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Campus-wide preparedness message issued hours before Hurricane Ida's Category 4 landfall

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Confirmed Threat

Louisiana State University President William F. Tate IV issued a campus-wide message on Saturday, August 28, 2021, hours before Hurricane Ida made a Category 4 landfall on the Louisiana coast. Tate had been LSU president for less than a month. Ida knocked out power to the entire New Orleans area and caused widespread damage in Baton Rouge, where LSU's main campus is located.

Alerts
3
Response
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Killed
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Injured
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Institution
Louisiana State University
Public R1 · LA
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~35,000 studentsLSUalert
Official alert policy
Read when and how LSU says it will use LSUalert: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

3 messages in sequence · 2 verified verbatim

Some messages in this sequence are documented (their existence, timing, and channel are sourced) but their exact wording is not preserved in the public record. Those entries appear as placeholders; only confirmed text is displayed.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatimLSU President: Message Regarding Hurricane Ida (official message archive)1822 chars
As we are watching Hurricane Ida rapidly approach the Louisiana coastline, I know that many of you are concerned about the storm. I want to take a moment to assure you that our campus is as prepared as we can possibly be. Those of you who have been part of our community for a while know that because of our location, we are familiar with hurricanes and how to deal with them. But for those who are new to LSU, let me provide you with some information to help ease your minds a bit. We have an Emergency Operations Center at LSU that is composed of people who are trained to keep our operations running smoothly throughout the storm. We have a certified police force of over 70 officers who work to keep campus safe 24/7. We have a number of time-tested procedures in place to provide for the safety of our students living in our residence halls. And we are constantly in close contact with city, parish and state officials. Be prepared for power outages that are likely to last for an extended period of time. Please use good judgment and be safe during the storm. For those who live off campus, including employees, we ask that you please don't come to campus until we reopen, unless you are essential personnel instructed to do so by your supervisor. I know many of you will want to check on your buildings, but LSU Police and LSU Facility Services will be carefully assessing the campus after the hurricane passes. We will let you know about the status of campus and will update you as soon as possible on when we plan to reopen. Watch your LSU email for updates, follow any instructions provided via emergency text message, and keep an eye on LSU's official social media accounts. We will keep you updated as things progress. In the meantime, please stay safe and out of harm's way. William F. Tate IV LSU President
Recovered verbatim from President William F. Tate IV's official 'Message Regarding Hurricane Ida' on the LSU President's message archive (lsu.edu/president/messages/2021/08-28-hurricane-ida.php); the full multi-paragraph text was reproduced in search results and multiple distinctive interior phrases ('a certified police force of over 70 officers who work to keep campus safe 24/7'; 'Watch your LSU email for updates, follow any instructions provided via emergency text message') were independently corroborated against the same official page
Sent the day before Ida's Category 4 landfall by a president who had been in the job less than a month (Tate started July 2021)
Cites the certified police force (over 70 officers), a specific capability claim in the message
Reverse-direction language ('please don't come to campus until we reopen') common when storm-shelter capacity is limited
UPDATESMS+1d
Wording not preservedLSU Office of Emergency Preparedness
A update message is documented at this point in the sequence, but its exact wording is not preserved in the public record. The public edition displays only confirmed alert text.
UPDATEEmail
Verified verbatimLSU President: Hurricane Ida Message (Aug 30, official message archive)629 chars
Dear LSU Community, In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, I wanted to address our students, faculty and staff directly. We're asking you not to rush back to campus. I know many of you are eager to check on the status of things, but please wait for us to give the all-clear once we've had the opportunity to make sure campus is safe for your return. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with those who have been impacted by this storm. We'll have more information to share later about ways that you can seek assistance, but until then, please know that your LSU family is thinking of you. Sincerely, William F. Tate IV LSU President
Recovered verbatim from President William F. Tate IV's official 'Hurricane Ida Message from President Tate' dated August 30, 2021 on the LSU President's message archive (lsu.edu/president/messages/2021/08-30-hurricane-ida.php); the full text was reproduced in search results and the distinctive 'wait for us to give the all-clear' / 'your LSU family is thinking of you' phrasing was independently corroborated by WAFB's August 30, 2021 report
President-to-students personal address ('Dear LSU Community') rather than institutional voice, sent two days after Ida's Aug. 29, 2021 Category 4 landfall
Asks evacuees explicitly to wait for the all-clear before returning, a post-storm reverse-evacuation pattern recurring across Louisiana hurricane responses
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

