The Acadiana Advocate 04-03-2025

Trump announces sweeping new tariffs

Plan includes 34% tax on imports from China, 20% on the EU

BY JOSH BOAK Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced far-reaching new tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners — a 34% tax on imports from China and 20% on the European Union, among others — that threaten to dismantle much of the architecture of the global economy and trigger broader trade wars.

Trump, in a Rose Garden announcement, said he was placing elevated tariff rates on dozens of nations that run meaningful trade surpluses with the United States, while imposing a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries in response to what he called an economic emergency

The president, who said the tariffs were designed to boost domestic manufacturing, used aggressive rhetoric to describe a global trade system that the

Michelin stars possible for La. restaurants

Will any in Lafayette make the cut?

BY JOANNA BROWN and IAN McNULTY Staff writers

Restaurants in the American South region including Louisiana are up for Michelin review for the first time, giving Lafayette and Acadiana restaurants the opportunity to earn a coveted star from the global culinary brand

There have been years of speculation over when the French-based Michelin Guide would begin reviewing Southern restaurants outside of existing Michelin Guides in Atlanta, Florida and Texas. With this expansion, Michelin inspectors will

ä See MICHELIN,

United States helped to build after World War II, saying “our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered” by other nations.

The action amounts to a historic tax hike that could push the global order to a breaking point. It kick-starts what could be a painful transition for many Americans as middle-class essentials such as housing, autos and clothing are expected to become more costly, while disrupting the alliances built to ensure peace and economic stability

Trump said he was acting to bring in hundreds of billions in new revenue to the U.S. government and restore fairness to global trade.

“Taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years,” he said. “But it is not going to happen anymore.”

Trump declared a national economic emergency to levy the tariffs He has promised that factory jobs will return to the United States as a result of the taxes,

but his policies risk a sudden economic slowdown as consumers and businesses could face sharp price hikes.

Trump was fulfilling a key campaign promise as he imposed what he called “reciprocal” tariffs on trade partners, acting without Congress under the 1977 International Emergency Powers Act. But his action Wednesday could jeopardize Trump’s voter mandate in last year’s election to combat inflation. Several Republican senators, particularly from farm and border states, have questioned the wisdom of the tariffs. U.S. stock market futures sold off sharply overnight in anticipation of the economy weakening, after having already dropped since the start of this year

“With today’s announcement, U.S. tariffs will approach levels not seen since the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which incited a global trade war and

ä See TARIFFS, page 5A

Landry calls for hiring freeze

State faces budget challenges with amendment failure

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

Gov Jeff Landry announced a hiring freeze throughout Louisiana state government Wednesday, a sign of difficult times ahead as lawmakers prepare to draw up the state budget.

The Legislature will head to the Capitol in two weeks and begin that process, working from a budget that Landry proposed. Two major challenges are in store for them.

The first is the uncertainty over what federal funding will come through for the coming fiscal year, with so much talk of cuts at the federal level.

“What’s happening on the federal level is going to present some challenges,” said state Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee.

Though he has already begun to receive news of some cuts, McFarland doesn’t know what exactly is coming down the pike from the Trump administration, he said.

Federal money makes up nearly half of Louisiana’s budget.

Also looming large over the budget process is the question of teacher pay For the past two years, the Legislature has given teachers a temporary $2,000 stipend. Support staff received $1,000 stipends.

Legislators and Landry sought to build those payments fully into the annual budget as one piece of a constitutional amendment. But Louisianans overwhelmingly rejected that amendment at the polls. Amendment 2, which was on the ballot Saturday would have rewritten one of the 14 articles of the Louisiana Constitution with dozens of changes. Broadly, it would have given lawmakers more power to decide

See HIRING, page 4A

Trial over oil, coastal damage nearing end

Billions sought from oil industry in first of a string of lawsuits

BY ALEX LUBBEN Staff writer

At a courthouse in lower Plaquemines Parish near Louisiana’s fading coastline, a landmark trial that could force oil and gas companies to pay billions for wetlands restoration is nearing its verdict.

For the lawyers who championed the lawsuit, getting to that courthouse took over a decade.

The trial in Pointe à la Hache is the culmination of a legal saga, part of the only effort still under-

way to get the oil and gas companies to pay for efforts to restore Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday

The lawsuit is the first to make it to trial among 42 similar cases that coastal parishes filed against oil companies starting in 2013, each of which alleges that they failed to comply with state permitting regulations. Law firm Talbot, Carmouche & Marcello is representing the local governments in the litigation, which alleges that oil companies failed to abide by coastal regulations and contributed to wetlands loss.

Plaquemines Parish and its lead attorney, John Carmouche, are

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

President Donald Trump holds up a chart outlining his new tariffs during an event at the White House on Wednesday.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Park Bistro in Lafayette features a mix of seasonal new American cuisine and southern Italian dishes. Chef Peter Cooke was executive chef at Krupa Grocery in Brooklyn, New york, when that restaurant earned a MIchelin plate.

page 4A

Scientists sue NIH, say politics cut funding

A group of scientists and health groups sued the National Institutes of Health on Wednesday arguing that an “ideological purge” of research funding is illegal and threatens medical cures.

Since President Donald Trump took office in January hundreds of NIH research grants have been abruptly canceled for science that mentions the words diversity, gender and vaccine hesitancy, as well as other politically charged topics

That has led to grants being cut that fund studies of HIV prevention, violence prevention in children, pregnancy health disparities and Alzheimer’s disease, among others, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts.

The suit aims to restore the money and end the terminations, arguing they violate NIH’s usual science-based review process, specific orders from Congress to tackle health equity and disparities, and federal regulations.

It also argues the cancellations waste taxpayer dollars by ending projects midstream before the results are in.

The suit was filed by the American Public Health Association, unions representing scientists and some researchers who were stripped of grants.

NIH’s parent agency the Department of Health and Human Services, declined comment on litigation.

Guinea sets date for key referendum

CONAKRY, Guinea Guinea’s military junta has set Sept. 21 as the date for a long-promised constitutional referendum that would set the west African country on the path of a return to democratic rule more than three years after it experienced a coup.

A presidential decree scheduling the referendum for the adoption of a new constitution was read on state television late Tuesday by Gen. Amara Camara, secretary-general of the presidency

Guinea is one of several West African countries where militaries have staged coups and delayed a return to civilian rule. Guinea is governed by a military charter that serves the transition period following the suspension of the constitution in the aftermath of the coup.

Junta leader Col. Mamadi Doumbouya, in power since 2021, initially set Dec. 31 as the deadline to launch a democratic transition. However, he missed the deadline, triggering protests and criticism from activists and opposition figures.

Waves cause damage on Sydney waterfront

SYDNEY Sydney beachfront properties were flooded and coastal infrastructure damaged after a large swell combined with a king tide to batter the Australian shore, officials said Thursday.

Several homes were evacuated at Botany Bay in Sydney’s south around midnight as waves surged across the coast, according to New South Wales State Emergency Service spokesman Andrew Edmunds. Further north at Sydney’s premier Bondi Beach, the coast was lashed by a 18-foot swell, officials said.

Windows were shattered at Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club, a waterfront pool, gymnasium and restaurant complex. CCTV footage showed waves bursting through glass doors after 11 p.m. on Tuesday “It has just been devastating,” club general manager Bob Tate said. “I’ve been a member for 50 years at Bondi. I’ve never seen this sort of thing before. You know, the sheer magnitude of the level of water and the power of the water coming through must’ve just been horrendous.” Tate added that on the pool deck around 15 glass panels were splintered, floors were damaged, and cupboards and firehoses were ripped off the walls. It was “quite extraordinary,” he said. South of Botany Bay at Cronulla Beach, lifeguard Steve Winner said the beach, along with parts of the pavement behind it and electrical infrastructure, had been damaged by 13-foot waves.

Netanyahu: Israel to establish new corridor

BY WAFAA SHURAFA and ISAAC SCHARF Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel is establishing a new security corridor across the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas, suggesting it would cut off the southern city of Rafah, which Israel has ordered evacuated, from the rest of the Palestinian territory

The announcement came after Netanyahu’s defense minister said Israel would seize large areas of Gaza and add them to its so-called security zones A wave of Israeli strikes, meanwhile, killed more than 40 Palestinians, nearly half of them women and children, according to Palestinian health officials.

Israel has vowed to escalate the nearly 18-month war with Hamas until the militant group returns dozens of remaining hostages, disarms and leaves the territory Israel ended a ceasefire in March and has imposed a monthlong halt on all imports of food, fuel and humanitarian aid.

Netanyahu described the new axis as the Morag corridor, using the name of a Jewish settlement that once stood between Rafah and Khan Younis, suggesting it would run between the two southern cities. He said it would be “a second Philadelphi corridor” referring to the Gaza side of the border with Egypt further south, which has been under Israeli control since last May

Israel has reasserted control over the Netzarim corridor, also named for a former settlement, that cuts off the northern third of Gaza, including Gaza City, from the rest of the narrow coastal strip. Both of the existing corridors run from

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killed

as Sudan

the Israeli border to the Mediterranean Sea.

“We are cutting up the strip, and we are increasing the pressure step by step, so that they will give us our hostages,” Netanyahu said.

The Western-backed Palestinian Authority led by rivals of Hamas, expressed its “complete rejection” of the planned corridor Its statement also called for Hamas to give up power in Gaza, where the militant group has faced rare protests recently

In northern Gaza, an Israeli airstrike hit a U.N. building in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp, killing 15 people, including nine children and two women, according to the Indonesian Hospital. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas militants in a command and control center

The building, previously a clinic, had been converted into a shelter for displaced people, with more than 700 residing there, according to Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza. No U.N. staff were wounded in the strike.

She said U.N. staff warned people about the dangers of remaining there after Wednesday’s strike but that many chose to stay, “simply because they have absolutely nowhere else to go.”

More than 60% of Gaza is now considered a “no-go” zone because of Israeli evacuation orders, according to Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian aid office. Hundreds of thousands of people are living in squalid tent camps along the coast or in the ruins of their destroyed homes.

forces intensify attacks on displacement camp

BY FATMA KHALED Associated Press

CAIRO At least two people were killed in attacks by Sudan’s paramilitary forces on a famine-stricken camp in North Darfur for people displaced by the war in the country, officials and humanitarian organizations said. The Abo Shouk displacement camp in el-Fasher has been attacked on and off over the past 11 months, but attacks have intensified this week, Adam Rijal, the spokesman for the Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur, said Wednesday

He told The Associated Press that two people were confirmed dead due to the attacks by the Rapid Support Forces that intensified on Monday The paramilitary was using artillery shelling “indiscriminately and deliberately,” he said.

Four people were reported injured on Tuesday, but that figure is likely higher The attacks have also destroyed property in the camp, which houses around 450,000 displaced people. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Wednesday that attacks on Abu Shouk camp reportedly killed and injured scores of civilians.

Darfur Governor Mini Arko Minawi condemned the attacks in a Facebook statement on Monday and said the attacks were part of the RSF’s plan to “exter-

BY SCOTT BAUER Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. — The Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court defeated a challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday, touting her victory as a win against powerful interests and cementing a liberal majority for at least three more years. Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge who led legal fights to protect union power and abortion rights and to oppose voter ID, stood on stage surrounded by the court’s four current liberal justices and celebrated her win as a victory for democracy while also taking a dig at Musk.

from voters’ approval to elevate the state’s photo ID requirement from state law to constitutional amendment.

Trump, Musk and other Republicans lined up behind Schimel, a former state attorney general. Democrats including former President Barack Obama and billionaire megadonor George Soros backed Crawford.

minate” the residents of el-Fasher and nearby displacement camps.

The war in Sudan broke out in April 2023 between the military and its rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces with battles in Khartoum and around the country The Sudanese military has control over el-Fasher despite near-daily strikes by the RSF

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday it was “gravely alarmed” by the reports of intensified hostilities.

“The humanitarian and security situation in Sudan remains dire and is worsening,” Dujarric said.

Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, on Wednesday called the continued attacks against civilians across the coun-

try “unlawful & morally indefensible.”

At least 20,000 people are thought to have been killed since the war broke out, though the number is likely far higher. The war has also driven more than 14 million people from their homes and pushed parts of the country into famine. UNICEF recently reported that an estimated 61,800 children have been internally displaced since the war began.

Over the past several months, the Sudanese army made steady advances in its fight against its rival paramilitary in Khartoum and other areas Most recently, the military retook government buildings in the capital, including the Republican Palace and recaptured Khartoum’s international airport

“Growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin,” Crawford said.

“And we won.”

Musk and groups he backed had spent more than $21 million in an effort to defeat Crawford. Musk even traveled to Wisconsin two days before the election to personally hand over $1 million checks to two voters.

“Today Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court,” Crawford said in her victory speech. “And Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale.”

Crawford defeated Republican-backed Brad Schimel in a race that broke records for spending, was the highest-turnout Wisconsin Supreme Court election ever and became a proxy fight for the nation’s political battles.

Overnight, Musk posted on his X platform that “The long con of the left is corruption of the judiciary.” In another comment, he seemed to take solace

The first major election in the country since November was seen as a litmus test of how voters feel about Trump’s first months back in office and the role played by Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency has torn through federal agencies and laid off thousands of workers. Musk traveled to Wisconsin on Sunday to make a pitch for Schimel and personally hand out to $1 million checks to voters. Crawford was beating Schimel by more than 8 points, based on unofficial results. Turnout exceeded 52% of the voting age population, topping the record set in 2023 of nearly 40%. Spending was on its way to surpass $100 million. Schimel told his supporters he had conceded to Crawford, leading to yells of anger One woman began to chant, “Cheater, cheater!”

“No,” Schimel said. “You’ve got to accept the results.”

Schimel played bass with his classic rock cover band at his election night party both before and after conceding defeat, covering songs by the Allman Brothers, Tom Petty and others. The court can decide election-related laws and settle disputes over future election outcomes.

“Wisconsin’s a big state politically, and the Supreme Court has a lot to do with elections in Wisconsin,” Trump said Monday “Winning Wisconsin’s a big deal, so therefore the Supreme Court choice it’s a big race.”

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ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ABDEL KAREEM HANA

Palestinians inspect the site hit by an Israeli strike in Khan younis, Gaza Strip, on Wednesday.

Crawford

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Sudanese displaced families take shelter in a school after being evacuated by the Sudanese army from areas once controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Omdurman, Sudan, located across the Nile River from Khartoum, on March 23.

Caddo district judge sets

Movie star Val Kilmer dies at 65

execution dates

Attorneys seek more time in two cases

BY BRIAN MCCALLUM Staff writer

A Caddo district judge has set execution dates for two men convicted of firstdegree murder in Caddo Parish, while defense attorneys have asked for more time.

Judge Donald Hathaway ordered Darrell Draughn to be scheduled for May 28 and Marcus Reed for June 4 at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola Caddo District Attorney James Stewart asked last week for the dates to be set. They could be the second and third Louisiana inmates executed by nitrogen gas this year Reed was sentenced to death in January 2014 after being convicted of the rural Caddo Parish murder of three brothers in a case that seemed to involve revenge for the theft of property, including an Xbox.

Draughn was convicted in May 2004 of stabbing Lauretta White, 64, in her Shreveport home. She was stabbed 61 times, including 34 to the head.

Until Jessie Hoffman was executed at Angola on March 18 by suffocation from nitrogen gas, no Louisiana inmates had been executed since 2010, when lethal injection was the method Gov Jeff Landry called for the resumption of executions in February

The two are among the 55 people on death row in Louisiana.

The cases of these two men convicted in Caddo differ from Hoffman’s case, where advocates admitted he had exhausted his appeals. Attorneys for Draughn and Reed have filed motions in opposition to death warrants.

Reed’s attorneys have asked for a deadline of Jan. 26, 2026, to file a supplemental application for postconviction relief and added that any execution date was premature because the case has not received federal review

Matilde Carbia, an attorney for Reed, called the pursuit of a death warrant by the Caddo District Attorney’s Office “an illegal action.”

“The DA’s statement that Mr Reed has not acted to raise grounds for relief relating to the numerous errors that pervaded his trial is disingenuous,” read the statement from Carbia. “Seeking to short-circuit litigation of this case by seeking a warrant is yet another attempt to hide the misdeeds of a state infamous for its attempt to conceal information from defendants and from the public.” Stewart disagreed.

“Unfounded allegations are not conclusive of the facts and law,” the district attorney said Wednesday “Again, counsel makes statements that are not true and dangerous to the rule of law This is just the next step in the process of this case. The court will have the final say.”

