GROWLING
Student government takes a unanimous stance against live tigers in Death Valley.
Read on page 2
Photo courtesy of Gerald Hebert via AP Photo
SG UPROAR
‘We should be ashamed of this choice’
BY OLIVER BUTCHER & MORGAN VANNOSDALL @OliverButcher73 & @morgank2304
The LSU Student Senate passed a resolution Wednesday evening urging LSU to prohibit all live tigers from entering Tiger Stadium.
The resolution, authored by Speaker Pro Tempore Ethan Elmer, a computer science junior, and co-sponsored by 14 other senators, passed unanimously and is to be sent to LSU President William F. Tate IV, LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward and Gov. Jeff Landry among others.
This action by the senate comes in the wake of a monthslong campaign by Landry for LSU to return its live mascot to the sidelines of Tiger Stadium during football games, culminating in the exhibition of a live tiger prior to LSU’s Nov. 9 game against Alabama.
The tiger was not the university’s official mascot Mike VII. It instead was Omar Bradley, a lesser-known cat belonging to Mitchel Kalmanson, a Floridabased exotic animal handler with a history of federal animal abuse violations.
In a Friday FOX News broadcast prior to the game, Landry had said bringing a live tiger on the field was to honor the legacy of Mike I to VI.
“Our hope is that maybe we can get this tiger to roar a couple of times,” Landry said on the broadcast.
Omar was wheeled out in a cage shortly before kickoff, remained visible on the sidelines for just under 10 minutes, then ultimately was moved back into the stadium tunnel and didn’t make a reappearance at the game.
Omar’s caged appearance inspired many cheers and boos from the crowd.
Donna Long, a natural re -
sources ecology and management senior, spoke on behalf of herself and the LSU Wildlife Society, as well as mentioning “the greater community.” Long was accompanied by members of the Wildlife Society at the meeting.
“As a school that champions animal welfare through their animal and veterinary sciences programs, we should be ashamed of this choice, which puts the health and safety of a vulnerable species at risk,” Long said. “In LSU’s statement from 2017 when Mike VII arrived on campus, LSU declared their mission to raise awareness about the problem of tigers being kept inappropriately in captivity. By enabling Mitchel Kalmanson, who has been cited numerous times for the mistreatment of animals, especially tigers, this institution has directly contradicted its mission.”
There had been 28,000 combined signatures urging the university and Landry to rethink its decision of allowing the tiger on the field according to Long, calls that were ultimately ignored.
“LSU has always been a beacon of excellence, and it goes against our values to involve a live threatened species in our custody in a way that can lead to its stress or harm,” Long said.
College of Business Senator Corbitt Driskell, an economics senior, took the stand upon the floor being opened for debate, to stress the reasons for the original dismissal of this tradition.
According to Driskell, Nick Saban’s wife, Terry Saban, led the fundraising effort for Mike’s new habitat on one condition: The university was to give Mike VI the option of entering the cage, and not to force or coerce
him into it.
By the time Mike VII came along, the tradition was abolished after it was determined the stress would be too much for him. A tiger hadn’t graced Death Valley in nearly a decade.
The last one was wheeled out in 2015.
“On top of that, we had to expend a lot of resources for the cops and security guards outside of the cage at all times, outside of the enclosure, for the tiger that we trucked in from Florida,” Driskell said.
According to the Governor’s Office, no state or LSU funds were spent on Omar’s showcase. The office declined saying where the money originates.
The student senate’s passed resolution serves as a recommendation to the university administration and does not mandate implementation.
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PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
The LSU Student Government Senate sits on Oct. 30 in the Capital Chambers in the Student Union in Baton Rouge, La.
GERALD HEBERT VIA AP PHOTO
The live tiger rolled into Tiger Stadium in a cage.
REAGAN COTTEN / The Reveille
Mike the Tiger looks out on Nov. 21, 2023, in Mike the Tiger’s Habitat on North Stadium Drive in Baton Rouge, La.
NEWS TABLETS TABLED
Judge blocks La. law requiring Ten Commandments’ classroom display
BY SARA CLINE & KEVIN MCGILL
Associated Press
BATON ROUGE, LA. (AP) — A new Louisiana requirement that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public classroom by Jan. 1 was temporarily blocked Tuesday by a federal judge who said the law is “unconstitutional on its face.”
U.S. District Judge John W. DeGravelles in Baton Rouge said the law had an “overtly religious” purpose, and rejected state officials’ claims that the government can mandate the posting of the Ten Commandments because they hold historical significance to the foundation of U.S. law. His opinion noted that no other foundational documents — including the Constitution or the Bill of Rights — must be posted.
“We strongly disagree with the court’s decision and will immediately appeal,” Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill said in an emailed statement. Murrill, a Republican, supported the law, as did Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. In
CONSTRUCTION
granting a preliminary injunction, DeGravelles said opponents of the law are likely to win their ongoing lawsuit against the law. The lawsuit argues that the law violates the First Amendment’s provisions forbidding the government from establishing a religion or blocking the free exercise of religion. They had argued that the poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments would isolate students, especially those who are not Christian.
DeGravelles said the law amounts to unconstitutional religious government coercion of students: “As Plaintiffs highlight, by law, parents must send their minor children to school and ensure attendance during regular school hours at least 177 days per year.”
Proponents say that the measure is not solely religious, but that it has historical significance to the foundation of U.S. law.
Plaintiffs in the case were a group of parents of Louisiana public school children.
