The Advocate 04-02-2025

Layoffs underway at public health agencies

Sweeping overhaul designed to vastly shrink workforce

EBR tackles teacher turnover

officials call rate ‘unsustainable’

BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer

For every 10 teachers hired, only three are still teaching in East Baton Rouge Parish public schools five years later

Annually, nearly a quarter of the teachers leave the school system, according to data from a consulting firm hired by the school district. That compares with 15% annual teacher turnover across Louisiana and 16% nationwide.

“This turnover rate is unsustainable for any organization which hopes to be (well-functioning) or provide any sort of organizational stability,” according to a new report from SSA Consultants of Baton Rouge, the consultancy helping the school district devise a new pay structure aimed at boosting teacher retention. Recruiting, hiring and training teachers is expensive. SSA estimated those costs are as much as $25,000 per teacher for a large urban district like East Baton Rouge. Since July, the school system has hired more than 600 educators, but lost about 400 who have resigned or retired.

BY CARLA K. JOHNSON Associated Press

Employees across the massive U.S. Health and Human Services Department received notices Tuesday that their jobs were being eliminated, part of a sweeping overhaul designed to vastly shrink the agencies responsible for protecting and promoting Americans’ health

ä Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, says resignation of top vaccine regulator does not violate commitment from Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr PAGE5A

“This represents an enormous cost of continuously having to retrain teachers as institutional knowledge is lost,” said Cody Saucier, a senior SSA consultant. To reverse this trend, the consulting firm recommended a top-to-bottom overhaul of how East Baton Rouge schools pay employees, particularly

“The revolution begins today!”

Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr wrote on social media as he cel-

The cuts include researchers, scientists doctors, support staff and senior leaders, leaving the federal government without many of the key experts who have long guided U.S. decisions on medical research, drug approvals and other issues.

ebrated the swearing-in of his latest hires: Dr Jay Bhattacharya, the new director of the National Institutes of Health, and Martin Makary, the new Food and Drug Administration commissioner Kennedy’s post came just hours after employees began receiving emailed layoff notices. He later wrote “Our hearts go out to those who have lost their jobs” but said that the department needs to be “recalibrated” to emphasize disease prevention. Kennedy announced a plan last week to remake the department, which, through its agencies, is responsible for tracking health trends and disease outbreaks, conducting and funding medical research, and monitoring the safety of food and

ä See LAYOFFS, page 5A

Constitutional amendments defeated by bipartisan opposition

BY TYLER BRIDGES

Leaders of groups that oppose putting children in adult prisons. An unlikely crew of people on both the left and the right on Saturday torpedoed Gov. Jeff Landry’s effort to revamp Louisiana’s tax system and make three other changes to the state constitution.

Landry raised money for an expensive advertising campaign and stumped throughout Louisiana in particular for Amendment 2, a complicated measure that would have rewritten the state tax code

to reduce the top individual tax rate and impose a cap on government spending. He supported the other three amendments, which would have created specialty courts, expanded the number of crimes that would put children in adult prisons and changed election dates for judicial vacancies. Each of the four amendments lost overwhelmingly, winning only 35% or so of the vote. After a string of successes, Landry suffered his worst defeat

during his 15 months as governor Black voters turned out in bigger than expected numbers to vote “no,” after being reached through a grassroots digital media campaign and apparently motivated at least in part by opposition to Landry and President Donald Trump.

Left-, right-leaning groups worked against proposals ä See AMENDMENTS, page 6A

About 10,000 more people voted in liberal New Orleans in Saturday’s election than did in the governor’s race in October 2023 that elected Landry, and 91% of those who voted there on Saturday re-

jected all four amendments. But the rejection was so decisive that the high Democratic turnout doesn’t tell the whole story — the governor didn’t win over enough Republicans, analysts say Amendment 2 lost in 50 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, said pollster and political analyst John Couvillon. The amendment passed in only 8 of the 28 Republican-held Senate districts and 27 of the 73 Republi-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By AMANDA SEITZ

Hundreds of employees waiting to get in stand in a line wrapped around the outside of the Health and Human Services headquarters building in Washington on Tuesday.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Since July the East Baton Rouge Parish school system has hired more than 600 educators, but lost about 400 who have resigned or retired.

Volcano erupts in southwestern Iceland

GRINDAVIK, Iceland A volcano in southwestern Iceland that has erupted repeatedly for more than a year again belched lava and smoke into the air on Tuesday, just hours after authorities evacuated the few remaining residents of a nearby fishing village

The eruption began at 9:45 a.m local time, triggering warning sirens in the town of Grindavik where webcams showed molten rock spewing toward the community. It had subsided by late afternoon, though the volcano was still active, Iceland’s Met Office said.

Police and civil defense officials evacuated Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions, after an early morning earthquake swarm suggested an eruption was imminent.

The community located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, was largely evacuated in November 2023 when the volcano came to life after lying dormant for some 800 years.

About 40 homes were evacuated on Tuesday, though police reported that some residents refused to leave their homes.

Historic tree to be cut down at White House

WASHINGTON A tree that’s nearly two centuries old will be removed from the White House grounds because it’s deteriorating, President Donald Trump said Sunday

The southern magnolia stands near the curved portico on the south side of the building It’s where foreign leaders are often welcomed for ceremonial visits, and where the president departs to board the Marine One helicopter According to the National Park Service website, “folklore tells us” that President Andrew Jackson brought the tree’s seeds from his home near Nashville, Tennessee It was apparently planted in honor of his wife Rachel, who died shortly before he took office in 1829.

“The bad news is that everything must come to an end, and this tree is in terrible condition, a very dangerous safety hazard, at the White House Entrance, no less, and must now be removed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform. “This process will take place next week, and will be replaced by another, very beautiful tree.”

Trump said the wood from the tree “may be used for other high and noble purposes!!!”

6 people injured after truck crashes in Boston

BOSTON A box truck crashed into a building Tuesday afternoon in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood and hit several pedestrians before flipping onto its side, city officials said. The driver and five others were injured in what authorities said appears to have been an accident.

“At least at this preliminary juncture, we don’t have any reason to believe that this was an intentional act,” Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said at a news conference. “It may very well end up being a tragic accident.”

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said four people were hospitalized. The driver and one pedestrian were in critical condition early on, but several hours later the driver’s condition had improved. Two others declined medical treatment at the scene. Cox and others noted that the outcome could have been far worse given the location.

“This is such a busy part of the city, right on the middle of the day, people going back and forth on their way to get lunch and support our small businesses,” Mayor Michelle Wu said. “And so it’s quite shocking to see the scene as it stands right now.”

The Boston Fire Department, on social media, said the Penske truck struck multiple poles and was wedged between a pole and the building Firefighters extracted the trapped driver from the cab of truck.

In a statement, Penske spokesman Randolph Ryerson said it was “aware of the incident” and was monitoring it closely

Search continues for quake survivors

BY DAVID RISING Associated Press

BANGKOK Rescue workers saved a 63-year-old woman from the rubble of a building in Myanmar’s capital on Tuesday, but hope was fading of finding many more survivors of the violent earthquake that killed more than 2,700 people, compounding a humanitarian crisis caused by a civil war

The fire department in Naypyitaw said the woman was successfully pulled from the rubble 91 hours after being buried when the building collapsed in the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit midday Friday. Experts say the likelihood of finding survivors drops dramatically after 72 hours.

The head of Myanmar’s military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, told a forum for relief donations in Naypyitaw that 2,719 people have now been found dead, with 4,521 others injured and 441 missing, Myanmar’s state MRTV television reported.

He said Friday’s earthquake was the second most powerful in the country’s recorded history after a magnitude 8 quake east of Mandalay in May 1912.

The casualty figures are widely expected to rise The earthquake hit a wide swath of the country, leaving many areas without power telephone or cell connections and damaging roads and bridges, making the full extent of the devastation hard to assess Most of the reports so far have come from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city which was near the epicenter of the earthquake, and Naypyitaw, the capital.

“The needs are massive, and they are rising by the hour,” said Julia Rees, UNI-

CEF’s deputy representative for Myanmar Myanmar’s fire department said 403 people have been rescued in Mandalay and 259 bodies have been found so far

In one incident, 50 Buddhist monks who were taking a religious exam in a monastery were killed when the building collapsed, and 150 more are thought to be buried in the rubble. The World Health Organization said more than 10,000 buildings overall are known to have collapsed or been severely damaged by the quake.

The earthquake also rocked neighboring Thailand, causing a high-rise building under construction to collapse and burying many workers.

Two bodies were pulled from the rubble Monday and another was recovered Tuesday, but dozens were still missing. Overall, there were 21 people killed and 34 injured in Bangkok, primarily at the construction site.

In Myanmar, search and rescue efforts across the affected area paused briefly at midday Tuesday as people stood for a minute in silent tribute to the dead.

Foreign aid workers have been arriving slowly to help in the rescue efforts but progress lagged due to a lack of heavy machinery in many places.

In one site in Naypyitaw on Tuesday, workers formed a human chain, passing chunks of brick and concrete out hand-byhand from the ruins of a collapsed building.

The state Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported Tuesday that a team of Chinese rescuers saved four people the day before from the ruins of an apartment complex. They included a 5-year-old and a pregnant woman who had been trapped for more than 60 hours.

Paraguay recalls ambassador to Brazil, suspends talks over espionage revelations

By The Associated Press

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay Paraguay announced Tuesday that it was recalling its ambassador to Brazil a day after Brazilian authorities acknowledged that their country’s intelligence agency spied on Paraguayan officials in 2022. Paraguay’s government also said it would suspend negotiations with Brazil over the massive hydroelectric dam it jointly operates with its more powerful neighbor.

Paraguay’s decision came after Brazil’s foreign ministry revealed that the administration of Jair Bolsonaro, the right-wing predecessor of current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, had conducted espionage against the small South American nation.

Lula’s government insisted that it had halted the surveillance against Paraguay immediately after becoming aware of it, without elaborating on the nature of the operation or whom it targeted.

Brazilian news site UOL reported that the country’s intelligence agents had infiltrated Paraguayan computer systems to obtain intel on sensitive tariff negotiations related to the Itaipu dam on their shared border Paraguay on Monday said it would stop talks

that had been underway for months with Brazil over the costs of hydropower generation from the Itaipu dam until Brazil can clarify “the intelligence action ordered against our country.”

Paraguay’s Foreign Ministry said it had launched an investigation into what exactly occurred between June 2022 and March 2023, when the espionage operation reportedly took place under then-President Bolsonaro. Paraguayan authorities said they had not been aware of any such infiltration.

“It is a violation of international law, the interference in the internal affairs of one country in another,” Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Lezcano told journalists. “We are under

Vote to reverse tariffs on Canada tests GOP support

BY STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press

WASHINGTON With President Donald Trump’s socalled “Liberation Day” of tariff implementation fast approaching, Senate Democrats are putting Republican support for some of those plans to the test by forcing a vote to nullify the emergency declaration that underpins the tariffs on Canada.

Republi cans have watched with some unease as the president’s attempts to remake global trade have sent the stock market downward, but they have so far stood by Trump’s on-againoff-again threats to levy taxes on imported goods.

Even as the resolution from Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, of Virginia, offered them a potential off-ramp to the tariffs levied on Canadian imports, Republican leaders were trying to keep senators in line by focusing on fentanyl that comes into the U.S. over its northern border It was yet another example of how Trump is not only reorienting global economics, but upending his party’s longtime support for ideas like free trade.

“I really relish giving my Republican colleagues the chance to not just say they’re concerned, but actually take an action to stop these tariffs,” Kaine told The Associated Press in an interview last week.

Kaine’s resolution would end the emergency declaration that Trump signed in February to implement tariffs on Canada as punishment for not doing enough to halt the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. If the Senate passes the resolution, it would still need to be taken up by the Republicancontrolled House.

A small fraction of the fentanyl that comes into the U.S. enters from Canada.

Customs and Border Protection seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the northern border during the 2024 fiscal year and since January authorities have seized less than 1.5 pounds, according to federal data. Meanwhile,

at the southern border, authorities seized over 21,000 pounds last year Democrats warned that tariffs on Canadian goods would ripple through the economy, making it more expensive to build homes, outfit military ships and pay for daily goods.

“These tariffs are a tax increase on American families plain and simple,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York. He argued that the increased costs for American households were being done “simply to give a tax cut to Trump’s billionaire friends.”

Schumer said he agrees with taking on China “which really has hurt us in trade every step of the way.” But the tariffs don’t make sense for an ally whose economy is so interconnected with the U.S. economy He added the tariffs are creating uncertainty with businesses and consumers.

At a news conference Tuesday, Kaine said fentanyl trafficking is an emergency but that the emergency stems from China and Mexico, not Canada He said Trump invented a “made-up emergency” to help pay for extending tax cuts that he said primarily benefit the wealthy

“How are they going to pay for it? Massive cuts in programs like Medicaid and Medicare, and tariffs imposed on the backs of everyday Americans,” Kaine said Still, Trump has claimed that the amount of fentanyl coming from Canada is “massive” and pledged to follow through by executing tariffs Wednesday

“We are making progress to end this terrible Fentanyl Crisis, but Republicans in the Senate MUST vote to keep the National Emergency in place, so we can finish the job, and end the scourge,” Trump said on social media Tuesday Still, a few of Republicans have indicated they are considering voting for the legislation, which would need just a simple majority to pass the Senate.

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constant attack, and the ministry is taking all necessary steps to defend our confidential information.”

Lezcano said the ministry was recalling Paraguay’s ambassador to Brazil and had also summoned the Brazilian ambassador to Paraguay to deliver a formal explanation about the cyber-spying campaign.

The move does not represent a permanent rupture in diplomatic relations, as Brazil’s Embassy in Paraguay will remain open. But the discord does reflect a revival of historical tensions between the neighbors dating back to Brazil’s invasion of the country in the 1860s, which started a brutal war in which Paraguay lost a quarter of its territory and most of its male population.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

A rescuer works through rubble of a collapsed building following Friday’s earthquake in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Tuesday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By CHIANG yING-yING Paraguay Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano speaks during a news conference during his visit in Taipei, Taiwan, on Nov. 29

Cory Booker sets record with Senate speech

BY MIKE CATALINI and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press

WASHINGTON In a feat of determination, New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker held the Senate floor with a marathon speech that lasted all night and into Tuesday night, setting a historic mark to show Democrats’ resistance to President Donald Trump’s sweeping actions.

Booker took to the Senate floor on Monday evening, saying he would remain there as long as he was “physically able.” It wasn’t until 25 hours and 5 minutes later that the 55-year-old senator, a former football tight end, finished speaking and limped off the floor It set the record for the longest continuous Senate floor speech in the chamber’s history Booker was assisted by fellow Democrats who gave him a break from speaking by asking him questions on the Senate floor

It was a remarkable show of stamina as Democrats try to show their frustrated supporters that they are doing everything possible to contest Trump’s agenda. Yet Booker also provided a moment of historical solace for a party searching for its way forward: By standing on the Senate floor for more than a night and day and refusing to leave, he had broken a record set 68 years ago by then-Sen. Strom Thurmond, of South Carolina, a segregationist and southern Democrat, to filibuster the advance of the Civil Rights Act in 1957.

“I’m here despite his speech,” said Booker, who spoke openly on the Senate floor of his roots as the descendant of both slaves and slave-owners. He added, “I’m here because as powerful as he was, the people are more powerful.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the first Black party leader in Congress, slipped into the Senate chamber to watch Booker on Tuesday afternoon.

cramps as the day wore on, he said. Yet his voice grew strong with emotion as his speech stretched into the evening, and House members from the Congressional Black Caucus stood on the edge of the Senate floor in support “Moments like this require us to be more creative or more imaginative, or just more persistent and dogged and determined,” Booker said.

Breaking a record

Still hours away from breaking Thurmond’s record, Booker remarked Tuesday afternoon, “I don’t have that much gas in the tank.”

edly invoked the civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis, of Georgia on Tuesday, arguing that overcoming opponents like Thurmond would require more than just talking.

He called it “an incredibly powerful moment” because Booker had broken the record of a segregationist and was “fighting to preserve the American way of life and our democracy.”

Still, Booker centered his speech on a call for his party to find its resolve, saying, “We all must look in the mirror and say, ‘We will do better.’”

“These are not normal times in our nation,” Booker said as he began the speech Monday evening. “And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate. The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.”

‘Looming crisis’

Shifting his feet, then leaning on his podium, Booker railed for hours against cuts to Social Security offices led by Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency He listed the impacts of Trump’s early orders and spoke to concerns that broader cuts to the social safety net could be coming, though Republican lawmakers say the program won’t be touched. Booker also read what he said were letters from constituents One writer was

alarmed by the Republican president’s talk of annexing Greenland and Canada and a “looming constitutional crisis.”

Throughout the day Tuesday, Booker got help from Democratic colleagues, who gave him a break from speaking to ask him questions. Booker yielded for questions but made sure to say he would not give up the floor

He read that line from a piece of paper to ensure he did not slip and inadvertently end his speech. He stayed standing to comply with Senate rules.

“Your strength, your fortitude your clarity has just been nothing short of amazing and all of America is paying attention to what you’re saying,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said as he asked Booker a question on the Senate floor “All of America needs to know there’s so many problems, the disastrous actions of this administration.”

As Booker stood for hour after hour he appeared to have nothing more than a couple glasses of water to sustain him. He later told reporters that he had fasted for days before the speech and stopped drinking fluids the night before. He suffered through

Booker’s cousin and brother, as well as Democratic aides, watched from the chamber’s gallery Sen. Chris Murphy accompanied Booker on the Senate floor throughout the day and night. Murphy was returning the comradeship that Booker had given to him in 2016 when the Connecticut Democrat held the floor for almost 15 hours to argue for gun control legislation.

Yet as anticipation in the Capitol grew that he would supplant Thurmond, who died in 2003, as the record holder for the longest Senate floor speech, Democratic senators filled the chamber to listen and the Senate gallery filled with onlookers. The chamber exploded in applause as Schumer announced that Booker had broken the record.

Booker told reporters afterward that he had thought of Thurmond’s speech ever since he arrived in the Senate, calling it a “strange shadow to hang over this institution.”

Throughout his determined performance, Booker repeat-

“You think we got civil rights one day because Strom Thurmond — after filibustering for 24 hours you think we got civil rights because he came to the floor one day and said, ‘I’ve seen the light,’” Booker said. “No, we got civil rights because people marched for it, sweat for it and John Lewis bled for it.”

Booker’s speech was not a filibuster, which is a speech meant to halt the advance of a specific piece of legislation. Instead, Booker’s performance was a broader critique of Trump’s agenda, meant to hold up the Senate’s business and draw attention to what Democrats are doing to contest the president.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., speaks on the Senate floor Tuesday morning, eventually lasting a total of 25 hours and 55 minutes to break the previous record set 68 years ago by then-Sen. Strom Thurmond, of South Carolina.

FBI agents make immigration arrests in New Orleans

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

FBI agents are helping federal Department of Homeland Security officers carry out immigration arrests in New Orleans, part of the Trump administration’s redirection of law enforcement resources toward its sweeping immigration crackdown.

FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested two people on apparent immigration-related charges in New Orleans East last week, according to statements from law enforcement and an immigrant advocacy group.

Union Migrante, the advocacy group, said the arrests happened Wednesday near a cluster of businesses on Crowder Boulevard

In a statement and on social media, the FBI did not identify who had been detained or say what allegations prompted their arrests.

The FBI is helping immigration agents “arresting dangerous criminals and helping to keep our communities safe,” FBI spokesperson Lesley Hill said. FBI agents are joining the operations under a nationwide directive from Trump’s attorney general, Pam Bondi.

Hill referred additional questions to DHS, which did not respond to a request for comment.

The statement appears to be among the FBI’s first public acknowledgments of its agents’ role in Trump’s aggressive deportation agenda, which promises to deport 20 million people but has faced mounting logistical, legal and re-

geting reform and district belttightening

source hurdles since the president’s inauguration in January FBI agents have historically played little role in immigration enforcement, according to Freddy Cleveland, a retired FBI agent who served in the New Orleans field office in the 1990s.

“We did none of it, as I recall, over my entire career,” Cleveland said. Such enforcement normally is the purview of the Department of Homeland Security the umbrella agency over ICE and Customs and Border Protection. But in February, Bondi issued a series of memos directing Justice Department employees to “use all available criminal statutes to combat the flood of illegal immigration that took place over the last four years.”

On Tuesday, there were few de-

tails available about the arrests reported by the FBI and migrant advocates over the weekend.

The Trump administration has frequently publicized immigration arrests without providing details, and has faced fierce criticism from immigration attorneys who say they’ve been unable to contact clients or even discern their whereabouts — after they’re arrested.

Union Migrante, which regularly sends advocates to fact-check reports of immigration enforcement through eyewitness accounts, in a statement said it had confirmed that FBI and ICE agents carried out arrests of “two individuals” on March 26 just after 8 a.m.

The arrests occurred outside a nail salon and insurance office on Crowder Boulevard, the group said

The FBI published two photos of the arrest. One image shows a group of men wearing balaclavas and body armor surrounding a woman who appears to be detained. The other shows a group of FBI agents in green body armor and balaclavas standing in a circle in what appears to be a shopping center parking lot.

“We regret that the New Orleans FBI is collaborating with ICE instead of helping with vehicle thefts, unsolved rape and sexual assault cases, murders, all after they totally failed to prevent the domestic terrorism attack that occurred on the first of this year,”

Union Migrante said in a social media post, referring to the Jan. 1 vehicle-ramming attack on Bourbon Street.

teachers. The firm suggested paying them closer to what they could command on the private-sector job market, as well as increasing their pay much more as they advance in their careers.

East Baton Rouge Parish schools

Superintendent LaMont Cole commissioned the consultants’ initial report in early February as a first step in figuring out how to make the school system a more attractive place to work.

He is planning to issue a request for proposals for a comprehensive study of the compensation of the district’s 6,000 employees, nearly half of them classroom teachers. The goal is to have new simplified salary schedules ready in time for the 2026-27 school year

Forging a stronger, more stable teaching roster is key to Cole’s efforts to improve the district’s many lower-performing schools and reverse historic enrollment declines.

“Our hope is after this evaluation, working with our team, we’ll be able to give our employees the raise they deserve,” Cole said during a Feb. 21 speech commemorating his first 100 days in office.

To finance higher teacher pay, Cole is engaging in a mix of bud-

He is holding community meetings, asking residents for help in shaping a consolidation, or socalled alignment plan, that could result in the closure of multiple low-enrollment schools. The district has almost 40,000 students, but has campus space for about 60,000.

The East Baton Rouge public school system also recently added a handful of higher-paid teaching positions, including mentor and master teachers. Mentor teachers will spend half their day teaching and half coaching other teachers.

“We need people on the ground modeling high-quality instruction for a large portion of the day and then working with other teachers to do the same,” Cole recently told the parish School Board.

Such hybrid positions are common at schools that use a popular school reform known as the Teacher Advancement Program, offered by the Arizona-based National Institute for Excellence in Teaching The institute was founded by Lowell Milken, best known in the education world for handing out $25,000 cash prizes to standout teachers across the country

The East Baton Rouge school district is planning to test the Teacher Advancement Program at several still-to-be-identified schools next year.

Also, Cole plans to redeploy some central office staff to schools because they “have skills who we believe need to be in schools every day.”

The parish school system has long had trouble hiring and retaining teachers, especially at its most struggling schools. And many of the teachers it hires are teaching outside their field or are uncertified.

When schools can’t fill teacher vacancies, they turn to substitutes or other school staff to cover classes.

In fall 2022, about 250 teaching positions in East Baton Rouge were vacant, accounting for one in five of all the vacancies across the state at that time. As of March 11, the latest tally available, there were 116 teaching vacancies across the district.

SSA, the consulting firm, conducted a compensation study in 2022, in which it recommended the East Baton Rouge school system immediately increase employee pay by 8% across the board to catch up with what neighboring school districts were paying. The study sparked a series of pay raises and stipends. Starting teacher pay has since increased by roughly 8%.

In its latest report, released earlier in March, which examines staffing as far back as 2015, SSA highlights a different but related reason for the high teacher turn-

over: step pay increases. These are the annual pay boosts educators receive. And in East Baton Rouge, they are tiny, especially in the first 20 years of a career The step pay bumps for classroom teachers range from $225 to $450 a year The former is for those with a bachelor’s degree. The latter is for those with doctoral degrees.

SSA’s report underscored the yearly step pay hikes available to the largest group, teachers with bachelor’s degrees. Their starting pay is $50,000. That’s more than the state as a whole, but less than what several neighboring school districts in the Baton Rouge region pay

After one year, these teachers’ salaries increase to just $50,250. By year 20, they are making $54,500, a paltry 9% more than when they started. Teachers with doctoral degrees make only 17% more after two decades on the job.

In a March 13 presentation to the parish school board, Saucier, the SSA senior consultant, said wage growth for Baton Rouge teachers lags the state overall, as well as growth in other Southern states and nationwide.

“This is a significant contributor to the inability of (East Baton Rouge school system) to retain teachers effectively,” he said.

East Baton Rouge is far from alone in failing to adequately in-

crease pay for its teachers over time. The Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank, has labeled the resulting pay gap as the Teacher Wage Penalty — the financial price people pay for going into teaching rather than other higher paying professions that require similar levels of education.

The institute estimated teachers in Louisiana make 27% less than their peers in professions that require a comparable level of education such as engineering, computer science, finance and health care

To help prevent this kind of inequity, SSA is urging East Baton Rouge schools to shift from traditional flat step raises to percentage-based increases.

“Wages will grow more consistently over time,” Saucier said.

“That way a 2% increase one year compounds upon itself for the next year and then the next year, so it will provide a steady wage growth over time for teachers, providing a career path.”

East Baton Rouge School Board member Mike Gaudet said new salary schedules along the lines of what SSA is suggesting may take a few years to implement because of the cost, but he said failing to do so comes with its own downsides

“There’s a bigger cost we’re paying: the cost for the kids who don’t have a teacher in their classroom,” Gaudet said. “They are paying the price.”

Nation’s top vaccine regulator quits abruptly

Cassidy says RFK Jr. hasn’t broken promises

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON

U.S. Sen Bill Cassidy said Tuesday the abrupt resignation of the nation’s chief vaccines regulator did not violate his pact with health chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr a well-known skeptic of vaccinations.

“There’s nothing in that action that violates the commitment I received from Bobby Kennedy,” Cassidy R-Baton Rouge told local reporters in a phone news conference.

Cassidy played a key role in Kennedy’s confirmation Some fellow Republicans had been wary of confirming President Donald Trump’s controversial pick to run the Department of Health and Human Services, and they looked for Cassidy’s lead as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee before back-

Robert F Kennedy Jr., right, as secretary of Health and Human Services.

ing Kennedy.

For years Kennedy fueled widespread suspicion, despite scientific consensus to the contrary, that childhood vaccines cause autism, prompting many in the Senate and the health community to oppose his nomination. A physician and strong sup-

dition of anonymity to avoid retribution

medicine, as well as for administering health insurance programs for nearly half the country

The plan would consolidate agencies that oversee billions of dollars for addiction services and community health centers under a new office called the Administration for a Healthy America.

HHS said layoffs are expected to save $1.8 billion annually — about 0.1% — from the department’s $1.7 trillion budget, most of which is spent on Medicare and Medicaid health insurance coverage for millions of Americans.

The layoffs are expected to shrink HHS to 62,000 positions, lopping off nearly a quarter of its staff — 10,000 jobs through layoffs and another 10,000 workers who took early retirement and voluntary separation offers.

Many of the jobs are based in the Washington area, but also in Atlanta, where the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is based, and in smaller offices throughout the country

Some staffers began getting termination notices in their work inboxes at 5 a.m., while others found out their jobs had been eliminated after standing in long lines outside offices in Washington, Maryland and Atlanta to see if their badges still worked Some gathered at local coffee shops and lunch spots after being turned away, finding out they had been eliminated after decades of service.

One wondered aloud if it was a cruel April Fools’ Day joke. At the NIH, cuts included at least four directors of the NIH’s 27 institutes and centers who were put on administrative leave, and nearly entire communications staffs were terminated, according to an agency senior leader speaking on the con-

porter of vaccinations, Cassidy said he was persuaded to support Kennedy by promises of “an unprecedented close collaborative working relationship,” including consultation and input in the agency’s personnel decisions. He also said Kennedy told him he would maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention immunization practices, recommendations and published statements that vaccines do not cause autism, he said.

Cassidy said Kennedy had called him before Friday’s announcement that Dr. Peter Marks would step down April 5 as the top vaccine official with the Food and Drug Administration.

In a letter sent to acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, Marks wrote he was “willing to work” with Kennedy on vaccine concerns.