Draughn’s filing requests a 180-day delay and also offers arguments regarding the filing of post-conviction relief.

An attorney for Draughn said Wednesday that he had waited a long time for his post-conviction appeals, and that a lack of resources “tied his hands” and prevented them from going forward

“The state, now rushing to execute him before his legal claims can be heard in court, doesn’t acknowledge that they agreed to and permitted the delay in this case,” said Zachary Orjuela, lead counsel for Loyola University’s Center for Social Justice.

“Mr. Draughn’s trial lawyers failed to present critical evidence to inform the jury’s decision between life and death. Because of their failure post-conviction proceedings are Mr Draughn’s first opportunity to present such evidence.”

Draughn struggled with addiction growing before finding “the stability he lacked in his childhood” in prison, his lawyer said That’s among the evidence they plan to present in his post-conviction hearings.

Attorney General Liz Murrill said she didn’t review the motions filed by Stewart’s office in advance but that she believes Draughn and Reed are now eligible for execution.

“We will be closely reviewing any pleadings filed on their behalf and assisting the DA,” she said Murrill has expressed doubt that defendants should be allowed further relief in cases that have been dormant for years.

A Rapides Parish judge recalled a death warrant in February, just a day after ordering an execution date, deferring to lawyers who claimed unexhausted appeals.

“The question is, can you sit around for 20 years and say, ‘I have unexhausted claims,’ ” Murrill said. “We’re going to have to get the Supreme Court to decide this question.”

Draughn’s victim, White, was found by her son in a pool of blood, stabbed to death in her home’s kitchen in April 2000. According to the case presented in court, she may have been robbed by Draughn of as little as $20 during the crime. His alibi defense revolved around testimony from his family members, who said he was at his grandmother’s home down the street at the time of the crime, but his DNA was found at the scene. Reed was convicted in October 2013 of shooting brothers Jeremiah Adams, 20; Jarquis Adams, 18; and Gene Adams, 13, on Aug. 16, 2010. A 911 caller named him as the shooter, and blood from two victims found dead in Jeremiah’s car in the yard where Reed lived — was found on Reed’s clothing. Witnesses stated Reed believed Jarquis had been involved in theft of items including a game console, and the defense argued he believed they were returning to steal more. According to the district attorney’s request for an execution date no effort has been made to supplement a 2017 motion for post-conviction relief. Reporter John Simerman contributed to this report.

Email Brian McCallum at brian.mccallum@ theadvocate.com

BY MARK KENNEDY and ANDREW DALTON AP entertainment writers

LOS ANGELES Val Kilmer, the brooding, versatile actor who played fan favorite Iceman in “Top Gun,” donned a voluminous cape as Batman in “Batman Forever” and portrayed Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” has died. He was 65.

Kilmer died Tuesday night in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, said in an email to The Associated Press.

Kilmer died from pneumonia. He had recovered after a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required two tracheotomies. The New York Times was the first to report his death.

Kilmer who at 17 was the youngest actor ever accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School at the time he attended, experienced the ups and downs of fame more dramatically than most.

“I have behaved poorly I have behaved bravely I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed,” he says toward the end of “Val,” the 2021 documentary on his career “And I am blessed.”

His break came in 1984’s spy spoof “Top Secret!” followed by the comedy “Real

Genius” in 1985. Kilmer would later show his comedy chops again in films including “MacGruber” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”

His movie career hit its zenith in the early 1990s as he made a name for himself as a dashing leading man, starring alongside Kurt Russell and Bill Paxton in 1993’s “Tombstone,” as Elvis’ ghost in “True Romance” and as a bankrobbing demolition expert in Michael Mann’s 1995 film “Heat” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

“While working with Val on ‘Heat’ I always marvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerful current of Val’s possessing and expressing character,” director Michael Mann said in a statement Tuesday night.

Forecasters

BY JEFF MARTIN Associated Press

Potentially deadly flash flooding, high-magnitude tornadoes and baseballsized hail could hit parts of the Midwest and South on Wednesday as severe thunderstorms blowing eastward become supercharged, forecasters warned.

There were already tornado warnings Wednesday morning near the Missouri cities of Joplin and Columbia merely the opening acts of what forecasters expect will be a more intense period of violent weather later Wednesday, as daytime heating combines with an unstable atmosphere, strong wind shear and abundant moisture streaming into the nation’s midsection from the Gulf.

The potent storm system will bring “significant, lifethreatening flash flooding” starting Wednesday and continuing each day through Saturday, the National Weather Service said.

With more than a foot of rain possible over the next four days, the prolonged deluge “is an event that happens once in a generation to once in a lifetime,” the weather service said in one of its flood warnings. “Historic rainfall totals and impacts are possible.”

The flood fears come as residents in parts of Michigan continued to dig out from a weekend ice storm.

Floods could hit towns

Thunderstorms with multiple rounds of heavy rain were forecast in parts of Texas, the lower Mississippi Valley and the Ohio Valley beginning midweek and lasting through Saturday Forecasters warned the storms could track over the same areas repeatedly and produce dangerous flash floods capable of sweeping cars away

Rain totaling up to 15 inches was forecast over the next seven days in northeastern Arkansas, the southeast corner of Missouri, western Kentucky and southern parts of Illinois and Indiana, the weather service warned.

“We’re potentially looking at about two months of rain in just a handful of days,” Thomas Jones, a weather service meteorologist in Little Rock, Arkansas, said Monday

Parts of Arkansas, west Tennessee, western Kentucky and southern Indiana were at an especially high risk for flooding, the weather service said.

Parts of Tennessee could see 10 to 15 inches of rain through Saturday, said Krissy Hurley, meteorolo-

Actor Josh Brolin, a friend of Kilmer, was among others paying tribute

“You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker,” Brolin wrote on Instagram. “There’s not a lot left of those.”

Kilmer who took part in the Method branch of Suzuki arts training — threw himself into parts. When he played Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” he filled his bed with ice for the final scene to mimic the feeling of dying from tuberculosis.

To play Morrison, he wore leather pants all the time, asked castmates and crew to only refer to him as Morrison and blasted The Doors for a year

That intensity also gave Kilmer a reputation that he was difficult to work with — something he grudgingly

agreed with later in life, while always defending himself by emphasizing art over commerce.

“In an unflinching attempt to empower directors, actors and other collaborators to honor the truth and essence of each project, an attempt to breathe Suzukian life into a myriad Hollywood moments, I had been deemed difficult and alienated the head of every major studio,” he wrote in his 2020 memoir, “I’m Your Huckleberry.”

One of his more iconic roles hotshot pilot Tom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in 1986’s “Top Gun” — almost didn’t happen. Kilmer was courted by director Tony Scott but initially balked. “I didn’t want the part. I didn’t care about the film. The story didn’t interest me,” he wrote in his memoir He agreed after being promised that his role would improve from the initial script. He would reprise the role in the film’s 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” One career nadir was playing Batman in Joel Schumacher’s goofy garish “Batman Forever” (1995) with Nicole Kidman and Chris O’Donnell before George Clooney took up the mantle for 1997’s “Batman & Robin” and after Michael Keaton played the Dark Knight in 1989’s “Batman” and 1992’s “Batman Returns.”

severe weather

gist in charge of the weather service in Nashville. Hurley said the flooding could be “catastrophic” in some areas.

Tornado seen in Kansas

At least one tornado was spotted Tuesday night in Kansas. “Take cover now!” the weather service’s office in Wichita warned residents on the social platform X. No injuries were reported.

Another tornado touched down in the northeastern Oklahoma city of Owasso about 6:40 a.m Wednesday, according to the weather service office in Tulsa. There were no immediate reports of injuries, but the twister heavily damaged the roofs of homes and knocked down power lines, trees, fences and sheds.

Tornado warnings were also issued in Missouri and Arkansas on Wednesday Authorities in eastern Missouri were trying to determine whether it was a tornado that damaged buildings, overturned vehicles and tore down utility poles, tree limbs and business signs Wednesday morning in and around Nevada, Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the damage shut down a portion of U.S. Route 54 in the city of about 8,300 about 95 miles south of Kansas City Missouri. High winds with gusts of up to 50 mph were also expected across large parts of the Midwest. In Indiana, an extreme wind gust blew over five semitrucks on Interstate 65 near Lowell, state police reported. No one was hurt.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By CHRIS PIZZELLO

Actor Val Kilmer waves to the crowd at a screening in Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 1998 Kilmer died Tuesday night.

visit restaurants in cities across Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. With Louisiana foodie cities like NewOrleans andLafayette now inthe Michelin crosshairs, speculation is growing over which,ifany,Louisiana restaurants will make the cut. Restaurant inspectors from the famous guidebook are currently in the field, visiting restaurants for potential inclusion in the new Southern MichelinGuide. Their selections, which include star rankings and other levels of recognition like aMichelin“recommendation,” will be released later in 2025. According to Ben Berthelot, president andCEO of Lafayette Travel, the Lafayette Parish tourism organization is partnering with Travel South USA to collabo-

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asking thejury to award nearly $3 billion in damages in the case. Taken together,the dozens of cases could force companies to pay tens of billions in damages,which would, by law,have to be used to restore coastal wetlands

The cases could also lead to hefty payouts for the lawyersinvolved.

In the 12 years since thelitigation was filed, the Plaquemines lawsuit has survived three attempts by oil and gas companies to send the litigation to federal court —avenue that the companies saw as favorable to them and where similar litigation has died. Legislators in Baton Rouge have introduced bills to try to kill the lawsuits.

But Carmouche and his team have bobbed and weaved their wayto trial. And if Carmouche wins, ajury could,for the first time, award mammoth damages from industry to the state to address coastal land loss.

During his opening statement before the jury,Carmouche attempted to present thecase in simple terms: “Ifsomebodycauses harm, fix it,” he said. “Clean up your mess.” Chevron noted in astatement that it was being sued over oil and gas activity conductedbyTexaco, which Chevron acquired in2001, under a1980 law.Itargues that thelaw was nevermeant to apply to oil and gas activities that took place before the statute went into effect. The companies also say that the cases belong in federal court because some of the oil and gas activity at issue was conducted under federal guidance, part of the World WarIIeffort.

“The parish and the state should cease their state courtefforts to destroy the oil and gas sector in Louisiana,” said Bill Turene, a spokespersonfor Chevron. Industry advocates have argued that the lawsuits could have a“chilling” effect on oil and gas production in Louisiana. While the levees lining the Mississippi River set the state’sland loss crisis in motion, the thousands of miles of canals dug throughthe marsh by oil and gas companies have been majorcontributors. The extraction of oil and gashas also

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which revenue streams fund government Butitalso would have liquidated education trustfund accounts to pay down teacher retirement debt, ultimately generating money to fund theteacherstipendsaspermanent pay raises.

Now,ifthe Legislature wants to keep those stipends in the budget and preventteachers from being paid less this year,itwill have to come up with $198 million. Top budget officials say that could

rate on marketingefforts to promote regional cuisine.

“While there is no guarantee that anyrestaurant will receive the covetedrecognition in the Michelin Guide, we believe the culinary scene in Lafayette Parish is worthyofconsideration, and we are proud to partner with ourstate and Travel South USA on this initiative.Welook forward to aligningwith oneofthe mostwellrespected travel brands in the world,” said Berthelot Currently, there are no Michelinstarredorrecommended restaurants in Louisiana. The Michelin experiencesclosesttoLafayette are near Houston, and include spots likeThe Pit Room, abarbecue joint with Michelin’s “Bib Gourmand”designation, which means it offersgood quality and good value, but hasn’t earned a star. Houston’s Hidden Omakase hasa Michelin recommendation, meaning it providesanexcellent meal without considering price. And five restaurants in theHous-

ton area have attained one hardto-earnMichelin star:BCN Taste and Tradition, March, Le Jardinier Houston, Musaafer and Tatemó. What Michelin starsmean

The Michelin hierarchy of one to three starsreflects the inspector’s decision on how well arestaurant and itscuisine reflects the Michelin brand expectations.

n One Star: High qualitycooking, worth astop n TwoStars: Excellentcooking, worth adetour

n Three Stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth aspecial journey

There are only 14 restaurants in theUnited Stateswiththree stars and 32 with twostars, while 213 have one-star ratings. Theinspectorsdine anonymously,and assess qualitybased on five criteria:

n Quality of products

n Harmony of flavors

n Mastery of cooking techniques

n Voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine

n Consistency between each vis-

exacerbated subsidence along the coast.

Thescale of theproblem is enormous, with Louisiana having lost land the size ofDelawareover the past century.The state’sefforts to address it are costing manybillions of dollars.

While it took Carmouche and his team adecadetoget to trial, he andhis team drewonefforts that stretch back decades.

‘Legacylawsuits’

In May 1991, Michael Veron, an attorney in LakeCharles, gota call from his cousin, Billy Corbello, whotold Veron that Shell Oil’s lease on the property,originally signed in 1929, was due to expire. For years, Shellhad drilled for oil on property owned by Veron and Corbello’sfamily

Theagreement the company had struck with their grandfather stipulated that thecompany was responsible for returning the property to its initialcondition when thelease was up Veron’sargument, like Carmouche’s, was simple: Theoil company made amess and didn’tclean it up. On Veron’sfamily property, he found buried oil drums and a gas-dispensing pump emblazoned with the Shell logo on the property.The soil was laden with carcinogenic chemicals,his witnesses would testify at trial. And years afterthe problemswerebrought

mean cuts in other areas.

House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, said he was disappointed Amendment 2failed.

“That was one of thestrongest initiatives that we could have done to reallymoveour state forward,”

he said To fund theteacher stipends, the Legislature will have to explore cuts in other areas, he said.

That’sa job that McFarland will have to take on. As Appropriations chair, his job is to puttogether abill directing government spending.

“The only way to fund the teacher stipendisI will havetomake reductions in the budget,” McFarland said.

to the company’sattention, Shell hadtaken no steps to fix things, Veron argued. But norhad the state forced them to. In Veron’slawsuit,asin Carmouche’s, central pillars of the oil companies’defenseare that the alleged violations took place years ago, petroleum production was vital to the nation and the potential risks were notunderstood. Why makethem pay up now, years later?

“Industry isn’tevil,” Veronsaid in an interview,“They’rehuman. And human nature is that I’m not going to do something that costs me extra moneyifnobody’smaking me do it.”

Veron won his case at trial. Shell paid $76 million in damages in 2003.

Thecasewas oneofthe first of the “legacy lawsuits,”socalled because they had to do withpollution left on private landowners’ property during oil’sheydayin Louisiana, yearsprior to the filing of any lawsuit.

“Everybody got word” of the win againstanoil company, Veronsaid, arare feat in Louisiana.Among the lawyers who took notice were partners at Talbot,Carmouche & Marcello.

Veronwould go on to workwitha team of attorneys on thelandmark South LouisianaFlood Protection Authority-East’soil andgas damages lawsuit, which sought to hold companies accountable for damag-

ButMcFarland will have to considerthatlegislators may have other priorities. Landry’sproposedbudget is a “standstill” budget that keepsstate spending as close as possible to last year’slevels. Legislators will want to add additional resources to it, for areas such as behavioral health, early childhood education andpublic safety, McFarland said. Having to contend with a$198 million gap for teacher pay will make that all the more difficult, he said. McFarland will have to askmembers to provide listsoftheir priorities. “That’swhat Igot to work with, becausefor me to pass a

it and throughout the menu (each restaurant is inspected several times ayear). Lafayettehas onerestaurant thatcan be said to be Michelinadjacent. When chef Peter Cooke relocated from New York to open ParkBistro in Lafayette’s Saint Streetsneighborhood,hekept themenuverysimilartoone he designedfor Krupa Grocery in Brooklyn, where Cooke was executivechef. Krupa Grocery earned a Michelin plate —arecommendation with no star Park Bistro featuresa mix of seasonal newAmerican cuisine andsouthern Italiandishes like risotto balls, ricotta gnocchi,flat ironsteak anda Nashville hot shrimpburger that wasonce written up in The New York Times OtherLafayette restaurants have earnednational recognition in recentyears through the James Beard Awards. The James Beard Foundation recognizesexceptional talent and achievement in theculinary arts, whether it’s

ingwetlands in South Louisiana.Talbot, Carmouche &Marcello, meanwhile, came up withtheir own legal theory abouthow to hold oiland gas companiestoaccount:Theywould represent coastal parishes.

Not incidentally,the firm also stood tomake alot of money if the lawsuits went their way.