The new law in Louisiana, a reliably Republican state that is ensconced in the Bible Belt, was passed by the state’s GOP-dominated Legislature earlier this year.
So... when will Julian
T. White Hall reopen?
BY SHELBY VARGA
@shelby_varga
Art students, professors and classes are still displaced into November as construction on Julian T. White Hall continues, but College of Art and Design Interim Dean Rod Parker says the end is in sight.
Renovations on the building began three years ago when bricks started falling off, especially in the corners of the building. Plans were accelerated over the Fourth of July weekend this year when Parker and a coworker noticed a bulge in the overhanging wall where people enter and exit the building. The next day, a construction crew determined the whole wall was delaminating, and a crane was required to hold it up in case it fell.
Since then, the building has been closed off and pressurized to protect it from the elements. The construction is certain to conclude by fall of 2025, Parker said.
Julian T. White Hall, formerly the Design Building, was completed in 1984. During the construction, galvanized iron pins connected the brick facade to the building, meaning the bricks that made up the outside of the building were merely siding, Parker said, causing the issues the building now faces. He also mentioned that water had also seeped into the porous bricks of this siding.
Art history Professor William Ma said it makes sense. After living in Louisiana for so long, he noticed that the weather and climate causes deterioration. Ma also noted that the roof underwent emergency renovation a few years ago because rain was beginning to leak into the building, and some have speculated that mold was also inside the building.
Since everybody inside the building would have to be relocated, Parker said it was an amazing coincidence that the Louisiana Digital Media Center had recently opened its third floor, where landscape architecture and interior design classrooms and offices are now located.
“The registrar’s office was brilliant in finding a place for everyone to go,” Parker said. The office has since relocated the 35-40 classes held in the four-story building, the dean’s and professors’ offices and the Clark and Laura Boyce Gallery. LSU’s popular City Pork location has also moved to the basement of Foster Hall.
As for what the LSU community should expect once the renovation finishes, Parker reined in any hopes of a total makeover. The inside of the building will remain practically untouched, aside from replacing the sheetrock walls and repainting
CRIME Student threatens Gov. Landry, arrested
BY QUINN MARCEAUX @quinnmarceaux
An LSU student was arrested by state police after allegedly threatening to kill Gov. Jeff Landry on social media in response to his decision to bring a live tiger to LSU football’s game against Alabama.
Police documents read that 21-year-old Jackson Pemberton was charged with threatening a public official on Tuesday after posting, “I am going to kill you @JeffLandry,” on their X account (formerly Twitter), @2jas2furious.
Pemberton told police the post was meant as a joke, expressing frustration over the live tiger on the sidelines, and clarified they had no intent to harm the governor.
see COMMANDMENTS, page 4
The legislation, which has been touted by Republicans including President-elect Donald Trump, is one of the latest pushes by conservatives to incorporate religion into classrooms — from Florida legislation allowing school districts to have volunteer chaplains to counsel students to Oklahoma’s top education official ordering public schools to incorporate the Bible into les-
The tiger was paraded in Tiger Stadium’s pregame show of this past weekend’s LSU-Alabama matchup after a months-campaign spearheaded by Landry to get a live tiger on the field.
The university discontinued the tradition of parading its live mascot, Mike the Tiger, in 2015. The tiger that was showcased on Saturday was brought in from Florida and is named Omar Bradley.
Pemberton has been booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. In Louisiana, the threating of a public official is punishable by six months in prison or a fine of $500.
In a statement, an LSU spokesperson said, “LSU is aware of the arrest of a student by Louisiana State Police following allegations of a social media post threatening Governor Jeff Landry. We take any behavior that threatens the safety of individuals or our community very seriously. LSU is committed to a respectful, responsible, and safe environment for all.”
LSU’s directory does not list a Jackson Pemberton as an enrolled
see ARREST, page 4
Taxpayers didn’t pay for Omar the tiger
No state or LSU funds were used in the display of a live tiger at Saturday’s football matchup against Alabama.
Gov. Jeff Landry’s office told this to The Advocate/The TimesPicayune and WBRZ on Monday; the office declined to elaborate on where the funding used to borrow the tiger came from. It’s unclear if future appearances of live tigers
on the field can be expected. The tiger, a one-year-old who’s housed in Florida, is named Omar Bradley. His appearance in Death Valley comes after a months-long campaign spearheaded personally by Landry.
WDSU confirmed with Mitchel Kalmanson, Omar’s owner, that no state funds were given to him.
Kalmanson has been cited by federal authorities for multiple instances of mishandling animals, garnering condemnation from the
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
LSU ceased the tradition of parading its live tiger mascots in 2015. The university’s stance is that Mike the Tiger is housed on campus as a sanctuary.
Landry said his effort to get a live tiger on the field was honoring the past tradition.
The Governor’s Office and LSU didn’t provide comment or respond to questions from the Reveille at press time.
JOHN BAZEMMORE VIA AP PHOTO
A copy of of the Ten Commandments is posted along with other historical documents in a hallway in Georgia Capitol, June 20 in Atlanta.
PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
LSU’s Julian T. White Hall undergoes construction on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, on Field House Drive in Baton Rouge, La.
STUDENT LIFE
Emergency contraception can be intimidating. Panelists break it down.
BY ASHLYNN BAILLIO @ashlynnbaillio
A panel featuring research about emergency contraception conducted by LSU students and staff took place Tuesday night in the Hans and Donna Sternberg Salon in the French House from 5-7 p.m.