“However, it has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” Marks wrote.

Marks reportedly by several sources was offered the choice of resigning or being fired. The agency on Tuesday began laying off about 10,000 of its roughly 80,000 employees, including everyone who works in vaccine promotion.

“Let’s wait and see who the replacement is. I think that is how this first decision should be judged,” Cassidy said.

He said that, if Marks’ replacement is “someone of similar academic qualifications, similar commitment to getting drug approvals and vaccine approvals through on a timely basis, then that’s the substitution of one good person with another good person. I’ve had reassurances that would be the case.”

Marks studied at Columbia University and New York University

He joined the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in 2012 and became director in 2016. He played a role in the privatepublic effort to quickly develop a COVID-19 vaccine.

Earlier this month, Health and Human Services officials an-

nounced that its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which also began layoffs Tuesday, would launch another study to examine if there are any links between autism and vaccinations.

“I’ll point out that has been clearly laid to rest,” Cassidy said. “The more resources we put toward that, we are not putting toward actually finding out what is the cause of autism.”

The numbers of children diagnosed with autism have increased dramatically from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to about 1 in 36, according to the CDC. Many scientists suspect the spike is because more parents and more physicians have become aware of the disorder But they’re not sure.

“My strong encouragement for the secretary and anyone else who really, really, really, as I do, wants to find out the reason for increasing incidence of autism,” Cassidy said, “we should be going into areas that have not been investigated as opposed to those things that have been put to rest.”

An email viewed by The Associated Press shows some senior-level employees of the Bethesda, Maryland, campus who were placed on leave were offered a possible transfer to the Indian Health Service in locations including Alaska and given until the end of Wednesday to respond.

At least nine high-level CDC directors were placed on leave and were also offered reassignments to the Indian Health Service

Some public health experts outside the agency saw it as a bid to get veteran agency leaders to resign.

At CDC, union officials said programs eliminated because of the layoffs focused on smoking, lead poisoning, gun violence, asthma and air quality, and occupational safety and health. The entire office that handles Freedom of Information Act requests was shuttered. Infectious disease programs took a hit, too, including programs that fight outbreaks in other countries and labs focused on HIV and hepatitis in the U.S and staff trying to eliminate tuberculosis.

At the FDA, dozens of staffers who regulate drugs, food, medical devices and tobacco products received notices, including the entire office responsible for drafting new regulations for electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products. The notices came as the FDA’s tobacco chief was removed from his position. Elsewhere at the agency, more than a dozen press officers and communications supervisors were notified that their jobs would be eliminated.

“The FDA as we’ve known it is finished, with most of the leaders with institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of product development and safety no longer employed,” said former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf in an online post Califf stepped down at the end of the Biden administration.

The layoff notices came just days after President

Donald Trump moved to strip workers of their collective bargaining rights at HHS and other agencies throughout the government.

Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, of Washington, predicted the cuts will have ramifications when natural disasters strike or infectious diseases, like the ongoing measles outbreak, spread.

“They may as well be renaming it the Department of Disease because their plan is putting lives in serious jeopardy,” Murray said Friday

The intent of cuts to the CDC seems to be to create “a much smaller, infectious disease agency,” but it is destroying a wide array of work and collaborations that have enabled local and national governments to be able to prevent deaths and respond to emergencies, said Dr Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.

Cuts were less drastic at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where Trump’s Republican administration wants to avoid the appearance of debilitating the health insurance programs that cover roughly half of Americans, many of them poor, disabled and elderly

But the impact will still be felt, with the department

slashing much of the workforce at the Office of Minority Health.

Jeffrey Grant, a former CMS deputy director, said the office is not part of a di-

versity, equity and inclusion program, the kind Trump’s Republican administration has sought to end.

“This is not a DEI initiative. This is meeting people where they are and meeting their specific health needs,” said Grant, who resigned last month and now helps

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, left, played a key role in the confirmation of

can-held House districts, he added.

“It was a collective middle finger to the governor,” said Ed Chervenak, a veteran pollster and political analyst at the University of New Orleans.

That’s not how Landry saw it.

“We do not see this as a failure,” he said in a statement immediately after the results where he blamed progressive billionaire George Soros and “far left liberals” for the result.

Landry’s statement offended ultraconservatives such as Woody Jenkins, a Republican who served 28 years in the state House representing Baton Rouge and now publishes the Central City News.

“The idea that Soros money defeated it is absurd,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins used his newspaper’s website to spread opposition to Amendment 2 because one of the many provisions in the measure would have taken the tax exemption for churches out of the constitution and let state legislators decide whether to keep or end it.

Hunter Lundy, a Pentecostal minister and former trial lawyer who finished fifth in the 2023 governor’s race, hammered away at that point with a self-financed ad campaign on the radio and digital media.

The Rev Tony Spell, a Pentecostal preacher in Baton Rouge, was the first prom inent voice to oppose Amendment 2. He recorded videos that likeminded ministers and Jenkins spread on social media.

Added Peter RobinsBrown, executive director of Louisiana Progress: “It all came together to create a pretty overwhelming chorus.”

His group opposed Amendment 1, fearing it would allow the selection of unelected judges by conservative lawmakers to supersede the power of elected progressive judges in big cities. It also opposed Amendment 3, which would have allowed more children to be jailed in adult prisons.

Invest in Louisiana, a Baton Rouge-based group, focused on the anti-Amendment 2 message.

Taking the lead in opposing Amendment 3 was a recently created coalition called the Liberty and Dignity Campaign, led by Kristen Rome, of the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights; Sarah Omojola, of the Vera Institute of Justice; and Ashley Shelton, of the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice.

“We don’t think that adult prison for 14-year-olds is the answer,” Shelton said The Vera Institute spent more than $400,000 opposing Amendment 3.

“We really understood that voters care, and they care more when you talked to them,” said Omojola. “So we talked to them. They showed up ”

Step Up Louisiana canvassed voters, as did others.

“There was significant outrage about what we’re seeing from Donald Trump and Jeff Landry. These amendments provided the first opportunity to show their discontent with the direction of their state and of their country.”

DAVANTE LEWIS, Public Service Commission member

Landry met with Spell and Jenkins at the Governor’s Mansion on March 5 in an attempt to neutralize their opposition but failed.

Spell said he gave permission through Lyman White, a former LSU star linebacker who is program director of Professional Athletes Supporting Students, to a progressive group to use his anti-Amendment 2 material in their campaign. That group created the notothemall.org website that opposed all four amendments.

Outside of that, Spell and Jenkins on the right and the nonprofits on the left said they didn’t coordinate their campaigns against the amendments.

The progressive groups say each of them started out opposing individual amendments, but they ended up joining forces to oppose all four

“We realized early on that if we got everybody under the same umbrella and had the same messaging, we could be more effective,” said Drew Prestridge, who handled communications for notothemall.org.

cinct, all 35 voters rejected it.

“There was significant outrage about what we’re seeing from Donald Trump and Jeff Landry,” said Davante Lewis, a member of the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, who represents New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

About 17% of Black voters turned out on election day versus only 14% of White voters, an extraordinary result given that a higher percentage of White people almost always vote, said Couvillon.

Still, he added, “the amendments lost by such a large margin that the elevated Black turnout made it lose by 65% rather than 62%.”

The overall turnout was 21%. Landry was caught on a live mike in Washington, D.C., several days earlier saying he had expected a 12% turnout.

Malcolm Jenkins, a twotime Super Bowl champ who played safety for the Saints, told voters to reject Amendment 3. Norris Henderson, executive director of Voters Organized to Educate, recruited John Legend, the Grammywinning singer and songwriter, to do a video calling on voters to oppose all four amendments. So did such African American influencers as Joy Reid, Monique Pressley and Tiffany Cross.

The push against the amendments especially r onated in New Orleans.

“These amendments provided the first opportunity to show their discontent with the direction of their state and of their country.”

Landry assembled an impressive coalition to support Amendment 2, including the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, the Louisiana Association of Educators, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Americans for Prosperity and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy

Donald Trump Jr sent out a text message of support.

Curtis Jackson, the rapper better known as 50 Cent who has business ties to Shreveport, cut a video for it.

Brent Littlefield, Landry’s chief media strategist, blamed the defeat on false statements and misrepresentations by opponents of Amendment 2.

“Conservative voters are happy with their legislators, the governor and the president,” Littlefield said.

“There seemed to be more energy on the left than the right.”

State Sen. Jay Morris, RMonroe, sponsored the legislation that put Amendments 3 and 4 on the ballot.

“They just went down with the ship,” Morris said. “I’m disheartened and disappointed.”

In one predominately African American neighborhood in the 9th Ward, all 147 people who voted opposed Amendment 2, the tax measure. In another 9th Ward pre-

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

About 10,000 more people voted in New Orleans in Saturday’s election than in the governor’s race in October 2023.

BY WAFAA SHURAFA and SAM MEDNICK Associated Press

DEIRAL-BALAH,Gaza

Strip

The

U.N. food agency is closing all of its bakeries in the Gaza Strip, officials said Tuesday, as supplies dwindle after Israel sealed off the territory from all imports nearly a month ago. Israel, which later resumed its offensive to pressure the Hamas militant group into accepting changes to their ceasefire agreement, said enough food had entered Gaza during the sixweek truce to sustain the territory’s roughly 2 million Palestinians for a long time.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Israel’s assertion was “ridiculous,” calling the food shortage very critical. The organization is “at the tail end of our supplies” and a lack of flour and cooking oil are forcing the bakeries to close, Dujarric said Tuesday Markets largely emptied weeks ago. U.N. agencies say the supplies they built up during the truce are running out. Gaza is heavily re-

liant on international aid because the war has destroyed almost all of its food production capability Mohammed al-Kurd, a father of 12, said his children go to bed without dinner

“We tell them to be patient and that we will bring flour in the morning,” he said. “We lie to them and to ourselves.”

For the second consecutive day Israel’s military warned residents of Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah to immediately evacuate, a sign that it could soon launch a major ground operation. At least 140,000 people were under orders to leave, according to the head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees.

Gaza’s bakeries shut down

A World Food Program memo circulated to aid groups said it could no longer operate its remaining bakeries, which produce the bread on which many rely The U.N. agency said it was prioritizing its remaining stocks to provide emergency food aid and expand hot meal distribution. WFP

for a long period of time, if Hamas lets the civilians have it,” it said.

U.N. agencies and aid groups say they struggled to bring in and distribute aid before the ceasefire took hold in January Their estimates for how much aid reached people in Gaza were consistently lower than COGAT’s, which were based on how much entered through border crossings.

Israeli strikes kill dozens

spokespeople didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said WFP was closing its remaining 19 bakeries after shuttering six last month She said hundreds of thousands of people relied on them.

The Israeli military body in charge of Palestinian affairs, known as COGAT, said

‘JFK’ director calls for reinvestigation of Kennedy’s 1963 assassination

BY JOHN HANNA Associated Press

Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone, whose 1991 film

“JFK” portrayed President John F. Kennedy’s assassination as the work of a shadowy government conspiracy, called Tuesday for a new congressional investigation of the killing during a hearing that aired conspiracy theories about it.

The freewheeling hearing of the House Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, where partisan grievances were aired, followed last month’s release of thousands of pages of government documents related to the assassination.

The task force’s Republican chair opened the proceedings by questioning the Warren Commission investigation’s conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in fatally shooting Kennedy as his motorcade finished a parade route in downtown Dallas on Nov 22, 1963.

Scholars say the files that President Donald Trump ordered to be released showed nothing undercutting the conclusion that a lone gunman killed Kennedy Many documents were previously released but contained newly removed redactions, including Social Security numbers, angering people whose personal information was disclosed.

Stone’s “JFK” was nominated for eight Oscars, including best picture, and won two. It grossed more than $200 million but was also dogged by questions about its historical accuracy Stone told the committee that he believes decades of delays in releasing unre-

dacted records had prevented “clarity” about who killed JFK. Stone also said a new investigation “outside all political considerations” should begin “at the scene of the crime” and reexamine all of the evidence from the day of the assassination. Scholars and historians have concluded that there’s strong evidence that Oswald, a 24-year-old former Marine, acted alone in killing Kennedy

“Can we return to a world where we can trust our government to level with us, the people for which this government exists?” Stone said. “This is our democracy This is our presidency It belongs to us.”

The task force’s chair Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, of Florida, said she thinks the federal government under previous administrations had engaged in “stonewalling.”

The task force also heard from a witness called by Democrats who criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the recent JFK document release. John Davisson, senior counsel for the Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center, called it “hurried” and suggested that the National Archives and Records Administration “simply ignored” procedures for protecting people’s privacy

The task force’s Democrats followed up on his comments by criticizing the Trump administration over a variety of other issues.

“What I find funny about this hearing is that the Republicans are here relitigating whether CIA agents lied 60 years ago,” said Rep.

Jasmine Crockett, whose Texas district includes part of Dallas.

Crockett suggested that Congress should instead delve deeper into revelations that top national security officials discussed sensitive attack plans over a messaging app and mistakenly added a journalist to the group chat.

The last formal congressional investigation of Kennedy’s assassination took three years and ended in 1978, when a House committee issued a report concluding that the Soviet Union, Cuba, organized crime, the CIA and the FBI weren’t involved, but Kennedy “probably was assassinated as a result of a conspiracy.” In 1976, a Senate committee said it had not uncovered enough evidence “to justify a conclusion that there was a conspiracy.”

The Warren Commission appointed by Kennedy’s successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson, concluded that Oswald fired on Kennedy’s motorcade from a sniper’s perch on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, where Oswald worked. Police arrested Oswald within 90 minutes, and two days later, Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner, shot Oswald during a jail transfer broadcast on live television.

For Tuesday’s hearing, the task force also invited Jefferson Morley and James DiEugenio, who have written books arguing for conspiracies behind the assassination. Morley is editor of the JFK Facts blog and vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a repository for files related to the assassination.

more than 25,000 trucks entered Gaza during the ceasefire, carrying nearly 450,000 tons of aid. It said the amount represented around a third of what has entered during the war

“There is enough food

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that at least 42 bodies and more than 180 wounded arrived at hospitals over the past 24 hours. At least 1,042 Palestinians have been killed in the two weeks since Israel broke the ceasefire and resumed heavy bombardments.

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around

1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Hamas is still holding 59 captives — 24 believed to be alive — after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel’s offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since the ceasefire ended, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence.

Israel sealed off Gaza from all aid at the start of the war but later relented under pressure from Washington. U.S President Donald Trump’s administration, which took credit for helping to broker the ceasefire, has expressed full support for Israel’s actions, including its decision to end the truce.

Feds to seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione in UHC CEO’s killing

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

NEWYORK U.S. Attorney General

Pam Bondi said Tuesday that she has directed prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, following through on the president’s campaign promise to vigorously pursue capital punishment.

It is the first time the Justice Department has sought to bring the death penalty since President Donald Trump returned to office in January with a vow to resume federal executions after they were halted under the previous administration.

“Luigi Mangione’s murder of Brian Thompson — an innocent man and father of two young children — was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America,” Bondi said in a statement She described Thompson’s killing as “an act of political violence.”

Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family, faces separate federal and state murder charges after authorities say he gunned down Thompson, 50, outside a Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4 as the executive arrived for UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference.

Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said Tuesday that in seeking the death penalty “the Justice Department has moved from the dysfunctional to the barbaric.”

Mangione “is caught in a highstakes game of tug-of-war between state and federal prosecutors, except the trophy is a young man’s life,” Friedman Agnifilo said in a statement, vowing to fight all charges against him.

The killing and ensuing five-day manhunt leading to Mangione’s

arrest rattled the business community, with some health insurers hastily switching to remote work or online shareholder meetings. It also galvanized health insurance critics some of whom have rallied around Mangione as a standin for frustrations over coverage denials and hefty medical bills.

Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind.

Police say the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims.

Mangione’s federal charges include murder through use of a firearm, which carries the possibility of the death penalty. The state charges carry a maximum punishment of life in prison. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to a state indictment and has not yet been required to enter a plea on the federal charges.

Prosecutors have said the two cases will proceed on parallel tracks, with the state case expected to go to trial first. It wasn’t immediately clear if Bondi’s announcement will change the order

Mangione was arrested Dec. 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles west of New York City and whisked to Manhattan by plane and helicopter

Police said Mangione had a 9 mm handgun that matched the one used in the shooting and other items including a notebook in which they say he expressed hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives.

Among the entries, prosecutors said, was one from August 2024 that said “the target is insurance” because “it checks every box” and one from October that describes an intent to “wack” an insurance company CEO. UnitedHealthcare, the largest U.S. health insurer, has said Mangione was never a client.

Mangione’s lawyer has said she would seek to suppress some of the evidence.

Justice Department to dismiss legal challenge to Ga. election law

BY KATE BRUMBACK

Associated Press

ATLANTA U.S. Attorney General

Pam Bondi on Monday instructed the Justice Department to dismiss a lawsuit challenging a sweeping election overhaul that Georgia Republican lawmakers passed in the wake of President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in the state.

The lawsuit, filed in June 2021 under former President Joe Biden, alleged that the Georgia law was intended to deny Black voters equal access to the ballot. Bondi said the Biden administration was pushing “false claims of suppression.”

“Georgians deserve secure elections, not fabricated claims of false voter suppression meant to divide us,” she said.

The law was part of a trend of Republican-backed measures that tightened rules around voting, passed in the months after Trump lost his reelection bid to Biden, claiming without evidence that voter fraud cost him victory The fallout was swift after Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed the law in March 2021, with the CEOs of Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and Coca-Cola voicing criticism and Major League Baseball’s commissioner deciding to move that year’s All-Star Game from Atlanta’s Truist Park.

Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, both Republicans who drew Trump’s ire when they refused to help overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia, strongly denounced the Justice Department lawsuit when it was filed Raffensperger on Monday called Bondi’s announcement “a significant win for Georgia voters.”

“Our commitment has always been to ensure fair and secure elections for every Georgian, despite losing an All-Star game and the left’s boycott of Georgia as a result of commonsense election law,” Raffensperger said in a statement. Kemp also welcomed Bondi’s announcement He accused

Democrats and others of spreading “lies and misinformation” and said, “Georgia is one of the top states in the country for early voting and experienced record voter turnout in multiple elections since the passage of the Elections Integrity Act.”

Fair Fight Action, a voting rights advocacy organization started by former Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Stacey Abrams, slammed the plans to dismiss the lawsuit, saying the law has made it “harder — not easier — for many Georgians to vote.”

“Dismissing this case doesn’t change the truth, it just proves Trump’s DOJ will not work to protect Americans’ freedom to vote,” Fair Fight CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo said in a statement.

Known as SB 202, the law added a voter ID requirement for mail ballots, shortened the time period for requesting a mailed ballot and resulted in fewer ballot drop boxes available in populous metro Atlanta counties that lean Democratic and have a significant Black population.

The law also banned the distribution of food and water by various groups and organizations to

voters standing in line to cast a ballot.

In announcing the dismissal of the lawsuit, Bondi said Black voter turnout in Georgia “actually increased” after the law was passed.

A December analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice found that while the number of ballots cast by Black voters increased from 2020 to 2024, Black turnout actually declined by 0.6% because the increase in the number of ballots cast by Black voters did not keep up with population increases.

“Understanding whether, or to what extent, these declines are due to restrictive voting policies such as Georgia’s S.B. 202, justifiable feelings that the government is not working for them, or myriad other factors will be of signal importance,” the analysis says. In addition to the Justice Department lawsuit, about a halfdozen other suits were filed by civil rights and election integrity groups raising claims based on the U.S. Constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in voting.

Mangione

ASSOCIATED

Astronauts say they would fly on Boeing’s capsule again

BY MARCIA DUNN AP aerospace writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NA-

SA’s celebrity astronauts

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams said Monday that they hold themselves partly responsible for what went wrong on their space sprintturned-marathon and would fly on Boeing’s Starliner again.

SpaceX recently ferried the duo home after more than nine months at the International Space Station, filling in for Boeing that returned to Earth without them last year In their first news conference since coming home, the pair said they were taken aback by all the interest and insisted they were only doing their job and putting the mission ahead of themselves and even their families.

Wilmore didn’t shy from accepting some of the blame for Boeing’s bungled test

flight.

“I’ll start and point the finger and I’ll blame me. I could have asked some questions and the answers to those questions could have turned the tide,” he told reporters.

“All the way up and down the chain. We all are respon-

gineers debated how to proceed. NASA finally judged Starliner too dangerous to bring Wilmore and Williams back and transferred them to SpaceX. But the launch of their replacements got stalled, stretching their mission beyond nine months.

President Donald Trump urged SpaceX’s Elon Musk to hurry things up, adding politics to the stuck astronauts’ ordeal. The draggedout drama finally ended

March 18 with a flawless splashdown by SpaceX off the Florida Panhandle.

NASA said engineers still do not understand why Starliner’s thrusters malfunctioned; more tests are planned through the summer If engineers can figure out the thruster and leak issues, “Starliner is ready to go,” Wilmore said.

The space agency may require another test flight — with cargo — before al-

lowing astronauts to climb aboard. That redo could come by year’s end. Despite Starliner’s rocky road, NASA officials said they stand behind the decision made years ago to have two competing U.S companies providing taxi service to and from the space station. But time is running out: The space station is set to be abandoned in five years and replaced in orbit by privately operated labs.

sible. We all own this.”

Both astronauts said they would strap into Starliner again “Because we’re going to rectify all the issues that we encountered. We’re going to fix them. We’re going to make it work,” Wilmore said, adding he’d go back up “in a heartbeat.”

Williams noted that Starliner has “a lot of capability” and she wants to see it succeed. The two will meet with Boeing leadership on Wednesday to provide a

rundown on the flight and its problems.

The longtime astronauts and retired Navy captains ended up spending 286 days in space — 278 days more than planned when they blasted off on Boeing’s first astronaut flight on June 5. The test pilots had to intervene in order for the Starliner capsule to reach the space station, as thrusters failed and helium leaked.

Their space station stay kept getting extended as en-

Scientists release plans for even bigger atom smasher

BY JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press

GENEVA Top minds at the world’s largest atom smasher have released a blueprint for a much bigger successor that could vastly improve research into the remaining enigmas of physics.

The plans for the Future Circular Collider a nearly 56.5-mile loop along the French-Swiss border and below Lake Geneva — published late Monday put the finishing details on a project roughly a decade in the making at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research.

The FCC would carry out high-precision experiments in the mid-2040s to study “known physics” in greater detail, then enter a second phase — planned for 2070 — that would conduct high-energy collisions of protons and heavy ions that would “open the door to the unknown,” said Giorgio Chiarelli, a research director at Italy’s National Institute of Nuclear Physics.

“History of physics tells that when there is more data, the human ingenuity is able to extract more information than originally expected,” Chiarelli, who was not involved in the plans, said in an e-mail.

For roughly a decade, top minds at CERN have been making plans for a successor to the Large Hadron Collider, a network of magnets that accelerate particles through a 17-mile underground tunnel and slam them together

DI NOLFI

KEySTONE PHOTO By SALVATORE

Mike Lamont, director for accelerators and technology center left and Fabiola Gianotti, center right, director general of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), speak with members of the U.S. House of Representatives in the Large Magnet Facility during a visit to CERN facilities in Meyrin, near Geneva, Switzerland, on March 21.

at velocities approaching the speed of light.

The blueprint lays out the proposed path, environmental impact, scientific ambitions and project cost. Independent experts will take a look before CERN’s two dozen member countries — all European except for Israel — decide in 2028 whether to go forward, starting in the mid-2040s at a cost of about $16 billion.

CERN officials tout the promise of scientific discoveries that could drive innovation in fields like cryogenics, superconducting magnets and vacuum technologies that could benefit humankind. Outside experts point to the promise of learning more about the Higgs boson, the elusive particle that has been controversially dubbed

“the God particle,” which helped explain how matter formed after the Big Bang. Work at the Large Hadron Collider confirmed in 2013 the existence of the Higgs boson, the central piece in a puzzle known as the standard model that helps explains some fundamental forces in the universe.

CERN Director-General Fabiola Gianotti said the future collider “could become the most extraordinary instrument ever built by humanity to study the constituents and the laws of nature at the most fundamental levels in two ways,” by improving study of the Higgs boson and paving the way to “explore the energy frontier,” and by looking for new physics that explain the structure and evolution of the universe.

Last year,morethan7,100 children were served by the foster care system in Louisiana. Severalhundred of theseyouthwerefortunatetoalsoreceiveguidancefrom aCourt AppointedSpecial Advocate (CASA) volunteer. Theseadultsworkwiththe children during theirtime in foster care to provideastabilizing presence,evaluate andmakerecommendationsabout thechild’s physical emotionalandacademicneeds;andspeaktojudgesabout thestatusofthe case Studieshaveshown that children whohaveaCASA volunteerbytheir side aremorelikelytofind asafeand permanenthome, more likely to succeedinschool, and have significantlyhigherlevelsofhopefor theirfutures However, therewereapproximately 1,500CASAvolunteersinLouisianalastyear,representingasignificantgap betweenchildrenwho need assistance andvolunteers whoare providingit.

“One thingIhearall thetimewhenI’m trying to recruit volunteersis,‘Ican’tdoitbecauseIwouldgettooinvested anditwouldbreakmyheart,’”saidAmandaMoody,executive directorofLouisianaCASA.“Weareactuallylookingfor people whocarethatmuch. This canbeaheartbreaking process,butthesekidsneedadedicatedadulttobealongside them.Asgut-wrenching as it canbefor adults,it’seven worsefor thechild whoisgoing throughthisprocess. If people thinktheyhavetoo bigofaheart for this work,I tell them they arethe people we need.” MoodysaideachCASAvolunteerapplicantundergoesan extensivevettingprocess,backgroundcheckand30hours ofinitialtraining,with12additionalhoursoftrainingeach year.Ratherthangivevolunteersatimeframe,Moody said localCASAprogramsask them to stay with each childthrough thelifeoftheir foster care case.Thatcan be ayearortwo,althoughthe time canvary. Most CASA volunteers work with onechild at atime, although some more experienced volunteers take on two, particularly if theyare siblings “One of thebiggest misconceptions is that we arethe DepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServices.Thatisnot thecase,”Moodysaid.“Eventhoughwearepartofthecourt system,weare notthe court. We areavolunteer-based independentnonprofit.Wedoexpectvolunteerstovisit withthechildatleastevery30days,writereportsforthe judgetoreviewand attend courthearingspertainingto that child’scase. Volunteers mayanswerquestions from thejudgeortheattorneys.But,wearenottheonesmaking thefinallegal decisions.” KristenBeardfirstbecameaCASAvolunteerwithherlocal program,ChildAdvocacyServices,eightyearsagowhen shewas astudent-teacher andsaw firsthand theimpact thatabuseandneglecthadonchildren.Sadly,thosetypes of casescontinue. Last year,Louisiana officialsreceived more than 52,000 abuse/neglect reportsand conducted morethan21,500abuse/neglect investigations Beardsaidbeing aCASAvolunteer canbeanemotional experience.Thusfar,she hasworkedwithninechildren,

andhasnoticedthatdrug usewithinfamiliesisoneof themostcommonreasons childrenareplacedinfoster care.Inaddition, shehas workedwithchildrenwho have suffered physical emotionalandsexualabuse. “Youdoseealotoftrauma butthe rewarding part is beingabletoserve as a constantpositiveinfluence forachildduringtheworst timeoftheirlife,”Beardsaid “Theyhavesomuchchangeintheir lives. Most of these kids arealwaysgoing to differenthomes andschools and families.It’snicetobethatconsistentpresenceand see thegrowththattheymake. EverycaseIhavehad prior tomycurrentonehasendedwiththekidgoingtoastable environmentwhereIknewtheywouldbeokay.There’sno better feelingthanthat.” Beardwas namedthe Advocate of theYearlastyearat LouisianaCASA’sannualAwardsofExcellence. She said sheisthankfultohaveaflexible work schedule and asupportivefamily,includinghertwoteenagerswhotell herhow proudtheyare of theworkshe does.While being aCASAvolunteer does take time andeffort, Beardsaid shespendstwo to fivehours amonth on herCASAwork. “Ithinkthere’sastigmathatthisisasecondjobthattakes dozens of hourseachweek, butIhave neverfound that to be thecase,”she said.“It’s notsotime-consumingthat youdon’t have time forother things in your life.Iwould recommendthatpeoplewhose jobs don’thavebuilt-in flexibility speaktotheir bosses abouttakingoff forcourt dates, becausewedon’t have controloverthose.But,I wouldhopemostemployerswouldbeunderstandingand supportive of people whowanttovolunteer.” Moodysaidshe hasnoticed more companiesbeing supportiveofemployeeswhowanttobeCASAvolunteers as businesses embracethe idea of giving back to their owncommunities.Inadditiontobeing passionate about supporting children,Moody said CASA volunteers also do well when they areorganized,detail-orientedand objectiveabout family backgrounds.