Lawsuits filed

Beginning in 2013, six coastal parishes filed 42 lawsuits,backed by Carmouche’slaw firm, each lawsuit focused on state-issued permits.

In the case that’snow at trial, Plaquemines Parish is accusing Texaco, whichChevronbought in 2001, of having used “unlined wastepits” to dispose of toxic oil andgas byproducts in an area near BayouGentilly. Whenregulations came into play in 1980 that put tighterrestrictions on oiland gas activityinthe state’scoastal areas, thelawsuits allege that oil and gas companiesdid not comply

The lawsuit alleges that “defendants have failed to clear,revegetate, detoxify areas affected by their operations and activities,” as required by law

Working in the parish courts may give Carmoucheahome turf advantage as the jury pool is from thearea.

Whilethe lawsuitswoundtheir way through the courts, onecompany,Freeport McMoRan, settled for $100 million. Days before what would havebeen thefirst trial in Cameron Parish, the companies andlocal government settled in that case, too.

Butthe lawsuit thatVeron had been working on separately, on behalf of the New Orleans Flood Protection Authority-East,was quashed. Afederal judge dismissed it, andthe U.S. Supreme Courtdeclinedtotakeituponappeal.

Legislativesquabbles

Oiland gascompaniesdidn’t just try to kill the lawsuits in the courts.

amazing food, an exceptionally well-designed restaurant, or an outstanding individual chef. Madonna Broussard, with Laura’sII, is a2025 semifinalist forBest Chef South, and Spoonbill Watering Hole &Restaurant wasnominated in 2020 for Outstanding Restaurant Design. Lafayette chef Manny Augello, formerly of Bread and Circus Provisions, was a2018 James Beard semifinalistfor Best Chef South, and chef Justin Girouard, owner of The French Press, was asemifinalist forthe same award in 20122015.

The Michelin manufacturing company,aFrench multinational organization known fortires, created the Michelin Guide in the early 20thcentury when automobile travelwas stillnew.The idea was to give people suggestions of where to stop for good meals while traveling. Some of that history still showsupinthe parlance of its star ratings (“worth astop,” “worth a detour,” etc.).

In 2020, the state introduced a bill that would have barred parishes from suing companies for violating the conditions of coastal zone drilling permits —the central claim in Carmouche’slawsuits. The bill ultimately died.

JohnBarry,ahistorian andformer boardmember of the South Louisiana Flood ProtectionAuthority-East who spearheaded that agency’slawsuit, describedlegislative efforts to kill the efforts as a“recurring theme” in the 2010s.

“It wasacontinuation of the efforts to kill thelegacy lawsuits,” he said. “And ours for that matter.”

Through three successive governors, Carmouche and histeam managed to winsupport for their cause. Gov. Bobby Jindal, aRepublican,did notoutright oppose the parish lawsuits, though he was outspokenagainst the levee authority’slawsuit out of NewOrleans. Gov.John Bel Edwards, a Democrat,openly supportedthem. Gov. Jeff Landry,inhis previous role as attorneygeneral,threatened to take over the litigation from Carmouche. But as governor, Landry hashad Carmouche’s back Edwardsand Landry have cited the need to address coastal land loss. Carmouche’sfirm has also long been politically active, contributing $2 million to help Edwards getelected as well as at least $310,000 to Landry’scampaign and aPAC that supported it. The oil companies have made their own political donations. Since 2013, whenthe lawsuits were first filed, Chevron has donated at least $2 million to Louisiana politicians, according to state data. Withoutdamages from these lawsuits, Barry argues, the cost of restoring the state’seroding coastline will fall on taxpayers’ shoulders. The pricetag on the CoastalProtectionand Restoration Authority’splantorestore partsof the coast: $50 billion over 50 years —widely acknowledged as an underestimate since it doesn’ttake inflation into account.

“This is clearly the best shot in yearsthatwe’vehad to have oil companies meet their responsibility,which they should be doing voluntarily,” Barry said. “It’sintheir own interests. It protects their own infrastructure.”

During a2016 Louisiana House Committee on Natural Resources hearing, therewas near-unanimous outcry from Republican legislators against the lawsuits. Rep.Blake Miguez, R-Erath, said thatthe state, by intervening in thecase on behalf of the plaintiffs was “discriminating against theoil industry.”

budget,I got to have all the votes,” McFarland said.

It is possible that the Legislature will have more money to work with.InMay,the Revenue Estimating Conference will provide anew forecast for the upcoming fiscal year,and it could include a projected revenue increase.

But thatwon’tsolve McFarland’s problem:bythen, the budget will already be heading to the Senate, he said.

There is another waytocome up withthe money for teacher pay raises, andthat is to raise taxes.

But suchamove would likely be “politically difficult,” said Steven Procopio, president of the Public

Affairs Research Council, anonpartisan government policy group that has influence in the Capitol. Meanwhile, Landry’shiring freezeisexpected to generate $20 million in savings in ayear, Landry’sofficesaid. Thefreeze covers vacant positions, which can only be filled with written permission from the commissioner of administration, according to Landry’sexecutive order instituting the freeze.

”This is anecessary step to give the Legislature more options, to prevent deeper cuts to health care and education, and to safeguard thefutureofour state,” Landry said.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIAGERMER

Attorney John H. Carmouche, center,walks to the Plaquemines Parish Courthouse in Pointeá la Hache on March 11.

La. congressional delegation reacts to tariff hikes

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON

— Republicans in

Louisiana’s congressional delegation were all for the tariffs President Donald Trump announced Wednesday afternoon, while the Democrats were concerned

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, said: “The provisions of the president’s trade agenda can pave the way for stronger trade deals, fairer rules and real results. I am excited to work with President Trump to make it happen. Louisiana’s workers and families deserve nothing less.”

In a White House Rose Garden ceremony attended by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, and other Republicans, Trump signed the executive orders that set a base 10% tariff, which goes into effect on Friday, for all im-

ports from other nations.

Trump set much higher rates for 60 countries he said had set barriers for U.S. products, including 35% added onto imports from China, 24% on Japanese products, 26% on imports from India, and 20% on European Union countries.

Those tariffs go into effect April 9.

“These tariffs restore fair and reciprocal trade and level the playing field for American workers and innovators,” Johnson said after the ceremony “President Trump is sending a clear message with Liberation Day: America will not be exploited by unfair trade practices anymore.”

Start Republican Rep. Julia Letlow, a member of the House Appropriations Committee whose district includes parts of Baton Rouge, said: “President Trump is playing the long game, using tariffs as a negotiating tool to restore

American trade pact would be excluded from those tariffs.

But the 20% charged on imports from China due its role in fentanyl production would largely be added to the 34% announced by Trump.

America’s economic power I trust the president’s judgment to deliver better long-term results for our economy.”

Trump also announced a 25% tariff on all cars and trucks imported for sale into the U.S. starting in the dark hours of Thursday morning.

The tariff on millions of foreignmade vehicles sold in the United States will likely increase the cost of cars. That worried Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, for a state like Louisiana with virtually no public transportation. Residents have to drive to work, to the grocery store, take children to school and otherwise get around, he said.

“The cost of automobiles are going to go up $1,000, some say $5,000. That’s a lot of money that is going to come out of the pockets of people for a purchase everyone in Louisiana absolutely needs to have,” Fields said. “President

worth $800 or less. He plans to remove the exemptions other nations have on imports worth $800 or less once the federal government certifies that is has the staffing and resources in place.

Trump imposing tariffs on our neighbors and allies will result in unnecessary hardships for American consumers and businesses. Under these tariffs, grocery prices will go up, vehicle prices will go up, and consumer confidence will go down.”

Democratic Rep. Troy Carter, of New Orleans, agreed. “Just a couple of months ago, the American economy was poised for a so-called ‘soft landing,’” he said. “Thanks to Donald Trump, we’re now facing an economic nightmare with slowing growth and increasing inflation Tariffs are, and should be, a legitimate and essential tool when specifically targeted and aimed at promoting fair trade that protects American workers and businesses. This Administration is doing the opposite.”

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, however, saw the recip-

rocal tariffs as a way to level the playing field for American businesses.

“The United States and American workers will no longer be ripped off by other countries with unfair trade practices,” Scalise, RJefferson, wrote on X. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, wrote on X that he supported the tariffs.

Sen. John N. Kennedy, R-Madisonville, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Kennedy, who had been state treasurer for years before joining the Senate, agreed with Trump’s logic though perhaps not his timeline, reported Politico, a Capitol Hill news source, on Monday “In the long run, (it) will probably work,” Kennedy said “The problem is that in the long run we’re all dead, and so the short run matters.”

and other trade barriers.

deepened the Great Depression,” said Scott Lincicome and Colin Grabow of the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank.

The president’s higher rates would hit foreign entities that sell more goods to the United States than they buy, meaning the tariffs could stay in place for some time as the administration expects other nations to lower their tariffs and other barriers to trade that it says led to a $1.2 trillion trade imbalance last year

The new tariffs will come on top of recent announcements of 25% taxes on auto imports; levies against China, Canada and Mexico; and expanded trade penalties on steel and aluminum. Trump has also imposed tariffs on countries that import oil from Venezuela, and he plans separate import taxes on pharmaceutical drugs, lumber, copper and computer chips. Canada and Mexico would not face higher rates on what they’re already being charged by Trump in what he says is an effort to stop illegal immigration and drug smuggling. As of now, goods that comply with the USMCA North

The specific products that Trump is tariffing, such as autos, would be exempt from the tariffs unveiled Wednesday, as would products such as pharmaceutical drugs that he plans to tariff at a later date.

None of the warning signs about a falling stock market or consumer sentiment turning morose have caused the administration to publicly second-guess its strategy, despite the risk of political backlash.

Senior administration officials, who insisted on anonymity to preview the new tariffs with reporters ahead of Trump’s speech, said the taxes would raise hundreds of billions of dollars annually in revenues. They said the 10% baseline rate existed to help ensure compliance, while the higher rates were based on the trade deficits run with other nations and then halved to reach the numbers that Trump presented in the Rose Garden.

The 10% rate would be collected starting Saturday and the higher rates would be collected beginning April 9.

Trump removed the tariff exemptions on imports from China

Based on the possibility of broad tariffs that have been floated by some White House aides, most outside analyses by banks and think tanks see an economy tarnished by higher prices and stagnating growth.

Trump would be applying these tariffs on his own; he has ways of doing so without congressional approval. That makes it easy for Democratic lawmakers and policymakers to criticize the administration if the uncertainty expressed by businesses and declining consumer sentiment are signs of trouble to come.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., said the tariffs are “part of the chaos and dysfunction” being generated across the Trump administration. The chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee stressed that Trump should not have the sole authority to raise taxes as he intends without getting lawmakers’ approval, saying that Republicans so far have been “blindly loyal.”

“The president shouldn’t be able to do that,” DelBene said. “This is

a massive tax increase on American families, and it’s without a vote in Congress. President Trump promised on the campaign trail that he would lower costs on day one. Now he says he doesn’t care if prices go up — he’s broken his promise.”

Even Republicans who trust Trump’s instincts have acknowledged that the tariffs could disrupt an economy with an otherwise healthy 4.1% unemployment rate.

“We’ll see how it all develops,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton. “It may be rocky in the beginning. But I think that this will make sense for Americans and help all Americans.”

Longtime trading partners are preparing their own countermeasures Canada has imposed some in response to the tariffs that Trump tied to the trafficking of fentanyl.

The European Union, in response to the steel and aluminum tariffs, put taxes on $28 billion worth of U.S. goods, including on bourbon, which prompted Trump to threaten a 200% tariff on European alcohol.

Many allies feel they have been reluctantly drawn into a confrontation by Trump, who routinely says America’s friends and foes have essentially ripped off the United States with a mix of tariffs

The flip side is that Americans also have the incomes to choose to buy designer gowns by French fashion houses and autos from German manufacturers, whereas World Bank data show the EU has lower incomes per capita than the U.S.

The Chinese government delivered a measured response to the new tariffs, saying in a statement: “China believes that protectionism leads nowhere, and trade and tariff wars have no winners. This has been widely recognized in the international community.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Trump’s new tariffs would “fundamentally change the international trading system.” He noted that the tariffs already in place against his country and those Trump says he plans to add will be fought with countermeasures.

“In a crisis, it’s important to come together, and it’s essential to act with purpose and with force, and that’s what we will do,” Carney said.

Italy’s conservative Premier Giorgia Meloni said Trump’s new tariffs against the EU were “wrong” and Italy would work toward an agreement with the United States to avoid a trade war that would weaken all involved.

BY JANIE HAR Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO Legal aid clin-

ics that sued the Trump administration after it canceled legal services for migrant children alone in the country say theyare still in limbo aday after afederal judge in California ordered the reinstatement of direct legal assistance.

U.S.District JudgeAraceli

Martínez-Olguín of San Francisco ruled late Tuesday in alawsuit filed by legal aid groups after the Department of Health and Human Services and its Office of Refugee Resettlement on March21 terminateda contract with the Acacia Center for Justice.

She wrote that advocates raised legitimate questions about whether the U.S. violated a2008 anti-trafficking law when it canceled funding for direct legal

representation without ensuring theprovision of counsel prior to thecancellation,warrantinga return to the status quo while the case continues. The order took effect Wednesday and runs through April16.

“TheCourt additionally finds that thecontinuedfunding of legal representation for unaccompanied childrenpromotes efficiencyand fairness within the immigrationsystem,” shewrote.

But aidproviders said Wednesday they are not sure if they can expect federal dollars to begin flowing again.

The Acacia center provides legal services for unaccompaniedmigrant children under18 through anetwork of legal aid groups that subcontract with the center

Eleven subcontractor groups sued, saying that 26,000 children were at risk of losing their at-

torneys and that the government has an obligation to come up with aplanfor transferring pending cases.

Acaciaisnot aparty to the lawsuit,but Bilal Askaryar,aspokesperson,said Wednesday that it has received no notice from the government on what to do next

“We’re still stuckinthis impossible situation where theattorneys that work with thesevulnerable kids have no clarity,”he said.

Alvaro M. Huerta,anattorney with theImmigrantDefenders Law Center,said they are waitingtohear from thegovernment on howitintends to comply with the order.Meanwhile,legal aid providersdonot know if they can rehire staff or take on new clients, he said

“Many organizations continue to represent children in court given theirethical andprofes-

Judgeorderslegal services reinstated formigrant children

sional obligations, even without getting government funding to do so,” he said.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 created specialprotections for migrantchildren who cannot navigatea compleximmigration systemontheirown. Plaintiffs saidsome of their clients are too young to speak and others are too traumatizedand do notknow English.

The law requires the government to ensure “to the greatest extentpracticable” that all childrenentering the country alone have legal counsel to represent them in proceedings and to “protect themfrom mistreatment, exploitation, and trafficking.”

Attorneys for thegovernment saythattaxpayers have no obligation to paythe costofdirect legal aid to migrant children at a time when thegovernment is try-

ing to save money

They also said district courts have no jurisdiction over acontract termination thatwould have expired at the end of March.

Acacia is still under contract withthe government to provide legalorientations, including “know your rights” clinics, which Jonathan Ross with the U.S. Department of Justice said at a courthearing Tuesdayislegally required.

“They’re still free to provide those services on apro bono basis,” he saidofthe legal aidclinics.

But Karen Tumlin with the Justice Action Center said at the same hearing that the administration cannotsimply zero outfunding without providing direction on who will help these children when Congress hasappropriated money for the care of unaccompanied minors.

Musk could be headed forD.C.exitafter turbulenttimes at DOGE

BY CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON DOGE’s days appear to be numbered. Elon Musk recently suggested that he will be done with his workin the near future. President Donald Trump toldreporters this week that “at some point, he’sgoing to be going back” to running his companies. As far as the Department of Government Efficiency,Trump said “it will end.”

All of that talk was before Musk faced asetback TuesdayinWisconsin, where voters rejected his choice fora stateSupreme Court candidate despite more than $21 million in personal donations and his campaign appearanceover the weekend. There are more problems for the billionaire entrepreneur at Tesla, hiselectricautomaker, which saw a13% drop in sales in the first three months of the year

The White House has not disclosed any clear timelinefor closing down DOGE, and thegovernment cost-cutting organization was never supposed to become a permanent fixture in Washington. But it could be reaching aconclusion faster than anticipated. DOGE was originally intended to operate until July 4, 2026.

Now there are signs that it already is windingdown. DOGE employees have been shifted to various federal agencies, which are supposed to takethe lead on cutting costs. Government-wide layoffs areunderwayto accomplish some of the goals laid out by Musk and Trump.