The Manship School of Mass Communication Professor Alyson Neel and political science senior Layla Harmon led the research effort, which began last spring. They conducted a broad survey across 28 classrooms, reaching approximately 4,195 students from various senior colleges. Of these, 655 responses were analyzed in collaboration with the Manship School of Mass Communication’s Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs.
The focus of the study was to assess students’ knowledge about emergency contraception – from understanding where to access it to knowing how it works and recognizing potential barriers to obtaining it.
According to the research findings, 96% of students were aware of EC before taking the survey, while only about 87% felt confident in knowing where to obtain it. However, despite general awareness, multiple barriers may prevent students from accessing EC when needed. Among these barriers, the top concern was out-of-pocket cost, cited by about 65% of respondents. Close behind were anxiety and stigma, with around 63% of students indicating these as obstacles, and about 56% noting a lack of accurate information as a barrier. Further complicating access, “Less than half of the student respondents are confident that EC is legal in Louisiana,” Neel said.
Additionally, 85% of students reported that their healthcare provider had never suggested
keeping EC on hand. “Students are really hungry for more information, for accurate information,” Neel said. The survey also revealed that the majority of students support initiatives to broaden EC access and improve education on where and how to obtain it.
While LSU’s Student Health Center offers a variety of birth control options, 42% of survey respondents were unsure if EC was available there, and 33% believed it was not. Rebecca Breaux, a registered nurse at the Health Center’s Sexual Health and GYN Clinic, clarified the Health Center offers all forms of birth control including IUDs and birth control pills, for which students must use insurance or pay out of pocket. EC is only available at the Health Center for victims of sexual assault.
Student-led organizations, such as Feminists in Action, have taken steps to address these concerns and advocate for broader EC access on campus. Last spring, FIA distributed 2,000 packages of emergency
contraception to students. Of these, 1,500 units were donated through the Advocates for Youth and the American Society for Emergency Contraception’s EC4EC program.
Harmon explained, “There is no place on campus where EC is necessarily easily accessible and free.”
The idea for this survey originated when Neel was drafting a syllabus and realized there was limited information on EC access available to students.
“I realized that access specifically to emergency contraception on LSU’s campus and in the surrounding area is actually quite limited, and so that led me to some research questions,” she said.
Neel focused on survey development, while Harmon led student outreach efforts across campus. Together, their research has highlighted specific barriers that hinder access to EC, providing insights into how LSU might better support students in accessing emergency contraceptives.
COMMANDMENTS, from page 3
sons.
In recent years, similar bills requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms have been proposed in other states including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah. However, with threats of legal battles over the constitutionality of such measures, none have gone into effect.
In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a similar Kentucky law was unconstitutional and violated the First Amendment establishment, which says Congress can “make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The high court found that the law had no secular purpose but rather served a plainly religious purpose.
Louisiana’s legislation, which applies to all public K-12 schools and state-funded university class -
rooms, requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed on a poster or framed document at least 11 inches by 14 inches (28 by 36 centimeters) where the text is the central focus and “printed in a large, easily readable font.”
Each poster must be paired with the four-paragraph “context statement” describing how the Ten Commandments “were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries.”
Tens of thousands of posters would likely be needed to satisfy the new law. Proponents say schools are not required to spend public money on the posters, and instead that they can be bought using donations or that groups and organizations will donate the actual posters.
McGill reported from New Orleans.
GABRIELLA GUILLORY / The Reveille Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry looks in the distance as he prepares to sign an executive order about free speech for higher education institutions on Oct. 1 outside of the LSU Memorial Tower on Dalrymple Dr in Baton Rouge, La.
ARREST, from page 3
student. It does list a student under the name of Jasmine Pemberton, who’s enrolled as an English major. The social media account named in police documents, which has 512 followers, has the name “Jas,” 21 years old and using she/ her pronouns posted in the bio.
DESIGN, from page 4
due to water penetration.
The exterior design is supposed to harmonize with the “old campus,” such as the quad, and the “new campus,” which includes the Business Education Complex, Patrick F. Taylor Hall and eventually, the new library.
Parker said the renovation costs “well north of $10 million dollars,” a figure the Reveille couldn’t immediately confirm. Parker and Instructor Carla White mentioned that the state controls the building, which may be why not as much information is public about the renovations compared to other buildings on campus.
Art history professors did not move to the Digital Media Center. Instead, they moved to the fourth floor of Hatcher Hall, a building that was initially a male dormitory in the 1940s.
“I kind of love it. I hate to give it up; it’s so spacious, and I have such a great view of this building,” White said, pointing to Tiger Stadium outside her office window. She said the office and classroom loca-
Staff writers John Buzbee and Colin Falcon contributed reporting to this report.
This is a developing story.
tions have helped her learn more about other buildings on campus and get in all her daily steps.
However, some professors feel they were not adequately informed about the building closure, especially since art professors often travel out of the country during the summer.
Ma said he had a broken foot when he was contacted to remove his stuff, so he couldn’t move everything he wanted to. He also had a student with a broken foot, and their class initially relocated to the Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex, which he said wasn’t accessible. Two weeks into the semester, they moved again to Coates Hall.
White said the offices were print-making studios that were left a mess. When the professors took them over, broken furniture lined the hallways, and it wasn’t until after they moved in that facility services came to clean everything up.
White’s relocation was easy as she was in Baton Rouge during the summer and moved everything she could.
