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T u e s d ay, F e b r u a ry 4, 2025
Super Bowl helping draw attention to Leeville
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Trump pauses tariffs
Mexico, Canada agree to boost border security efforts BY JOSH BOAK, ROB GILLIES and FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday agreed to a 30-day pause on his tariff threats against Mexico and Canada as America’s two largest trading partners took steps to appease his concerns about border security and drug trafficking. The pauses provide a cool-down period after a tumultuous few days that put North America on the cusp of a trade war that risked crushing economic growth, causing prices to soar and ending two of the United States’ most critical partnerships. “I am very pleased with this initial outcome, and the Tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for a 30 day period to see whether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured,”
ä See TARIFFS, page 6A
PHOTOS BY BRAD WEIMER
Workers and volunteers unload oyster shells to build a reef near the Theogene B. Melancon Boat Launch on Monday in Leeville. During phase one of the reef building, 59 tons of oyster shells from restaurants were used to begin the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and ‘NFL Green’ installation.
Disappearing town at forefront of coastal land loss crisis BY JOSIE ABUGOV
world. In 2021, Ida destroyed what was left of the small fishing village. Today, around As Phyllis Melancon drives three people live in Leeville. The problem has long been down La. 1 toward the Gulf of Mexico, her husband Timmy a priority for the state, and points to where lost landmarks now the NFL is lending a hand used to be: a bait shop, a cha- ahead of next weekend’s Super Bowl. On Monday, a group of pel, their family home. special operaFor the coutions veterans ple in their late LA. MISS. 55 left the bus60s, married Baton Rouge 59 when they were tling pre-Super 12 Covington 14 and 15, each Bowl streets of site evokes New Orleans 10 New Orleans stories of famfor the quieter landscape ily members 90 of Leeville, and old friends 1 where water in the town of Grand laps against the Leeville, which Isle Leeville highway. has lost nearly After the all its land and Gulf of Mexico Staff map two-hour drive people over redown La. 1, cent decades. ex-Navy Seals, “Since the last storm, there’s no more gas restaurant workers, Chalmette stations, no more restaurants,” High School students and other Phyllis Melancon said of 2021’s volunteers installed an oyster reef and planted marsh grassHurricane Ida. “It’s just a road,” Timmy es as part of an initiative inMelancon said. “That’s it.” volving the nonprofit Coalition Leeville is at the forefront to Restore Coastal Louisiana, of Louisiana’s coastal land loss government agencies, global crisis, which has robbed the corporations and the NFL’s susstate of land the size of Dela- tainability program. The effort ware over the past century — ä See LEEVILLE, page 4A among the highest rates in the Staff writer
PROVIDED PHOTO
Sid Williams opened El Sid O’s Zydeco and Blues Club in Lafayette in 1984.
Zydeco dance hall legend Williams dies
BY JOANNA BROWN
Staff writer
Mel Sumer catches a plug of spartina grass at the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and ‘NFL Green’ oyster shell installation in Leeville.
When Sid Williams opened El Sid O’s Zydeco and Blues Club in Lafayette in 1984, he helped launch musicians — including members of his own family — who would go on to become some of the genre’s most innovative and successful ambassadors. After almost 40 years serving as a central figure in the area’s zydeco scene, Williams died Sunday at the age of 73. He was a native of St. Martinville,
ä See WILLIAMS, page 4A
New Orleans ready to host safe, fun Super Bowl, officials say BY MISSY WILKINSON
Staff writer
The teams have landed. The Vince Lombardi Trophy has been paraded around town. The Caesars Superdome is lit up and ready. And though New Orleans has been tested by both a terrorist attack and a historic snowfall in recent weeks, city leaders said Monday they are excited and ready to host a record-tying 11th Super Bowl. At the Super Bowl LIX kickoff news conference at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Saints owner Gayle Benson, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and a
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host of business and civic leaders said the city will provide a festive — and secure — experience in the lead up to the big game on Sunday. “The NFL was unshaken, standing with the city of New Orleans after Jan. 1,” Cantrell said. “They wanted to make sure the soul and spirit of New Orleans was unshaken as well.” “Let this be a real testament not only of our faith, but how we are stronger and united in ensuring that Super Bowl LIX will be the best ever,” she added. Events related to the game will take place across New Orleans over the next week. Some, like the Super Bowl
Experience at the Convention Center, are aimed at fans in New Orleans and from elsewhere descending on the city, while other parties and ceremonies will feature strict invite lists with Alist guest attendees. On Monday night, the first major event was set to take place in the Superdome, which was prepped to host some 30,000 fans and hundreds of members of the national and international press for Monday’s Opening Night. “All the stretching has been done. All
ä See SAFE, page 4A
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Mayor LaToya Cantrell speaks Monday as New Orleans kicks off Super Bowl week. STAFF PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE
100TH YEAR, NO. 219