Issuu

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

ä Louisiana’s congressional delegation reacts to President Trump’s tariff hikes. PAGE 4A

emergency

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

ä See TARIFFS, page 4A

Baker switching to all charter schools

Board votes for move after May 23

BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer

Twenty-one years after gaining its educational independence, the city of Baker school system in East Baton Rouge Parish is handing over the reins to someone else.

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

ä See HIRING, page 5A

The five-member board overseeing the small suburban school district voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an agreement with a charter group led by attorney Preston Castille to manage school operations when the current school year ends May 23.

Tuesday’s vote sets the stage for Baker to become Louisiana’s second all-charter school district.

The only other one is New Orleans, which made a dramatic switch to charter schooling in 2006 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. This agreement with Helix Community Schools is a prelude to an expected ﬁve-year operating contract, known as a Type 3 charter, that would convert existing Baker schools into charter schools. It was a rare unanimous decision

ä See BAKER, page 5A

The board overseeing city of Baker schools has voted to become Louisiana’s second all-charter school district.

NO. 277

100TH

STAFF FILE

PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

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.

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

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.

2 killed as Sudan 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-

Democratic-backed candidate wins Wis. Supreme Court seat

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.

“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

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. 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.”

CustomerService: HELP@THEADVOCATE.COMor225-388-0200 News Tips /Stories: NEWSTIPS@THEADVOCATE.COM

Obituaries: 225-388-0289• Mon-Fri9-5; Weekends 12-5

theadvocate.com/subscribe E-Edition: theadvocate.com/eedition

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

Crawford

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ABDEL KAREEM HANA

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

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.

State website to track public school spending

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 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 servic-

es, 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 dis-

Elon Musk could be headed for D.C. exit after turbulence

BY CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON DOGE’s days appear to be numbered. Elon Musk recently suggested that he will be done with his work in the near future. President Donald Trump told reporters this week that “at some point he’s going 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 a setback Tuesday in Wisconsin, where voters rejected his choice for a state Supreme Court candidate despite more than $21 million in personal donations and his campaign appearance over the weekend. There are more problems for the billionaire entrepreneur at Tesla, his electric automaker, which saw a 13% drop in sales in the first three months of the year The White House has not disclosed any clear timeline for closing down DOGE, and the government cost-cutting organization was never supposed to become a permanent ﬁxture in Washington. But it could be reaching a conclusion faster than anticipated. DOGE was originally intended to operate until July 4, 2026. Now there are signs that it already is winding down. DOGE employees have been shifted to various federal agencies, which are supposed to take the lead on cutting costs. Governmentwide layoffs are underway to accomplish some of the goals laid out by Musk and Trump.

“We think probably over the next two or three months, we’ll be pretty much satisﬁed with the people that are working hard and want to be members of the administration,” Trump said last week. The potential end of DOGE does not mean Trump will stop shaking up Washington. But it appears the administration’s efforts will be entering a new phase that is less focused on Musk, whose chain sawwielding work as a presidential adviser made him a political lightning rod. DOGE was initially envisioned as an independent

tricts 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 submitted data.

“This is information that (districts) normally report 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 legisla-

tion could require private schools that receive state funds — including those that receive taxpayer money through Louisiana’s new LA GATOR program — to submit their data.

He said the ultimate goal is to have every school in Louisiana that receives any public funding submit its spending information to the website.

“Certainly,” he said, “this is a good start.”

Fleming cautioned that because the site is still in its early stages, his department is still collecting data from schools and some information may be incom-

plete. He urged anyone who ﬁnds reporting errors to submit them to the state treasury department.

State Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, who authored the original bill, said the website’s launch is a crucial step toward transparency “Our parents have an opportunity to see how a school system is spending their dollars,” he said. “I hope what that does is bring conﬁdence in some of those systems.”

Email Elyse Carmosino at ecarmosino@theadvocate. com.

advisory panel, with Musk sharing leadership with Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur Ramaswamy dropped out and is running for Ohio governor, and DOGE became part of the government.

It was stocked with Musk’s allies, who were dispatched throughout the bureaucracy to cancel contracts, access sensitive data and push for cuts.

Musk presumably has a ticking clock on his tenure. He was hired as a special government employee, which means he can only work 130 days in a 365-day time period.

“I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deﬁcit by a trillion dollars within that time frame,” Musk told Bret Baier of Fox News on March 27.

So far DOGE is well short of that target according to its own calculations, which have been criticized as inﬂated and inaccurate.

Musk did not commit to leaving the administration by any particular date, and it is unclear how the administration is tracking Musk’s time. On May 30, it will be 130 days since Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

Trump told reporters on Monday in the Oval Ofﬁce that “I’d keep him as long as I could keep him” and “he’s a very talented guy.”

The Republican president was known for explosive breakups with top advisers during his first term, but anyone hoping for such a split with Musk has been disappointed.

“I think he’s amazing, but I also think he’s got a big company to run,” Trump said. “And so, at some point, he’s going to be going back.”

Asked if DOGE would continue without Musk, Trump demurred. He said Cabinet officials have worked closely with Musk and may keep some of the DOGE people at their agencies

“But at a certain point I think it will end,” Trump said.

Musk’s poll 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

BY JANIE HAR Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO Legal aid

clinics that sued the Trump administration after it canceled legal services for migrant children alone in the country say they are still in limbo a day after a federal judge in California ordered the reinstatement of direct legal assistance.

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín of San Francisco ruled late Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by legal aid groups after the Department of Health and Human Services and its Office of Refugee Resettlement on March 21 terminated a contract with the Acacia Center for Justice. She wrote that advocates raised legitimate questions about whether the U.S. violated a 2008 anti-trafficking law when it canceled funding for direct legal representation without ensuring the provision of counsel prior to the cancellation warranting a return to the status quo while the case continues.

The order took effect Wednesday and runs through April 16.

“The Court additionally finds that the continued funding of legal representation for unaccompanied children promotes efficiency and fairness within the immigration system,” she wrote.

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

The Acacia center provides legal services for unaccompanied migrant children under 18 through a network of legal aid groups that subcontract with the center Eleven subcontractor groups sued, saying that 26,000 children were at risk of losing their attorneys and that the government has an obligation to come up with a plan for transferring pending cases.

Acacia is not a party to the lawsuit, but Bilal Askaryar, a spokesperson, said Wednesday that it has received no notice from the government on what to do next.

“We’re still stuck in this impossible situation where the attorneys that work with these vulnerable kids have no clarity,” he said.

Alvaro M. Huerta, an attorney with the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, said they are waiting to hear from the government on how it intends to comply with the order Meanwhile, legal aid providers do not know if they can rehire staff or take on new clients, he said.

“Many organizations continue to represent children in court given their ethical and professional

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

The Trafﬁcking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 created special protections for migrant children who cannot navigate a complex immigration system on their own. Plaintiffs said some of their clients are too young to speak and others are too traumatized and do not know English.

The law requires the government to ensure “to the greatest extent practicable” that all children entering the country alone have legal counsel to represent them in proceedings and to “protect them from mistreatment, exploitation, and trafﬁcking.”

Attorneys for the government say that taxpayers have no obligation to pay the cost of direct legal aid to migrant children at a time when the government is trying to save money

They also said district courts have no jurisdiction over a contract termination that would have expired at the end of March.

Acacia is still under contract with the government to provide legal orientations, including “know your rights” clinics, which Jonathan Ross with the U.S. Department of Justice said at a court hearing Tuesday is legally required.

“They’re still free to

provide those services on a pro bono basis,” he said of the legal aid clinics.

But Karen Tumlin with the Justice Action Center said at the same hearing that the administration cannot simply zero out funding without providing direction on who will help these children when Congress has appropriated money for the care of unaccompanied minors.

“They need to make sure to the greatest extent practicable that there is a plan,” she said.

The temporary order by Martínez-Olguín, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, prohibits the government from withdrawing services or funds Congress had appropriated for such children.

The legal services contract, which was set to expire unless renewed in March, was worth $200 million, which is a fraction of the overall $5 billion Congress appropriated for overall unaccompanied migrant children services, including housing or shelter The Department of Health and Human Services said in an email it does not comment on ongoing litigation.

This is the third legal setback in less than a week for the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, though all may prove temporary as the lawsuits advance.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By MATT ROURKE Elon Musk, left, shakes hands with President Donald Trump at the finals for the NCAA wrestling championship March 22 in Philadelphia.

La.congressional delegation reacts to tariff hikes

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON —Republicansin

Louisiana’scongressional delegation wereall for thetariffs President Donald Trump announced Wednesday afternoon,whilethe Democrats were concerned

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, said: “The provisions of the president’stradeagenda can pave the way for stronger trade deals, fairer rules and real results. Iamexcited to work with President Trumptomake it happen. Louisiana’sworkers and families deservenothing less.”

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

TARIFFS

Continued

couldface sharp price hikes.

Trump was fulfilling a key campaign promiseas he imposed what he called “reciprocal” tariffs on trade partners, acting without Congress under the 1977 International Emergency PowersAct. Buthis action Wednesday could jeopardize Trump’svoter mandate in last year’selection to combat inﬂation.Several Republican senators, particularly from farm and border states, have questionedthe 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’sannouncement, U.S. tariffs will approach levels not seen since the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Actof1930, which inciteda global trade warand deepened the Great Depression,” said Scott Lincicome and Colin Grabow of the Cato Institute,alibertarian thinktank

The president’shigher rates would hit foreign entities that sell more goodsto the United States than they buy. The administrationessentially calculated its tariff rates to raise revenues equal in sizetothe trade imbalances with those nations. Trump then halved that rate in act that he described as “very kind.”

The White House says the tariffs and other trade imbalances led to an $1.2 trillion imbalance last year. Administrationofficials suggested it could takean extended set of actions by other countries to bring down the new tariffs their imports now face, and retaliatory tariffs by those countriescould make thesituation worse.

Olu Sonola, head of U.S. economic researchatFitch Ratings, said the average tariff rate charged by the UnitedStates would increasetoroughly 22% from 2.5% in 2024.

“Many countries will likely endupinarecession,” Sonola said. “You canthrow most forecasts out the door, if this tariff rate stays on for an extended period of time.”

The new tariffs willcome on top of recent announcements of 25% taxes on auto imports; levies against China, Canada and Mexico; and expanded trade penaltieson steel and aluminum. Trump has also imposedtariffs on countries that import oilfrom Venezuela and he plans sepa-

portsfrom other nations.

Trump set much higher rates for 60 countrieshesaid had set barriers forU.S. products, including35% added ontoimports 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 tariffsrestore fair and reciprocal trade and levelthe playingﬁeldfor American workersand innovators,” Johnson said after the ceremony.“President Trump is sending aclear message with Liberation Day: America will not be exploited by unfair trade practices anymore.”

Start RepublicanRep. Julia Letlow,amember of the HouseAppropriations Committeewhose district includes parts of Baton Rouge, said: “President Trump is playingthe longgame, using tariffs as anegotiating tool to restore

America’seconomic power.Itrust the president’sjudgment to deliver better long-term results for our economy.”

Trump also announced a25% tariff on all cars and trucks imported forsaleintothe U.S. starting in the dark hours of Thursday morning

The tariff on millionsofforeignmade vehiclessold in the United States will likely increase thecost of cars. That worried Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, for astate like Louisianawith 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 automobilesare going to go up $1,000, some say $5,000. That’s alot of money that is going to come out of the pockets of people for apurchase everyone in Louisiana absolutely needs to have,”Fieldssaid. “President

Trump imposing tariffs on our neighbors and allies will result in unnecessary hardships forAmerican consumers and businesses. Underthese 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 acouple of months ago, the American economywas poised fora so-called ‘soft landing,’”hesaid. “Thanks to Donald Trump, we’re nowfacing an economic nightmare with slowing growth andincreasing 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-

rate import taxes on pharmaceuticaldrugs, lumber, copperand computer chips.

Canada andMexico would not face higherrates on whatthey’re alreadybeing chargedby Trumpinwhat he saysis an efforttostop illegal immigration and drug smuggling. As of now, goods that complywith the USMCA North American trade pact would beexcluded from those tariffs.

Butthe 20% charged on imports fromChina due to itsroleinfentanyl production wouldlargelybeadded to the34% announcedby Trump. The specificproducts thatTrump is tarifﬁng, such as autos,wouldbeexempt from the tariffs unveiled Wednesday, as would productssuch as pharmaceuticaldrugs thatheplans to tariff at alater date.

Noneofthe warning signs about afallingstock market or consumer sentiment turningmorose have caused the administrationtopublicly second-guess its strategy, despite the risk of political backlash

Senior administration ofﬁcials, whoinsisted on anonymitytopreview thenew tariffs with reportersahead of Trump’sspeech, saidthe taxes would raise hundreds of billionsofdollars annually in revenues. Theysaid the 10% baseline rateexisted to help ensure compliance, whilethe higher rates were based on the trade deﬁcits run with other nations and then halvedtoreach the numbers that Trumppresentedinthe Rose Garden

The10% rate would be collected starting Saturday and the higher rates would be collected beginning April 9.

Trump removed the tariff exemptionsonimports from China 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.

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

Trumpwould be applying thesetariffs on hisown; he haswaysofdoingso without congressional approval. That makes it easy forDemocratic lawmakers and policymakers to criticizethe administration if theuncertainty expressed by businesses and declining consumer sentiment are signs of trouble tocome.

Rep. SuzanDelBene, DWash.,said the tariffs are “part of thechaos anddysfunction” being generated across theTrumpadministration. The chair of the DemocraticCongressionalCampaign Committee stressed that Trumpshould not have the sole authority to raise taxes as he intends without getting lawmakers’ approval,saying thatRepublicans so far have been “blindly loyal.”

“The president shouldn’t be able todothat,” DelBene

said. “This is amassive tax increaseonAmerican families, and it’swithout avote 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’sbroken his promise.” EvenRepublicanswho trust Trump’sinstincts have acknowledged that the tariffs coulddisrupt an economy with an otherwise

rocal tariffs as away to levelthe playing ﬁeld for American businesses.

“The United States and American workers will no longerbe ripped off by other countries with unfair trade practices,” Scalise, RJefferson, wrote on X. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, wrote on Xthathesupported the tariffs Sen. JohnN.Kennedy,R-Madisonville, didnot immediatelyrespond to arequest forcomment. ButKennedy, whohad been state treasurer foryears before joining the Senate, agreed with Trump’s logic —though perhaps not his timeline, reported Politico, aCapitol Hill newssource, 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.”

healthy 4.1% unemployment rate.

“We’ll seehow it alldevelops,”saidHouse Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton. “It may be rocky in the beginning. But Ithink that this will make sensefor Americans and help all Americans.”

Longtimetrading partners are preparing their own countermeasures. Canada has imposed some in response to the tariffs that Trumptied 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 a200% tariff on European alcohol.

Many alliesfeel they have been reluctantly drawn into a confrontation by Trump, who routinelysaysAmerica’s friends and foes have essentially ripped offthe United States with amix of tariffs and other trade barriers.

The ﬂip side is that Americans also have the incomes to choose to buy designer gownsbyFrenchfashion 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 delivereda measured response to thenew tariffs, saying in astatement: “China believes that protectionism leadsnowhere, and trade andtariff wars have no winners. This has been widely recognized in the in-

ternational community.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney saidTrump’s newtariffs would “fundamentally change theinternationaltrading system.” He noted that the tariffs already in place against his country andthose Trump says he plans to add will be fought with countermeasures.

“In acrisis, it’simportant to come together and it’sessential to act with purpose andwithforce andthat’s what we will do,” Carney said.

Italy’sconservative Premier Giorgia Meloni said Trump’snew tariffs against the EU were “wrong” and Italywould work towardan agreementwiththe United States to avoida trade war that would weaken all involved.

Basic FunCEO Jay Foreman, whose company is behindsuch classic toys as Tonka trucks, Lincoln Logs and Care Bears, has been working hard to come up withnew ways to cut tariff-related costs like reducepackaging and eliminate batteries with theproducts ButTrump’sannouncementthat he plans a34% increase in tariffs on Chinese imports has solidified his decision to hike prices. Most of the company’stoysare made in China. He said the Tonka MightyDump Truck will go from $29.99 to $39.99 this holiday season, possibly even $45.

“Thereisnoother way,” he said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EVAN VUCCI President Donald Trumpspeaks during an event to announce newtariffs at the White House on Wednesday.

rewritten one of the 14 articles of the Louisiana Constitution with dozens of changes. Broadly, it would have given lawmakers more power to decide which revenue streams fund government.

But it also would have liquidated education trust fund accounts to pay down teacher retirement debt, ultimately generating money to fund the teacher stipends as permanent pay raises

Now if the Legislature wants to keep those stipends in the budget and prevent teachers from being paid less this year, it will have to come up with $198 million. Top budget officials say that could mean cuts in other areas.

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

“That was one of the strongest initiatives that we could have done to really move our state forward,” he said.

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

That’s a job that McFarland will have to take on. As Appropriations chair, his job is to put together a bill directing government spending.

“The only way to fund the teacher stipend is I will have to make reductions in the budget,” McFarland said.

But McFarland will have to consider that legislators may have

other priorities.

Landry’s proposed budget is a “standstill” budget that keeps state spending as close as possible to last year’s levels. Legislators will

want to add additional resources to it, for areas such as behavioral health, early childhood education and public 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 ask members to provide lists of their pri-

orities. “That’s what I got to work with, because for me to pass a budget, I got to have all the votes,” McFarland said. It is possible that the Legislature will have more money to work with. In May, the Revenue Estimating Conference will provide a new forecast for the upcoming ﬁscal year and it could include a projected revenue increase.

But that won’t solve McFarland’s problem: by then, the budget will already be heading to the Senate, he said. There is another way to come up with the money for teacher pay raises, and that is to raise taxes. But such a move would likely be “politically difﬁcult,” said Steven Procopio, president of the Public Affairs Research Council, a nonpartisan government policy group that has inﬂuence in the Capitol.

Meanwhile, Landry’s hiring freeze is expected to generate $20 million in savings in a year, Landry’s office said The freeze covers vacant positions, which can only be ﬁlled with written permission from the commissioner of administration, according to Landry’s executive order instituting the freeze.

”This is a necessary step to give the Legislature more options, to prevent deeper cuts to health care and education, and to safeguard the future of our state,” Landry said.

Email Meghan Friedmann at meghan.friedmann@ theadvocate.com.

by a board that routinely splits 3-2 on issues.

School Board member Joyce Burges justiﬁed her vote as a way of retaining some measure of local control of the public schools in Baker

“This decision is made for the best interest of the children of the Baker school system,” Burges said.

“And I must say it was a hard one.”

“It’s hard for all of us to nig ht, ” said Board Pr esid en t Monique Butler holding back tears. “I get very emotional.”

The vote is the latest in a series of moves radically changing education in the city, which abuts the northern tip of Baton Rouge. Baker has had its own school district since 2003, when it successfully broke away from the East Baton Rouge Parish school system.

Charter schools are public schools run privately via charters, or contracts.

The ﬁrst charter schools in Louisiana opened in 1997, but they didn’t come to Baker until 2014. There are currently three, and that will grow to as many as seven by this fall depending on how current events play out. Meanwhile, enrollment in traditional Baker schools, currently about 1,000 students, has declined by about 40% over that period. There are only about 1,600 school-

age children in Baker.

The current school crisis in Baker was provoked by State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley, who over the past year has been pushing to drastically reduce the number of schools in Louisiana earning “F” academic letter grades Public schools in Baker have long languished at or near the bottom of the state’s academic rankings.

On March 11, a state education board voted to take over two Baker schools — “F”-rated Baker Heights Elementary and Baker Middle — and hand them over to GEO Academies, an Indiana-based charter school network. GEO operates four charter schools in Louisiana, including a small 3-year-old charter in Baker, GEO Prep Baker

The board that made that call is the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

BESE forged ahead with the takeovers even though the Baker School Board had voted a month before to close the two schools and move all of their students to the two remaining higher-performing schools, Baker High and Park Ridge elementary

Which side prevails depends on the outcome of a yet-to-be-filed litigation by Baker that will seek to block the takeovers.

Turning Baker’s remaining schools into charters would effectively restart Louisiana’s school accountability clock, buying these schools a few more years to try to improve their way out of academic jeopardy Baker High, in particular, is performing barely well enough now to avoid its own

state takeover In addition to running Helix, Castile is also the elected BESE representative for District 8, a 14-parish district that includes Baker Castille was the only BESE member who opposed the state takeovers. He expressed concern that the takeover would bankrupt Baker schools.

Now, Castille is poised to manage Baker school operations.

Castille, a native of St. Landry Parish, said he lived in Baker for seven years and has a special afﬁnity for the place.

“What is exciting for me is to transform the neighborhoods where I lived for a long time,” he said.

Castille spent a lot of Tuesday’s meeting ﬁelding questions from many of Baker’s 100-plus employees, who are uncertain whether they will have jobs next school year

He patiently answered every question and said he would keep doing so, but he made clear that his team would make case-by-case judgments about who would stay with Helix after the school conversions.