“Wethink probably over thenext two or three months, we’llbepretty muchsatisfiedwith thepeople that are working hard and want to be members of the administration,” Trump said last week.

Thepotential end of DOGE does not mean Trump will stop shaking up Washington. But it appears the administration’sefforts will be enteringa new phasethatislessfocused on Musk, whose chain sawwielding work as apresidentialadviser made him apolitical lightning rod

DOGE was initially envisioned as an independentadvisorypanel, with Musk sharing leadership with VivekRamaswamy,abiotech entrepreneur.Ramaswamy dropped out and is running for Ohio governor, and DOGE became part of the government. It was stocked with Musk’sallies, who were dispatched throughout thebureaucracy to cancel contracts, access sensitive data and pushfor cuts.

Musk presumably has aticking clock on his tenure. He was hired as aspecial government employee, which means he can only work130 days in a365-day timeperiod.

“I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce thedeficitbyatrillion dollarswithinthat time frame,” Musk told Bret BaierofFox News on March 27. So far DOGE is well short of that target, according to

itsown calculations,whichhave been criticized as inflated and inaccurate. Musk didnot commit to leaving the administration by anyparticular date,and it is unclear how the administrationistrackingMusk’s time. On May 30, it will be 130 days sinceTrump’sinauguration on Jan. 20. Trump told reporters on Monday in the Oval Officethat“I’dkeep him

as long as Icould keephim” and “he’savery talented guy.”

The Republican president was known for explosive breakups with top advisers during his first term, but anyonehoping forsucha split with Musk hasbeen disappointed.

“I think he’s amazing, but Ialso think he’s gotabig companyto run,” Trump said. “And so, at some point, he’sgoing to be going back.” Asked if DOGE would continue withoutMusk, Trumpdemurred He said Cabinet officials have worked closelywithMuskand may keep someofthe DOGE people at their agencies.

“But at acertain point Ithink it will end,” Trump said.

Musk’spoll numbers lag behind Trump’s, which Democrats believe they were able to use to their advantage in Wisconsin.

Susan Crawford defeated Brad Schimel, who Musk supported, and ensured the state Supreme Court’s liberal majority In the closing days of that campaign, Musk describedthe race as “importantfor thefutureofcivilization.” He struck adifferent tone afterward.

“I expected to lose, but there is value to losing apiece for apositionalgain,” Musk wrote on Xat 3:13 a.m

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILEPHOTO By MATT ROURKE

Elon Musk, left, shakes handswith President DonaldTrump at the finals for the NCAA wrestling championship March 22 in Philadelphia.

Website tracks public school spending

Users

can see how state

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer

Louisiana unveiled a new website Wednesday that’s meant to give taxpayers a window into how public schools spend money

Required by a 2023 law, the site offers financial information about each of the state’s school districts and charter schools, including

tax dollars are used

vendor contracts, revenue sources, per-pupil spending, salaries of district employees and other data, which can be viewed online and downloaded. Users can also see how much each school district spends on instructional goods and services, maintenance, transportation, information technology, land acquisition supplies and more. Data from private schools that

receive public funds is not included. Schools were already required by law to report financial information to the state’s Department of Education. The new legislation requires that they also submit it to Louisiana’s Department of Treasury, which has put it into the new searchable database. For example, public schools

spend an average of $15,400 per student, but the amount varies among districts and charter schools. About $2,200, or 14%, of that money comes from the federal government, the site states. State Treasurer John Fleming said residents will be able to use the website as a resource to hold local schools accountable for their spending He called it the most comprehensive website of its kind in the country “Sunlight is the best disinfectant to fight inefficiency and waste,” Fleming told reporters Wednesday at the state capitol. “The more transparency we offer the people of Louisiana, the more efficient our state government will become.” Act 370 requires school districts and charter school operators to provide financial information twice a year to the state Treasury Department As of Wednesday, 119 school systems and charters had

ä See SPENDING, page 4B

Lawsuit filed against civil service board

Murrill says St Martinville violated open meeting laws

BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer

BY JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer

The state Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit against

the St. Martinville Fire and Civil Service Board, claiming it violated opening meeting laws. The lawsuit, filed March 27, claims that in the January and February meetings discussing the appeal of a St. Martinville police officer’s termination, the board violated several instances of open meeting laws.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said Wednesday her office could either work with a group to remedy the error or sue. In this case, she said, the board tried to ratify action that was taken during meetings that were not properly conducted, which

was not sufficient.

“Really they just need a doover,” Murrill said.

The attorney general does not plan to impose fines for the board’s violations, she said.

“Our general objective in being enforcers,” Murrill said, “is to make sure they know what the

ä See LAWSUIT, page 4B

Books Along the Teche literary fest expected to draw a

Shadows-on-the-Teche

JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer

Murrill

OUR VIEWS

RedLerille’s legacy can teachour community

In the weeks since his death, Lafayette residents expressed love and appreciation forjust what aspecial entrepreneur, healthevangelist and communityleader we had in RedLerille. His influence spanned decades and touchedalmost every aspect of the city, but hisheart was always on Doucet Road, at thesprawling health club that he builtand that generations of Lafayette residents have enjoyed Red Lerille’sHealth and Racquet Club is more than just agym, it’sa community hubwhere you can findfolks from different backgroundsand experience sharing in the world-class facilities that Lerille developed over theyears. When Lerille died March 14 at age 88, hundredsofLafayette residents mournedthe loss. When his funeralprocession passedthrough thefitness center’sparkinglot,club members turned out to give afinal salute toa life well lived We think in addition to mourning, it’s well worth reflecting on what lessonsLerille’sextraordinary accomplishments can teach us all and how we all can help fillthe tremendous void he leaves. The gym known to all as just“Red’s” wasthe realization of adream for aman whoknewhow to do the hard work to make his dreams come true. Lerillefamously told his friendsthatat7 yearsold, then askinny red-headed kid,heput a picture on his bedroom wall of Mr.America and told everyone he knew that hewould oneday be Mr.America. And at 14,hewould compete in his first weightlifting competition. In 1960, at age23, he would reach hisgoal, winningthe title of Mr.America,one of themost prestigious in bodybuilding. In 1963, he bought agym on JohnstonStreet from his mentor,bodybuilding pioneer Mark Stansbury.Lerille recalled borrowing$200 from his father to pay the rentand building some of the equipment himself. That gym would eventually move to Doucet Road in 1965, andlittle by little over the next 50 years, Lerille would add on to its footprint until it became the landmark it is today

Lerille always said he employed thesame tactic with hishealth club that he had used as a boy: He put apicture on awall, imagined what the future could be and worked toward it. Only one time, he said, did the picture fail to come to fruition, afterCOVID struck and hewas inthe midst of adding anew indoor workoutfacility. But Lerille always had arulefor employees: Make one positive changeeach month.Itdidn’t matter how small, he would tell them. It was making the change that was important. As we look back at Lerille’slife —his faith, hisfamily,his business success —thatone lessonis perhapsthe biggest legacyhehas left us. If we dreamitand work toward it every day, we can build the future we all want for Lafayette

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence The Advocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address and phone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com. TO SEND US A

SCANHERE

OPINION

YOUR VIEWS

Councilshouldreconsider,put LUSonpathtosustainability

Lafayette’senergy future stands at a critical crossroads. Ourmunicipal utility,LUS,plans to replace the soon-toclose Boyce coal plant with a240 MW single-cycle gas generator at the Doc Bonin site. This $400 million project, approved by thecity council, is not in thebest interest of ratepayers. Since 1897, when Lafayettebecame thefirst southwest Louisianacommunitywith electricity,our energy decisions have shaped our growth. The proposed gas plant,operating just 870 hours annually at 20% efficiency,isa step backward. It’s designed primarily to meet MISO requirements, not our community’sneeds.

There are better alternatives, such as: n investing in local renewable energy projects in Port Barre,Lafayette Parishand Jeff Davis Parish n allowing amerchant power plant on the Bonin property at no cost to Lafayette. n pursuing acarbon-neutral future with efficient, hydrogen-convertible units.

The current plan saddles Lafayette with $400 million in debt and ties us to fossil fuels. The alternative leverages privateinvestmentand positions us for acleaner,more economical future. Ourutility’s history showsthe impact of short-sighted decisions. The 1982 investment in theBoyce coal plant led to ongoing transmission fees, significant line losses andnow has us facing a$600 million closure cost that Lafayette hasn’tprepared for. We must learn from this. The proposed gas plant repeats past mistakes, locking us into an inefficient, expensive system that will soon be obsolete. Lafayette deserves an energyplan that prioritizes efficiency,sustainability and fiscal responsibility.Let’s choose apath that secures our energy independence, reduces costs and prepares us for acarbon-neutral future.

The City Council should reconsider its decision and explore alternatives that better serve our community’s long-term interests. HAROLD SCHOEFFLER SR. Lafayette

Johnsonfails leadership test with opposition to proxyvoting

In aspateofrecent articles examining House Speaker Mike Johnson’s position on proxy voting, the congressman defended his refusal to allow Colorado congresswoman (andnew mother) BrittanyPetterson to votebyproxy, claiming: “That’s been my belief as aconstitutional law litigator,and Idon’tsee any way around that. Andit’sunfortunate, I have great sympathy,empathy for all of our young women legislators who are of birthing age. It’s areal quandary. ButI’m afraid it doesn’tfitwith thelanguage of the Constitution, and that’sthe inescapable truth that we have.”

The congresswoman —having recently given birth —was recently forced to fly to Washington withher four-week-old baby to voteinperson.But rules arerules.According to Johnson —a“constitutional law litigator”— proxyvoting is unconstitutional

This is unfortunate, not just for Petterson but alsofor Johnson, who has

voted by proxy dozensoftimes. To give but one example, between Dec. 21-23, 2022, Johnson votedbyproxy 19 times to add aweek to his Christmas vacation. If Johnson’scorrect that voting by proxy is unconstitutional, why did he votebyproxy? Why would he purposefully violate theConstitution, which he took an oath to uphold? Or does Johnson’s allegiance to the Constitutionvary from year to year,speaker to speaker?

The bestleaders in my life taught me never to hold subordinates to a standardImyself could not meet. Johnson failed this test. He then hid from constituents his history of proxy voting to justify rejecting a new mother’s reasonable request for an accommodation thathehas repeatedly enjoyed. That is disqualifying —perhaps never electorally but certainly morally

EVAN RIEBSOME Shreveport

Reading newsreports on Elon Musk’sDOGEactions at the Social Security Administration has me very worried.

It wasunsettling to find out that DOGE now has access to all of my, and your,personal information including Social Security number, where you worked in the past, how much you were paid, whoyou’re married to and whoyour kids are, where you lived foryour entire life, where you bank and where your savings are and if any members of your family wereborn outside of the U.S. DOGE has refused to explain why they need all of my,and your,information to cut government spending, yet has insisted that not only do they need the information, they need the “source code” forthe Social Security systems.

This would allow DOGE to change how Social Security works by changing the programming, without asking anyone forpermission. Far more frightening, it would allow DOGE to change my information. How would Ibeable to prove that Iearned what Idid in the 1980s, ‘90s and 2000s if DOGE’s Social Security suddenly says Ididn’tearn enough to be qualified forthe Social Security check I now get and rely on to live?

Simple answer is, Icouldn’t. Musk now has the ability to take away my, and your,benefits that we worked our whole lives for. Ijust talked to my wife about how we could live if Musk takes away my benefits. We’re afraid.And that may be thepoint ROBIN MOULDER Baton Rouge

The article “La. oversight of Medicaid criticized” gives aclassic example of the graftand corruption in Louisiana. More than half of the $2.4 billion was spent on administrative expenses and other costs that did not have ameasurable impact on patient health outcomes.

Gov. Jeff Landry should fire everyone involved in this travesty and start over with new people and new rules and very close oversight.

DOUGLAS

DOREMUS Baton Rouge

BEHIND THE HEADLINES AMENDMENTS COMMENTARY

In abig way, Louisiana voters said no.Now what?

Louisiana voters roundly rejected four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballotthatGov.Jeff Landry had supported, including a complex, far-reaching overhaul of the stateconstitution’ssection on revenue and finance. Columnists Stephanie Grace, Quin Hillyer and Will Sutton compared notes on what message they think the voters meant to send. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Sutton: This seems like a really huge moment in Louisiana politics. Do you recall avote on anything else in Louisiana that was so lopsided?

Grace: There was an election in Orleans Parish in 2023 where 91% rejected aSheriff’s Office millage. There was the creation of regionallevee authorities after Katrina, which got 81% support statewide. Thoseare bigger numbers than we had this week, but still, we had63-66% voting against the governor The common thread, to me, is trustin government.There was alack of trust in these proposals. It came from afew different places. It was not hard forDemocrats to capitalize on, because they’re angry anyway. They’re angry at Landry,they’reangry at Donald Trump. They feel liketheir government is doing all kinds of things that they can’tcontrol. Thiswas something they could weigh in on, andboy,did they. Ifeel like Amendments 2and 3were really the ones that people talked aboutand were strongly opposedto, butthe campaign to vote no on all four offered apowerful, easy message. But the opposition wasn’t onlyfrom Democrats, so let’stalk about that.

Hillyer: Iagree that most of this was driven by the two more high-profile amendments, juvenile justice and the tax overhaul.Voters, especiallywhen they’re given this little time —and they really had almostno time to digest this —theytendtosee what the high-profile things are and then lump everything together And the juvenile justice one was just aflat-out bad idea. Imean,itwas togive legislatorsthe ability to try juvenilesas adults, without letting thepublic weigh in on what crimes should count. Most people do notthink that childrenshould be treated as full adults except in extremesituations, and you ended up with aton of opposition.

Grace: And the backdropisLandry and the Legislature had already moved in that direction in the past year without voters having achancetoweighin, Hillyer: And now they wanted to go even further,and that struck alot of people, not just liberals and Democrats, as really sort of scary.Imean, you’ve got alot of conservativeswho have just spentthe lastseveral years saying, “don’ttreat childrenas adults when it comes to booksand libraries, when it comes to transgender issues, when it comes to all sorts of social issues.” And you’re going to turn aroundand say, “treatthem as adults for acrime that’sless than amurder or aggravated rape;” that flies against what most people think. So that was ahard no. And alot of people were hard noonthe taxthing becauseitwas toocomplicated, and because if you’re against anyone part you’re likely to be against thewholething. And if you’re ahard no on twoofthem, it’s so easy to be ahard no on allfour amendments, because you’re thinking,“We just don’ttrust these guys.”

Grace: They included sweeteners and really promoted them —the teacher payraise, whetheryou agreeitwas really apay raise or not —and Ithink people took it as “look at that, but don’tlook at therest.” Ireally do think people support paying teachers at least the extra $2,000 they’vegottenthe last couple of years, letalone more Sutton: And along those lines, on Amendment 3, juveniles are now treated as adults only in the most heinouscrimes, and they’re in the constitution.Sothenthe question is: Well, what else would youwant to add? There was no answer tothat, andI think that was abig problem.I don’tcare

whatparty or philosophy you have, you wanttoknow what’syour alternative.

Andwith Amendment 2, there was also afaith component. The Rev.Tony Spell focused on takingprotection against property taxes for religious institutions out of theconstitution, and it resonated withfolks from various faiths and backgrounds.

Grace: And that group included parts of Jeff Landry’sconservative base, and they ended up in the vote-no-on-everything space too —which, again, was an easy place to go.

Also, none of this was about national politics —even though there are national Democrats saying it’spart of atrend —but the context does matter.Landry has moved so fastonsomuch, and Trumpismoving so fast on so much.And there just really is this environmentof: Can we slow down and talk aboutwhether we are really making good decisions?

Hillyer: And there is avery healthy visceral antagonism in theAmerican public against too much concentration of power, andagainst when somebody like Landry, all across the board, is grabbing power He’sgrabbing power withlevee boards. He tried to rig asystem tocompletely rewrite thestate constitution. He failed at that, but everywhere you look, he is trying to consolidate power.And once that idea gets out there, people are going to say no.

Grace: So far,the Legislature has mostly gone alongwith Landry.Iwonder if thisresult changes that to someextent, if it gives legislators afeeling that that’snot necessarily what their voters want, and maybe empowers them.

Sutton: Ithink it absolutely will, as they see the statewide result,but then look at their districts, with so few parishes voting yes. How canyou not look at that and say, “Whoa, OK, Ican still be with (the governor),but to what degree?”