“Beingabletocollectandanalyzeinformationfromvarious sourcesandputthatintoacourtrecommendationisvery important,”Moodysaid. “Wealsolookfor people who arenon-biased, becauseweserve children of everyrace andnationality.However,Idothink themostimportant factoristohaveaheartforchildren.Ourstaffisavailable to assist andtrain individualsonthe work as long as the person is passionate abouthelping kids.” CASA volunteers areneededonanongoing basisinall regionsofthestate.Visitwww.louisianacasa.orgtolearn more aboutbeing avolunteer or to sign up today.

NASA FILE PHOTO Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Suni Williams pose for a portrait inside the vestibule between the forward port on the International Space Station’s Harmony module and Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 13.

By Amanda McElfresh| amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

This articleisbrought to youbyLouisiana CASA

Volunteers aresworn in to be apartofVolunteersfor Youth JusticeCASA. Volunteers aresworn in to be apartofCapital Area CASA

BY TY ONEIL and SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press

PRESCOTT, Ariz. — From the southwestern U.S. to Minnesota, Iowa and even parts of New Jersey, it seemed that winter never materialized.

Many co mmunit ies marked their driest winters on record, snowpack was nearly nonexistent in some spots, and vegetation remains tinder dry all ingredients for elevated wildfire risks.

More than 1,000 firefighters and fire managers recently participated in an annual wildfire academy in Arizona, where training covered everything from air operations to cutting back brush with chain saws and building fire lines.

Academy officials say there is a consensus that crews will be busy as forecasts call for more warm and dry weather, particularly for the Southwest.

The lack of moisture and warm temperatures can combine to increase the rate of spread and intensity of fire, said Roy Hall, the prescribed fire officer for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. He says it has been dry in his state for months.

“We would be remiss to not acknowledge that changes how we might see fire behavior come out of the blocks at the beginning and through fire season,” he said.

Experts with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information reported in early March that total winter precipitation in the U.S. was just shy of 6 inches — or nearly an inch below average. The period of December through the end of February — what

forecasters consider the meteorological winter ranked the third driest on record.

Flagstaff, nestled in the mountains south of the Grand Canyon, has long been on the list of quick escapes for desert dwellers looking to build snowmen or go sledding. The northern Arizona city finished the winter period with a 50-inch snowfall deficit. A major storm hit the area in mid-March, forcing the closure of Interstate 40 and stranding motorists for hours. It wasn’t enough to erase the shortfall.

In New Mexico, there were at least 17 sites that marked either their driest winters on record or tied previous records.

Albuquerque set a new low by logging just 0.12 inches of precipitation over a three-month period.

“The tap just turned off and the drought conditions have been proceeding,” Andrew Mangham, a senior hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, said during a recent call with state and federal drought experts.

What does that mean for wildfire conditions?

Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and other parts the

Midwest already have had their share of red flag warnings — when low humidity couples with windy, warm weather to heighten wildfire risks. The danger materialized in mid-March in Oklahoma, where fires destroyed hundreds of homes. Crews in New Jersey and the Carolinas also battled flames amid dry conditions.

In the West, land managers and firefighting forces are concerned that without adequate snowpack in many mountain ranges, there’s less moisture to keep fires from ballooning into fast-moving conflagrations.

April 1 typically marks the peak of the snowpack, but forecasters say many areas already are melting out. Strong spring winds that deposit dust onto the snowpack help to speed up the process.

Even southern Alaska is experiencing a snow drought at lower elevations, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System. The Anchorage airport recorded its driest February on record, while large areas in southwest Alaska and low elevations in the southcentral part were nearly snow-free as of March 1.

Trump’s pick for Joint Chiefs chair vows to be apolitical

BY TARA COPP and LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s nominee to become the next chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, told senators Tuesday that he understands he is an unknown and unconventional nominee — but that the U.S. is facing unconventional and unprecedented threats and he is ready to serve in its defense.

At his confirmation hearing to become the top U.S. military officer, he said he would be candid in his advice to Trump and vowed to be apolitical. While Caine stopped short of criticizing top leaders for using a Signal chat to discuss plans for an attack against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, he told senators during questioning that he always communicates in proper channels.

Caine, who was not part of the Signal chat and deferred on many questions about the controversy, said that if he found himself in situations where classified information was being posted inappropriately, he “would weigh in and stop it.”

Caine was nominated after Trump fired Gen. CQ Brown Jr., seen by the administration as endorsing diversity, equity and inclusion contrary to the president’s agenda. He had been the second Black general to serve as chair The firing raised concerns among Democrats that Trump was politicizing the military and many of the questions Caine faced before the Senate Armed Services Committee centered on that topic.

He was asked how he would react if ordered to direct the military to do some-

thing potentially illegal, such as being used against civilians in domestic law enforcement. “Will you stand up and push back?” Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin asked.

“Senator, I think that’s the duty and the job that I have, yes,” Caine said.

Sen Roger Wicker, Republican chair of the committee, said he’s convinced Caine sees the job as nonpartisan.

“We can argue politics up here on the dais, but I expect General Caine to stay out of it no matter the subject,” he said.

Caine sought to assure lawmakers of his approach to readying the nation for future wars. He said his military experience, which included seeing fellow service members die, has shaped his views on when to use force and “the importance of carefully considering the use of that force.”

Caine also for the first time publicly denied that he had ever worn a MAGA hat. Trump has told a story about Caine saying he wore one of the hats when the two met some years ago.

When asked during the hearing, Caine said, “For 34 years, I’ve upheld my oath of office and my commitment to my commission. And I have never worn any political merchandise.”

He said Trump must have been “talking about somebody else.”

Caine was asked about senior national security officials using a Signal chat to communicate about airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthis.

In the chat, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted tactical details before the operation had launched. The chat mistakenly included a journalist but did not involve the acting head

of the Joint Chiefs, Adm. Christopher Brady

“From what I understand of that chat, it was a partisan political chat, and so the joint force should not have been represented,” Caine said.

Caine declined to comment on whether senior U.S. officials who were in the chat — among them the vice president, defense secretary, secretary of state and national security adviser should have discussed battle plans on an unclassified, commercial application.

“What I will say is we should always preserve the element of surprise,” Caine said.

Caine also was asked how he would prevent the military from getting drawn into domestic law enforcement missions, such as helping detain migrants in the country illegally

The military has supported Trump’s effort to increase deportations and border protection by conducting flights and surveillance or bolstering sections of the border wall. Federal troops are prohibited by the Posse Comitatus Act from conducting civilian law enforcement except in some emergencies.

“I think that there’s strong systems in place, legal systems in place that prevent any missteps there,” Caine said. He said he has “no reason to believe at this point that those are insufficient in any way.”

While Caine would be the military’s top uniformed officer, his chief duty would be serving as the president’s primary military adviser

That role “starts with being a good example from the top and making sure that we are nonpartisan and apolitical and speaking the truth to power,” Caine said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALLISON JOyCE Firefighter John Ward works to control the Black Cove Fire on March 26 in Saluda, N.C.

More Republicans want U.S. to focus on ceasefires, poll finds

BY MARC LEVY and LINLEY SANDERS Associated Press

WASHINGTON While most Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the conflict is not weighing as heavily on his public perception as it did on President Joe Biden, a new poll shows.

That’s because of Trump’s solid support from his base on this issue. The survey of U.S. adults from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that about 8 in 10 Republicans approve of Trump’s handling of the conflict. Only about 4 in 10 Democrats approved of Biden’s handling of the conflict last June, shortly before Biden dropped out of the presidential race.

“During Trump’s first administration, we did not actively start any wars. And there’s a stark difference between his history and his first term versus the Biden presidency And I think Trump is just trying to fix things that Biden let get out of hand,” said Patrick Vigil, a 60-year-old Republican from New Mexico who voted for Trump in November’s election.

The poll suggests Republicans are growing more satisfied with the country’s foreign policy actions as Trump pulls back U.S. support for Ukraine and puts new pressure on allies notably with his talk of annexing Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal Trump has warned Hamas that there would be “hell to pay” if Israeli hostages weren’t returned immediately and urged Israel to wrap up their offensive and “get it over with.” He has supported ceasefire talks in both conflicts and said he’d end the war between Ukraine and Russia within “24 hours” — or even before taking office. Since becoming president again, Trump has publicly torn into Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy but also tried to pressure Russia’s Vladimir Putin to accept a peace deal.

Broadly, Republicans are more content with the U.S. on solving global issues now that President Trump is in office. About half of Republicans say the U.S.’s current role in world affairs is about right, up from about 2 in 10 last February when Biden was president. There’s a greater consensus that the U.S. should be focused on ceasefire negotiations in Israel and Ukraine than there was last year too. About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say it’s “extremely” or “very” important for the U.S. to negotiate a permanent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, up from about half in an AP-NORC poll conducted in February 2024, with a similar uptick on the conflict between Is-

rael and the Palestinians. Republicans have grown more committed to both foreign policy goals since Trump took office, according to the poll. For instance, about 6 in 10 Republicans now think it’s highly important for the U.S. to negotiate a permanent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, up from about 4 in 10 last year

“I think we really need to step back and figure out a way just to bring everybody to the table so that they can use their own resources and figure out what they need to do to compromise,” said Lisa Major 61, a registered Republican from Kentucky who voted for Trump in November

Keith Willey, a Republican-leaning registered independent from Florida who voted for a third-party candidate for president, said peace deals in Ukraine and Gaza have become more important to him over time amid mounting death and destruction.

But Willey said he doesn’t support a deal that allows Hamas to stay in control in Gaza and he doesn’t support a ceasefire in Ukraine that divides it up with Russia or hinges on the U.S. taking control of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.

He still supports strong American intervention on Ukraine’s behalf against Russia, supports strong U.S. backing of Israel and doesn’t like Trump’s friendly relationship with Russia or Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I’m not tired of giving weapons to Ukraine. I think we should support where we can to have them fight for their own country. But, generally speaking, I would like to see a ceasefire,” Willey, 63, said.

Many Republicans don’t want more investment in Ukraine, though only about 2 in 10 think providing aid to Ukraine’s military to fight Russia is “extremely” or “very” important — and not all of Trump’s voters are satisfied with Trump’s ceasefire efforts.

Michael Johnson, a 36-year-old registered independent from North Carolina who voted for Trump, isn’t happy with Trump’s handling of Israel’s war in Gaza or the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Johnson said Trump had held himself out as a president who could bring the wars to an end quickly but hasn’t.

The AP-NORC poll of 1,229 adults was conducted March 20-24, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

BY ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine Germany’s chief diplomat on Tuesday described U.S President Donald Trump’s efforts to secure a truce in the threeyear war between Russia and Ukraine as deadlocked, while China’s foreign minister said that it was encouraging that the talks between Washington and Moscow on finding a settlement are continuing.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, arriving in Kyiv for an unannounced visit, said that “due to the deadlock” between the U.S. and Russia on forging a ceasefire deal, European allies’ continued support for Ukraine in the war is “absolutely crucial.”

Trump on Sunday scolded Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressing frustration at the continued fighting in a war that he had pledged to swiftly stop.

Trump insisted progress was being made in the negotiations, but said that he would consider imposing further sanctions to put pressure on Moscow and accused Zelenskyy of trying to back out of a deal with the U.S. on access to Ukraine’s mineral resources.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Tuesday that the latest version of the mineral deal remained under discussion and that Ukraine had conducted its first round of consultations on that version.

Putin has effectively refused a U.S. proposal for an immediate and full 30-day halt in the fighting, despite Trump’s prodding. Also, a partial ceasefire in the Black Sea that could allow safer shipments has fallen foul of conditions imposed by Kremlin negotiators.

“We consider the models and solutions proposed by the Americans quite seriously, but we can’t just accept all of them as they are,” Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.

Moscow is holding out on a deal to ease shipping in the Black Sea in order to “stall efforts toward a general ceasefire and extract additional concessions from the West,” according to an assessment Monday by the Institute for the Washington-based Study of War think tank.

Trump has signaled that he could consider new oil sanctions on Russia a development Ukraine would view favorably

“I believe we have reached the point where stronger sanctions are needed, because I believe the Russians are breaking the promises they made to America,” Zelenskyy said during a joint press conference with Baerbock in Kyiv on Tuesday

“For us, decisive action is crucial. Words are not enough,” Zelenskyy added.

“We are the ones who suffer.”

Putin previously has ruled out a temporary break in hostilities, saying that it would only benefit Ukraine and its Western allies by letting them replenish their ar-

have continued, and they are gearing up for spring campaigns in their war of attrition along the roughly 620mile front line.

Overnight, Russia fired no Shahed drones at Ukraine for the first time in more than five months, according to authorities.

But Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraine’s Security Council, detected no change in Russian strategy “For now, this means nothing,” he said on Telegram. Russia’s Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of launching

senals. He has insisted that Moscow wants a comprehensive agreement that would ensure a lasting settlement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated Tuesday that a breakthrough in negotiations isn’t imminent

“The issues that we are

discussing in connection with the Ukrainian settlement are quite complex and they require a lot of additional efforts,” Peskov said in a conference call with reporters.

Meanwhile, deadly attacks by both Russia and Ukraine

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Man admits killing pregnant girlfriend

Son, 2, dies after being tossed over bridge

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

Kaylen Johnson was 24 years old and in the second trimester of her pregnancy when Brynnen Murphy shot her in front of her toddler son, killing her and her unborn child. After disposing of her body, Murphy then drove to Central

Lawsuit targets justice of peace funding

Use of eviction fees violates Constitution, challenge claims

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

A recent class-action lawsuit argues that a Louisiana law allowing justices of the peace to pay for their salary and operating expenses via fees in eviction proceedings violates the 14th Amendment Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Feb. 25 lawsuit was brought by resident Latoria George against Steven Sanders, the Ward 3 District 2 justice of the peace for East Baton Rouge Parish.

That court encompasses the southwestern portion of the parish, including Old Jefferson and part of Inniswold.

The lawsuit alleges that Sanders who it claims has a higher salary than district, appellate and state Supreme Court justices — routinely charges landlords the maximum fee permitted for eviction proceedings before shifting those fees to tenants. The document alleges he then uses those fees to fund court operations and his salary, which ranged from $197,000 to $266,000 between 2019 and 2023.

ä See EVICTION, page 2B

BY ELLYN COUVILLION

Thruway and tossed the 2-yearold off an elevated bridge, where the boy died from starvation and exposure to cold weather after being left for dead for days.

On Tuesday the 23-year-old Murphy pleaded guilty to firstdegree feticide and two counts of manslaughter as part of a negotiated deal that will see him serve 95 years District Judge Louise

Hines Myers set his sentencing for June 10.

Murphy had been indicted on second-degree murder charges in Kaylen and Kaden Johnson’s killings and his upcoming murder trial was set to begin April 7, according to court records. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore said the plea deal helps stave off what was ex-

pected to be an emotionally grueling trial for the victims’ loved ones, who had to rush out of the courtroom multiple times in tears as prosecutors read aloud the brutal realities of the case during Tuesday’s hearing.

“The main goal was to bring justice to the family but to also keep them out of court from having to go through a trial and testifying in court. And we think this sentence is surely adequate,” Moore said outside the courthouse after-

ward. “Just the description of how the deaths occurred and how the bodies were disposed of, it would be really brutal for a family to go through this. And fortunately, we were able to spare them of that.” Murphy spoke quietly as he entered his plea. He stood next to his attorney wearing a striped West Baton Rouge Parish jail uniform and a surgical mask over his face.

ABOVE: Claire Mincin is hit with yellow powder from Jessalyn Thornton.

CLAIRE GRUNEWALD

STAFF PHOTOS By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Festivalgoers toss colored powder and dance Sunday during the Holi Festival at Repentance Park in Baton Rouge.

Body found in river

GALLEGOS

The body of a man was found in the Mississippi River on Tuesday morning near the city dock in the downtown area, officials said. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office was called to the scene about 8:30 a.m. No further information has been released on the identity of the body or a possible cause of death.

Better Business Bureau to host ‘Shred Fest’ Saturday

Staff report

Let’s get to shreddin’.

The Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana will host its annual “Shred Fest” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Baton Rouge Police Department, 9000 Airline Highway, for consumers to shred important documents to avoid identity theft.

“Identity theft is largely a crime of access,” Carmen Million, president of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana, said in a news release.

“Properly destroying documents that carry information you don’t want to get into the hands of crooks is an important first step to fighting identity theft, but it doesn’t end there.”

Over the past two years, the Better Business Bureau has shredded items from more than 1,000 vehicles at the free event. This year, Secure Shredding and Recycling will be on-site to accept up the three boxes or bags of documents per vehicle to be shredded. Papers should be removed from binders, but staples and paper clips do not have to be removed. They are also accepting e-waste recycling items, including computer towers,

EVICTION

Continued from page 1B

Sanders, who is represented by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, declined to comment Tuesday.

Lawyers argue fewer rights George, who is facing eviction proceedings in Sanders’ court due to nonpayment of rent, is represented by attorneys with the Southern Poverty Law Center and National Housing Law Project, along with civil rights attorney Bill Quigley The case’s class encompasses all tenants who will or are currently facing eviction proceedings in Sanders’ court. According to the case docket, a scheduling motion is pending. State law doesn’t require justices of the peace to be lawyers. It stipulates that they must be “of good moral character,” have a high school diploma be able to read and write English correctly, be a resident of their district and be able to legally vote. According to his website, Sanders has a law degree from LSU and was elected in 1996 for his first term as justice of the peace. District courts, city courts and justice of the

PROVIDED PHOTO

Over the past two years, the Better Business Bureau has shredded items from more than 1,000 vehicles at the free event.

laptops, monitors, servers, networking equipment, printers, copiers, power adapters, cellphones, tablets, hard drives/SSDs, backup tapes, X-rays, peripherals, DVDs/CDs and VHS/Beta tapes.

peace courts each have different procedural rules. Eviction proceedings can take place in any of them.

“A tenant in eviction proceedings before a justice of the peace in East Baton Rouge Parish does not have the same right to a formal trial, including the protections of the rules of evidence or an on-the-record hearing, as a tenant in eviction proceedings in the 19th Judicial District Court or in one of the city courts,” the attorneys wrote in the lawsuit against Sanders.

A portion of Sanders’ district shares jurisdiction with the Baton Rouge City Court, but Sanders’ court has a lower filing fee for eviction proceedings at $120, according to the lawsuit.

The attorneys also argue that a state law stipulating the appeals process for justice of the peace courts violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.

“Limiting the appellate rights of tenants facing eviction before justices of the peace, but not the appellate rights of tenants facing eviction before a city or district court, is not rationally related to a legitimate government interest,” they wrote.

Conflicts of interest

The lawsuit shares simi-

GIRLFRIEND

Continued from page 1B

Kaylen Johnson lived at the Spires of Sherwood apartment complex in the 11800 block of Old Hammond Highway with her son.

Assistant District Attorney Jaclyn Christie Chapman said Johnson began dating Murphy, a maintenance man at the complex, and was 17 to 18 weeks pregnant with their unborn son.

April Johnson Fleming, Kaylen’s mother, reported the woman and her toddler son to Baton Rouge police after they went missing for days in March 2022. Murphy initially told detectives he knew nothing about their whereabouts. But he turned himself in March 14, 2022, after investigators found Johnson’s Nissan Versa abandoned behind a nearby apartment complex with the license plates missing.

According to court records, Murphy told investigators Johnson picked him up from his residence the evening of March 5, 2022, and they drove a few blocks before getting into an argument. While Johnson’s toddler son sat buckled in the back seat, Murphy shot the woman in the head twice and killed her after she pulled over the car, according to Baton Rouge police reports.

Murphy drove to the 8500 block of Burbank Drive, where he placed Johnson’s body in a black trash bag and dumped her remains in a drainage ditch along the road. He then drove to a remote stretch of Central Thruway with Kayden Johnson still in the back seat and tossed the child off a 30-foot roadway elevated over a bayou, accord-

By

April Johnson Fleming holds a photograph of her daughter Kaylen Johnson, 24, and Johnson’s son Kaden, 2,

were killed in 2022. On Tuesday, Johnson’s

pleaded guilty to first-degree feticide and

manslaughter

ing to investigators.

Prosecutors said Murphy knew the child was still alive because he could hear the toddler crying as he drove away The fall didn’t kill Kaden, but he suffered before dying after several days, prosecutors said.

“It was determined that Kaden sustained no injuries from being thrown over the bridge. But instead died as a result of starvation and exposure to elements for a sustained period of time,” said Chapman, whose voice cracked as she read the facts of the case Tuesday Murphy led detectives to both bodies. Kaylen’s remains had been nipped by animals and her body was infested with insects. Prosecutors feared autopsy photos of the victims displayed in court and testimony about their deaths would have been too much for the Johnsons’ loved ones to bear during a weeklong trial. Moore said rela-

EXITS

Continued from page 1B

The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank will also be onsite to accept nonperishable food items and donations. For more information, contact Million at (225) 3465222 or email cmillion@batonrouge.bbb.org.

larities with a 2019 case, in which the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals found Orleans Parish Criminal District Court judges had “an institutional conflict of interest” in determining whether they can jail people who fail to pay fines and fees. Revenue from those fees had been used to pay staff and office expenses.

In the Baton Rouge case, the attorneys claim that Sanders oversees 300 to 400 eviction cases per month and heard between 28,000 and 38,000 petitions for eviction over an eightyear period. According to the lawsuit, between 85% and 97% of Sanders’ court revenue in 2019 through 2023 was obtained via court fees.

The suit claims that Sanders typically “shifts court costs and fees from the landlord to the tenant in his judgment.”

The attorneys argue the state law allowing eviction proceeding fees to fund salaries and court operations violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, because a judge who has a financial interest in the outcome of a case is not impartial and disinterested.

Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher cartwright@theadvocate. com.

Drivers can still turn onto Corporate Boulevard from College Drive at an existing traffic light.

The remaining two I-10 westbound lanes will exit to College Drive south.

DOTD said new overhead interstate signs will signal the new lane destinations.

The four exit lanes will allow drivers on I-10 westbound and Interstate 12 westbound to exit for College Drive or Corporate Boulevard before the I-10/I-12 merger, the DOTD said.

The new configurations are part of the DOTD’s nearly completed $52.3 mil-

lion College Drive Flyover project. Information about the project can be found at collegeflyover.com.

Email Ellyn Couvillion at ecouvillion@theadvocate. com.

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tives agreed to the 95-year sentence, which essentially locks Murphy behind bars for the rest of his life.

“It’s been a really traumatic case for the family,” the district attorney said. “I’m not sure how they’ve endured thus far.”

Johnson Fleming filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Murphy and the Spires apartment complex, alleging property owners failed to protect her daughter when they became aware she and Murphy were romantically involved. Proprietors at the complex prohibited employees from dating tenants but did nothing to stop the relationship even when they learned Kaylen Johnson was pregnant with Murphy’s child, according to the complaint. The civil suit remains ongoing in 19th Judicial District Court, according to records.

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK Crews prepare supports recently for new signage for Interstate 10 near the College Drive exit.

BRIEFS FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Automakers report

stellar sales in March

The major car companies say sales rose sharply in March, with most reporting double-digit gains. For some companies, the strong performance last month helped make up for a sluggish start to the year

Automakers sold nearly 1.6 million vehicles in the U.S. in March, up 13.6%. That brought total sales for the first quarter to more than 3.9 million vehicles, Motorintelligence.com said Tuesday Almost all automakers saw a surge in sales of electric vehicles.

What future months hold for the automakers is uncertain.

President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on auto imports that go into effect Thursday The tariffs are set to expand to applicable auto parts in the following weeks, through May 3. The tax hike means automakers could face higher costs and lower sales, though Trump argues that the tariffs will lead to more factories opening in the United States.

Overall U.S. sales for General Motors rose 17% during the first quarter on strong sales of fullsize pickups and SUVs. Ford Motor saw its sales increase 10% in March as strong sales of the F-150 pickup and electric vehicles helped offset a drop in sales of SUVs.

Hooters chain files for bankruptcy protection

Hooters is going bust.

The U.S. restaurant chain, known for chicken wings and its skimpy “Hooters Girls” waitstaff outfits, has filed for bankruptcy protection. HOA Restaurant Group filed the motion for Chapter 11 protection Monday in the North Texas Bankruptcy Court in Dallas

It’s the latest legacy restaurant chain to run into financial trouble amid high food and labor prices, changing customer tastes and growing competition from newer casual chains like Shake Shack. Under the Hooters bankruptcy plan, 100 company-owned U.S. restaurants would get sold to a group of Hooters franchisees. The franchisees, who include Hooters’ founders, currently operate 14 of the 30 highest-volume Hooters restaurants in the U.S., the company said.

“For many years now, the Hooters brand has been owned by private equity firms and other groups with no history or experience with the Hooters brand,” Neil Kiefer, CEO of the franchise group Hooters Inc., said in a statement. “As a result of these transactions, the Hooters brand will once again be in the hands of highly experienced Hooters franchisees, and we will be well-positioned to return this iconic brand to its historic success.”

Hooters said franchisees or licensing partners would continue to operate all existing locations, including those outside the U.S. There are more than 420 Hooters restaurants in 29 countries.

Trump eyes possible

TikTok investors

President Donald Trump will hold a Wednesday meeting with aides about possible investors who could buy a stake in TikTok, a deal that could potentially stop the social media site from being banned in the United States.

The details of the meeting were confirmed by a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. There has been uncertainty about the popular video app after a law took effect on Jan. 19 requiring its China-based parent, ByteDance, to divest its ownership because of national security concerns After taking office, Trump gave TikTok a 75-day reprieve by signing an executive order that delayed until Saturday the enforcement of the law requiring a sale or effectively imposing a ban. Among the possible investors are the software company Oracle and the investment firm Blackstone.

Feb. U.S. job openings slip to 7.6M

BY PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writer

WASHINGTON — Employers posted 7.6 million job openings in February a sign that that the job market is slowing but remains healthy Layoffs of federal workers hit the highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic slammed the economy in 2020, as Elon Musk’s job cuts start to show up in national jobs data.

The number of job vacancies fell slightly from a revised 7.8 million in January and from a 8.4 million a year earlier, the Labor Department reported Tuesday Openings have come down more or less steadily since peaking at 12.1 million in March 2022 when the economy was still roaring back from COVID-19 lockdowns.

Layoffs rose to 1.8 million in February from 1.7 million in January Federal agencies laid off 18,000 workers, most since October 2020. Retailers, cautious about the outlook for 2025, laid off 238,000 in February, the highest figure since April 2020 in the depths of the COVID-19 recession.

The Labor Department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary showed that the overall number of people quitting their jobs a sign of confidence they can find better pay or working conditions elsewhere fell slightly in February

The American job market has proven surprisingly durable. But it has clearly lost momentum from the frantic hiring days of 20212023. And the outlook for hiring is

cloudy as President Donald Trump pursues trade wars, purges the federal workforce and promises to deport millions of immigrants working in the United States illegally That has begun to have an impact on the optimism that Americans hold about the job market and the economy Late last month, the University of Michigan released its updated consumer sentiment survey for March, which showed a sharp drop in Americans’ outlook for the economy The survey also found growing anxiety over inflation and jobs. Economists are worried that Trump’s trade wars — he is expected to announce sweeping tariffs on American trading partners Wednesday — will push up prices and stunt economic growth.

Businesses nationwide look for ways to offset tariffs

PRESS PHOTO DAMIAN DOVARGANES

Steve Rad, CEO of toy maker Abacus Brands Inc., which designs science kits and other educational toys for older children, shows a new matte box, left, that will replace its black mold plastic material packaging insert with an improved cardboard material to help offset the costs of future tariffs in El Segundo, Calif.

Thinner packaging, no batteries and more assembly at home would help reduce costs

BY ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP retail writer

NEW YORK Gadgets sold without batteries. Toys sold in slimmed-down boxes or no packaging at all. More household goods that shoppers need to assemble themselves. These are some of the ways consumer product companies are retooling their wares to reduce costs and avoid raising prices as President Donald Trump levies new import taxes on key trading partners as well as some materials used by American manufacturers. The economic environment in which the president has imposed, threatened and occasionally postponed repeated rounds of tariffs is more precarious than during his first term. U.S. consumers are feeling tapped out after several years of inflation. Businesses say tariffs add to their expenses and eat into their profits, but they are wary of losing sales if they try to pass all of the increase on to customers Instead, some companies are exploring cost-cutting options, both ones that consumers likely would notice in time — remem-

ber “shrinkflation?” — and ones that exist too far down the supply chain for them to see. The changes may help minimize price increases yet won’t be enough in every case to offset them completely For many companies, evaluating which components or details they can remove from their products or replace with less expensive ones is the go-to move for absorbing the potential financial hit from tariffs.