“This is not going to be easy,” Castille said. “This is going to be hard, hard work. And we’re going to need to be committed to this hard, hard work.”

Helix runs three schools in Baton Rouge — two have “C” grades and one has an “F” — that educate about 1,000 students. The network is opening a fourth school this fall in Opelousas.

Tuesday was Castille’s second time speaking to the Baker School Board.

On March 26, he was joined by three people who

he said will lead the work in Baker:

n Charita Sellers, chief academic officer of Helix and the former principal of Helix Aviation Academy

n Alisha Welch, longtime principal of popular Madison Prep Academy in Baton Rouge.

n Sandra Douglas, a veteran educator who led GEO Academy’s four schools in Louisiana from 2014 to 2024 and more recently has served as a consultant to Baker schools.

During that March 26 presentation, Castille strove to persuade the Baker board to see the need for big change by repeatedly recit-

ing the motto of Baker High School: “If we want what we’ve never had, then we must do what we’ve never done.”

Helix is known for creating special areas of focus for its schools, from the legal profession to aviation to science and technology

Its new Opelousas school will focus on artiﬁcial intelligence and medical ﬁelds. Castille pointed to that school in particular, approved by the St Landry Parish School Board, as a model for what he would like to do in Baker

For Baker High, Castille is proposing having it focus on ﬁnancial technology, or

FinTech as he calls it, along with the performing arts. For Park Ridge elementary, he also is proposing a focus on the performing arts along with STEM science, technology, engineering and math. Financial technology, he said, is projected to become a $1.5 trillion industry, but not enough young people are getting the chance to break into the ﬁeld. “How do we prepare our children to be entrepreneurs and to run companies?” Castille asked.

Email Charles Lussier at clussier@theadvocate. com.

Castille

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

As chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, is responsible for putting together a bill outlining the state budget.

BUSINESS

BRIEFS FROM STAFFAND WIRE REPORTS

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

BYSTANCHOE 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

BYBERNARDCONDON

NEW YORK Tesla sales fell 13% in the ﬁrst three monthsofthe year,another sign that ElonMusk’sonce high-ﬂying car company is struggling to attract buyers

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 offfrom buyingits bestsellingModelY whilewaitingfor an updated version. The Austin, Texas, companyalso faces fierce competition from other EV makers offeringvastly improved models,including those of China’sBYD Tesla reporteddeliveriesof336,681 globally in theJanuary to March quarter.The ﬁgure was down from sales of 387,000 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 thesales results a“disaster on everymetric.”

“The brand crisis issuesare clearly having anegativeimpact on Tesla. there is no debate,” he said. Musk has been President Donald Trump’s pointman in hisefforttocut government spending. As criticismofMusk mountedand 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 workatthe 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

OfficersfromOttawa Police Service respond Mondaytoa Tesla Service and Showroom after it wasdamaged with pink spraypaint.

Caddodistrictjudge sets executiondates

Attorneys seek more time in twocases

BY BRIAN MCCALLUM Staff writer

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

Judge Donald Hathaway ordered Darrell Draughn to be scheduled forMay 28 and Marcus Reed for June 4atthe Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.Caddo District Attorney JamesStewartasked 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 deathinJanuary 2014 after being convicted of the rural Caddo Parish murder of three brothers in acase 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 ﬁledmotions in opposition to death warrants.

Reed’sattorneys have asked for adeadline of Jan. 26, 2026, to file asupplemental applicationfor 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 adeath warrant by the Caddo District Attorney’sOfﬁce “an illegal action.”

“The DA’s statement that Mr.Reedhas notacted 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 awarrant is yet another attempt to hide themisdeeds of astateinfamous 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’sﬁling requests a180-day delay and also offers arguments regarding the ﬁling of post-conviction relief.

An attorney for Draughn said Wednesday that he had waited along timefor his post-conviction appeals, andthat alack 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’tacknowledgethat they agreed to and permitted thedelay in this case,”said Zachary Orjuela, lead counsel forLoyolaUniversity’s Centerfor SocialJustice.

“Mr. Draughn’s triallawyers failed to presentcritical evidence to inform the jury’sdecision between life and death. Becauseof their failure,post-conviction proceedingsare Mr Draughn’sﬁrst opportunity to present such evidence.”

Draughnstruggled with addiction growing before finding “thestability he lacked in his childhood” in prison, his lawyer said That’samong the evidence they plan to present in his post-conviction hearings.

AttorneyGeneral Liz Murrill said she didn’t review themotions filed by Stewart’s office in advance butthat she believes Draughnand Reed arenow eligible for execution

“Wewill be closely reviewing anypleadings ﬁled on their behalf and assistingthe DA,” she said. Murrill has expressed doubt that defendants shouldbeallowed further relief in cases that have been dormant for years. ARapides Parish judge recalleda death warrant in February,just aday after orderinganexecution date, deferringtolawyers who claimed unexhausted appeals.

“The question is, can you sit around for 20 years and say,‘Ihave unexhausted claims,’ ”Murrill said. “We’re going to havetoget the Supreme Court to decidethis question.”

Draughn’svictim, White, was foundbyher son in a poolofblood, stabbed to death in her home’skitchen in April 2000. According to the case presented in court, shemay havebeen robbed by Draughn ofaslittle as $20 duringthe crime. His alibi defense revolvedaroundtestimony from his family members, whosaid hewas at his grandmother’shome down the street at the time of the crime, but his DNA was foundatthe scene. Reed was convicted in October 2013 of shooting brothers Jeremiah Adams, 20; Jarquis Adams, 18; and GeneAdams, 13, on Aug. 16, 2010. A911 caller named him as theshooter, and blood from twovictims —found dead in Jeremiah’scar in the yard where Reed lived —was found on Reed’sclothing. Witnesses stated Reed believedJarquis had beeninvolvedin theft of items including a game console, and the defensearguedhebelieved they were returning to steal more. According to the district attorney’srequestfor an executiondate,noeffort hasbeen made to supplement a2017motionfor post-conviction relief. Reporter John Simerman contributed to this report.

Email Brian McCallum at brian.mccallum@ theadvocate.com

Forecasterswarnofsevereweather

BY JEFF MARTIN

Associated Press

Potentially deadly flash flooding, high-magnitude tornadoesand baseballsizedhail could hit partsof the Midwest andSouth on Wednesday as severe thunderstorms blowing eastward become supercharged, forecasterswarned. Therewere already tornado warnings Wednesday morning near theMissouri cities of Joplin and Columbia —merely theopening acts of what forecastersexpect will be amore intense period of violent weather later

Wednesday,asdaytimeheating combines with an unstable atmosphere, strong wind shearand abundant moisture streaming into the nation’s midsection from the Gulf.

The potent storm system will bring “signiﬁcant,lifethreatening flashflooding” starting Wednesday and continuing each day through Saturday, theNational Weather Service said.

With more thana foot of rain possibleover the next four days, theprolongeddeluge “is an eventthathappens once in ageneration to once in alifetime,” theweather service said in oneofits ﬂood

warnings. “Historic rainfall totals andimpacts arepossible.”

The flood fears comeas residentsinparts of Michigan continued to dig out from aweekend ice storm.

Thunderstormswithmultiple rounds of heavy rain were forecast in parts of Texas, the lower Mississippi Valleyand theOhioValleybeginning midweek and lasting through Saturday.Forecasters warned the storms could track over the sameareas repeatedly and produce dangerous ﬂash ﬂoods capable of sweeping cars away Rain totaling up to 15

inches was forecast over the next sevendaysinnortheastern Arkansas, the southeast corner of Missouri,western Kentucky andsouthernparts of Illinois and Indiana, the weather service warned. “We’re potentially looking at about two months of rain in just ahandful of days,” Thomas Jones, aweather service meteorologist in LittleRock, Arkansas, said Monday Parts of Arkansas, west Tennessee, westernKentucky andsouthernIndiana were at an especially high risk for ﬂooding,the weather service said.

MoviestarVal Kilmer dies at 65

BY MARKKENNEDY and ANDREW DALTON AP entertainment writers

LOSANGELES— ValKilmer, thebrooding, versatile actorwho playedfan favoriteIceman in “Top Gun,”donneda voluminous capeas Batman in “Batman Forever” andportrayed Jim Morrison in “The Doors,” has died. He was 65.

he played Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” he filled his bed with ice for the final scenetomimic thefeeling of dying from tuberculosis.

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

Kilmerdiedfrom pneumonia.Hehad recovered after a2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required twotracheotomies. The NewYork Times was theﬁrst to report his death.

Kilmer,who at 17 was the youngest actor ever accepted to theprestigious JuilliardSchool at thetimehe attended, experienced the ups and downs of famemore dramatically than most.

“I have behaved poorly Ihavebehaved bravely.I have behaved bizarrely to some. Idenynoneofthis andhave no regretsbecause Ihavelost andfound parts of myself that Inever knew existed,” he says towardthe end of “Val,” the 2021 documentaryonhis career.“And Iamblessed.”

His break came in 1984’s spy spoof “Top Secret!” followed by thecomedy “Real Genius” in 1985. Kilmer would later show his comedy chops again in ﬁlms including “MacGruber” and “Kiss Kiss BangBang.”

His moviecareer hit its zenithinthe early 1990s as he made aname for himself as adashing leading man, starring alongside Kurt Russell andBillPaxtonin1993’s “Tombstone,” as Elvis’ghost in “True Romance” andasa bank-robbing demolition expert in Michael Mann’s1995 ﬁlm “Heat” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

“While working with Val on ‘Heat’ Ialwaysmarvelled at the range, the brilliant variability within the powerfulcurrent of Val’spossessing andexpressing character,” director Michael Mann said in astatementTuesday night

Actor Josh Brolin, afriend of Kilmer, was amongothers paying tribute.

“You were asmart,challenging, brave,uber-creativefirecracker,” Brolin wroteonInstagram. “There’s not alot left of those.”

Kilmer —who took part in theMethod branch of Suzuki artstraining —threw himself intoparts. When

To play Morrison, he wore leather pants all the time,asked castmates and crew to only refer to him as Morrisonand blastedThe Doors for ayear

That intensity also gave Kilmer areputation that he was difﬁcult to work with —something

he grudgingly agreed with later in life, while always defending himselfbyemphasizing art over commerce.

“Inanunﬂinching attempt to empowerdirectors, actors andothercollaboratorstohonor thetruth and essence of each project, an attempt to breathe Suzukian life into amyriad Hollywood moments, Ihad been deemed difﬁcult and alienated thehead of every major studio,” he wrote in his 2020 memoir,“I’mYour Huckleberry.”

One of his more iconic roles —hotshot pilotTom “Iceman” Kazansky opposite TomCruise in 1986’s“Top Gun” —almost didn’thappen. Kilmer wascourted by director Tony Scott but initially balked. “I didn’twant the part. Ididn’tcareabout the ﬁlm. The story didn’tinterest me,”hewroteinhis memoir.Heagreed after being promisedthathis role wouldimprove from theinitial script. He would reprise the role in the ﬁlm’s 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.”

Kilmer

La. Supreme Court suspends attorney

Order bars Haley 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 court of authority that was signed

Wednesday Haley, who has been licensed to practice law since 2007, is one of East Baton Rouge Parish’s most active criminal defense attorneys and remains busy as a civil rights legal advocate. But according to the interim suspension, which took immedi-

ate effect Tuesday, he is barred from practicing, pending further orders from the Supreme Court.

The one-page order obtained by The Advocate did not list speciﬁcs, but indicated the Ofﬁce of Disciplinary Counsel petitioned for Haley’s suspension.

The Supreme Court previously

suspended Haley for six months in December 2021, determining he violated the rules of professional conduct for lawyers. That suspension followed an investigation into allegations he neglected a legal matter, failed to

communicate with a client, inappropriately attempted to settle a malpractice claim with a client and failed to return a client’s ﬁle upon request. Haley has been involved in a number of high-profile cases across the state. He represented Ronald Greene’s family in a federal wrongful death lawsuit

Seven suspects arrested in multiple crimes

BY AIDAN McCAHILL | Staff writer

A monthslong joint operation among local, state and national law enforcement has led to the arrest of seven individuals with alleged ties to a Baton Rouge gang, four of whom are implicated in the February death of Trevor Harrison a 27-year-old plumber who was caught in a crossﬁre of bullets. According to a release from the Baton Rouge Police Department, the group, known as “SGK” or “Shiesty Gang Kartel,” was involved in a series of auto thefts and burglaries in East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension parishes, in

Man

shot

FEATHERED FREEDOM

ABOVE: A bald eagle treated by the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Hospital is released after months of rehabilitation along the levee across the street from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine on Wednesday. The adult, male bald eagle was brought by a Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agent to the LSU Vet Med Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana in January. It was found in the New Orleans area and will be able to follow the Mississippi River back to its home. LEFT: Spectators watch as the bald eagle is released into the wild on Wednesday. STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS

on Avenue E was pillar of community

‘This street is not gonna be the same without him’

BY QUINN COFFMAN | Staff writer

James “Pig” Williams, 80, was shot and killed at close range on his front porch Tuesday evening in Baton Rouge. According to friends and family who gathered Wednesday outside Williams’ home, “Uncle

Pig” was always on the porch and let his front yard serve as a neighborhood hangout for residents on Avenue E. Baton Rouge police say whoever killed Williams was targeting him; he was not a bystander The suspect would have had to walk onto the porch to shoot Williams at such close range. Which is why his death has been especially difﬁcult for his daughter, Ciji Williams, 42.

ä See PILLAR, page 2B ä See SUSPECTS, page 2B

Baton Rouge teen pleads guilty to plotting

mother’s murder

She’s sentenced to life for 2022 death

District Judge Will Jorden imposed the mandatory life sentence and made Lewis, who was 16 at the time of the killing, eligible for parole after she serves 25 years, according to 19th Judi-

James ‘Pig’ Williams, 80, was shot and killed at close range on his front porch Tuesday evening in north Baton Rouge.

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

BR victims in separate shootings identified

CRIME BLOTTER staff reports

Two men, a 25-year-old and an 80-year-old, who died hours apart in separate shootings in Baton Rouge on Tuesday night have been identified by the Coroner’s Ofﬁce. Samuel Jackson, 25, was fatally shot at 6:30 p.m. on La Margie Avenue, near North Cristy Drive, according to officials The second homicide victim Tuesday night was 80-year-old James Williams, who died at the scene of a shooting on Avenue E. The investigations into the shootings are ongoing, Baton

Rouge police said. Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to call BRPD’s Violent Crimes Unit at (225) 389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.

Multiple agencies assist in alleged shooter’s arrest

The Livingston and Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Offices, with assistance from Bogalusa police, arrested a man accused of shooting into a car filled with people, including a 5-month-old baby Ivan Fletcher, 19, was arrested by TPSO deputies on five counts of attempted first-degree murder after allegedly firing a handgun into a

vehicle with ﬁve occupants, one of whom was an infant, in Bogalusa.

Fletcher’s girlfriend, Maya Price, 23, was also arrested on five counts of principal to first-degree murder On March 21, the day of the shooting, Fletcher had been driving Price to the area to engage in a fistfight with someone.

Fletcher was arrested on March 24 after LPSO deputies tailed him from a residence on Pardue Road in Springfield into Tangipahoa Parish. TPSO deputies stopped Fletcher’s vehicle on Interstate 12 near the Hammond exit, with him and Price inside.

After Fletcher’s vehicle was towed back to Livingston and searched, deputies found the fol-

lowing narcotics: n 180 grams of marijuana n 4 doses of Oxycodone n 2 doses of pressed fentanyl pills n 30 ounces of promethazine n 2 THC vapes. Deputies also seized three handguns, 2 rifles, an AR-style rifle and more than $4,500. Investigators believe that Fletcher and Price are members of a criminal organization called the “Motion Gang,” operating out of the Springfield, Hammond and Ponchatoula areas, that distribute illegal drugs.

Multiple other arrests were made in connection with the “Motion Gang,” including juveniles.

Flower Fest moves location to Red Stick Social

Staff report

Flowers love the rain, but humans, not so much. Due to weather, the Flower Fest is moving from Pointe-Marie to the Electric Depot and Red Stick Social at 1503 Government St., Baton Rouge.

The Flower Fest gala on Friday night will be there as well as the fest on Saturday There will not be

any event on Sunday due to forecast inclement weather

Amy Vandiver, founder of Flower Fest, says the change will “bring all the ﬂowers to Mid City.”

The gala is from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Red Stick Social at the Electric Depot The festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday tickets can be used Saturday No refunds will be giv-

en. If participants are unable to attend on Saturday, money from the tickets will be donated to St. Jude. “We will have five competing ﬂorists, 12 fundraising honorees, more than 30 artists and makers, multiple vendors and teams coming together to give Louisiana the amazing festival it has fallen in love with year after year,” said

Vandiver

Vandiver says that, even if people have attended in the past, this year’s event promises new activities: new ﬂorists, new designs, interactive exhibits, watercolor artists, a memory wall and a muralist.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite. com.

Orleans Parish School Board selects new superintendent

BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

The Orleans Parish School Board on Wednesday selected Fateama Fulmore, a veteran educator and administrator who has been temporarily leading the New Orleans school district, to be the school system’s next superintendent. Fulmore has served as interim superintendent since Avis Williams abruptly stepped down from the role in November amid a districtwide financial crisis While in the interim post, Fulmore has convened charter school leaders to discuss solutions to issues like chronic absenteeism. The School Board recently approved her plan to partially address the $50 million ﬁnancial hole facing New Orleans schools.

The board voted 5-2 for Fulmore over Sharon Latten Clark, the longtime leader of a New Orleans charter school and an elected member of the state board of education. Fulmore, by contrast, arrived in New Orleans three years ago after holding leadership positions in school districts in several different states. Wednesday’s vote came after the board selected Fulmore and Clark as ﬁnalists out of more than 20 applicants for the district’s top job.

PILLAR

Continued from page 1B

“I’d be more accepting of my daddy dying of a heart attack or a stroke or anything,” she said.

“That’s what really bothers me. If you’d told me he’d died from a heart attack, all right. But shot in the head? Like a dog, in the head? On the porch, on his porch. He wasn’t on nobody else’s porch.” Williams celebrated his 80th birthday on March 3. He had lived in the house on Avenue E for nearly 60 years, Ciji Williams said He worked at plants in Baton Rouge and in the concrete-laying busi-

ATTORNEY

Continued from page 1B

The board conducted community meetings and several interviews, including a ﬁnal round with the two candidates on Wednesday After the board’s vote, dozens of district staff members crowded around Fulmore in the district headquarters and gave her a standing ovation.

“This is a dream come true,” Fulmore said, dabbing tears from her eyes. “I’m looking forward to getting to work, continuing to work, doing better work for our community.”

‘I’ve been preparing for this’

As she shifts from interim to fullﬂedged superintendent, Fulmore must grapple with the ongoing ﬁnancial crisis, declining district enrollment and fundamental questions about the future of New Orleans public schools New Orleans is a district made up almost entirely of charter schools that function independently but are held accountable to standards set by the superintendent and School Board.

Fulmore’s role will include running the Leah Chase School, which opened in 2024, becoming New Orleans’ only traditional public school. Board members have discussed the possibility of opening more district-run schools in

ness for most of his life, but had been retired for decades.

Dina Williams-Davis, Williams’ niece, said she and a whole generation of family members had been born to midwives in the Williams home.

Both women said Williams spent almost all day every day on his front porch. Neighbors and friends would stop to sit, talk, eat red beans and rice or gumbo and have a cold drink with Uncle Pig.

Other friends had made a routine visit with him Tuesday afternoon.

According to Williams-Davis, they left around 7 p.m. Less than an hour later, they began to hear reports that Williams had been killed.

against several Louisiana State troopers who killed the 49-year-old Black motorist in May 2020 following a high-speed chase outside of Monroe in north Louisiana Haley was also part of the legal team for Aaron Larry Bowman, a Black suspect who was repeatedly struck by a state trooper armed with a ﬂashlight during a trafﬁc stop in Ouachita Parish 20 days after Greene’s death. Locally, Haley defended Baton Rouge rapper Lit Yoshi in a 2020 shooting that stemmed from a beef between rival rap crews. Yoshi, whose real name is Mieyoshi Edwards, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault by drive-by

TEEN

Continued from page 1B

cial

As previously reported by The Advocate, Lewis was a troubled teen who had a volatile relationship with her mother The tension had grown increasingly hostile by the time Lewis befriended Dewayne Barfield, who was also 16 at the time, via online chats. Over a series of online conversations, Lewis convinced Barfield to kill Stone, according to indictment filings. Prosecutors allege Barfield shot Stone multiple times late on the

the future.

She was hired in 2022 as deputy superintendent under Williams. A Brooklyn, New York, native, Fulmore often speaks about the role her elementary school principal played in rescuing her from an abusive household.

“I saw the power of what education did for me,” she said, “and I’ve been committed to doing that for children.”