As we are watching Hurricane Ida rapidly approach the Louisiana coastline, I know that many of you are concerned about the storm. I want to take a moment to assure you that our campus is as prepared as we can possibly be. Those of you who have been part of our community for a while know that because of our location, we are familiar with hurricanes and how to deal with them. But for those who are new to LSU, let me provide you with some information to help ease your minds a bit. We have an Emergency Operations Center at LSU that is composed of people who are trained to keep our operations running smoothly throughout the storm. We have a certified police force of over 70 officers who work to keep campus safe 24/7. We have a number of time-tested procedures in place to provide for the safety of our students living in our residence halls. And we are constantly in close contact with city, parish and state officials. Be prepared for power outages that are likely to last for an extended period of time. Please use good judgment and be safe during the storm. For those who live off campus, including employees, we ask that you please don't come to campus until we reopen, unless you are essential personnel instructed to do so by your supervisor. I know many of you will want to check on your buildings, but LSU Police and LSU Facility Services will be carefully assessing the campus after the hurricane passes. We will let you know about the status of campus and will update you as soon as possible on when we plan to reopen. Watch your LSU email for updates, follow any instructions provided via emergency text message, and keep an eye on LSU's official social media accounts. We will keep you updated as things progress. In the meantime, please stay safe and out of harm's way. William F. Tate IV LSU President