Los Angeles-based toy company Abacus Brands Inc., which designs science kits and other educational toys, has most of its products made in China. By using slightly thinner paper in an 80-page project book that comes with two of its kits, the company expects to avert a $10 retail price increase, President Steve Rad said.

“Three or 4 cents here,” Rad said “Seven or 6 cents there. Two more pennies over there. All of a sudden, you’ve made up the difference.” To further reduce its production costs, Abacus Brands is thinking of switching from plastic to cardboard for the package inserts that keep toy parts in place. Cardboard trays cost

7 cents per unit compared with 30 cents for the plastic version, according to Rad.

The change requires finding a new factory to make the inserts, a move that did not make financial sense before now, he said The various tariff-related modifications should be effective for fall and holiday deliveries to stores, Rad said.

“The compromises we’re making are things that do not matter to the consumer,” he said.

Shoppers will likely have to assemble more of their products at home as companies look to reduce shipping costs, according to Kimberly Kirkendall, president of supply-chain consulting firm International Resource Development Companies also are reevaluating the pieces of their products that are essential or extra. Chris Bajda, managing partner at online wedding gift retailer Groomsday said accessories like batteries and decorative gift boxes may end up in the latter category

“We now carefully assess what’s truly necessary and avoid including items that don’t serve a functional purpose for the customer,” Bajda said.

“The jobs market remains the economy’s bulwark, and while it’s eroding slowly, it’s not showing cracks that foreshadow recession,” Robert Frick, economist with Navy Federal Credit Union said in a commentary on the job openings report “How it holds up to assaults from tariffs’ effects on consumers and businesses is the crucial question, and one that won’t be answered until later this year.”

On Friday, the Labor Department issues the jobs report for March

According to a survey of forecasters by the data firm FactSet, it is expected to show that employers added 125,000 jobs last month, down from 151,000 in February and an average 168,000 a month in 2024. The unemployment rate is forecast to tick up to a still-low 4.2%.

More swerves hit Wall Street

NEW YORK U.S. stocks swerved through another shaky day of trading Tuesday, with uncertainty still high about just what President Donald Trump will announce about tariffs on his “Liberation Day” coming Wednesday

The S&P 500 rose after roaring back from an early drop of 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down slightly, after pinging between a loss of 480 points and a gain of nearly 140, while the Nasdaq composite closed higher Wall Street has been particularly shaky recently, and momentum has been swinging not just day to day but also hour to hour because of uncertainty about what Trump will do with tariffs — and by how much they could worsen inflation and grind down growth for economies. On Monday, for example, the S&P 500 careened from an early loss of 1.7% to a gain of 0.7%. In the bond market, Treasury yields sank after a report said U.S. manufacturing activity contracted last month, breaking a two-month streak of growth. Companies are saying they’re already feeling effects from Trump’s trade war, even with the main event potentially coming Wednesday when the president will announce a sweeping set of tariffs.

“Customers are pulling in orders due to anxiety about continued tariffs and pricing pressures,” one computer and electronic products company told the Institute for Supply Management in its monthly manufacturers’ survey “Starting to see slower-thannormal sales in Canada, and concerns of Canadians boycotting U.S. products could become a reality,” a manufacturer in the food, beverage and tobacco products industry said in the ISM’s survey

The U.S. economy is still growing, to be sure, and the job market has remained relatively solid even with February’s slightly weaker-than-expected job openings. But one of the worries hitting the market is that even if Trump announces less-punishing tariffs than feared on Wednesday, the stop-and-start rollout of his trade strategy may by itself cause U.S. households and businesses to freeze their spending, which would damage the economy Trump has pushed for tariffs in part to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States from other countries. All the nervousness in the market has helped push the price of gold to records, and it briefly topped $3,175 per ounce Tuesday That’s up from less than $2,700 at the start of the year

Obituaries Bergeron, Dorothy

'Dot' Dorothy Richard Berg‐eron, affectionately

as “Dot”, passed

on October 1, 2024, at the age 87 at her son’s home in Zachary She was a native of Port Allen and resident of Baton Rouge. Dot retired from Cargill. Per her wishes, her body was do‐nated to science Dot is survived by her son, Scotty Bergeron and wife Carla; two grandchildren Cole Bergeron and wife Jessie, Kelsey Bergeron; two great-grandchildren, Ade‐line and Riley Bergeron; two sisters, Marie Peaches” Hebert, Mar‐garet Richard; and numer‐ous nieces and nephews Dot was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Berg‐eron; parents, Lawrence and Mattie Scott Richard; siblings Richard Richard Gladys Richard Babin and Anita Richard Hutchinson We love and miss you everyday

Alfred E. "Trey" Berlin III, 74, aresident of Baton Rouge, passed away unexpectedly at home on March 23, 2025. Born in Havre de Grace, MD, on November 23, 1950, Trey grew up in Alexandria, LA, and graduated from Bolton High School in 1968. He attended LSU-A before transferring to and graduating from LSU in Baton Rouge, which became his family home for the next 54 years. Trey is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Elmer "Buster" Berlin Jr. and Mabel Protho Berlin; his sister, Belva Ann Berlin Dewey; his brother, John Berlin; his wife of 36 years, Mary Evelyn D. "Winkie" Berlin; and his wife of 10 years, Tanna Glaser Berlin. He is survived by his sons: Alfred Elmer "Bubba" Berlin IV (Melanie) of Asheville, NC; Michael Berlin (Anne) of Asheville, NC; and Brian Berlin (Mathilde) of New Orleans, LA. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Perry Berlin and Molly Berlinof Asheville, and John, George, and Bernard "Bear" Berlin of New Orleans. Trey is also survived by his stepdaughters: Allison RobersonofBaton Rouge LA; Angela Andrus (Frankie) of Baton Rouge LA; Ashley Howard (Tim)of Spring, TX; and Amy Traylor-Nikolaus (Emily) of Baton Rouge, LA, along with their children. Additionally, he is survived by his dear and special friend, Susan van Bueningen.

Trey is also survived by his stepdaughters: Allison Roberson of Baton Rouge, LA; Angela Andrus (Frankie) of Baton Rouge, LA; AshleyHoward (Tim) of Spring, TX; and Amy Traylor-Nikolaus (Emily) of Baton Rouge, LA, alongwith their children. Additionally, he is survived by hisdear and special friend, Susan van Bueningen. Trey enjoyed asuccessful and fulfilling 50-year career with Coburn Supply Company. Starting in the warehouse in 1972, he quickly rose through the ranks due to hisstrong leadership and exceptional people skills. He retiredin 2022 as Senior Vice President and amemberofthe Board of Directors. Trey was instrumental in the growth and success of Coburn's and wasknown throughout the company as amentor and friend—respected and beloved at every level of the organization. An Eagle Scout, Trey took pride in his time with Troop 12 in Baton Rouge, where he encouraged and mentored young scouts in their journeytoward the rank of Eagle Trey loved fishing, cooking, music, skeet shooting, chess, traveling, anda well -made Old Fashioned. Family and Friends are invitedSaturday, April12 to Trinity Episcopal Church, 3552 Morning Glory Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 for avisitation beginning at 1:30 PM untilthe start of the service Requiem Eucharist at 2:30 PM, followed by areception. Trey will be interred at alater date in Pineville Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave apersonalnote at www.rabenhorst.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Trey's name to Coburn Cares(Coburn Cares, PO Box 2177, Beaumont, TX 77704-2177, attn: Melisa Winn) or to acharity of your choice.

Rouge High School, Southeastern University with a degree in Business and Management and obtained acertificate fromLSU in Paralegal Studies. Prior to Wilson's career, he served our country with the U.S. Navy and was activated during the Cuban Missile Crisis, where he was with the Air Anti-submarine squadron 821. Wilson started his career with Enjay Baton Rouge Chemical Plant in 1966 than transferred to the Plastics Plant where he retired in 1997 under Exxon Plastics Plant In between that time Wilson joined the Baton Rouge City Police Reserve, 2nd Class in 1968 and stayed with them until the mideighties. Wilson joined the EBR Sheriff's Office as a Reserve Deputyand eventually made lieutenant over his squad.In1997 after retirement from Exxon, Wilson had the opportunity to go to work full-time with the Sheriff's Office as a Bailiff and eventually Courtroom Security. Wilson had aCRAZY idea of going back thru afull-time Law Enforcement Academy (CARTA-EBRSO Capital Area Regional Training Academy) at the ageof73 which he successfully completed.Wilson eventually retired from EBRSO in 2018 at theage of 81. Wilson was an avid motorcycle rider. He rode his Gold Wing rain or shine to work. Wilson was heavily involved withCMA (Christian Motorcycle Association). He served as Chaplain, Vice President, and Area Representative. Also ministered with Bill Glass Prison Ministries and was anational board forMAC (Motorcycle Awareness Campaign). Avisitationfor Wilson will be held on Friday, March 28, at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East (11000 Florida Blvd) from5 to 9pm. It will resume on March 29 at Bethany Church (southcampus) at 10 am until service at noon. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Pallbearers Wilson R"Trey" Chaney, III, Troy Donovan Chaney, Troy "Donovan" Chaney, Jr., Mike Kimble, Tommy Easley, Micah Chaney, Honorary Pallbearers Ronnie Kairdolf, Gary Fabre, Joey Bambarger. Wilson was aman of God, aprayer warriorwho loves his family and his country. He will be deeply missed by all. The Chaney familywould like to thank allhis helpers, Jill, Carris, Ms. Susie, Deborah, Sharon, Donna, and Glinda, for all their hard work and love for Wilson. John 11:2526

also had careers as areal-

tor, nursery school teacher at the First Methodist Church in Natchitoches and atravel agent which allowed her and Sam to visit 50 states and numerous countries. Always frugal and always adventurous, she led her last travel tour to Ireland at the age of 90 years old.Friends and family described her as determined,friendly, energetic, kind, stubborn, not patient,spunky, and loyal. All this and more describe Charlsie who, despiteher petite stature, was aforce of nature and not to be ignored.She always found a way to address aneed and get things done. No matter where they lived, Charlsie and Sam opened their home and offered hospitality to family, friends, and students.

She is preceded in death by the love of her life, Gordon E. "Sam" Coker, her daughter, Nancy Coker Magocs, her mother, Ruby Strumpf, and her sister, Johnnie Burkey. She is survived by her children: Cindy Seghers (Philip), Gordon Coker, Jr. (Gabrielle Boudreau), David Coker (Brenda), and son-in-law Steve Magocs Charlsie's legacy includes seven grandchildren: Katherine Seghers, Claire Coker, Sam Coker, Lajos Magocs, DJ Coker, Brandi Chasteen, and Brittany Williams; and fivegreatgrandchildren. Funeral services will be held at TrinityEpiscopal Church in Natchitoches LA, 533 2nd St. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. officiated by Rev. Kristen Paul. Following the service, aprivate interment will be held at thechurch columbarium. In lieu of flowers, adonation may be madein Charlsie's honor to the Trinity Episcopal Nursery School program https://trinitynatchla.org/ or Hospice of Baton Rouge https://www.hospicebr.or g/ or your favorite nonprofit organization.

intoeternal rest on March 22, 2025 at the age of 80. Survived by her grandchildren, Jarven Jackson, Jerome

Jr., Joseph

Entered into eternal rest on March22, 2025 at the age of 80. Survived by her grandchildren,Jarven Jackson, Jerome Jackson Jr., Joseph Jackson, Jonathan Nicholas, Delissia Sterling, andBrandon Perkins. Visitation Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Hall's Celebration Center, 9348 Scenic Highway, Baton Rouge, LA., 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Visitation continues, Thursday, April 3, 2025, 10:00 am until religious service at 11:00 am. Interment LouisianaNational Cemetery, Zachary, LA. Funeral Service Entrusted to Hall Davis and Son. www.halldavisandson Davis, Mary Mary Amanda Knighton Dewey Davis died on Sunday, March30, 2025 at the age of 97. She lived in Tampa, FL for twoyears, but was a65-year residentof Baton Rouge, LA. Shewas born on December 13, 1927, in Centreville, MS.

When you need the news. Wherever you read the news.

Mary waspreceded in death by her parents, Angie Williams Knighton and Roy Knighton, brother, Ventress Knighton, husband, Edward Hilton Dewey and secondhusband, John Davis. Mary grew up in Centreville, Mississippi and was fondly called "Sister," "Mary Amanda," and later "Grandy." She was the salutatorian of her high school class, and her favorite teacher said Mary was the smartest student she ever taught.

After studying vocal music for ayear at Belhaven College, in Jackson, MS, Mary married Edward Hilton Dewey of Centreville. She later moved to Baton Rouge where she raised andissurvived by three children:David Hilton Dewey (Cathy) Hendersonville, NC, Julia Ellen Dewey Daigle (Randy) Tampa, FL, and Janet Elizabeth Dewey Candler, NC. She loved being active in the lives of herfourgrandchildren:Jake Dewey (Kathryn), Asheville, NC, Walker Cody Smith, Baton Rouge, LA, Allison Amanda Daigle McMurray (Scott) Dade City, FL, and Dr.

It is with aheavy heart that we announce the passing of Wilson R. Chaney, Jr.Born in Baton Rouge, LA 1/3/1937, he entered his eternal home with our HeavenlyFather on 3/20/2025 Wilson was married to the love of his life Marilyn FreminChaney for 591/2 years. Those left to cherish his memoryare his wife Marilyn and sons Wilson R. "Trey" ChaneyIII and Troy DonovanChaney (Gertrude) and grandson Troy "Donovan" ChaneyJr., sisters Trudy LeBlanc and Patricia Murphy,nieces, nephews, and adopted daughter Charlotte Fabre. He was precededindeath by his father and stepmotherWilson R. Chaney, Sr.and Faye Chaney and Mother and stepfather Lurline Matheny Kemp and Arnold Kemp, adaughter Ellen M. Chaney, asister Lazelle Lavergne and brother Frank Murphy,inlaws Lawrence and Margaret Fremin and daughter -in-law Candy Chaney. Wilson graduated from Baton Rouge High School,Southeastern University with a degree in Business and Management and obtained acertificate from LSU in Paralegal Studies. Priorto Wilson's career, he served our countrywith the U.S Navy and was activated during the CubanMissile Crisis, where he was with the Air Anti-submarine squadron 821. Wilson started his careerwith Enjay Baton Rouge Chemical Plant in 1966 than transferred to the Plastics Plant where he retiredin1997 under Exxon Plastics Plant In betweenthattime Wilson joinedthe Baton Rouge City Police Reserve,2nd Class in 1968 and stayed with them until the mideighties. Wilson joinedthe EBR Sheriff's Offi

Trey enjoyed asuccessful and fulfilling 50-year career with Coburn Supply Company. Starting in the warehouse in 1972, he quickly rose through the ranks due to his strong leadership and exceptional people skills. He retired in 2022 as Senior Vice President and amember of the Board of Directors. Trey was instrumental in the growth Coburn's known throughout comp as friend—respected beloved level the with Rouge, and scouts in the cookshooting, awell Family are invited April 12 to Trinity Episcopal Church, 3552 Morning Glory Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 for avisitation be-

retire Sheriff's and eventually Courtroom Security.Wilson had aCRAZY idea of going back thrua full-time Law Enforcement Academy (CARTA-EBRSOCapital Area Regional Training Academy) at the age of 73 which he

Charlsie Coker peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home on Sunday, February 2, 2025, aftera brief illness. Born March 20, 1930, and anativeof Knoxville, TN, she graduated from Karns High School. She attended Barton College in Wilson, NC and Northwestern State University. Married for 63 years to her high school sweetheart,Sam Coker, she lived in Tennessee, NorthCarolina, Iowa, Natchitoches, LA and Baton Rouge, LA.moving for her husband's teaching career. She was a devoted homemaker who also had careers as arealtor, nursery school teacher at the First Methodist Church in Natchitoches, and atravel agent which allowed visit 50 ous countries. gal and ous, she tour to ag of 90 years old.Friends and family determined energetic, not patient loyal. All this and more describe Charlsie who, despiteher petite stature, was aforce of nature and not to be ignored always found a way to aneed and get th No matter where they lived, Charlsie and Sam opened their home and offered hospitality to family, friends, and students. She is preceded in death by the love of her life, Gordon E. "Sam" Coker, her daughter, Nancy Coker Magocs, her mother, Ruby Strumpf, and her sister, Johnnie Burkey. She is survived by her children: Cindy Seghers (Philip), Gordon Coker,

Jonathan Sterling, Perkins. nesday, Apr 2, 2025, Celebration Center, 9348 Scenic Highway, Baton Rouge, pm. Thursd 10:00 service ment Cemetery, neral Hall www.halldavisandson

The newspaper of record for Baton Rouge

Daniels, Brenda

Jackson,

Jackson,

Berlin, Alfred E. 'Trey'

Chaney, Wilson

Coker, Charlsie

Roy Knighton, brother, Ventress Knighton, husband, Edward Hilton Dewey and second husband, John Davis. Mary grew up in Centreville, Mississippi and was fondly called "Sister," "Mary Amanda,"and later "Grandy." She was the salutatorianofher high school class, and her favorite teacher said Mary was the smartest student she ever taught.

After studying vocal music for ayear at Belhaven College, in Jackson, MS Mary married Edward Hilton Dewey of Centreville. She later moved to Baton Rouge where she raised and is survived by three children: David Hilton Dewey (Cathy) Hendersonville, NC, Julia Ellen Dewey Daigle (Randy) Tampa, FL, and Janet Elizabeth Dewey Candler, NC She loved being active in the lives of her four grandchildren: Jake Dewey (Kathryn), Asheville, NC, Walker Cody Smith, Baton Rouge, LA, Allison Amanda Daigle McMurray (Scott) Dade City, FL, and Dr Chrissy Elise Daigle Bayer, (Drew) Tampa, FL. Also, her great grandson, Davis Dewey and granddaughter, Carter Dewey of Asheville NC. She enjoyed hosting holidays at her family camp near Centervilleand being with her Knighton niece and nephews.

Mary was grateful for her 50 plus-year friendship with Sue Johnson, Baton Rouge. She also enjoyed her bridge club, work, church, sewing, and quilting club friends, and many other specialconnections in Centrevilleand Baton Rouge.

Early in her career, Mary worked in physicians' offices and for the Louisiana Department of Hospitals. In 1968, she was asked to join the staffatthe newly opened Earl K. Long Hospital where she rose to the position of administrator of the LSU Medical Center's Baton Rouge medical education office. There, she helped establish the LSU Unit and provided staff protocols and procedures in support of medical students training at Earl Long Hospital. Afount of information, she provided support and problem-solving to the students whilealso acting as asubstitute mother to many and occasionally gave informal counseling. Mary was proud of her 40 plus years at Earl Long Hospital and the medical students, interns, and residents she helped along the way.

She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed making heirloom baptismal gowns, fancy dresses for little and big girls, and smocked clothing as well as drapes and many quilts. But her true joy was giving these handmade treasures and special gifts (like pecan pies and baby blankets) to friends and acquaintances. She taught her familyto be kind and to show compassion and empathy to others.

In lieu of flowers, the family asksthat mourners consider making aloving contribution to their favorite charity in her memory or adding atestimonial at Legacy.com. The family has chosen to hold aprivate celebration of Mary's life.

Mary made hard decisions and sacrifices on behalf of her family to help bring about their desires and dreams. She saw her children and grandchildren complete college and thrive, each knowing their foundation was built on Grandy's love.

Shelby EdwardGuillory, Jr. passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the age of 87. He was born on March 4, 1938, in New Orleans to the late Shelby Guillory,Sr. and Grace Stafford Guillory.He graduated from Franklinton High School in 1956. Shelby proudly servedhis country in the United States Army as asection chiefand sharpshooter Uponcompletionofhis service,Shelby became a barber and begandeveloping his real estate business. He went on to build and own numerous apartment complexes throughout Baton Rouge. To say that he was a"jack of all trades" would be anunderstatement. Shelby was an avid outdoorsman, who loved to hunt and fish. He was amaster at woodworking, gardening and everything in between. He enjoyedtraveling with his family in their RV and even went on to earnhis pilot's license. Shelby had an extensive knowledge of real estate development and investment. Afew of his many accomplishments includedbeing the President of the Apartment Association of Baton Rouge and President of the Holiday Rambler RV Club. Shelby leaves behind the love of his life and best friend of 64 years, Joyce Tortorich Guillory. They created a beautiful life togetherthat many close to them would describe as afairytale love story. He is also survived by his threegreatest accomplishments, their daughters: Terri Guillory, Jill Cashio and her husband Jodie, and Donna Hebert and her husband John; four grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Erin Fouche and her husband Jarred, Eric John Delatorre, Jr. and his wife Allicen, Sarah Stevens and her husband Cole, and Nicholas Cashio; as wellasthree great-grandchildren, Emma Luebke,Evelyn Delatorre, Eric John "Trip" Delatorre, III, and one more on the way, Baby Stevens. The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you and express their sincere gratitude to the staff at The Peart at Jamestown, especially Verna, Corrieand Alexis. Shelby will be greatly missedbyeveryone who knew and loved him and will forever be rememberedfor hisloving heart and jokester personality. Relativesand friends are invitedtoattend the Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday,April2, 2025, at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, 14040 Greenwell Springs RoadinGreenwellSprings. AVisitation willbeheld at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave apersonal note to the family at www.resthavenbaton rouge.com

Robert Mackenzie "Mac" Hopper passed away on March 22, 2025, in Kalona, Iowa,atthe age of 75. Born on October 29, 1949, Mac was the beloved only child of B.J. Hopper, a speech therapist and prominent actor withthe Baton Rouge Little Theater, and Alexa Williams Hopper, amaster preschool teacher at University Methodist Church and a dedicated backstage contributor to the same theater. He was also the nephew of Dr. Hulen Williams and Dr. Virginia Williams, all long-time residents of Baton Rouge.

Mac attended Highland Elementary School and graduated from University High School in Baton Rouge in 1967. He earned his degree in Drama from the UniversityofCalifornia Fullerton and went on to teach Speech and Drama while pursuing acareer in acting and other theaterrelated endeavors.

Later in life, Mac settled in Iowa,where he deepened his Christian faith and continued to teach as long as he was able. He was an active member of English River Chapel in Kalona, where he also served in asecurity role. His life reflected his devotion to God and his generous spirit Mac found great joy in spending timewith his family. He cherished moments with his step-son Phil Radeboldt(wife Ashley) and their children Dwight and Brooklyn, as well as his step-daughter Lillian Radeboldtand her cat Jack. To Mac, there were no "step"distinctions—he embraced them fully as his own, and they lovingly called him dad and grandpa.

He is survived by his wife Penny and his son Drew. Mac's journey was one of faith, love, and service. May his memory bring comfort to thosewho knew him and peace in knowing he now rests in the presence of God.

(Beth) as hers and enjoyed

10 grandchildren and 25

great-grandchildren who she nurtured and cared for all their lives. Daniel Millet, Sr passed away in 2010. Also preceding her were her brothers, Hubert, Nel‐son Paul and Lee Roussel and her sisters Marian Levy, Inez Luquette Mar‐guerite Aucoin, Lizette Mc‐Cann and Bessie Carnag‐gio Visitation is at Sacred Heart Church in Gramercy on Thursday, April 3 from 9 am - 11 am followed by mass of Christian Burial at 11 am with interment fol‐lowing at St Joseph Mau‐soleum in Paulina. After her passing, Lydia's family found a note from her She said, "I wish I could let you know how good it is in heaven." Perhaps she was reminded of a scripture from 1 Corinthians 2:9, "But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." Her family wants to express their ap‐preciation to her nieces Darlene Martinez and Wanda Walker for the lov‐ing attention given to Lydia and also acknowl‐edge the integral part her other nieces and nephews played in her long life

wasAirborne qualified. Duringthistime, he was stationed in Europe, Vietnamand Korea. He received twoArmyCommendation Medals, twoMeritorious Service Medalsand twoBronze Stars. Upon retiringfromthe Army,Max moved to Louisiana and heldseveral engineering positions. He was an avid tennisplayer andloved making memorieswith his wife,fivechildren, ten grandchildrenand eight great-grandchildren. Max is survived by his wife of almost70years, Pat Richards; sons, Ken Richards (Beth) andTim Richards (Tonda); daughters,Jill RichardsKalimeris (Andreas), Becky Richards Hearn(Darrel) and Meg Richards Gerald(Don); grandchildren, Tanner Richards (Taylor), Reeves Richards (Maritza), Tarin Richards Worrest (Alan), Tyler Richards, Tessa Richards, WalshHearn (Sarah), Will Hearn,Megan Hearn Rhyne (Matt), Rainey Geraldand Fallon GeraldTullier(Devin); and eight great-grandchildren. He is precededindeathby hisparents,WilliamElmer Richards andPolly Verona SamsRichards; sister JacquelineRichards Pagan; brother-in-law,Roy Pagan;father-in-law Allen Walsh; andmother-in-law, Louise Walsh. Avisitation will be heldonApril4,2025 at Broadmoor United Methodist Church from911AM;with afuneral service beginningat11AM.Inurnmentwill followat LouisianaNational Cemetery at 2PM.Memorialcontributions canbemade to St. Joseph's Academyin Baton Rouge.

Shrader;

"Cliff" Shrader III (Kay), Christopher Shrader (Kristy); daughters, Fran Guerin (Andre), Erin Allain; 9 grandchildren;and 11 great-grandchildren

Andy was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Gayle Childress; parents, Louise and Andrew Shrader Sr.; andbrother, Harold Emory Shrader.

Relatives andfriends of the family are invited to attend thevisitation at Holden Baptist Church on Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral serviceat12:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Courtney Cemetery. Condolences and other information may be found at www.thompsoncares.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home.

MaxRichards, age90, passed away on February 27, 2025. He wasbornin Wewoka, Oklahoma, and resided in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Maxearned his BachelorofScience degree in PetroleumEngineering at theUniversityofOklahomaand then hisMaster of Science in Engineering at theUniversity of Pittsburgh. He wasa member of theGamma PhiChapter of Beta ThetaPiFraternity. He wasa lifetimemember of theSocietyofPetroleum Engineers. Maxserved 20 years in theUnitedStates Army attainingthe rank of LieutenantColonel and wasAirbornequalified Duringthistime, he was stationed in Europe, Vietnam and Korea. He received twoArmyCommendationMedals, twoMeritorious Service Medals and twoBronze Stars. Upon retiringfromthe Army,Max moved to Louisiana and heldseveral engineering positions. He wasanavid tennisplayer and loved making memories with his wife,f grandchi great-g is survived almost Richards; Richards Richards ters, Jill (Andreas), Hearn Richards grandchi Richards Richards (Maritza),Tarin Richards Worrest (Alan), Tyler Richards, Tessa Richards, Walsh Hearn (Sarah),Will Hearn, Megan Hearn Rhyne (Matt), Rainey Gerald andFallon Gerald eight He is hisp Richards SamsR Jacquel gan; Pagan; Walsh Louise will be heldonApril 4, 2025 at Broadmoor United Methodist Church from 911AM; with afuneral service beginning at 11AM.Inurnment will followat Louisiana National Cemetery at 2PM. Memorial contributions can be made to St.J yin Baton

Guillory Jr., Shelby

Hopper, Robert

Richards, Max

OUR VIEWS

End of landmark Denka lawsuit should not end discussion on environment

Amid a frenzy of changes as the new administration in Washington remakes government, one shift that deserves greater discussion is the recent Department of Justice decision to drop a federal lawsuit against the Denka Performance Elastomer plant in St. John the Baptist Parish. The plant, which makes neoprene, a synthetic rubber used in wetsuits, automotive parts and the like, is owned by a Japan-based company that acquired it from DuPont in 2015. It has long been the target of concern by local residents, who say that emissions from the plant have affected their air quality and health

They were encouraged when the Environmental Protection Agency under President Joe Biden took an aggressive stance on the case. The plant sits in the Mississippi River corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, which is home to scores of petrochemical plants. The EPA referred the case to DOJ, which filed suit in the Eastern District of Louisiana in 2023, charging that the predominantly Black residents near the plant faced “imminent and substantial endangerment” as a result of the emissions. It promised to be a landmark case that would put the issue of environmental justice, or whether minority communities face disproportionate impact from polluters, front and center.

But on March 7, the Department of Justice dismissed the suit, saying in a statement that it was doing so to align with President Donald Trump’s executive order to curb diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in government.

New EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has vowed to root out environmental justice programs and has fired workers who focused on it. Gov. Jeff Landry and state Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Aurelia Giacometto cheered the end of the legal action.