She began her career in North Carolina as a career and technical education teacher, and later did stints as an assistant principal and principal of a high school.

Before moving to New Orleans, Fulmore was chief of accountability and school improvement for Omaha Public Schools, the largest school district in Nebraska. She was also a district administrator in Philadelphia, which has a mix of traditional and charter public schools.

At a Tuesday evening town hall, Fulmore said that even though she is relatively new to New Orleans, her long career in education has prepared her to lead the city’s school system.

“I didn’t roll over yesterday and decide I wanted to be a superintendent of NOLA public schools; I’ve been preparing for this every day

of my life,” Fulmore said. “This is purpose work. This is mission work. It comes with preparation. It comes with dedication.”

As deputy superintendent, Fulmore’s responsibilities included overseeing the district’s daily operations, as well as assisting with development of the ﬁve-year strategic plan and managing enrollment Since taking over as interim superintendent Fulmore was tasked with helping the district remedy a nearly $50 million funding shortfall that came to light in October

Last month, the School Board approved her plan to pull from district savings and its budget surplus to ensure schools won’t take a hit in payments this year

“The district is on a great path right now, and I think that (Fulmore’s) leadership really played a big role in getting us here,” board President Katie Baudouin said after the meeting. “I’m excited to see what she does as permanent superintendent.”

Fulmore received votes from all but two board members, Nolan Marshall Jr and KaTrina Chantelle Grifﬁn, who went for Clark. The board will now enter contract negotiations with Fulmore, before voting on the contract at its April 17 meeting.

“Everybody was getting calls, thinking it was April Fool’s, saying ‘Not Pig,’” Williams-Davis said. She gestured to the area in Williams’ yard and in the lot across the street where the boughs of a large live oak cast a shadow

“Anytime there was time, we would meet back here, because this was ‘under the tree,’” she said.

When residents would gather “under the tree,” it wasn’t just a physical location, but a communal respite overseen by Williams, she said. There, anyone could unwind from the day share their troubles with Uncle Pig and have a drink.

On Wednesday afternoon, more than a dozen friends, family and neighbors sat in the front yard eat-

District Judge Tarvald Smith sentenced him to 15 years in July 2022, according to court records.

More recently, Haley helped get former auto body shop owner Kevin Hewitt Dukes acquitted. Dukes, 49, was tried for second-degree murder last August, accused of killing 55-year-old Julius Thomas Sr and dumping his remains in Livingston Parish in December 2018 A jury found him not guilty

night of Oct 12, 2022, at the luxury apartment compound in the 17500 block of Jefferson Highway Stone died after being rushed to a hospital to be treated. Barfield, now 18, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of seconddegree murder and is still ﬁghting his case. No trial date has been set in his matter, according to court records.

Investigators with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce

Continued from page 1B

addition to Harrison’s killing.

Four of the suspects were allegedly responsible for Harrison’s death on Feb. 15, Baton Rouge police say Dakhire Mathews, 18; Steven Hackett, 18; Christian Hardesty, 17; and a female juvenile face one count each of ﬁrst-degree murder and attempted ﬁrst-degree murder They also face a count of simple criminal damage to property and eight counts of aggravated criminal damage to property

During the shooting in the 4600 block of Fairﬁelds Avenue, three bullets struck Harrison’s truck while he was inside, including one that went through the driver’s side window striking him. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Mayor Sid Edwards complimented the efforts of law enforcement in Harrison’s case.

“Today, we commend the hard work and dedication of the Baton Rouge Police Department in bringing to justice the individuals responsible for the tragic killing of 27-yearold Trevor Harrison,” Edwards said in a news release “Trevor was an innocent bystander simply doing his job when his life was taken far too soon.

“While no arrest can ever replace the presence of a loved one, we hope this development brings some measure of peace to the community, and to those who knew and cared for him.”

The arrests were part of a broader investigation into the gang’s activities. Baton Rouge police; Sheriff’s Ofﬁces in East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension parishes; Louisiana State Police; the U.S. Marshals Taskforce; and the ATF Baton Rouge were all involved

Hardesty was arrested on additional counts of burglary in Livingston Parish, while the Baton Rouge Police Department and Ascension and Livingston Sheriff’s Ofﬁces ﬁled multiple counts of burglary against Mathews. Both are currently being held in Livingston Parish Prison, while Hackett is in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and the female juvenile is in EBR Juvenile Detention

Three other alleged members of the Shiesty Gang Kartel face a multitude of felony counts.

Baton Rouge police arrested Khristian McManus, 17, on a count of vehicle theft, and Deonta White, 24, on counts of violating a protective order, possession of and intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a ﬁrearm with controlled dangerous substances.

Among a laundry list of crimes, Chance Hebrard, 23, was arrested on counts of vehicle theft in by the Baton Rouge Police Department, and five separate incidents of vehicle burglary by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office. He is currently being held in a jail in Georgia. Police also found multiple firearms and 46 grams of fentanyl when executing the warrants, according to the release.

ing and reminiscing.

Ciji Williams said the crowd would have been just as big on any other day, regardless of the tragedy

“This street is not gonna be the same without him,” one neighbor said. “Every day when we’d get off work, we’d come pass through the neighborhood, we’d look forward to seeing him, and he just didn’t deserve it. He was like everybody’s papa, everybody’s dad.”

Williams was known to lay ﬂowers on the graves of any neighbors on Avenue E who had died, adding a note that said the bouquet was from “under the tree,” his sister Bertha Anderson said.

“He was a good person, and I

after more than eight days of testimony

don’t see why they would want to kill somebody at that age,” Anderson said. “He could hardly walk nowhere; he had bad feet.”

Now, Ciji Williams said the whole community is preparing to lay Williams to rest and plan to place a ﬂower from “under the tree.”

She struggled to speculate why anyone would have wanted to hurt her father, saying the act is “senseless.” She asked that anyone with information about the crime report what they know to the authorities.

“My daddy was 80. My daddy would have not done nothing to you or hurt you for you to kill him like that,” Ciji Williams said. “These young guys, they’re heartless. It really hurts, it deﬁnitely hurts.”

In another high-profile case, Haley defended Jaicedric Albert Isaac Williams, who was indicted in connection with an October 2022 shooting at a Southern University homecoming party that left 11 people wounded. State prosecutors dismissed the attempted murder indictments, and Williams pleaded guilty to weapons charges in September 2024. A judge sentenced him to 10 years. As part of the suspension order, the Ofﬁce of Disciplinary Counsel can appoint trustees to “protect interests of (Haley’s) clients” in his absence.

said Barﬁeld admitted his involvement to detectives after ofﬁcers apprehended him shortly after the fatal shooting. He also told them Lewis solicited him to shoot the victim, according to deputies. When detectives questioned Lewis, she too admitted her involvement.

A Sheriff’s Ofﬁce spokesperson said at the time that no money was exchanged between the teens to set the plan in motion.

Staff writer Patrick Sloan-Turner contributed to this story

Email Matt Bruce at matt. bruce@theadvocate.com.

Daniels, Brenda Hall'sCelebrationCenter, 9348 ScenicHighway,Baton Rouge,LAat

11am

King, Inez

InglesideUnitedMethodistChurch, 4264 CapitalHeightsAvenue,atnoon.

Millet, Lydia Sacred HeartChurch in Gramercy at 11 a.m.

Shrader,Andrew Holden BaptistChurch at 12pm

Steintrager, Marianne

OurLadyofMercy Catholic Church

445MarquetteAvenue,at10a.m

Obituaries

Banks, MaryAugustus

Mary Lee Augustus Banks went home to be with her Heavenly Father on March 27, 2025, at the age of 100. She was aresident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, 9amuntil religious services at 11 am, Mt. Herman Baptist Church, 1293 N. 36th St., Baton Rouge, La. 70802. Interment in Southern Memorial Gardens.Services entrusted to Desselle Funeral Home, 263 Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive, Baton Rouge. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Charles Augustus, her husband, Anthony Banks, her son, Gregory Banks, and 8siblings. She is survived by one son, Michael A. Banks (Linda), Baton Rouge,one stepson, Wayne Banks, Sacramento, CA, and a stepdaughter, Brenda Banks Randall (Bill), San Francisco, CA, two granddaughters, Brandi Banks, Jessica Banks Reeves (Ayan) and two great grandchildren, Sean Michael and Brooklyn Brown.

Theworld haslost one ofakind. Robert Earl “Bob” Benoit, 84,passedaway March 30, 2025. He wasa nativeofPlaquemineand residentofBrusly. Bob graduated from Plaquem‐ine High,attendedSouth‐eastern LouisianaUniver‐sityona football scholar‐ship, andretired from Copolymer chemical plant. Bob’s hobbywas restoring his 1946 Ford and1956 Chevy.Hewas aWorld War II buff andhad an exten‐siveWorld WarIImemora‐bilia collection.Bob en‐joyed travelingwithhis wife, Sarah, especially to Alaskaand Japan. Bobwas alwaysready to lend a handtoanyonewho neededhelpand had a let’sget it done”attitude. Heisprecededindeath by his parents, Wilfredand Philomena GilbertBenoit; brothers, Elton, Ronald and Will;sister, Catherine Roucher;stepson,Shelley Brown Jr.; andgreat-grand‐daughter, CamilleMarie Benoit. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sarah ThomasBenoit; sons,Troy Benoit(Mary), Eric Benoit (Jessica),CurtisDevery Brown (Hiromi);and daughter, Lori Squyres. Of these children,hehas 12 grandchildren and11 great-grandchildren.Visi‐tationwillbeheldonSat‐urday,April 5, at Wilbert Funeral Home in Plaquem‐ine from 9a.m.until reli‐gious serviceat11a.m., conducted by Rev. Mike Caraway.Cremation will follow. In lieu of ﬂowers, memorialdonations may bemadetoyourfavorite charity.Pleaseshare mem‐ories at www.wilbertserv ices.com.

Alfred E. "Trey" Berlin III, 74, aresidentof Baton Rouge,passed away unexpectedly at home on March 23, 2025. Born in Havre de Grace,MD, on November 23, 1950, Trey grewupinAlexandria, LA and graduated from Bolton High School in 1968. He attended LSU-Abefore transferringtoand graduating from LSUinBaton Rouge, which became hisfamily home forthe next 54 years.

Trey is precededin deathbyhis parents, AlfredElmer "Buster"Berlin Jr.and Mabel Protho Berlin;his sister, BelvaAnn Berlin Dewey; hisbrother, John Berlin; his wife of 36 years, Mary Evelyn D. "Winkie"Berlin;and his wifeof10years, Tanna Glaser Berlin. He is survived by his sons: Alfred Elmer"Bubba Berlin IV (Melanie) of Asheville, NC; Michael Berlin (Anne)ofAsheville NC; and BrianBerlin (Mathilde)ofNew Orleans, LA. He isalsosurvivedby his grandchildren: Perry Berlin and Molly Berlinof Asheville, and John, George, and Bernard "Bear" Berlin of NewOrleans. Trey is also survived by his stepdaughters: Allison RobersonofBaton Rouge, LA;Angela Andrus (Frankie) of Baton Rouge, LA; Ashley Howard(Tim) of Spring,TX; and Amy Traylor-Nikolaus (Emily) of Baton Rouge,LA, along with their children. Additionally, he is survivedbyhis dear and special friend, Susan van Bueningen. Trey enjoyed asuccessful and fulfilling 50-year career with CoburnSupply Company.Starting in the warehouse in 1972,he quickly rose through the ranksdue to hisstrong leadership and exceptional people skills. He retiredin 2022 as Senior Vice President and amemberofthe Board of Directors. Trey was instrumental in the growth and success of Coburn'sand was known throughout the company as amentorand friend—respected and beloved at every level of the organization. An Eagle Scout, Trey took pride in his time with Troop 12 in Baton Rouge, whereheencouraged and mentored young scouts in their journeytoward the rank of Eagle. Trey loved fishing, cooking,music, skeetshooting, chess, traveling, and awell -madeOld Fashioned. Family and Friends are invitedSaturday, April12 to Trinity Episcopal Church,3552Morning Glory Ave, Baton Rouge,LA 70808for avisitation beginning at 1:30 PM until the start of the service Requiem Eucharist at 2:30 PM, followed by areception.Treywillbeinterred at alater date in Pineville.

Family and friends may signthe online guestbook or leave apersonalnote at www.rabenhorst.com.

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

Charrier, Craig Joseph CraigJoseph Charrier, 72, anative and resident of BatonRouge, passed away Friday, March21, at his home.Craig was a1970 graduateofBroadmoor High School. He was very proud of his service to his country in the United States Air Force. He worked for many yearsas an iron worker beforeretiring.Hewas amember of theNRA and lovedtobeon the road, riding cross country on his Harley, which many times took him to the world famous Sturgis MotorcycleRally. Craigwas adevoted father,grandfather, greatgrandfather, son, brother and friend and will be missed dearly by allthose who knew him. He is preceded in death byhis father,Curtis Charrier Sr;brother,Keith Charrier Sr;grandson, Johnathan Mack Bordelon; and nephew, Keith CharrierJr. Craig is survivedbyhis daughters, TaraBordelon and husband, Keith, and Shannon Stewart and husband, Donnie; son,Russell

where Billpursued gradu-

Charrier and wife, Corrina; grandchildren, Aaron Lowe, CamilleStewart, KyleSylvester, HarliHendrickson, GageCharrier, Gabrielle Bordelon, and RussellCraig Charrier; great-granddaughter, Gracelyn Sylvester; mother, Ethel Cheek Charrier; brothers, Curtis CharrierJr and wife, Jaylene,Brian Charrier and wife, Leigh Anne;and Michael Charrier Sr.; and hisbestfriend, JenniferTaylor; as wellas numerous nieces, nephews, and riding buddies The family wouldliketo extend aspecial thank you to his mother, Ethel, his daughter, Tara and husband Keith, his dearest and best friend, Jennifer Taylorfor being at his side until his last breath; also a thank youtoAudubon Hospice, his nurse LaraRayburn and social worker Hilary Tallman. Visitation willbeheldat SealeFuneralHome, Denham Springs, Friday, April 4, from 12 p.m. until the celebrationofhis life at 2 p.m. Please share your condolences at www.sealefuneral.com.

Our beloved mother and "Gamby", SheronDaigle Clement,diedonMarch 29, 2025. She wasa nativeand lifelong resident of Napoleonville,Louisiana Born on November 28, 1947, she was 77.

Amemorial visitation willbeheldonSaturday, April 5, 2025, at St.Anne Catholic Church in Napoleonville from 9:00am until aMass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Interment willfollow in the St. Anne CatholicChurch cemetery.

Sheronissurvived by her daughter, Nancy Clement;son, Justin Clement and wife Mia; grandchildren, Grace, Charlotte,and Thomas; sisters Darla Campoand husband Alvinand Sonja Fonseca and husband Avery"Brother"; brother, Herbert "Dickie"Daigle and wife Jeannie;sister-inlaw, RubyDaigle; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Michael Clement; parents, Eddie "Mule", Sr. and Lillian "Da" Daigle; and brotherEddie "Mike" Daigle, Jr

Sheronwas aretired educator,earning amaster's degree in education from NichollsStateUniversity and teaching for33years at NapoleonvilleMiddle School. Herthree grandchildren were thelight of her life,and she loved them with all her heart She willbemissedimmeasurably by her family and friends.

Online condolences can be givenatwww.landrysfu neralhome.com

Landry's Funeral Home, Inc.isinchargeofarrangements.

Shelby CoxConti, passed away at home in LosAngeles,CA.,onMarch 21, 2025 at theage of 82. Known forher warm hospitality and joyful spirit,she was deeply belovedbyher family and friends. Shelby was born in BatonRouge,LA.,daughterof Frances and John A. Cox, former Director of the LouisianaStateUniversity (LSU) CooperativeExtensionService. She attended St.Joseph'sAcademy, Baton Rouge High School and graduated from LSUwitha degree in Dance and Physical Education. It was at LSUthatshe met her future husband,filmcomposer BillConti, during an auditionfor theprestigious LSUGoldenGirls dance team, where he was the accompanist. Shelbylater becoming theteam's first student directorand choreographer, leading to many shared projectsin Theatre and Band Shelby and Bill married in 1965 and embarked on an adventurous life,first moving to NewYorkCity

atestudies at The Juilliard School, and then to Rome, Italy, where they welcomed theirdaughters Rachela and Nicola. When theConti'sreturnedtothe UnitedStates, they settled in LosAngeles,where Shelby worked at CBS TelevisionCity and KHJ radio as an administrative assistant. Shelby's commitment to hercommunity was unwavering. For over three decades, she dedicated her time and energy to various charitable andservice organizations, including theAssistance League of Southern California (OperationSchool Bell), Della Robbia Guildfor Children's Hospital, Young Musicians Foundation, The Music Center,and P.E.O. Shelby was aproud Daughter of theAmerican Revolution and served as National Chairwomanofthe V.I.S. Committee and Chapter Regentofthe LosAngelesEschscholziaChapterDAR. Beyond her philanthropic work, she was apassionategardener, gifted cook, skilledhelmsman, talented singer and dancer, animal loverand adeeplyloyal friend

Shelby is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Bill; her daughters and their husbands, Rachela and David Swanson, and Nicolaand Chris O'Connell;her adored grandsons, William, Nicolas (and hiswife Belem) and AndrewSwanson; her cherished granddaughters, Cassidyand Shelby O'Connell; and her brother, Van L. Cox, professor emeritus at LSU, and his wife, Jan. Shelby is preceded in death by her brother John A. ("Doc") CoxII.

ARequiem Mass willbe held at St Vitus Catholic Church, Northridge, CA., on April 4at9:30 am. Ascholarshipfund has been created to help preserve her legacy and support future generations of LSUGolden Girls, The Shelby CoxConti GoldenGirlScholarship, http://givelsu.org/shelbyc onti

Davidson, Gordon Smith 'GS'

Gordon Smith"GS" Davidson, son of Francis Davidson and MarionMayfieldDavidson, was born in Houston, Texas. He was a faithful parishionerofMt. CarmelCatholic Church and MissionChapel in St. Francisville,Louisiana Gordon passed away peacefully at theage of 86 at Our Ladyofthe Lake Hospital on Monday, March 31, 2025. After graduatingfrom Baker High School, Gordonserved in theU.S.Navyfor three years. He then devoted his careertopublicservice, servingthe Stateof Louisianafor 41 years in theDepartment of Revenue and theGovernor's Office of Elderly Affairs. Gordon cultivated diverse interests, including photography, throughwhich he documented weddings thelives of his colleagues, and thebeauty of thenatural world until the loss of his equipment in theflood of 2016. He also found greatpleasure in stamp collecting and was an activemember of theAmerican Philatelic Society. He is survivedbyhis threefirst cousins and ahalf-brother. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather,Edward McClure, Sr In remembrance of Gordon, thefamily suggests that memorial contributions be directed to the Pinnacle Hospice.Please share your condolences at www.sealefuneral.com.

MaryAmandaKnighton DeweyDavis died on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at the ageof97. She livedinTampa,FLfor two years, but was a65-yearresident of Baton Rouge, LA.She was born on December 13, 1927, in Centreville,MS.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Angie Williams Knighton and RoyKnighton, brother, Ventress Knighton, hus-

band, Edward Hilton Deweyand second husband, John Davis. Mary grew up in Centreville, Mississippi andwas fondly called"Sister," "Mary Amanda," andlater "Grandy." Shewas the salutatorian of herhigh school class, andher favorite teachersaid Mary wasthe smartest student sheever taught.

After studyingvocal music for ayear at Belhaven College, in Jackson,MS, Mary marriedEdward HiltonDewey of Centreville.She later moved to Baton Rouge whereshe raisedand is survivedby threechildren: David HiltonDewey (Cathy) Hendersonville, NC, JuliaEllen DeweyDaigle (Randy) Tampa, FL, andJanet Elizabeth DeweyCandler, NC. Sheloved beingactive in thelives of herfourgrandchildren: Jake Dewey (Kathryn), Asheville, NC, Walker Cody Smith, Baton Rouge,LA, Allison Amanda Daigle McMurray (Scott) Dade City, FL, andDr. Chrissy Elise Daigle Bayer, (Drew)Tampa, FL. Also, hergreat grandson, Davis Deweyand granddaughter, Carter DeweyofAsheville, NC. Sheenjoyed hosting holidays at herfamily camp near Centervilleand beingwith herKnighton nieceand nephews.

Mary was grateful for her50plus-year friendship with Sue Johnson, Baton Rouge.She also enjoyed herbridge club,work, church,sewing, andquiltingclubfriends,and many otherspecial connections in Centrevilleand Baton Rouge

Earlyinher career,Mary workedinphysicians' offices andfor the Louisiana Department of Hospitals. In 1968, she wasasked to join thestaff at the newly opened Earl K. LongHospital whereshe rose to the position of administrator of theLSU MedicalCenter'sBaton Rouge medical education office. There, she helped establish the LSUUnit andprovidedstaff protocols and procedures in support of medical students training at Earl Long Hospital. Afount of information,she providedsupport andproblem-solving to thestudents whilealso actingasa substitute mothertomanyand occasionally gave informal counseling.Mary was proudofher 40 plus years at Earl LongHospital and themedical students, interns, and residents she helped alongthe way

Shewas an accomplishedseamstress and enjoyed makingheirloom baptismal gowns,fancy dresses for little and big girls, and smocked clothingaswellasdrapesand many quilts. But hertrue joywas giving thesehandmade treasures and special gifts (like pecan pies andbabyblankets) to friends andacquaintances. Shetaughther familytobe kind andtoshowcompassion and empathytoothers.