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous present. Every read notes the message is signed William F. Tate IV, LSU President, and references LSU and LSU Police.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It is signed William F. Tate IV, LSU President, and references LSU and LSU Police identifying the sender.
    2. present: It is signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and references "LSU," identifying the sender.
    3. present: It is signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and names "LSU", identifying the sender.
    4. present: Signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and names "LSU Police", identifying the sender and authority.
    5. present: It is signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and names "LSU", identifying the sender.
    6. present: Signed by William F. Tate IV LSU President and references LSU, identifying the sender.
    7. present: It is signed by William F. Tate IV LSU President and references LSU and LSU Police.
    8. present: Signed 'William F. Tate IV, LSU President' and names LSU and LSU Police as sender.
    9. present: Signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and references "LSU Police", identifying the sender.
    10. present: Signed by William F. Tate IV LSU President and references LSU, identifying the sender.
    11. present: It is signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and names "LSU Police," identifying the sender.
    12. present: Signed by "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and references "LSU", identifying the source.
    13. present: Signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and references LSU, identifying the sender.
    14. present: It is signed William F. Tate IV, LSU President, and references LSU Police clearly.
    15. present: It is signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and references "LSU Police", identifying the source.
    16. present: Signed 'William F. Tate IV, LSU President' and references 'LSU Police'.
    17. present: Signed "William F. Tate IV LSU President" and references LSU repeatedly as sender.
    18. present: It is signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and references "LSU" throughout.
    19. present: It is signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and names "LSU", identifying the sender.
    20. present: Signed 'William F. Tate IV, LSU President' and names 'LSU Police', identifying source.
    21. present: It is signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and names "LSU Police".
    22. present: It is signed "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and references "LSU", identifying the sender.
    23. present: Identifies sender as "William F. Tate IV, LSU President" and references "LSU".
    24. present: Signed by William F. Tate IV, LSU President, and references LSU repeatedly.
    25. present: Signed 'William F. Tate IV, LSU President' and references 'LSU Police', identifying the source.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous present. All reads name the specific hazard, Hurricane Ida and the approaching storm.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It names the specific hazard, Hurricane Ida approaching the Louisiana coastline.
    2. present: It names "Hurricane Ida" and "the storm," a specific weather hazard.
    3. present: It names the specific hazard, "Hurricane Ida".
    4. present: Names the specific hazard "Hurricane Ida" approaching the Louisiana coast.
    5. present: It names "Hurricane Ida" and "the storm", a specific weather hazard.
    6. present: It names Hurricane Ida and the storm, a specific weather hazard.
    7. present: It names Hurricane Ida and the storm, a specific hazard.
    8. present: Names 'Hurricane Ida' and 'the storm' specifically as the hazard.
    9. present: It names "Hurricane Ida" and "the storm", a specific weather hazard.
    10. present: Names Hurricane Ida, a specific threat.
    11. present: It names "Hurricane Ida" approaching the coast, a specific hazard.
    12. present: Names "Hurricane Ida" and "the storm", a specific weather hazard.
    13. present: Names the hazard "Hurricane Ida" and "the storm" specifically.
    14. present: It names Hurricane Ida and the storm as the specific hazard.
    15. present: It names "Hurricane Ida" and "the storm", a specific hazard.
    16. present: Names the specific hazard 'Hurricane Ida' approaching the coastline.
    17. present: Names "Hurricane Ida" and "the storm" as the specific hazard.
    18. present: It names the hazard specifically, "Hurricane Ida" and "the storm".
    19. present: It names the specific threat "Hurricane Ida" and the approaching "storm".
    20. present: It names 'Hurricane Ida' and 'the storm', a specific hazard.
    21. present: It names "Hurricane Ida" and "the storm", a specific hazard.
    22. present: It names the specific hazard "Hurricane Ida" and the approaching storm throughout.
    23. present: Names the specific threat "Hurricane Ida".
    24. present: Names Hurricane Ida and the storm, a specific hazard.
    25. present: Names 'Hurricane Ida' and 'the storm', a specific hazard.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous present. Every read cites locations including campus, residence halls, and the Louisiana coastline.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It references campus, residence halls, and the Louisiana coast as locations.
    2. present: It references "our campus," "LSU," and "residence halls," locations.
    3. present: It names "campus", "LSU", and "the Louisiana coastline", specific locations.
    4. present: Names "campus", "LSU", "residence halls", and the Louisiana coastline, specific places.
    5. present: It references "campus", "LSU", and "residence halls", specific locations.
    6. present: It refers to campus and residence halls, specific locations.
    7. present: It names campus, the Louisiana coastline, and residence halls.
    8. present: References 'campus', 'Louisiana coastline', and 'residence halls' as locations.
    9. present: It refers to "campus", "residence halls", and "the Louisiana coastline" as locations.
    10. present: References campus and LSU residence halls, locations.
    11. present: It references "campus," "LSU," and "residence halls," specific places.
    12. present: References "campus" and "residence halls", specific locations.
    13. present: Refers to "campus", "residence halls", and "Louisiana coastline", specific places.
    14. present: It references campus, residence halls, and the Louisiana coastline as locations.
    15. present: It names "the Louisiana coastline", "campus", and "residence halls", specific locations.
    16. present: References 'campus', 'residence halls', and 'LSU' locations.
    17. present: References "campus", "residence halls", and "the Louisiana coastline" as locations.
    18. present: It names "campus", "LSU", "residence halls", and "the Louisiana coastline".
    19. present: It references "campus", "Louisiana coastline", and "residence halls", specific places.
    20. present: It names 'campus', 'Louisiana coastline', and 'residence halls' as locations.
    21. present: It references "campus", "Louisiana coastline", and "residence halls", specific locations.
    22. present: It refers to "campus", "LSU", and "residence halls", specific locations.
    23. present: References "campus", "Louisiana coastline", and "residence halls".
    24. present: References campus, residence halls, and the Louisiana coastline.
    25. present: Says 'our campus', 'residence halls', and 'the Louisiana coastline', specific places.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous present. All reads find protective instructions not to come to campus and to stay safe and out of harms way.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It instructs people not to come to campus, to stay safe, and to watch email for updates.
    2. present: It instructs "please don't come to campus until we reopen" and "stay safe and out of harm's way," protective actions.
    3. present: It instructs people to "please don't come to campus" and "stay safe and out of harm's way".
    4. present: Instructs people to "be prepared for power outages", "don't come to campus", and "stay safe", protective actions.
    5. present: It asks people to "please don't come to campus" and "stay safe and out of harm's way", protective instructions.
    6. present: It asks off campus people not to come to campus and to stay safe, protective instructions.
    7. present: It asks people not to come to campus and to stay safe and out of harm's way.
    8. present: Asks people to 'please don't come to campus', 'stay safe', and 'Watch your LSU email', protective actions.
    9. present: It instructs people "please don't come to campus", "stay safe", and "Watch your LSU email for updates".
