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WORK IN PROGRESS
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Student Government works to amend open meetings law violations.
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PUBLIC ACCESS
B-16 Hodges Hall Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La. 70803
Student Senate moves toward transparency with a ways still to go BY JACOB MATHEWS @lsureveille For years, LSU’s Student Government has missed key components of the state’s open meetings law — in particular, the requirement to make meeting agendas available ahead of time to the public. This school year, student leaders have worked toward greater compliance, though there is still progress to be made. The open meetings law of Louisiana states that any public body meetings and documents must be made available for public observation and participation except in cases specifically established by law. In addition, notice to these meetings must be posted at least 24 hours in advance outside the meeting place and on the body’s website if it has one. The Student Senate, the legislative arm of SG, doesn’t do this; leaders cite difficulties out of their control in posting to the website and point to other ways to stay current with SG. A provision of SG’s code acknowledges its requirement to comply with the open meetings law, as does a University Courts advisory opinion in 2022 that set ground rules for following the statute. Additionally, in 1994, the state attorney general opined that LSU’s SG is a public body under the law. “Having a functional democracy requires interaction between leaders and citizens. That cannot happen if citizens are left out of public meetings,” said Steven Procopio, president of the Public Affairs Research Council, a nonpartisan nonprofit focusing on state government, commenting generally on the role of the open meetings law. Earlier this month, the SG website added a link to a Google Drive folder that contains legislation passed and proposed by the Senate, as well as veto letters from the student body president. From this folder, members of the public can click to the “Senate Drive Fall 2023,” which houses other information, including meeting agendas under the “General Body Meeting Resources” folder. Student Senate Speaker Emma Bruney and Student Body President Anna Catherine Strong pointed to their newsletter as the way to track what will be discussed in advance of weekly meetings, though this provides greater access to SG material than was previously available. Though members of the public can subscribe to this newsletter on the SG website, this does not satisfy the requirement of the open meetings law that agendas be posted 24 hours in advance on the body’s website or outside its meeting place. Nor does the drive link to the legislation folder, though this provides greater access to SG material than was previously
NEWSROOM (225) 578-4811
Editor in Chief CLAIRE SULLIVAN Managing Editor LAUREN MADDEN Digital Editor JOHN BUZBEE News Editor CROSS HARRIS Deputy News Editor OLIVER BUTCHER Sports Editor PETER RAUTERKUS Deputy Sports Editor MACKAY SUIRE Entertainment Editor MOLLY TERRELL Opinion Editor COLIN FALCON REAGAN COTTEN / The Reveille
LSU student government covers new business on Oct. 25 in the Student Union in Baton Rouge, La. available. The reason for SG having a subscription-based information delivery is because posting on its website isn’t as easy as it should be, Bruney said. To upload anything on an LSU website, you first need to get proper certification by LSU. Then the addition has to be approved by the university administration, and for the legislative branch, that took nearly a month to get done, Bruney said. While getting meeting agendas to the public in compliance with State Statute is still a work in progress, the Senate has made moves to make other information more easily accessible, such as with the Google Drive. Last semester, SG’s online filing system left students with only their best guesses on what past, present and future legislation had been or would be decided on at meetings. There wasn’t an up-todate filing system with past decisions and records. To help change that, Bruney said, she spent part of her summer moving records, including legislation passed by SG and veto documents, into the Google Drive folder so that decisions are easier to find. “We change speaker every year, so one speaker can be really on top of it, one not so much,” Bruney said. “We can have a whole year of missing records on the digital commons.” Bruney and her colleagues are still working to file years of hard documents into their online platform, the LSU online scholarly repository, which currently has little to no substantial information on SG. To work around some of their
built-in struggles, Strong said, they’re moving to Instagram so the younger generation can comprehensively access executive branch updates outside of their staff meetings. “Something we’re trying to do is keep everything on social media. Student Government has been able to get ahead on this, but not every part of the university has,” Strong said. The posts are primarily promotional material or event updates, but the link in the account bio provides an executive initiative tracker. This describes details of events put on by the executive branch, including the date, whether funding is needed and sometimes notes with updates. SG also posts weekly updates about what happened at its general body meetings. Although SG represents the student body, many students are unfamiliar with what powers do – and don’t – lie in SG’s hands. For instance, if the Senate makes a decision pertaining to the structure of the university, it still needs the help of a relevant department or the Faculty Senate, which is a representative body of professors. If said department finds issues with funding, agreements or anything else, the action is out of SG’s hands. “All we can do is spend money from the student initiatives fees – technically we can put a bouncy house in the Quad and the administration can’t do anything about it,” Bruney said. “Other things that are more structural, we are just voicing the opinions of students to faculty.” Each student paid $2.20 this semester in SG fees to fund the initiatives that are voted on by the elected student senators at these
meetings. That may not seem like a lot, but with over 30,000 students enrolled, two semesters equals upward of $130,000, according to the SG budget. That money is combined with surplus funds from previous years. Those dollars are spent in a few ways. A $16,000 chunk pays the salaries of six SG leaders. A bigger portion — $146,000 — was given to students or student organizations in the past year, according to the SG website. Although LSU coordinator Cortney Greavis, a university employee who is paid a little over $23,000 by this fund, keeps student senators from writing whatever checks they want, the initial spending decision lies with SG. The budget is already available in the Google Drive under the “Final Legislation” folder, but SG is still working on making available a budgetary dashboard that explains what this money is spent on rather than just how much is spent. SG also proposes raises and cuts on student recommended fees like SG, mass transit and student media, but these require approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors before being finalized. Ultimately, student senators control tens of thousands of dollars of their classmates’ money. The Senate’s meetings are the public forums where those decisions and debates happen; compliance with the law ensures students are afforded the chance to weigh in on these issues. “My number one thing, I think the number one thing for all of us, is transparency,” Bruney said. “We want to be efficient, effective, and transparent. The website makes it hard, but we’re trying.”
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CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS The Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure its readers the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards. This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes that may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or email editor@lsu.edu.