“What are you going to do? You just have to roll with it,” she said.
ERIN BARKER / The Reveille
Students listen to a panel discussion about emergency contraception in the Hans and Donna Sternberg Salon in the French House on Nov. 12 near Highland Road in Baton Rouge, La.
ERIN BARKER / The Reveille
Students walk past the French House on Nov. 12, near Highland Road in Baton Rouge, La.
RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY
Puddles litter campus after a day of rain on Nov. 13.
A puddle reflects LeJeune Hall.
Several puddles fill potholes.
A car drives through a puddle.
A field is flooded. Water droplets sit on a leaf.
Photos by: Alexis Persicke and Peyton Prichard
Spread by: Riley White
ENTERTAINMENT
BY ARIS WILLIAMS @arisofmars
Baton Rouge Gallery hosted its annual fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 8 in the heart of City Park.
KINETICS, presented by Hancock Whitney, is an art auction that aims to increase visibility of the area’s artists and raise funds for the gallery’s programming. Last year’s fundraiser was a record-setting event. Local artist lovers show out every year, ready to place bids on dozens of original works by local artists.
Jason Andreasen has served as Baton Rouge Gallery’s president and CEO for over 15 years, and he spoke of how crucial KINETICS is to the gallery’s mission of making art accessible for all.
“This is our one annual fundraiser, and the event that helps the gallery remain free and open to the public,” Andreasen said. “There’s food and libations, but the real star of the night is the live art auction with over 30 pieces of work from some of the best artists in the state.”
FUNDRAISING FOR ART
Baton Rouge Gallery hosts important fundraiser that keeps it ‘free and open to the public’
Catering by Soji: Modern Asian, cocktails by Mestizo and a kaleidoscopic charcuterie board of fruits and pastries set the tone for the evening. A tent was set up outdoors for the auction itself, with a lively host and auctioneer keeping the audience laughing as each piece was auctioned off. Bidding began at $100 and made its way into the thousands.
“One thing that we strive for at Baton Rouge Gallery is accessibility,” Andreasen said. “We took a similar approach with the auction by starting the bidding at $100. Everybody gets a chance to jump in and be a part of the night.”
As the night went on and bidding became more competitive, attendees were able to see the vibrant personalities of the artists and art lovers, who make this community what it is. This fun event for a good cause manages to top itself each year, with more participants and donations than the year prior.
Events such as the free first Wednesday exhibitions and movie screenings in the park
are made possible through efforts such as this. With the physical location being an old pool house that was converted into a gallery in 1984, Baton Rouge Gallery is no stranger to resourcefulness and taking innovative approaches.
KINETICS was a huge success this year and revealed how much accessibility to art means to the people of Baton Rouge. Gwen Palagi serves as the developmental director of the gallery and wants people to continue paying its mission forward.
“This one night funds so much of the programming that we do throughout the year,” explained Palagi. “We cannot overstate its importance. It’s also just a fun night full of banter that supports our artists as well.”
Baton Rouge Gallery’s next free opening reception will be on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. and features the work of artists such as Rosemary Goodell and Mary Lee Eggart. To keep up with BRG and its program offerings, you can follow them on Instagram at @brgallery.
What are LSU students listening to? Study songs for locking in
BY ELISE BLALOCK @eliseblalock
Do you find yourself listening to the same song on repeat while studying or do you study in absolute silence?
Finding out what studying methods work best for you is the key to success in college. Studies prove that listening to certain music while studying can increase a student’s study retention. A University of Wisconsin study was performed on 39 college students in which their memories were observed after listening to popular music, classical music and silence altogether.
According to that study, the results showed that students actually recall more information after listening to popular music or remaining in complete silence while studying. This is attributed to the possibility that classical music is unfamiliar to many students, which can actually distract the student altogether.
Students on LSU’s campus were asked if they agree with this study. Psychology major
Maggie Hebert’s habits prove the study wrong, since she enjoys listening to classical music while studying.
“I listen to classical or instrumental music while studying,” Hebert said. “Studying in silence may become distracting, so having background music is helpful; however, if I have a song on with words, I can not focus at all. I also like how classical music calms me overall.”
This study rebutted the common perception that certain music affects study retention, when in reality, it has little to no effect on the student for whichever genre they choose to indulge in. In today’s culture, music is a freedom of expression of an individual’s character. Whether it is in an elevator for your apartment building, in the quad, in your earbuds or in a restaurant, music is part of a student’s everyday life.
Kinesiology student, Ella Boudreaux, believes pop and folk music genres help her study best. Noah Kahn and the Lumineers are her go to, when it’s time for a big exam.
“My favorite song currently while studying is probably ‘All My Love’ by Noah Kahn,” Boudreaux said. “This music helps me stay on task, and I feel overall increases my productivity when listening to music that makes me happy.”
Interior design student Claire Naquin listens to country music while she studies. She believes by doing this, it will help her retain the most information.
“I have to keep it low and the songs can not be crazy or else I simply can not focus,” Naquin said.
Technology engineering major Collin Coon’s preferred genre of music is 50’s country while studying or getting any type of work done.
“It is a vibe that keeps me focused and relaxed,” Coon said.
Many college students listen to music while studying, while some prefer absolute silence. Whether it is to make the process less painful, keep you in the zone or just to keep you from daydreaming, music can actually help study retention, regardless of what genre it is.
COURTESY OF HEATHER MCCLELLAND
An attendee observes gallery pieces before the auction begins.