As for Denka, it faces ongoing litigation over its chloroprene emissions. And that’s what we’d like to home in on.

It doesn’t matter if one believes in the goals of the environmental justice movement or if one agrees that the EPA’s efforts should be focused elsewhere. There remains a worrying state of affairs in St. John the Baptist The residents there still live in the census tract that faces the highest risk of cancer from air pollution in the nation, according to an EPA study The school district is preparing to close a school less than a half mile from the plant amid a discrimination case involving children’s exposure to the cancer-causing agent. Residents from groups like RISE St. James Louisiana and Concerned Citizens for St. John still keep a watchful eye on air quality Zeldin said that existing regulations can protect our communities “without stretching the bounds of the law.” We genuinely hope so And we urge both state and federal officials to show that by committing to stringent air quality monitoring in the area and holding Denka accountable for any lapses. We believe thriving industry and environmental protection can go hand in hand. But only if the government doesn’t abandon its role as referee.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE ARE OUR GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’s city of residence The Advocate | The Times-Picayune require a street address and phone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

OPINION

Americans must unite with democracy under threat

I ask everyone to stop for a moment and think not as a Republican or Democrat, but as an American. Ask yourself one simple question: If any president of the United States did the following, would you accept it?

n Allowed an unelected billionaire, with foreign business ties, to access classified government data — giving him influence over national security and public policy with no accountability

n Cut funding for veterans, Social Security and Medicaid, abandoning those who served our country, seniors who worked their entire lives and families struggling to make ends meet.

n Turned the White House into a personal marketplace, selling cars on the front lawn to benefit a private business associate — blurring the lines between public service and personal profit.

n Publicly praised a brutal dictator responsible for jailing and killing political opponents — while insulting and alienating NATO allies who have fought alongside us in war and kept global instability in check.

n Imposed reckless tariffs that crushed American farmers and busi-

nesses, causing layoffs and skyrocketing prices all while claiming it was part of a master plan.

n Fired inspectors general, the only watchdogs responsible for exposing fraud, waste and abuse — making it easier for corruption to flourish in the highest levels of government.

n Ignored the Constitution, checks and balances and the rule of law demanding personal loyalty over loyalty to the country If any president — any president — did these things, would you stand by and accept it? Would you justify it because of party loyalty? Would you stay silent while democracy crumbles before your eyes?

I ask these questions not to divide, but to demand reflection. Because if we wouldn’t accept these actions from one leader, we should never accept them from another Our nation was built on truth, accountability and justice — not blind loyalty to any one person or party. America is bigger than one individual. Democracy is worth fighting for The Constitution must be protected The question is, will you stand up before it’s too late?

U.S. REP TROY A CARTER SR. Louisiana’s Second Congressional District

La. should not be in lawsuit over 504 programs

I am pleading with Attorney

General Liz Murrill and Gov Jeff Landry as one of their constituents and to them as loving parents. Please remove Louisiana from the list of states asking for the discontinuation of 504 programs. These programs were developed and designed to protect children from being treated badly or unfairly because of their intellectual or developmental disabilities. Why are we wanting to get rid of these programs? If your child were disabled, would you not fight for their inalienable rights as an American?

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCAN HERE

I have two beautiful granddaughters who will be directly affected by such a tragic action. These children cannot speak for themselves. In many cases, they cannot speak at all. These children (and consequentially, their parents/grandparents) have autism. They need special accommodations that would enable them to progress and survive in this world. Doctors must give clear information to people with these types of disabili-

ties. 504 programs help these children. Elimination of 504 programs will leave disabled children behind to wither like an unwatered and unfed flower Decisions about these children’s opportunities and accommodations should be determined by doctors and educators, no one else. The class action lawsuit wants to get rid of the 504 program (not just the updates these states disagree with). Getting rid of the program would be like “throwing our precious babies out with the bath water.” This action would be disastrous for these disabled children and would undo 50 years of progress for our children, our future. Don’t sue the U.S government to exterminate 504. This isn’t right.

These children deserve the same rights to education as their neurotypical peers. Murrill and Landry should do the right thing and remove Louisiana from this list of developmental assassins.

TIM

CARLOS Baton Rouge

Emily Woodruff’s article on March 17 about Louisiana residents’ mistrust of vaccines following the COVID-19 pandemic fails to detail the connection. Recall briefly that Dr Anthony Fauci and Dr Deborah Birx’s policy “recommendations” led to lockdowns and then lockouts if one didn’t get the shot. We were told natural immunity was impossible, that the vaccines would stop the spread and that the reported side effects blood clots, myocarditis and pericarditis, especially in young people who were least susceptible to dying were exaggerated. Is it any wonder that there is now public mistrust? But these restrictions and prevarications were not recounted, and instead, the article baldly alleges vaccine reluctance is the result of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nowabandoned speculation about autism, and that, as secretary, he had the chutzpah to “direct public health authorities to study” it. The account, of course, omitted the secretary’s more recent appeal for skeptical parents and adults to obtain MMR vaccinations for those who have never been vaccinated or who may need a booster The most galling aspect of the article is its very apparent dismay that postpandemic patients now question their doctors’ recommendations. To this writer that is probably the only positive outcome of the COVID-19 catastrophe — that patients no longer passively accept everything their care providers tell them. Oh, and for those who may have already jumped to their conclusions, I took the shots (my employer forced me to) but also got a Remdesivir infusion — after a long discussion with my doctor

GLENN SCHREIBER New Orleans

Christians should heed Jesus’ words on criminals

Many proponents of the death penalty assert that they are good Christians. However, they are not good enough. Jesus did not kill criminals but declared that they are worthy of his forgiveness and love. He said, “Truly I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” (Mt 21:31). This was one of his many reversal responses to the way his followers reasoned out justice. HERMAN JOHNSON New Orleans

Landry needs to slow down

The results of Saturday’s election weren’t a mandate.

About 21% of the state’s registered voters cast ballots in an election that analysts and politicos thought might bring out 10-12%, closer to normal for an off-cycle election. Then, after early voting results showed heavy Black and Democratic participation, the thinking was that there might be a 1518% turnout. Regardless, 79% of registered voters didn’t cast a ballot But still, what a clear message to Gov Jeff Landry

Unlike some, I’m not stunned by Saturday’s results. In the fall, I warned readers about Amendment 3, which would have given the Legislature the chance to add more crimes to put more of our children in prison and give them hard-to-remove felony records.

About six weeks ago, I thought the election would be competitive Antiamendment advocates had developed a strategy that I thought was working. At home, at coffee shops, at restaurants, at church, at events, I heard people talking about voting early, and voting and getting other people to vote “no.” Two weeks ago, I thought this might be more than a squeaker — if there were to be a strong Black turnout. New Orleans Black talk station WBOK talked about the amendments every day for weeks. If you had listened, you could’ve heard hosts and guests talk about how harmful the amendments would be

And you could’ve heard the amendments read on the air Not the ballot language. The actual amendments.

During early voting, things really picked up. I saw more “I voted” stickers When I voted early, there was a line of about 20 people ahead of me and another 10-15 behind me.

I knew the election was over for Landry and his ilk when they stopped talking about three amendments and focused on Amendment 2, the governor’s hide-and-seek, duck-and-dodge effort to further much-needed tax reform with lots of surprises that would be bad news for Louisiana, including houses of faith.

What made the news was the strong, anti-amendment message — “Say No to All Four.”

The governor and allies saw things weren’t going well in the days leading up to election day so they put Curtis James Jackson — aka 50 Cent — up to

promote Amendment 2 with a video and used his name in a text. That’s when I knew Landry had given up on getting the three other amendments approved, focusing on Amendment 2, his “tax reform” measure that would have harmed so many people in so many ways. 50 got what he deserved — clapback, pushback and “you ain’t from here” comments.

Black Baton Rouge-based advocate Gary Chambers Jr was among a number of people who actively campaigned against all four amendments. The Rev. Torin Sanders of Sixth Baptist Church in New Orleans held a gathering about the harmful amendments at his church.

State Sen. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans, held an Instagram live session to pound the bad batch of amendments.

Together New Orleans organized a campaign, including boots on the ground with door-knocking, calls and texts. The Power Coalition held town halls across the state, and Chambers joined them I went to one expecting 15-20 people. There were scores of people. Black and White. Professional and working class. They were there to hear more about the amendments and to help They picked up yard and neutral ground signs and flyers. They traded contact information to organize.

“Chambers attended all Power Coalition town halls. He saw Black and White people at each one, but for Narco, the only all Black event. “People are concerned about their money,” he shared with me Tuesday “People want

more opportunity, and people believe the Legislature needs to stand up and give them better.”

Chambers didn’t say “Black people want ...” He said “people.” All people. People voted “no” casting ballots saying, “Yes, we want more in our pockets, we want more from our tax dollars and we want better, guv.”

That’s what happened Saturday

The last time there were four constitutional amendments on the ballot, Election Day turnout was 11%.

This time the Election Day turnout was 21%. Of the early voting turnout, 37% was Black. Majority White precincts rejected the amendments 53%43%. Majority Black precincts said no, 92%-8%. Orleans Parish turnout was 31% 10 points higher than the state turnout average — and Orleans voted no with 91%.

Most Black folks want a Landry reset. Most people want that, too.

Don’t mistake Saturday’s results as the end of Landry and the Republicancontrolled state Legislature. It wasn’t a mandate. It was a beatdown, a whipping. It was a clear, strong message: Paraphrasing Simon & Garfunkel, “Slow down. You move too fast. Make Louisiana last. We want to feel groovy.”

I’ll feel groovy when voices like yours and mine are a part of the process and when efforts like those who made it happen are better financed. Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

Object to Trump or bend the knee

As part of his attempt to rule like an autocrat, President Donald Trump is threatening to destroy major law firms that dare oppose him. By caving to such pressure last week, one big firm — Paul Weiss — chose its own well-being over the survival of our democracy That may sound like hyperbole, but it is not. Thus far, the judiciary has been the only effective restraint on the Trump administration’s trampling of the law and the Constitution. With unprecedented executive orders targeting specific firms, Trump is sending a clear warning to lawyers who might dare to oppose him politically or in court: You could be next. Paul Weiss — the full name is Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a 150-year-old New Yorkbased firm with more than 1,000 lawyers The firm has traditionally been seen as leaning toward the Democratic Party, just as some other big firms are viewed as inclining toward the GOP Paul Weiss’s longtime chairman, Brad Karp, was a prominent fundraiser for Kamala Harris during last year’s presidential campaign.

ington & Burling, which had done some work for the special counsel who prosecuted Trump, Jack Smith; and Perkins Coie, which had the temerity to represent Hillary Clinton during her 2016 campaign. Perkins Coie promptly marched into court and obtained a temporary restraining order blocking implementation of Trump’s edict, with U.S District Judge Beryl Howell noting that the Constitution prohibits “bills of attainder” imposing punishment without any trial or judicial hearing. She said the executive order against Perkins Coie “sends chills down my spine.”

paying corporate clients “perceived our firm as being persona non grata with the Administration.”

Columbia University at first appeared to have surrendered to President Donald Trump’s demands that the New York school stop coddling antisemitic and anti-Israel demonstrators. The school announced it was buckling, not on principle, but because it wants the $400 million in federal grants and contracts restored. Trump had frozen the money to get them to act against protesters. Now the protesters are protesting what Columbia’s then-interim president, Katrina Armstrong, who resigned last week, did to have the grant restored.

The New York Post reports: “The school’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, privately told faculty that Columbia has not, in fact, banned masks — even after it promised the White House that it would ban them. Yet Armstrong turned around Tuesday to insist Columbia’s promises to ban masks and make other changes are “real.”

As of Tuesday, face coverings were still on many protesters. There is a larger question emanating from the ongoing demonstrations on several college campuses since the Hamas attack on Israel and their seizing of hostages on Oct. 7, 2023. Why are so many of these elite schools, some of them with huge endowments and high tuition, receiving taxpayer money?

Among the top 20 universities receiving federal largesse are Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, MIT and Dartmouth College. Their endowments range from more than $50 billion (Harvard) to nearly $8 billion (Dartmouth). Added together, the total for the top 20 is close to $2 trillion. In a new book, “Let Colleges Fail: The Power of Creative Destruction in Higher Education,” Richard K. Vedder of the Independent Institute writes: “Why are universities given special status not given to other providers of useful services such as used-car dealers or fast-food restaurants? Why have well-intentioned federal programs such as government-guaranteed student loans had an impact dramatically different than was intended when the legislation was passed?”

Good questions.

Vedder notes that enrollments at universities and colleges have been consistently falling since 2011, including fewer men attending for various reasons. Others believe the high cost does not guarantee jobs after graduating that will pay them enough to live on, much less pay back their student loans in a timely fashion. Then there’s the “woke” agenda at too many of these schools, along with courses that add little or nothing to one’s resume when graduates seek employment in the real world.

On March 14, Trump signed an executive order suspending all security clearances held by Paul Weiss lawyers and instructing federal agencies to begin canceling all contracts with the law firm or with contractors that employ the firm. Given that Paul Weiss has a long list of major corporate clients, the order created what Karp called “an existential crisis” for the firm. Trump’s action was also likely unconstitutional. He had previously issued executive orders imposing similar punishments on two other big firms: Cov-

LETTERS TO

That sensation can only be experienced by those who have a spine. The leaders of Paul Weiss decided not to fight but to surrender Karp went to the White House last week and met with Trump to negotiate a settlement. According to a statement Trump issued Friday, the firm agreed to “adopting a policy of political neutrality with respect to client selection and attorney hiring; taking on a wide range of pro bono matters representing the full political spectrum; committing to merit-based hiring, promotion, and retention, instead of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies; dedicating the equivalent of $40 million in pro bono legal services during my term in office to support causes including assisting our Nation’s veterans, fairness in the justice system, and combating anti-Semitism.”

In a lengthy email to Paul Weiss partners and employees Sunday, Karp wrote that he feared the firm might not survive even if it went to court and prevailed. The “fundamental problem,” he wrote, was that Paul Weiss’s high-

“We were hopeful that the legal industry would rally to our side,” Karp wrote. “Disappointingly, far from support, we learned that certain other firms were seeking to exploit our vulnerabilities by aggressively soliciting our clients and recruiting our attorneys.” It is hard to shed tears for highly paid lawyers, but I do recognize Karp’s plight. And I understand that partners have a fiduciary responsibility to their firms that may require making tough decisions. But Perkins Coie faced the same pressures and chose to fight — a decision I believe was not just more principled but also, in the long run, more pragmatic. Big Law needs to heed the warning Benjamin Franklin supposedly gave after signing the Declaration of Independence: “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

If Trump can use an executive order of dubious constitutionality to cow one law firm into submission, what is to stop him from doing the same with any other firm he decides to target?

Trump-friendly firms that try to poach clients need to remember that what goes around does, indeed, come around. If Trump can impose the death penalty on firms that help the political opposition, a future Democratic president can do the same. All of these firms build their wealth and power upon the rule of law They have a duty to defend it.

Eugene Robinson is on X, @Eugene_ Robinson.

What about research conducted by many of these schools? Is the research tailored to outcomes the government wants because researchers want the money, or is it truly independent research that produces beneficial results and is not open-ended?

Government subsidies and bailouts, Vedder argues, are the leading cause for all the problems at today’s universities. His solution? “Americans should get rid of these third-party safety nets and allow the Schumpeterian phenomenon of ‘creative destruction’ to force colleges to fail or succeed.”

Joseph Schumpeter, (1883-1950), was an Austrian political economist. He believed in innovations in the manufacturing process that increase productivity, describing it as the “process of industrial mutation that incessantly revolutionizes the economic structure from within, incessantly destroying the old one, incessantly creating a new one.”

Why should wealthy American universities that are not providing the useful kinds of education they once did continue to receive the equivalent of life support from the federal government? Haven’t we seen how government involvement consistently drives up tuition and other costs, making a college education unaffordable for an increasing number of lower-income Americans? That some schools reduce or even waive tuition for certain categories of students (usually based on race or other external factors) adds to a feeling of inequity for certain demographic groups who face discrimination from many of these institutions.

There is money to be saved and possibly a real education to be revived should the DOGE people look at these subsidies and grants and the unfairness of providing money to these schools, money that isn’t available to any business, which must succeed or fail based on whether they produce goods and services the public wants to buy

Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com.

Will Sutton

Cal Thomas

Eugene Robinson STAFF PHOTO By JILL PICKETT

Gov. Jeff Landry stumps for votes for Amendment 2 at the March 25 meeting of the Rotary Club of Shreveport.

Baton Rouge Weather

Doing their ‘homework’

Saints, coach Moore putting in time to get a better look at quarterbacks

BY MATTHEW PARAS

Staff writer

PALM BEACH,Fla.— Before he flew in for the NFL owners’ meetings, Kellen Moore already had logged plenty of travel.

Last week the Saints coach was at the University of Miami on Monday Two days later, he was spotted at Ohio State. Then, on Saturday he was at Ole Miss.

Moore, leading his own team for the first time this offseason, was on the pro day circuit to observe prospects for the NFL draft later this month

And it wasn’t a coincidence those schools all had one type of prospect for Moore to see.

“We all know that I’m a quarterback guy,” Moore said.

The Saints appear to be doing heavy research on the top quarterbacks in this class, even after restructuring Derek Carr’s con-

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

tract to ensure he returns next season. Moore’s visits further reinforce the idea. New Orleans has taken quarterbacks in back-to-back drafts in Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler. But this year, the Saints hold the ninth overall pick — their highest selection since 2008 — and have the kind of draft capital that could help them move up higher Drafting a rookie quarterback, particularly one in the first or second round, also would give Moore the chance to pick his own signal-caller after inheriting the others.

Moore, a former quarterback at Boise State and in the NFL, said the research isn’t out of the norm.

“Every team in the NFL is always trying to bring in quarterbacks and develop them under any circumstance,” Moore said. “And so everyone does homework every year on quarterbacks. It’s a very valuable position.

“So obviously, we feel like we have Derek — who’s played a

ton of football and we feel great about. Then certainly, our organization has invested in quarterbacks the last few years. “ Moore said where he visits in person is decided on by Jeff Ireland, the college scouting director and assistant general

ä See SAINTS, page 4C

Mulkey explains why she keeps going in a ‘broken’ NCAA

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

Kim Mulkey didn’t have much time to ruminate over a seasonending loss to UCLA in the women’s Elite Eight.

The LSU women’s basketball coach told radio station WNXXFM 104.5-FM in Baton Rouge on Tuesday that she turned her attention toward next year before she and her team’s flight from Spokane, Wa shington, even landed in Baton Rouge on Sunday

“I’m on the phone, on the plane,” Mulkey told hosts T-Bob ing to portal kids. We’ve got our own kids that’ll get in the portal. It’s just free agency and you just never know.”

Mulkey’s comments were part of a larger discussion about the transfer portal, the recruiting calendar, the state of college sports and when she may retire. She called the current state of affairs “tiring” and “broken.”

Now, athletes can transfer between schools an unlimited number of times without losing any eligibility

For both men’s and women’s college basketball players, the transfer portal opened March 24 — right in between the second round of the NCAA Tournament and the Sweet 16. That timing forces coaches of teams still alive in the postseason to juggle the needs to both prepare for door-die games and recruit players from the portal. Those teams, Mulkey said, are almost incentivized to lose early in the tournament. The ones who reach the second weekend risk falling behind in recruiting.

See MULKEY, page 4C

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

A big fish.

Mulkey

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ROGELIO V. SOLIS

Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart looks to throw a ball during a passing drill at the school’s pro day on Friday in Oxford, Miss.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JESSICA TOBIAS

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders interviews with the NFL Network during the Big 12 pro day on March 20 in Frisco, Texas.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MICHAEL LAUGHLIN

Miami quarterback Cam Ward throws during a drill at the school’s pro day on March 24 in Miami. Ward is considered by some pundits the top quarterback prospect in the upcoming NFL draft.

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

left-hander Cooper Williams pitches against Louisiana Tech on Tuesday at Alex Box Stadium. Williams combined with Mavrick Rizy and William Schmidt to limit

Bulldogs to one earned run in the first six innings

LSU softball rallies past McNeese with 12 late runs

The No. 5 LSU softball team got off to a slow start in Lake Charles before posting 12 runs over the final two innings for a 12-2 road victory against McNeese State on Tuesday night.

After LSU had already scored a run in the top of the sixth inning, Tori Edwards blasted a three-run home run to put the Tigers (32-4) up 4-2.

Maddox McKee had a two-run shot later in the inning for a 6-2 LSU edge.

Gators carry big bite late in games

Florida continues trend of making comebacks

BY MARK LONG AP sportswriter

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — These Gators bite, especially when they feel threatened.

Florida, which has shown a knack for wearing down opponents all season, has become the ultimate closer in the NCAA Tournament Late-game rallies against two-time reigning national champion UConn in the second round and against Texas Tech in the Elite Eight have the Gators (34-4) believing that no hole is too deep for this gritty group.

Coach Todd Golden pointed to confidence and maturity as the keys to his team’s penchant for comebacks. He also joked that having All-American guard Walter Clayton on the floor makes a huge difference.

“It’s our ability to not get too high or too low,” Golden said Tuesday Golden clearly would prefer to have his team get off to a better start when it faces fellow Southeastern Conference foe Auburn (32-5) — the Gators won their first meeting in February — to open the Final Four in San Antonio on Saturday But he’s seen enough to know there’s no reason to panic if Florida falls behind.

After all, these Gators have looked fairly harmless for the first 20, 30 or even 35 minutes of games before attacking with a frenzy

Just ask UConn or Texas Tech. Or Alabama, Georgia, LSU and South Carolina. The Gators overcame daunting deficits against all of them.

“Undying belief,” Clayton said. “It goes to show how together we all are.

“Many times (we) could easily just break, start pointing the finger, blaming each other for this and that. But we just stayed together through the end and stayed the course.” None of Florida’s rallies have been as impressive as its latest one.

ä MEN’S FINAL FOUR: Auburn vs. Florida, 5:09P.M.SATURDAy,CBS; Duke vs. Houston, 7:49P.M.,CBS

The Gators trailed Texas Tech 71-61 with 5:30 to play when Clayton took over The senior made three 3-pointers, a layup and two free throws down the stretch. He also dished out two assists by finding Thomas Haugh for open 3-pointers.

“Instead of letting our emotions get the best of us or pointing fingers, we did a good job staying the course,” Golden said. “Obviously our guys did a good job understanding it’s now or never and made every big play down the stretch.”

Added Haugh: “When you’ve got guards like these guys, the game’s never over It’s just wild.”

Florida ranks second in the country in second-half scoring margin, a clear indication of the team’s coaching/talent/depth combination. The Gators wore down against Alabama and Tennessee in the SEC tournament last month and did the same to the

Huskies and Maryland in NCAA play

UConn led much of the game until Clayton stepped up in the closing minutes. The Terrapins held tough early — they trailed 40-38 at halftime before Florida made a few adjustments at halftime and dominated the second half. It’s hardly anything new for Golden’s group, either The Gators nearly beat Missouri in mid-January despite trailing by 19. They rallied to shock South Carolina a week later after being down 14 in the second half. Although less dramatic, they did something similar at LSU in late February Down eight in the second half, Florida flipped a switch and routed the Tigers the rest of the way Golden’s squad nearly pulled off another stunner three days later

After trailing by 26 in the first half, Florida fought back to take a lead at Georgia before Cain Blue hit a dagger 3 with a minute to play

“Again, the consistency, the

maturity and their belief in each other is a big part of that,” Golden said.

Golden has spent three years rebuilding Florida, which is in the Final Four for the first time since 2014. He ended up with three senior guards — Clayton, Will Richard and Florida Atlantic transfer Alijah Martin — who comprise the core of the team. Each of them has made plays to spark comebacks, although Richard and Martin have so far taken a backseat to Clayton in the postseason Still, the trio is the main reason these Gators have won 10 in a row and have a shot at a third national title and first since going back-toback in 2006-07 And all of them have the potential to chomp, especially in crunch time

“Guys could just break apart during those moments,” Clayton said.

““We all stay the course, stay together And I think that just goes to show the togetherness of the team, the love we have for each other to get through those tough times.”

Auriemma caught off guard by underdog remark

BY CHUCK SCHILKEN LosAngelesTimes (TNS)

Geno Auriemma seemed both amused and bemused.

The legendary Connecticut women’s basketball coach described himself as “shocked” after ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt jokingly referred to the Huskies as “pesky underdogs” following their 78-64 victory over USC on Monday night. With the victory, Auriemma and UConn advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament for the 24th time since 1991 and the 21st time in the last 22 years in which the tournament was held (it was canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19). The Huskies, who will face UCLA on Friday in a national semifinal, have won the NCAA title 11 times, most recently in 2016. Van Pelt knew all that when he made what was clearly a tonguein-cheek reference to Connecticut being the only remaining team that didn’t enter the tournament as a No. 1 seed.

Still, Auriemma seemed to be caught a bit off guard by the SportsCenter anchor’s comment during a postgame interview that took place with him on the court in Spokane, Washington, and Van Pelt in a Washington, D.C., studio. “I was just calling you guys the ‘pesky underdogs,’ the only

two seed,” Van Pelt said to start the interview “Twenty-four of these, man, you’ve done it so often. What do you appreciate most about this team and this journey you’re on?” Auremma paused and chuckled slightly

“Well, you know, um, we’ve been um,” the coach said before chuckling a bit more “I’m still shocked at the word ‘underdogs’ and UConn coming out of your mouth at the same time.” Van Pelt answered: “I’m joking, Geno, I’m joking. You know me

better than that.”

“I know you are,” Auriemma said. “I just don’t hear that (very often), you know? It’s just funny.”

It’s difficult to imagine a world where Auriemma, the winningest coach in all of college basketball, and UConn are truly considered underdogs. UCLA might be the top-seeded team in the tournament, but DraftKings and FanDuel each have the Huskies as 81/2-point favorites over the Bruins in the teams’ Final Four matchup. Both sites also have Connecti-

ä WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR: South Carolina vs. Texas, 6P.M.FRIDAy ESPN; UCLA vs. UConn, 8:30 P.M. FRIDAy ESPN

cut as the favorite to win the national title (-165 odds on FanDuel, -150 on DraftKings), beating either Texas or South Carolina in the final.

The Huskies finished the regular season at 35-3 and 18-0 in the Big East, then won their conference tournament and claimed the No. 2 seed in the Spokane 4 regional.

The top-seeded USC lost one of the nation’s top players, JuJu Watkins, to a torn ACL in the second round. The Trojans overcome Kansas State in the Sweet 16 but were met with such headlines as The Los Angeles Times’ “Here is what USC needs to do to upset UConn, reach the Final Four” going into their matchup against the Huskies.

And for the second straight year, the Trojans were outmatched by Paige Bueckers and UConn in the Elite Eight. “Today was a real challenge, playing against a team that was obviously missing a great great great, great player, JuJu,” Auriemma told Van Pelt. “It’s just a Connecticut thing, I hope, that when we get in these situations, we know how to win. And I’m really proud of that.”

LSU scored six more times in the seventh inning, highlighted by McKenzie Redoutey’s two-run home run.

LSU’s Carter to participate in two Final Four events

LSU sharpshooter Cam Carter will participate in two Final Four events.

The senior was selected to be in the College 3-Point Contest and the National Association of Basketball Coaches College All-Star Game in San Antonio. The 3-point shooting competition will be at 6 p.m. Thursday on ESPN and the all-star game is at 3:30 p.m. Friday on CBS Sports Network. The Final Four begins Saturday At LSU (14-18), Carter made 80 3-pointers, which is sixth on LSU’s all-time list, and the most since Marcus Thornton made 90 during the 2007-08 season. The Donaldsonville native averaged 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season. He shot 42.5% from the field and 39.2% from the 3-point line.

Maryland hires Williams to coach men’s basketball Maryland has hired Buzz Williams as its men’s basketball coach.

The Terrapins quickly moved on after Kevin Willard left to take the Villanova job.

Maryland says it will introduce Williams at a news conference Wednesday Willard left for Villanova last weekend after leading the Terrapins to the Sweet 16. Williams arrives after six seasons at Texas A&M. He took the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament in the past three seasons.

He previously was the head coach at Virginia Tech, Marquette and UNO.

The 52-year-old Williams is one of 12 active Division I head coaches to win at least one NCAA Tournament game at three programs. His deepest run was in 2013 when he took Marquette to the Elite Eight.

Pitcher Crochet receives 6-year, $170M contract

Ace left-hander Garrett Crochet has agreed to a record-breaking $170 million, six-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Crochet’s contract starts next year and he can opt out after the 2030 season. It is the largest deal ever for a pitcher with four-plus years of major league service time. The 25-year-old Crochet was acquired by Boston in a trade with the Chicago White Sox during the winter meetings in December and agreed to a $3.8 million, one-year contract for this season.

