The Times-Picayune 08-14-2025

footingafter early struggles

at the KennedyCenter on Wednesday.

Trump warns Putin aheadof summit

Presidentthreatens ‘severeconsequences’ if warisn’t stopped

BY GEIR MOULSON and SYLVIE CORBET Associated Press

BERLIN President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that there will be “very severe consequences” if Russian President Vladimir Putindoesnot agreetostopthe war against Ukraine afterthe two leaders meet for asummit later this week in Alaska.

Trump made the comment in response to aquestion from areporter after announcing this year’s Kennedy Center Honors recipients in Washington. He did notsay what the consequences mightbe.

The remark came soon after Trump consulted with European leaders, who said the presidentassured them he would make apriority of trying to achieve aceasefire in Ukraine when he speaks with Putin on Friday in Anchorage.

Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy joined several of Kyiv’s main allies in the virtualmeeting with theU.S.leader, andZelenskyy told the group that Putin “is bluffing” ahead of the plannedsummit about Russia’sability to occupy all of Ukraineand shake off sanctions.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said afterward that “important decisions” could be made in Alaska, but he stressed that“fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be protected.” Merz convened Wednesday’s meeting in an attempt to make sure European and Ukrainian leadersare heard ahead of the summit He stressed that aceasefire

ä See SUMMIT, page 6A

TRASH TALKING

French Quartersanitationdispute hasbecome aproxy battle forNew Orleansmayor’s race

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

In New Orleans, sanitation contractsare among the most lucrativedeals awarded by city government

Now,a war over one of those deals has spawned aproxy fight in theelectiontoreplace Mayor LaToya Cantrell, spurring accusations of political patronage andraising questionsabout the future of mayoralpower in the city

The deal in question —a$73 million, multiyear French QuartersanitationcontractCantrell inked last summer withlocal firm Henry Consulting —lies at theheart of abrouhaha that has simmered in New Orleans for months. Cantrell’sfoes on the City Council, including one candidate gunning to replace her, joinedwith acompeting contractor and French Quarter business owners in atooth-and-nail fight to kill thedeal.

They’ve at turns slammed the resume of Troy Henry, Henry Consulting’sowner;questioned the contract’snegotiating process; and assailed Cantrell for saddling the citywith a

yearslong deal near theend of her term—afamiliar refrain in New Orleans, where incoming mayorsoften bemoan predecessors’ late-termdecisions.

Cantrell has met the assault head-on, suing the council for refusing to sign the contract. She has accused the panel of improperly bucking herauthority, escalating ayearslongstruggle over thelimits of mayoral power —a tussle fueled by Cantrell’s cratering approval rating and a council that grew emboldened during her second term.

Alliances between the contractors andtwo of thosecandidateshavedrawn fault lines in therace, too: Henry is acousin andbackerofcouncil member Oliver Thomas, one of the mayoral candidates. Sidney Torres IV,whose firm is cleaning the French QuarterbeforeHenry’s contract kicks in, has sided with City Council Vice President Moreno in thebattle to kill Henry’scontract and has donated to Moreno’sown mayoral campaign.

The dispute has marked an earlysource of conflictinthe

‘Theycould be pretty much anywhere’

Inside thesearchto find twobrotherswho went missing in a custodybattle

BY MEGAN WYATT Staff writer

Chase Desormeaux feared the worstafter he stopped hearing from his two sons.

Cohen, 7, andColton, 5, missed the first day of school, Christmas andtheir birthdays.

After they did not show up for aroutine custody drop-off, alerts went out last December across Louisiana askingpeople to be on the lookout for the boys. The U.S. Marshals Service joined the search, while the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office also tried to track them down.

As Desormeauxcontinued searching for hissons, theirfaces

flashed on national news screens Investigators had not been able to determine their specificlocation, saying the boys could be as near as still in LouisianaorTexas,oras faraway as California, Michigan, Illinois or Pennsylvania.

“Theycould be pretty much anywhere,” said ahost of “On Patrol: Live” on theReelz network, which featured their caseinMarch and told viewers theywerewiththeir

See SEARCH, page 6A

Vote set on power forMeta facility

BY JOSIEABUGOV Staff writer

Acontroversial plantopower Meta’slargest artificialintelligence data center anywhere in the world, to be built in rural northeast Louisiana, will head for avote by state regulators next week, far ahead of initially planned.

The fast-tracked approval by thePublic Service Commissionis drawing concern from advocates who say average ratepayers and otherindustrialcompaniesare being put at risk of covering electricity costs for the giant facility, equivalent to the size of around 70 football fields.

Entergy andsupporters of the plan say enough safeguards are in place and that thereisnoreason to further delay a project that could be transformational forthe impoverished region.

“Whether it sets a precedent or not, and it most certainly will, thecostswill show up on people’sbills across the state.”

LOGAN BURKE, executivedirector of theAlliance for Affordable Energy

Entergy,which is proposing to build three gasfired plants to power the data center,requested that the commission take up the issue twomonths before the regulators were initially expected to vote. The vote at theAug. 20 meetingwill also occur before ajudge whooversaw arecent hearing into the proposal will be able to release herrecommendations.

“I really want folks across the state to understand that this decision is not just about one of the world’slargest data centers in northLouisiana,” said Logan Burke, the executive director of the Alliancefor Affordable Energy consumeradvocacy group. “Whether it sets aprecedent or not, and it most certainlywill, the costs will show up on people’sbills across the state.”

Acoalition of the largest oil, gas andpetrochemical companiesoperating in Louisiana have similarly arguedthatthe request poseshuge risks for them. Around 30 companies are part of the coalition, including Exxon, Shell andDow, under the banner of the Louisiana

ä See META, page 6A

Florida approves first bear hunt in a decade

ORLANDO Fla. Florida’s wildlife commissioners set aside pleas and arguments from black bear advocates Wednesday and approved a December hunt of the state’s shy but increasingly troublesome species.

The board’s 5-0 vote — with two commissioners absent followed more than two hours of rancorous public comment with hunters and wildlife defenders trading barbs and disagreeing about how much science the state used to craft rules for Florida’s first bear hunt in a decade, with more to follow annually

“Hunting is the tool most commonly used to manage bear populations,” said George Warthen, the state’s conservation chief, at the meeting in Havana, Florida. Opponents countered by pointing out the state Fish & Wildlife agency had not yet finished an update of an “abundance” survey of its largest land mammal, previously listed as a threatened species because its known numbers dwindled to less than 500 in the 1970s. They also argued the commission was considering “cruel rules” to allow the use of bowand-arrows and tracking dogs.

State experts estimate about 4,000 Florida black bears now roam the peninsula.

Hunters also got the OK to kill bears over a bait or feed station

Armed robbers take

$700,000 in truck heist

PHILADELPHIA Police are investigating whether the armed robbery of a Brinks truck on Tuesday outside a Philadelphia-area store is related to four other attacks on armored vehicles in and around the city this summer

Two armed males got away with between $700,000 and $800,000 in the midday Tuesday heist at an H Mart in Elkins Park, according to Cheltenham Township police. The robbers fled with the cash and later abandoned their vehicle nearby, police said. No shots were fired, and no one was injured.

Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that three people from Philadelphia who were arrested in early August are charged in connection with the $2 million armed robbery of a Brinks armored vehicle outside a Home Depot on June 21.

A Loomis armored transport vehicle was held up outside an Aldi in a different neighborhood

five days later Then on July 2, a Brinks truck was held up outside a Dollar General at a shopping center And on July 15, police had a report of two suspects robbing one of the armored vehicles in northeast Philadelphia.