Hillyer: Ithink on boththe stateand the national levels, this might send amessage to legislators to have somebackbone and realize that they are not elected to follow whatever the executive says. Andnot to over-nationalize this, but that’sa lesson that national Republicans are also going to learn ayear and ahalf from now after refusing to use theauthoritythat their constituents gave them to use their own independent judgment rather than just follow alonglikepathetic bleating sheep.

Grace: The map was so striking because parishes of all different political stripes opposed the amendments.

Sutton: And that’sone of the reasons why Democrats have good reason to look at this as abig win, but Ithink it’d be too much to consider this an anti-MAGA vote. This was adifferent coalition of voters saying no, too much, too far,too fast.

Hillyer: Ithink something needs to be said here. Jeff Landry’sresponse to this was despicable. To say that just because people disagreed withhim on this means that this is, quote, “a state that is conditioned for failure.” It’snot true, and it’sobnoxious, and it is assuming that because you wantit as governor,that what you wantisthe only thingthat matters.

Grace: When has insulting voters ever been asmartthing for apolitician to do? When have voters ever said, “Oh, you’re right,Iamstupid. You’re smart.”

There’scriticism that amendment supporters were caught flat-footed by the strong opposition from multiple corners. The groups on theleft were very coordinated and out there very early,and the group on the right that we talked about was very vocal. Butalso, just anecdotally, Iknew people who were engaged and trying to figure out how to vote, and there was so much confusion, even from them, as to what Amendment 2would do. Iheard people say that they thought the 5% sales tax was in there. It’snot; that already happened. The flat incometax already happened. So, Landry sold this as part of this big tax reform package, but someofthe thingsthat people opposed weren’t even in there.

Hillyer: Let me jump in here real quick and say that raising thesales tax in an already high sales tax statewas both substantively and politically avery bad thing to do. It is aregressive tax, and it is atax that is also pretty bad from astandpoint of economic development,and Ithink it’s avery unpopular tax.And Ithink that that definitely played arole here, because people were responding to that hike in the sales tax.

Ibet alot of people would have voted for Amendment 1ifthey separated that into two, because there were two different parts of that amendment involving courts that had nothing to do with each other.Each of them might pass individually.Amendment 4, which was theone on timingrequirements for fulfilling Supreme Court vacancies —it’sa very minor thing. Given another chance, it might pass.

Grace: Again, Ithink thetrust issue came into play.You heard conversation about, ‘Wait, arethey going to do something to trytorig Supreme Court elections?’ And it’shard to understand how they could, but Ithink there was that feeling, especially after Landry pushed theLegislature to create party primaries for the SupremeCourt.

Hillyer: Andthen on Amendment 2, unless two items have to go together operationally to make something work, then you should separatethem.For instance, that sort of back door-way to get rid of the inventory taxes; no reason why that couldn’t pass on itsown. You’d have to put that with

aprovision that provided another revenue source, but you separate it from all the rest of the tax stuff,and that could pass individually,right? People want to understand what they’re voting forindigestible chunks.

Grace: And there is an inherent contradiction in Amendment 2, in that the argument wastofree up legislators to give them moremaneuverability by taking money out of trust funds that voters adopted and in manycases liked. There’sanargument forthat, but at the sametime, there were provisions that gave them less flexibility The cap on incometax was actually higher than the current rate, but it would mean legislators can’traise incometax in the future if,say,they decide to lower sales tax. And also the hard spending cap. Probably those were put in in to get very conservative support in the Legislature, but they created acontradiction.

Let’stalk about what happened in some of the local referenda. All over the state, measures involving taxes lost.

Hillyer: Well, there’salibrary tax in St. Tammanythat passed.

Grace: That did pass. People like libraries, but they don’tseem to like much else. The city charter in St George wentdown. When Ilooked at the results on Saturday night, my thought was that the voters are really cranky Will, you brought this up, but let’stalk about it abit more. What does this mean forDemocrats in this state?

Sutton: Randal Gaines, the state party chair,just hired anew executive director,and he’sreally good with fundraising and building staffand working through different affinity groups. Ithink this is something where the timing is so right for them to latch on to, to tell folks: See what we can do.

Grace: Because the party has been viewed as very ineffective in recent years. Like tragically ineffective.

Sutton: Right. And they’ve got an opportunity here to use this to establish some infrastructure to attract morepeople to party engagement, and to look ahead and figure out if what happened with this election can translate into people running for office.

Grace: Quin, do you feel like this says anything about the partisan mixinthe state?

Hillyer: Ithink it’seasy to overgeneralize about what the results might mean for the bigger picture. But that said, if Iwere the Republicans, Iwould be alittle nervous now,and Iwould start to think maybe I need to start listening not just to my activist base, but to people whoare either more in the middle or whoare not as political. All of this, too much, too soon, too big and too arrogant does not play well.

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Clerkshelp voters cast their ballotatEast Baton RougeParish Library on Saturday

Will Sutton

Stephanie Grace Quin Hillyer

La.Supreme Court suspends high-profile attorney

OrderbarsHaley from practicing, pending investigation

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

The Louisiana Supreme Court has suspended prominent Baton Rouge civil rights attorney Ron Haley Jr.for “threat of harm,” according to an order from the state’s courtof authority that was signed Wednesday

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attraction. The series also celebrates south Louisiana culture.

Festgoers can attendthe annual book fair,where dozens of authors set up shop along New Iberia’shistoric Main Street selling their works. The festival has an array of events linedup, including panel discussions on book writing, poetry,politics and music, dance lessons, readerstheater anddozensof authors selling their books at an Authors Fair

Haley,who hasbeen licensed to practice law since 2007, is one of East Baton Rouge Parish’smost activecriminal defense attorneys and remains busy as acivil rights legal advocate. But according to the interimsuspension, which took immediate effect Tuesday,heis barred from practicing, pending further orders from the Supreme Court. The one-page order obtained by The Advocate

didnot list specifics,but indicated the Office of Disciplinary Counselpetitioned for Haley’ssuspension

The Supreme Court previously suspended Haley for sixmonths in December 2021, determining he violated therulesof professional conductfor lawyers. That suspension followed an investigation into allegations he neglected alegal matter, failedtocommunicate with aclient, inappropri-

ately attempted to settle a malpractice claimwith a client and failed to return aclient’sfile uponrequest Haley hasbeen involved in anumber of high-profile cases across the state. He represented Ronald Greene’sfamily in afederal wrongful death lawsuit against several Louisiana State troopers whokilled the 49-year-old Black motorist in May 2020 following ahigh-speed chase outside of Monroe in north Louisiana.

Haley was also part of the legalteam for Aaron Larry Bowman, aBlack

suspect who wasrepeatedly struck by astate trooper armed with a flashlightduringatraffic stop in Ouachita Parish 20 days after Greene’sdeath. Locally,Haley defended Baton Rouge rapper Lit Yoshi in a2020 shooting that stemmed from abeef between rival rap crews. Yoshi, whose real name is Mieyoshi Edwards, pleaded guilty to attempted murder andassault by drive-by.DistrictJudge TarvaldSmithsentenced himto15years in July 2022, according to court records.

join remotely for an interview Individual tickets are required for many events; others are free.

James Lee Burke willalso

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laws are and comply.”

The alleged violations include failure to properly provide notice of the agenda, failure to provide notice that the board would enter into executive session, failure to keep written minutes of the meeting and entering an executive session without amending

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submitted data.

“This is information that (districts) normallyreport to the department,” said First Assistant State Treasurer Rachel Kincaid,“but we visualized it so that you can search it.”

The website currently only offers data for public and charter schools. Fleming said future legislation could require private schools that

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and power outages may result.

“The winds we’re seeing are from the low-pressure system that is happening in thesouthern plains, and because of the size of that lowpressure, we’reseeing gradient winds,” said weather serviceforecaster Cameron Kowalski

Temperatures through Friday areexpected to stay consistent at 85 with heavy rain and thunderstorms going into Saturday

Although warm air from the low pressure and showers sound like the perfect storm, weather service forecasterKowalskisaid there are no signs of atropical storm. There are minor similaritiesbetween tropical storms and cyclones, alarge, rotating air mass,

TUESDAY,APRIL 1, 2025

PICK 3: 5-1-0 PICK 4: 7-0-1-6 PICK 5: 5-4-0-5-4 MEGA MILLIONS: 11-12-21-29-49

MEGAPLIER:

Other literary features of thefestival include welcoming the 2025 “Great Southern Writer” MaryKay Andrews, aNew York Times best-selling author whowrote 10 critically acclaimed mystery novels. Foracomplete festival itinerary or tickets,visit

BooksAlongTheTecheLiteraryFestival.comor the festival’sFacebook page.

EmailJa’kori Madison at jakori.madison@ theadvocate.com

the agenda andwithout a vote, Murrill said.

Thelawsuit claimsthe board continued to discuss thematter through in-person conversations and in text messages while in executive session and after the meeting wasadjourned and voted toissueawritten statement towardthe officer’sappeal while outside of thepublic view.

TheAttorneyGeneral’s Office lawsuitdemands that theboard’s decisionbe

receive state funds —includingthose thatreceive taxpayermoney through Louisiana’snew LA GATOR program —tosubmittheir data.

He said the ultimate goal is to have every school in Louisianathat receivesany publicfunding submitits spending informationtothe website.

“Certainly,” he said,“this is agood start.” Fleming cautionedthat because thesite is still in its earlystages, his department is still collecting data from

but they bothlook different when forming, he added. “Just because we’reseeing this type of wind and moisturedoesn’tindicate anystorm.The pattern we see is more of amidlatitude cyclone pattern instead of atropical pattern,” he added.

tossed out.

The appeal at the center of the lawsuit involved St.Martinville policeofficer Cody Laperouse, who is alleged to have threatenedtokill andattempted to attack aresident. In February,the board in awritten statement, affirmed theCityCouncil’s previous decision to fire Laperouse.

“His actions demonstrate that he has angerissues that preclude him from continuing to serve as aSt. Martinville City Police Officer,” the board wrote. Laperouse, in his appeal,argued that he neverattempted to attack or threaten the resident. The Police did

schools and someinformation may be incomplete. He urged anyone who finds reporting errors to submit themtothe state treasury department.

State Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, whoauthored the original bill, said thewebsite’slaunch is a crucial step toward transparency

“Our parents have an opportunity to see how aschool system is spending theirdollars,”hesaid.“Ihopewhat thatdoes is bring confidence in some of those systems.”

DuetoMonday’sstorms, theflood warning issued for theVermilion River in Lafayette at the SurreyStreet gauge hadbeen extendedto Wednesday evening.

Email Ja’kori Madison at jakori.madison@ theadvocate.com.

cedure and possibly violated his rights as apolice officer underinvestigation by not recording what he said was an interrogation between the two. He also claimed Martincontinued asking questions after he saidhewanted an attorney Martin, however, claimed theconversation was not an interrogation.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

The Grotto of OurLadyofLourdes will be on the ‘Dave’sHaunts and Jaunts Tour,’ which features sites from James Lee Burke’sDaveRobicheaux novels

Laperouse Burke

SPORTS

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

Where are you from?

For most people, that’sa simple answer. But when you’re part of acoaching family —orinthe case of LSU sophomore gymnast Amari Drayton, afootball coachingfamily it’smore complicatedthan that.

Drayton lists Spring, Texas, just north of Houston as her hometown.She lists World Champions Centre, Simone Biles’ gym,as her home facility

But Drayton was born in Starkville,Mississippi, whenher father Stan Draytoncoached running backs at MississippiState. Her sisterAnaya was born in Gainesville, Florida,

when Stan coached running backs with the Gators.

“It was ajoke in our family to ask the girls where they were from,” saidStan, entering his firstseasonasPennState’srunningbackscoach after three seasons as head coach at Temple

Amari Drayton trainedinfive different gyms growing up.Still, it did nothamper herability to make theU.S.Olympic Trials in 2021 or become one of LSU’s key contributors going into thestartofNCAA postseason competition Thursday at Penn State. Somehow,and somewhat unexpectedly,the roads of awell-traveled football and gymnas-

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

This summer,Jamie Tutkocame to Jay Johnson withaproposition.

Tutko, then the director of player development/video and scouting for LSU baseball, wanted to work more closely withthe pitchers. He was apitcher in college and his heart had always beenonthat side ofthe ball.

ä LSU at Oklahoma

6P.M.THURSDAy, ESPN2

After afew staff changesresultedinan opening on thepitching side, Tutko took the opportunity to present his idea to Johnson. It didn’ttake much to persuade Johnson to get on board.

“He was actually really fired up this summer,” Tutko said. “And hopefully he’sstill fired upwithit.” Tutko’snew role is the director of development—pitching. The position allows him to almost exclusively workwithLSU pitchers and pitching coach Nate Yeskie.

Along with Tutko moving into his new role, assistantcoach Marc Wanaka’stitle also changed to director of player development —offense.

“There were some areas thatmeand coach Yeskie could really work well together,” Tutkosaid, “andexplore some,I wouldn’tsay different, butjustsome newer developmental ideasfromthe pitchingside of things.”

Tutko still prepares the scouting reports on opposing pitchers ahead of everygame. Maintaining that responsibilitymeans that he still helps Johnson devise thelineup and stands next to him in the dugout when the Tigers are up to bat.

Butmanyofhis otherscouting responsibilities have been spread among other members of the staff.

“I love workingonstuff with him,”JohnsonsaidofTutko.“(We) work very closely together.Ifeel like he’ssopassionateabout helping our players and our team that becauseofthat, he’s made himself better in four years. And Imean thatand as a

tics family convergethis week in the m tains of central Pennsylvania.For afam thatdoesn’tget to spend agreat deal of t together,ithas been adelightful happensta “Theystartedspring practice andI ca him immediately and said, ‘Dad, we’re g to Penn State,’ ”Amarisaid. “It’sexciting wasn’table to go to regionals last year causehewas at Temple, but nowhe’sthe LSU’sregional semifinal is set for6 p.m PennState’sRec Hall. The Tigers will c peteinthe Olympic rotation—vault, b beam and floor —against Southeastern C ferencerivaland No.16national seed Ar sas, along withMichigan and Maryland Maryland advanced Wednesday by ning aplay-in meet against West Virg 196.250-195.325.

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

Pitchersdid not have afun night with line drives launched by bothteams all over the ballpark throughout theevening.

Fortunatelyfor UL, its bats were up to the task to claim a9-7 victory over Northwestern State on Tuesday at Russo Park.

“Wewere good tonight offensively,” UL coach Matt Deggs said. “It was pretty much top to bottom.Ithought it was great. That’sa scrappy group over there.They’re having agood season for areason.”

Thewin got the Cajuns back to .500 at 15-15 andimprovedULto5-4 on theseason in midweek games.The visiting Demons, whohad won 13 of theirprevious 15

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

With LSU football practicepaused for springbreak,it’sa convenient time to take stock of what we have learnedabout this team. TheTigershavecompleted 10 practices, andtheywillhavefive more before spring ballends. Here is one takeaway about every position based on whatwehaveseen andheard three weeks into practice.

Quarterback

games, dropped to 18-10.

UL playedLouisiana Tech at home on Wednesdaynight.

The Cajunsgot the fireworks started with three runs in thefirst inning. It wasthe sixth straight gameULscored in the first inning and the 11th time in the last 14 games.

“Weset areally good tone with five in the first two innings,” said Deggs, who was ejected from the gamein thefourth inning.

Conor Higgs walked and Caleb Stelly singled ahead of aLee Amedee’sRBI double. Drew Markle then addeda clutch two-out, two-run single to center

The bottom of the order also contributed heavily.ConnorCuffhad hissecond multihit game of theseason with adouble and asingle out of the 8-hole.

LSU mayhave upgraded at backup quarterback with Mississippi State transfer Michael VanBuren. He’sstill early in the processoflearning anew offense, but he hasshown some promise. Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan said VanBuren’s “comfortabilityinthe pocket is exceptional,” and that he can reach every part of the field as apasser.Though he won’tunseat Garrett Nussmeier,Van Buren could be an

in 2026 if he continues to develop. Runningback There have beensomeencouraging things said aboutKaleb Jackson. LSU coachBrian Kelly admitted Jackson “struggledthe last year with his size and volume” after gaining 10 pounds, but the coaches have seen better things from

STAFFPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSU coach JayJohnson, left, speakswith director of player development Jamie Tutko during ascrimmageonJan. 24 at Alex Box Stadium.