In lieu of flowers, the familyasks that mourners considermakinga loving contributiontotheir favorite charity in hermemory or adding atestimonial at Legacy.com. Thefamily haschosen to hold aprivatecelebration of Mary's life.

Mary made hard decisions andsacrificesonbehalfofher familytohelp bring abouttheir desires anddreams. Shesaw her childrenand grandchildren completecollege and thrive, each knowing their foundation was built on Grandy's love

Steve Everhart, alongtime residentofBaton Rouge,passed away February 6, 2025, at OurLady of theLake Regional Medical Center.Steve was born on April 16, 1951, the son of Bob andBarbara Everhart, and grew up in Middlefield,Connecticut. After graduation from Bradley University, he moved to Baton Rouge andworked with Cablevisionbefore becoming acomputer technician with Burroughs, whichlater became Unisys, untilhis retirement. He enjoyed fishing, photography, watching sportsand visitingwith friends. Steve is survived by his brotherand sister-in-law,

Richard (Karen)Everhart of Clifton, ME,and nephew, Michael Everhart of Manitowoc,WI. He is also survived by an aunt, Janet HenryofCamden, ME,and twostep-brothers, Jeff HansenofOld Saybrook, CT, andBrian Hansen of Derry, NH.Hewas predeceased by his parents and step-mother, Betty Hansen Everhart. Hismemory will also be cherished by his numerousfriends here in Baton Rouge.Steve will be remembered as akindand loving friend andfamily member by all whoknew him. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of yourchoice or leave a remembrance in theAdvocate'sonline guestbook. More importantly, please honor Steve's memory by thinkingofhim fromtime to time andbycheering on yourfavorite team.

Eugene Phillip 'Gene'

"Gene Franklinpassed away peacefully at home. Born on December 7, 1935, in Birmingham, Alabama. Gene lived life to thefullest for 89 years. He met hislovely wife, Faye Ruth McGee Franklin, whiletheywereinhigh school. Genewas Faye's math tutor at Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama. They married after Faye'sgraduation in 1955. Together they raisedtheir threechildren, Deborah "Debbie" Faye FranklinFox (Trent), Phillip "Flip"Michael Franklin (1961-1999), and Curtis Eugene Franklin(Adelaide). Genebegan hislifelong career as adraftsman for reinforcing andstructural steel whilestill in high school. He wasa natural mathematician beginning hiscareerusing aslide rule at thedraftingtable He switchedtoa calculator in the1970's, but never a computer. He worked for Bethlehem Steel, Virginia Steel, Baton Rouge Steel, andfinallyhis owncompany Baton Rouge Steeland SteelSales &Services. He continuedworkingatthe draftingtable untilage 86! Hiscareermoved his young familyfromBirmingham, AL to Jackson,MS, Anderson, SC, Jacksonville, FL and finallysettling in Baton Rouge,Louisianain 1968. After afew years in Baton Rouge,heswitched Tigers -fromAuburnto LSU. In hislast week, he wasenjoyingwatching LSU'sbaseball. For many decades he hadseason footballtickets for LSU and NewOrleans Saintsincludingbeforethe superdome As aboy growingupin Birmingham, Geneand his older brotherBob had many adventures.Ifthey got into toomuchtrouble they wouldrun to their belovedBritish grandmother,HannahBell Hawke, for protection.If you hada minutetolisten, Genewould tell stories only slightly embellished of theiradventures Genebegan collecting old coins andCase knives as aboy andcontinued into his80's. He also enjoyed collecting guns,especially those associated with cowboys and theold west. He wasa boy scoutand a Masonofthe Masonry fraternal organization. He wasnot onefor traveling unless it involvedhunting or fishing. Hisfavorite vacation spot wasinAlabama at hisin-law's,Mac and Bootie, 400-acre farmwith the40-acre Lake Rumac, wherethe whole family couldfish or hunt.Healways enjoyeda goodcup of coffee especially with hisbest friendRudy Long. Geneispreceded in death by hisparents; brother, Robert "Bob" Milton Franklinand hisson, Phillip "Flip"Michael Franklin. He is survived by his wife, Faye, twochildren, Debbie (Trent), Curtis (Adelaide); as well as his fivecherishedgrandchildren,NeilsonLea (Sarah), CandaceFranklinBarron (Seth), Clayton Franklin (RiAnne), HannaFox Della (Justin),and Fae Fox. He wasblessed with 2greatgrandchildren, Sadie and Cooper Barron Gene'sfamilywould like to extendtheir gratitude to thecaregivers, friends, and lovedoneswho made it possible forhim to remain at home in hisfinal days. Your kindness, presence, andsupport meantthe world. Aspecial thankyou to histreasured friend,

Berlin, Alfred E. 'Trey'

Franklin,

EugenePhillip

Clement, Sheron Daigle Gamby

Benoit,RobertEarl'Bob'

Conti,Shelby Cox

Everhart, StevenR

Davis, Mary

On Saturday,interim St. GeorgeMayor Dustin Yates easily cruised to awin in the first race for the city’stop executive job.Alongwith Yates, David Dellucci emerged from acrowdedfieldto earn one of two at-large seatsonthe City Council. With four members ofthe seven-member council having already been elected when no one qualified against them, most of thenew government is set. The lasttwo council races —one at-large and for District 4—will go to May3 runoffs.

We congratulate the winners on becoming the ﬁrst electedofﬁcials in thestate’s newest city We know it has been along road to getto this point, onethat included years of planningmeetings,petition drives, elections, acrimonious court battles and numerousothersteps. Now the real work begins.

Chief among St. George’schallengesisthat the city’svoters rejected theproposedhome rule charter favored by most of thosewho have wonacityofﬁce

Thecharter would have created aformofgovernment that is used in other placesaround the country but is somewhat novel for Louisiana.In addition to the mayor and council, it would have added acity manager position. That person would have been largely responsible forrunning day-to-day operations, reducing the role of themayor

The proposed charter had wonthe approval of the state’sbond commission and the interim councilbeforegoingonthe ballot. Proponents, including theincomingmayor and each of the council members who havebeen elected,argued that acity manager form of government would help deliver services efﬁciently and transparently

But55% of theroughly 19,000 voterswho cast ballots disagreed. Certainly,some of the opposition stemmed from the controversy over the high salaries the interim citycouncil approved, eventhough theyweren’t includedin the charter.Those salaries included $160,000for themayor,almost the same as what the mayorpresidentofEast Baton Rougeearns. By comparison, in much larger Dallas, which uses acity-manager form of government,the mayor earns only $80,000. Voters there rejected amovelastyeartoraise that to $110,000.

The charter’sdefeat won’t change the salaries. But it means the new leaders can’t hire acity manager,and it will force themtoadjust the way they run the city.Now,they must rely on the Lawrason Act, the state’sdefault charter for municipalities.Underthe Lawrason Act, the mayorismore powerful than St. George’s leadershad envisioned.

What’s more, it will be some months, perhaps years, before anew chartercan bewritten, publicly presented and approved So, along with offering ourcongratulations, we urge Yates and the council to buckle down, get to workand andﬁgure outhow to provide the services that St. Georgeadvocateshave been promising for years.

It won’tbeeasy.But their constituents deserve nothing less.

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.

OPINION

Asigniﬁcant item identiﬁed in the Boston Consulting Group’sLouisiana Department of Transportation and Development assessment was improving project delivery

The report said “in recent years, it (DOTD) has not been able toreliably deliver theprojects identiﬁed in the public let list or Highway Priority Program.” Whatever adjustments are made in this project delivery,the Capital region will be theproving ground for these changes. In 2018, thestate committed to widen Interstate10from the Mississippi River Bridgetothe I-10/I-12 split.Now, seven years later,the other three projectsannounced in 2018 have been completed or are near completion,but theI-10 widening project, while started, has no clear path to completion.

Similarly,in2022, legislators and thestate administration came together to dedicateaportion of the vehicle sales tax to four major projects in the state, of which the SouthMississippi

River Bridgewas one Since that time, the Lake Charles bridge has secured aclear path forward with design and construction underway.The SouthBridge project is entering its critical momentwith a ﬁnal location and ﬁnal permitting due in 2026. Will DOTD be able to lock in aclear path to deliver the South Bridge? Finally,apersistent question about how to better utilize the Huey P. Long(Old)Bridge remains. Can DOTD work with localgovernment on aplan to fund and build improvements to this critical northern corridor?

As theCapital region remains one of the most congested mid-sized cities in America (2023 Urban Mobility Report), the Baton Rouge community is counting on DOTD to deliver on its projects. It is timewemakeour road and bridge infrastructure in the Capital region an asset and not aliability

SCOTT KIRKPATRICK executivedirector,Capital Region Industry for Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

In aspateofrecent articles examining House Speaker Mike Johnson’s position on proxy voting, thecongressman defended his refusal to allow Colorado congresswoman (and new mother)Brittany Petterson 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’t ﬁt withthe language of the Constitution,and that’sthe inescapable truth that we have.”

The congresswoman —having recentlygiven 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 also for Johnson, who

has voted by proxydozens of times. To give but one example, between Dec. 21-23, 2022, Johnson votedby proxy 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 constituentshis history of proxy voting to justify rejecting a new mother’s reasonable request for an accommodation that he hasrepeatedly enjoyed. Thatisdisqualifying —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 onesthat people talked about and were strongly opposed to,but the campaign to vote no on all fouroffereda powerful, easy message. But the opposition wasn’tonlyfrom 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 onewas just aflat-out bad idea. Imean,itwas togive legislatorsthe ability to try juvenilesas adults, without letting thepublic weigh in on what crimes should count. Mostpeople do not think that children should betreated 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 allfouramendments, becauseyou’re thinking, “Wejust don’t trust these guys.”

Grace: They included sweeteners andreally 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 heinous crimes, and they’re in the constitution.Sothenthe questionis: Well, what else would youwant to add? There was no answer to that, andI think that was abig problem. Idon’tcare

what partyorphilosophy you have, you wanttoknow what’s your 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 thevote-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 environment of: Can we slow down and talk aboutwhether we are really making good decisions?

Hillyer: And there is avery healthy visceral antagonism in the American 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-nationalizethis, 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 needstobesaid 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 want it as governor,that what you want is the 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’teven 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 Supreme Court.

Hillyer: Andthen on Amendment2,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 wanttounderstand what they’re voting forindigestible chunks.

Grace: And there is an inherent contradiction in Amendment 2, in that the argument was to free 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 wasactually 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 wereput 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 went down. When Ilooked at the results on Saturday night, my thought wasthat 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

DEATHS continued

Rudy Long, for going to great lengths to support our family. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at Resthaven Funeral Home 11817 Jefferson Hwy in Baton Rouge, on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Avisitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 12:00 p.m. Burialwill follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Hwy in Baton Rouge. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave apersonal note to the family at www.resthav enbatonrouge.com

Jacobs,Phillip Wayne

PhillipWayne Jacobs was born in SanAntonio, Texas,onSeptember 7, 1979, to Gordyand Freda Jacobsand passedaway onMarch 31, 2025, in Jack‐son,La. Phillipworkedfor the last 7years at BASF and over 20 yearsatGeor‐gia Paciﬁc, where he met his best friendsand men‐tors. Phillipwas endlessly talented. He devoteda great deal of time to his passion forart andmusic Heenjoyed drawingwith charcoaland hada surplus ofpencils.Hewas commit‐ted to hisloveofacrylic watercolor, andoil paint‐ing.Heloved woodwork‐ing,electricalwork, gar‐dening, cooking, andread‐ing.Phillip enjoyedcollect‐ing knives,castiron, and beard combs. Phillipcould singthe wordstoany song and play almost anyinstru‐ment, butheespeciallyen‐joyed hisguitar. Phillip spent many hourswithhis guitar, teaching others how to play andattending band practice”withhis friends.ToknowPhillip was to love him. Phillip was thecenterofany gathering andloved to makeotherslaugh.Healso enjoyed laughing at youor withyou.Hesharedhis quick wit, sarcasm, dad jokes,and pranks with anyoneheencountered Phillip will be dearly missedand survived by his wifeStephanie andtheir childrenand grandchil‐dren: KaylaJacobs(Trae Ball),TaylorGuyer (Eric Pointon), Taylin Jacobs, Rhett Guyer, Vivian Guyer, Tarra Guyer(Conner White),HunterJacobs, and grandchildren Karson, Kamdynn, andKasidee Ball, LennoxPointon,Anas‐tasia,Violetteand Xyla Guyer,and Crue Allen White. He is also survived byhis Sisters: Mona Abdul‐layev andCharlotte Ashley, nieces, nephews, andenu‐merable belovedfriends, coworkers,and neighbors thatwerecherished family. Publicvisitationis9-11am onSaturday, April5,2025, atCharlet FuneralHomein Zachary,La. with aservice tofollowwhere we will welcome everyone to share memories of such a memorable man. Share sympathies, condolences, and memories at www.Cha rletfuneralhome.com.

King, Inez Carlton

Inez Carlton King passed awayonWednesday, April 1, 2025, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.She was 99 years old. She was born July 25, 1925, in Jonesville to Edward Carltonand Vera Willie Tillar Carlton. She began her career with the Louisiana Welfare Department and retired from the Louisiana Forestry Commission after 25 years of dedicated service. She was alongtime and faithful member of Ingleside United Methodist Church, where she was amember of their DMA (Don't Mention Age) group. She is preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother Hattie Carlton; her beloved husband of 34 years, Shyrl L. King; their son James E. King; seven

sisters; and five brothers. Inez is survivedbyher lovingchildrenCheryl Ann King, Debbie Formeller and her husband Bob, Elizabeth King, and Joseph L. King and wifeJodi; her grandchildren Rhonda,Lynn, James, Logann, LeighAnn and Erin;and great-grandchildren Parker, Jill, Olivia, Stella, Oscar, Amelia and Nellie.She is also survived by her brothers David Carlton and his wifeLinda,and Shelby Carlton and hiswife

Sally

The family would like to acknowledge her caregiversKaira Hendrix, Dionne Williams and Megan Weber,aswellas her longtime friend and neighbor Karen Sharp.

Inez and Shyrlwereactive with the American PostalWorkers Union(APWU)wherethey traveled throughout the United States,and she was a member of theirladies auxiliary. Sheenjoyed cooking and her familyalways looked forward to her cornbread dressing. In later years, Inez began to create custom Christmas ornaments. She was able to complete two ornaments forher two youngest great-granddaughters forthis year's Christmas. While she enjoyedreading and LSU baseball, she was happiest rockinginher chair on her front porch and spending time with herfamily.

Relatives and friends areinvited to attend the Funeral Serviceat12:00 p.m. on Thursday, April3 2025,atIngleside United MethodistChurch, 4264 Capital HeightsAvenue in Baton Rouge.A Visitation willbeheldat the church beginning at 11:00a.m.Interment willfollow at Resthaven Gardensof Memory.

Serving as pallbearers willbeLynn King, Parker King, James Matuschka, Dustin Risher, David Sharp and DanSisson. Honorary pallbearersare JordanBarnett,David Carolton,Joe Penney andLogann Risher. In lieuofflowers, memorials in honorofInez Carlton King may be made to Ingleside United MethodistChurch Familyand friends may signthe online guestbook or leave apersonalnote to the family at www.resthav enbatonrouge.com

Landry, DonaldRay 'Skip'

A54yearold resident of White Castle,LAdied on Sunday,March30, 2025 at his home. Visiting ThursdayApril 3, 2025 at Roscoe Mortuary58635MeriamSt. Plaquemine, LA 5-7PM and continuesonFriday, April 4, 2025atGreater Progressive B.C. 32580 Leona Ave White Castle,LA9AM until religious service at 11AM officiating Pastor Royal Williams,Sr. IntermentAsbury MethodistChurch Cemetery.Skip is survived by his daughter Katyra R. Landry, Baton Rouge;sons Damion D. Edwards, Plaquemine and Jahmai J. Douglas,Addis; sisters ConnieE.Brown,Joycelyn E. Rome, Beverly L. Fleming (Roland) allofWhite Castle and Angela E. Allen (Joshary,Sr.) of Addis, LA; brothers, Ralph ElzyJr. (Sandra), RonaldElzy (Karen), Terry Elzy, Sr. (Angelia)all of White Castle, Michael Elzy of Gonzales and JamesRuss (Theresa) Lynwood,California;aunts, Shirley M. Johnsonand AudreyL.Ray both of Baton Rouge;a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Precededindeath by parentsJoseph,Sr. and Enola Mason Landry;one son, three brothers and one sister

LeClere, Michael Joshua

Our beloved son, brother,and nephew Michael Joshua LeClere of Baton Rouge, LA died suddenly on 3/26/25. He was so lovedbyhis mother, Debbi Coltharp; his brothers,

Christian Coltharp-Parr (Justine), David LeClere II (Caitie), JacobGunter (Ashlee), and Ben LeClere; as wellasbyhis grandmother, aunts, uncles, niece, twonephews, and cousins.Josh was preceded in death by his father, David LeClere. He lovedhard with every ounce of himself, whether in aromanticrelationship where he embracedhis partner's family as his own or when it came to thefriends, who became familyover time. With aheart of gold, Josh was one of the sweetest people that ever lived. He was afree spirit who was joyful,kind, gregarious, and had aunique talent formaking people laugh. He always worked to buildothers up to feel specialand loved, and seemed to do so with ease

Determined to chart his own path, he found his calling working within the trades. Josh couldfix anything.Withaneverpresent smile anda bucket full of tools, he madea lasting, positiveimpact on so many friends and strangers alike

Whether youknew him as Josh, Michael, Uncle Gator,orMiguel, to know him was to love him.

Belovedas"Papa"tohis family and "Ted" to countless friends, Norris A. Melancon died on Tuesday, April1,2025 at his home in NewRoads, LA.Ted was born April 25, 1928 in Morganza, LA and remained thereuntil 2008, when he moved to NewRoads, LA Ted workedinthe family business, Melancon Café, until enrolling at SLI(now University of Louisiana at Lafayette). He graduated fromSLI witha degree in Agribusiness. Ted was a veteran of WWIIand the Korean Conflict. During bothdeployments, he served his country as an army medic,which landed him at WestPoint Hospital in NewYork at theend of his second Tour. Upon returning home, he began an agricultural business, The Purina FeedService and Hardware Supplies, while also teaching thelatest farming programs in the rural areas of Pointe Coupee Parish. Some of his treasured accomplishmentsincludecharterand boardmember of: Falser RiverAcademy, Peoples Bank (now SynergyBank), and Raccourci Hunting Club. He was adevoted husband, father, grandfather,and friend to many after flashing that wonderful smile. His strong Catholicfaith which he practiced and liveddaily, was instilledinhim by his Sicilian mother who immigrated to America.This past February, Ted and his wife Jane were honored by Bishop Duca forbeing the longest living married couple in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Ted is survived by his beloved wife of 75 years, Jane Witty Melancon; threesons: Mickey, Robin,Kevinand wife Dana; one daughter, Marsha and husband Bourg Langlois; and sister-in-law JoAnn Melancon. He also leavesbehind 22 grandchildrenand theirspouses and 22 great-grandchildren.Heispreceded in death by twograndsons, Beau Chad Melancon and James Casie Melancon; parents, Norrisand Mary Melancon; twobrothers, Bernie and Clayton Melancon; twosisters, Juanita Mullerand PatRamagos. Visitation willbeatSt. Ann's Catholic Church in Morganza, LA on Saturday, April5,2025 from 9:00 am until religious service at 11:00 am followedbythe burial in thechurch cemetery.Ted will be remembered forhis humility,simplicity, sharp business mind, courage, faith, devotion to duty, and joyofliving and sincere interest and compassion he demonstrated toward all he met.Memorial donations may be madeto CatholicofPointe Coupee 405 LouisianaSt. New Roads, LA 70760.