‘Frankenstein bunnies’ found in Colorado

DENVER A group of rabbits in Colorado with grotesque, hornlike growths may seem straight out of a low-budget horror film, but scientists say there’s no reason to be spooked the furry creatures merely have a relatively common virus

The cottontails are infected with the mostly harmless Shope papillomavirus, which causes wart-like growths that protrude from their faces like metastasizing horns. Viral photos have inspired unflattering nicknames, including “Frankenstein bunnies.” But their affliction is nothing new

The virus likely influenced the centuries-old jackalope myth in North America, which told of a rabbit with antlers or horns, among other animal variations. The disease in rabbits also contributed to scientists’ knowledge about the connection between viruses and cancer such as the human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer

CORRECTION

A story Wednesday incorrectly said that Jerome Smith is in support of a proposed museum at civil rights activist Oretha Castle Haley’s childhood home, and that a restraining order had been lifted against Candice Henderson-Chandler and the Friends of Freedom House. Smith is not in support of the museum, and the restraining order remains in place The Times-Picayune regrets the errors.

Nations threaten Iran sanctions

BY STEFANIE DAZIO and KAREEM CHEHAYEB Associated Press

BERLIN The top diplomats of Britain, France and Germany threatened to reimpose sanctions on Iran as an end-of-the-month deadline nears for the country to resume negotiations with the West over its nuclear program and cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog

The three countries, known as the E3, wrote in a letter to the United Nations dated Friday that they were willing to trigger a process known as the “snapback” mechanism, which allows one of the Western parties to reimpose U.N. sanctions, if Tehran doesn’t comply with its requirements.

French Foreign Minister JeanNöel Barrot posted the letter Wednesday to X. He co-signed it along with top diplomats from Germany and the United Kingdom “E3 have always committed to

use all diplomatic tools at our disposal to ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon,” the letter said. “We have made clear that if Iran is not willing to reach a diplomatic solution before the end of August 2025, or does not seize the opportunity of an extension, E3 are prepared to trigger the snapback mechanism.”

The Iranian government didn’t immediately respond to the development, but parliament member Manouchehr Mottaki — who was Iran’s top diplomat for five years in the 2000s warned of a swift reaction to any move to trigger the snapback mechanism.

He said the Iranian parliament has a “finger on the trigger” for quitting the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, or NPT, the international treaty aimed at halting the spread of nuclear weapons. “We only need 24 hours to approve quitting the nuclear deal,” if the E3 raises the issue at the U.N. Security Council, Mottaki said.

The letter from the E3 comes following a period of apparent diplomatic deadlock after a 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, where Israeli and American jets struck some key nuclear-related facilities in the Islamic Republic.

The countries met with Iranian officials last month in Turkey at Iran’s consulate building in Istanbul on the possibility of reimposing international sanctions, lifted in 2015 in exchange for Tehran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said at the time that he hoped that the meeting would see the E3 nations reassess their “previous unconstructive attitude.”

Talks with Washington for a new nuclear deal haven’t resumed, and Iran has since suspended ties with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, following the attacks. The IAEA’s first visit to Iran since the

Judge concludes hearing on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

BY DAVID FISCHER Associated Press

MIAMI The fate of a makeshift immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” hung in the balance on Wednesday as a federal judge considered whether building on sensitive wetlands violated environmental laws.

Last week, U.S District Judge Kathleen Williams ordered a 14-day halt on additional construction at the site while witnesses testified at a hearing, part of a lawsuit seeking to halt operations and further construction. The temporary order doesn’t include any restrictions on law enforcement or immigration enforcement activity The judge concluded a multiday hearing on Wednesday without making an immediate decision on whether to issue a preliminary injunction.

Environmental groups and a Native American tribe have sued over the facility, saying it was hastily set up without the environmental impact considerations needed for all federal projects, even though it deals with immigration, a federal matter

“It just flies in the face of what NEPA requires,” said Paul Schwiep, an attorney for the environmental groups, referring to the National Environmental Policy Act.

Florida and the Trump administration argue that the state is building and oper-

ating the detention center so those rules about an environmental review don’t apply Adam Gustafson, an attorney for the federal government, said during the hearing’s closing arguments Wednesday that the federal government only plays an advisory role at the facility

The judge last week said the center was, at a minimum, a joint partnership between the state and federal government.

The first phase of “Alligator Alcatraz” opened in July atop a lightly used, singlerunway training airport. Less than 1,000 detainees were being held there as of last week, and it’s designed to eventually hold up to 3,000 people.

Inside the compound’s large white tents, rows of bunk beds are surrounded by chain-link cages People held there say worms turn up in the food, toilets don’t flush and flood floors with fecal waste, while mosquitoes and other insects are everywhere. At times the air conditioners abruptly shut off in the sweltering heat. Detainees are said to go days without showering or getting prescription medicine, and can only speak to lawyers and loved ones by phone.

Gov Ron DeSantis has said the location in the Everglades was meant as a deterrent against escape, much like the island prison in California that Republicans named it after The detention center has an estimated annual cost of $450 million, according to a public database.

Texas couple found guilty of concealing, harboring bakery workers in U.S. illegally

BY VALERIE GONZALEZ Associated Press

Two South Texas bakery owners are guilty of concealing and harboring employees in the U.S. illegally, a jury found Wednesday afternoon following a trial that only lasted three days.

Leonardo Baez and Nora Avila-Guel, a Mexican couple who have legal permanent residence in the U.S., were charged after being arrested at their bakery along with eight employees in February.

It’s a rare case in which business owners are charged with criminal offenses rather than just a fine.

Six of the employees had visitor visas, and two were in the country illegally

None had permission to work in the U.S.

Employees lived in a room with six beds and shared two bathrooms in the same

building as the bakery, according to the federal affidavit.

Baex and Avila-Guel were tried this week in Brownsville, a border city about a 20-minute drive southeast of their Los Fresnos bakery The jury heard from five government witnesses, including an agent who was present during the raid. The defense presented no witnesses.

Videos of the interviews with the two employees in the country without visas or work authorization were played. Both employees said they were not held against their will and were compensated for their work, according to local reporting.

Baez’s attorney, Sergio Luis Villarreal, called the verdict “heartbreaking.”

“We were arguing the lack of concealment, the lack of covertness in all this,” Villarreal said. “I mean, there was no exploitation, no abuse.”

war didn’t entail any visits to nuclear facilities Monday, and cooperation wasn’t officially restored. One of the three countries opting to trigger the snapback mechanism would renew sanctions on Iran, but Tehran renewing cooperation with the Vienna-based IAEA and addressing concerns about its highlyenriched uranium stockpile would delay it, according to a diplomat who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity following July’s meeting in Istanbul. German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Josef Hinterseher on Wednesday said that the letter “once again underlines that the legal preconditions for snapback have long existed.”

U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA had assessed Iran last had an organized nuclear weapons program in 2003, though Tehran had been enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

Appeals court lets administration end foreign aid

BY MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON A divided panel of appeals court judges ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration can suspend or terminate billions of dollars of congressionally appropriated funding for foreign aid.

Two of three judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit concluded that grant recipients challenging the freeze did not meet the requirements for a preliminary injunction restoring the flow of money

In January on the first day of his second term in the White House, Republican President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the State Department and the U.S Agency for International Development to freeze spending on foreign aid.