LSUgymnast Amari Drayton STAFF FILE PHOTO By

MICHAEL JOHNSON

On TV AUTO RACING

9:25

6

Host Teurlings steamrolls past N. Vermilion in tourney opener

BY MIKE COPPAGE

Contributing writer

Jack Purser and Ryan Berard each drove in four runs, and pitcher Jace Garber continued to dominate hitters for Teurlings Catholic in the District 4-4A tournament opener on Tuesday

The four-inning 15-0 win over North Vermilion saw the top of the host Rebels’ lineup, Kaden Chavis and Will Power, each collect two hits and score three runs.

“I think it all started with our approach to start the game,” coach Brooks Badeaux said. “We had a tough at-bat and got (Chavis) on base after six pitches (Porter Stuart) had the same type of at-bat to start the second inning.”

Chavis and Stuart both battled from 0-2 counts against starting pitcher Isaac Russell, who only allowed one earned run as the Rebels (20-3, 7-0) surged to a 9-0 lead.

“We got a few breaks here and there,” Badeaux said. “We had a few sacrifice flies The most important thing is unselfishness. These guys do a great job of putting the team first.” Berard, a second baseman and LSUEunice recruit, was 3 for 3 with a sacrifice bunt and a double. Designated hitter Jack Purser, who signed with Nicholls State for football, was 1 for 1 with two sacrifice flies.

“Jack had three crucial at-bats with guys on third base and less than two outs,” Badeaux said of his clean-up hitter. “He delivered every time. That’s also a credit to everyone across the lineup. Guys have to be on base to put (Berard and Purser) in those situations.”

Third baseman Brennan Storms hit an RBI triple, catcher Brant Badeaux had an RBI single, and first baseman Jack Ortego added a hit and two runs for the Rebels, who edged North Vermilion (11-14, 3-4) 10-9 in a previous meeting

“We worked as a team,” Berard said “Every guy did their job. This win brings some momentum for us. The first time we played North Vermilion, it was a dogfight They’re a solid team.” Garber (4-0, 2.45 ERA), who recently threw a perfect game against Rayne, allowed two hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Kevin Marix walked and Alex Landry singled to begin the second inning, but Garber nimbly fielded a bunt and threw out the lead runner at third base.

The senior recorded a strikeout with the bases loaded to end the top half of the second with the Rebels ahead 3-0. In the third, Brody Lambeck led off with a walk, but a grounder to Garber resulted in a double play

“Jace threw well,” Badeaux said. “He set the tone in the first with a fairly quick inning He made a few nice defensive plays.”

The Rebels hosted St. Thomas More (19-4, 6-1), an 11-2 winner over Rayne, in the second round on Wednesday North Vermilion traveled to Rayne (17-7, 4-3) in an elimination game later Wednesday The Rebels beat STM 2-0 last month behind pitchers Evan Vincent and Lincoln Guillory. Teurlings won 15 of its past 17 games with losses to Division I nonselect No. 1 Live Oak, which is ranked nationally by multiple polls.

The reigning Division II select state champion Rebels also defeated Live Oak and are ranked third overall in the state by Prep Baseball Report behind Live Oak and Benton.

“All of us got together as a team and said we needed to get better,” said Garber, a Northeast Texas Community College recruit. “Our pitching staff has gotten a lot better Our hitting is extremely good. I know we’re going to get hits.”

HIGH SCHOOLS

Planting their flag

BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer

Kaplan softball coach Brittany Lebouef knew her Pirates could accomplish big things this season.

To get there, Lebouef said the Pirates needed to be battletested, so that’s why she loaded their schedule with some of the best softball programs in the state.

The Pirates haven’t backed down.

Already with signature victories this season over Iowa, John Curtis and Lutcher, the Pirates added another big win when won at St. Thomas More 7-4 in nondistrict action Tuesday

“If we are the underdog, we’re still going to go out there and compete,” Lebouef said. “This is a huge win for us. STM is one of the top teams and they have a lot of Division I players who are very good We play every year and every year it is a tossup (on who is going to win).”

The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the first, 5-1 lead after three innings and led 7-1 in the seventh before the Cougars scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh.

“I’m very proud and pleased with the way we played (Tuesday),” said Lebouef, whose Pirates extended their winning streak to 13. “Our kids have been working really hard and that hard work started last June That hard work is starting to pay off.”

The Pirates (19-2, 4-0), who are the District 5-3A champions, scored seven runs on 11 hits. They were led by first baseman Abbigale Ford (2for-4, double, triple, two RBIs), catcher Addyson Hebert (two RBIs), designated player Emma Sherman (2-for-4, RBI) and shortstop Liberty Greene (2-for-4, HR, twoRBIs).

“We have a great hitting

“We

BRITTANy

coach,” Lebouef said. “He makes sure our hitters are prepared, and (Tuesday) we were prepared.”

Kaplan pitcher Lexi Greene did the rest inside the circle.

“Lexi did a great job,” Lebouef said. “She works hard, and she is seeing the success of that hard work.”

Lexi Greene was the winning pitcher after allowing four runs (one earned) on 10 hits and one walk while striking out 13 in seven innings.

“I thought I did good, but towards the end I started to fumble a bit,” said Lexi Greene, who was also 1-for-2 with three stolen bases and two runs scored. “But overall, I’d say I did pretty good.”

Other than yielding a leadoff solo home run to left field in the bottom of the third to STM’s Shyanne Irvin, Lexi Greene kept the Cougars off the scoreboard through six innings.

“I definitely wanted to get

TUESDAY’S SCORES

LSU’s Tejedo in

at Augusta Women’s Amateur

LSU freshman Rocio Tejedo fired an even-par 72 Wednesday to finish in a tie for 30th place after the first round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, Georgia.

Tejedo got off to a great start with birdies on three of the first 10 holes, but then made double bogey on the par-3 11th and a bogey at the par-4 16th to give her red numbers back.

The low 30 and ties after Thursday’s second round will advance to the final round Saturday at Augusta National Golf Club, meaning Tejedo is right on the cutline with 18 holes to go.

Tejedo will tee off at 7:58 a.m. Thursday The second round is on the Golf Channel.

Sooners freshman Fears declares for NBA draft

Jeremiah Fears has declared for the NBA draft after one standout season at Oklahoma.

Fears made the announcement on a social media post Wednesday The 6-foot-4 guard is projected by many to be a lottery pick. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season and helped the Sooners reach the NCAA Tournament.

Fears had plenty of big games that boosted his stock. He scored 26 points against Arizona. He also hit a 30-footer, drew a foul and completed a four-point play late that pushed the Sooners to an 8786 win over Michigan in the Jumpman Invitational. He scored 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting and made four 3-pointers in a loss to No. 2 Florida.

All-Star Merrill, Padres agree to $135M contract

SAN DIEGO All-Star outfielder Jackson Merrill and the San Diego Padres agreed Wednesday to a $135 million, nine-year contract covering 2026-34.

Merrill had a sensational rookie season in 2024 and said several times he wanted to stay long term with the Padres.

Merrill, who turns 22 on April 19, was moved from shortstop to center field in spring training last year when the Padres had only two outfielders on their roster He made the opening-day roster and hit .292 with 24 homers, 90 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting behind Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes. He’s had a least one hit in every game this season and has helped the Padres to the first 6-0 start in their 57-season history

ahead of hitters,” she said of her game plan. “I thought my rise ball was very good (Tuesday). Even more than usual. I was hitting all of my spots.”

The Cougars (17-5) were led offensively by Kennedy Stutes (3-for-4, double), Addison Lafferty (2-for-3), Peyton Darden (2-for-3, double) and Remi Guins (double, two RBIs).

Margaret Oge was the losing pitcher after allowing seven earned runs on 11 hits and four walks with one strikeout in seven innings.

Despite the big wins, Lebouef doesn’t want her team to lose focus on the ultimate goal.

“We definitely can’t get bigheaded,” Lebouef said “We know what we want to be and what we want to be is state champions.

“So, there is still a lot of work to do.”

Email Eric Narcisse at enarcisse@theadvocate.com.

Taylor cedes ownership of Timberwolves and Lynx

MINNEAPOLIS The drawn-out drama surrounding the sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves is finally over More than a year after Glen Taylor tried to retain majority control of the franchise by canceling its $1.5 billion sale to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, Taylor is ending that battle.

Lore and Rodriguez will become controlling owners after Taylor decided he will not appeal a 2-1 February arbitration ruling against him.

The panel ruled Taylor was not operating within the legal framework of their purchase agreement when he attempted to call off the sale in March 2024.

The sale also includes the Minnesota Lynx, the most successful franchise in WNBA history

76ers’ All-Star Embiid set for arthroscopic surgery

PHILADELPHIA Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery next week on his left knee, the latest attempt to make the All-Star center healthy enough to play next season.

Embiid was ruled out for the season in late February, with the Sixers saying he would focus on treatment and rehabilitation of his left knee. The Sixers said additional updates on Embiid would come following the surgery Counting the 164 games he missed his

Kaplan Pirates beat state power STM in latest impressive win

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE Teurlings Catholic’s Jack Purser hit a pair of sacrifice flies in Tuesday’s 15-0 victory against North Vermilion.

STAFF PHOTOS By BRAD BOWIE

More’s Peyton Darden on Tuesday in

St. Thomas More’s Ava Segura catches a fly ball on Tuesday

PoalatestLSU titlewinnertoenter transfer portal

Tigers guardhas an extrayearofeligibility left to play

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

LSU women’sbasketball guard

Last-Tear Poa announcedWednesdaythatshe hasdecidedtoenter the transfer portal Poa, anative of Australia, just completedher senior season.But arecent NCAA rule change, which stemmed from alawsuit filed by Vanderbilt quarterbackDiego Pavia, granted extra eligibilityto her and other former junior-college athletes. Before she played for the Tigers, Poa spent two seasonsatNorthwest Florida State junior college. She became avaluable contributor to each of LSU’slast three teams. She played around 15 minutes per game in her 102 appearances and 27 starts for the Tigers, usuallywhile assuming achunk of

ANALYTICS

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compliment because Ialready thought he was great.”

Since Tutko and Yeskie have combined forces,they heavily have emphasizedthe importance of throwing first pitch strikes and throwing strikes on twoofthe first three pitches of the count.

They’ve also stressed thesignificance of overall zone percentage and competitive location percentage. The latter statistic measures the rate of pitchesthat are bothin and around the strike zone.

“If you put adot in the middle of the strike zone, and then youput a circle 17 inches around (that), (a pitch) inside that circle it’s acompetitive located pitch,” Tutko said Tutko and Yeskie decided to narrow their focus to mastering those four numbersbecause that was“what the best teams in the country are doing.”

“If we’re going to do those things, then the strikeouts are going to happen, right? The weak contact, the lower walks, all of that is going to happen,” Tutko said. “It’sgoing to take care of itself if we just focus on acouple of different numbersthat we hadn’t put abig emphasis on in the past.”

Reaching those feats is easier said than done

Walks have been an issue for LSU. The Tigers are allowing over four free passes per game. They walked sevenbatters Saturday against Mississippi State and seven more the prior Saturday against Texas. Free passes also nearly cost them awin overMissouri three weeks ago. But Tutko isn’tconcerned about control issues. He saidthe Tigers are not far off of their team goal of a9%walk rate.

“It’ssomething that we’re continuing to grind at, and we’re continuing to workat,”Tutko said, “and these guys have have worked really,really hard getting to that point.” Tutko believes that commanding the ball is much tougher than it seems from the outside, saying that major-leaguers on average miss their pitch location by more than 12 inches.

“Wewill neverstop pushing for command,” Tutko said, “but (we need to understand) thatcommanding thebaseball,even in the big leagues, is really,really, really hard, right?”

LSU’spitching staff clearly has enough talent —with fastballs that reach the upper 90s and procaliber breaking balls. But has that come at thecost of walks and shaky control?

“When it comes to stuff versus command, ideally,you would want both, right?” Tutko said.

“I’m not abeliever thatstuffis better than command,and I’mnot abeliever that command is better than stuff. They go hand in hand It’sjust amatter of trying to get both of them for our guys. And it’sextremely hard.”

their ballhandling duties and playingsound point-of-attack defense.

In the first half of the2023 national championship game, Poa drewtwo charges that put Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark in early foul trouble. Drawing charges were astaple of Poa’sgame. As ajunior,she took 31 chargesin36games. This season, as asenior,Poa split lead ballhandling responsibilitieswith transfer point guard Shayeann Day-Wilson. She started acareer-high 15 games, including three of LSU’s four NCAA Tournamentcontests.

In afirst-round win over No. 14 seed San Diego State,she tallied four rebounds, three assists and asteal.

In October,Poa filed alawsuit against US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) over theagency’sdecision to deny her avisa that would’ve allowed her more freedom to strike name, image andlikeness (NIL) deals.Current policyplaces tight restrictions on whichoff-campusemploy-

ON DECK

WHO: LSU(27-3,7-2 SEC) at Oklahoma (23-5, 5-4 SEC)

WHEN: 6p.m.Thursday

WHERE: L. Dale Mitchell Park, Norman, Okla.

TV: ESPN2

RADIO: WDGL-FM, 98.1 (Baton Rouge); WWL-AM,870 (New Orleans); KLWB-FM,103.7 (Lafayette)

RANKINGS: LSUisNo. 7by

D1Baseball; Oklahoma is No. 10

PROBABLESTARTERS: LSU

LHPKadeAnderson(5-0, 3.52 ERA); Oklahoma —RHP Kyson Witherspoon(5-1, 2.31 ERA)

WHATTOWATCH FOR: Anderson struggled in his laststartagainst Mississippi State, surrendering five earned runs in 41/3 innings. Before last week,hehad not allowedmore than three earned runs in astart this year.Witherspoon gave up three earned runs in fourinnings aweek agoagainst Alabama. Koki Riley

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU pitcher Kade Anderson deliversapitch against Mississippi State in the third inning of their game on March 27 at Alex Box Stadium.

The difficulties that come with tryingtocommand thebaseball arewhy Tutko hasfocuseda lot of effort on pitch sequencing. He sees itasthebestwayofgivinghispitchers agreater “margin forerror.”

When Yeskie is calling pitches, Tutko is by his side helping him decide what their guys should throw and when “Pitch sequencing right and theusageand using the right pitches in theright times,” Tutko said, “all that’sgoing to do is just help get these guys’ walk numbers go down.”

The Tigers’ staff is far from perfect, but it still is one of thebetter groups inthe conference.

Tutko intends on keeping it that way

“He’sa very valuable member of ourteam,” Johnson said.

Email KokiRiley at Koki Riley@theadvocate.com.

LSU guard Last-Tear Poawaves to fans while walking off the courtafter an women’s NCAA Tournament game against Florida State on March 24 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.Poa entered the transfer portal Wednesday.

mentopportunities international studentssuch as Poa can pursue. The filing was believed to be the

LSU

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Even though Jackson is still listed at 235pounds,Kelly said “hehas really crossed that hurdle.” Sloan added: “I think Kaleb’shad some of his best practices as aTiger.” Caden Durham will be the lead back, but perhaps Jackson can earn arole.

Wide receiver

LSU could have adeep rotation. Aaron Anderson looks as reliable as he was last year,and Chris Hilton hasshown thedifference he can make when he’shealthy They’re both having good springs. Zavion Thomas also runs with the first-team offense, and we haven’t mentioned thetransfers yet Barion Brown, Destyn Hill and NicAndersonare allinthe mix, though Nic Anderson hasn’tdone much during media viewing periods. Don’tforget about redshirt sophomore Kyle Parker,either Watchingall of them, it’sclear LSU has morespeed thanitdid last year,which might improve the deep passing game.

Tightend

During arecentgoal-line period, Bauer Sharp was used on a jetsweep.The tightend! He also caught amiddle screen at one point. The Oklahoma transfer is a fluid routerunner,and he has made someimpressive catches. Sharp andsophomore Trey’Dez Green form an intriguing tandem as LSUtries to replace one of the most productive tight ends in school history in MasonTaylor. Kelly said“those two can feed off each other.”

Offensiveline

It could take awhile to figure out who will start.Sofar,the first group left-to-right hasconsistently been Tyree Adams, PaulMubenga,DJChester,CoenEcholsand Weston Davis.The one develop-

QUEST

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The other semifinal pits No. 8 Michigan Stateand No. 9Kentucky against Ohio Stateand host Penn State. The top two teams from each semifinal will advance to the regional final at 4p.m. Saturday. Thetop two teams from Saturday’smeet moveontothe NCAA championships setfor April 17-19 in FortWorth, Texas. All three of the regional sessions will be shown on astreaming basis on ESPN+.

