team delivers innovative cancer care—centered on you. Withpersonalized treatment plans, coordinated support,and compassion at every turn.

Now acceptingnew patients—because your care shouldn’t wait. Get care now