COURTESY OF HEATHER MCCLELLAND
Cocktails courtesy of Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine.
Books to start your reading journey
BY EMILY BRACHER @emily_bracher_
Reading is something we usually say we want to do, or that we’ll eventually get to it, but never really end up doing. Whether it’s because of too much school work or just lack of concentration, reading has been something we have all strayed away from, but often think about doing. It would be unfair to put this generalization upon every reader because some of you might be avid readers who don’t make excuses about why they haven’t been able to pick up a book in months. In the summer of 2023, I read 18 books. Since the school year has begun, I am severely lacking. As someone who goes through reading slumps, I know that all it takes is the right book at the right time. If you relate to this in any way, here are four books that changed my life and I think everyone should read at least once in their life.
Emily Henry will always be ranked within the top three of my favorite authors. While “People We Meet On Vacation” is not my favorite books of hers and is not one of her top rated ones, it holds a special significance, because it is the book that got me to first start reading again.
I was drawn in by a book with a bright orange cover and the illustration of two people on beach chairs in the summer of 2022. It had been years since I picked up a book to leisurely read and not just for class, so I was initially worried about buying something I might not finish; however, it was summer and I had plenty of time on my hands, so I decided to buy it.
That decision single handedly changed the trajectory of my life in regards to reading, because it got me into the rhythm of reading book after book. “People We Meet On Vacation” is the perfect best friends to lovers trope. Henry manages to keep a certain emotional depth that a lot of modern romance novels lack lately.
Alex and Poppy, the two main characters, have contrasting personalities but still find a way to come together in every situation. Fans of the book will now be able to visualize them even more as a movie adaptation will be released starring Tom Blyth and Emily Bader.
This is the book that inspired me to write this list. I usually finish a book quickly, around two to four days depending on the length. “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” took considerably longer, because in many instances, I had to stop reading and sit for a second to process.
The story follows two friends over the span of decades. The best explanation of Sam and Sadie’s relationship is one from Goodreads that says “two friends – often in love, but never lovers.” The two work together to create a hit video game, all while exploring a kind of love I have never seen in a book before. Zevin also covers topics such as failure, redemption and betrayal.
I never really fell in love with either of the main characters. With he constant back and forth between the two, there was never a moment to lean one way or the other.
If you are looking for a book that will break your heart and make you rethink everything, in the best way possible, this one is a must.
Everytime I went to the bookstore, there was something I would always avoid: nonfiction. It was something I could never get myself to read because I always preferred romance, fiction and fantasy. This was until I grabbed a copy of “The Other Wes Moore” and finished it in two days.
The current governor of Maryland wrote this book in 2010 about himself and the man he shares a name with. The two lived in close proximity to each other, had similar upbringings of a tough childhood and a fatherless home, but one ended up a Rhodes Scholar and the other one with life in prison as a convicted murderer.
Moore talks about his correspondence with the other Moore over the years and covers topics that deal with how guidance can affect where a person ends up. This is the book that made me sign up for not one, but two nonfiction writing classes. Moore’s storytelling abilities are above all others, and he made this memoir easy to read along with being one of the most impactful stories ever.
If you are looking to get into nonfiction or memoirs, I highly recommend starting with this one.
There will be no “Normal People” slander, since it is one of the books that changed my life. The book looked short enough to be a quick, easy read. While I finished it in two days, many hours were spent crying over what is considered one of the most realistic, modern romances of our time.
Rooney takes this story and furthers the idea of poor communication by omitting all quotation marks when the characters speak. Over years, readers get to watch Marianne and Connell fall in and out of love with each other and other people. I often now find myself looking for those two in other books or in real people simply because their story hit so deeply.
The hate towards “Normal People” comes from the normalization of grandeur we see in romance novels and stories. Most find Marianne and Connell’s story to be mediocre, because they are used to a book of love that ends in happiness in rainbows. “Normal People” tells, as in the name, a very normal story about regular people.
This story has definitely happened to other people that aren’t named Connell and Marianne. It’s a telling of life with hardships in love, lack of communication and the pressures of everything else in life surrounding it. I’ve read it twice and I think everyone should read it at least once.
Zawistowski
SPORTS CHILD’S PLAY
Crowd of
BY TYLER HARDEN @ttjharden8
schoolchildren motivates women’s basketball in matinee win
The Pete Maravich Assembly Center was as loud as ever for LSU’s 117-44 win over Charleston Southern.
But it was a different type of loud.
Instead of LSU fans filling the seats at 11 a.m. Tuesday morning, it was elementary and middle school children from local Baton Rouge schools. Many schools took a field trip to the PMAC to catch Kim Mulkey’s Tigers in action.
“The appreciation I have for teachers and principals to be here today for the 11 a.m. game, but we’re going to continue to do better,” Mulkey said.
Are they LSU fans? Yes; the screams and cheers in the arena clearly showed that. Just as Mulkey’s squad feeds off a typical LSU crowd, it did just the same on Tuesday.
Feeding off the crowd led to good things for LSU. Mikaylah Williams led the team with 25 points, shooting 10-for-16 from the field and 3-for-6 from three.
Williams had the hot shooting hand in Tuesday’s win, but she also added six rebounds and four assists.
LSU’s front court helped Williams out. Aneesah Morrow recorded another double-double with 21 points and 20 rebounds.
Tuesday marked Morrow’s second double-double in three games, and she shot 7-for-12 from the field and 7-for-8 from the free throw line.