Asking StanDrayton whether he would be in LSUcolors or Penn State colors or neutralwas apretty easy question.

“Blood is thicker than all of this,” he said with achuckle. “Purpleand gold,for sure.But Imay mixin some blue and white.”

first legalchallenge tossedatthose laws since the NCAA began allowing collegiate athletes to profit off

menthas been Echols playing right guard the past few weeks after Bo Bordelon began spring practice there. Butthat lineup is subject to change. Chester and Virginia Tech transfer Braelin Moorehaveboth gotten reps at center.When Moore entered at arecent practice, Chester moved to left guard. Northwestern transfer Josh Thompson was thesecond-team left tackle his first few practices, but it would be asurprise if he stayed there.

“There’sgoing to be intense competition for those fivepositions all year,and it’s notgoing to gettoa certain date and go, ‘Well, there’s no competition anymore,’ ”Kelly said. “Wehave more than fiveguys that can play in the SEC up there. The pressure will be on each and every week.”

Defensiveend

The three transfers are going to play alot, but don’tsleep on sophomore Gabriel Reliford. He’sthe heaviest defensive end on the roster at 268 pounds, andhe’sphysical. Kelly said LSU wants him to be “an anchor against the run.”

Outofthe transfers, Jack Pyburn hasstood out the most with his abilitytoset the edge.

Defensivetackle

When defensive coordinator Blake Baker interviewed Kyle Williams to become the newLSU defensive line coach, Williams explained that when he first got to the NFL, defensive tackles had to absorb blocks. When he was allowed to get upfield andcreate havoc afew years later, his career took off. Baker wants that from his defensive tackles, and he thinks Williams’ style will mesh well with the scheme.

“This defense, foreverand ever,wetalk about the defensive tackles are the tip of the spear,” Bakersaid. “We’ve gottobeable to create knock-back andhavoc. I thought we gota little stalefrom thatstandpoint last year,and that’s on me.

“I think you’re already seeing

LSU goesinto the NCAAs as the No. 1overallseed in the entire 36team tournament, afirst for the Tigers whowerethe No. 2national seedlastyearwhentheywon the program’sfirst national championship. It’s been an impressive run to this point forLSU (18-2). The Tigerswon ashare of the regularseason SECtitle with Oklahoma, then bested the then-No. 1Sooners andNo. 3Florida Gators plus six other teams to win theirsecond straight SECchampionship meet Drayton has been amajor contributor for LSU along the way Competing in every meet on vault andfloor —plus one routine on beam in the season opener with Iowa State —she has posted atotaloffive 9.95 scores and10total marks of 9.90 or better

“It’s been cool” being part of a team, Drayton said. “Before Igot here,inelite (gymnastics) youcon-

CAJUNS

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Hitting right behind him was freshman Clayton Pourciau, who followed abunt single for his first collegiate hit with adouble in the fourth. He finished the game 3-for-4.

“I thought the story of the night was Clayton Pourciau,” Deggs said. “That’sthe definition of work while you wait. He looked the part tonight.” Another reserve delivered in a

big way in the fifth when Carson Hepworth got apinch-hit, two-run single with two outs for a7-4 lead. Hepworth added an RBI double in the seventh “Thecoaches arealways talking about work while you wait and staying ready,” Hepworth said. “I know personally,I’m going to stay ready.I’ve got to be ready for my guys. I’vegot to come in and drive in runs or justget on base, because Ilovethem. It’sdefinitely not easy to do, but Ibelieveinmyself. “I’m alwayslooking to swing, whether it’sinthe strike zone or

not.Hethrew me achange-up and Iwas ready for it and banged it to left (for adouble).”

Deggs was pleased by theproduction from new places.

“That’ssix of the13knocks were Hepworth, CaseyArtiguesand Pourciau,”Deggs said. “That’spretty good production off the bench.” Both teams finished with13hits. TheDemons left 11 runners on base while the Cajuns had seven. The Demonsgot another run with along Braden Benton homer to left to lead off thesixth. Benton alreadyhad doubledand

scored on aColin Rains double in the fourth. After UL starter Riley Marcotte gave up three runs on three hits in three innings, Tate Hess pitched the next threeinnings to collect thewin, giving up tworuns on five hits, no walks and striking out six. Matthew Holzhammer allowed two runs on four hits, two walks and four strikeouts.

“I thoughtRiley threw the ball pretty well.I thought Hess threw the ball pretty well,” Deggs said. “I thought Hammer (Matthew Holzhammer) was dirty.Hedeserved

endorsement deals in 2021. Poa is now the second LSU player to enter the transfer portal this offseason. On Monday,starting forward Sa’Myah Smith submitted her namesoshe could play the last twoyears of her career at adifferent school.

Both Poa andSmith were two of thethree holdover contributors fromLSU’s2023 nationalchampionship team. The third, star guard Flau’jaeJohnson, can return for her senior season, but she can also declare forthe 2025 WNBA Draft. As of Wednesday afternoon, Johnsonhad notannounced adecision.

Poa will finish herLSU career with averages of 3.5 points and 2.0 assists per game. Across those threeseasons, she converted 36% of her field-goal attempts and 29% of her 3-point tries.

Email Reed Darcey at reed. darcey@theadvocate.com. For more LSUsports updates, signupfor ournewsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

some of ourguys use their quick twitchand theirget-off to create plays in the backfield.”

One thing that’seasy to see is the size that LSU added to the interior There are fivehealthy defensive tackles at the moment, and they average 319 pounds. Last year, only three defensive tackles were listed at morethan 300 pounds.

Linebacker

With HaroldPerkins and Whit Weeks out, LSU has spent alot of timeevaluating its other linebackers. West Weeks and Davhon Keys are getting most of the work with thefirst-team defense, andBaker said they switch every day between middle and weakside linebacker to practice both spots.

Cornerback

LSU has more talent at cornerback than the first three years of the Kelly era. We’ll see whattheir ceiling becomes, but the floor is higher.Asked about five-star freshman DJ Pickett, Virginia Tech transfer Mansoor Delane and Florida transfer Ja’Keem Jackson, Baker said “they’ve been as good as we were hoping theyweregoing to be.”

Delane would be asafe bet to playsomewhere. Baker called him LSU’s“defensive weapon” because of his versatility.But no one has secured aspot at this point. Pickett has shown alot of upside. Jackson and junior Ashton Stamps are both in themix.Redshirt freshmanMichael Turner also has made someplays this spring.

Safety

There’ssomebuzz around sophomore Dashawn Spears, aformer top-100 recruit who’s6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. After playing in every gamelast season with three starts, can he help improve the safety play?

“Nobody was harder on Dashawn Spearslastyear than me, andit’s starting to pay off,” Baker said. “The dude is making aton of plays out there.”

tribute foryourself. Coming here to be on ateam and contributing forothers is adifferent feeling. It gives you that motivational drive. We’reona team with allthese amazing girls whowant to push hard to give their best for the team and the fans and the coaches.” Completing the“homecoming” of sorts this week for LSU is Tigers assistant and former 17-time All-American Ashleigh Gnat. Now in her fifth year on the LSU staff, Gnatstarted hercoaching career at Penn State from 2019-20 before returning to Baton Rouge. This is LSU’s40th straight NCAA appearance and42ndoverall. Despite allofthe Tigers’ successhistorically andrecently, it is very muchdo-or-die time now for LSU and every other team. As coach JayClark hasfrequently said, ahighly regarded team gets knocked out of the regional round every year

better than he got tonight.” WilTaylorfinished it offfor his second save. He walked in arun upon entering the game in the eighth, but he quickly rebounded to close out the game.

“It (closing) is all the same,” Taylor said. “I’m just trying to get outs to winthe game.You just have to stay in there and keep going (after walk) from pitch to pitch.

“I’m always confident in my team and in my abilities.”

Email KevinFoote at kfoote@theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Maple syruplends asweet touchto cocktails

STAR TRIBUNE STAFF

The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

Maple syrup is anatural for pancakes and baking,and it has shownits prowess in savory dishes. But the springtime ingredient is equally at home in cocktails,too.

Bentley Gilman, head distiller of Tattersall Distilling in River Falls, Wisconsin,created these four cocktailsusing its Birkie WI-SKI, which was created “in the spirit of” the American Birkebeiner,aging rye whiskey in used maple syrup barrels. Follow these recipes to the letter or use them as aroad map to create your own. Feel free to use the rye whiskey (preferably aged in maple barrels) of your choice.

Maple Old Fashioned

Makes 1. 2ounces (4 tablespoons) Birkie WI-SKI

¾ounce (1½ tablespoon) maple syrup

4dashes aromatic

1. Stir whiskey and syrup with iceuntil

Whiskey

French classic

Savorthe SaladNiçoise from thecomfort of home

It’snot often that Iremember with completecertainty the first time Iate adish, but Idorecallmyfirst Salad Niçoise

When Iwas agraduate student, Iworked as awaitress at aFrench bistro, La Crepe Nanou, in NewOrleans. I noticed that the Salad Niçoise was verypopular with theregular customers, so Ihad to try it. Istill remember the saltycomplex flavors draped over hard-boiled eggs,potatoes, green beans and tuna. It was the first timethat Ihad ever eaten an anchovy,and that is ataste sensation that stickswith you.

Recently, my husband and Itook our kids out to La Crepe Nanou. My son, who is nowa Tulanestudent, ordered the Salad Niçoise and devoured it.Itis asimple joy to share ameal and memories. These moments are theones that inspire me to recreate special dishes at home.

ä See NIÇOISE, page 6C

Liz Faul

PHOTO By LIZ FAUL

Salad Niçoise

Asknot forwhom thecar honks

Dear Miss Manners: There are many examples of technology and bad behavior merging, and Iask for your opinion regarding one that bothers me: peoplelocking their vehicles by pressing the key fob twice, which causes the vehicle to omit a loud chirp.

All one has to do to lock acar is push the button inside the door,oratmost, push the fob once, which doesn’tcause aloud noise. In parking lots and garages,these unexpected loud noises can startle people, and in residential areas, they can awaken sleepers.

doesnot shareyour mystification aboutwhy people press thebutton more than once. Shedoubts there is anysense of power gained from using this tool, but doesunderstand its marginal ability to assuagethe sense of powerlessnessabout whether thedoor has actuallybeen locked.

lady downstairs is aheavy smoker and drinker.When she calls meupand asks if I would like some of thefood she has prepared, Ialways find an excuse to decline. She seemsmiffed about it.

Gettingrid of waterstains

soaked completely.Gently apply this only to the area that is affected by the water stain. Do not oversaturate it. Heloise Dryerscreencare

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

Plus, it can help locate acar in a crowded and poorly labeled parking lot

This practice shows a lack of concern for others. Also, Idon’tunderstand the motivation: Is there some small sense of power the person gets from using the technology?

Gentle reader: Yours is an excellent example of technology inviting bad behavior.Why could not the engineerssimply have made the devicevibrate and/or light up when locking the door?

But Miss Mannerscannot condemn people for using this technology,and she

Serves 4-6.

Dear Miss Manners: I stopped eating potluck food at work years ago when I found cat hairina piece of cake. Apparently,the lady who brought thecake regularly let her catsjump up on her kitchen counter. Iwas alwayscareful with food before that, but that was thelaststraw Iwas invited to aco-worker’shome for dinner recently,but declined going. I had been there before,and thekitchen was very dirty, and there was abig fatcat roaming around. Ithink peoplefeel snubbed when Itell them “Thanks, but no thanks” when they offer me food

Another example: The

At an event in apark, a lady Idid not know had abig bucket of cookies and was offering them to people. Ialmost took one, asking her what bakery she got them from, and she said she madethem herself. I withdrew my hand and told her “No, thanks” and she got angry at me. Idon’twant to sound snobby,but how do Ipolitely get out of these food offers?

Gentlereader: Youalso do not want towaste food, nor do you want tobedishonest —by, for example, saying that you already ate.

Miss Manners can accommodate this long list so long as you do not also insist on being original: Say “No, thank you” —this, time before reaching for a cookie —and repeat it as manytimes as necessary, resisting thetemptation to explain your reasons.

Send questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com.

Salad Niçoise (tuna orsmokedsalmon)

NIÇOISE SALAD DRESSING:

½cup olive oil

2lemons, juiced

2teaspoons lemon zest

1tablespoon of Dijon mustard

1small shallot, finely chopped

1-2 anchovies, finely chopped (or 2teaspoons of anchovy paste)

Salt and pepper

1teaspoon chopped fresh herbs likethyme or tarragon(optional)

SALAD:

1pound small yellow or red round potatoes (boiled and cut in half)

1pound haricots verts, or fresh green beans, trimmed 4eggs, boiled and halved

½pound cherry tomatoes, halved 6radishes, sliced thin

½cup pitted olives, halved

2cans of tuna in oil (or favorite tinned fish, likesmoked salmon)

Salt to add to water for boiling vegetables

1-2 heads of red leaf or romaine lettuce

1. In amediumbowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard,shallot, chopped anchovies (or anchovy paste), and fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk until emulsified.

2. Bring 2quarts of salted water to aboilinalarge saucepan overmedium-high heat. Add the potatoes and cook for about10minutes, or untilthe potatoes arefork tender.Use aslotted spoon to remove the potatoes from the water and set them aside to cool.

3. Return the water to boil, and add the green beans.

Dear Heloise: We hadan upstairs leak in the master bathroom that left us with awater stain on the ceiling. It’snot terribly noticeable, but Iknowthatit’sthere (And it’sannoying.) It makes my dining room look shabby to me. How can Iget rid of thewater stain withoutrepainting the whole ceiling? We just hadthis done two weeks beforethe leak happened! A.S.,inNewYork A.S., here is asolution you might like to try: Mix 1cup of bleach with3cups of warm water and stir well. Then dip asponge into thesolution and wring out the excess so that thesponge is wet but not

By The Associated Press

Dear Heloise: Most people think that removing lint from the dryer screen is enough, but it’snot. Chemicals from the dryer sheets build up on the lint screen, making it difficult forittocatch as much lint as it should. It also creates afire hazard. Run the dryer screen under the water from a kitchen faucet and see how much water runs through. If there is abuildup that will not allow water to go

through the screen, use somedishwashing soap mixed with a ½ cup of vinegar.Use the rough side of aclean sponge and scrub the screen. Rinse and allow it to air-dry —L.W., in Florida

Laundrybag use

DearHeloise: Iused asmall, new zippered laundry bag to make soup. For chicken soup, Iput the bones,

Ialso

Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

Today is Thursday,April 3, the 93rd day of 2025. There are 272 days left in theyear

Todayinhistory:

On April 3, 1996, Theodore Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, was arrested at his remote Montana cabin by FBI agents.

Also on this date:

In 1860, thefirst PonyExpress mail delivery rides began; one heading west from St. Joseph, Missouri, and one heading east from Sacramento, California.

In 1882, outlaw Jesse James was shot and killed in St. Joseph, Missouri, by Robert Ford, amember of James’ gang.

In 1936, Bruno Richard Hauptmannwas electrocuted in Trenton, New Jersey,for thekidnap-murder of 20-month-old Charles Lindbergh Jr

In 1944, theU.S. SupremeCourt, in Smith v. Allwright, struckdown a Democratic Party of Texas

rule that allowed only white voters to participate in Democratic primaries.

In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Marshall Plan, designed to help European allies rebuild after World WarIIand resist communism

In 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr delivered what was to be his final speech, telling a rally of striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, “I’ve been to the mountaintop. I’ve seen the Promised Land. Imay not get there with you. But Iwant you to know tonight that we,asapeople, will get to the Promised Land!” (The following day,King waskilled by an assassin’s bullet at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.)

In 1973, the first handheld portable telephone wasdemonstrated forreporters on aNew York City street corner as Motorola executive Martin Cooper called Joel S. Engel of Bell Labs.

In 1974, an outbreak of tornadoes began hitting wide parts of the South and Midwest before jumping across the border into Canada; 148 tornadoes caused morethan 300 fatalities in what becameknownasthe 1974 Super Outbreak. In 1996, aU.S. Air Force jet crashed as it approached Dubrovnik, Croatia; all 35 people on board were killed, including U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown. Today’sbirthdays: Conservationist Jane

and set them aside for use in thesalad.