Crochet gets a $4 million signing bonus payable within 60 days of the deal’s approval by Major League Baseball, $24 million in 2026, $28 million in each of the following four seasons and $30 million in 2031.

Scherzer says sore thumb feeling better after shot TORONTO Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer said Tuesday he hopes to play catch in the next few days after a cortisone injection to treat his sore right thumb.

The three-time Cy Young award winner visited a hand specialist in the U.S. on Monday and received the injection before returning to Toronto, where he was in the dugout for a 5-2 win over Washington. Scherzer left his debut start with the Blue Jays against Baltimore on Saturday after three innings because of soreness in his right lat muscle. He said that his thumb issue was to blame for that soreness. On Tuesday, Scherzer said his lat soreness was gone. Toronto put Scherzer on the 15day injured list Sunday because of right thumb inflammation.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ

Florida coach Todd Golden does the Gator chomp when cutting down the net after the Gators defeated Texas Tech in the Elite Eight on Saturday in San Francisco.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JENNy KANE

UConn coach Geno Auriemma reacts to action during the second half against Southern California in the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament on Monday night in Spokane, Wash.

St. Amant first baseman Kenley Triche makes the catch for the final out as Walker’s Adalyn Stoltz arrives late at first in St. Amant’s 6-4 win over Walker in a District 5-5A softball game Tuesday in Walker

PHOTO By PATRICK DENNIS

THE VARSITY ZONE

St. Amant rides fast start to top Walker

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH Staff writer

St. Amant players removed their black leggings before getting off the bus Tuesday, revealing white socks with pictures of coach Amy Pitre’s smiling face emblazoned on them Call it a well-played April Fools’ Day joke By contrast, the effort in the Gators’ 6-4 road victory over Walker in a District 5-5A showdown was no joke. The Gators (18-6, 4-1) scored five runs in the first three innings and held off a late charge to hand Walker (15-6, 5-2) its second league loss. The game also is notable power ratings wise, since St. Amant came in seeded No. 3 in Division I nonselect with Walker right behind at No. 4. “Walker is always a spirited, upbeat team and they’re playing you down to the last out,” Pitre said. “You’re never going to make them quiet in the dugout.

“What you have to try to do is attack early and keep the momentum with you, if for no other reason than confidence. That was our plan. And that is always so

important, especially in the last round of district.”

Reliever Brently Bourque allowed one run in three innings of relief, and she recorded a key strikeout in the bottom of the seventh to help seal it.

“Our girls came in prepared they wanted it,” Walker coach Hailey Westmoreland said. “We left baserunners out there and made some silly mistakes on defense. We have a lot of youth on our team and so do they I’m glad we’re seeing this now and can learn from it.”

Catcher Brooke Rabalais had two key hits for the Gators. Her first-inning double put runners on second and third. Kinley Meche then doubled down the left-field line to score two runs. When St Amant needed an insurance run, Rabalais’ long single got it in during the top of the sixth.

“I saw a lot of outside pitches,” Rabalais said. “I kind of expected that because I saw it the first time we played them.”

Walker did not go quietly into the night as the skies got darker, even when trailing 5-0. A leadoff home run to center by Harlee Ursary kicked off a three-run

fourth inning for Walker. St. Amant starter Braylee Decoteau exited as the Wildcats proceeded to load the bases. Hailey Hebert came on in relief to finish the fourth inning.

Then came Bourque, who gave up two singles in the fifth. She also got a strikeout to end the threat, stranding two runners.

A passed ball and a wild pitch helped Walker score its run in the sixth.

Bourque hit the first batter to open the bottom of the seventh. Though pinch runner Peyton Childress quickly got to third on a passed ball and a wild pitch, the threat ended there.

Bourque followed with a strikeout and snared a line drive to her right. Next, a groundout ended the game.

“My screwball was working for me and so was a changeup,” Bourque said. “Games like this are nerve-racking. I knew I had to hit my spots inside or they were going to hit it. On that last out, I had to hit my spots and let my defense work.”

Email Robin Fambrough at rfambrough@theadvocate.com

Dutchtown pitcher McCoy kills Walker rally ideas with HR

BY CHARLES SALZER Contributing writer

Walker High School has made a habit of rallying late to win games this season, but Dutchtown’s Casey McCoy made sure the Wildcats came up short Tuesday night at Dutchtown.

McCoy hit a two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning and then provided scoreless relief pitching in the bottom of the inning as Dutchtown defeated Walker 7-4.

Both teams entered the game ranked in the top 10 of the Division I power ratings. For Dutchtown (20-9, 7-0), the win keeps it undefeated in District 5-5A. Walker (189, 2-5) had a three-game winning streak snapped.

“(Walker) is a young team, but some of their guys have been starting since they were freshmen so we knew they wouldn’t lay down,” Dutchtown coach Chris Schexnaydre said.

“We had an opportunity early that we didn’t take advantage of and they hung around.”

Dutchtown came away empty in the first after loading the bases with one out. The Griffins chased Wildcats starter Arlan Olivier in the second and got to reliever Owen Jeansonne for five runs in the third.

McCoy, who started the game at shortstop, singled home the first

run. Kason Johnson added a tworun single and the Griffins picked up a pair of unearned runs on a passed ball and an errant pickoff throw Walker reliever Rhett Pitarro threw two scoreless innings to keep the Wildcats in the game In the seventh, Pitarro issued a walk before McCoy’s two-out home run to left field. The blast gave Dutchtown a 7-4 lead.

The Wildcats loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh before McCoy got a strikeout and a fly ball to left to end the game.

“We kind of gave away a few atbats in the first few innings where we had a chance to score some runs,” Walker coach Mike Forbes said. “Give the credit to (Dutchtown starter Danny Sears). He was making pitches whenever he had to. Once we figured him out, we got him out of the game and gave ourselves a shot.” Sears started and lasted into the fifth inning when Walker put two men on with a single and a walk. Including a sacrifice fly by Jake Rappold, both runners came around to score off reliever Dillyn Wilson.

Rappold added another RBI in the sixth, when Walker scored twice on four hits to pull within 5-4. It was as close as Walker would get.

PREP REPORT

gne, Dunham 3-6,6-3,10-5

Baseball

23-4, 9-0 in 5-5A,

Amant 16-12, 3-4. Boys tennis Dunham 3, Parkview Baptist 2 Singles Reid Scott, Parkview Baptist def. Adam Nesheiwat, Dunham 6-1,6-0 Bennett Lasseigne, Dunham def. Wade Teague, Parkview Baptist 6-4,6-4 Doubles Jackson Belcher/Sammy Bullentini, Parkview Baptist def. George Harrod/Milo Johnston, Dunham 7-6(5),6-3 Chris Olivier/Wait Harrod, Dunham def. Eddie Redding/Alex Leblanc, Parkview Baptist 6-1,6-0 Lucian Pham/Cooper Eenigenburg, Dunham def. Logan Parker/Cameron Leblanc, Parkview Baptist 6-3,6-2 Baton Rouge High 5, St. Amant 0 Singles Benjamin Daniel, Baton Rouge High def. Jacob Angel 6-1, 6-1

Doubles George Harrod/Milo Johnston, Dunham def. Immanuel Nezianya/Hudson Caraccioli, Catholic 6-2,6-3

Joseph Landry/Davis Walker, Catholic def. Chris Olivier/Wait Harrod, Dunham 6-4,6-1 Oliver Hargrave/Michael Goodner, Catholic def. Lucian Pham/Cooper Eenigenburg, Dunham 6-1,6-1

Girls tennis

Baton Rouge High 5, St. Amant 0 Meredith McNulty, Baton Rouge High def Elena Torres 6-1, 6-0 Amelie Kutter def. Julia Haddon 6-2, 6-1

Doubles Ryann Beamon/Lillian Tessier def. Olivia Winegar/Joanna Haddon 6-1, 6-0 Emma Brown/Ally Spencer def. Lila Robinson/Allie Jeavons 6-0, 6-1 Sheridan Jones/Addison Nguyen def. Camryn Accardo/Abagail Robert 6-1, 6-1 Dunham 3, Parkview Baptist 2 Singles Jordan Hurt, Parkview Baptist def.

BY WILLIAM WEATHERS

Contributing writer

Live Oak continued to thrive in tight spaces, adjusting to a new batting order and executing when necessary

“That’s why they’re the No. 1 team in the state,” St. Amant coach Brandon Bravata said of the state’s top-ranked team in Division I nonselect.

The Eagles increased a tight one-run lead in the top of the seventh inning, getting a two-run, two-out single from Brock Davis and reliever Rezin Lindsay worked a perfect bottom half of the inning for a 3-1 District 5-5A victory Tuesday over St. Amant at Gator Park.

“It hadn’t been a real fun place to play,” Live Oak coach Jesse Cassard, noting that it was his first win at St. Amant in five tries.

“It was a good win.”

Live Oak (23-4, 9-0 in 5-5A) won for the 10th straight time and retained a percentage points lead over Dutchtown (20-9, 7-0) for the district lead.

The Eagles, who host the Ga-

tors in the series finale at 6 p.m. Thursday, had to adjust their lineup because of injuries to several players. Cameron Washington moved to the lead-off role and played left field, registering two nifty catches, with regular center

fielder DeKohta Jones, who was slowed by an injury, batted sixth and served as the designated hitter

Cassard’s son Cal returned to the starting lineup, scored a run and recorded six putouts in center field.

Live Oak opened a 2-0 lead with runs in the first and third innings. Washington led off the game with a single, then stole second, moved to third on Cal Cassard’s groundout and scored on an errant pickoff attempt. The Eagles extended their margin to two runs after manufacturing a run in the third.

Cassard was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on Cooper Smith’s single to right-center field. Brock Davis, a Northwestern State signee, perfectly executed a suicide squeeze, bunting an 0-1 pitch from St. Amant start-

er Collin Duplessis in front of the plate to score Cassard.

St. Amant (16-12, 3-4) made it 2-1 in the bottom half of the inning, taking advantage of a pair of walks to get within a run. Third baseman Parker Guidry’s singled to left to drove in courtesy runner Quentin Elisar whose slide was ahead of Washington’s throw up the line.

“We’ve got to find a way to win,” Bravata said. “We’ve got six left, and we’ve got to find a way to win some tight ones.”

Live Oak starter Zant Gurney (6-1) allowed six hits, walked one and struck out five in his 100-pitch outing that included 66 strikes. He also stranded seven runners and picked off a runner at first.

Davis stretched the Eagles’ lead when Washington walked, stole second ahead of an intentional walk to Smith. Davis sent the first pitch from reliever Carr Villnerve into right field.

“That was a really good win,” Coach Cassard said. “We didn’t do as good a job at the plate as we normally do. That’s going to happen. That’s baseball.”

Henry CHen def. Grant Wells 6-1, 6-0 Doubles Ved Kandula/Ryan Nguyen def. Brayden King/Tristan Bailey 6-1, 3-6, 10-7 Whitman Thompson/Alexander Nguyen def. Beau Esters/Noah Templet 6-4, 6-2

Gracen Shepherd/Vinh Dang def. Slayden Porche/Ryland Hoyt 6-1, 6-0

Baton Rouge High 5, St. Amant 0

Singles Benjamin Daniel, Baton Rouge High def. Jacob Angel 6-1, 6-1

Henry CHen def. Grant Wells 6-1, 6-0

Doubles Ved Kandula/Ryan Nguyen def. Brayden

King/Tristan Bailey 6-1, 3-6, 10-7

Whitman Thompson/Alexander Nguyen def.

Beau Esters/Noah Templet 6-4, 6-2

Gracen Shepherd/Vinh Dang def. Slayden

Porche/Ryland Hoyt 6-1, 6-0

Catholic 4, Dunham 1

Singles

Andrew Hart, Catholic def. Adam Nesheiwat, Dunham 6-2,6-4

Ryan Myers, Catholic def. Bennett Lassei-

N.O. plans return to team facility for camp

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Saints plan

to hold training camp at their team facility in Metairie this summer, coach Kellen Moore said Tuesday

Saints notebook

The Saints’ decision to practice back in the area comes after the team spent last year in Irvine, California. Team officials said then that the arrangement was temporary because the team’s cafeteria was under construction. The Saints finished the project in the fall, clearing the way — and the space — for camp to be held in the building.

Though most of camp will be in Louisiana, Moore also said they are exploring traveling for a “shorter period of time” to escape the heat.

That includes the possibility of having joint practices with an unspecified team, he said.

“We’ll spend some time in Louisiana,” Moore said at the NFL owners’ meetings. “The exposure

of the heat and all that stuff, we think there’ll be value to it Just getting accustomed to that. Training camp isn’t supposed to be the easiest thing in the world.

“There will be some challenges with the heat, but that’ll be a good thing for our team.”

The arrangement would mirror past camps. Under former coaches Sean Payton and Dennis Allen, New Orleans traveled regularly for joint practices. In 2023, the team spent two days in August practicing against the Los Angeles Chargers prior to their preseason game at SoFi Stadium. In 2022, New Orleans went to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the Packers hosted the Saints for joint practices.

Real value

The Saints were active in free agency striking a balance between retaining their own players and making a splashy addition in the secondary with the signing of safety Justin Reid

Moore liked the strategy

The Saints coach said Tuesday that the team added “real value”

this offseason, later adding that he believes the franchise still has flexibility to make additional moves if need be. Over The Cap estimates the team has $28.3 million in cap space, putting the Saints in the upper half of the league.

The Saints’ biggest moves were to re-sign tight end Juwan Johnson to a three-year, $30.8 million contract and defensive end Chase Young to a three-year, $51 million contract.

New Orleans then poached Reid from the Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year $31.5 million deal.

Moore said he enjoyed getting to know his players in a “short period of time,” and the coach was involved in the process, such as when he laid out Johnson’s envisioned role in a late-night phone call with the tight end.

The first-year coach also appeared excited about Reid’s addition, calling the 28-year-old a “premier player” in the NFL. He recalled scouting the Louisiana native when he was preparing for the Super Bowl in February as offensive coordinator of the Phila-

THOMAS

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playmaker instantly emerges.

He is a shifty ballhandler who is a blur going up and down the court

Thomas’ speed and fluidity as a dribbler aren’t only aesthetically pleasing but functional. He is a low-mistake player, averaging 1.9 turnovers per game, and unselfish teammate who took only 12.6 shots per game.

Thomas reached the paint whenever he wanted to at UNLV, forcing defenses to collapse. These occurrences presented him with passing options, which he was adept at delivering to teammates.

The lefty has excellent court vision, throwing one-handed passes across the court, alley-oop passes and simple swing passes to nearby 3-point shooters.

Thomas should be an excellent pick-and-roll passer for forward

Jalen Reed, who played only eight games last season after tearing an ACL, and center Michael Nwoko, LSU’s first transfer portal addition from Mississippi State.

“His vision on the court, unselfishness, and ability to throw the lob pass are fun to watch,” McMahon said in a news release. “I am really excited about his pas-

sion for player development and the opportunity to play at LSU.”

Thomas’ facilitation and knack for blowing by defenders are traits that were missing from LSU this season.

Scoring arsenal

His impressive quickness with the ball is blended with a craftiness to score around the paint.

Thomas was ninth in the Mountain West in scoring and does most of his work from two-point range.

Thomas has a nifty floater with his dominant left hand and is adept at creating space for his turnaround mid-ranger jumper

If he is crowded he doesn’t panic and shoot an impossible shot often. The 19-year-old still needs to improve his efficiency

The tendency to shoot inside the arc is reflected in his low 3-point shooting attempts. The volume is concerning, although he shot a solid 35.3% from 3-point range.

He will have to attempt more 3s to be a threat in a skilled SEC.

Defensive concerns

Thomas has a slight frame that makes his 185-pound listing seem generous. The reality of smaller players, especially those without length or strength, is that defending at the high-major level is

delphia Eagles ahead of their win over the Chiefs.

“We nailed it when we were able to get Justin,” Moore said. “Obviously, you recognize there were a lot of other teams chasing after him, and so we feel really, really excited that ultimately he made a decision to come back to Louisiana. Watching him on film, he was one of those big impact players on the field.”

Moore said Reid’s signing wasn’t an either-or scenario. New Orleans agreed to terms with the safety after striking out on Charvarius Ward who signed a three-year $54 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Ward told an Indy radio station that he was close to signing with New Orleans before the Colts swooped in at the “last minute.”

Saints’ tush push?

The future of the tush push will be decided at a later date.

But if it were up to Moore, it wouldn’t be going anywhere. Moore said he felt “very comfortable” with keeping the play in place as the league debates

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

manager of the Saints. And it would make sense for Ireland to lean on Moore’s particular area of expertise, even if the coach is also evaluating other positions.

At Miami, Moore was on hand to watch Cam Ward — largely regarded as this class’ top quarterback. Moore was part of a notable contingent sent by the Saints, including Ireland and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier

Speaking generally, Moore said he looks for a “certain threshold” and wants to understand how they grasp the “classroom” aspect of the game.

“You spend as much time with these guys as you can,” he said.

If the Saints want to draft Ward, they’ll almost certainly have to trade up to grab him. Ward is the favorite to go first overall to the Tennessee Titans, though Titans coach Brian Callahan didn’t dismiss the idea of trading the pick this week for the right offer

“We’re open to everything at this point,” Callahan told reporters. “If it’s something you feel is beyond the value you ever thought you could get, that’s one thing. But you also have to look at what a potential quarterback could look like. Those guys, to me, are priceless.”

Elsewhere, Moore observed Ohio State’s Will Howard and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart the latter of whom is often ranked right after Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders Both players have

MULKEY

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the future of it On Tuesday, NFL owners decided to table the Green Bay Packers’ proposal to ban the play deciding more discussion was needed before making a final decision.

The next league meeting is scheduled for mid-May Moore obviously learned the intricacies of the play — which involves shoving the quarterback from behind and ran it often last year as the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator So, if the play is still legal, will Moore run it in New Orleans? Or more specifically does he have the personnel to run it?

“I don’t know,” Moore said. ”We’ll see. Obviously, I think other teams have tried to replicate it and have not had success. I think investment is — (Eagles coach)

Nick (Sirianni) has done a phenomenal job.

“It’s a huge investment to execute that play at a really high level, and they put a lot of time and effort into it.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

extended starting experience, a trait becoming more common in college football with longer periods of eligibility Howard, for instance, has 43 college starts 27 in four years with Kansas State and then 16 with Ohio State. Moore believes there’s value in the additional reps, adding that he thinks quarterbacks don’t peak until their early 30s.

“Bo Nix was a great example,” Moore said, referring to the Denver Broncos starter who thrived as a rookie after 61 college starts. “Older guy, but he’s played a lot of football.”

The Saints’ research on the position isn’t an indication they are ready for the Carr era to be over

Again on Tuesday Moore reiterated his excitement to coach the starter and said he believes those feelings are reciprocated even amid reports the 34-year-old was open to a change of scenery this offseason. Moore also spoke highly of Rattler, calling the 2024 fifth-rounder a “really good player” whom he’s excited to build up after a challenging first year Even then, and even with other glaring needs on the roster, the Saints could take another swing at the position. That’s been their pattern as of late, and Moore presents a new set of eyes for the rest of the team’s brass.

“It’s a good class,” Moore said. “I think (there are) different skill sets. That’s the important aspect of it, is identifying stylistically how all of them play and what best suits them.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

grueling.

Game tape showed that he seemed to understand rotations, but he wasn’t physically capable of covering enough ground to make life harder for an offensive player facing him.

Thomas also isn’t good at collecting steals, notching only a 1.2% steal rate. For perspective, LSU’s 5-11, 185-pound fifth-year senior point guard Jordan Sears had a 3.4% rate for 1.5 steals per game this season. When UNLV played Mississippi State, Thomas wasn’t assigned to defend star scorer Josh Hubbard. While Thomas has a slight edge in height over the 5-11 Hubbard, the new LSU point guard doesn’t have the physicality or lateral agility to bother a premier scorer

The bet that LSU is placing is that Thomas’ elite offensive skills will outweigh his defensive issues. LSU is off to a good start with nabbing a point guard with top-notch traits to be an all-conference type player in the right situation. The work in building a hopeful NCAA Tournament team is far from over Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy brown@theadvocate.com

“I don’t have an answer,” Mulkey said. “I just know that my generation of coaches they’re getting out. This is now what it’s supposed to be like They’re not opposed to money They’re not opposed to young people making all that they can. It’s just that the transfer portal is not healthy in their eyes.”

In that breath, Mulkey mentioned Nick Saban, the legendary former LSU and Alabama football coach who retired after the 2023 season. After he stepped down, Saban, 73, told ESPN that he was not ending his coaching career because the sport had become too hard to manage, though he did say that “everybody is frustrated about it.”

Mulkey, 62, also brought up Georgia Tech women’s basketball coach Nell Fortner, who retired on Monday two months after she agreed to a three-year contract extension.

In October Tony Bennett abruptly resigned as the Virginia men’s basketball coach, citing a belief that he wasn’t suited to lead a team through the current landscape of college athletics

Mulkey was then asked how she navigates the transfer portal and NIL and why she keeps coaching.

“What keeps me going?” Mulkey said. “Sometimes I ask myself that question. Honestly, why do I keep doing this? I don’t need to win more championships to validate my resume or my career I never ever am motivated by money Money, yes, it’s great, but at the end of the day, if you’re frugal with your money through

the years of working, you have enough.” Mulkey then said she feels a “sense of responsibility” to both LSU and the players she coaches. She views herself as the head of a company, she said, one with people who depend on her for their careers.

“I know that young people’s chief want in life,” Mulkey said, “is for somebody to push them to become what they’re capable of becoming And maybe that’s my answer to your question, is when I don’t feel like that is still the truth and what I believe, then maybe that’s when it’s time to retire.”

Mulkey is under contract with LSU through the 2033 season. She and her staff recently signed the nation’s No. 1 freshman class, four players who can each contribute to next season’s team.

On Monday, LSU lost starting forward Sa’Myah Smith to the transfer portal. So far, she’s the only Tiger who has left the program.

LSU star Aneesah Morrow exhausted her eligibility but both Mikaylah Williams and Flau’jae Johnson can return next season. Johnson, however, is age-eligible to declare for the 2025 WNBA Draft, and as of Tuesday afternoon, she hadn’t announced her plan for the future.

“They don’t get in the portal because they don’t like you or they’re not playing,” Mulkey said. “It’s, ‘Hey, got to go get some more money, some better NIL deals.’ It’s broken, guys.”

Email Reed Darcey at reed. darcey@theadvocate.com. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By IAN MAULE

UNLV guard Dedan Thomas drives past Utah State center Isaac Johnson on Jan. 13, 2024, in Las Vegas. Thomas committed to transfer to LSU on Monday.

Pelicans play it smart by shutting down stars

With no playoffs hopes, Williamson, McCollum to sit out

It had to be one of the easiest decisions David Griffin and his staff have made in his six seasons calling the shots for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Horschel-Hoge team commits to Zurich Classic

BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff writer

Two-time Zurich Classic champion Billy Horschel and PGA Tour veteran Tom Hoge have committed to play in this year’s tournament, officials announced Tuesday

Horschel has become a fan favorite in New Orleans since winning the 2013 Zurich Classic and teaming with Scott Piercy to win the 2018 event, the tournament’s second year of team competition In 13 appearances at the Zurich Classic, Horschel has earned more than $3 million.

This year’s tournament will be played April 24-27 at TPC of Louisiana in Avondale.

“Billy has shown consistent success in the Zurich Classic,” said Steve Worthy, CEO of the Fore!Kids Foundation, which operates the tournament for the PGA Tour “In addition to his two wins, he finished tied for fourth in the 2021 Zurich Classic and earned a solo second the following year in New Orleans, so we always expect to see him on the leaderboard, this time with a great partner in Tom Hoge.”

Monday’s decision to shut down Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum for the remainder of the season was a no-brainer In an ideal season, the Pelicans would be jockeying for playoff position during this final stretch. But as you know, nothing has been ideal this season So it was never really a question of whether they would shut Williamson and McCollum down. It was just a matter of when.

Technically, they shut them down as soon as they started listing Williamson on the injury report with a lower back contusion and McCollum with a foot contusion. But it was Monday when the team made an official announcement that Williamson and McCollum wouldn’t play again this season.

“It was more of a collective talk from the front office, performance and medical (team), and obviously our players,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said after Tuesday’s practice. “They are both dealing with sorta some nagging injuries, so to finish up the season we felt like it was the smart way to go.”

This was a no-brainer for a team that has nothing to play for with just seven games remaining. The Pelicans, who take a 21-54 record into a Wednesday game at the Los Angeles Clippers, are

Continued from page 1C

the fifth and tossed a scoreless 11/3 innings. He didn’t walk anyone and recorded a strikeout. Once again, the LSU bats got off to a hot start.

The Tigers scored four in the first inning thanks to a run-scoring double from junior Daniel Dickinson, a sacrifice fly by junior Ethan Frey and freshman Cade Arrambide’s two-run single.

pretty much locked into finishing with one of the four worst records in the NBA. They currently have the fourth-worst record, which would give them about a 12.5% chance of landing the No. 1 pick at the May 12 lottery in Chicago. The teams with the three worst records (the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets) have a slightly better chance at 14% each.

For the Pelicans and their fans, it’s been another frustrating season. Injuries hit the team left and right, which is why Williamson, McCollum, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy and Herb Jones will have missed a total of 196 games by the time the season is over in two weeks. The five of them never played a game together

The foursome of Williamson, McCollum, Murphy and Murray played just five games together They went 2-3 together including a one-point road loss to the Boston Celtics when a McCollum buzzer beater didn’t fall.

Williamson played in just 30 games this season, just one more than he played two seasons ago. Since being drafted, he’s missed more games than he played. Last season, he played in a career-high 70 games. It was a big reason the Pelicans won 49 games, tied for the most in franchise history The Pelicans went 10-20 this season in game’s Williamson played and 11-34 without him in a year that saw him average a career-best 5.3 assists and tie his career-high in rebounds (7.2)

“There’s no doubt about Z’s ability when he’s on the floor,” Green said. “Everyone got a chance to see it. See him handle the ball, see

They added another run in the second on a solo home run from Jared Jones his 11th of the season — but were held scoreless over three of the next four innings.

The only LSU (27-3) run came off a solo homer from Frey The blast was his sixth of the year and gave LSU a 6-1 lead in the fifth inning. After Louisiana Tech fifth-year senior Brody Drost — another former Tiger — cracked a solo homer in the top of the seventh to cut the deficit to four for Bulldogs (17-12), LSU scored four

him play in more pick and rolls as a screener He was incredible for the games he was on the floor

I think there is no doubt about where he is as a basketball player in terms of his ability on the floor

“Now the next step for us is going through the summer, getting healthy and re-evaluating our group and going from there.”

The key to it all will be Williamson, who looked to be in the best shape of his career this season. Williamson missed 27 games with a hamstring injury, then played in 24 of 34 games after returning. Six of the games he missed were because of the Pelicans playing on back-to-back nights. If it was up to Williamson, he would have played. But those decisions were made by the team’s medical staff, which is being extra cautious with its most critical player Chances are, similar decisions will have to be made next season.

That’s assuming the Pelicans run it back with Williamson again. He’s too talented not to. The best guess here is the team won’t risk moving on from Williamson and seeing him thrive elsewhere. They will instead keep their fingers crossed that the conditioning they saw this season will spill over into next season.

“We definitely want him to be able to maintain that,” Green said. “That’s a key factor, a key component He knows it, and it’s something he has to stay committed to.”

While Williamson’s season is done, his commitment to the Pelicans and himself must continue.

runs on two singles and a pair of sacrifice flies in the bottom of the inning to take a 10-2 lead. The Tigers finished the night with nine hits Frey led the way by going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Arrambide also drove in three runs. LSU resumes Southeastern Conference play on Thursday at Oklahoma. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m., and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

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

Horschel, ranked No. 20 in the latest World Golf Rankings, recently sank a long putt to lead his Atlanta Drive team to the first SoFi championship in this year’s inaugural season of the TGL golf league.

The former University of Florida All-American rebounded from a disappointing 2022-23 season to post 13 top-25 finishes in 2024. He won the Corales Puntacana Championship and tied for second in The Open Championship.

He also recorded top-10 finishes in the Houston Open, the Wyndham Championship, the PGA Championship and the St. Jude Championship.