ABOUT THE REVEILLE The Reveille 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. A single issue of The Reveille is free from multiple sites on campus and about 25 sites off campus. To obtain additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall or email studentmedia@ lsu.edu. The Reveille is published biweekly during the fall, spring and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. The Reveille is funded through LSU students’ payments of the Student Media fee.
NEWS OLE WAR SKULE
William A. Brookshire Museum highlights LSU’s military history
BY CONNOR REINWALD @Conur16 It’s been over a year since the William A. Brookshire Military Museum in Memorial Tower opened to the public to exhibit LSU’s history as a military institution and honor veteran alumni. Today, the museum continues to expand as it tries to attract more visitors. Since opening, the most frequent attendees have been tours from the University Laboratory School. When students from the lab school are learning about a specific time period, the museum will bring out appropriate military equipment for them to touch and see up close. The goal is to inspire the students to learn more about history in a different and more exciting way than in a classroom. In an interview with the Reveille, Director James Gregory said entertainment is a big part of the museum and that every story can be informational. Information and context allows the museum to present more controversial items, such as a Nazi armband that was taken by a soldier as a souvenir after liberating a town in Europe during World War II. “Attendance has gone up, but
page 3 STUDENT GOV.
SG fall election campaigns kick off BY BLAKE EDDINGS @blake_eddi9644
they all connect to LSU and anyone can relate. If you’re a football fan, you know, we’ve got stories
Candidates will be campaigning for positions in the LSU Student Senate, the legislative branch of Student Government, from Monday to Friday. The Senate is responsible for writing bills, providing funding and drafting resolutions to address problems in the LSU community. The Senate represents students by electing at least two students from each senior college. Certain colleges receive additional seats if they have high enrollment. “You have to vote because who you elect is essentially who is making decisions for you, or advocating on your behalf,” Chair of the Elections Commission and political science senior Perri Eason said. “It’s important to vote because these are our student leaders, and government does play a huge role at LSU. Student Government does have a big impact, especially these Senate elections and voting for your senior college.
see BROOKSHIRE, page 4
see ELECTIONS, page 4
ERIN BARKER / The Reveille
The William A. Brookshire Military Museum sits under Memorial Tower on Oct. 26 on LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge, La. we still need to do more, and we still need people to realize it’s open and available because this building is kind of terrifying for new students. They think they’re
not allowed to come in,” Gregory said. “As much as it is a memorial, it’s a living memorial… It’s open to the public, and there are some great stories in here, and
CITY LIFE
Greater Baton Rouge State Fair makes annual fall return BY JOHN BUZBEE @thebuzzbuz The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair made its annual return to BREC’s Airline Highway Fairgrounds last Thursday evening. The state fair will run 11 days— Oct. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 5, and tickets are on sale through a part of the fair’s website. It’ll be open 5-10 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon-10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. “We’ve got something for everybody,” said President and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair Cliff Barton. “We’re a familyoriented fair, and we try to put on a good show at a reasonable price.” There will be over 40 rides, he said, ranging in scope from those meant for small children to others for thrill seekers. The Ferris wheel and carousel will be making a comeback, he added. A plethora of food vendors will also be present; 22 tents, stands and trucks, serving items ranging from cracklins and jambalaya to funnel cakes and snow cones, will be spread on the grounds. And yes, Barton said, there will be freeze-dried candy. Both weekends will feature
FRANCIS DINH / The Reveille
Concessions for the Baton Rouge state fair sit Oct. 23 at the Airline Hwy. Park/Fairgrounds on 16072 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, La. . live music from local groups, Barton said, and the latter Sunday will specifically feature Latin bands. The fair will also feature a LEGO building competition, a pumpkin carving competition, a hotdog
eating contest and a pie baking contest. Specific times and details about the music and special events are posted on the fair’s website. Some magicians and performers, like the infamous “Washboard
FRANCIS DINH / The Reveille
Lighting equipment sit Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at the Airline Hwy. Park/ Fairgrounds on 16072 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, La. Willy,” will make daily appearances. Barton said the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair’s roots are as an agricultural fair, and that tradition still holds up today. He said this
year they’ll have two goat shows and two beef shows, where the animals will be scored by judges. It’s especially important for students
see STATE FAIR, page 4
Monday, October 30, 2023
page 4 BROOKSHIRE, from page 3 about football. If you’re a baseball fan, Alex Box and his story are in here. There are stories for everyone. We just need people to know that they can come and actually experience it.” The museum saw 500 people walk through its doors last month and has experienced increasing attendance since opening. In an effort to get visitors to return, the museum is rotating out its displays to showcase different stories. “The old way of permanent exhibits is ridiculous. Not only is it bad for the artifacts, but once you come into a museum that doesn’t change, you don’t have to come back,” Gregory said. “If you come back a year later, you’re not going to see anything new, and that’s death for a museum.” Two new exhibits have been displayed this month with more to come in the future. Ethan Fruge, a history sophomore, interns at the museum and is researching a future story about to be exhibited. Fruge said his job is “coming up with a story that both captures the reader and gives them the information but doesn’t bore them to death.” The museum offers Fruge the ability to research people from LSU’s history and craft, then showcase that
story from a person’s past involving LSU’s military history. “He will sit here and design the exhibit. He will write it all out. He’ll bring it to me, and I will cut all of it off… It’s all just a learning curve on the job. And every museum is different,” Gregory said. Gregory referenced a museum he worked at in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he quickly dug a drainage ditch as the rain poured down. “No one taught me that. No one can prepare you for that,” Gregory said. “It’s just, you’re gonna have to figure it out. And then these exhibits, no one can prepare you for the reality of it’s short and concise. So you just have to figure it out. I’m here to at least guide the students in that direction.” Currently there are five student employees, but the museum plans to offer more work opportunities in the future. The majority of the museum’s items are stored in an archive in the basement of the LSU Library within a climate-controlled space in acid free boxes, preventing further deterioration. The museum is also working on scanning all of its documents for electronic storage, hoping one day to open this database to the public. For the curious, “vault tours,” are an experiment the museum’s currently
MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille
A plaque reads “LSU Military Museum” on Sept. 1 inside Memorial Tower on LSU’s campus. working on where people can tour items in storage. Donations are requested from anyone who has items or information about someone who is connected with LSU and served in the military, with stories and photo-
graphs being the most requested items, something hard to come by in the advent of digital media. “If they’ve got photos, they’re all digital, so no one’s printing them out. So if they delete them, they’re gone,” Gregory said.