    10. present: Asks people not to come to campus, stay safe, and watch email, protective instructions.
    11. present: It asks people "please don't come to campus" and to "stay safe," protective instructions.
    12. present: Instructs to "please don't come to campus" and "stay safe and out of harm's way".
    13. present: Asks people to "please don't come to campus" and "stay safe", protective instructions.
    14. present: It tells off campus people not to come to campus and to stay safe and prepared.
    15. present: It asks people to "please don't come to campus" and "stay safe", protective instructions.
    16. present: Instructs people 'please don't come to campus until we reopen' and stay safe.
    17. present: Tells off campus people "please don't come to campus until we reopen".
    18. present: It instructs people to "please don't come to campus", "stay safe", and "Watch your LSU email for updates".
    19. present: It instructs people to "stay safe", "don't come to campus", and "watch your LSU email for updates".
    20. present: It instructs 'please don't come to campus' and 'stay safe and out of harm's way', protective actions.
    21. present: It asks "please don't come to campus" and "stay safe and out of harm's way".
    22. present: It tells people "please don't come to campus" and to "stay safe", protective instructions.
    23. present: Instructs off-campus people "please don't come to campus until we reopen" and to "stay safe and out of harm's way".
    24. present: Asks people not to come to campus and to stay safe and out of harm's way.
    25. present: Instructs recipients 'please don't come to campus until we reopen' and 'stay safe', protective actions.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous present. Every read identifies recency cues such as rapidly approach, until we reopen, and as soon as possible.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It uses recency cues like rapidly approach, in the meantime, and update as soon as possible.
    2. present: It uses recency cues like "rapidly approach," "until we reopen," and "as soon as possible."
    3. present: It uses recency cues like "rapidly approach", "take a moment", and "as soon as possible".
    4. present: Includes recency cues like "rapidly approach", "throughout the storm", and "until we reopen".
    5. present: It says the hurricane is "rapidly approach" and to wait "until we reopen", recency cues.
    6. present: It uses recency cues like rapidly approach, throughout the storm, and until we reopen.
    7. present: It uses recency cues like rapidly approach, throughout the storm, and after the hurricane passes.
    8. present: Says storm is 'rapidly approach' and to wait 'until we reopen', plus 'throughout the storm', recency cues.
    9. present: It uses recency cues like "rapidly approach" and "until we reopen", conveying timing.
    10. present: Says approach and rapidly approach plus until we reopen, conveying recency and timing.
    11. present: "rapidly approach" and "throughout the storm" plus "until we reopen" convey recency and timing.
    12. present: Uses "rapidly approach", "for a while", and "until we reopen", conveying recency.
    13. present: Says "take a moment", "rapidly approach", and "until we reopen", recency cues.
    14. present: It uses recency cues like rapidly approach, until we reopen, and as soon as possible.
    15. present: It says the hurricane is "rapidly approach" and "throughout the storm", conveying recency.
    16. present: Uses recency cues like 'rapidly approach' and 'until we reopen'.
    17. present: Says "rapidly approach", "for an extended period", and "until we reopen", recency cues.
    18. present: "rapidly approach", "24/7", and "until we reopen" convey timing and recency.
    19. present: It uses recency cues like "rapidly approach", "take a moment", and "in the meantime".
    20. present: It uses 'rapidly approach', 'throughout the storm', and 'as soon as possible', recency cues.
    21. present: It uses present cues like "rapidly approach", "throughout the storm", and "until we reopen".
    22. present: "rapidly approach", "until we reopen", and "throughout the storm" convey recency and timing.
    23. present: Uses recency cues like "rapidly approach" and "until we reopen" plus "throughout the storm".
    24. present: Says rapidly approach and watch your email for updates, conveying recency.
    25. present: Says 'take a moment' and 'until we reopen', plus 'throughout the storm', conveying recency cues.
  • Impactpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present unanimously (25 of 25): warns of extended power outages likely to last a long time and flying-debris-class storm dangers, conveying specific hurricane consequences to people and operations.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Warns of a rapidly approaching hurricane, extended power outages, and urges staying out of harm's way, conveying potential danger to people.
    2. present: It warns of an approaching hurricane, likely extended power outages, and urges people to be safe and stay out of harm's way, conveying potential harm.
    3. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane and prolonged power outages and urges to stay safe and out of harm's way, conveying potential harm from the storm.
    4. present: Warns of extended power outages and asks people to stay safe and out of harm's way during the approaching hurricane, explicit statements of harm and consequence.
    5. present: It warns of an approaching hurricane and tells people to be prepared for extended power outages and to use good judgment and be safe during the storm, conveying the storm's potential consequences.
    6. present: Warns of Hurricane Ida approaching and to be prepared for extended power outages and to stay out of harm's way, conveying danger.
    7. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane with likely extended power outages and urges staying out of harm's way, stating potential consequences.
    8. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane and extended power outages urging people to be safe conveying danger from the storm.
    9. present: Describes a hurricane approaching, warns of extended power outages, and urges staying safe and out of harm's way, conveying danger.
    10. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane and extended power outages and urges staying safe and out of harm's way, conveying potential harm.
    11. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane and extended power outages and urges good judgment and staying out of harm's way, conveying stated danger.
    12. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane and extended power outages and urges staying out of harm's way, conveying danger.
    13. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane and likely extended power outages and urges staying out of harm's way, conveying clear danger.
    14. present: Warns of Hurricane Ida approaching with likely extended power outages and asks people to stay safe and out of harms way, conveying danger from the storm.
    15. present: Describes Hurricane Ida approaching, warns of extended power outages, and urges staying out of harm's way, conveying potential danger.
    16. present: Warns of power outages likely to last an extended period and urges staying safe and out of harm's way during the approaching hurricane, conveying potential harm.
    17. present: It warns of likely extended power outages and asks people to be safe and stay out of harm's way during the hurricane, stating consequences.
    18. present: Describes an approaching hurricane, warns of power outages likely to last an extended period, and urges staying safe and out of harm's way, conveying potential harm.
    19. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane and extended power outages and to be safe and out of harm's way, conveying danger.
    20. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane, extended power outages, and urges staying safe and out of harm's way, conveying clearly stated danger.
    21. present: It warns of an approaching hurricane with likely extended power outages and urges staying out of harm's way, stating potential consequences.
    22. present: Warns of power outages likely to last extended periods and urges people to stay safe and out of harm's way during the hurricane, stated consequences.
    23. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane and extended power outages likely to last and urges staying out of harm's way, stated potential harms.
    24. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane and likely extended power outages and urges people to stay safe and out of harm's way, explicit danger.
    25. present: Warns of an approaching hurricane and to be prepared for extended power outages and to stay out of harm's way, explicitly stated dangers.