After groups of grant recipients sued to challenge that order, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ordered the administration to release the full amount of foreign assistance that Congress had appropriated for the 2024 budget year The appeal court’s majority partially vacated Ali’s order Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson and Gregory Katsas concluded that the plaintiffs did not have a valid legal basis for the court to hear their claims. The ruling was not on the merits of whether the government unconstitutionally infringed on Congress’ spending powers. Judge Florence Pan, who dissented, said the Supreme Court has held “in no uncertain terms” that the president does not have the authority to disobey laws for policy reasons. The money at issue includes nearly $4 billion for USAID to spend on global health programs and more than $6 billion for HIV and AIDS programs. Trump has portrayed the foreign aid as wasteful spending.

Plan for homeless people in D.C. unclear

BY MEG KINNARD Associated Press

President Donald Trump says homeless people in the nation’s capital will be moved far from the city as part of his federal takeover of policing in the District of Columbia and crackdown on crime. With his exact plans unclear, there is concern among advocates and others who say there are better ways to address the issue of homelessness than clearing encampments, as the Republican administration has pledged to do Washington’s status as a congressionally established federal district gives Trump the opportunity to push his tough-on-crime agenda, though he has not proposed solutions to the root causes of homelessness or crime.

How many are there?

It is difficult to obtain accurate counts of homeless populations.

On one day at the end of each January, municipal agencies across the United States perform what is called a “point-in-time” count aimed at capturing the total

number of people in emergency shelters, transitional housing or without any housing.

The 2025 count in the district put the total at 5,138 adults and children, a 9% decrease compared with the year before, according to

Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser

Where will they be taken?

It’s not entirely clear

Trump wrote on his social media site before Monday’s news conference announcing the takeover that

“The homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital.”

Asked during a media briefing at the White House on Tuesday where homeless people would be relocated, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said local police and federal agencies would “enforce the laws that are already on the books,” which, she said, “have been completely ignored.”

Citing a city regulation that she said gives local police “the authority to take action when it comes to homeless encampments,” Leavitt said homeless people “will be given the option to leave their encampment, to be taken to a homeless shelter, to be offered addiction or mental health services.” Those who refuse “will be susceptible to fines or to jail time.”

What are city officials doing?

Kevin Donahue, the city administrator, said outreach workers were visiting homeless encampments and that the city has a building available that could house as many as 200 people, if needed.

Donahue made the comments during a conversation with community advocates and Bowser The conversation was broadcast on X. What are people in D.C. saying? Washington residents emphasized reductions in crime in recent years and concerns over the removal of homeless encampments in interviews Tuesday criticizing the federal takeover of the city’s police department.

Sheiena Taylor 36, said she is more fearful as a result of the presence of federal forces in the city where she was born and raised.

“Being homeless isn’t a crime,” she said emphasizing the need for solutions to the root causes of homelessness or crime rather than policing.

In several spots across the city, AP journalists talked to homeless people who were being told either by federal law enforcement officials or advocacy groups to pack up tents and belongings from parks and other public spaces before more formal removal measures. Some expressed fear and anxiety about what might be coming.

Trump names Kennedy Center honorees, says he’ll host

President takes over role from committee

BY ANNIE MA and HILLEL ITALIE Associated Press

WASHINGTON As the new chairman of the Kennedy Center, President Donald Trump added a highly personal stamp to this year’s announcement of the recipients of the annual honors, whom he named as country music star George Strait, “Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, the rock band Kiss and actor-singer Michael Crawford.

Instead of the Kennedy Center revealing the names through a press release as usual, Trump announced the honorees himself during a Wednesday press conference at the site, where he was flanked by American flags and photo stands for each of the entertainers that were initially covered by red drapes. Unlike in his first term, when he didn’t even attend the honors ceremony he announced that he would be hosting it later this year and that he had been deeply involved with the selection process. He also suggested he might choose himself for a future award.

The spectacle marked a new era for the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which Trump has taken over by installing himself as chair and replacing the board of trustees with loyalists. He has even hinted he’d like to see the

venue renamed the Trump/ Kennedy Center Trump has made revamping the Kennedy Center and what he calls its “woke” agenda — the center of an ongoing push to overhaul such cultural institutions as the National Endowment of the Humanities and the Smithsonian museums. The Kennedy Center Honors were established in 1978 an d ha ve been given to a broad range of artists. Until Trump’s first term, presidents of both major political parties traditionally attended the annual ceremony, even when they dis ag re ed politically with a given recipient.

Prominent liberals such as Barbra Streisand and Warren Beatty were honored during the administration of Republican George W. Bush, and a leading conservative, Charlton Heston, was feted during the administration of Democrat Bill Clinton. At least some of this year’s

Members of the rock group KISS, clockwise from right, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss and Paul

are photographed before a 1977 concert in

winners have a history of backing Trump. Stallone is a prominent supporter who has called Trump “the second George Washington” and was named by the president, along with Jon Voight and Mel Gibson, as a Hollywood special ambassador Founding Kiss member Ace Frehley endorsed Trump in 2020, calling him “the strongest leader we’ve got.” Meanwhile, fellow Kiss musician Paul Stanley has often criticized the Republican president, notably his resistance to accepting his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020.

The Kennedy Center informs honorees in advance, and all four original Kiss performers, who also include Gene Simmons and Peter Criss, issued statements through a band publicist

“The prestige of the Kennedy Center Honors cannot be overstated and I accept this on behalf of the long legacy of Kiss and all of the

White House says federal officers will be in D.C. around the clock

BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST and ASHRAF KHALIL Associated Press

WASHINGTON As a wary Washington waited, the White House promised a ramp-up of National Guard troops and federal officers on the streets of the nation’s capital around the clock starting Wednesday, days after President Donald Trump’s unprecedented announcement that his administration would take over the city’s police department for at least a month.

The city’s Democratic mayor walked a political tightrope, referring to the takeover as an “authoritarian push” at one point and later framing the infusion of officers as boost to public safety, though one with few specific barometers for success. The Republican president has said crime in the city was at emergency levels that only such federal intervention could fix — even as District of Columbia leaders pointed to statistics showing violent crime at a 30-year low after a sharp rise two years ago.

A “significantly higher” presence of guard members was expected Wednesday night, and federal agents will be out during the day as well as at night, according to the White House. Hundreds of federal law enforcement and city police officers who patrolled the streets Tuesday night made 43 arrests, compared with about two dozen the night before.

D.C. Council member Christina Henderson downplayed the arrest reports as “a bunch of traffic stops” and said the administration was seeking to disguise how unnecessary this federal intervention is.

“I’m looking at this list of arrests and they sound like a normal Saturday night in any big city,” said Henderson.

In one neighborhood, officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI could be seen along with the U.S. Park Police searching the car of a motorist parked just outside a legal parking area to eat takeout and drop off a friend. Two blocks away, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers gathered in a parking lot before driving off on patrol.

In other parts of the city, including those with popular nightlife hot spots, federal patrols were harder to find. At the National Mall, there was little law enforcement activity aside from Park Police cruisers pulling over a taxi driver near the Washington Monument.

Trump suggested Wednesday that he could seek a longer period of control or decide to call on Congress to exercise authority over city laws his administration sees as lax on crime. “We’re gonna do this very quickly But we’re gonna want extensions. I don’t want to call a national emergency If I have to, I will,” he said.

The arrests made by 1,450 federal and local officers across the city included those for suspicion of driving under the influence and unlawful entry, as well as a warrant for assault with a deadly weapon according to the White House. Seven illegal firearms were seized.