7. Slice the tomatoes,radishes and olives. Cleanand separatethe lettuce leaves.

5. Put the eggsina medium pot and cover themwith water byabout2 inches.Put the potover medium-high heatand bring the eggs to a gentle boil, turn off theheat andcover thepot. Letthe eggssit in thecovered pot for about 10 minutes.

6. Place the eggs in the prepared ice bath and letsit in the icewater for about a minute. Remove the eggs from the ice water,dry and peel. Slice each egg in half

4. At this point, prepare an ice bath by placing ice and water in abowl and placing it on the counter near the boiling green beans. After the beans boil for about 3 minutes, or until crisp and bright green, drain the beans into acolander and place them into the ice bath for about2minutes to stop themfromcooking andto keep crisp. Then,drain the beansand setthemaside with the cooked potatoes.

Continued from page5C

ASalad Niçoise is aclassic Frenchmeal. It originated from Nice on the French Riviera. The word niçoise literally means “in the style of Nice.” There aresome who thinkthat it should only be made with tuna, but Ilike to substitute salmon. Sometimes, Icook fresh tuna or salmon filet and put it on the salad, but canned seafoodworks wellon this dish. Ihave noticed a large variety of seafood in eye-catching, artistically labeled tins. The tinned fish trend is prominent on social media sites like TikTok, so the humble can of fishis now cool. It should be easy

to find in local specialty food markets. Iboughta few tinsofsmoked wild salmon and Pacific cod and put them in my pantry to await inspiration Onenight while trying to decidewhattocook,I looked in my pantry andI saw the tins of salmon that were sitting nexttoajar of anchovies. Tinnedseafood is ready to eat, convenient and agreat source of protein.Ihad some potatoes, green beans and acouple of eggs. Iwas able to put together theingredients of atasty version of Salad Niçoise for my dinner at home

This salad is the perfect meal because it requires very little cooking. It’s a goodrecipe toadd to your home repertoiretomake

8. To assemble each salad, place thelettuce on aplate or in abowl. Then add some of the sliced potatoes, green beans, tomatoes,radishes, olives and boiled eggs. Open acan of tuna fish, or smoked salmon andadd some of the fish to thetop of the salad. Drizzle the dressing over thesalad. Optional: Add one anchovy over the boiled eggs.

9. Serve with asliceof French bread.

during thesummer months in Louisiana. Most of the time, Imake Salad Niçoise like it is prepared at La Crepe Nanou, but it is easy to tweak it to meet your taste preferences. If you are missing ingredientsorhave produce that needs to be used, change this recipe to suit your needs. If you like cucumbers, add them. Sliced fresh red bell pepper would add another layer of taste. If olives or anchovies aren’t your thing,don’tuse them. Have fun and be creative in your kitchen. Bon appétit! Liz Sullivan Faul is a registered dietitian nutritionist whoenjoys cooking and sharing mealswith her friends and family

Hints from Heloise

PHOTO By LIZ FAUL

Salad Niçoise

ARIES (March 21-April 19) You have more options than you realize. Before agreeing to participate in something that offers no returns, consider your needs and long-term plans. Refuse to fall prey to emotional blackmail.

tAuRuS (April 20-May 20) Pay attention to financial transactions. A lifestyle change that helps you stay healthy, wealthy and wise will help ease stress and point you in a positive direction.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Make your position clear, and be adamant regarding your motives and expectations. Honesty is the quickest route to victory. Refuse to let emotions lead to mistakes and loss.

CAnCER (June 21-July 22) Explore ways to improve your skills and how you apply them to your everyday routine. Refuse to let outside influences or competitive challenges cause doubt or setbacks.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Search for innovative ways to apply your knowledge and skills in the workforce. Take charge, open doors and change whatever is outdated or standing between you and your chance to advance.

VIRGo (Aug 23-Sept. 22) Stop, observe and rethink your strategy. A partnership appears to be losing equality. Offer practical solutions, and be sure to divvy up responsibilities evenly.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-oct. 23) Look for opportunities to promote your skills, attributes and hopes for a brighter future. Refuse

to let emotions, drama, temptation and indulgence creep in and take over.

SCoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Try something new and exciting, or adjust one of your skills to enhance a niche waiting for a makeover. How you present yourself and your attributes will flourish if you network and socialize.

SAGIttARIuS (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Sit back and observe. The information you gather will help you negotiate when the time is right. Avoid temptation, excess and taking on more than you can handle.

CAPRICoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Speak up; ask questions and rephrase any misconception you or someone else may have. The direct approach will help you avoid misunderstandings and encourage positive lifestyle changes.

AQuARIuS (Jan 20-Feb 19) Pick up the pace and finish what you start. Being grateful doesn't mean you can go over budget. Maintaining as much revenue as possible is necessary for your success.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Put your head down and get busy. Work toward your goal, and don't stop until you are satisfied with the results. Say no to invitations that are costly emotionally and financially.

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: R EQuALS S

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

peAnUtS

And erneSt

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon dooneSbUrY

bIG nAte

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers1 to 9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

Elvis Stojko, aCanadian figureskater whowon three world championships, said, “I had the strength and the finesse there and put it alltogether.” Bridge declarers (and sometimes defenders) with high-card strength oftenput together tricks with finesses. Thereisrarely adeal without at least one finesse. However,occasionallyasuitcombinationcomesalongthatlookslikeafinesse, but isn’t Which applies in this deal —finesse or look-alike non-finesse?

Southisinthree no-trump. West leads theheart queen. What should declarer do? Would the best line change if South’s clubs were Q-J-9-2? When in no-trump, always start by counting your toptricks, your instant winners. Here Southhas seven: four spades, two hearts and one club. So, if he can rake in three club tricks, he will make his contract Any declarer who thinks that club suit is afinessingcombination will take the firsttrickwithhisheartking(hedoesnot want to riskadiamond shift) and run the club queen. However,when East turns up with four clubs, three no-trump must fail. Instead, South shouldplayalow club todummy’saceandreturnaclubtoward his queen-jack. East will probablyplay low. Then declarer, afterwinningwith his club queen, returnstodummy witha spade and leads another club to gain that third club trick. Interestingly, that is still the right approach even withace-fourth opposite queen-jack-nine-fourth. Running the queen loses when East has asingleton king. Lead toward the hand with the two honors. ©2025 by NEA,Inc., dist. By

Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

InStRuCtIonS: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3 Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit wordsare not allowed

yEStERDAy’S WoRD —RESuRGED

toDAy’S WoRD VERBEnA: ver-BEE-nah: Achiefly American plant with afruit that separates into four nutlets. Average mark21words Timelimit 30 minutes Can you find 28 or morewords in VERBENA? reed resurge reuse rude ruder ruse

urger used user greed deer dreg drug

today’s thought “For Christalsohas once suffered forsins, the just forthe unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” 1Peter 3:18

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard fillmore

Nintendo Switch 2 launches in June

Nintendo has announced a June 5launch date and $449.99 price tag for its latest gaming console, the Switch 2, which will introduce interactivechat andscreen-share functions to connectgamers.

In its60-minuteNintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday,the company revealed a more vibrant display on the Switch2,alarger screen and several games that will launch with the console Central to its updated system isanew “C” button on its Joy-Con controller,which will launcha“GameChat” feature that requires asubscriptionto Nintendo’s Switch online service. It allows players to “communicate with friendsand family while playing agame, and lets them sharetheir game screen with others. Abuiltin microphone will also allow chatting with other gamers. Perhaps the most contemporary function yet for the Switch 2isthe abilitytouse theJoyCon controllers like acomputer mouse. The developer displayed multiple ways touse the new function, such as angling a clubinagolf game.

Amazon bid for TikTok comes ahead of ban Amazon has put in abid to purchase TikTok, aTrump administration officialsaid Wednesday,inaneleventh-hour pitchasa U.S. ban on theplatform is settogointo effect Saturday The official, who was not authorizedtocomment publicly and spokeonthe condition of anonymity,saidthe Amazonoffer was madeinaletter to Vice PresidentJDVanceand Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. President Donald Trump on Inauguration Day gave the platform areprieve, barreling past a law that had been upheld unanimouslybythe Supreme Court, which said the ban was necessary for national security Under the law,TikTok’s Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance is required to sell the platform to an approved buyer or take it offline in the United States. Trump has suggested he could furtherextend the pause on theban, but he has also said he expects adeal to be forged by Saturday Although it’sunclear if ByteDanceplans to sellTikTok,several possible bidders have come forward in the pastfew months. Among the possible investors are thesoftware companyOracle and the investment firm Blackstone.Oracleannounced in 2020that it had a12.5% stake in TikTok Globalafter securing its business as the app’scloud technology provider Boeing CEO: We made mistakes, learned lesson

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg came to CongressWednesday with astraightforward message:Boeing has made “serious missteps” in recent years but it hasa promising improvement planguiding it forward. Lawmakers, in response,said they want to see the airplane manufacturersucceedbut are still concerned aboutsomeof the practices in placeatthe company’s factoriesand in its boardroom.

Some said they appreciated Boeing’s efforts to encourage employeestocomeforward with safety concerns but worried about allegations of retaliation when workers did so. Others asked for more details on ensuring astableproductionprocess that won’tlet manufacturing defects slip through the cracks. Still others worried about the Federal Aviation Administration’s oversight, and steps by the regulator and Boeing thatmay hand more certification authority back to the manufacturer Ortberg, who testified Wednesday morning before the Senate CommitteeonCommerce, Science andTransportation,was adamant that Boeing was committed to ensuring qualityand safety were at theforefront of its operations.

Wall Street risesahead of tariffs

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEWYORK— U.S. stocks whipped through another dizzying day Wednesday in the final hours before President Donald Trump’sunveiling of thetariffs promised as part of his “LiberationDay,” which could drastically remake the global economy

The S&P 500 rose after careening between an early loss of 1.1% and alater gain of 1.1%. It’shad apattern this week of opening with sharp drops to finish the day higher

The Dow Jones IndustrialAverageand theNasdaq compositealso

climbed. Both also veered from sharply lower in the morning to sharply higher in the afternoon before doubling back. Marketsaround theworld have broadly been shaky lately because of uncertainty about Trump’strade war.Hehas said he wants tariffs to make theglobal system fairer and to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States fromother countries.But tariffsalsothreatento grind down growth for the U.S. and other economies, while worsening inflation when it maybestuck above the Federal Reserve’s2%target One of thehopes that’shelped push upward on the U.S. stock mar-

ket recently is thepossibilitythatat least theworst of theuncertainty around tariffs maybepassing.

“Wedonot know how long the previouslyenacted tariffs andany future tariffs will remaininforce, but we believe peak tariff uncertainty may soon be behind us,”accordingtoKurt Reiman,head of fixed income Americas, and other strategists at UBS GlobalWealth Management.“Much of thework theadministration set out to achieve will have been put in place, and there arenumerous potentialofframps available.”

Afterthe market closed, Trump declared a10% baseline tax on im-

ports from all countries and higher tariff rates on dozensofnations that runtradesurpluses withthe United States. The president held up achart while speakingatthe White House, showingthe United States would charge a34% tax on imports from China, a20% tax on imports from theEuropean Union, 25% on South Korea, 24%onJapan and32% on Taiwan. Among thecompanieswhose shares fell in after-hours trading were DeckersOutdoor,the maker of Uggs,down9.3%; Lululemon was down 8.8%;and home products retailerWilliams-Sonomawas down 8.4%

Teslasales tumble 13%amidbacklash

BY BERNARD CONDON Associated Press

NEW YORK Tesla sales fell 13% in the first three monthsofthe year,another sign that ElonMusk’sonce high-flying car company is struggling to attractbuyers. The leading electricvehicle maker has faced agrowing backlash from Musk’s embrace of right-wing politics and his role in the Trump administration.Opponents have staged protests at Teslashowrooms in the U.S. and in Europe, where the sales declines have been steeper Tesla’slineup is aging, andsome consumers mayhaveheld offfrombuying its bestsellingModelY whilewaiting foranupdatedversion. The Austin, Texas, companyalso faces fierce competition from other EV makers offeringvastly improved models,including those of China’sBYD Tesla reporteddeliveries of 336,681 globally in theJanuary to March quarter.The figure was down from salesof387,000 in the same period ayear ago. The declinecame despite

BY LIZ SWAINE Staff writer

Minden-basedFibrebond, afamily-owned company thatgot itsstart in 1982, has sold for $1.4 billion.

The new owner is Eaton, aNew York Stock Exchange-traded multinationalcorporation headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, that saw $24.9 billion in U.S. sales in 2024.

Eaton hasassetsworldwide, with locations in more than 160 countries andmore than 92,000 employees

EatonSenior Vice President and General Manager Charles Geisbert spoke on Tuesday just moments after he andFibrebond

Presidentand CEO Graham Walker met jointly withFibrebond employees. “This is all aboutgrowth, right?” Geisbert said. “We’re not acquiring acompany to destroy thename, to

deep discounts, zero financing and other incentivesand could be awarning that thecompany’sfirst-quarter earnings report later this monthcould disappoint investors.

Dan Ives of Wedbush said Wall Street financial analystsknew the first quarter was likely bad but turned out even worse than expected. He called the sales results a“disaster on everymetric.”

“The brand crisis issuesare clearly having anegativeimpact on Tesla. thereisnodebate,” he said. Musk has been President Donald Trump’s point man in hisefforttocut government spending. As criticismofMusk mounted and Tesla’s salesand stock price slumped, Trump last month held an extraordinary press conference outside theWhiteHouseinwhichhe praised Tesla,blasted boycotts againstthe companyand bought aTesla himselfwhile TV cameras rolled.

Teslainvestors have complained Musk’s work at the Department of GovernmentEfficiency has diverted his focus from running Tesla.OnTuesday,New York City’scomp-

destroy thevalue, to destroy theinvestments they’ve made in northwest Louisiana andhere in Minden, and our intent is to really trytoaccelerate that growth with further investmentand growthe business beyond where it’s at today.”

He saidEaton’s“integration team”isinMinden now,not with theintentionofscaling back or eliminating roles, but to “lean in to drive growthinthe business.”

The twocompanies came together after discovering over the 10 years of working together on projects that they were agood fit, Fibrebond’sWalker saidinMarch. Geisbertagreed. “At theend of theday,there’sother companies that they have similarproducts, but what theylack is the culture andthe people that are present here at Fibrebond. And so we really did have conviction that the reputation that Graham and his team have

troller overseeing pension funds holding Tesla stock called for alawsuit accusing a distracted Musk of “driving Tesla off afinancial cliff.”

After falling as much as 6% in early Wednesday, Tesla stock shotupmorethan5% on indications that Musk maysoon return his attention to Tesla. Politico, citing anonymous sources, reported Trump has told Cabinet members that Musk will step back from his role at DOGE in the coming weeks.

Tesla’sstock has plunged by roughly half since hitting amid-December record as expectationsofalighter regulatory touch and big profits with Trumpaspresident were replaced by fear that the boycott of Musk’scars and other problemscould hit thecompany hard. Analysts arestill notsure exactlyhow muchthe fall in sales is due to the protests or other factors.

Still, even bullish financialanalysts who earlier downplayed the backlash to Musk’s polarizing political stancesare sayingitis hurting the company,something that Musk also recently acknowledged.

built of delivering to customers and really just doing what they say they’re going to do and beingable to do it at alarge scale, that really helps differentiate them.”

Eaton is apower management company that provides alarge line of energy-efficient products and services to industries that manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power

The corporation has multiple product divisions that range from helping utility companies in generating and transmittingelectricity to producing electric vehicle platforms. Fibrebond is knownnationally for itselectricalmodulesthatpower data center,fiber, industrial and utilitymarkets.

Though small in relation to the multinational world of Eaton, Geisbert said Fibrebond had something Eatonrecognizedasspecial.

At some point, Fibrebond’sname might change, but Geisbert said that “Eaton has to earn the right in themarkettoput ourname on their product.” He saidfor now, theEatonand Fibrebond names may be combinedintosomething like Eaton Fibrebond. Walker and hismanagement team will remain through the transition. Geisbert says Fibrebond “will work independently as basically abusiness inside of Eaton.”

The $150 millionexpansion at Fibrebond will continue.

Geisbert said he is excited about the acquisition. “Wehave really high confidence that the culture of Fibrebond and the culture of Eaton are going to come together really well.”

“Graham and his team did areally good job of helping build confidence that this is the rightregion to continue to grow.”

THECANADIAN PRESS PHOTOBySPENCER COLBy

Officersfrom OttawaPolice Service respond Monday to aTesla Serviceand Showroom after it wasdamaged withpink spraypaint.