He has won eight times on the PGA Tour and twice on the Euro-

pean Tour He was named to the winning 2007 Walker Cup squad that included Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson and Webb Simpson. Horschel posted a 3-1 record in that year’s competition, helping the U.S. squad to a narrow onepoint victory At 27, he became the youngest winner of the FedExCup. His final round of 68 in the Tour Championship was his 12th consecutive round in the 60s, the longest streak of sub-70 rounds in PGA Tour history Hoge, currently ranked 19th in FedExCup points, most recently tied for third in The Players Championship. He tied for ninth at the 2022 PGA Championship and won the Pebble Beach Championship earlier that year He posted 12 top-25 finishes in 33 events in 2022-23.

Hoge’s best finish at the Zurich Classic was in 2018, when he tied for 10th while teamed with J.J. Henry Hoge teamed with Harris English to finish tied for 13th at the 2023 Zurich.

Email Jeff Duncan at jduncan@ theadvocate.com.

Joking aside, will we see Tiger compete again?

As April Fools’ Day jokes go, this was a pretty good one.

With the 89th Masters set to start a week from Thursday, fivetime champion Tiger Woods set the sports world aflutter when he posted on his X account that he would play in Augusta despite rupturing his Achilles tendon in March.

Scott Rabalais

“I can’t believe I am saying this, but a few weeks after rupturing my left Achilles, the sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber plus the explosive lifts my doctors and trainers have me ready to play the Masters next week!” Woods posted Tuesday morning. “Can’t wait! See y’all on the course.”

Three minutes later, Woods posted the punchline:

“P.S. April Fools my Achilles is still a mess.”

Woods reportedly will attend the Masters’ annual champions dinner next Tuesday The dinner is an exclusive Masters week tradition, with only the past champions and the current Masters chairman invited.

Still, whether the patrons attending the tournament get to see him or not this week — or

ever again in competition is an unanswerable question, and the humor of Woods’ April Fools’ Day joke masks a serious question in the mind of two-time U.S. Open winner and ESPN analyst Curtis Strange.

“I hope he gets back to where he can play,” Strange said Monday on an ESPN conference call with fellow two-time U.S. Open champ and ESPN analyst Andy North. “We don’t know if he can ever play again.

“It’s going badly,” Strange said of Woods’ rehabilitation, though he didn’t cite any specifics. “The people can’t get enough of him. We can’t get enough of him. It would be sad that he wouldn’t come back here and play in the future, but what the future holds, we have no idea.”

Woods’ age he turns 50 in December — must be a factor in his ability to recover and return from injury after injury surgery after surgery He’s done it before to everyone’s surprise, but at his age it’s not quite as feasible as it once was to do something like win with a fractured leg in the 2008 U.S. Open at age 32. The sports world wishes the best for Woods, but one is beginning to wonder whether best wishes will be enough.

And that’s no joke.

LSU golfer taking different mindset into 2nd Augusta event

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

LSU women’s golfer Rocio Tejedo has quite the Augusta National story to tell, if not exactly the one she would like to be her defining chapter there. Playing in the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, the Spanish golfer didn’t make the 36-hole cut to play the tournament’s final round at the home of the Masters tournament. But every player in the field did get to play a practice round at the famous club the day before the championship was decided. Tejedo got to play both the main

course and the nine-hole Par-3 course next door It was there she made a hole-in-one on the 140-yard sixth, the longest hole on the short course. Players who make a hole-in-one in the Masters or the ANWA get a crystal bowl to commemorate the moment. Did Tejedo get anything special?

“No, just a picture,” she said with a wry smile. Tejedo is back at Augusta this year, taking a break from an impressive freshman season at LSU to compete for what in six short years has become perhaps the biggest tournament in women’s amateur golf.

She said her attitude is not the same going into this year’s tournament.

“I went with a different mindset (last year) just to have fun and see how it works,” Tejedo said. “I thought it was a gift.

“Now my mindset has changed because it’s a very big event The best players are playing there. So you have to be prepared and playing very good and focused on your game.”

Tejedo, the world’s No. 30-ranked women’s amateur, has enjoyed an excellent start to her collegiate career Playing in all nine of LSU’s events, she leads the Tigers with a 71.52 stroke average and has five

top-five finishes, including a runner-up in February in Puerto Rico.

“Rocio has a brilliant mind,” LSU coach Garrett Runion said. “She sees angles and shots a lot differently While she speaks softly, she’s a very aggressive player and very competitive, which I like.”

Tejedo is the fifth LSU golfer to play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur since its inception in 2019 (the tournament was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic).

Former Tigers Ingrid Lindblad and Latanna Stone were both runners-up in the event in 2022 to Anna Davis. Lindblad played from 2021-24; Stone from 2022-24;

Rocio’s older sister, Carla, played in 2023; as did former LSU golfer Kendall Griffin. The 72-player field will contest two rounds at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, Georgia, near Augusta on Wednesday and Thursday The field then will be cut to the low 30 and ties for Saturday’s final round at Augusta National, with all the competitors allowed a Friday practice round. The tournament will be televised on Golf Channel from 12:30-

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Billy Horschel reacts after a putt during the first round of the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana in Avondale on April 25.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson gathers with teammates on the court before a game against the Orlando Magic earlier this year at the Smoothie King Center

Rod Walker

THE BEST THINGS WE ATE THIS WEEK

Savor the day with local favorites

The lamb burger

n J. Alexander’s Restaurant, 6457 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge

If you find yourself at J. Alexander’s when the lamb burger is a special, get it. The burger, which I requested to be cooked at medium temperature, was mouthwatering and juicy with tzatziki, shredded lettuce and purple onions. I had never had a lamb burger before this, but I thought it proved to be more tender than a regular burger The dish also came with thin, crunchy shoestring fries and ketchup.

— Lauren Cheramie, features coordinator

Trivial pursuits

BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer

Lauren Cheramie

BON VIVANT

In the mood for a bit of midweek fun? Trivia can do the trick.

Here’s a list of 13 trivia nights hosted in the Baton Rouge area.

If you know of a trivia night that’s not listed, let us know by emailing margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

Curbside Burgers

n 4158 Government St.

Pull up to Curbside Burgers’ patio on Wednesday nights for beer, epic burgers and random trivia.

The winners of “Let’s Get Quizzical” receive $30, $20 and $10 gift cards for first, second and third place, respectively

Bonus prizes sometimes include beerware and tickets to Chelsea’s Live.

Trivia nights at the burger dome begin at 7 p.m.

Pelican to Mars n 2678 Government St.

The pet-friendly bar hosts “Let’s Get Quizzical” Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. Pelican to

Mars has “food trucks, pop-ups, a huge beer collection and vibes galore,” according to its website.

Burger Smith n 18303 Old Perkins Road

Not only does Burger Smith have authentic burgers, the joint also has trivia events every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Trivia themes like ’80s Night, “Stranger Things” and “Seinfeld” bring out the competitive sides of teams who play for the top three prizes: $30 gift cards, free burger and fries meals and gift cards to local shops like Bengals & Bandits.

PHOTO By PATRICK DENNIS

Patrons wait for the start of Trivia Night Tuesday at the popular establishment, Pelican to Mars, on Government Street.

Staff report

STAFF PHOTO By LAUREN CHERAMIE

The lamb burger special from J.Alexander’s in Baton Rouge

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Rayburn, from left,Ashley McDermott and Casey Parker react

Cemetery suffers from stolen items

Dear Heloise: Our street is next to a large cemetery, and I’ve gotten to know the grounds manager well.

He has said that theft of the cemetery vases is a big problem due to their value from the copper content He has caught people turning in large quantities of vases at the local metal reclamation company The best way to combat this is for reclamation companies to refuse to accept these vases, which can be difficult because of the potential money to be made. — Phil V., via email

our daughter and her family in another state. It’s our responsibility to take care of ourselves. It’s our goal to be good friends, parents and grandparents not users. — C.D., in Claremont, California

Unsubscribing

Visiting with friends, family

Dear Heloise. I just read the column about uninvited guests and the family letter that was sent out to discourage the same from happening again. I would think it highly rude, disrespectful and presumptive for people to simply show up and expect to be put up, fed, entertained, and/or think it acceptable to have a built-in babysitter!

We have close friends with a lakeside cabin in the Sierra mountains If we want to visit, we rent a condo or stay in a hotel, and we visit with our friends. We do the same thing when we want to see

Dear Heloise: I receive hundreds of emails each day that I have no interest in When I select unsubscribe, I’m taken to another screen to assure that this is what I want to do. It sounds simple, but one extra step for each email that is received could consume most of a person’s day Why can’t each email have an “unsubscribe” button in the body of the email, and once it’s been selected, it’s done? It doesn’t open another browser, and you no longer receive email from this source. And please don’t tell me that there is an app for this. — Steve W., in California Steve, this is an interesting point! How do my readers feel about this? Please let us know here at Heloise Central. — Heloise

Send a hint to heloise@ heloise.com.

TODAY IN HISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Wednesday April 2, the 92nd day of 2025. There are 273 days left in the year

Today in history: On April 2, 2005, John Paul II, the Polish pope born Karol Józef Wojtyła, died in his Vatican apartment at age 84. The first non-Italian pope in over 450 years, John Paul II became one of the most influential leaders of the late 20th and early 21st centuries while playing a crucial role in the fall of communism in Europe. Also on this date: In 1792, Congress passed the Coinage Act, which authorized establishment of the U.S. Mint.

In 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and most of his Cabinet fled the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, after Union troops broke through Confederate lines in the Third Battle of Petersburg.

In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war against Germany, saying, “The world must be made safe for democracy.” (Congress declared war four days later.)

In 1982, Argentine troops seized the disputed Falkland Islands from the United Kingdom, sparking

the Falklands War. In 1992, mob boss John Gotti was convicted in New York of murder and racketeering; he was later sentenced to life in prison without parole. (Gotti died in prison in 2002.) In 2007, in its first case on climate change, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency, ruled 5-4 that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases were air pollutants under the Clean Air Act In 2012, a gunman killed seven people at Oikos University, a Christian school in Oakland California. (The gunman, One Goh, died in 2019 while serving a life prison sentence.) In 2020, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide surpassed 1 million, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Today’s birthdays: Disc jockey Dr. Demento is 84. Actor Linda Hunt is 80. Musician Emmylou Harris is 78. Actor Christopher Meloni is 64. Tennis Hall of Famer Todd Woodbridge is 54. Actor Pedro Pascal is 50. Actor Adam Rodriguez is 50. Actor Michael Fassbender is 48. Country musician Chris Janson is 39. Actor Jesse Plemons is 37. Rapper Quavo is 34. Country musician Zach Bryan is 29.

Catch of the day

n Roberto’s River Road Restaurant, 1985 La. 75, Sunshine

Tucked away in a nearly 200-year-old building on River Road in the Iberville Parish town of Sunshine, located next to St. Gabriel, is Roberto’s River Road Restaurant. Open for lunch and dinner during the week, and only dinner on Saturdays, this spot is well-known among those who live and work in the area.

It’s also a relaxing evening drive if you live north of the area.

On this night, the stuffed catch of the day caught my eye. The fresh catch was striped bass stuffed with a seafood dressing, baked, and then lightly covered with a beurre blanc sauce. It was served over creamy mashed potatoes and tender yet crisp green beans. The fish was light, and the stuffing wasn’t too dense and somehow matched the joyous atmosphere of the restaurant.

— Jennifer Brown, senior editor

TRIVIA

Continued from page 1D

Midtap BR

n 660 Arlington Creek Centre Blvd.

On Monday nights, Midtap hosts trivia and all-day happy hour specials of cocktails and food specials (like $5 fried pickles). Trivia themes vary weekly, including movie night and “A Trivial Rhapsody.”

Winners receive Midtap merchandise and draft beer

The fun starts at 7:30 p.m. at Midtap.

Agile Brewing n 14141 Airline Highway

Agile Brewing hosts Thursday trivia nights at 6 p.m.

The top three “Let’s Get Quizzical” winners receive free pints and beer flights.

Red Stick Social

n 1503 Government St.

Swing by Red Stick Social on Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. for friendly fun, live

BON VIVANT

Continued from page 1D

made with St. Bruno bread, hot and sweet peppers, shredded lettuce, labneh and caper tartar sauce.

Markets, festivals and more

Strawberry Jam: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Red Stick Farmers Market, 501 Main

St., Baton Rouge

Join the Red Stick Farmers Market for its annual Strawberry Jam. The event will feature strawberrythemed events, live music, a cooking demonstration, kids’ activities and more.

Zippity Zoo Fest: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

At Roberto’s River Road Restaurant, the stuffed fish is the catch of the day, stuffed with a seafood dressing, baked and finished with beurre blanc and served over mashed potatoes with the vegetable of the day, green beans.

Pastries

n Lucia Bakehouse, 601 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette

On a recent weekday morning, a local bakery shared a post on social media that caught my attention immediately Lucia, a bakery specializing in croissants and high-end, Viennese-style pastries, had not sold out that morning

music and — let’s not forget trivia.

The winning team receives a $50 gift card.

Cypress Coast Brewing n 5643 Government St.

Cypress Coast Brewing is a new addition to the city’s trivia fun. On Thursdays at 6 p.m., participants have the chance to win gift cards.

The number of players affects the amount of money given out. So, the bigger the crowd, the bigger the pot.

The Smiling Dog n 4215 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.

Sign up at The Smiling Dog by 7 p.m. to join the food pub’s Monday trivia nights that include pro-wrestling themes and more.

First-place winners receive $50. Second-place winners receive $20. And for third place? A round of shots.

Tiger Tavern Daiquiris n 14505 La. 44 Trivia at the Tiger Tavern

at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo, 13350 La. 19, Baker It’s the zoo’s 55th birthday! Celebrate at the annual spring festival, Zippity Zoo Fest, with a children’s village, education stations, a food court and animal encounters.

In the know

Easter Bunny at the Rowe: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Perkins Rowe, 10001 Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge California Pizza Kitchen is getting a special visit from the Easter Bunny

Guests can enjoy breakfast with the bunny from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a menu that includes a breakfast chicken burrito pizza, California sunrise

due to a road accident at the bakery’s entrance.

Now that the road had been cleared, I jumped in my car to snag some of the treats that typically sell out before I’m ready to make the 20-minute trek across town.

Greeted with a display case full of tender croissants, inventive pastries

starts at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. The winners of “Let’s Get Quizzical” will receive bar tabs: $40, $25 and $15 for first, second and third place, respectively

Overpass Merchant n 2904 Perkins Road Good food. Good drinks. Good trivia.

A visit to the Overpass Merchant at 6 p.m. may spice up your Monday nights with an array of themes like “Back to the 2000s” and “Drink Drank Drunk Trivia.”

The winners of “Let’s Get Quizzical” will receive rewards like $25, $15 and a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer

The Bulldog n 4385 Perkins Road

With over 81 beers on tap and a large, expansive patio, The Bulldog is a great place to visit after work or to play trivia on Thursday nights beginning at 7 p.m. The dog-friendly bar

and deluxe treats like a White Chocolate Pistachio Maritozzo (brioche buns stuffed with cream), I opted for two I had never tried before: a lemon-blueberry Danish and a sourdough focaccia bread with squash and savory, melt-in-yourmouth bits of toasted cheese. Each was as delicious as it looked and showed off Lucia’s attention to detail in the balance of flavors, texture and bold toppings that adorn this shop’s pastries. They open at 8 a.m. from Wednesday to Saturday, so don’t be like me — plan ahead of time to get there early

Joanna Brown, staff writer

opens daily at 11:30 a.m. Rally Cap Brewing Co. n 11212 Pennywood Ave

Nothing brings the community together like craft beer and trivia night every Tuesday at Rally Cap Brewing Company — the next trivia topics include baseball, movies and the basin. Visit the brewery for a chance to win bar tab prizes: $50, $25 and $15 for first, second and third place, respectively

Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs n 411 Ben Hur Road, Suite A. Cheba Hut has signature sub sandwiches, spiked Kool-Aid and trivia nights on Tuesdays. Sign up at 6:30 p.m. to play, but the real fun begins at 7 p.m. A variety of prizes, such as gift cards, sunglasses, beer koozies and a bottle of Don Julio, are given to the winners.

Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

Wine and spirits

pizza or chicken and bacon breakfast pizza. Selfies with the bunny will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tickets for breakfast are $15 per person, available by calling (225) 766-3840. Reservations are required. Future Flavors: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at Ruffino’s Restaurant, 18811 Highland Road, Baton Rouge The Louisiana Restaurant Association will host French Settlement High School ProStart students for lunch at Ruffino’s under the mentorship of chef Patrick Trahan. The students will prepare and serve a three-course meal. Tickets are $45, available for purchase at members.lra.org.

Botanical Cocktails: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Martin’s, 6463 Moss Side Lane, Baton Rouge Celebrate spring with a cocktail demonstration of unique gins and liqueurs that feature floral and herbal components. The cocktail lineup includes The Atty Cocktail, Limoncello Gin Thyme, The French Blonde and Elderflower 75. Tickets are $40 per person, available for purchase at martinwine.com.

If you have an upcoming food event or a kitchen question, email lauren. cheramie@theadvocate. com. Cheers!

STAFF PHOTO By JENNIFER BROWN

STAFF PHOTO By JOANNA BROWN A lemon blueberry Danish and squash focaccia bread from Lucia Bakehouse in Lafayette

Hints from Heloise

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Set yourself up for success. Take charge, be part of the team and remain focused on your objective. Ask like-minded people to join you in physical and mental activities.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Take care of personal paperwork, expiration dates and investments. How you handle your affairs will affect your lifestyle. Adopt change and turn it into something that benefits you.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) An inquisitive approach will help you make better choices. Be wary of inflated or misleading claims. Trust verified information that fits into your lifestyle and plans.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Concentrate on your finances, reputation and meaningful relationships. Refuse to let temptation lead to excessive behavior. Trust what you see, not what you hear.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Let your creativity flow, and you'll develop a plan that attracts attention Emotional issues are best dealt with swiftly to avoid unnecessary anxiety and an inflated self-assessment.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Lend a helping hand, but don't let anyone take advantage of your kindness and consideration. Suggest alternatives and encouragement, but don't take the lead. Moderation and an empathetic attitude are your best choices.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Get firsthand information. Engage with your community and the issues that concern you. Your input can make a difference

that influences your life, environment and safety.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Set a budget, cap your spending and be cognizant of expenses that can set you back. Look for new outlets for your skills, experience and knowledge.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Focus on being creative and rearranging your living space to better suit your needs. Say no to temptation and excessive behavior. Examine what and who matters most to you.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Pay attention to detail. Joint ventures can be beneficial if solid agreements and designated plans are in place. Put time aside for someone you love or want to spend more time with.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Take time to reorganize your space. The more efficient you are, the easier it will be to get things done. Let your imagination explore new ventures that can help you bring in extra cash. Be a leader, not a follower.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Be moderate, stick to a budget and surround yourself with those offering support instead of temptation. A social event catered toward sports, the arts or cultural events will be entertaining and enlightening.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

FAMILY CIrCUS

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

toDAy's cLuE: Z EQuALs P

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

FrAnK And erneSt

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon

dooneSbUrY

bIG nAte

Sudoku

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

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

nea CroSSwordS La TimeS CroSSword

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS CurTiS

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

From “Romeo and Juliet,” we all know the line: “that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

At the bridge table, sometimes it pays totaketimetosmellthehigh-cardpoints, which by any other name would be as important.

How does that apply in today’s deal?

South is in four spades. West leads the heart 10 to declarer’s ace. How should South continue?

West applied the Law of Total Tricks for his jump to four hearts. In a competitive auction (or when you are confident your side does not have the high-card values for game), bid as high as your side’scombinednumberoftrumps.West knewabouta10-cardfit,sojumpedtothe 10-trick level.

South saw four potential losers: one spade, two diamonds and one club. It looked as though he needed the spade finesse to work. But since there were only 17 high-card points missing, declarer took time to learn who held the club ace. At trick two, he led his club king.

Westwonwithhisaceandshiftedtothe diamond nine, but now South won with hisaceandledthespadequeen,tempting West to cover if he unexpectedly had the king. However, after West played low, declarer called for dummy’s ace to drop

East’sking.IfEasthadnotheldthespade king, he would have opened with only 10 high-card points, which was highly unlikely. Whentheopponentshavebeenbidding, always check the high-card points when the dummy comes down. It will make it easier to place the missing key 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 answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four

toDAy’s

Average

Can

that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C. PiCKles

The

WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH COUNCIL

MEETING GOVERNMENT BUILDING 880 North Alexander Avenue, Port Allen Thursday,March 13, 2025 5:30 PM

The Following Minutes AreSummarized For Brevity,For Precise Meeting Information Please Refer To Meeting Audio Or Video

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER &REQUEST ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES BE SILENCED

ARegular Meeting of the West Baton Rouge Parish Council was held on Thursday,March 13, 2025 and called to order at 05:41 PM. Council Chairman Carey Denstel asked that all electronic devices be placed on silent.

2. OPENING PRAYER

Councilman Atley Walker Jr.asked for amoment of silence in memory of Mr.Michael Joseph, brother of Councilman Gary Joseph, who recently passed away,and led everyone in an opening prayer

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chairman Denstel recognized Mr.Phillip Bourgoyne, who led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. LOG ATTENDANCE

The following members wererecorded as being present: Messrs. Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Gary Joseph, and Mrs. Katherine Andre.

Also present were, Mr.Jason Manola, Parish President, Mr.Phillip Bourgoyne, Executive Assistant, Mr.Chance Stephens, Director of Finance, Mr.Brandon Bourgoyne, Director of Public Works, Ms. Kristen Canezaro, Special Legal Counsel, and Mrs. Michelle Tullier,Council Clerk

5. MINUTES APPROVAL

A. Approval of Minutes from the Regular Meeting of February27, 2025.

Amotion was made by Council Member Alan Crowe, seconded by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin to approve the Minutes from the Regular MeetingofFebruary 27, 2025.

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, KatherineAndre, Gary Joseph)

NAYS:0 (None) ABSENT:0 (None) ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

6. CONSIDER ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA Therewerenoitems to consider at this time.

7. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Parish President Jason Manola was recognized and covered the following items: Diamond new company out at Dow; March 26, 2025, Job Fair in Iberville; Early voting starts for the upcoming election with millage renewals for Library and Drainage.

8. PUBLIC COMMENTS Therewerenoitems to consider at this time.

9. COMMUNICATIONS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND/OR ELECTEDORAPPOINTED OFFICIALS

Mr.Phillip Bourgoyne, was recognized and gave abrief update on the roads and drainage crews recent activities.

10. PUBLIC HEARING ON PREVIOUSLYINTRODUCED ORDINANCES

A. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request Of Kacie Lynn Q. Parault. Regarding Property located at 4156 S. River Road Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-01: Described by the WBR Assessor as: LOT Q-1 CONT 1.52 AC IN SEC 2T8S R12E &SEC 77 T7S R12E 54-28. Rezoning 1.52 acres from AG-2 (Agricultural Moderate Scale) to R-M (Minor Subdivision Residential District), with waivers. The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item.

Mr.Brandon Bourgoyne was recognized and explained this rezoning request, noting this was an old family partition division which we no longer have in our code Therefore, it must be converted to aMinor Subdivision and meet those requirements. Mr.Bourgoyne went on to explain the waivers needed due to existing structures and noted that this item was recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission. No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the Public Hearing closed. Therewereafew questions for clarity on the waivers, which are 43.2ft to the house porch and 56.1 ft to the shed.

Amotion was made by Council Member Carey Denstel, seconded by Council Member Atley Walker to approve with waiver/s An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate AmendedZoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment OfDistricts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request Of Kacie Lynn Q. Parault. Regarding Property located at 4156 S. River Road Port Allen, La 70767. File #202501: Described by the WBR Assessor as: LOT Q-1CONT 1.52 AC IN SEC 2T8S R12E &SEC 77 T7S R12E 54-28. Rezoning 1.52 acres from AG-2 (Agricultural Moderate Scale) to R-M (Minor Subdivision Residential District), with waivers for 43.2 ft to house porch and 56.1 ft to shed.

The vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, KatherineAndre, Gary Joseph)

NAYS:0 (None) ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 7of2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

B. An Ordinance To Amend And Reenact PartIII (“Unified Development Code”), Chapter 101 (“General Provisions”), Section 101-1 (“Definitions”) Of The West Baton Rouge Parish Code Of Ordinances To Provide Clarification On Code Definitions.

The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item.

Mr.Bourgoyne was again recognized and explained this ordinance, noting it was recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission. No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the Public Hearing closed. Amotion was made by Council Member Alan Crowe, seconded by Council Member Brady Hotardtoapprove An Ordinance To Amend And Reenact Part III (“Unified Development Code”), Chapter 101 (“General Provisions”), Section 101-1 (“Definitions”) Of The West Baton Rouge Parish Code OfOrdinances To Provide Clarification On Code Definitions.

The vote was recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, KatherineAndre, Gary Joseph)

NAYS:0 (None)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None)

As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 8of2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

C. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning

werepresented.

No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the PublicHearing closed. Amotion was made by Council Member Carey Denstel,seconded by Council Member Kirk Allain to approve An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of Steve LeBlanc representing Raymond Blanchardand Randy Austin. Regarding Property located at 4535 RebelleLane and 780 Jules Lane. Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-03: Described by the WBR Assessor as: 4.28

AC &LOT 6(A)-2-A CONT 1.00

SR PROP 44B-44 &LOT 6(A)-2-

AC BEING P/O JULES REBELLE

PROP 44B- 44A. Rezoning from AG-1 (Agricultural Small Scale) and AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale) into AG-2 (Agricultural Moderate Scale). The vote was recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel,Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, GaryJoseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT: 0 ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 9of2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

D. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request Of SteveLeBlanc Representing TMI Enterprise, LLC. Regarding Property located at 5511 N. River Road, Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-04: Described by the WBR Assessor as: LOT CL-1-A CONT 7.263 AC &LOT A-13-B CONT 33.21 AC IN SEC 43 T6S R12E BEING P/O LORIO TRACT 50-93. Rezoning From R-SF-3 (Residential Single Family) to AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale). Master Plan Change The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item. Mr.Bourgoyne was again recognized and explained this was a exchange of property between two neighboring lots, and, due to the differences in acreage, arezoning is needed. Mr.Bourgoyne noted the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended this item for approval. No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the Public Hearing closed. Amotion was made by Council Member Kenneth Gordon, seconded by Council Member Alan Crowe to approve An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map(Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of Steve LeBlanc Representing TMI Enterprise, LLC. Regarding Property located at 5511 N. River Road, Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-04: Described by the WBR Assessor as: LOT CL-1-A CONT 7.263 AC &LOT A-13-B CONT 33.21 AC IN SEC 43 T6S R12E BEING P/O LORIO TRACT 50-93. Rezoning From R-SF-3 (Residential SingleFamily) to AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale). Master Plan Change.

The vote was recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph)

NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT: 0(None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 10 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes. E. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map, And Section 111-78 (Special, Conditional Use Requirements And Procedures) For Rezoning Request Of LJA Rail. Regarding Property Located At 1100 River West Park Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-05: Described by the WBR Assessor as: PORTION OFTRACT D-1-A-1 CONT 118.124 AC TRACT D-1-B-1 CONT 192.682 AC TRACT GCONT 0.303 AC TRACT HCONT 2.389 AC REMAINDER OF OURSO TRACT CONT 89.109 AC UNION PACIFIC TRACT CONT 19.642 AC IN SEC 59 T7S R12E P/O POPLAR GROVE PLTN 51-52. Rezoning to I-3 with aSpecial Use Permit for Utilities, Major Services. The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item. Mr.Bourgoyne was again recognized and explained this was for Air Liquide to install arailroad track. Mr. Bourgoyne noted the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended this item for approval. No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the PublicHearing closed. Mr.Barry Wilkinson was recognized with afew questions regarding the zoning. Therewereafew questions by the Council for clarity on what the Special Use was for and exactly wherethe tracks wouldbe. Amotion was made by Council Member Alan Crowe, seconded by Council Member Kirk Allain to approve An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map(Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map, And Section 111-78 (Special, Conditional Use Requirements And Procedures) For Rezoning Request Of LJA Rail. Regarding Property Located At 1100 River West Park Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-05: Described by the WBR Assessor as: PORTION OF TRACT D-1-A-1 CONT 118.124 AC TRACT D-1-B-1 CONT 192.682 AC TRACTG CONT 0.303 AC TRACT HCONT 2.389 AC REMAINDER OF OURSO TRACT CONT 89.109 AC UNION PACIFIC TRACT CONT 19.642 AC IN SEC 59 T7S R12E P/O POPLAR GROVE PLTN 51-52. Rezoning to I-3 with aSpecial Use Permit for Rail Road Utilities on the track proposed.