There have now been more than 100 arrests since Trump began beefing up the federal law enforcement presence, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said.

band members who helped create our iconic band,” Stanley said. Kiss and the other nominees have had substantial, even iconic, careers. Stal-

lone’s portrayals of the underdog boxer Rocky Balboa and Vietnam veteran John J. Rambo are fixtures in popular culture. Strait’s dozens of chart-topping hits, including “Check Yes or No” and “I Cross My Heart,” have led to his nickname the King of Country Music. Few bands have sold more records or more famously covered their faces in makeup than Kiss, members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Crawford is a celebrated stage actor who won a Tony for his starring role in “The Phantom of the Opera,” and Gaynor is a leading star from the 1970s disco era whose “I Will Survive” is a feminist anthem.

Breaking with tradition, none of the honorees was from the fields of dance, jazz or classical music. This year’s Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will

take place on Dec. 7 and will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+

Historically, a bipartisan advisory committee selects the recipients, who over the years have ranged from George Balanchine and Tom Hanks to Aretha Franklin and Stephen Sondheim. Trump said Wednesday that he was “about 98% involved” in choosing the honorees and conferred with such handpicked Kennedy Center officials as Ric Grenell and Sergio Gor He said he “turned down plenty” of names, saying those individuals were “too woke” or too liberal. In choosing himself as the host of December’s gathering, he takes on a role once filled by Caroline Kennedy daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, the center’s namesake.

Netanyahu says he will allow Palestinians to leave

Gaza officials say

Israeli gunfire kills 25 people who were seeking aid

BY MELANIE LIDMAN and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

TEL AVIV, Israel Israeli gunfire killed at least 25 people seeking aid in Gaza on Wednesday, health officials and witnesses said, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again called for what he refers to as the voluntary migration of Palestinians from the war-ravaged territory

Netanyahu wants to realize U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision of relocating much of Gaza’s population of over 2 million people through what he refers to as “voluntary migration” — and what critics have warned could be ethnic cleansing.

from Gaza. The militant group has refused to disarm.

Among those killed while seeking aid were 14 Palestinians in the Teina area approximately 1.8 miles from a food distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, according to staff at Nasser hospital.

Hashim Shamalah said Israeli troops fired toward them as people tried to get through. Many were shot and fell while fleeing, he said.

Israeli gunfire killed five other Palestinians while trying to reach another GHF distribution site in the Netzarim corridor area, according to Awda hospital and witnesses. The Israeli military said it wasn’t aware of any casualties from Israeli fire in that area.

GHF said there were no incidents at or near its sites

Wednesday

Witnesses and staff at Nasser and Awda hospitals, which received the bodies, said people were shot on their way to aid distribution sites or while awaiting convoys entering Gaza.

Israel’s plans to widen its military offensive against

“Give them the opportunity to leave! First, from combat zones, and also from the strip if they want,” Netanyahu said in an interview aired Tuesday with Israeli TV station i24 to discuss the planned offensive in areas that include Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of displaced people shelter “We are not pushing them out but allowing them to leave.”

Hamas to parts of Gaza it does not yet control have sparked condemnation at home and abroad, and could be intended to raise pressure on Hamas to reach a ceasefire.

The militants still hold 50 hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war Israel believes around 20 are still alive. Families fear a new offensive endan-

gers them.

When asked by i24 News if the window had closed on a partial ceasefire deal, Netanyahu responded that he wanted all hostages back, alive and dead.

Hamas says it will only release the remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal

The U.S. and Israel support GHF, an American contractor, as an alternative to the United Nations which they claim allows Hamas to siphon off aid. The U.N., which has delivered aid throughout Gaza for decades when conditions allow denies the allegations.

Aid convoys from other groups travel within 328 feet of GHF sites and draw crowds. An overwhelming majority of violent incidents over the past few weeks have been related to those convoys, the GHF said. Israeli fire killed at least six other people waiting for aid trucks close to the Morag corridor, which separates parts of southern Gaza, Nasser hospital said. The Israeli military said Wednesday that it killed last week a Hamas militant who took part in the 2023 attack that started the war It blamed Abdullah Saeed Abd al-Baqin for participating in the abduction of three Israeli hostages. The Hamas-led attack abducted 251 people and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s air and ground offensive has since displaced most of Gaza’s population, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine. The offensive has killed more than 61,700 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own.

New Zealand lawmaker ejected from Parliament a second time

BY CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand

A New Zealand lawmaker who was thrown out of Parliament for calling her opponents spineless during a fiery debate about a Palestinian state was ejected again on Wednesday when she refused to apologize for the remark.

Chlöe Swarbrick, co-leader of the left-leaning Green Party and part of the opposition bloc, was ordered to leave parliament on Tuesday over a speech in which she called for government lawmakers “with a spine” to en-

dorse her proposal for New Zealand to impose sanctions on Israel over the war in Gaza. She was hit with a threeday ban lengthy by New Zealand parliamentary standards but returned the next day only to be ejected a second time. Her censure came amid fraught scenes in Parliament in Wellington on Tuesday as opponents rebuked the government for not moving to recognize an independent Palestinian

state, days after neighboring Australia pledged to do so. Countries including France, Britain and Canada are also expected to recognize a state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September “We are one of the very few countries in the world who so far refuse to acknowledge the absolute bare minimum,” Swarbrick said.

The Green Party lawmaker was abruptly ejected from the debating chamber when she urged government politicians to join her in a proposal to sanction Israel, which currently wouldn’t have enough votes to pass into law

Documentary on 2023 Hamas attack yanked from Toronto film festival

BY JAKE COYLE

AP film writer

YORK

NEW

The Toronto International Film Festival has pulled from its lineup a documentary on the Hamas 2023 attack into Israel over what the festival says was a footage rights issue. Organizers for the festival acknowledged on Tuesday that they withdrew Canadian filmmaker Barry Avrich’s “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue” after initially offering the film a spot in the upcoming edition of TIFF The film chronicles the story of retired Israeli Gen. Noam Tibon, whose efforts to save his family and others during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack was profiled in a “60 Minutes” segment. Representatives for the festival said in a statement that the film’s invitation “was withdrawn by TIFF because general requirements for inclusion in the festival, and conditions that were requested when the film was initially invited, were not met, in-

cluding legal clearance of all footage.”

“The purpose of the requested conditions was to protect TIFF from legal implications and to allow TIFF to manage and mitigate anticipated and known risks around the screening of a film about highly sensitive subject matter, including potential threat of significant disruption,” the festival said.

The filmmakers, though, say the festival is engaging in “censorship” by denying the film a place in the festival.

Deadline, which first reported the news, said a sticking point was related to the identification and legal clearance of Hamas militants’ own livestreaming of the attack.

The filmmakers pledged to release the film regardless: “We invite audiences, broadcasters and streamers to make up their own mind, once they have seen it.”

Later Wednesday, Cameron Bailey, TIFF chief executive, apologized “for any pain this situation may have caused” and said he was still hoping to have the film at the festival.

“If we can find six of 68 government MPs with a spine, we can stand on the right side of history,” Swarbrick said, referring to other Members of Parliament “That is completely unacceptable to make that statement,” Speaker Gerry Brownlee interrupted. “Withdraw it and apologize.” The Green politician refused. Brownlee told her to leave the debating chamber for the rest of the week. “Happily,” Swarbrick said. The standoff resumed

when Swarbrick took her seat again on Wednesday despite the ban and Brownlee asked again if she would apologize. Swarbrick declined and was ejected once more, yelling “free Palestine” as she went.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Wednesday made his most strident rebuke yet of Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the Israel leader “has lost the plot” on the “human catastrophe” in Gaza.

“I think Netanyahu has gone way too far,” Luxon told reporters. “He is not listening to the international community and that is unacceptable.”