FRANCIS DINH / The Reveille
LSU Student Government senators listen attentively Sept. 21, 2022, during a meeting at the Capital Chamber in the LSU Student Union.
ELECTIONS, from page 3 That affects you directly.” Eason manages the SG election along with the vice chair, commissioner of finance, commissioner of administration and commissioner of communications. The Elections Commission is a neutral party responsible for ensuring the election runs smoothly. This precludes its members from serving
STATE FAIR, from page 3 in 4-H and the Future Farmers of America clubs. Bags taken inside the fair
As one of the most recognized and photographed buildings on campus, William A. Brookshire Museum takes on the role of being a memorial as well as a museum that informs students about LSU’s history.
MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille
Sunlight shines on the Student Union on Sept. 29 on LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge, La.
on campaigns or publicly endorsing candidates. Potential candidates will be vying for votes during the campaign period, voicing their goals in the Quad, Free Speech Alley, Patrick F. Taylor Hall and other high traffic areas on campus. Typically, candidates focus their campaigns on topics that pertain to the major interests of students, such as security and student af-
fairs. Voting will open through Tigerlink on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m on Friday, Nov. 3. LSU SG will also provide a link to access voting on their website. Students vote only for representatives from their senior college, and freshmen vote for candidates in the University Center for Freshmen Year. However, all
students can vote in referendums, such as the referendum for potentially raising the student activities fee. Through candidates and referendums, the outcome of the election will be felt in the LSU community. “It is important to practice your student civil duty. Definitely voting and electing these student leaders into their positions plays
a big role in your experience at LSU,” Eason said. Results from the general election will be released on Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in Coates Hall, room 143. More information on the elections can be found on the SG website. Students with further questions or concerns can also contact Perri Eason and the Elections Commision at sgelections@ lsu.edu.
should be clear and no larger than 12-by-6-by-12 inches, except for diaper bags and medically necessary items, which will need approval at entry.
Barton said the state fair’s backbone is made up of around 100 volunteers and around 20 sponsoring companies. He said upwards of $300,000 is set aside
for pre-fair expenses and another $200,000 or so will be spent as the fair goes on, for the grounds’ security and first aid crews, he gave as example.
Barton said $4.6 million has been raised by the state fair since the late ‘80s supporting local charities and high school students in the form of scholarships.
ENTERTAINMENT
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8 last minute Halloween costumes already in your closet BY LYLA MCGUIRE @LylaMcguire3 Halloween is hours away, which inevitably means last minute invites to costume-required parties. The parties are great, but the need for costumes can instigate a panic, so here are eight last-minute costume ideas you probably already have in your closet:
2. Forrest Gump
5. Daisy Jones
If you want your costume to be easily recognizable, go as the legendary Forrest Gump. All you need is a plain pair of khakis, an old pair of Nikes, plaid shirt and a flat-billed hat. With these closet staples ,you can have an unmistakable costume.
For those whose closets are filled with a more bohemian style, Daisy Jones from the novel “Daisy Jones and the Six” is the ideal costume. With your favorite pair of jean shorts, anything fringe and a flowy top you can create one of
3. Blair and Serena
1. Ballerina All your forgotten dance gear sitting in your closet from the dance classes your mom made you take could be the perfect party costume. Grab an old pair of tights and leotard to become a cute and quick ballerina. To add an extra flare, you could include a classic ballerina bun or bow.
If you and your best friend are looking for a duo costume to outdo everyone at the party, Blair and Serena of “Gossip Girl” are the perfect dynamic duo for you. To put this look together you need an old school uniform and a couple of chic accessories. With these simple outfits, you can win any costume contest as best duo.
4. Princess and the Pea If you’re looking for a costume that is cute and clever, this classic fairytale princess could be perfect. Throw together a classic princess outfit with an old dress from your closet and any royal accessories you can find. To add a witty element, grab a can of peas from your pantry to be the classic fairytale,“The Princess and the Pea.”
Daisy’s unique ‘70s looks. If you were on the lookout for a couple’s costume, you could grab a friend and turn your Daisy costume into the duo of Daisy and Billy. All Billy needs is a denim outfit and any pair of sunglasses to turn your perfect solo costume into an even better duo.
6. Frank Gallagher A super last-minute costume to make everyone laugh is Frank Gallagher from the popular TV series “Shameless.” Pair an old jean jacket and any worn-down clothes of your choice with a beanie to construct a spot-on Frank Gallagher look. Add a couple of witty jokes and everyone will love your easy costume.
7. Ted Lasso Another popular TV character costume is Ted Lasso from the Apple TV series “Ted Lasso.” To create Ted’s iconic look the first step is any drawn-on or store-bought mustache. To pair with his stand-out facial hair ,you’ll need a pair of khakis, a collared shirt and a whistle.
8. Taylor Swift
If you visited a stop on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and have been searching for a way to re-use your outfit, or love the outfits swift wears, Halloween could be the best opportunity to go all out. Dig out any sparkles or Taylor inspired items you own and add classic Swift accessories. You could wear any friendship bracelets you have from the concert or fun accessories you would have worn to the show. With these simple elements, you could create an unmistakably Swift costume.
BEST EATS NEAR CAMPUS BY SAME SEDILO @samsedilo Sometimes the dining hall food doesn’t cut the craving for something different. College students want to stay near campus for convenience, but what are the best eats near campus? Here are some of the top places to eat near campus.