Jersey Wolfenbarger added 10
It worked in LSU’s favor that Johnson found her shot, but it’s encouraging to see that some of the pressure can be taken off Johnson and the team can still run smoothly.
Another encouraging factor for LSU fans when it comes to the Tigers’ guards is the quick and efficient growth of Jada Richard.
Richard, the team’s lone true freshman, made her first start of her collegiate career in place of Shayeann Day-Wilson, who did not appear in the game.
“She got popped in the shoulder yesterday at practice,” Mulkey said. “I think she could’ve played.”
SEC
LSU fined $250,000 by the SEC
STAFF REPORT @lsureveille
The SEC announced on Monday that LSU will receive fines in relation to its spectators’ throwing of debris on the field during the weekend’s football matchup against Alabama which briefly interrupted play.
LSU will be fined $250,000 for poor spectator sportsmanship, the SEC said.
points and six rebounds. Wolfenbarger, a transfer from Arkansas, continues to become more and more comfortable in LSU’s system.
Wolfenbarger recorded her first double-figure scoring game as an LSU Tiger, surpassing her previous high this season by six points. Her versatility made her stand out coming to LSU, but her growth within the system will allow her versatility to be that much more effective.
“I learn things more and more each day that she can play on the perimeter and play on the perimeter because she can move that good,” Mulkey said.
Kailyn Gilbert, a transfer from Arizona, is also adjusting well to LSU’s system, as she added 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Tigers. Gil-
bert’s ability to make an impact in all phases of the game will serve LSU well down the line as well.
“The things that KG can do is not anything we’ve taught. She just has lateral speed and quickness and can push the ball up the floor,” Mulkey said. “As you can see, she can score the ball.”
While Williams, Gilbert and LSU’s post players operated well, Flau’jae Johnson took some time to get in a rhythm against Charleston Southern.
But once she found her groove, she never lost it. In fact, she scored her 1,000th career point in the process.
After just four points in the first half, the junior guard finished with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 7-for-15 from the field.
Richard scored 11 points along with six assists, and her 26 minutes of play is incredibly valuable for not only herself, but the team as well.
The Tigers already have considerable depth at the guard position, but solidifying Richard in that mix and making her more and more comfortable at the college level is imperative.
“I think Jada has unbelievable leadership skills,” Mulkey said. “Being a freshman, I see signs of her down the road not being afraid to speak up and lead.”
In the loss for Charleston Southern, Catherine Alben led the Buccaneers with 15 points, shooting 5-for-16 from the field.
LSU moves to 3-0 on the season with the win over Charleston Southern. The Tigers will take the floor next on Friday night, as they host Murray State.
The game will tip-off at 7 p.m. C.T. and will be televised on the SEC Network-plus.
Kelly addresses state of LSU program before UF
BY LIZZIE FALCETTI
After a heartbreaking loss to Alabama on Saturday, LSU football is turning the page toward Florida, as the Tigers head to Gainesville this weekend for a mid-day matchup.
With two conference losses, LSU’s playoff hopes have come crashing down, but it will look to finish the season strong, knowing anything can happen in the SEC.
Head coach Brian Kelly addressed the media on Monday to recap Saturday’s game, preview Florida and explain how the team is preparing for the road.
Alabama recap: inconsistency vs consistency
When looking at this loss,
Kelly said inconsistency was the biggest factor. Alabama came out in the first quarter and established consistency, and LSU couldn’t create that same rhythm.
“They came out and were consistent in what they wanted to be in this game, took care of the football, controlled the line of scrimmage,” Kelly said. “Our response was that we were inconsistent.”
LSU had costly turnovers, which made the Tigers struggle with stirring up any kind of momentum during the game. LSU couldn’t get off the field on third downs and allowed Alabama to convert 10 out of 13 third downs, as well.
The Tide’s offense powered through the LSU defense, led by quarterback Jalen Milroe who had 185 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
“You had a really good football team in Alabama that went back in the bye week and said, ‘You know what? This is who we’re going to be,’” Kelly said.
While there were many negatives to pull from Saturday’s game, a major positive was the fan turnout. From the first snap the crowd was roaring, helping create false starts.
“Incredible atmosphere,” Kelly said. “Our fans came out. They were incredible. Created a great atmosphere.”
Florida preview: an opportunity to bounce back
Ahead of the matchup in Gainesville, Kelly acknowledged the challenge of playing in the swamp, saying it’s “always a difficult place to play.”
When faced with a tough road environment, the team will
have to show its ability to stay consistent from the get-go.
Starting Gator quarterback DJ Lagway didn’t play this past weekend against Texas after hurting his hamstring.
He’s practiced on Monday, which means LSU has to prepare to see him on Saturday.
The Gators have three consecutive losses but have shown resilience this season amid injuries. They put on a strong performance against Georgia, keeping the game close until the fourth quarter.
LSU’s ability to establish consistency will be necessary against a Florida team who will be ready to upset the Tigers.
“That’s what’s most important, not the playoffs, not anything else,” Kelly said. “Consistency in the way we play. Play in and play out is the most im -
The debris thrown included several bottles and cans of alcoholic beverages. The SEC said in an official statement that it reserves the right to issue fines and has the power to suspend alcohol sales inside of Tiger Stadium.
SEC policy means that the university is required to use all available resources, including security cameras, to identify and ban fans who were disruptive from attending LSU Athletics events for the remainder of the season.
The athletics department is also to review and update its game management procedures and alcohol availability policies to prevent another disruption.