While senior New Zealand officials, including Luxon, have said recognition of Palestine from their government was “a matter of not if, but when,” his Cabinet has yet to endorse a change of position. A decision will be made in September after further consideration, Luxon said Monday

BY DEREK GATOPOULOS and LLAZAR SEMINI Associated Press

ATHENS,Greece — Wildfires intensified across southern Europe on Wednesday with a round-the-clock battle to protect the perimeter of Greece’s third-largest city and at least three deaths reported in Spain, Turkey and Albania. Outside the Greek port city of Patras, firefighters struggled to protect homes and agricultural facilities as flames tore through pine forests and olive groves Tall columns of flames rose behind apartment blocks on the outskirts of the city, while dozens of vehicles were torched as flames swept through a nearby impound lot.

“Today is another very difficult day with the level of fire risk remaining very high across many parts of the country,” Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis said. At least 15 firefighters were hospitalized or received medical attention for burns, smoke inhalation or exhaustion, he added. As water-dropping planes and helicopters swooped overhead, residents joined the effort, beating back flames with cut branches or dousing them with buckets of water.

Firefighting resources were stretched thin in many affected countries as they battled multiple outbreaks following weeks of heat waves and temperature spikes. On the Greek island of Chios, exhausted firefighters slept on the roadside following a night-long shift. Aircraft rotated between blazes on the western Greek mainland, the Patras area and the island of Zakynthos. Athens also sent assistance to neighboring Albania, joining an international effort to combat dozens of wildfires An 80-year-old man died in one blaze south of the capital, Tirana, officials said Wednesday

Residents of four villages were evacuated in central Albania near a former army ammunition depot. Near the Greek border, explosions were reported from buried World War II-era artillery shells. Authorities said dozens of homes were gutted in a central region of the country

Evacuation centers were filled to capacity in parts of central Spain, with some spending the night outdoors on folding beds. The most severe fires pushed northward into more rural areas, where some residents hosed the walls of their homes to try and protect them from fire. Wildfires kill at least 3 and displace thousands across

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must come at the beginning of negotiations. He told reporters that Trump “also wants to make this one of his priorities” in the meeting with Putin.

At a separate appearance in France, French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump “was very clear” that the U.S. wants to achieve a ceasefire at the summit.

Following Friday’s summit, Macron added, Trump will “seek a future trilateral meeting” one involving Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy. He said he hoped that it could be held in Europe “in a neutral country that is acceptable to all parties.”

Merz, who described Wednesday’s conversation as “constructive and good,” said the Europeans made clear that “Ukraine must sit at the table as soon as there are follow-up meetings.”

European allies have pushed for Ukraine’s involvement in any peace talks, fearful that discussions that exclude Kyiv could otherwise favor Moscow

The Ukrainian president, who traveled to Berlin to join the meeting alongside Merz, has repeatedly cast doubt on whether Putin would negotiate in good faith. He said Wednesday that he hoped an immediate ceasefire will be “the central topic” in Alaska, but also argued that Putin “definitely does not want peace.”

Zelenskyy said Putin “is trying to apply pressure on all sectors of the Ukrainian front” in an attempt to show that Russia is “capable of occupying all of Ukraine.” Putin is also bluffing that sanctions “do not matter to him and are ineffective,”

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Energy Users Group The coalition declined to comment.

But the proposal has widespread political backing, including from Gov Jeff Landry Entergy, the state’s largest utility, has argued throughout the monthslong process that the new plants are in the public interest.

It also notes that commission rules allow the regulators to consider the request before the judge’s recommendation or at any other time during a proceeding

“At this time, the parties have issued in excess of 1,000 discovery requests, extensive testimony has been filed, and there was a multiday hearing on the company’s application,” Entergy spokesperson Brandon Scardigli said. “The remaining procedural steps do not present an opportunity for additional questioning or evidence, and all parties have had a full and complete opportunity to present their case to the commission.”

The commission meeting will be

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mom “But it also means that she’ll probably be interacting with people, so if you know her you see her, you recognize her, please help.”

The case of the missing Desormeaux boys wound up taking nine months, spanning two states, including multiple law enforcement agencies and highlighting an often overlooked concern in the world of missing and exploited children: What happens when they are with a parent when they go missing? Experts say such missing persons cases generally receive far less attention than those that involve strangers who abduct children.

It was 2:30 a.m. on March 31 when a phone call woke up their dad from his sleep. There was news about the boys.

The Desormeaux boys went missing amid a messy custody battle

After their parents, Chase and Sharlene Desormeaux, separated in February 2022, a Lake Charles judge granted them shared custody Chase Desormeaux was named the domiciliary parent, and he cared for the boys while Sharlene Desormeaux worked as a travel nurse in Los Angeles.

But there were warning signs that the custody order was not being followed.

One example was in April 2022, when Sharlene Desormeaux took the boys to Los Angeles without communicating with Chase Desormeaux, court records say. She left their Lake Charles home with the boys and would not communicate with him about bringing their sons to school and day care, according to an affidavit filed by Chase Desormeaux.

he added. “In reality, sanctions are very helpful and are hitting Russia’s war economy hard.”

Trump has said he wants to see whether Putin is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year, describing Friday’s summit as “a feel-out meeting” where he can assess the Russian leader’s intentions.

Yet Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russianheld territory He has also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender Trump on Monday ducked re-

held in the city of Plaquemine, part of the panel’s practice of regularly traveling outside Baton Rouge.

In July, an administrative judge oversaw a hearing into whether the utility’s plan served the public interest — part of usual commission procedures. But the hearing is only meant to be informational, with the commission not required to wait on the judge or even to abide by the recommendations.

After the three-day hearing the various groups would typically file briefs and the judge would eventually issue a legal opinion. Burke described the process as being “stomped in its tracks.”

Commissioner Davante Lewis has previously raised concerns over the fast-tracked timeline, but said this week that he wouldn’t describe the moved-up vote as improper since the issues have been thoroughly debated. The process has also resulted in some agreements being reached.

Before the July hearing, a number of groups that were intervening in the case came to an agreement with the utility These groups include the Southern Renewable Energy Association, the Sierra

“This case presents some very strange happenings in the past few months many pleadings/arguments related to those strange happenings, and more procedural interplay than a normal custody case typically involves,” a hearing officer wrote in an August 2022 court filing “At present, the minor children are in California. They should not be.”

The next year, in a letter to the court, Sharlene Desormeaux said she was a victim of abuse at the hands of Chase Desormeaux. She described shoving, stalking, psychological abuse and emotional abuse in a petition asking for a protective order

“I am in extreme fear for mine and my children’s safety,” she wrote. “He is unpredictable.”

Sharlene Desormeaux did not agree to be interviewed for this story after several attempts to reach her Chase Desormeaux denied the allegations against him, and the court did not grant her a temporary restraining order By the end of 2023, their divorce was finalized and their custody arrangement was evenly split between them, with the kids switching between their homes every week

The warning signs continued: Sharlene Desormeaux often did not show up with the boys when it was time for them to switch homes, and they would sometimes miss school and day care when their dad was set to pick them up to begin his week of custody, court records say In June 2024, Sharlene Desormeaux received permission to bring the boys to Texas for a family event. She missed her custody drop-off afterward. But this time, they did not return after a few days as usual. Both she and his sons were missing.

peated chances to say that he would push for Zelenskyy to take part in his discussions with Putin, and the president was dismissive of Zelenskyy and his need to be part of an effort to seek peace. Trump said that following Friday’s summit, a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders could be arranged, or that it could also be a meeting with “Putin and Zelenskyy and me.”