The Chimes Located on the corner of East Chimes Street and Highland Road, The Chimes offers comfort Louisiana food right next to campus. The Chimes has a great vibe. The exterior of the building gives old charm to what used to hold a movie theater, pharmacy and clothing store. The walls are lined with beer memorabilia and, of course, nods to LSU royalty. The wood interior gives a cozy feeling on the inside, but if you want a little fresh air, the rooftop patio has great views of Highland, campus and the Horace Wilkinson Bridge. Looks aside, the food gives casual, but comfort in every plate, spacing typical dishes with Louisiana flavor. The crawfish
fries are a standout of the appetizers. The entree selection offers a range of sandwiches from burgers to clubs and even salmon sandwiches. You can also pair your food with their wide drink selection with many different beers available on tap. Whether it’s seafood, sandwiches or just want drinks. The Chimes is a great spot to get together.
Louie’s Cafe Finding comforting diner breakfast near campus is near impossible because diners near Baton Rouge aren’t something you find often in Baton Rouge. Louie’s Cafe offers breakfast and lunch right at the edge of campus on West Chimes Street. The inside of Louie’s is bright and welcoming with teal walls and checker flooring to give the feel of an old-school diner. Louie’s is a great breakfast spot for the convenience and the delicious food. Sometimes food that feels home-cooked is what we need. The pancakes are some of the best in the area. Sometimes all you want after a night out is a stack of pancakes,
a whole breakfast platter with all the goods, or a sandwich.
Modesto The feel that Modesto goes for is a little more upscale compared to your normal taco joint, but they still know how to deliver in the food and drink category. It might be on the pricey side, but their tacos are always full. You don’t need many tacos to curve your craving. They have the a queso and guacamole combo, which goes well with their chips or on their tacos. Along with the food, they have a tequila and whiskey bar serving top-tier drinks and, of course, margaritas. Whether you get it frozen or on the rocks, their margaritas pair well with the food. The best time to go to Modesto is for their Taco Tuesday special with $4 tacos all day and happy hour offering half off drinks.
Cheba Hut Cheba Hut themes its establishment around the food that you crave when you have the “munchies”.
MADALYN CUNNINGHAM / The Reveille
Louie’s Cafe neon sign sits Sept. 27 on Lake St. Going with the theme, the store labels their appetizers “munchies” and drinks under “cotton mouth cures.” When 4/20 comes around, the shop sees it as a national holiday. It has a free grinders special and a festival outside the shop. The laid-back vibes run not only within the staff that serves you, but just the relaxing setting of the establishment. The majority of the menu is sandwiches, but it’s Cheba Hutt’s specialty.
Andy’s Frozen Custard
When you crave something sweet, Andy’s custard satisfies any sweet tooth you have. You can enjoy your dessert in a cup or a cone. The shop only has outside seating but also has a convenient drive-thru if you don’t want to get out of the car. The seating and outdoor area is small but relaxing when you just want to chill. You can pick the toppings of your choosing or get one of the signature concretes. Whether you are looking for a small treat with friends or by yourself, it’s a great place to debrief and relax.
Monday, October 30, 2023
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Monday, October 30, 2023
page 7
FALL BALL
LSU softball faced off against Southern University on Oct. 28 in an exhibition game.
LSU softball sophomore infielder McKaela Walker (27) prepares to run. The LSU softball team watches the game from the dugout.
LSU softball sophomore catcher Maci Bergeron (12) touches third base. LSU softball graduate student outfielder Ciara Briggs (88) slides into second base.
LSU softball graduate student pitcher Kelly Lynch (37) throws the ball.
LSU softball graduate student utility Raeleen Gutierrez (55) readies for the play.
LSU softball sophomore catcher Maci Bergeron (12) watches the pitch.
LSU softball graduate student outfielder Ciara Briggs (88) runs home.
LSU softball junior outfielder Madilyn Giglio (9) runs to third base.
LSU softball graduate student infielder Taylor Pleasants (17) throws the ball to first base. LSU softball sophomore infielder Abigail Savoy (6) awaits the pitch.
LSU softball senior infielder Danieca Coffey (13) readies for the pitch.
Photos by Matthew Perschall
LSU softball graduate student pitcher/utility Kelly Lynch (37) swings for the ball
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THE Daily Commuter Puzzle by Jacqueline E. Mathews ACROSS 1 Arrest 4 Seizes 9 High __; opposite of flatfoot 13 Track-and-field event 14 Fit for a king 15 Steady date 16 All at __; suddenly 17 “Here, There and __”; Beatles song 19 “T” in Athens 20 Hesitate 21 __ up; delays 22 Bullwinkle, e.g. 24 Man’s title 25 Bald spot hider 27 Has a hunch 30 Creek 31 Home made with buffalo skins 33 One in Spain 35 __ against; use for support 36 Turner & Fey 37 CT __; diagnostic image 38 Building site 39 Devoutness 40 Come in second 41 Insect’s antenna 43 Seals cracks 44 Ruby or maroon 45 Tinker Bell, for one 46 Stadium 49 Hair color 51 Fraternity letter 54 Cash register operator 56 Shock 57 Weapons 58 Part of a pound 59 Handsome guy 60 TV’s “Empty __” 61 Discourage; daunt 62 Suffix for count or lion DOWN 1 Grandma 2 Collect and build up 3 Stinger 4 Travolta musical
Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews
5 Musical stage show 6 Matures 7 Uncovered 8 Deceptive 9 Loathes 10 Virginia __; lively dance 11 Trey or ten 12 Color shades 13 Decompose 18 Fuss childishly 20 Tennyson or Whitman 23 __ house; school event 24 Views 25 Plow the soil 26 “__ you shall betray Me”; Last Supper words 27 ASPCA’s advice 28 __ leaves; koala’s lunch 29 Nosh 31 Part of a wedding cake 32 Suffix for absorb or respond 34 Individuals
10/30/23
Saturday’s Puzzle Solved
©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
36 Even, as a score 37 Insult 39 Appeals 40 __ a call on; visited 42 Actor Borgnine 43 __ sores; mouth ulcers 45 Compel through coercion
10/30/23
46 As strong __ ox 47 Uncommon 48 Lawn trees 49 Unhappy 50 Loaned 52 Attila’s men 53 Squid secretion 55 White-meat fish 56 Pronoun
SPORTS TURN THE PAGE
LSU men’s basketball looks to improve on disapointing 2022 season
BY JASON WILLIS @JasonWillis4 In March 2022, new head coach Matt McMahon inherited an LSU roster with zero returning scholarship players, victim of a transfer exodus following the mass recruiting violations that led to former head coach Will Wade’s firing. In the coming months, he worked hard to assemble a roster, convincing several players to return, signing four high school recruits and bringing in many transfers, including some that followed him from his former position at Murray State. The team got off to a 12-1 start, one of the best in LSU history, with an impressive run through the non-conference schedule and an upset of ranked Arkansas in the South Eastern Conference opener. It looked as though LSU had a chance to band together as a team under a new coach, overcome adversity and make something out of the season. The Tigers won just two games the rest of the way, at one point losing 14 in a row, the secondlongest losing streak in program history.
MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille
The LSU men’s basketball team warms up on Sept. 26, during their first practice at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La. The storybook season wasn’t meant to be. The strain of assembling a team from nothing, pulling almost entirely from the transfer portal, was too much. The product on the court never gelled, and guard Adam Miller never broke out as the elite scorer and team leader many expected he’d be.
At Murray State, McMahon made three NCAA Tournament appearances with teams of players that he had time to mold and teach, including future NBA star Ja Morant. He didn’t have that foundation in year one at LSU. “When I got here in April, all of [what Wade built] was gone. No
page 9 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Women’s basketball wins exhibition
players, no foundation, no culture, no nothing,” McMahon said. This year, despite McMahon having to dip extensively into the transfer portal again, there’s hope that the foundation is sturdier ahead of the Nov. 6 regular season opener. For one, McMahon’s transfer class seems to be more accomplished. Jalen Cook, Carlos Stewart, Will Baker and Jordan Wright, the team’s most prominent incoming transfers, averaged over 10 points per game last year as starters for 20-win teams in tough conferences. “We wanted to identify players with proven track records of success, coming from the top nine leagues in the country,” McMahon said. LSU seems to have added players with the elite scoring ability that was lacking from last year’s roster, aside from Murray State transplant KJ Williams. McMahon admitted that last year’s team was thrown together with an element of desperation, and LSU got to be more selective this time around. Although the influx of scoring
The national champion LSU women’s basketball team was back in action in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Thursday night for an exhibition game with East Texas Baptist. Head Coach Kim Mulkey used Thursday’s game for the newcomers to get used to wearing purple and gold. While it was just an exhibition game, neither Angel Reese nor Flau’jae Johnson were in the starting lineup. Instead, three of the five starters were freshmen, and they made the most of their time to get used to the college pace. Reese, Johnson and the rest of the returners entered the game in the second quarter. “I wanted to see the new ones. I wanted to see them have an opportunity to start in an LSU uniform,” Mulkey said. “I wanted to do something different and then
see MEN’S HOOPS, page 10
see LSU WINS, page 10
BY TYLER HARDEN @ttjharden8
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Topping the charts: Three LSU soccer players excel in SEC BY LIZZIE FALCETTI @lizziefalcetti Three LSU players have emerged as leaders in the South Eastern Conference because of their performance this season. Mollee Swift, Mollie Baker and Ava Galligan were impressive for LSU in its regular season. These three players land in the top 10 for multiple SEC rankings, such as shots, assists and saves. Here’s a snapshot of these players and their accomplishments. Mollee Swift At goalkeeper, Swift started her collegiate career in 2019 playing for head coach Sian Hudson at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She made the move with Hudson to Baton Rouge and is now a fifth-year senior. In her final season, Swift has broken the LSU record for most career saves in program history with 290. Among her fellow SEC goalies, she is second in saves for the 2023 season, recording 61 in total and 3.35 per game. Swift is ninth in the SEC in save percentage at 68.7% and eighth in shutouts. She had 14 total saves against Tennessee and Auburn. Swift said maintaining concentration is key when defending the goal. “It’s all about staying focused
and staying committed to my tasks,” she said. “I’m the person in charge of keeping the ball out of the net, so whatever I can do to prevent that is really important to me.” Off the field, Swift actively participates in volunteering for the Baton Rouge community. For the third year in a row, she was named to the SEC Community Service Team with 13 other players. It’s naturally discouraging for a goalkeeper when an opponent scores. When Swift allowed goals this season, she said focusing on what’s next is more important than feeling defeated. “Really stepping back and finding that perspective is important, and I have to make sure I’m locked in,” Swift said. “Each game is new and every game is different, and I have to keep that mindset clear and open and just know I can do it each time.” Mollie Baker Baker leads the team with 55 shots and is fourth in that SEC category. She also leads the SEC in most shots in one game, tallying 11 against Northwestern State. Baker dominates at creating offensive opportunities and getting in good positions to take shots. She’s a versatile forward, who’s positioned in the center midfield, and uses her speed to beat out many defenders. “I think Sian really encourages
me to get forward even at the sixth position,” Baker said. “Honestly it’s something that I love to do, so I just try to take shots as often as possible. If there is an opportunity, I’m going to take it.” Baker transferred to LSU after playing two seasons for North Carolina. With the significant increase in playing time, she has become an essential part of the team. Against SEC opponents who are physical and defensive-heavy, Baker said it can be difficult to get open, especially when a team drops many players to the back line and plays man-to-man coverage. “As soon as you can cut your first player, beat your first player, the game kind of opens up for you after that,” Baker said. “First touch, first decision is really the most important thing, and then you can get past that first girl and see everything else.” Baker constantly plays the whole field and takes chances at the goal. “Shooting is really fun and if I can put something on frame, I know I have people that are either going to follow in if I can get it on target, or I can finish it myself.” Ava Galligan In her freshman season, Galligan has been a breakout forward/ midfielder. She is tied for fifth in the SEC with five assists and has
three goals in her first year. In conference games, Galligan is tied for sixth in shots with 23. She also had six shots against Arkansas. Playing with older teammates who’ve been supportive in her first year motivates Galligan on the field, she said. “Obviously the transition from club to college is very different,” Galligan said. “I know a lot of other freshmen probably didn’t have the same support that I did from everybody on the team, and they’ve just
helped me get comfortable with everything so much faster than I thought I would.” Galligan will have many matches left playing for the Tigers, so she plans to build further trust in herself during the offseason. “I hope to take more shots and be a little more confident in myself, but again with the group of girls I get to play with, they just help me so much,” Galligan said. “I never thought I would get as many goals and assists that I did get, so I owe that to them.”