Harry Heil Roberts,PhD, age 85, abeloved father, esteemedacademic, and pioneer in marine geology and oceanography,passed away at Our Ladyofthe Lake Medical Center on March 26, 2025. Harry was born on Groundhog Day, February 2, 1940, in Huntington, WestVirginiaand was raised in Milton,WestVirginia as theson of Richard LeroyRoberts and Anna VirginiaRader, who predeceasedhim. He was also predeceased by hiswife, MarySue Roberts. He is survived by his son, Andrew Roberts,M.D his daughter-in-lawMaryna Roberts,aswellashis sister, Marsha Geiger. Harry was an honor student and graduateofMiltonHigh School, class of 1958, and earneda Bachelor of Science degree in Physics fromMarshallUniversity in 1963 (AlphaSigma Phi) .Dr. Roberts went on toacquire an M.S. degree in Geologyfrom LSUin1966. He then earnedhis PhDinGeologyfrom LSUin1969. Not only was Dr. Robertsaccomplishedacademically, buthealso excelledinathletics. He was astandout basketball player in high schoolfor theMiltonGreyhounds and went on to play point guard for the MarshallThundering Herd from 1958 to 1962. He was team chaplain and ledthe team in prayerbeforeeach game.Dr. Roberts was also avery talented artist, winning multiple "contests" and shows with hiswork. While at MarshallUniversity, he builta scale model of theuniversity that is stillondisplaytoday. Harry was amember of the Rotary Club,the CivilWar Roundtable, and aSon of theAmerican Revolution. He enjoyed spendingtime with cherished friends, working in his beautiful yard and garden, and fishing themarshes of south Louisiana and exploring thesightsonthe open road with his son. Travel was perhapshis favorite activityand his profession afforded him plentyofopportunity in this regard Ultimately,hesettled on marinegeologyand oceanography as thefocus of his life's work.Heexcelled in this field, starting and finishing with the Coastal StudiesInstituteat Louisiana StateUniversity. He was first an instructor and then an assistant and associate professor. In 1985, he was named assistant directorofthe Institute, followedbydirector from 1989 to 1995. In 2001, he was namedasa J.P. Morgan Professor and he eventuallyachievedthe rank of Boyd Professorin 2001 and Boyd Professor Emeritus in 2006, thehighest academic honorat Louisiana StateUniversity. To become aBoydProfessor,anindividualmust attain national and international distinctionfor outstanding teaching, research, and other achievements. Dr. Roberts dedicatedover 50 years to study to thegeology of the Gulf of Mexico and the marshland surroundingit. Among his discoveries were large, rock-like chunks of frozenmethane, calledhydrates,which couldeventually be mined as sources of energy. He was also thefirst to directly observegas hydrates on thefloor of the Gulf of Mexico from deep-diving submersiblesand mapped substantial portionsofthe Gulf floor. His interests around theworld also included deltaicdynamics and sedimentation.Healso investigated coastal erosion and studied thesustainability and management of largemarine ecosystems in theGulf of Mexico.With over 200 peer -reviewed publications, his contributions to his fields of studyare immeasurable. He received multiple professional awards throughout his career. Among these are theASCE OTC Hall of Fame award in 2016 and was an American Associationfor theAdvancement of Science Fellowin2014, and aGeological SocietyofAmerica Fellowin2012. Harry was a recipient of the Doris MalkinCurtis Medal in 2010. During the2007 year he was awarded theOutstanding Research award from theSchool of Coast and environment. In 2005, he won theGroverMurray Best PublishedPaper Award fortwo different papers submitted.2004 saw

himwinthePresident s Certificate for Excellence in Presentation andin2001 he wasawardedthe Joe andRichard Lipsey Professional EducatorsAward as well as beingnamed and holdingthe J. P. Morgan Professorship at the Coastal Studies Institute In 1998 Harry subsequently wonthe DistinguishedResearchMaster Award.He received first place for his presentation at theAAPG Gulf Coast meeting in 1996 as well as the2001 AAPG meeting.Dr. Robertswas awarded theH.W."Hub" Cotton Award for faculty excellence (1993). Since 1979, he served as an associate editorfor theJournal of Sedimentary Geology and, from 1987 to 1992, as an associate editorfor the Journal of Coral Reefs. Previously, he wasa National ScienceFoundation Fellow 1967-1968 and wasalso nameda Pan American Petroleum Foundation Fellow1964-1965. Most importantly, he received the Shephard'sMedalin2003, representingexcellence in marine geology. This award is only given for a sustained recordofoutstanding research contributionstomarine geology andmarine sedimentology. Hispublicationsare too numeroustolist, andhis contributions to ourunderstanding of oceanography, coastal science,sedimentarydynamics, delta geology, andcarbonatescannot be overstated. Despite his researchinmanyother areas of theworld, Harry's favorite andperhapsmost enduring researchwas performed in the Gulf of Mexico whichhas hada profound impact on the stateofLouisiana andbeyond. Dr.Roberts' productivity as aresearch scientist wasconsistent and outstanding. Louisiana State University described himas"afineteacher,excellentdepartment citizen, andtruly nice person." What an understatement In addition to all of his tremendous achievements Harry wasa devotedfamily man deeply involved in hissonsown academic andathletic pursuits. He wasa supportive andlovinghusbandand tireless caretaker duringhis wife's ownhealthissues. He will be remembered most of all for hisselflessnessand support throughout the lives of hisfamilyand his unwaveringcommitment to hisfield of study and mentorship to many future marine geologists. Harry hasleft an indelible mark on hisson andfamily, Louisiana State University, thestateofLouisiana, the field of MarineGeology, as well as countless friends andneighborswho hadthe fortunetohave known him. There will be aprivate burialatSaint JamesEpiscopalChurchata date chosenbyhis family. In lieu of flowers, please consider donatingthe Matthew 25 FundatSaint JamesEpiscopal Church in hisname.

Ms. Carolyn Joyce Allen

Tugwell, passedaway on March28, 2025, at theage of 93 years old aftera brief illness. Ms. Carolyn was born December 4,1931 in Baton Rouge,LA. Sheattended Bernard Terrace Elementary, BR Junior High andBaton Rouge High School andgraduatedfrom LSUwith aBMEDdegree anda BM in voice. Ms. Carolyn taught in theBaton Rouge ElementarySchool system as aVocal Supervi-

sor, conductedchoirs at First Presbyterian Church andUnityChurch of Christianity. She was thefirst Director of Music at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church with aprogram of four choirs anddirectedthe Baton Rouge Music Club Chorusand wasa member of SAI(music sorority), Chi OmegaFraternity and Chapter AJ of P.E.O. Ms. Carolyn is survived by Judy andBrian Bassett and familyand Janice andTim Charrier andfamily. Sheis preceded in death by parents, Hunter S. Allenand EstherWolfAllen andhusbandof45years, Andrew P. TugwellJr. Agraveside service will be held at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge,LA., on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, adonation to yourfavorite charity or churchinCarolyn'sname wouldbe deeply appreciated

Faye Wallace, thedaughter of thelate Jesse and JaniceWallace, departed this life on Sunday, March30, 2025, at 7:58 AM at herresidencesurroundedbyher loving family. TerriFaye, as shewas affectionately known, was aresident of Baton Rouge Shewas baptized at Shilo Missionary Baptist Church at an early ageand joined Rose Hill over 20 years ago. Shewas aretiree from State GroupBenefits whereshe workedafter graduating from "The Capitol Senior High School." Shewas avery proudalumnaand enjoyed spending time with her familyand theClass of 1978.

Terriwas themother of onebeautifuldaughter, Claudette,and onegranddaughter, LaRhianna; both were thepride andjoy of herlife.

Sheleaves to cherish herloving memory and legacyher only child, Claudette WallaceThomas, and only grandchild, LaRhianna Thomas; father and grandfather of Claudette andLaRhianna,Bernard Thompson;foursisters, Glinda Powers, Marlene Jolla(Leon) both of Baton Rouge,LA, Rita Wallace Collier(Ret. Lt. EwingCollier)Grambling, LA, Adrain WallaceJoseph,Council Woman at Large (Gary Joseph)Councilman, of Port Allen, LA; onebrother, DannieWallace, Sr of Baton Rouge,LAand ahostof aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Roberts, Harry Heil

Wallace, Terrence Faye

Terrence

Melancon, NorrisA.'Ted'

Tugwell, Carolyn Allen

LSUgym beginsquest forrepeat

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,

LSUbaseball analytics guru shifts focusto pitching

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.”

ä See ANALYTICS, page 2C

STAFFPHOTO By HILARy

LSU coach JayJohnson,

speakswith director of player development Jamie Tutko during ascrimmageonJan. 24 at Alex Box Stadium.

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-

tics family convergethis week in the moun-

tains of central Pennsylvania.For afamily thatdoesn’tget to spend agreat deal of time together,ithas been adelightful happenstance.

“Theystartedspring practice andI called him immediately and said, ‘Dad, we’re going to Penn State,’ ”Amarisaid. “It’sexciting. He wasn’table to go to regionals last year becausehewas at Temple, but nowhe’sthere.”

LSU’sregional semiﬁnal is set for6 p.m.at PennState’sRec Hall. The Tigers will competeinthe Olympic rotation—vault, bars, beam and ﬂoor —against Southeastern Conferencerivaland No.16national seed Arkansas, along withMichigan and Maryland. Maryland advanced Wednesday by winning aplay-in meet against West Virginia, 196.250-195.325.

ä See QUEST, page 3C

SPRING GLEANING

With LSUfootball practice paused for springbreak, it’s aconvenient time to takestock of what we have learned aboutthisteam

TheTigers have completed 10 practices, and they will have ﬁve more before spring ball ends. Here is onetakeaway about every position based on what we have seen and heard three weeks into practice.

Quarterback

Runningback

LSU mayhave upgraded at backup quarterback with Mississippi State transfer Michael VanBuren. He’s still early in the process of learning a new offense, but he has shown some promise. Offensive coordinator Joe SloansaidVan Buren’s“comfortability in the pocket is exceptional,” and that he can reach every part of the ﬁeld as apasser. Though he won’t unseat Garrett Nussmeier, VanBuren could be an option in 2026 if he continues to develop.

Therehavebeensomeencouragingthings saidaboutKaleb Jackson. LSU coach Brian Kellyadmitted

Jackson“struggledthe last year with his size and volume” after gaining 10 pounds, but the coaches have seen betterthings fromhim after a disappointing sophomore season Eventhough Jacksonisstill listed at 235pounds, Kellysaid “hehas really crossed that hurdle.” Sloan

ä See LSU, page 3C

LSUgymnast

Amari Drayton

STAFF FILE PHOTO By

MICHAEL JOHNSON

STAFFPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU defensiveend Gabriel Reliford cuts around apylon during aspring practice on Saturday at the team’spractice facility

SCHEINUK

left,

On TV

AUTO RACING

9:25 p.m. Formula1:Practice ESPNews

COLLEGE BASEBALL

6p.m. Dukeat North Carolina ACC

6p.m.LSU at Oklahoma ESPN2

6p.m. OleMiss at Kentucky ESPN2

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

6p.m. Slam Dunk, 3-point champ. ESPN MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALLTOURNEYS

6p.m. Crowne: UCF vs. Cincinnati FS1

8p.m. NIT: Chattanoogavs. UC Irvine ESPN

8:30 p.m. Crowne: Villanova vs. USC FS1

BROADCASTHIGHLIGHTS

GOLF

9:30 a.m. KornFerry:Savannah Champ. Golf

12:30 p.m. Augusta Women’sAmateur Golf

3p.m. PGATour:TexasOpen Golf

6p.m. LPGA Tour:MatchPlayGolf HORSE RACING

Noon America’s Dayatthe Races FS2

BOYS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

1p.m. Chipotle Nationals ESPN2

3p.m. Chipotle Nationals ESPN2

5p.m. Chipotle Nationals ESPNU

7p.m. Chipotle Nationals ESPNU MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

9p.m. PFL: Welterweights, featherweights ESPN

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Noon Colorado at Philadelphia MLB

6p.m.Arizona at N.y.yankees MLB NBA

6:30 p.m.Memphis at Miami TNT

9p.m.Golden State at L.A. Lakers TNT NBA GLEAGUE

7p.m.Indiana at Osceola ESPNews

9p.m.ValleyatStockton ESPNU TENNIS

10 a.m. WTA: Charleston earlyrounds Tennis

4a.m.ATP: Bucharest, Marrakech *Tennis

6a.m.ATP: Bucharest, Marrakech *Tennis *Friday

Anotherstylish performance

Skenes dominates Rays on dayGQ publishesprofile of him andDunne

By The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. The only thing that

ﬂustered Paul Skenes on Wednesday was getting asked about his photo spread with girlfriend Olivia Dunne in GQ magazine. The topic came up only afterthe Pirates ace dominated the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing one unearned run on three hits in seven innings of a4-2 Pittsburgh victory.Skenes struck out six and walked none while throwing 102 pitches.

As comfortable as he was on themoundatSteinbrennerField —the Yankees’spring training ballpark and Rays’ temporary home —Skeneswas less at ease whenconsidering how histeammates might react to him being interviewed and photographed by the venerable men’smagazinefor aproﬁle that was publishedonline Wednesday

“I’m going to get some ﬂak in the locker room,” the former LSU star said, asmile growing on hisface. “I’m not looking forward tothat …I didn’tknow what GQ was until the offer came. So glad Idid it. I think. Imean, how do Ilook?” Dunne, an LSU gymnast, has 8 million followers on TikTok and 5 million on Instagram, and the couple was photographed in asleek houseinBatonRouge forthe GQ proﬁle. They spoke to themagazine about their romance, which began in college. Fame arrivedquickly forDunne

ANALYTICS

Continued from page1C

Tutko still prepares thescouting reports on opposing pitchers ahead of every game. Maintaining that responsibility means that he still helps Johnson devisethe lineup and standsnext tohim in the dugout when the Tigers are up to bat.

But many of his other scouting responsibilities have been spread among other members of the staff.

“I love working on stuffwith him,” Johnson said of Tutko. “(We) work very closely together.Ifeel like he’ssopassionate abouthelping ourplayers andour team that because of that, he’smade himself better in four years. And Imean that and as acomplimentbecause Ialready thought he was great.”

Since Tutkoand Yeskiehave combined forces, theyheavilyhaveemphasized theimportance of throwing first pitch strikes and throwing strikes on two of the ﬁrst three pitches of the count.

They’ve also stressed the significance of overall zone percentage and competitive location percentage. The latter statistic measures the rate of pitches thatare both in andaround the strike zone.

“If you put adot in the middle of the strike zone, and then you put acircle 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 numbers because 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 goingtohappen,”Tutko said. “It’s going to takecare of itself if we just focus on acouple of different numbers that we hadn’tput abig emphasis on in the past.” Reaching those feats is easier said than done. Walkshavebeenanissue for

PittsburghPirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers to the Tampa BayRaysduring the second inning Wednesday in Tampa, Fla. The former LSUstar allowedone unearned runonthree hits in seveninnings in a4-2 Pirates’ victory. He struckout six and walked none.

in the name, image and likeness era of college athletics, and she told GQ shedidn’tknowwho Skenes was when they met. But Skenes —the National League rookie of the year and an All-Star last season —might be catching up. On Wednesday,the 22-year-old Skenes retired 21 of 24 batters and generated 13 swings-andmisses, sevenonhis fastball. His 0.92 WHIP is thelowestthrough apitcher’sﬁrst 25 starts in major

league history Athrowing error by Isiah KinerFalefa helped theRays get within 2-1 in the sixth inning, but Skenes minimizedthe damage. In the seventh, he fell behind 3-0tohis last two batters, but struck them both out. “Falling behind 3-0 on thelast two hitters of the game is not very good,” he said. “I don’thave anything to lose out there. I’ve got to get an out.It’smyjob, so that’s all Iwas trying to do. Imean, it’s

“Wewill never stop pushing for command, but (we need to understand) that commanding thebaseball, even in the big leagues, is really, really,really hard, right?”

JAMIETUTKO,LSU baseball director of playerdevelopment

LSU.The Tigersare allowing over fourfree passesper game. They walked seven batters Saturday against MississippiState and sevenmore the prior Saturday against Texas. Free passes also nearly cost them awin over Missouri three weeks ago.

ButTutko isn’tconcerned about controlissues. He said the Tigers are not far offoftheir team goal of a9%walk rate.

“It’ssomethingthat we’re continuing to grind at, andwe’re continuing to work at,” Tutko said, “and these guys have worked really,really hard getting to that point.”

Tutko believesthat commandingthe ballismuch tougher than it seems from the outside, saying that major-leaguers on average misstheir pitch location by more

than 12 inches.

“Wewill never stop pushing for command,”Tutko said,“but (we need to understand) that commanding thebaseball, even in the big leagues, is really,really,really hard, right?”

LSU’spitching staffclearly has enough talent —with fastballs that reach the upper 90s andprocaliber breaking balls. Buthas that come at the cost of walks and shaky control?

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

“I’m notabeliever that stuff is better thancommand, and I’m not abeliever thatcommand is better than stuff. Theygohand in hand. It’sjust amatter of trying to get bothofthem for our guys. And it’s extremelyhard.”

LSU’sTejedo in 30th at AugustaWomen’sAmateur

LSU freshman RocioTejedo fired an even-par 72 Wednesday to finish in atie for30th place after the first round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, Georgia.

Tejedo got off to agreat start with birdies on three of the ﬁrst 10 holes, but then madedouble bogey on the par-311thand abogey at the par-416thtogive herred numbers back.

The low 30 and ties after Thursday’ssecond 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 teeoff at 7:58 a.m. Thursday.The second round is on the Golf Channel.

Sooners freshman Fears declaresfor NBA draft

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

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

Fearshad plenty of big games that boosted his stock. He scored 26 points against Arizona. He also hit a30-footer,drewafouland completedafour-point playlate that pushed the Sooners to an 8786 winover Michigan in the Jumpman Invitational. He scored 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting and madefour 3-pointers in aloss to No.2Florida.

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

not as hard as people think it is to throw strikes. Ijust did it —three pitches too late.”

Thoseclutchouts allowed Skenes to play the role of stopper forthe Pirates, who hadlostfour straight,and managerDerek Shelton was impressed.

“It’s something not alot of guys have in the game,” Shelton said. “Tobeable to go back and get that pitch at 100 mphwhen you need it —that’swhat makes Paul Skenes special.”

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; OklahomaisNo. 10

PROBABLE STARTERS: LSU— LHP KadeAnderson (5-0, 3.52 ERA); Oklahoma —RHP Kyson Witherspoon (5-1, 2.31 ERA)

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

Thedifﬁculties that come with tryingtocommand the baseball are why Tutko has focused alot of effort on pitchsequencing. He sees it as the best way of giving his pitchers agreater “margin for error.”

When Yeskie is calling pitches, Tutko is by his side helping him decide what theirguys should throw and when.

“Pitch sequencing right and theusageand using theright pitches in the right times,” Tutko said, “all that’sgoing to do is just help getthese guys’walknumbers go down.”

The Tigers’ staff is far from perfect, butitstill is oneofthe better groups in the conference.

Tutkointends on keepingitthat way

“He’sa very valuablemember of our team,” Johnson said. Email Koki RileyatKoki. Riley@theadvocate.com.

SAN DIEGO— All-Star outfielder JacksonMerrill andthe SanDiegoPadresagreed Wednesday to a$135 million, nine-year contract covering 2026-34. Merrill hada sensationalrookie season in 2024 andsaidseveral times he wanted to stay long term with the Padres.

Merrill, whoturns 22 on April 19, wasmoved fromshortstop to centerfieldinspring training last year when the Padres hadonly two outfielders on their roster.Hemade the opening-day roster and hit .292 with 24 homers, 90 RBIs and 16 stolenbases.Hefinished second in NL Rookie of theYear voting behind Pittsburgh pitcherPaul Skenes. He’shad aleast one hit in every game this season and hashelped the Padres to the first 6-0 start in their 57-season history

Taylorcedes ownership of Timberwolvesand Lynx MINNEAPOLIS The drawn-out dramasurrounding the sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves is ﬁnally over

More than ayear after Glen Taylor tried to retain majority control of the franchise by canceling its $1.5 billion sale to Marc Lore and AlexRodriguez, Taylorisending that battle.

Lore and Rodriguez will become controlling ownersafter Taylor decided he will not appeal a2-1 February arbitrationruling against him

Thepanel ruled Taylor was not operating within the legalframework of their purchase agreement whenheattempted to call offthe sale in March 2024.

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

76ers’ All-Star Embiid set for arthroscopic surgery

PHILADELPHIA Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery next weekonhis leftknee, the latest attempt to makethe All-Star center healthy enough to play next season.

Embiidwas ruledout for the season in late February,withthe Sixers saying he would focus on treatmentand rehabilitation of his leftknee.

TheSixers said additional updates on Embiid would comefollowing the surgery Counting the 164 games he missed his ﬁrst twoseasonsafter he wasdraftedNo. 3overall in 2014 and what’sleft of this season, Embiid will have played in 452 of 883 76ers’ games by the end of this season —missing nearly 50% of the regular season.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU pitcher Kade Anderson delivers apitch against Mississippi State in thethirdinning of their game on March 27 at Alex BoxStadium.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By CHRIS O’MEARA

Pelicans sign Payton forrestofseason

Former UL star has averaged 10 assistsover thelastthree games ä Late nightinL:A: Pelicans at Clippersended after thisedition went to press. For completegame coverage,visit theadvocate.com

BY RODWALKER Staff writer

Elfrid Payton will gettostick around with his hometown team for the rest of the season

The New Orleans Pelicansare giving the Gretna native asecond 10-day contract after signingthe veteranpoint guardtohis ﬁrst 10day contract March 21.