The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 and used Russia’s energy might to try to intimidate the European Union, might secure

Club, Walmart and the staff of the commission who help advise the regulators. Those agreements included additional commitments on renewable energy, though these are not legally binding.

The advocacy groups and the coalition of industrial companies representing the smallest and the largest Entergy customers — are the only ones still actively opposing the case.

Meta announced its plans last December to build a $10 billion AI data center on a site in Richland Parish. Entergy wants to build the three new gas plants as well as other transmission infrastructure, at a cost of over $5 billion, to power the center

The facility needs unprecedented amounts of power — at least 2,600 megawatts, more than double the peak demand that New Orleans required during the city’s hottest summer

The tech company also has plans to scale up the data center to around double that energy capacity, and expand the site to rival the size of Manhattan, according to a July social media post by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Chase Desormeaux immediately asked in court to be granted full custody, but District Judge Mitchell Redd of the 14th Judicial District Court denied his initial requests.

By November, five months after the boys had gone missing, Redd granted him full, permanent custody of their sons. Redd also issued an arrest warrant for Sharlene Desormeaux, saying she was in contempt for missing multiple court dates and cutting off communication with her ex-husband.

The judge’s Nov 18, 2024, order instructed any officer who found the children to take custody of them and to return them to Chase Desormeaux.

Attempts to find the boys ramped up.

Nicholas Roselli, a senior inspector with the U.S. Marshals Service, said deputies with his New Orleans office looked for Sharlene Desormeaux in the Houston area because she had family connections there.

“Even though we’re trying to find these kids, we don’t know her reaction,” Roselli said. In the meantime, their plight hit national airwaves on the Reelz network in segments on March 1 and March 7.

Sharlene Desormeaux agreed by phone to turn herself in to the police on March 28, but investigators said she didn’t show up. Three days later, she showed up at Houston Methodist Hospital in the middle of the night with her sons.

“She went there to soften the blow,” Roselli said. “Maybe she didn’t want to take her kids to the jail. That was her way of turning herself in.”

Chase Desormeaux soon got the call: The boys were OK and at the hospital.

He jumped into his truck and made the three-hour trek to Hous-

jected.

Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would not give up any territory it controls, saying that would be unconstitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion. He said diplomatic discussions led by the U.S. focused on ending the war have not addressed key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression and ensuring that Europe is included in negotiations.

Three weeks after Trump returned to office, his administration took the leverage of Ukraine’s NATO membership off the table — something Putin has demanded — and signaled that the EU and Ukraine must handle security in Europe now while America focuses its attention elsewhere.

Senior EU officials believe Trump may be satisfied with simply securing a ceasefire in Ukraine and that he is probably more interested in broader U.S interests and great power politics, aiming to ramp up business with Russia and rehabilitate Putin.

favorable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them. The overarching fear of many European countries is that Putin will set his sights on one of them next if he wins in Ukraine.

Merz said that “if there is no movement on the Russian side in Alaska, then the United States and the Europeans should and must increase the pressure” on Moscow

Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region that it still controls as part of a ceasefire deal, a proposal the Ukrainian leader categorically re-

In publicly filed documents, Entergy says the tech giant will cover the costs of the three power plants for 15 years.

But the oil and gas companies and the advocacy groups are concerned with Meta’s 15-year contract with Entergy a deal that is hidden from public view, citing proprietary information. They’ve noted that the gas plants can last between 30 and 45 years, far longer than Meta’s commitment to pay Other new costs linked to the data center — including fuel for the plants and a $550 million transmission line will not be covered by Meta, and are therefore shared by all of Entergy Louisiana’s customers.

Entergy says that if Meta decides to leave after the 15-year term, older plants in the utility’s system can be phased out in favor of the newer more efficient ones. It is widely expected that the regulators will approve Entergy’s request. Two commissioners have already voiced their support.

“I’m for it 1,000%,” said Commissioner Foster Campbell, who represents utility customers in

ton. As he waited for hospital staff to verify his identity, he heard Colton’s voice for the first time in nine months.

“My son just hollered, ‘Dad!’ and he ran up to me and jumped in my arms,” Desormeaux said. “And then my other son heard him and ran to me as well. It was a very emotional moment.”

Chase Desormeaux remembers noticing how much their facial features had changed in just a few months and how overgrown their hair was.

“They were in hiding,” Chase Desormeaux said. “She wasn’t bringing them to get haircuts and things like that.”

With the boys back in Lake Charles with their dad, Sharlene Desormeaux was sentenced in late April to serve 90 days in the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center She was also ordered to pay a $500 fine and held in contempt of court for violating the custody agreement and missing court dates.

She was released from jail July

6. Her attorney, Wilford Carter Sr., said she ensured the boys received good care while they were away

Carter said Sharlene

Desormeaux, who has had multiple attorneys through the custody battle, was not properly notified of court dates last fall. Carter did not represent her until the most recent hearing in April.

“I’ve done everything possible to make sure she got a day in court,” Carter said. “She never got her day in court.”

When children go missing at the hands of an unknown perpetrator, the news typically spreads far and wide. It’s often much quieter when children go missing with a family member, especially their own mother

“One of the biggest challenges is that there is a misconception

Russian forces on the ground in Ukraine have been closing in on a key territorial grab around the city of Pokrovsk, in the eastern Donbas region that comprises Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland, which Putin has long coveted.

Military analysts using opensource information to monitor the battles have said Ukraine’s ability to fend off those advances could be critical. Losing Pokrovsk would hand Russia an important victory ahead of the summit and could complicate Ukrainian supply lines to the Donetsk region, where the Kremlin has focused the bulk of military efforts.

the area where the data center is being built. “It’s a part of the state that doesn’t get a lot of attention. These are good-paying jobs. I’m all for it.”

Other state officials, including Landry, have similarly welcomed the data center as a boon for growth. It is expected to bring at least 300 permanent jobs and 5,000 at-peak construction jobs, thought it is unclear if these roles will be filled by locals.

Lewis said he has not made up his mind on how he will vote, as he’s still reviewing and meeting with involved parties.

“I still think there was a lack of transparency,” he said, noting questions around job creation and the projected energy usage of the facility

“We have never been asked to approve a utility building something so big for solely one customer We didn’t take the steps that other states took where they created rules around how they will evaluate data centers, what requirements would that application have to have if a utility brought a data center online or onto the grid.”

that because a child is with their parent, that the child is safe,” said Angeline Hartmann, spokesperson for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. “There are a lot of assumptions that happen. We ask people not to make assumptions. Once children are declared missing, no matter what the circumstances, they need your help.”

Law enforcement, media outlets and other organizations can be slower to publicize family abduction cases, Hartmann said, but it’s still critical to act quickly

“There can be high emotion involved when we’re talking about family abductions,” Hartmann said. “And that emotion, that intensity, can be dangerous. It can lead to things that people normally wouldn’t do.”

Chase Desormeaux said the boys have been opening up since returning to Lake Charles. They are also attending counseling sessions to help process everything.

While away, Chase Desormeaux said the boys believed their home had been destroyed by a hurricane something that might have seemed like a real possibility to them after Hurricane Laura devastated Lake Charles in 2020. They also shared that they would hide in a closet any time someone knocked on the door of their aunt’s Houston home where they were staying.

“When you’re in hiding, you don’t go outside and play at the playground because you’re worried that people might spot you,” Hartmann said. “So you’re living a life of isolation Think about all the things that are normal for children — to see a doctor, to play outside. None of that happens when you are living a life on the run, and those are the things that people don’t think about.”