FRANCIS DINH / The Reveille
LSU soccer senior forward Mollie Baker pushes through defenders Oct. 26, during LSU’s 0-0 draw to Texas A&M at the LSU Soccer Stadium.
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MEN’S HOOPS, from page 9 will obviously help the team on the court, McMahon is cautious that it may potentially cause difficulty in establishing a pecking order. He won’t let that change the team’s ultimate focus: out-hustling opponents. “I want us to play with relentless effort, bring great energy. I think, especially when you’re trying to blend a lot of guys who have maybe been the leading scorer or second-leading scorer on their team, you have to play with great unselfishness,” McMahon said. “We’re just establishing an identity of being tough, playing hard-nosed basketball, you know, the kind of blue-collar style that he [McMahon] plays,” said Wright, a Vanderbilt grad transfer and
LSU WINS, from page 9 bring the kids in that were here last year.” Johnson led the team with 18 points and seven steals. Angel Reese was right behind with 17 points and seven rebounds. On top of her defense in the paint, her defense also looked better outside the paint, adding seven steals to her night. Sa’Myah Smith showed the product of her hardworking offseason, as she finished with a double-double of 16 points and 12
Monday, October 30, 2023 Dunham school graduate. “I think we’ll ultimately be successful and win some games, built on those principles.” Another focus in the offseason was adding size and athleticism, players who can defend multiple positions in order for the defense to switch comfortably, something that was missing for an LSU team that allowed the second-highest shooting percentage in the SEC last year. More importantly, though, McMahon sought to build sustainability. Of the seven transfers the team added, four played high school basketball in Louisiana (with the other three from neighboring Texas). The hope is that the effort to add local products will help support continuing success. “There’s unbelievable pride
and passion in LSU. I think young players grow up here wanting to play at LSU and wanting to represent their home state. So to have those guys, it’s really important,” McMahon said. Though the starting lineup is unsettled, it’s clear that Cook, a Tulane transfer and Louisiana product, will be the engine of the offense after averaging 19.9 points per game last year for the Green Wave. The snag: Cook has yet to be cleared to play this season by the NCAA. As a two-time transfer who started his career at LSU, it’s unclear if he’ll be ruled eligible or have to sit out the year. LSU is preparing for life with and without Cook, as his absence changes the offensive scheme, based on the skills and prefer-
ences of the other ballhandlers in the room. Still, it’s clear that this team’s ceiling is highest with Cook. “Jalen’s a tremendous scorer. He brings a lot to our team. He’s someone that can really elevate our game and the team,” Baker said. Without Cook, Santa Clara transfer Stewart figures to run the offense. Baker’s post presence and perimeter shooting and Wright’s hustle and all-around skill, as well as their wealth of experience, also have seemingly earned them slots as starters. The transfers supplement a roster with five scholarship returners, up from three the year prior, including wings Mwani Wilkinson and Tyrell Ward, reserve guard Trae Hannibal and bigs Jalen Reed
and Derek Fountain. All are expected to play sizable roles. Unlike a year ago, LSU faces several challenges in the non-conference schedule, including matchups with Dayton, Kansas State, Texas and Syracuse. After that, the Tigers will begin matching up with SEC opponents on Jan. 6. LSU is predicted to finish No. 13 out of 14 SEC teams. After a season in which the offense was hard to come by and the defense was undisciplined, there are plenty of doubters and problems to address. The team has begun, however, with the little things, making improvements day by day, which is what it takes to rebuild a program. “It’s important to see every day as an opportunity,” Baker said. “A big thing for us is just stacking days. Every day we try to get better.”
rebounds. In the second half, she scored 14 of her 16 points. If Mulkey was looking for who could shine early on out of the group of new faces, she might have found some clarity. Mikaylah Williams is a freshman that could start from game one, and she showed why she could in this exhibition. The No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2023 finished the game with 10 points and eight rebounds. “I think Mikaylah [Williams] will quickly tell you that she’s had to go harder every day for a long
time than she’s ever had to in her life because she’s always been the dominant player,” Mulkey said. “But she’s a good player, she has the body to bang with you.” Hailey Van Lith facilitated well at point guard, a role she expects to fill from the start of the regular season. She scored nine points along with two rebounds. In addition, Aneesah Morrow showed her paint presence, and she could be a starter right away as well based on her double-double average season at DePaul last year. She finished with 10 points
and nine rebounds on the night. Morrow had eight of her nine rebounds in the first quarter alone. “A big focus for me tonight was defensively,” Morrow said. “That’s one of the biggest goals for me this season. So, I’d say that was my why tonight.” Aalyah Del Rosario used her height to her advantage, adding five points and five rebounds, and Janae Kent added 10 points, three rebounds and two assists. Jayla Hall led East Texas Baptist with five points and two rebounds.