“Anytime Ican put on this jersey,itfeels good,” Paytonsaidat the time.

Payton, who played at John EhretHigh School before going on to star at UL, has made the most of his opportunity.

He’saveraged 10 assists over his last three games heading into Wednesday’slate game against the Los Angeles Clippers.Hedished out 14 assists in awin over the

Philadelphia76ers last week. That performance drew high praise from Pelicanscoach Willie Green.

“I’ll say it again,” Green said.

“There is no way he shouldn’tbe on aroster.He is that good.He can pass theball. He knows how to throw you open sometimes. Even when you don’tknow you’re open, theball is hittingyou right in your hands on time and on target.He’s an excellentdefender and floor leader.We’re glad to have him.”

Payton’s14-assist performance was the third-most assists in a game by aPelicans player this season. Payton also has the most assists by aPelicans player this season, recording 21 assists against the Indiana Pacers in his stint with the team backinNovember That’s thesecond-most assistsin

franchise history,trailing only the 25 assists by Rajon Rondo against theBrooklyn Netsin2017. Payton also hasaveraged4 points, 4.7rebounds and asteal over his last three games.

This is Payton’sthirdstint with thePelicans. In addition to playing with the team in November before getting waived, he also played 42 games withthe Pelicansduring the 2018-19 season.

Drafted by the OrlandoMagic in 2014, Payton hasplayedinnine NBA seasonswithﬁve different teams. In addition to his ﬁrst31/2 seasonswith the Magic, he has suited up for thePhoenix Suns New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets. Butnone of those compare to his hometown team “I love being here,” Payton said last week.“This is the best thing ever.Igrew up less than 10 minutes from here. Anytime Ican be playing here, it’slove.”

Email RodWalker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com.

Amari Drayton leapsthrough the air during herﬂoor routineata meet against Oklahoma on Feb.14atthe Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

QUEST

Continued from page1C

Theother semifinal pits No.8 Michigan State and No. 9Kentucky against Ohio State andhost PennState. The top two teams from each semifinal will advance to the regionalfinal at 4p.m. Saturday.The top two teams from Saturday’smeet move on to the NCAA championships set for April 17-19 in FortWorth,Texas. All three of the regional sessions will be shown on astreaming basis on ESPN+.

Asking Stan Drayton whether he would be in LSU colors or Penn State colorsorneutral was apretty easy question.

“Blood is thicker than all of this,” he said with achuckle. “Purple and gold, for sure.But I may mix in some blue and white.”

LSUgoes intothe NCAAsas the No. 1overall seed in the entire 36-team tournament, aﬁrst for the Tigers who werethe No.2 nationalseed last year when they won the program’sﬁrst national championship.

It’sbeen an impressive run to this pointfor LSU(18-2). TheTigers won ashare of the regularseason SEC title with Oklahoma, then bested the then-No. 1Sooners andNo. 3Florida Gators plus

LSU

Continued from page1C

added: “I thinkKaleb’s hadsome 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. AaronAnderson 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 runswith the ﬁrst-team offense, and we haven’t mentioned the transfersyet.

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 Watching all of them, it’sclear LSU has more speed thanitdid last year,which might improve the deeppassing game.

Tightend

During arecent goal-line period, BauerSharpwas used on a

six other teams to wintheir second straight SEC championship meet.

Draytonhas beenamajor contributor for LSU along theway

Competing in every meet on vault and ﬂoor —plusone routine on beam in the season opener with Iowa State —she hasposted atotal of ﬁve9.95 scores and 10 total marks of 9.90 or better “It’sbeencool” being part of a team, Drayton said. “BeforeI got here,inelite (gymnastics) you contribute for yourself. Coming here to be ona team and contributing for othersis adifferent feeling. It gives you that motivational drive. We’reon ateamwithall these amazing girls whowantto pushhardtogivetheir best for theteam and thefans and the coaches.”

“Before

Igot here, in elite (gymnastics) you contribute for yourself. Coming here to be on ateam and contributing for others is adifferent feeling.Itgives you that motivational drive.”

AMARI DRAyTON, LSU gymnast

Completing the“homecoming” of sortsthis week for LSU is Tigers assistantand former 17-time All-American Ashleigh Gnat. Now in her fifth year on

jetsweep.The tight end! He also caughtamiddlescreen at one point.The Oklahoma transfer is a ﬂuid route runner,and he hasmade some impressive catches. Sharp and sophomore Trey’Dez Green form an intriguing tandem as LSU tries 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 outwho will start.Sofar,the ﬁrst group left-to-right has consistently beenTyreeAdams, Paul Mubenga,DJChester,CoenEcholsand Weston Davis. The one development has been Echols playing right guard the past few weeks afterBoBordelonbegan spring practice there. But that lineup is subject to change. Chester andVirginia Tech transfer Braelin Moore have both gotten reps at center.When Moore entered at arecentpractice, Chester moved to left guard. Northwestern transferJosh Thompson was the second-teamleft tacklehis ﬁrst fewpractices, but it would be asurprise if he stayed there. “There’sgoing to be intense com-

NFLovertime, kickoff rulesget amakeover

BY JOSH DUBOW AP pro football writer

The one-year trial version of the dynamic kickoff in the NFL ledto an uptick in thereturnratethat wasn’tquite as much as the league had hoped. Now the new form of the kickoff is permanent with achange for 2025 thatthe leaguehopes will lead to asigniﬁcant increase in returns. Owners votedTuesday to move touchbacks on kicks from the 30 to the35inhopes that moreteams will kick the ball in play instead of giving up an extra5yards of ﬁeld position.

Howwillovertimechange?

The league approved aproposal to make the regular-season overtimemore like the postseason, with both teams getting achance at apossession, even if the team that got the ball first scores a touchdown.

the LSU staff, Gnat started her coachingcareer at PennState from 2019-20beforereturning to Baton Rouge. This is LSU’s40th straight NCAA appearance and 42nd overall. Despite all of theTigers’ success historically and recently, it is very much door-die time now for LSUand every other team. As coach JayClark has frequently said, a highly regarded team gets knocked out of the regional round every year Obviously,he doesn’t wantLSU to be that team in 2025. “Mindset is a permanent intention for us,”Clark said. “Our goals this week arethe same as they’ve been all year We need to stay where we have been andadvance.”

TheTigers know wherethey arefrom. They also know where they want to go.

For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

petition for those ﬁvepositions all year,and it’s notgoing to get to a certain date andgo, ‘Well, there’s no competition anymore,’ ”Kelly said. “Wehave more thanﬁve guys thatcan 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 sophomoreGabriel Reliford. He’sthe heaviest defensive end on the roster at 268 pounds,and he’sphysical. Kelly saidLSU wants him to be “an anchor againstthe run.”

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

Defensivetackle

When defensive coordinator Blake Baker interviewed Kyle Williams to becomethe newLSU defensive line coach,Williams explained that when he ﬁrst got to the NFL, defensive tackles had to absorbblocks. When he was allowed to get upﬁeld andcreate havoc afew yearslater, his career took off. Baker wants that from his defensive tackles, and he thinksWilliams’stylewill mesh well withthe scheme. “This defense, foreverand

The league also approved changes to the overtimerule, expanded replayassist and made afew other technical changes at the league meetings in Palm Beach, Florida. Here’s an explanation of some of the new rules that will be in place:

Kickofftweaks

The league was mostlypleased with the experimental kickoff put in place for 2024 that led to the rate of kickoff returns increasing from arecord-low 21.8% in 2023 to 32.8% last season,while reducing the rate of injuries on whathad been the game’smost dangerous play

Therulemadekickoffs more like scrimmageplays by placing thecoverage players and blockers close together to eliminate thehighspeed collisions that had contributed to so many injuries on the play

The league said the rate of concussions dropped 43% on returns with asigniﬁcant reduction as well in lower-body injuries.

The problemlast seasonwas many teams still opted to kick the ball in the end zone because the touchback wasn’t punitive enough.

The startingfield positionona touchback was 2.4 yards farther than the averagestarting position after returns, which was the27.6yard line.

By moving thetouchbacktothe 35,the league projects thereturn rate will rise to somewhere between 60% and 70%, with asimilarincreaseinlongreturns,adding moreexcitement to the game.

ever,wetalk about the defensive tackles arethe tip of the spear,” Bakersaid.“We’vegot to be able to create knock-back andhavoc. I thought we gota little stale from thatstandpoint last year,and that’s on me.

“I think you’re already seeing some of ourguys use their quick twitch and their get-offtocreate plays in the backﬁeld.”

Onething 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 time evaluating its other linebackers. West Weeks and Davhon Keys are getting most of the work with theﬁrst-team defense,and Baker said theyswitchevery day between middle and weakside linebacker to practice both spots.

Cornerback

LSU has more talent at cornerback than the ﬁrst three years of theKelly era. We’ll seewhat their ceiling becomes, but the floor

The NFLadded regular-season overtime in 1974, adding a15-minute sudden-death period that ended on anyscore. In 2010, the rule was tweaked to a“modiﬁed” suddendeaththatrequiredanopening possession touchdowntoimmediately end the gameinstead of only aﬁeld goal in both the regular season and playoffs Overtimethen was shortened for the regularseason to only 10 minutes in 2017. Arule change in 2022 forthe playoffs gave both teamsthe chance to score even with atouchdown on the opening possession. Now that will be the case in the regularseason,after theimproved field position on kickoffs made winning in OT on an opening possession TD easier

According to Sportradar,six of the16overtime games last season ended on an opening-drive TD for the most overtimegames ended on the ﬁrst drive sincethe rule change went into effect in 2010. In all, teams that wonthe overtimetoss won 75% of the time last season, according to Sportradar, andhavea.606 winning percentage in overtime since it wascut to 10 minutes.

The league kept the 10-minute overtime period instead of expanding it back to 15 minuteslike was originally proposed by Philadelphia. Replay assist

The NFLexpanded its replay assist system to overturn objective calls if there was “clear and obvious” evidence that afoul didn’toccur.The calls could include facemask penalties, whether there wasforcible contact to the head or neck area,horse-collartackles and tripping. Replay also would be able to overturn aroughing-the-kicker or running-into-the-kicker penalty if videoshowedthe defender made contact with the ball.

is higher.Asked about five-star freshmanDJPickett, Virginia Tech transferMansoor 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 betto play somewhere. 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.”

For more LSUsports updates, signupfor ournewsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU gymnast

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Pelicans guard Elfrid Payton takes ashot against the Charlotte Hornets during the first halfoftheir game on Sunday at the Smoothie King Center

Poa enters transfer portal

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

LSU women’s basketball guard

Last-Tear Poa announced Wednesday that she has decided to enter the transfer portal Poa, a native of Australia, just completed her senior season.

But a recent NCAA rule change, which stemmed from a lawsuit ﬁled by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, granted extra eligibility to her and other former junior-college athletes.

Before she played for the Tigers, Poa spent two seasons at Northwest Florida State junior college.

She became a valuable contributor to each of LSU’s last three teams. She played around 15 minutes per game in her 102 appearances and 27 starts for the Tigers, usually while assuming a chunk of their ballhandling duties and playing sound point-of-attack defense.

In the ﬁrst half of the 2023 national championship game, Poa

drew two charges that put Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark in early foul trouble.

Drawing charges were a staple of Poa’s game. As a junior, she took 31 charges in 36 games.

This season, as a senior, Poa split lead ballhandling responsibilities with transfer point guard Shayeann Day-Wilson. She started a career-high 15 games, including three of LSU’s four NCAA Tournament contests.

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

In October, Poa ﬁled a lawsuit against US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) over the agency’s decision to deny her a visa that would’ve allowed her more freedom to strike name, image and likeness (NIL) deals

Current policy places tight restrictions on which off-campus employment opportunities international students such as Poa can pursue

The filing was believed to be the ﬁrst legal challenge tossed at those laws since the NCAA began allowing collegiate athletes to profit off 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 name so she could play the last two years of her career at a different school.

Both Poa and Smith were two of the three holdover contributors from LSU’s 2023 national championship team. The third, star guard Flau’jae Johnson, can return for her senior season, but she can also declare for the 2025 WNBA Draft.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Johnson had not announced a decision. Poa will ﬁnish her LSU career with averages of 3.5 points and 2.0 assists per game. Across those three seasons, she converted 36% of her ﬁeld-goal attempts and 29% of her 3-point tries.

NIL deals lessen top college players’ need for WNBA payday

TIM REYNOLDS and ALANIS THAMES AP sportswriters

Paige Bueckers is widely expected to become the ﬁrst WNBA No. 1 overall draft pick from the University of Connecticut since Breanna Stewart nine years ago Both became can’t-miss stars in college, both are UConn icons and both went to four Final Fours. Stewart did it while making nothing. Bueckers, who has UConn in the Final Four for the second straight year, has done it while making millions. And she’s far from the only one cashing in right now

There’s no one-and-done path to the WNBA for women’s players like there is for men, who can jump to the pros after one year of college regardless of age. Duke’s standout freshman, Cooper Flagg, for example, is expected to go No. 1 in the NBA draft, and he just turned 18 in December

The NBA and WNBA have different rules regarding draft eligibility For years, that impeded how and when women’s players could start making money. The name, image and likeness era of college sports has changed just about everything, leveling the playing ﬁeld in some respects for female athletes such as Bueckers and allowing her to have deals with Nike, Gatorade and other sponsors while still wearing UConn colors.

“I think Paige is the poster child for how it’s supposed to be,” coach Geno Auriemma said. “That’s the way it’s supposed to work. She came out of high school at a time when people weren’t just getting paid to play She made a name for herself and set a standard for exactly why you’re supposed to be able to appreciate this stuff You go to college You’re the best player in the country, and everybody wants to be associated with you, and the school doesn’t give you a dime.”

To jump to the WNBA draft, players must either be a senior with all college eligibility exhausted or turn 22 in the draft year and renounce any remaining eligibility

Yet there is no clamoring to change the women’s rules because, frankly, it wouldn’t make much sense under the current salary structure. The No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA draft will make somewhere around $13.8 million in his rookie season. The No. 1 pick in this month’s WNBA draft will make $78,831 in her rookie season.

Staying in school isn’t a bad thing for women’s players. It’s smart business.

NIL deals will follow many of them to the WNBA But the pro check isn’t exactly a game-changer for those at the top of the women’s game. The top current WNBA base salary is around $242,000, though that’s expected to increase with the recent ﬁnancial boom in women’s sports.

Former Miami guards Haley and Hanna Cavinder became the ﬁrst faces of the NIL era in college sports when it started on July 1 2021, while they were still at Fresno State. They were immediately featured on a billboard in Times Square, the new faces of Boost Mobile. College sports were immediately changed

The Cavinder twins have built a multimillion-dollar fortune and have more than 7 million followers across their Instagram and TikTok accounts They’ve never confirmed actual numbers, but it’s reasonable to believe the Cavinder twins are among the toppaid college athletes given both their earnings and equity stakes in various companies. Their college careers ended last month.

“I think we were pretty naive in the beginning with it, honestly,” Haley Cavinder said. “To be transparent, I don’t think Hanna and I really knew We had talks of what NIL was, and I always

LSU men pick up big scorer from Northeastern

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

LSU men’s basketball earned its third commitment from the transfer portal for the 2025-26 season with Northeastern guard Rashad King, according to the player’s social-media account.

King, a 6-foot-6, 204-pound guard, made the All-Coastal Athletic Association first team this season after averaging 18.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.7 turnovers per game. He started all 32 games and shot 44.9% from the ﬁeld, 31.9% from the 3-point line and 85.3% from the free-throw line on 4.9 attempts

“We’re excited to welcome Rashad King to the LSU basketball family,” coach Matt McMahon said in a news release. “We love Rashad’s 6-6 frame at the guard position. He scored the ball at all three levels this season, was excellent on the defensive glass, and also showcased his playmaking and defensive abilities. I love the character and leadership he will bring to the program.”

The Evans, Georgia, native was the 79th player on the 247Sports transfer portal rankings. In the conference, King was second in

scoring, fifth in free-throw percentage, seventh in field-goal percentage, eighth in steals and ninth in assists Northeastern finished the season 17-15 overall and 9-9 in conference play King’s best performance was a career-high 32 points on 10-of-15 shooting in an 84-75 loss to Hampton on Feb. 8. He spent three seasons with the Huskies and in his last game, they lost 70-65 to Hampton in the first round of their conference tournament. King scored a game-high 24 points on 9-of-21 shooting. He also had a game-high 10 rebounds

King joins Mississippi State center Michael Nwoko and UNLV point guard Dedan Thomas as transfer portal additions.

LSU had ﬁve players enter the transfer portal, two of whom are guards in freshman Vyctorius Miller and sophomore Mike Williams. The other transfers are redshirt freshman forward Corey Chest, junior center Noah Boyde and junior wing Tyrell Ward. The Tigers ﬁnished the season 14-18 overall and 3-15 in the Southeastern Conference.

Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com

saw tweets about it. But I never really envisioned myself getting paid or Hanna getting paid until July 1 happened. And then I was like, ‘Wow, this is overwhelming.’ I didn’t know how much money there was.”

Olivia Miles, who starred at Notre Dame for four seasons, was widely expected to go between No. 2 and No. 4 in this month’s WNBA draft. Instead, she decided to enter the transfer portal and play one last college season — taking her lucrative NIL deals with her wherever she ends up and missing out on the $78,000 WNBA payday for the 2025 season. Same goes for Southern California’s JuJu Watkins, perhaps the most talented player in the women’s game. Her season ended with a torn ACL in the NCAA Tournament, but her NIL deals will live on and could even grow by the time she returns to the court — presumably sometime next season. There’s no urgency for her to go pro, since her earning stream already exists.

Opendorse, a company that provides NIL services to dozens of schools, has data that might be shocking to some. It shows that top women’s programs have a combined social-media following that exceeds that of the top men’s programs, which is a clear factor in determining NIL value.

While the numbers of those engaging with top men’s programs on social media skew about 4-to1 male, it’s close to a 50-50 split when charting those engaging with women’s basketball stars and teams.

“Female student-athletes are probably the most effective media buy in sports right now,” Opendorse CEO Steve Denton said. “And everything I see in the data tells me that, which is that their social audiences are three times as large as the average social audience. They’re just better at it in terms of they curate their social feeds better than the men do.”

Betts’ brief absence provides valuable test for UCLA women

BY ANNE M. PETERSON AP sportswriter

SPOKANE, Wash. — If there’s one thing UCLA’s Elite Eight victory showed, it’s that the Bruins are about more than just Lauren Betts.

The 6-foot-7 All-America center is the centerpiece of UCLA’s offense and a menace for its opponents. But she’s not the only asset for the overall top-seeded Bruins, who will face UConn and Paige Bueckers on Friday as the women’s NCAA Tournament heads to Tampa, Florida, for the Final Four Against LSU in the regional ﬁnal, Betts picked up two early fouls. She went to the bench with less than a minute left in the opening quarter, then sat the entire second quarter She didn’t return until after halftime.

The Bruins leaned on Timea Gardiner, while guards Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez kept their teammates focused. UCLA wound up outscoring the Tigers 22-12 in the quarter as Betts looked on.

“I don’t have to be in the game at all times. I have a team full of players who are just amazing and talented in their own right, and they put in the work,” Betts said. “So I knew that as I was sitting there, I’m going to be the best teammate that I can and cheer them on, but they have my back at the end of the day.”

Even when Betts was in the game, she was often derailed by the Tigers’ defense, which double-teamed her at times. She still ﬁnished with 17 points, seven rebounds and six blocks in three quarters of play Betts averages 20 points and 9.6 rebounds for the Bruins.

“I think that we just did what we usually do One person goes down, another person steps up,” said Gardiner, who ﬁnished with

“I think that we just did what we usually do. One person goes down, another person steps up.”

15 points — all on 3-pointers. “As Lauren said, we have a deep team and everyone is ready when their number’s called, and so we truly did that and we found each other, too, and we just played off each other and we just had fun.”

The Bruins have lost just twice this season — both times to nemesis Southern California — before winning the Big Ten title and then sweeping through the opening two rounds of the tournament.

They pulled away in the second half of a 76-62 victory over Mississippi in the Sweet 16, Betts leading the way with an efﬁcient 31 points on 15-of-16 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds.

That set up the victory over LSU, which sent the Bruins to the NCAA Final Four for the ﬁrst time, although UCLA won a national title in 1978 in the pre-NCAA era of women’s basketball.

Jaquez had 18 points and eight rebounds against the Tigers and Gardiner ﬁnished with 15 points. Gardiner, a transfer from Oregon State, has averaged 7.7 points and 3.5 assists, while Jaquez has averaged 9.9 points and 5.2 rebounds. Rice is second on the team to Betts with an average of 12.9 points.