Email Megan Wyatt at mwyatt@ theadvocate.com.

mayor’sraceascandidates marshal cashand build name recognition in the runup to theOct. 11 primary Already,ithas highlighted residents’ weariness with political infighting at City Hall and offered aglimpse at waysthe candidates could wield power if elected.

“Itmakes everybody look like they’reprotectingtheir politicalself-interest, which in this town wouldnot be unusual,” said Robert Collins, a political analyst and Dillard Universityprofessor

State Sen. Royce Duplessis, who jumped in the mayor’srace in June, has made hay of the dispute as he seeks to burnish an image as an outsider unaffiliated with “chaos” within local government.

“You have two respected businesspeople in the community whohavea right to compete,” he said in an interview last week. “They clearly havearight to support whichevercandidates they choose to support. But it is obvious that this dispute, and this election, is playing into the day-to-day governance and operations of our city.”

“Every time there’sanew trash contract,” he added, “it shouldn’t have to go up to the Louisiana Supreme Court.” Duplessis delivered similar remarks at aforum days earlier,drawing aretort from council President JP Morrell, aMoreno ally.Morrell accused Duplessis of supporting aform of city government in which the City Council blindly obeys the mayor’spriorities

“There are people who are running to be the next mayor of New Orleans who absolutely intend to be like Mayor LaToya Cantrell,” Morrellsaid in avideo on Instagram.

Duplessis hit back in asocial media post of his own.

“The one thing his video did effectively was to make my point,” he said. “There is a crisis in leadership in this city,where theonlything coming out of City Hall are attacks and finger-pointing.”

Bitter feud

Soon after it was signed, aspat between Henry and a subcontractorbrought scrutiny upon his long-termdeal.

CantrellawardedTorresa one-year emergency contract for his firm, IV Waste, to clean the Quarter

Residents and business owners have so enjoyed the interim firm’sperformance that they mounted hundreds of signsinthe neighborhood this springimploring Cantrellto“Keep IV Waste.” As support mounted for Torres’ work, and as mayoral candidates built campaigns, the City Council separatelyscrutinized why Henry’sdeal featured a smaller-than-normal performance bond, plus other terms they said were unusually friendly to the contractor in question. They questioned administration officials aboutwhether Henry’s firm —which is partnering with Richard’s Disposal, alongtime city

trashcontractor,to do the work —was ready for the job. Daysbefore Cantrell tried to take the emergency deal from Torres and give it to Henry last month, top officialsinher Cabinetsaid they had expresseddoubts to the mayorthatthe group wasreadyfor thejob.

Henry has met the criticism with abarrageof claims on theairwaves of WBOK, aradio stationof which he is apart-owner and whereThomaslonghosted a show

He’ssaid Moreno and Morrell aretrying to install acontractor they see as an ally in the event Moreno wins the mayor’srace. He argues his firm won thebid.

“They don’twant an Oliver Thomas supporter to have a $73 million contract,” Henry said. “They want aHelena Moreno supporter,aJPMorrell supporter,to have acontract of that magnitude. It’s that simple.” Moreno, Torres and Morrell, in turn, allstrongly deny those allegations.

“Wejustdon’tbelieve someone who doesn’t have a truck or experience should have a$73 million contract,” said Morrell. In his“entire time” on the council, he added, he has never received adonationfromany trash contractor,including Torres.

For hispart, Torres says he deservestoclean the French Quarter for thelong haulbecausehis firmshave proven their mettle not only through the recent emergency contract,but over years of successfultrash pickup across the region.

Torrescalls Moreno a “friend” whohebelieves is “best positioned to lead the city.” Butheinsistsheisnot endorsing anyone.

“Helena is notlooking to hire afriend,” Torres said. “The only thing thatshe’s done hereisshe’s been bombarded with French Quarter businesses and residentswho’ve saidtoher, ‘It’snever looked this clean before.’

Torres held acontract to clean the French Quarter yearsago,underformer MayorRay Nagin, andreceivedlargelyhigh marks for his work then. He also played akey role in getting Cantrell elected seven years ago, spending heavily through apolitical action committee on ads critical of heropponent,Desiree Charbonnet, during the runoff.

Torres likenedhimself to “Mike Tyson in his prime,” referring to the famous boxer,and Henry to “a guy who’snever been in thering before.”

Moreno, who holds wide fundraising and polling leadsinthe race, in atext message said her focus is on supporting “fair contracting” and “good city services for thepeople of New Or-

leans.”

Thomas’ campaign said he, too, is focused only on ensuringresidents getthe best services —not on hiring afriend. “This shouldn’tbeabout

personalities or political labels,” Thomas’ campaign manager,Ethan Ashley,said in astatement. “It’sabout delivering cleaner, safer streets and better services citywide to New Orleanians.”

Long history

When anew mayor takes office in January,they could choose to rebid the Henry Consulting deal through a competitive process.

It’safamiliar storyline to watchers of New Orleans politics. Nagin complained in 2002 that his predecessor, Marc Morial, hadsaddled his administrationwith long-term transit and energy contracts. But when Nagin negotiated aset of trashcontracts months before leaving office, he was pannedfor pursuing deals that nearly tripled what the city would spend on trash collectionwithout covering the Quarter or other downtownareas.

Nagin’ssuccessor,Mitch Landrieu, was also avocal critic of his predecessor due to the costofthose deals. Landrieu renegotiated those contracts after taking office in 2010.

To po fficials from Cantrell’s administration have acknowledged in public hearings that they believe the Henry Consulting contract should be rebid, aproposal two of the three major mayoral candidates agreed with.

Duplessis’ campaign did not respond to aquestion about whether he would seek to rebidthe contract if elected mayor

The statement from Ashley, Thomas’ campaign manager,said that aThomas administration “will ensure the French Quarter contract, like allcitycontracts, is reviewedand competitively bid according to law.” A campaign spokesperson declined to comment further on aThomas administration’spotential plans forthe contract.

Aspokesperson for Moreno’scampaign said she would seek to rebid the contract if elected, too.

3killedbyfallentreeinheavy Tenn.rains

BY JONATHAN MATTISE and SARAH BRUMFIELD Associated Press

CHATTANOOGA,Tenn. Amother,fatherand child were killed when atree fell on theircar during heavyrain and flooding in Tennessee, where submerged roads also ledtodramatic rescuesof peopletrapped in their cars, authorities said Wednesday

The three were killed when saturated ground caused alarge tree to fall in the Chattanooga suburb of East Ridge just after midnight, Hamilton County Of-

fice of EmergencyManagement spokesperson Amy Maxwell said.

Additionally,abody was found when authorities were searching for aman whowas swept away when he ran past

firefighters and abarricade that blocked a flooded road Tuesday,according to the Chattanooga Fire Department. The local police and medical examiner will determine the cause of death

The flooding prompted rescues of people stuck in

Acar is stranded in fl

homes and swamped vehicles. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp declared alocal state of emergency Tuesday night. Residents were urged to exercise extreme caution At anews conference Wednesday,officials said they didn’t expect so much

rain and flooding to hit so quickly At one point,there were 60 vehicles on the flooded interstate, saidChris Adams, director of emergency management for Hamilton County.Some first responders were carrying people on their backs who couldn’t

move well through thewater, anddropped them off on theraised divider in the middle of the highway,Adams added.

“Weall knowto‘turn around, not drown,’ but when you look at it and it’s 2inchesdeep,and then next thing you know it’s4

feet deep,that’ssomething you’venever seen before,” Adamssaid. There weresomanycalls for help that 911 calls were “holding in everyminute of every hour for about three hours straight,” with a morethan 940 calls between 6p.m. andmidnight, said Barbara Loveless, director of operationsfor Hamilton County 911.