The competition wasn’t what it would be in the regular season on Thursday night; LSU’s defense forced 39 turnovers. However, it was a good opportunity to see Mulkey’s returners get back into the swing of things and to see what her newcomers can provide early on. The Tigers will be back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 1, in another exhibition game against Loyola University of New Orleans. That matchup will tip-off at 7 p.m. C.T. from the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
OPINION
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Republican censorship plans are foolproof, Democrats helpless SERIOUSLY KIDDING FRANK KIDD
@FK446852315 Editor’s note: The following column is satire. A few weeks ago, the bookbanning push reached a new level when Sen. John Kennedy recited sections from LGBTQ+ young adult books, including “All Boys Aren’t Blue” and “Gender Queer.” The reading occurred during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Book Bans: Examining How Censorship Limits Liberty and Literature,” which addressed the issue of what books should be publicly available to students. Both sides understand this tactic to be extremely effective, which is reflected by a leaked internal memo from an unnamed Democratic senator. It reads, “They’ve found our weak spot. The best way to get these books banned is clearly to be reading the most explicit parts of them out loud. I’ve been told
that some of you think that all this does is create hilarious videos of a homophobic redneck reading the most explicitly gay scenes ever put to paper, but you’re wrong. This will certainly serve to do more than make the authors of these books write even more explicit scenes to get the popularity boost that comes from being read on the Senate floor.” The letter continues, “It might be over for us; we may be exposed in the near future. Soon, Republicans will fully expose our plot to turn all children transgender in service of our leader Satan. If your constituents ask why you support these books in schools, don’t reveal our end goal of forcible gender reassignment surgeries at birth and every day following for the remainder of natural life.” Some Democrats, however, aren’t taking the threat seriously. They believe that the readings are funny to people who know the details of the situation and aren’t fooled by what they see as a ridiculous tactic that will only work on the most pearl-clutching parents in
the country. Other leaked material from Democrats’ internal communications suggests that some are considering sending Republicans letters from fictional aggrieved parents. One letter reads, “Hello, my name Mary-Beth Reba Dixon and I work as a librarian in Gaysleave, Georgia. I’m writing to you because liberals are complaining that the books in our library aren’t gay enough. Activists have been replacing books with versions of them that include homoerotic scenes. My husband is reporting on the story now for his blog, ‘Make Books Straight Again.’ I found a copy of ‘The Gay Gatsby’ under some towels while I was cleaning our cabinets, and I became more disgusted with every turn of those sticky pages. Do something now.” Republicans in Kinbreed, Kentucky, have just passed a city ordinance that replaced any LGBTQ+ books, TV shows and films in the school library or the curriculum of some classes with straight versions of them. “This Book is Not Gay” has re-
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placed the Juno Dawson-authored original “This Book is Gay.” “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” has been replaced by “Straighter Eye for the Straight Guy,” a show about straight guys who’s wardrobes have gone over their monthly bright color allotment and lost masculinity points for it. Other straight men come in and help them dress more like they repress their emotional issues by distracting themselves with football. “Dog Day Afternoon,” the movie featuring Al Pacino’s character
robbing a bank to pay for his partner’s gender confirmation surgery, has been edited so that, instead, his character is paying for a breast augmentation surgery. Republicans have masterminded a foolproof plan that will make society 100% straight and cisgender as early as 2030 by some estimates. Democrats should be concerned about this impending reality. Frank Kidd is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Springfield, Virginia.
The uber-commercialized American sports market has no soul NATE’S TAKES NATHANIEL DELA PEÑA @NateDerDoner When you sit on the couch to watch your favorite team, there’s one thing you should notice about the experience. It’s not the new helmets, hats or possibly the new turf. No, it’s the ratio of commercial time to actual game time. It’s no fluke. According to FiveThirtyEight and its UT Austin sports analytics course, the average NFL broadcast lasts three hours and 23 minutes but also includes 50 minutes of commercial airtime. For the MLB, it’s no different. The average MLB postseason game lasts three hours and 45 minutes but only shows around 23 minutes of actual game time (this does not include commentary and game stoppages). If you’re in one of the rare groups of people who actually enjoy learning about the official tire sponsor of the NFL, kudos to you. The league is really doing wonders in that department. But if you’re an average fan, like me, I’m guessing you feel
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that every sports league nowadays traded away its soul for an extra buck. I just want watching sports to be a fun task in and of itself. I want to live in a world where teams actually see the fans as supporters and not suckers who’ll give the shirts off their backs for a single ticket to a game. But it’ll never be fun by itself, because sports today revolve around money. Not only are team owners trying to maximize prof-
its from fans, but there’s also the invasion of sports betting companies profiting from fans, further ruining the love of the game. Sports have become a life and death situation for some, as many sports bettors suffer from gambling addictions. This is worsened by the fact that there remains little government oversight to ensure the budding industry follows the rules. Even our own university, LSU, toyed with the idea of sports betting,
partnering with Caesar’s Sportsbook to advertise betting across campus starting in 2021, until that agreement was terminated earlier this year. Players often feel the same way about money. Full disclosure, I side with players and their struggle for fair compensation. I understand the risks and intense training regimen involved with playing a sport like football. They deserve security in life as much as any other worker. But it’s concerning for some athletes to say that money, not winning titles and performing their best on the field, court or pitch, matters most to them. De’Aaron Fox, starting NBA point guard for the Sacramento Kings, sided with the players who believe the business side of sports matters the most. On X (Twitter), Fox posted, “Lol everybody wants to win but at the same time y’all know sports are jobs right?” Fox has a point, but like with all jobs, productivity is a necessary part. Sports is different from other careers, because you can’t work for eight hours a day and expect fair compensation for it. Being an athlete requires not
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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.
only dedication but also production. In baseball, you need to hit and not whiff the ball. In football, you need to throw completions and gain yardage. That is why athletes are given multi-million dollar contracts. Winning games and being the best version of themselves during games is what athletes should focus on. Financial rewards will follow if they keep that mentality. Everyone seems to be chasing after that bag while fans are left in the dark. That shouldn’t be the case. Fans should be able to afford to watch their favorite team play at the highest level it can; players should get paid a fair wage for a fair day’s work; and owners should be able to profit from their teams. With the commercialization of American sports, there’s a lack of vision and soul in sports today. It doesn’t spark as much inspiration as it did back in childhood. Raw human emotion should be the bedrock of sports, not analytics and greed. Nathaniel Dela Peña is a 20-year-old political science and history senior from Alexandria.
Quote of the Week “Unless you are breaking stuff, you are not moving fast enough.”