UConn, the Bruins’ opponent on Friday, got 31 points from Bueckers in a 78-64 Elite Eight victory on Monday night over USC, for the Huskies’ record 24th trip — a record among both men’s and women’s teams — to the national semiﬁnals. Sarah Strong added 22 points and 17 rebounds.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU guard Last-Tear Poa, third from left, and her teammates celebrate a basket against San Diego State in the fourth quarter of the women’s NCAA Tournament first-round game on March 22 at the PMAC.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JENNy KANE UCLA center Lauren Betts reacts during the first half of a game against LSU in the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament on Sunday in Spokane, Wash.

THE VARSITY ZONE

Girls flag football gets approval

Two-year pilot program to precede sanctioning for the 2027-28 season

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH Staff writer

There was talk and action on girls flag football and the Louisiana Gator Scholarship program on the first day of the LHSAA executive committee’s annual spring meeting on Wednesday in Baton Rouge. As expected, the executive committee approved a two-year pilot program for girls flag football with 2027-28 as the season for it to become a sanctioned sport.

An eligibility path for home-education students who receive Gator funds for education tools/classes as part of the state’s new school voucher also was formalized during the meeting at the LHSAA ofﬁce.

Straight shooter

Up-and-coming sprint star Woods sometimes surprises even herself

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH Staff writer

Not all 16-year-olds offer a blunt assessment of their athletic abilities the way Jaleyia Woods does.

“The only thing I can do is either run around in a circle or run straight ahe ad, ” sa id Woods, a Woodlawn High School sophomore “Put a ball in my hands or ask me to jump? No, I’m pretty much done at that point.”

Recognition of her shortcomings also shines a bright light on what Woods does well. She runs very fast and is one of the top young 400-meter runners in the South. Woods is set to compete in her specialties, the 400 meters, the 200 and 4x400 relay, for the Class 5A Panthers at Thursday’s Dutchtown Invitational. Running events start at 5:30 p.m. at Dutchtown

Woods ran a time of 55.44 seconds in the 400 to place second in the Division I LHSAA indoor final on Feb. 22 at LSU She finished second to LSU signee Kennedi Burks of Barbe, finishing an indoor season-long surge.

“Jaleyia got the chance to run against one of the best 400 runners in the country multiple times indoors,” coach Tramon Douglas

A national push for girls ﬂag football is spearheaded by the NFL, with each franchise promoting the sport in its region. The Saints provide promotion and support along with sponsors in the region.

Mississippi, also backed by the Saints, became the 14th state to sanction girls ﬂag football in Janu-

ary Currently, 19 other states offer pilot programs. The Saints will help provide ﬂags, jerseys, balls and many other things, LHSCA di-

rector Eric Held said.

“There are a lot of questions about the sports seasons. Where does it go?” Held said. “Stadium availability and a lack of ofﬁcials are problems with the fall. Most states have it in the spring and that’s probably not the most ideal for us.

“But right now the best option is a six or seven-week spring season. You could fit it in between girls

basketball and the state softball championships.”

The NFL’s push in New Orleans got real when a 10-team high school girls flag football league launched last spring. Held said the league has 20 teams this year and those schools are the only state schools offering the sport.

More than 100 LHSAA schools have expressed interest in the sport, an LHSAA survey revealed. Under LHSAA bylaws, 166 schools would need to ﬁeld teams to ﬁt LHSAA rules for adding a new sport.

Baton Rouge area schools expressing interest include Dutchtown, Madison Prep, JehovahJireh, Walker, St. Joseph’s Academy LSD, Collegiate Baton Rouge Tara, Southern Lab and North Iberville.

LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine told the committee that the growth of the sport outside of New Orleans will determine what happens next.

Gator scholarships

The approval Wednesday of the Gator Scholarship program gives home-education students the option to participate at public or private schools as part of the program.

Executive committee member Ken Bradford, chief of staff for the Louisiana Department of Education, said questions about athletic eligibility are among those asked by families involved in the voucher program. He noted that Gator funding includes all extracurricular activities, not just sports.

“One of Louisiana’s education priorities is expanding educational choice for students and families,” Bradford said. “This action today ensures their continued access to extracurricular activities.”

A total of 91 private schools are part of the program. Bradford said LHSAA eligibility rules, including those regarding attendance zones, must be met by traditional students.

said. “And each week they both ran faster and faster She got a lot of attention and experience.”

Going into Thursday’s meet, Woods’ best outdoor time already has equaled the indoor best of 55.45 in the 400. Her outdoors best is 25.05 in the 200.

Not bad at all for a girl who didn’t get heavily involved in summer track until middle school.

“My mom ran two years at Glen Oaks and my dad ran for Hammond High,” Woods said. “They both ran the 400 and people say this was meant to be. I did not think that.

“I was the fastest kid on the playground in school when I was

younger I never really thought about track. When I started, I did the 100 and 200. I did not want to run any longer than that.”

The summer after her seventhgrade year, Woods got a surprise. Her coach put her in the 400 and said the race was going to start in 10 minutes. Instead of panicking, Woods said she got on her phone and researched how to run a 400-meter race.

Woods won the slowest heat that included one other runner. Ultimately she had the fastest time in her age division. And so it — a love for the 400 — began.

Track is not Woods’ only focus.

She carries a 4.5 grade-point av-

erage in honors classes. Ministry work and law school are part of the future she is pondering, along with a goal of running in the Olympics one day

“Not only is she a 4.5 student, Jaleyia is one of the hardestworking athletes I have ever been around,” Douglas said. “She prays with her teammates before meets and does the right things.

“I believe she will end up being one of the best 400 meters runners in the nation before she is done here. Her endurance is incredible and so is her drive.”

Email Robin Fambrough at rfambrough@theadvocate.com

Competition main theme for Jaguars

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

“Step it up.”

Phrases like this were passionately voiced by wide receiver Darren Morris during spring practice at Southern, which went 8-5 last year The sophomore was fed up with the offense being outdone by the defense one day

Witnessing this kind of fire from players such as Morris during the spring brings delight to coach Terrence Graves.

“They’re really working hard to do what the coaches have been instructing them to do,” the second-year coach said. “It’s been great energy Guys are competing, they are taking care of one another, and that’s what you want because the goal is come out (stay) healthy and also that everybody has a great understanding what we’re implementing.”

Southern is seven days into spring practice, which concludes April 12 with the blue and gold game at 1 p.m. at A.W Mumford Stadium.

Teaching the 29 newcomers (13 offense and 16 defense) how Southern operates and refreshing the memories of returners is the primary function of spring football. Graves and his staff are laying the foundation. They’re also monitoring players’ performances and intangibles.

Star defensive end Ckelby Givens is one example. While the FCS All-American has added more muscle to his 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame, Graves said even more notable is the senior’s consistency as a leader

“He’s not perfect, but he walks in excellence,” Graves said.

“The guys feed off of him.”

Graves also mentioned Morris and senior safety Horacio Johnson as other returning players who have stood out as positive examples.

On the ﬁeld, there are position groups that have lost more production than others. The top two leading rushers, Kobe Dillon and Kendric Rhymes, both entered the transfer portal as graduates. Third-leading rusher CJ Russell is out of eligibility

Graves still likes his running backs room, mentioning Jason Gabriel who had three carries as a freshman last season.

“He’s coming from a great football program, John Curtis, and knowing what it takes, greatness of being a part of championship programs,” Graves said.

The Jaguars also no longer have All-SWAC ﬁrst-team kicker Joshua Grifﬁn, who was a senior last season.

Graves said that they will miss Grifﬁn but feels conﬁdent about signee Nathan Zimmer from Central High. Southern retained kicker/punter Kenny Pham.

Despite having some familiar producers back, Graves said that starting spots for “all positions are wide open.”

“Everybody has to compete for a position and they know that,” Graves said. “We did a great job of recruiting because we wanted to increase the level of competition to the point where a guy can’t just sit back and think, ‘Hey I’m the guy.’ No, you gonna hate to miss anything because the person behind you is just as good, if not better.”

Joseph, 42. Girls tennis

Dunham 4, Denham Springs 1 Singles Sarah Torri, Denham Springs def. Bailey Adams 7-6, 6-3; Jordyn Mooney, Dunham def. Adalyn Farrell 6-4, 6-0. Doubles Adora Dinh/Josephine Johnston, Dunham

Macey Dry/Halle Huddleston 6-1, 6-2; Campbell Banks/Bella Dupont, Dunham

Kendyll Davis/Sophie McCarty 6-2, 6-3; Claire Nesheiwat/Elizabeth Ortiz, Dunham def. Carley Mattear/Ivana Smith 6-1, 6-4. Boys tennis

Dunham 3, Denham Springs 2 Singles Jason Hu, Denham Springs def. Adam Nesheiwat 6-2, 6-4; Soren Monceret, Denham Springs def. Bennett Lasseigne 6-2, 6-4. Doubles George Harrod/Milo Johnston, Dunham def. Preston Edwards/Ronen Monceret 6-1, 6-1; Chris Olivier/Wait Harrod, Dunham def. Nick Enamorado/Hays Tibbetts 6-2, 6-0; Lucian Oham/Cooper Eenigenburg, Dunham def. Cole Acosta/Ryan Gelpi 6-1, 6-1. Baseball Tuesday’s scores Maurepas 18, Donaldsonville 4 West Feliciana 14, McKinley

This mindset is also applied to the the quarterback room. Graves proved last year that spot is not secure as Southern rotated among three quarterbacks, with each appearing in at least six games. Sophomore C’Zavian Teasett and senior Noah Bodden were two of those quarterbacks, but both entered the portal.

Southern has two returning signal-callers in sophomores Jalen Woods and Angelo Izzard. Woods appeared in six games and started the last two regularseason games, but he missed the SWAC championship game because of a concussion.

Graves said Woods has an advantage because of his familiarity with offensive coordinator Mark Frederick’s system.

“Certainly Woods has an upper hand, because he played and he played well for us towards the end last year,” Graves said “So for sure he has the edge because he’s gotten comfortable, understands the system.”

Southern signed two quarterbacks in the offseason in Dillon Compton from Bunkie High School and Jamari Jones from East Mississippi Community College.

LHSAA MEETING

PROVIDED

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.

French classic

Savorthe SaladNiçoise from thecomfort of home

Maple Whiskey

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.

Looking for aquick comforting soup? Here’sawarm and satisfyingmeal with minimal fuss!

PHOTO By LIZ FAUL Salad Niçoise

Liz

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.

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

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

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. 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 or smokedsalmon)

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)

Saltand pepper

1teaspoon chopped fresh herbs like thyme or tarragon(optional) SALAD:

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

1pound haricots verts, or fresh green beans, trimmed 4eggs, boiled and halved ½poundcherry tomatoes, halved 6radishes, sliced thin ½cup pitted olives, halved

2cansoftuna 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 amedium bowl, 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 over medium-high heat. Addthe potatoes and cookfor 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 watertoboil, 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

Hints from Heloise

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

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

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

TODAYINHISTORY

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.

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, skin and fat in the bag, then put the whole thing in the soup pot. All the ﬂavor is added to the soup without the mess. Then you can just empty the bag and discard it. Ialso did this with ham bones and scraps for hamand-bean-soup. —C.F., via email

Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

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

and set them aside for use in thesalad.

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

NIÇOISE

Continued from page1D

A Salad Niçoise is aclassic French meal. It originated from Nice on the French Riviera. The word niçoise literally means “in the style of Nice.” There aresome who think that it should only be made withtuna, 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 fish is now cool. It should be easy

5. Put the eggsina medium pot and cover themwith water byabout 2inches. Put thepot over medium-high heatand bring the eggs to a gentle boil, turn off theheat andcover thepot. Letthe eggs sit in the covered pot forabout 10minutes.

6. Place theeggs 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 icebath 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 theminto the ice bath for about2minutes to stop themfromcooking andto keep crisp.Then, drainthe beansand setthemaside with thecooked potatoes.

to ﬁnd in local specialty food markets. Ibought a fewtins of smoked wild salmon and Paciﬁc cod and puttheminmypantryto await inspiration Onenight while trying to decide what to cook, I looked in my pantry andI sawthe tinsofsalmon that were sitting next to ajar of anchovies. Tinnedseafood is ready to eat, convenient andagreat source of protein.Ihad some potatoes, green beans and acouple of eggs. Iwas able to put together the ingredients of atasty version of Salad Niçoise for my dinner at home

This salad is theperfect meal because it requires very little cooking.It’sa 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

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

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.

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

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of theSudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

nea CroSSwordS La TimeS CroSSword

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS CurTiS

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

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

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?

yEStERDAy’S WoRD —RESuRGED

reed resurge reuse rude ruder ruse edge edger erred seder sedge seed seer segue sere serge suede suer sure surer surge urge

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

CITY OF ST.GEORGE BY COUNCIL MEMBER EDMONDS:

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-012

TO REGULATE MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS

WHEREAS, the Council for the City of St. George desirestoregulatethe operationsofmassage establishmentsand to provide for related matters.

NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the St. GeorgeCityCouncil, StateofLouisiana, Chapter 20 of Title 9isenacted as follows: Section 1. Enactment.

Title 9. LICENSING AND REGULATION OF TRADES AND OCCUPATIONS Chapter 20. MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS Sec. 9:1100. Definitions.

The words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the following meaning:

Business includes, but is not limited to, everything about which aperson can be employed, and means that which occupies the time, attention, and labor of men and women for the purpose of producing alivelihood or profit, and connotes the efforts of men and women varied and diverse methods of dealing with each other,toimprove their individual economic conditions, and for the purposes of this chapter shall include, but arenot limited to, the advertising solicitation, and/or performance of massages. The term “business” includes, but is not limited to, amassage therapist who is the sole owner,operator, and employee of amassage business operating as asole proprietorship, as well as amassage establishment that employs massage therapists.

Board shall be defined as the Louisiana BoardofMassage Therapy or any other boardorentity established by the state to govern the practice of massage therapy

Business license is the license issued by the business license office of the City of St. George, also known as an occupational license.

Business license office is the business license office of the City of St. George (the “City”).

Client shall be defined as acustomer or patron who pays for or receives massage services or any other service offered by the massage establishment.

Compensation includes, but is not limited to, the payment, loan, advance, donation, contribution, deposit, exchange, or gift of money or anything of value.

Employee means any person employed by amassage business who may render any service to the business, and who receives any form of compensation from the business or its owner or other employee.

Licensed massage therapist shall be defined as aperson licensed to practice massage by the Louisiana BoardofMassage Therapy

Lobby means the area of the building in which registration of clients occurs, including, but not limited to, the area immediately inside the front door of the massage business dedicated to the reception and waiting of patrons of the massage business and visitors.

Massage and massage therapy means any method of treating the external parts of the body for remedial, health, or hygienic purposes for any form of compensationbymeans of pressureonorfriction against, or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, or stimulating theexternal parts of the body,with or without the aid of any mechanical or electrical apparatus or appliances; with or without supplementary aids, such as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powders, creams, lotions, ointments, or other similar preparations commonly used in this practice; or by baths, including, but not limited to Turkish,Russian, Swedish, Japanese, vapor,shower,electric tub, sponge, mineral, fomentation, or any other type of bath, or reflexology

Massage business, or establishment used interchangeably,refers to any business that offers massage therapy in exchange for compensation, whether at a fixed place of business or at alocation designated by the customer or client through outcall massage services. Any business that offers any combination of massage therapy and bath facilities including, but not limited to, showers, baths, wet and dry heat rooms, pools, and hot tubs, shall be deemed amassage business under this chapter.The term massage business includes but is not limited to alicensed massage therapist who is the sole owner,operator, and employee of amassage business operating as asole proprietorship.

Outcall means amassage scheduled and performed by alicensed massagetherapist at any location other than the massage establishment.

Outer garments mean garments wornover other garments and do not include underwear,bras, lingerie, or swimsuits.

Owner,proprietor,operator, or massage business owner,used interchangeably,means any of the following persons:

(1) Any person who is ageneral partner of ageneral or limited partnership that owns amassage business;

(2) Any person who has a five percent or greater ownership interest in a corporation that owns amassage business; (3) Any person who is amember of alimited liability company that owns amassage business;

(4) Any person who has a five percent or greater ownership interest in any other type of business association that owns amassage business.

Person means any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, joint venture, limited liability company,orcombination of individuals, or any juridical entity

Practitioner or licensed massage therapist,used interchangeably,means any person who administers massage to another person, for any form of consideration(whether for the massage, as part of other services, or a product, or otherwise.)

Sexuallyoriented business shall be defined as asex parlor,massage parlor,nude studio, modeling studio, love parlor,adult bookstore, adult movie theater,adult video arcade, adult model, or other commercial enterprise which has as its primary business the offeringofaservice or the sale, rent, or exhibit of devices or any other items intended to provide sexual stimulation or sexual gratification to the customer Solicit means to request, ask, demand, or otherwise arrange for the provision of services.

Sec. 9:1101. Occupational license required.

a. It shall be unlawful for any massage business to transact any phase of business in the City without first applying to the business license department for an occupational license. Every person, whether natural or juridical, who desires to lease or buy private property to conduct any of the businesses or callings hereinafter set forth, shall first apply for and be granted an occupational license on the forms provided by the City after providing all required documentation

b. All occupational licenses arethe property of the City andshall be surrendered upon demand of the City

c. No

all massage establishments operating pursuant to this division shall also be subject to the following provisions:

1. No person shall engage in the practice of massage therapy without acurrent licenseissued pursuant to La. R.S. 37:3556 unless such a person is exempt under the laws of the state.

2. Each person engaging in the practice of massage therapy shall be the holder of alicensed massage therapist identification card(LMTID card), which shall identifythe therapist as being properly licensed and shall authorize the therapist to provide off-site massage services.

3. Amassage establishment shall employ or contract only licensed massage therapists to perform massage therapy

4. Each licensed massage therapist working at amassage establishment shall display their LMT-ID cardinplain view in an appropriate public manner.Alicensed massage therapist who is working outside of a massage establishment shall have in their possession the LMTID cardand shall present it for review upon request of aclient or designated City official.

5. Each individual performing massage therapy and the business proprietor must submit to abackground check. Abusiness license will not be granted if any individual performing massage therapy has, within the five years preceding the date of the application, been convicted of anonviolent felony.Abusiness licensewill not be granted if any individual, at any time, performing massage therapy has been convicted of or pled nolo contender to aviolent felony or criminal offense involving sexual misconduct. The background check must include the individual’sbusiness, occupation, and employment history,the inclusive dates of that employment history,the name and address of any massage business or similar business owned and operated by the individual, whether inside or outside the limits of the City

6. All individuals performing massage therapy must present avalid Louisiana drivers’ licenseand/or identification issued by astate or federal government agency,orother photographic identification bearing abona fide seal by aforeign government, to be photocopied and attached to their application.

7. Each individual performing massage therapy and the business proprietor must present arecent photograph to be attached to their massage therapist licenseand kept on file in the business licensing office.

8. Amassage therapist shall operate only under the name specified on the licenseissued by the Board. Amassage business shall operate only under the name specified in its occupational licenseand establishment licenseissued by the Board.

9. All massage business operators and their employees, including massage therapists shall wear clean, non-transparent outer garments. These garments shall not expose their genitals, pubic areas, buttocks, or chest, and shall not be worninsuch manner as to expose the genitals, pubic areas, buttocks, or chest.

10. No massage shall be given unless the client’sgenitals areatall times fully covered. Amassage therapist shall not, at any time make physical contact with the genitals or private parts of any client while performing aservice regardless of whether the contact is over or under the person’sclothing.

Sec. 9:1103. Massage establishments.

a. All massage establishments must obtain and display occupational licenses and the licenses of each massage therapist offering to or performing services in the lobby of the massage establishment in a manner clearly visible to patrons within the lobby at all times during the operation of the business.

b. Quiet and good order shall be maintained upon the premises and shall not permit disorderly or immoral conduct or loitering thereon, nor shall he causeorpermit any noise or nuisance on the parking area of the establishment whereby the quiet and good order of the neighborhood aredisturbed.

c. Alist of the services available and the cost of such services shall be posted in the reception area of the massage establishment and shall be described in readily understandable language. Outcall service providers shall provide such alist to clients in advance of performing any service. No owner,manager,operator,orresponsible managing employee shall permit, and no massage therapist shall offer or perform, any service other than those posted or listed as required herein, nor shall any operator or massage therapist request or charge afee for any service other than those listed therein.

d. For each massage service provided, every massage business shall keep acomplete and legible written recordofthe following information: the date and hour that service was provided; the service received; the name or initials of the employee entering the information; the name of the client; and the name of the massage therapist providing services. Such records shall be open to inspection and copying by police officers, or used by any massage therapist or operator for any purpose other than as records of service provided, and may not be provided to other parties by the massage therapist unless otherwise required by law.Such records shall be retained on the premises of the massage business for aperiod of two years and shall be immediately available for inspection during business hours.

e. Massage businesses shall at all times be equipped with an adequate supply of clean sanitary towels, coverings, and linens.Clean towels, coverings, and linens shall be stored in asanitary location. Towels and linens shall not be used on morethan one client unless they have first been laundered and disinfected. Disposable towels and coverings shall not be used on morethan one client. Soiled linens and paper towels shall be deposited in separate, approved receptacles.

f. Wetand dry heat rooms, steam or vapor rooms or cabinets, toilet rooms, shower and bathrooms, tanning booths, whirlpool baths, and pools shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected as needed, and at least once each day the premises areopen. Bathtubs shall be thoroughly cleaned after each use with adisinfectant. All walls, ceilings, floors, and other physical facilities for the business must be in good repair and maintained in aclean and sanitary condition.

g. Instruments utilized in performing massage shall not be used on more than one client unless sterilized, using appropriate sterilization methods.

h. No person shall enter,be, or remain in any part of amassage business while in possession of an open container of alcohol, or consuming or using any alcoholic beverage or drugs, except pursuant to a prescription, except as allowed by the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and the City.The owner,operator,responsible managing employee, or manager shall not permit any such person to enter or remain upon such premises except as permitted by the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and the City

i. No massage business shall place, publish or distribute, or cause to be placed, published, or distributed, whether by manual, physical, or electronic means, any advertising matter that depicts any portion of the human body that would reasonably suggest to prospective clients that any service is available other

Sec.