The university is to provide a report to the SEC summarizing its efforts to identify and penalize offenders as well as its plan for the future to prevent future accidents.
“LSU never, under any circumstances, condones the throwing of debris onto the field of play at any of its venues. This kind of unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated, and we will take immediate steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future,” LSU Athletics said in a statement.
Ole Miss has also incurred a fine of $250,000 this past weekend for its fans rushing the field against Georgia and an additional $100,000 fine for fans rushing before the game had officially concluded.
portant thing against the Florida team that certainly has shown their ability to play consistent.” Moving ahead, Kelly explained the coaching staff has to work on putting their guys in better positions where they can succeed. He stated while the loss to Bama is disappointing, there’s no loss in faith for what this program can be.
“I’m not in a position to worry about what people are saying about the overall health of the program,” Kelly said. “We have one of the top recruiting classes in the country. Those things are only going to continue to get better, and a championship program is what we’re going to have here.”
PILAR FRANKLIN / The Reveille
LSU women’s basketball sophomore guard Mikaylah Williams (12) showcases her skills during LSU’s 95-44 season-opening win against Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 4 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
BASKETBALL
Men’s basketball overcomes its demons in win
BY ETHAN STENGER @itsethanstenger
As it hit halftime at the PMAC on Sunday afternoon, Alabama State led LSU 32-26.
The crowd was nearly silent, almost sick to their stomach with a severe case of deja vu. Tiger fans have seen this before.
The purple and gold found themselves down 24 to Nicholls State in their third game of the 2023 season. While they clawed back to lead by one, Colonels guard Jalen White hit a gamewinning three with 0.8 seconds left to beat the Bayou Bengals 68-66.
It was an embarrassing loss, one that hung over LSU for the rest of the 2023 campaign. A nagging thought remained in the back of every Tiger fan, player and coach’s head: How did LSU lose to Nicholls State?
Coming out swinging and setting the tempo was vital against Alabama State. Unfortunately for the purple and gold, it looked as if they didn’t get the memo.
The Bayou Bengals were sleepwalking on offense throughout the first half, shooting 8 of 25 (32%) from the field and 7 of 14 (50%) from the char-
ity stripe while failing to find a true No. 1 scoring option.
The Hornets continuously knocked down tough shots through the Tigers’ tight defense, with their guards driving to the basket for easy paint points to give themselves a shocking 3226 halftime lead.
In the locker room, the Bayou Bengals looked for answers.
“The biggest thing was just trying to keep our heads, stay sane and just to guide our identity on the defensive side,” LSU forward Dji Bailey said.
But Alabama State had yet even to grab its largest lead.
The Hornets took a 48-38 lead with 12:38 left in the second half. LSU was in dangerous but not uncharted territory: Nicholls State territory.
But instead of lingering on last year’s loss, McMahon opted to move forward.
“This is a different team,” McMahon said. “It’s a different era.”
It’s true; there are only four returning players on this year’s roster from last year. The roster turnover was high, for the better. Everybody is new. This is a different team. The Tigers don’t lose these types of games. It’s a different era.
Two of those new players are Jordan Sears and Cam Carter. They have no memory of any stunning losses to the lesser Colonels in 2023, which worked to their advantage.
Sears took control of the offense late in the second half, driving to the bucket to get what he wanted.
“I know he’s a fifth-year senior, but I thought the changing defenses from Alabama State slowed him down in the first half, and I thought he was a lot more aggressive,” said McMahon.
Once Sears’ dribble and drive game started to roll, so did Carter’s shot. He finished the night 4 of 5 (80%) from three, leading LSU in scoring (21).
Compared to their abysmal first half, the Tigers picked it up in the second by shooting 13 of 22 (59.1%) from the field and 18 of 20 (90%) from the free-throw line.
The late scoring surge powered the purple and gold to a 7461 win over the Hornets to get to 2-0, something they failed to accomplish in 2023.
LSU will look to make it a 3-0 start when they travel to play Kansas State at the Bramlage Coliseum on Thursday night.
MALEAH BOURGEOIS / The Reveille LSU men’s basketball senior guard Cam Carter (5) dribbles the ball during LSU’s season opening on Nov. 6 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Soccer clinches spot in tournament
BY AINSLEY FLOOD @ainsleyflood
LSU soccer’s postseason lives on after being named to the 2024 NCAA Division I women’s soccer championship bracket.
LSU was one of the 64 teams chosen to compete in the first knockout round by the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Committee. The bracket is divided into four quadrants of 16 each with the top eight teams in each quadrant seeded.
The Tigers will take on No. 8 seeded Texas Tech, who was ranked 17th in the United Soccer Coaches’ Top 25 and finished second in the Big 12 standings with a conference record of 8-1-2.
LSU made their exit in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals and will be seeking redemption as their season comes to a close. The team’s entry marks their fourth consecutive bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The match will take place on Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. CT in Lubbock, Texas.
CURSE OF OMAR
How Gov. Landry’s ego doomed the rest of LSU Football’s season to failure
LSU played against Alabama in Baton Rouge this weekend. We severely lost that game. It wasn’t even close, as the final score was 42-13. We only scored one touchdown, with the six points coming from two separate field goals. This loss was embarrassing and incredibly difficult to swallow.
Not only did everyone have to see LSU suffer so badly against Alabama, but we all had to see blatant animal abuse as well.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry thought it would be a good idea to have a tiger at LSU games again. Landry has been wanting this since early October and was given the opportunity when he found Mitchel Kalmanson.