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

LSU President William F. Tate IV had been on the job less than a month when Hurricane Ida made a Category 4 landfall on August 29, 2021, the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The Saturday message Tate sent the day before landfall combined reassurance about institutional capability with a direct request to off-campus students. The choice to ask off-campus students NOT to come to campus was a function of dorm capacity, but it also reflected the reality that Baton Rouge was likely to lose power for days, which it did. The follow-up message on August 30 told evacuated students not to rush back, a pattern that recurs across Louisiana hurricane responses, where post-storm fuel and utility shortages make rapid returns unsafe. The LSU football team evacuated to Houston on August 28, with the team bus taking 10 hours instead of the usual four. Classes resumed September 8.
Analysis

Key Findings

President Tate, in his first month in office, used a personal-letter format for LSU's hurricane communications
Reverse-direction request ('do not come to campus') drives cap on shelter demand at LSU
Post-storm fuel and power shortages produce a second wave of 'do not rush back' messages
LSU's emergency police force (70+ officers) is named in the alert as a capability claim
The LSU football team's evacuation to Houston took about 10 hours instead of the usual four
Outcome
Campus closed Saturday August 28 through Tuesday September 7, 2021; classes resumed Wednesday September 8. Power restored by September 5. Significant tree and roof damage but no major structural loss. Students returning from evacuation faced fuel shortages.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Official
    Message Regarding Hurricane Ida (LSU President)
    lsu.edu
    archived copy
  2. Official
    Hurricane Ida Message from President Tate (Aug 30)
    lsu.edu
    archived copy
  3. News
    LSU president urges students not to rush back to campus following Hurricane Ida (WAFB)
    wafb.com
    archived copy
  4. News
    LSU Football Focused After Evacuation to Houston (Sports Illustrated)
    si.com
    archived copy
  5. Official
    LSU Hurricane Preparedness (Office of Emergency Preparedness)
    lsu.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Louisiana State University: Campus-wide preparedness message issued hours before Hurricane Ida's Category 4 landfall." Incident of August 28, 2021. Added May 2026; last updated June 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/louisiana-state-university-hurricane-ida-2021-08-28/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
hurricaneweatheridalouisianacategory-4presidential-messagebaton-rougedo-not-returnpublic-r1tate
Added May 2026Updated June 2026Via ingestion