The

osteopaths, nurses, or any physical therapists who areduly licensed to practice their respective professions in the state, and persons working directly under the supervision of or at the direction of such licensed persons, working at the same location as the licensed person, and administering massage services subject to review or oversight by the licensed person.

2. Barbers and cosmetologists, duly licensed under the laws of the state, while engaging in practices within the scope of their licenses, except that this provision shall apply solely to the massaging of the neck, face and/or scalp, hands, or feet of their clients.

3. Hospitals, nursing homes, mental health facilities, or any other health facilities duly licensed by the state, and employees of these licensed institutions, while acting within the scope of their employment.

4. Accredited high schools, junior colleges, and colleges or universities whose coaches and trainers aretrained in therapeutic sports massage, acting within the scope of their employment, and performing massages for athletic purposes.

5. Trainers of amateur,semi-professional, or professional athletes or athletic teams who aretrained in therapeutic sports massage, while engaging in their training responsibilities for and with athletes; and trainers working in conjunction with aspecificathletic event.

6. Individuals administering massages or health treatment involving massage to persons participating in single-occurrence athletic, recreational or festival events, such as health fairs, road races, track meets, triathlons, and other similar events; provided, that all of the following conditions aresatisfied: a. The massage services aremade equally available to all participants in the event; b. The event is open to participation by the general public or a significant segment of the public, such as employees of sponsoring or participating corporations; c. The massage services areprovided at the site of the event, either during, immediately preceding or immediately following the event; d. The sponsors of the event have been advised of and have approved the provisions of massage services; e. The persons providing the massage services arenot the primary sponsors of the event.

Sec. 9:1108. Penalties.

a. Violations of the provisions of this chapter shall be considered a misdemeanor,and any person, including the owner or operator of a massage establishment, upon conviction by acourt of competent jurisdiction, shall be fined not less than $100 nor morethan the maximum amount allowed by state law or imprisoned for not morethan

Section

Severability

Section 3. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective upon publication. This Ordinance having been submitted to avote, the vote thereon was as follows: Ayes: Cook, Edmonds, Himmel, Monachello

Nays: Heck

Introduced to the City Council on March 11, 2025.

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Delivered to Mayor on March 28, 2025.

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Approved:

Dustin Yates, Mayor

Received from Mayor on 2025.

Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk

Ordinance published in The Advocate on the day of 2025.

OF OPPORTUNITY FORPUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AGREE‐MENT BETWEEN THELOUISIANA DEPART‐MENT OF ENVIRONMEN‐TALQUALITY ANDCITYOFBATON ROUGEAND PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE The LouisianaDepart‐mentofEnvironmental Quality andCityofBaton Rouge andParishofEast Baton Rouge(Respon‐dent),AgencyInterest Number4843, have en‐tered into aproposed settlementagreement SettlementTrackingNo. SA-AE-24-0069, concern‐ing theState's allega‐tions of environmental violationsbyRespondent atits facility in East Baton RougeParish, Louisiana,which allega‐tions areset forthinNo‐ticeofPotential Penalty, Enforcement Tracking No. AE-PP-18-00693. TheDepartmentofEnvi‐ronmental Qualitywill accept comments on the proposedsettlementfor the next forty-five (45) days. Thepublicisin‐vited andencouragedto submitwrittencom‐ments to theLouisiana DepartmentofEnviron‐mentalQuality,Office of theSecretary,Legal Divi‐i ffi

comments willbeconsideredbythe DepartmentofEnviron‐mentalQuality in reach‐ing adecisionon whether to make theset‐tlement ﬁnal. Termsand conditions of the proposed settlement agreement maybere‐viewedonthe Depart‐mentofEnvironmental Quality's websiteat www.deq.louisiana.gov by selectingAbout LDEQ Enforcement,and Settle‐ments.The document may also be viewed at and copies obtained from, theLouisiana De‐partmentofEnvironmen‐tal Quality, Public Records Center,Room 127, Galvez Building,602 North FifthStreet,Baton Rouge,Louisiana 70802 Torequest acopyofthe proposedsettlement, submita completedPub‐lic Record RequestForm (DEQFormISD-0005-01) The form andinstruc‐tions forcompletionmay befound on theDEO Website at thefollowing address: http://deq. louisiana.gov/assets/ docs/General/PublicR ecordsRequestForm.pdf or by callingthe Cus‐tomer ServiceCenterat 1-866-896-5337.

Pursuant to La.R.S 30:2050.7(D),the Depart‐mentofEnvironmental Quality mayholda public hearing regardingthis proposedsettlement wheneitherofthe fol‐lowingconditionsare met:1)a writtenrequest for public hearinghas been filedbytwenty-five (25) persons, by agov‐ernmental subdivisionor agency, or by an associa‐tion having notlessthan fi ( )

g twenty-five (25) mem‐berswho reside in the parishinwhich thefacil‐ity is located; or 2) the secretary findsa signifi‐cantdegreeofpublicin‐terestinthissettlement. Forfurther information, you maycallthe Legal Divisionofthe Louisiana DepartmentofEnviron‐mentalQuality at (225) 219-3985. 135051-apr3-1t $68.18

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUBMIT PER‐MITRENEWAL APPLICA‐TION ASHMANAGEMENTAREA CLECOBRAME ENERGY CENTER 275 RODEMACHER RD LENA RAPIDESPARISH LOUISIANA Noticeisherebygiven thatCleco BrameEnergy Center– ClecoPower LLC does intend to sub‐mit to theDepartmentof Environmental Quality, Office of Environmental Services, WastePermits Division, apermitre‐newal applicationfor the continued operationof a TypeI solid wastefacility inRapides Parish,Range 4 West,Township5 North,Section 80, which islocated at 275 RodemacherRd.,Lena, Louisiana Commentsconcerning the facilitymay be filed withthe Secretaryofthe Louisiana Department of Environmental Qualityat the followingaddress: LouisianaDepartmentof Environmental Quality ffi f i l MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITYOFBAKER PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA COUNCIL CHAMBERS 3325 GROOM ROAD, BAKER, LOUISIANA 70714 ZOOM Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86032330393?pwd=R1d4OHVTL1JPajFZ OVVmRlpmckhrZz09 Passcode: 217106 Telephone Conference Call Dial In: 646-558-8656 Webinar ID: 860 3233 0393 Passcode: 217106 March 25, 2025 -6:00 p.m.

The City Council of the City of Baker,Louisiana,met in regular sessionon March 25, 2025, with the following members in attendance at the meeting: MAYOR Darnell Waites COUNCIL MEMBERS Desiree Collins Rochelle Dunn –Attended via ZOOM Cedric Murphy Dr.Charles Vincent Robert Young

CALL TO ORDER –Mayor Waites presided.

The invocation was given by Council Member Murphy ThePledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Young.

DISPOSITION OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Murphy to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 18, 2025

YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None The motion passed with avote of 5-0. Lane Regional Medical Center CEO FrankCorcoran (Mayor)

Mr.Corcoran provided an overview of the new construction at Lane as well as many of the state-of-the-art services to be provided at the hospital’s new location, saying they hope to be operating out of the new facility by June. He reiteratedthe importance of service tothe community and Lane’sdedication to caring forall residents in the region.

RECOGNITIONS

1. Recognize Baker High School 2024-2025 Student of the Year Mr Jarrius Collins (Mayor) The mayor recognized Baker High School 2024-2025 Student of the Year

Mr.Jarrius Collins.

PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS

RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

1. Resolution to the State of Louisiana voicing Mayor and Council opposition to the proposed changes at Jetson Correctional (Mayor) No action was taken on this agenda item.

2. Proclamationdeclaring the Week of the Young Child April 5th –11thin the City of Baker (Collins) City Attorney Fabreread theproclamation.

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Collins to accept theproclamation.

YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

3. Proclamation declaring April 2025 National Autism Acceptance Month in the City of Baker (Vincent) City Attorney Fabreread the proclamation.

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Collins to accept theproclamation.

YEAS: Collins, Dunn,Murphy,Vincent, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None The motion passed with avote of 5-0. Miranda Georgetown-Riley announced the Magnolia Rose Foundation for Autism Acceptance will host its annual Rose “Color” Run on Saturday April 5, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to

4. Proclamation declaring April 2025 Occupational Therapy Awareness Month in the City of Baker (Vincent) City Attorney Fabreread the proclamation.

The motion was made by Council Member Vincent, seconded by Council Member Murphy to accept the proclamation.

YEAS: Collins, Dunn,Murphy,Vincent, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None The motion passed with avote of 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Schedule

Collins, Dunn,Murphy,Vincent, Young

with avote of 5-0.

Q y Ofﬁce of Environmental Services WastePermits Division Post Ofﬁce Box4313 BatonRouge,Louisiana 70821-4313 135098-apr3-1t $158.13

PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF ST.GEORGE BY COUNCILMEMBER COOK: ORDINANCE NO.2025-010 TO ENACTPROVISIONS OFTHE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTYMAINTE‐NANCE CODE ANDTO PROVIDE FORRELATED MATTERS WHEREAS, La.R.S 33:1368 authorizes mu‐nicipalitiestoadopt a building, electrical,traf‐ﬁc, or othercodebyordi‐nance withoutthe neces‐sityofpublishingthe textofthe code andre‐quiresthe code to be identiﬁed in theordi‐nance andsignedbythe mayor andbythe clerkof the municipality; WHEREAS, Ordinance 2024-015 adoptedthe mostrecentedition of the InternationalBuild‐ing Code,International Residential Code,Inter‐nationalExistingBuilding Code, InternationalMe‐chanicalCode, Louisiana State Plumbing Code,In‐ternational Code Council Codes,and theNational Electrical Code,asofthe

date of adoption by the Louisiana StateUniform ConstructionCodeCoun‐cil,asamended;and WHEREAS, theCityofSt. Georgedesires to adopt the most recent edition ofthe InternationalProp‐ertyMaintenance Code asamended BE IT ORDAINED by the St. George City Council, State of LouisianaTitle 8 Buildings,Chapters1 PartIX, International PropertyMaintenance Codeisenacted as fol‐lows: Section1.Enactment Title8.BUILDINGS CHAPTER1.BUILDING CODE PART IX INTERNATIONALPROP‐ERTY MAINTENANCE CODE Sec. 8:90.AdoptionofIn‐ternationalProperty MaintenanceCode. Theregulations of the mostrecentedition of the InternationalProp‐ertyMaintenance Code ("IPMC"), includingAp‐pendixA,aspublished bythe InternationalCode Council, in book form and thewhole thereof, and such portions of the IPMC as arehereinafter deleted,modiﬁed or amended,are hereby adopted as theminimum regulations governing the conditions andmain‐tenance of allproperty, buildings,and struc‐tures;byproviding the standards forsupplied utilities andfacilitiesand other physical things and conditionsessential to ensurethatstructures are safe,sanitaryand ﬁt for occupation anduse andthe condemnation of

2025 –partnered with Senator Regina Barrow, Magnolia Rose Color Run to be held in April (Collins)

CouncilMember Collins reminded everyone to vote on Saturday,March 29, 2025. She announced Renew Church will hold its 5th Sunday Family Day at Baker Park on March30, 2025, from noon to 3:00 p.m. –the event is open to the public. Council Member Collins announced the District 3 public meeting will be held Thursday,April 3, 2025, and she has partnered with Senator Regina Barrow. She announced the MagnoliaRose “Color” Run willbeheld Saturday,April 5, 2025, and that Miranda GeorgetownRiley has been voted Citizen of the Year by the Interclub Council.

Council Member Vincent thanked Entergy for removing the downed utility pole in front of Parkwood Terrace subdivision. He encouraged everyone to establish homeowner associationsintheir subdivisions, as these organizations can be extremelybeneficial to all residents.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

The Mayor announced Barber Brothers has been selected as the contractor to complete the improvementsonLavey Lane. He reminded everyone that roadwork willbegoing on simultaneously on Groom Road, Lavey Lane, and Baker Boulevard.

The mayor asked that councilmembers submit their recommendations for the Keep Baker Beautiful Advisory Board.

APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

CONDEMNATIONS

1. 1916 Florida (Mayor)

2. 2235 Chamberlain(Mayor)

3. 1984 Chamberlain(Mayor)

4. White house next door to 1984 Chamberlain(Mayor)

5. 2845 Groom Road (Mayor)

6. 1637 Robinson Street (Mayor)

7. 12979 Wedgewood (Mayor)

8. 2165 Chamberlain(Mayor)

9. 1752 Clark (Mayor)

10. 1905 Alabama Street (Mayor)

11. 4341 Burgess (Bryant)

12. ChamberlainAvenue at John Marks (Mayor)

13. 13829 Alba (Mayor)

14. 3939 Grant Street (Mayor)

15. 1903 Carolyn (Mayor)

16. 2441 Ray Weiland (Mayor)

17. 1008 Epperson (Mayor)

The mayor stated the city will begin tearing down condemned properties in the nextsix months, if they arenot already adjudicated.

REPORTS ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

1. Planning and Zoning Commission

2. Annexation Review Committee

3. EconomicDevelopment Team

4. HeritageMuseum/Related Committees

5. ABC Board

6. Other Special Committees

a. Buffalo Festival b. Prayer Breakfast

c. Strategic Planning Committee d. Citizens Advisory BoardtoLaw Enforcement

e. MainStreet District Committee

ADJOURN

The motionwas made by CouncilMember Vincent, seconded by Council

Member Dunn to adjourn.

YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy,Vincent, Young

NAYS:None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

The motionpassed with avoteof5-0.

CITY OF BAKER

PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE

STATEOFLOUISIANA

I, Angela Canady Wall, certify that IamClerk of the Councilfor the City of Baker,Louisiana, and that the above and foregoing is acopy of the minutes of aregular meeting of the Councilfor the City of Baker,Louisiana held on March25, 2025.

Angela Canady Wall, LCMC Clerk of Council

buildingsand structures unfitfor human occu‐pancy anduse andthe demolitionofsuchstruc‐tures.Not less than two copiesofsuchcodeshall bekepton file in theDe‐partmentofPublicWorks office forreviewand in‐spectionbythe public Sec. 8:91.Amendments to InternationalProperty MaintenanceCode Amendments to theIn‐ternational Property Maintenance Code ("IPMC"), adoptedby section 8:90,are amended as follows: (a)Chapter 1, Part 1, Sec‐tion101, Article101.1, Title,herebyrevised to replace “[NAME OF JU‐RISDICTION]”with“City ofSt. George”. (b)Chapter 1, Part 2, Arti‐cle 103.1, Code Compli‐anceAgency, is hereby revised to read:“TheDe‐partmentofPublicWorks and theofficial in charge thereof shallbethe code official responsiblefor the implementation,ad‐ministration, anden‐forcement of theprovi‐sions of this Code.” (c)Chapter 1, Part 2, Sec‐tion107, MeansofAp‐peal, andSection 108 Board of Appeals, is herebyrevised to read as statedinChapter 3, Con‐struction BoardofAp‐peals of this Title8 (d)Chapter 3, Section 302, Article302.4, Weeds, isherebyrevised to re‐place “[JURISDICTION TO INSERT HEIGHT IN INCHES]with“10 inches”. (e) Chapter3,Section 304, Article304.14, Insect Screens, is hereby re‐vised to replace“[DATE] to[DATE]” with “Atall times,” (f)Chapter 6, Section602 Article 602.3, Heat Sup‐ply,isherebyrevised to l d i h

p y y replace“during thepe‐riodfrom[DATE]to [DATE]” with “atall times (g)Chapter 6, Section 602, Article602.4, Occupi‐ableWorkSpace,is herebyrevised to replace during theperiodfrom [DATE]to[DATE]” with at alltimes,”

Section2.Severability. If any section, subsection sentence, clause,orpro‐visionofthisOrdinance isdeclaredbya courtof competent jurisdiction to beinvalid,suchdeclara‐tionofinvalidityshall not affect thevalidityofthe Ordinance as awhole,or parts thereof, otherthan the part declared invalid. The remainderofthe Or‐dinance shallnot be af‐fectedbythe declaration ofinvalidityand shallre‐maininforce andeffect. Section3.EffectiveDate. This Ordinanceshall be effectiveuponpublica‐tion. This Ordinancehaving been submittedto a vote, thevotethereon was as follows: Ayes:Cook, Edmonds, Heck,Himmel, Monachello Nays: Introduced to theCity Council on March11, 2025. Lorraine Beaman City Clerk DeliveredtoMayor on March 28,2025. Lorraine Beaman, City Clerk Approved: Dustin Yates, Mayor Received from Mayoron

CALL TO ORDER –CommissionerWaitespresided.

DISPOSITION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The meeting wascalledtoorder andthe motion wasmade by Commissioner Waites, seconded by Commissioner Vincenttoapprove the minutesofthe meeting held on March 18, 2025.

YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy, Vincent, Waites, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None The motion passedbya vote of 6-0.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NEW BUSINESS

OTHER NECESSARY BUSINESS

1. Monthly Business Report

2. OtherReports

3. Items Requiring Action

ADJOURN There wasnootherbusiness to come beforethe commission.The motion wasmade by CommissionerWaites, seconded by Commissioners Dunn/ Vincenttoadjourn.

YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy, Vincent, Waites, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None The motion passedbya vote of 6-0.

CITYOFBAKER PARISHOFEAST BATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA

I, Angela Canady Wall, certify thatIamClerk of the Council for the City of Baker,Louisiana,and thatthe aboveand foregoing is acopy of the minutesofa regularmeeting of the Board of Commissioners for the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens held on March 25, 2025.

Angela Canady Wall, LCMC Clerk of Council

MINUTES BOARDOFCOMMISSIONERS

BAKER CONSOLIDATED UTILITIES SYSTEM CITYOFBAKER PARISHOFEASTBATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA 3325 GROOM ROAD BAKER, LA 70714 March 25, 2025

The City Council of the City of Baker, Louisiana,sitting as the Board of Commissioners for the Baker ConsolidatedUtilitiesSystem, met in regular session on March 25, 2025, with the following members attending: COMMISSIONERS DesireeCollins Rochelle Dunn Cedric Murphy Dr.Charles Vincent Darnell Waites Robert Young

CALL TO ORDER –CommissionerWaitespresided.

DISPOSITION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The meeting wascalledtoorder andthe motion wasmadeby CommissionerWaites, seconded by CommissionerMurphy to approve the minutesofthe meeting held on March18, 2025.

YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy, Vincent, Waites, Young NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None

The motion passedbya vote of 6-0.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NEW BUSINESS

OTHERNECESSARYBUSINESS

1. Monthly Business Report

2. OtherReports

3. Items Requiring Action

ADJOURN

There wasnootherbusiness to come beforethe commission.The motion wasmadebyCommissioner Waites, seconded by Commissioners Dunn/ Vincenttoadjourn

YEAS: Collins, Dunn, Murphy, Vincent, Waites, Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

MINUTES

BOARDOFCOMMISSIONERS

HILLCREST MEMORIAL GARDENS CITY OF BAKER

PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE

STATEOFLOUISIANA

3325 GROOM ROAD

BAKER,LA70714 March 25, 2025

The City Councilofthe City of Baker,Louisiana, sitting as the Boardof

Commissioners for Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, met in regular session on March25, 2025, with the following members in attendance at the meeting:

COMMISSIONERS

DesireeCollins

Rochelle Dunn

CedricMurphy

Dr.Charles Vincent

Darnell Waites

RobertYoung

ABSTAIN: None

The motion passedbya vote of 6-0.

CITYOFBAKER PARISHOFEAST BATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA

I, Angela Canady Wall, certify thatIamClerk of the Council for the City of Baker,Louisiana,and thatthe above andforegoing is acopy of the minutesofa regularmeeting of the BoardofCommissioners of the Baker ConsolidatedUtility SystemheldonMarch 25, 2025.

Angela Canady Wall, LCMC Clerk of Council