The vote was recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT: 0(None) ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 11 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

F. An Ordinance of The West Baton Rouge Parish Council Adopting the 2024 Year End Budget Adjustments to an Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024. The Chairman opened apublic hearing for the purpose of receiving comment regarding the aforementioned item. Mr. Chance Stephens was recognized and explained the reasons for the proposed year-end adjustments. No public comments for or against said ordinance werepresented. No written protests opposing the ordinance werereceived. The Council Chairman at this point declared the Public Hearing closed. Amotion was made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin to approve An Ordinance of The West Baton Rouge Parish Council Adopting the 2024 Year End Budget Adjustments to an Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024. The vote was recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT: 0(None) ABSTAIN: 0(None)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed. Ordinance 14 of 2025 can be found at the end of these minutes.

11. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES Therewerenoitems to consider at this time.

12. CONSIDER STATUS REPORT, CHANGE ORDER AND/OR OTHER MATTERS AS REQUIRED ON CURRENT PROJECTS

A. Consider the following items as surplus: Tag#2420 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 Vin# ending in CG239465Two pallets of IT Hardware(Itemized list attached)

Mr.Stephens was again recognized and explained the items that were proposed for surplus.

Amotion was made by Council Member Kirk Allain, seconded by Council Member Brady Hotardtoapprove the following items as surplus: Tag#2420 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 Vin# ending in CG239465Two pallets of IT Hardware(Itemized list attached).

The vote was recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph) NAYS: 0(None) ABSENT:0 (None) ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

13. RESOLUTIONS

Therewerenoitems to consider at this time.

14. CONSIDER SUBDIVISION PLATS, CONDEMNATIONS, WAIVERS AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO A. File #2024-16: FINAL PLATSHOWING THE SURVEY AND SUBDIVISION OF TRACT BINTO LOT B-1, B-2, AND LOT B-3 LOCATED IN SECTION 8, T7S-R11E SOUTHEASTERN LAND DISTRICT,WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LA FOR FDNC PROPERTIES LLC 225 SHIP DR BATON ROUGE LA 70806 ~WITH FIRE HYDRANT WAIVER. (deferred from February 27th meeting) Mr., Bourgoyne wasrecognized and explained this request and offered to answer any questions. Chairman Denstel explained the reasons that this item wastabled from the last meeting and further noted that Superintendent Browning after getting more information did not agree with granting the requested waiver Therewerenofurther comments or questions.

Amotion was made by Council Member Katherine Andre, seconded by Council Member Daryl “Turf” Babin to approve with no waiver for fire hydrant File #2024-16: FINAL PLAT SHOWING THE SURVEY AND SUBDIVISION OF TRACT B INTO LOT B-1, B-2, AND LOT B-3 LOCATED IN SECTION 8, T7S-R11E SOUTHEASTERN LAND DISTRICT,WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LA FOR FDNC PROPERTIES LLC 225 SHIP DR BATON ROUGE LA 70806 The vote wasrecorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker, Brady Hotard,Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, Katherine Andre, Gary Joseph)

NAYS: 0(None)

ABSENT:0 (None) ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes,

70767. Applying for aClass ALiquorLicense (existing owner failed to renew in time).

Mrs. Tullier noted the aforementioned alcohol establishment has met all of the requirements of Chapter 6Alcoholic Beverages of the Compiled Ordinances of the Parish OfWest Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Amotion was made by Council Member Brady Hotard, seconded by Council Member Kenneth Gordon to approve Chicken Wing Mikes LLC. dba Don’sDaiquiri located at 4447 Hwy 1South, Suite 3&4Port Allen, La 70767. Applying for aClass ALiquor License.

The vote was recorded as follows: YEAS: 9(Kirk Allain, Daryl “Turf” Babin, Atley Walker,Brady Hotard, Kenneth Gordon, Carey Denstel, Alan Crowe, KatherineAndre, Gary Joseph)

NAYS:0 (None)

ABSENT:0 (None)

ABSTAIN: 0(None) As aresult of the votes, the motion Passed.

16. CORRESPONDENCE REPORT

Correspondence Report from Council Clerk, Mrs. Michelle Tullier

included the following items:

•Council to sign up for Legislative Day May 7, 2025

•Planning &Zoning Meeting Wednesday,March 18, 2025 at 5:30pm; •Council Meeting Thursday,March 27, 2025 at 5:30pm.

17. ADJOURN

Therebeing no further business, amotion to adjournwas made by Council Member Brady Hotardand was adopted by acclamation at 06:28 PM.

ALL MEETING INFORMATIONINCLUDING MINUTES AND VIDEOS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE WBRPARISH.ORG UNDER THE AGENDA AND MINUTES TAB.

ORDINANCE 7of2025

As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At the Meeting of February 13, 2025 And Adopted on March 13, 2025

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request Of Kacie Lynn Q. Parault, Rezoning From AG-2 (Agricultural Moderate Scale) to R-M (Minor Subdivision Residential District) with waivers.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council in legal session that Chapter 104 Zoning, Sec. 104-3Establishment of Districts, Official Zoning Map of the Compiled Ordinances of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana is amended and re-enacted to read as follows:

Sec.104-3. Establishment OfDistricts, Official Zoning Map For Rezoning Request Of Kacie Lynn Q. Parault. Regarding Property located at 4156 S. River Road Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-01: Described by the WBR Assessor as: LOT Q-1 CONT 1.52 AC IN SEC 2T8S R12E &SEC 77 T7S R12E 54-28. Rezoning 1.52 acres from AG-2(Agricultural Moderate Scale) to R-M (Minor Subdivision Residential District), with waivers for front setback of existing house and shed.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council that this Ordinance shall also serve as aMaster Plan Change. THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council that this ordinance shall become effective pursuant to Section 2-12 (C) of the Home Rule Charter

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, that all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealed in their entirety NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, or applications of this ordinance arehereby declared severable.

THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CAREY DENSTEL, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ATLEY WALKER. THE ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED TO AVOTE AND RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING:

YEAS: 9(MRS. ANDRE, MESSRS. ALLAIN, BABIN, WALKER, DENSTEL, CROWE, HOTARD, GORDON, JOSEPH)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance was declared adopted on the 13th Day of March, 2025.

ATTEST:

ORDINANCE 8OF2025

As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At The Regular Meeting of February 13, 2025 And Adopted on March 13, 2025

An Ordinance To Amend And Reenact Part III (“Unified Development Code”),Chapter 101 (“General Provisions”), Section 101-1 (“Definitions”) Of The West Baton Rouge Parish Code Of Ordinances To Provide ClarificationOnCode Definitions

WHEREAS the Unified Development Code (“Part III”) of the West Baton Rouge Parish Government contains regulations for the types of uses permitted for variously zoned properties AND WHEREAS said requirements have been reasonably successful in balancing the development rights of neighbors AND WHEREAS said requirements have been authorized by the Louisiana Revised Statutes and by the West Baton Rouge Parish HomeRule Charter AND

WHEREAS said requirements areexercised with the intention of protecting the health, safety and welfareofthe Parish’scitizens and businesses THEREFORE

BE IT ORDAINED BY THIS COUNCIL that Part III (“Unified Development Code”), Chapter 101 (“General Provisions”), Section 101-1(“Definitions”) of the West Baton Rouge Parish Code of Ordinances be amended and readopted to read as follows(NOTE:underlined words areadditions and strikethrough words aredeletions. Three asterisks -* -indicate sections of the code skipped for brevity of this ordinance. Such sections are to be retained by the code editors.): PART III –UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE

101

PROVISIONS Section 101-1. Definitions

Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that this ordinance shall become effective pursuant to Section 2-12 (C) of the Home Rule Charter NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council that all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealed in their entirety NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or application of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications of thisordinance arehereby declared severable.

THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALAN CROWE, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRADY HOTARD. THE ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED TO AVOTE AND RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING:

YEAS: 9(MRS. ANDRE, MESSRS. ALLAIN, BABIN, WALKER, DENSTEL, CROWE, HOTARD, GORDON, JOSEPH)

NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance was declared adopted on the 13th Day of March, 2025.

ORDINANCE 9OF2025

As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At the Meeting of February 13, 2025 And Adopted on March 13, 2025

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of Steve LeBlanc. representing Raymond Blanchardand Randy Austin. Rezoning From AG-1 (Agricultural Small Scale) and AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale) into AG-2 (Agricultural Moderate Scale).

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council in legal session that Chapter 104 Zoning, Sec. 104-3 Establishment of Districts, Official Zoning Map of the Compiled Ordinances of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana is amended and re-enacted to read as follows: Sec.104-3. Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of Steve LeBlanc, representing Raymond Blanchardand Randy Austin. Regarding Property located at 4535 Rebelle Lane and 760 Jules Lane. Port Allen, La 70767. File #2025-03: Described by the WBR Assessor as: 4.28 AC SEC 17 T7S R12E DESIG LOT 6(A)-2-B

AC &LOT 6(A)-2-A CONT 1.00

44B-44 &LOT 6(A)-2-C

JULES REBELLE SR PROP 44B-44A. Rezoning from AG-1 (Agricultural Small Scale) and AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale) into AG-2 (Agricultural Moderate Scale).

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council that this ordinance shall become effective pursuant to Section 2-12 (C) of the Home Rule Charter

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council, that all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealed in their entirety

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalidprovisions, items, or applications of this ordinance arehereby declared severable.

THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CAREY DENSTEL, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KIRK ALLAIN. THE ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED TO AVOTE AND RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING:

YEAS: 9(MRS. ANDRE, MESSRS. ALLAIN, BABIN, WALKER, DENSTEL, CROWE, HOTARD,GORDON, JOSEPH) NAYS: 0(NONE)

ABSENT:0 (NONE)

ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance was declared adopted on the 13th Day of March, 2025.

ATTEST:

ORDINANCE 10 OF 2025

As Introduced by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council At the Meeting of February 13, 2025 And Adopted on March 13, 2025 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 104 Zoning To Incorporate Amended Zoning Designation Map (Zoning Plan) Under Section 104-3 Establishment Of Districts, Official Zoning MapFor Rezoning Request Of Steve LeBlanc Representing TMI Enterprise, LLC. Rezoning From R-SF-3 (Residential SingleFamily) to AG-3 (Agricultural Large Scale).

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council in legal session that Chapter 104 Zoning, Sec. 104-3 Establishment of Districts, Official Zoning Map of

NAYS:0 (NONE) ABSENT:0 (NONE) ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance wasdeclared adopted on the 13th Day of March,2025.

ATTEST:

ORDINANCE 11 OF 2025 As Introduced by the West

ordinance arehereby declared severable. THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER HAVING BEEN SUBMITTED TO APUBLIC HEARING WASCONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER _ALAN CROWE_, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER _KIRK ALLAIN_. THE ORDINANCE WAS SUBMITTED TO AVOTE AND RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING:

YEAS:9 (MRS. ANDRE, MESSRS. ALLAIN, BABIN, WALKER, DENSTEL, CROWE, HOTARD, GORDON, JOSEPH) NAYS:0 (NONE) ABSENT:0 (NONE) ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance wasdeclared adopted on the 13th Day of March, 2025.

ATTEST:

of Revenues and Expendituresfor the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in Regular Session convened that:

SECTION 1: The attached detailed 2024

SECTION

that this ordinance shall become effective pursuant to Section 2-12 (C) of the Home Rule Charter NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the West Baton Rouge Parish Council that all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith arehereby repealed in their entirety

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Parish Council of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that if any provision or item of this ordinance or the application thereofisheld invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or application of this ordinance whichcan be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications of this ordinance arehereby declared severable.

THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE AFTER PUBLIC HEARING WAS CONSIDERED, AND UPON MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER KIRK ALLAIN_, WHICH WASSECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER _DARYL “TURF” BABIN, AND AVOTE BEING TAKEN, THE FOLLOWING RESULTWAS HAD: YEAS:9 (MRS. ANDRE, MESSRS. ALLAIN, BABIN, WALKER, DENSTEL, CROWE, HOTARD, GORDON, JOSEPH) NAYS:0 (NONE) ABSENT:0 (NONE) ABSTAIN: 0(NONE)

WHEREUPON the ordinance wasdeclared adopted on the 13th Day of March, 2025.

ATTEST:

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Dan Gill is a retired consumer horticulture specialist with the LSU AgCenter. He hosts the “Garden Show” on WWL-AM Saturdays at 9 a.m. Email gardening questions to gnogardening@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Spring Green

Spring is an important time when it comes to lawn care. We first apply fertilizer to our lawns in late March through early April. Fertilizer provides the mineral nutrients your lawn needs to grow vigorously and have a rich, green color. A vigorous lawn is thicker and more resistant to weeds and foot traffic.

You may use any lawn fertilizer following package directions Look at the fertilizer analysis (a series of three numbers on the label). The first number, which represents the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer, should be higher than the other two

Be sure you apply the fertilizer, at the recommended rates, using a spreader to ensure even greening. Make a second fertilizer application in July.

If cool-season weeds are an issue, you may apply a weed and feed product (fertilizer/weed killer combination) to fertilize the grass and control the weeds in one step

After having the winter off, we are starting to mow again. Even before the grass starts growing, you may need to mow occasionally to cut down cool-season weeds. Mowing them suppresses their grow and helps prevent flowering and seed formation –reducing weeds next cool-season.

When it comes to mowing, sharp blades are important to making clean cuts and keeping the grass attractive and healthy. Sharpen your mower blades or have them sharpened.

A common mistake is not mowing frequently enough. Grass can grow rapidly in summer, especially if we get lots of rain or lawns are regularly irrigated. It is unhealthy to allow the grass to grow tall and then mow it back short

As a rule of thumb, you should not cut more that one-third the

length of the grass blades when you mow. The smaller clipping will sift down into the grass and decay, so you don’t necessarily have to bag grass clippings if you mow frequently enough.

Also, make sure your mower is adjusted to mow at the right height. St. Augustine is mowed at 2 to 3 inches, centipede and zoysia are mowed at 1 to 2 inches and bermuda at 1 to 11/2 inches

As the grass greens up in spring, you may notice you have damage to your lawn, such as areas of dead grass or bare patches This may be due to insect or disease problems last summer or loss over the winter.

April and May are good months to assess and repair this damage if needed. With fertilization and good care, surrounding grass may grow over and fill in small areas of damage. If the areas are wider than a foot or two, repair is recommended by laying sod in the damaged areas

If there are large areas of dead grass, remove the dead grass before laying the sod. If areas are bare, the soil has likely become compacted. Loosen it up with a shovel or garden fork, rake it smooth and then lay the sod. Late April and May are a good time to lay sod to repair damage, although it can be done all summer through October

Gill’syear-roundguidetoabeautifullawn

Turf War

Weeds make the lawn look bad and can crowd out and damage desirable turf grass. Lawn weeds are divided into cool-season weeds that grow in our lawns from October through May They disappear once it gets hot, and warm-season weeds grow in our lawns from April to November

Currently, most of the weeds you see in your lawn are cool-season weeds. Some of the leading cool-season weeds include dollarweed, clover, annual bluegrass, burweed/sticker weed and chickweed.

Dollarweed is a perennial weed and the most destructive of the cool-season weeds. It can crowd out areas of lawn grass, so control is recommended. Clover is also a perennial. Dollarweed and clover can be tough to control, but Atrazine and MSM Turf (metsulfuron) will do an excellent job taking out these weeds

The rest of the cool-season weeds are annuals. If you mow them back occasionally to suppress growth and seed production, they will die off once it gets hot. But if you decide you want to control them, any lawn weed killer should do a good job

Applying a weed killer would be especially important if you have had a problem with sticker weed in your lawn. The stickers are formed when the weeds, which have been growing in the lawn all winter, bloom and form spiny seed pods in spring. You must control sticker weed before the spiny seed pods form.

This may be done by applying a preemergence lawn weed killer in October. This kills the germinating sticker weed seeds (and most other cool-season weeds) preventing them from showing up. You can also control sticker weed by applying a lawn weed killer in January, February or March. If you have had sticker weed problems in the past, you should treat immediately at this point and, hopefully, kill them before the spiny seed pods form. Warm-season weeds begin growing in spring infesting the lawn all summer into the fall. They include Virginia buttonweed, lespedeza, spurge, sedges (like nutsedge and kyllinga) and grassy weeds like bahiagrass. A common mistake in controlling these weeds is not applying a weed killer early in the season. Many gardeners wait until late summer when the weeds become very noticeable and have invaded large areas of the lawn before decid-

ing to so something.

These weeds begin to grow in spring and are present in the lawn through the summer. It is far more effective to treat for these weeds in May or June when they are younger and have not caused major issues in the lawn.

Virginia buttonweed is the leading weed in summer lawns

You should not wait to treat until late summer when it becomes very noticeable. Even though not as visible in early summer, it is there. This perennial weed is tough to control, but weed killers work better on younger plants

If you had a problem with Virginia buttonweed last summer, apply a lawn weed killer in April or May. Metsulfuron (MSM Turf ) is one of the more effective lawn weed killers for Virginia buttonweed control (as well as the other common summer lawn weeds). Then, monitor your lawn carefully through the summer looking for small areas of Virginia button weed. If needed, make additional herbicide applications in summer

We must be careful what lawn herbicides we apply to our lawns in summer. High temperatures above 90 degrees make it more likely that many common lawn weed killers we use in spring when temperatures are cooler may damage the grass.

Two lawn weed killers may be used during summer despite the heat – MSM Turf and Celsius. You may use these through the summer, and they will effectively control a wide variety of summer weeds. Metsulfuron will also control bahiagrass.

Most lawn weed killers do not effectively control sedges like nutsedge or kyllinga. When they are an issue, use halosulfuron (Sedgehammer) or imazaquin (Image Kills Nutsedge).

Remember that proper lawn care, including fertilization, mowing, pest control and irrigation, will make your lawn thicker, healthier and more resistant to weeds

DanGill’syear-roundguidetoabeautifullawn

PetalP wer

People enjoy colorful landscapes, and that color can be provided a variety of ways. People often first think of beds of colorful bedding plants, and they do provide a powerful punch of color whether planted in beds or large containers. But they must be replanted seasonally. Color can also be provided by perennial plants and summer flowering bulbs. These plants live for many years and don’t have to be replanted each year like bedding plants.

And don’t forget that trees and shrubs can also contribute color to the landscape during their blooming seasons

Visit any nursery now and you will be overwhelmed by blooming bedding plants. They come in a wide variety of colors and heights, and there are sun-loving and shade-loving types for every situation except dense shade.

Bedding plants are divided into two categories – cool-season bedding plants (grown from October to May) and warm-season bedding plants (grown from March to November).

What you may see blooming so beautifully in flower beds now are cool-season bedding plants, like pansy, dianthus, viola and snapdragon. They are often planted in fall, and they bloom through the winter with a big display in late March, April and early May

You may still get your money’s worth planting them as late as February. But, despite how wonderful they look in April, they will fade as daytime highs start hitting the 90s next month and are not your best choice for planting now

If you currently have beds of cool-season bedding plants blooming beautifully, enjoy them – there is no hurry to replace them. As the weather gets hotter and they begin to go downhill in late May, you can replace them then.

Select and plant warm-season bedding plants in your flower beds now. The nurseries are full of a wonderful selection.

Some warm-season bedding plants, such as coleus, impatiens, periwinkles, blue daze, pentas and begonias, are actually tender

perennials rather than true annuals. They can bloom for more than one year here if mild winters occur. But these plants are generally grown as summer annuals because they do not reliably survive winter freezes.

The advantage of planting these tender perennials is that they have more stamina than true annuals. They have excellent longevity in the summer flower garden, often blooming from late spring until cold weather arrives in fall. True annuals rarely make it all the way through our exceptionally long summer growing season.

Choose bedding plants well suited to the light conditions provided by the location where they will be planted. While many need full sun (at least eight hours of direct sun) to part sun (about six hours of direct sun), there are also those that thrive in part shade (about four hours of direct morning sun) or shade (about two hours of direct morning sun or dappled light).

Flower beds are not low maintenance, and you should keep in mind the care that they will need through the long, hot summer when deciding where, how large and how many beds you will plant. Mulch will reduce problems with weeds, but regular weeding will still be necessary. Regular watering, pest control and grooming (removing dead flowers and unattractive leaves) will keep them looking their best. In containers, hanging baskets and window boxes annuals need regular watering and fertilization

DanGill’syear-roundguidetoabeautifullawn

What Plant to

Warm-season bedding plants for sun to part sun

Ageratum, amaranthus, angelonia*, balsam, blue daze*, celosia, cleome (particularly Senorita Rosalita) , coleus (sun-tolerant types)*, coreopsis, cosmos (yellow gold and orange flowered types), dusty miller*, gaillardia (short-lived perennial), gomphrena, lantana*, marigold, melampodium, narrow-leaf zinnia, ornamental pepper*, periwinkle*, pentas*, portulaca, purslane*, rudbeckia (Goldsturm is a long-lived perennial), salvia*, scaevola*, sunflower, SunPatiens*, tithonia, perennial verbena (hardy perennial), zinnia (Profusion and Zahara perform best).

Warm-season bedding plants for part-shade to shade

Balsam, begonia*, browallia*, caladium* (perennial tuber), coleus*, impatiens*, pentas*, salvia*, torenia (Kauai series).

Tender perennials are marked with an asterisk *.

While bedding plants must be replaced seasonally, long lived hardy perennials and trees and shrubs can provide color with less effort – particularly when using flowering trees and shrubs

Hardy perennials and summer flowering bulbs

Plant rudbeckia, yarrow, hardy hibiscus, Louisiana iris, salvia, ligularia (Farfugium japonicum), jewels of Opar, Chinese ground orchid, phlox, native butterfly weed, gingers, lilies, coneflower, beebalm, Stokes aster and goldenrod.

Trees

Plant crape myrtle, vitex, redbud, fringe tree, Japanese magnolia, Taiwan flowering cherry, Parsley haw, mayhaw, Southern crabapple and snowbell.

Shrubs

Some good choices include azaleas, roses, loropetalum, star magnolia gardenia, camellia, sasanqua, star bush (Illicium) and spirea.

DanGill’syear-roundguidetoabeautifullawn

Branchingout

Asking a horticulturist to recommend a good shade tree is like walking into a shoe store and asking the salesperson to recommend a good pair of shoes. Without knowing your shoe size, what you will be doing in them, your taste, your budget and a variety of other factors, the salesperson won’t be able to help you select the right shoes

1 2 3 4 5

Choosing

Other characteristics that need to be determined before deciding the best tree for your landscape include:

Should the tree be evergreen or deciduous?

Should it grow more upright or is a spreading habit more desirable?

Are you interested in any special characteristics such as flowers or colorful fall foliage?

What about fragrance or the production of food for wildlife?

Are there nearby powerlines or concrete surfaces (sidewalk, driveway) that need to be considered? This will affect where the tree is planted and the mature size.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

DanGill’syear-roundguidetoabeautifullawn

Branchingout

Live oak (Quercus virginiana)

One of the most popular and reliable trees, the live oak is widely planted. Growing up to 60 feet tall with a spread 100 feet or more, make sure you have room for this tree. Live oaks often require extensive pruning through their lives to lift the canopy. Long-lived and one of our most hurricane resistant trees, live oaks are semi-evergreen.

More upright growing oaks that do not spread like the live oak are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in smaller urban and suburban yards. Consider the Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii), Nutall oak (Quercus nuttallii) and the willow oak (Quercus phellos). They all grow to be 60 to 80 feet tall with a spread of 40 feet and are deciduous

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

A popular large tree that is resilient and long-lived. The large, lustrous, dark green leaves are evergreen, although magnolias drop their old leaves in late spring so there is still raking to do. The large white flowers produced in summer are richly fragrant. Mature size is about 60 feet tall and 30 to 40 feet wide. Dwarf forms like Little Gem or Teddy Bear are suitable for smaller yards

Drummond Red Maple (Acer rubrum var. drummondii)

Native to swampy areas, Drummond red maples are also perfectly happy in average landscapes. Trees grow to be about 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide. They are relatively fast growing, and some years produce nice fall color

Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)

The upright, conical shape of bald cypresses make them a real standout in the landscape. Growing to be about 80 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide, they are deciduous and drop their needles in fall. Extremely hurricane resistant, they are best planted into well-drained yards to reduce the production of knees, which can be a nuisance in lawns

SMALLERTREES

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

A popular tree with a long summer flowering season, crape myrtles come in a variety of colors and sizes. In addition to selecting the color you want, do be aware of the wide variety of sizes of different varieties, ranging from 10 to 30 feet at maturity. These deciduous trees also often produce decent fall color

Japanese magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)

An early spring flowering tree that produces large, tulip-shaped flowers in shades of white to dark purple, these trees mature at about 25 feet tall and 10 feet wide. These trees are deciduous, and the flowers emerge before the leaves making the floral display especially striking.

Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus)

A small, summer flowering tree that produces spikes of lavender blue in June/July and again in late summer. Maturing at 15 feet tall and wide, this deciduous tree is tough and drought tolerant.

Eagleston Holly (Ilex x attenuata“Eagleston”)

This evergreen small tree is a natural hybrid of Dahoon holly and American holly, and is known for its dense, pyramidal growth habit glossy green leaves, and bright red berries. Growing about 15 to 25 feet tall with a spread of about 10 to 15 feet, it’s a good choice for privacy screens

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

A nice understory tree that will take some shade or grow in full sun, redbuds produce a profusion of tiny pinkish purple flowers in midspring. These deciduous native trees need excellent drainage and grow to be 15 to 20 feet tall and wide.

PaRish library

apRil6-12,2025

WhatdraWsyouto the Library?

Fromyoung families enjoying storytime,

to students sketchingin makerspaces, to

seniorsseekingtechassistance, our library

helpseveryone connect thedotsfrom one

chapterto thenext.

ceLebratenational LibraryWeekby visiting

the east batonrougeparish Library,

apriL6-12! Libraries transForm livesand

strengthen communitieseveryday

FoLlow us onFacebookand instagram@

ebrpl anduse #nationalLibraryweek to

share what draWsyouin!

edible Book Festival

Theedible Book Festivalis an internaTionalcelebraTionoFbooks,food, and bad puns held on or around aprilFools’ day each year. ParticipanTsareinvited to choose a book andcreate an ediBle representation oF iTs titleor awordplay on iTs title Joinus as wegather aTthe Main liBrary aTGoodwoodonsunday,april6 aT3p.m.to viewthe bookish fare concocted to aMuse, aMaze, or-yes-even disGust onlookersand fellowparTiciPants. voTe foryourfavoritesin categories such asBest inshow,wiTtiest wordPlay,leasTapPeTizing, and more! winners willbe announcedaT5:30p.m. and prizes willbe awarded!

want to enter?

BrinG yourpunny, ediBle creationtothe liBrarybetween 2 and 2:30 p.m. onsunday,april6. one subMissionper person. Please bring pre-assemBledandready to disPlay.

Join East BatonRougEPaRish LiBrary this sPringfor a community-widErEad!

Areyou readyfor some football?

Join us this spring in reading our2025One Book One Community selection, Season of Life:AFootballStar, a Boy, aJourney to Manhood by JeffreyMarx. This inspiring storyrecountsthe unique approach of former NFLstar JoeEhrmann,who coachedahighschoolfootballteamby leadingwithlove, kindness,and service

The19thannual One Book OneCommunity initiative will feature Season of Life alongwithsports-themed programs forall ages at libraries across theparish.

JoinPulitzerPrize-winning journalistand NewYorkTimes bestselling author JeffreyMarx foraspecial eventfocused on mentorship,teamwork,and intergenerational connection.Copiesofthe bookwillbeavailable forpurchase, andMarxwill hold abooksigning followingthe talk

85 YEARSAND COUNTING

An Overview

OVER 200,000 LIBRARYPROGRAMSOFFERED OVER 8MILLION ATTENDEESAT LIBRARYPROGRAMS 619,253 SUMMER READINGPARTICIPANTSSINCE

FROM ACOLLECTION OF 5,662ITEMS AND 3,448BORROWERS,THE EBRPLSYSTEMHAS GROWN TO OVER 2MILLION ITEMS ACROSS MANY FORMATS, INCLUDING MILLIONS MORE IN ARCHIVES! EBRPLHAS ALSO ADOPTEDNEW TECHNOLOGIES ANDEXTENDED PROGRAMS ANDSERVICESFAR BEYOND ORIGINAL OFFERINGS. SPECIALPROGRAMSOFFERED ANNUALLYINCLUDE THEONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITYSERIES, THE BATONROUGE MAKERFAIRE®, MID-CITY MICROCON, AUTHORSROW,ATTIC TREASURES, AND THE AUTHOR–ILLUSTRATOR SERIES, NOWINITS 47TH YEAR