Kalmanson, the owner of the tiger brought to Death Valley, has a history of abusing to his animals according to WDSU. Kalmanson and Landry negotiated a price that hasn’t been disclosed to the public, but a private donation was made to fund Landry’s cat-chasing madness.
Landry revealed his plans for bringing a live tiger into Death Valley, sometimes known as Deaf Valley due to its sheer volume. Furthermore, this sparked protests from LSU students right by the parade route.
As the day went on, I wanted to think that Landry wouldn’t purposely torture an animal for his own ego. But I was sadly mistaken.
The next thing I knew, the stadium went dark, and both “Louisiana Saturday Night” and “Callin’ Baton Rouge” played and ended. Then, I thought that the band would begin its performance, when in came a truck hauling a carrier.
The video boards mentioned the former tradition. I heard a mix of boos, cheers and expletives toward our “beloved” governor, and then the curtain came down. The video boards showed a camera of Omar Bradley, the poor tiger brought across multiple state lines.
Let me be the first to say: Nobody. Wanted. This. It’s an un-
necessary use of funds and an example of animal abuse. Republicans like Landry want us to go back even further in time when we tortured live animals for entertainment.
We as a society have progressed past the need to torture and abuse animals for entertainment. The biggest circuses in the world have since stopped using them purely due to their immoral nature.
From a purely scientific point of view, the sound of Death Valley is actively harmful to the cat. This is because cats, especially tigers, have excellent hearing. Their ears can rotate like a satellite dish to hear multiple different highpitched tones simultaneously.
My friend and I were extremely
overstimulated inside Tiger Stadium, so I couldn’t imagine how it felt for Bradley. It was probably even worse for Bradley, as more sounds were happening near him, along with the stadium lights changing.
Regardless, this tradition shouldn’t have been done in the first place, and, almost serendipitously, it started raining.
The whole point of Death Valley is that there’s never a chance of rain, and yet it rained. It rained throughout the entire first half. It’s Louisiana, so you have to expect some rain. But it’s still extremely odd that it didn’t rain all day, even after looking like it would. Yet, it finally rained when Bradley was dragged out there.
This game was an absolute blowout loss for LSU, and since then, I and others have dubbed it the “Curse of Omar.” And who’s to blame for this curse? Gov. Landry. Landry, who didn’t even attend LSU, is the reason why Bradley cursed us. The gumbo pot of bad vibes has finally boiled over and was embarrassingly served to us.
The ingredients of the “Curse of Omar” Gumbo are a fascistic governor, animal abuse, LSU’s refusal to grow a spine and say no, rain in Death Valley and playing against our biggest rival of the decade, Alabama.
The conditions were perfect for an embarrassing loss at night Tiger Stadium. The number one place for college football lost all that magic over those four quarters. Not just with the exodus of fans but with how quickly things spiraled out of control.
Landry, this is directed toward you. I want you to take a good, hard look at yourself. You have failed as a governor. You subjected an innocent animal to 130 decibels of sound, and now, the team you’re so proud to tout has lost.
Just because you have failed Louisiana doesn’t mean that LSU has to be another one of your mistakes. But you have single-handedly ruined our (not yours) team’s playoff chances this year, so hop off.
Andrew Sarhan is an 18-year-old mass communication freshman from Baton Rouge, La.
Letter to the Editor: Voting isn’t over, your vote DOES count
BY GORDON CRAWFORD
In recent days, I, along with most of my friend group, have been embroiled in the painful post-election grief process. For many others, this may be a post-election period of euphoria. Regardless of one’s opinion regarding the outcome of November 5, this emotional time leads many to a point of resignation. Right now, my feed is full of great pessimism, great optimism, and concerns about the state of democracy.
Many hold to the extremely
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Colin Falcon Editor in Chief Managing Editor John Buzbee
grave mindset that their vote does not matter. To those who believe that they have no real voice in politics, and no ability to sway policy, I sympathize with you. Nearly every candidate I voted for lost, and by rather hopeless margins. However, if you feel that you must abandon electoral politics for the foreseeable future, an ill-advised but understandable desire, prolong it until after December 7.
Post November elections consistently remain obscure in the minds of voters. Most people are not obsessed with
politics, and only follow the regular four-year clock of the presidency. Mindful voters dutifully remember to vote in their midterm elections as well. However, anything outside of that rigid November date elicits very little attention. CNN does not pay for a giant TV to display the results of Amendment Number such-and-such to the state constitution. Even less attention is given to local races and ballot measures.
Nonetheless, it remains critical to be vigilant of what is on the ballot. Local tax measures
are frequently pushed to later dates, along with runoffs of elections in November. In these elections, decisions are made in the differences of hundreds, and at times tens, of people in the community, impacting thousands. The judges that will preside over any legal proceeding you may participate in, the things that your money goes to, the people who you choose to fight the small but important fights, like replacing the longfaded lights on a busy street or getting funds allocated for road improvements.
So, I implore anyone reading this: please do the research, read the Facebook pages of your future representatives, learn about the amendments and ordinances on your ballot. If you wish to defend democracy, the best way is to ensure that your voice is always heard. That at every opportunity to express your voice, you do it. Authoritarianism relies on the disengaged to persist. Be engaged.
Gordon Crawford is an 18-yearold political science freshman from Gonzales, La.
Editorial Policies and Procedures Quote of the Week
The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to editor@lsu.edu or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
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