Mark Zuckerberg American entrepreneur 1984 — present
Monday, October 30, 2023
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Ronald Turpin has a right to defend himself against aggressor SERIOUSLY KIDDING FRANK KIDD
@FK446852315 Editor’s note: The following column is satire. Local homeowner Ronald Turpin was surprised to learn that his neighbor Chester Patterson isn’t very fond of him after Patterson struck his neighbor without provocation. Patterson was arrested and released on bail. Turpin was asked to comment on the situation and said, “I really don’t know why he’s so upset with me. I’ve been nothing but kind to him. I’ve been an exemplary neighbor this whole time. I don’t know what I could’ve done differently.” Patterson has a much different version of the story: “He walked into my house one day while I was showering, and he kicked me out of my bathroom then started destroying the rest of my house and taking things. Then he started beating me with a crowbar. The next day, he came back and told me that I had to move into my basement, cut off my electricity and then released toxic gas that sent me to the hospital for three weeks,” he said. It should be noted that the crowbar attack only broke three ribs and could’ve been much worse. Patterson also derided the me-
dia’s coverage of the issue, saying, “This guy has been terrorizing me for years, making me a secondclass homeowner in my own residence, and the media only covers it when I try to take back the rooms of my house. Every time he comes in, beats me and takes a room, they’re silent.” In fairness to the media, this publication included, it should be noted that Patterson, at some level, would deserve this alleged mistreatment, because he has the nerve to live in what he calls “his own house.” As for his claim about toxic gas being used in the house, Turpin responded by saying that he was simply doing his neighbor a favor by conducting a surprise fumigation of the house, a deed any neighbor would appreciate. The Greenview Homeowners Association has harshly condemned Patterson for his unprovoked violence, releasing a statement that reads, “We unequivocally support Turpin’s right to defend himself. We believe a bombing of Turpin’s land, which Patterson is unfairly occupying, as well as any nearby houses with owners that have ever supported him, even for a moment, is warranted.” The idea that the Greenview HOA is somehow being unfair to Patterson is unfounded. While it’s true that the association has supported Turpin’s occupation of the property, they’ve also given Pat-
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terson multiple suggestions that he move out of his house. Any claims of bias on the part of the media or the homeowners association are purely based on Anti-Turpinism. Turpin expressed his regret that he would be forced to decimate the property. “It’s such a shame that I’m going to have to wipe that house off the face of the earth and build my own there. I’m so sad that he’s now forced me to react this way. You may not believe this, but I’d drafted a treaty that would give him his
rights back. I was going to present him with it the next day. When I picked a baseball bat as my weapon of choice and went over to his house for the daily beating, I fully expected it to be my last one. But then, while I was in the middle of beating him, he punched me for no reason; I couldn’t believe it,” he said. Patterson appeared in front of the HOA to express his discontent with what he described as “living under an apartheid state subject to the whims of a tyrant hellbent on
my destruction.” They responded by calling him a terrorist, promising to increase the number of drones surveilling his house and periodically shooting rockets. Now is the time to support Turpin against this unprecedented attack. The only moral stance is to support the full destruction of the property and the expulsion of the terrorist occupation. Frank Kidd is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Springfield, Virginia.
Caitlin Covington, Christian girl autumn are what fall is about GARRETT’S GAVEL GARRETT MCENTEE
@9are_bear It’s the most amazing time of year—chai drinks and foliage changing to burnt orange and crimson. The heat of summer forgotten and the true chill of winter still unknown. It’s fall! It’s not an understatement to say that every (sane) person adores the harvest season. It’s stunning, and the best thing about it, you may ask? Christian girl autumn. This fall phenomenon is a global sensation; however, if you find yourself blanking on what Christian girl autumn is, allow me to enlighten you. Close your eyes and whisper these words aloud, let them create an image or (for lack of a better word) vibe: thigh high boots, pumpkin spice latte (hot), flannel, blonde balayage, lots of beige, hiding a face behind a big leaf. If done correctly, you should have the perfect image of Christian girl autumn; however, if that exercise wasn’t sufficient, get out your phone and look up Caitlin Covington. She is Christian girl autumn. Covington is an influencer, blogger and—most impressive of all—mother of two who specializes in the Christian girl autumn
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aesthetic. Covington was pushed into the public eye after X (Twitter) user Blizzy McGuire coined the term “Christian girl autumn” in lieu of Megan Thee Stallion’s “hot girl summer.” McGuire posted on X Aug. 9, saying, “Hot Girl Summer is coming to an end, get ready for Christian Girl Autumn.” The attached photo was of Covington and a friend. Covington in a stunning ensemble of denim and linen with a green scarf, while the latter garbed herself in autumnal vestments of flannel and eggshell.
Overnight, Covington was thrust into the limelight. People flocked to her Instagram (@ cmcoving) to feast their eyes upon the fall divinity she does so easily. Covington’s photos were joked about to oblivion, but something was stirring. A fanbase was growing. Covington didn’t squander the opportunity. All eyes were on her. She took the jokes and pointing fingers and turned them into adoring fans. Covington rolled with the fall harvest aesthetic she was presented with, producing more
of the content the internet, nay, the world was craving so desperately. Along Covington’s journey, a rumor had begun, that the darling autumn starlet was actually a homophobic white devil. These accusations, while baseless and evil, did have a profound effect on her image. But Covington refused to let the haters damage her empire. “That’s not me at all,” Covington said in an interview with Buzzfeed. “I’m a nice person, and I love everyone, and I’m accepting of everyone.”
Later on, unprompted, mind you, Covington saw that the individual who had helped invent her brand, McGuire, was transitioning and swiftly retweeted McGuire’s post asking for money (being trans can be extremely costly). She also started a GoFundMe for her dear friend and personally donated to the endeavor. Covington is also a bit of a science girl. She takes her fall photos very seriously, shooting them in the beautiful state of Vermont. As fall comes around, Covington looks at foliage reports to ensure maximum autumn energy. You have to appreciate that kind of dedication. It can’t be ignored that the fanbase she built may dwindle in the summer and spring, but the second Starbucks re-releases its famous pumpkin spice latte (which Covington believes is best enjoyed hot), her dedicated fanbase returns in full force. This is all to say, Caitlin Covington is the ideal influencer. She stays in her niche. She’s wholesome, she’s loving, she’s mother. If you find yourself hankering for some more Covington after reading this, I can’t recommend enough that you visit her Instagram, where she has recently dropped some new fall photos. Garrett McEntee is an 18-yearold English freshman from Benton.