Troy Plemons, acommunicationssystemstechnician forEPB, Chattanooga’s electricity andtelecommunications utility,said he was stuck in trafficonaninterstateinhis bucket truck for two to threehours on Tuesdayevening whenthe area started to flood quickly

ThenPlemons said he saw the water pick up an SUV, and whenheand two Lawson Electric workersencouraged awoman inside to get out, shethrew up herhands like she didn’tknow if she could. Plemons moved to the bed of atruck next to him to try to getclosertothe woman, but the water wasgetting up to her chestand he said he re-

alized someone was going to have to go in to get her

“I didn’tthink there was anytime,”hesaid. “I tried my best.” Plemons said the water was reaching neck level for the womaninthe SUVwhen he used aboring bit offered by theLawson Electric workers to break the window and helped the woman get out.

“Itwas arush forsure. I felt like Iwas pretty calm until Ibrokethe window,” Plemonssaid. “I wasdoing everything Icould to get her outbecause the water was rising pretty quick.” He helped the woman to the road and she sat down in his vehicle to warm up forawhile. There wereseveral rescuesofpeople whose cars were overwhelmed by water in theareauntil the water receded about two to three hours later and traffic begantomoveagain, Plemonssaid.

“I felt like Iwas there at the right time,” he said. “I’m thankful Iwas there to help that lady.”

Manwho killed 3while livestreamingshootings pleads guilty

BY ADRIAN SAINZ Associated Press

MEMPHIS,Tenn.— ATennessee man avoideda trial and possible deathsentenceby pleading guilty Wednesday to fatally shooting three people and wounding three others in adaylong series of shootings that was livestreamed on socialmedia in 2022.

Ezekiel Kelly, 22,pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and two dozen other charges in aMemphis courtroom. Shelby County Judge James Jones Jr.sentenced Kelly to three life sentences without parole, plus 221years,ina deal with prosecutors Kelly had pleaded not guilty in the shooting rampage in Memphis that led to a citywide shelter-in-place order during afrantic search.

PATRICK LANTRIP

DAILyMEMPHIAN PHOTO By

Ezekiel Kelly stands with his attorneyafter pleadingguilty in courtonTuesdayinMemphis, Tenn.

He took the stand during Wednesday’shearing,telling thejudge he agreed to plead guilty and that he accepted the prison sentences. Kelly cried as the relative of avictim gave astatement in court. Kelly then said

there was nothing he could say to give shooting victims and their families closure. He addedthathewas in the “darkest place of my life” at thetimeofthe shootings andhewanted to help othersavoid thesamebad deci-

sions he made. “God gave me asecond chance,” Kelly said Kelly’strialhad been set to beginFeb.9.His lawyershad said thatevidenceinthe case included 400 witnesses and morethan300 videos.Prosecutorshad said they planned to seek the death penalty if Kelly were convicted of firstdegree murder.

Along with thekillings of Dewayne Tunstall, Richard Clarkand Allison Parker, Kelly also had been charged with offenses including attemptedmurder,reckless endangerment withadeadly weapon, theft and commission of an act of terrorism

At least three witnesses sawKelly shootTunstall during agathering at aMemphis homeatabout 1a.m. on Sept. 7, 2022, according to a

policeaffidavit.Clark and Parker were shot later that day,authorities said.

lice,

Policesaidthreeother people were wounded in the shootings,which tookplace in different parts of Memphis, including at agas station, along an interstate and at an auto parts store.

Kelly livestreamed himself on social media platforms firing agun and wounding aman at the auto parts store and talking about shooting people.

The ordeal shut down Memphis’ public bussystem, lockeddowntwo college campuses and stopped a minorleague baseball game. Kelly carjacked at least twovehiclesbeforehewas arrested when he crashed a stolen car while fleeing po-

BY SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press

CHICAGO Five Chicago police officers from atactical unit who fired their guns nearly 100 times during a 2024 trafficstop that killed a 26-year-oldman won’tface criminal charges, prosecutors announced Wednesday “The decision is not reached lightly nor doesit diminish the tragedy that occurred,” Cook County State’s Attorney EileenO’Neill Burke said at anewsconference. “But to the question of whether the officers committed acrime underthe Illinois Criminal Code, the answer is straightforward: They did not.” The shooting that killed Dexter Reed, aBlack man, raised questions aboutthe

use of force and therole of tactical officers who were involved. In Reed’s case, the officers were dressed in plainclothes and drove unmarked cars as theysurrounded Reed’sSUV on March 21, 2024. Reed fired first, which Burke said waspart of the “clear and overwhelming evidence” that led her to decideagainst pursuing charges. One officer was injured. Burke said Reed fired 11 rounds in two bursts with agun he obtained illegally The officers shot back 96 times, even after Reed left thevehicle, fell to theground and laymotionless. Oneofficer alone fired 50 shots. Reed was hit 13times, including on his legs and chest, accordingtothe Cook Countymedical examiner

The shooting andReed’s death happened within roughly one minute.

Policehavereleased little andattimes conflicting information about what prompted thetraffic stop. Initially policesaid officers had pulled Reed over for notwearinga seat belt. Latercityattorneys said it was due to illegally tinted windows.

Reed’s family alleged that the officers didn’tproperly identify themselves as police during the West Side trafficstop;lacked reasonable suspiciontostop Reed; escalated thesituationby immediately drawing guns, blocking his vehicle and shouting profanity-laced commands; andfailed to provide timely medical care as Reed lay in thestreet.

NOPD

accused of hiring sex workers

Public Integrity Bureau ‘fast-tracking’ investigation, superintendent says

BY MISSY WILKINSON Staff writer

A New Orleans Police Department officer was arrested, accused of hiring sex workers while on the clock in the French Quarter, Louisiana State Police said Wednesday Terrance “TJ” Johnson, 56, a veteran officer in the 8th District, was booked into Orleans Justice Center on Wednesday on counts of prostitution, malfeasance in office and injuring public records. NOPD

Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the Public Integrity Bureau is “fast-tracking” an internal investigation.

“This is so disappointing,” Kirkpatrick said at a media briefing Wednesday afternoon. “It’s not only disappointing. It’s disgusting. He jeopardized and compromised the safety of his fellow officers. We’ll take some immediate actions to have a removal from this agency as quickly as possible.”

Detectives found Johnson listed as a contact on Colbert’s phone under “TJ Popo,” according to the affidavit.

An affidavit supporting an arrest warrant for Johnson says State Police identified him during their investigation of Danette Colbert, who is accused of drugging, robbing and ultimately killing Kansas City sports reporter Adan Manzano, in town to cover the Super Bowl in February

Alongside Colbert’s texts directing a “full-scale, organized theft ring,” detectives found texts to Johnson. Police said in some, he tipped her off to potential “undercover feds” and solicited her for prostitution. Johnson allegedly paid women

‘LIKE A HOTEL FOR NINE MONTHS’

Tulane students move into new residence halls

BY MARIE FAZIO | Staff writer

Tania White stood waiting for the elevator on the second floor of Fogelman Hall, the air-conditioning putting a chill in the air as she prepared to move a final cartload of clothes, bags and other belongings into her new room on Tulane University’s Uptown campus.

Forget whatever thoughts of saggy furniture, dim lighting and painted cinderblock come to mind when picturing the inside of a college residence hall. Fogelman, which opened to students this year, features oyster-shell counters in the communal kitchen, cozy study nooks scattered along the hallways and views of the New Orleans skyline from some of the lounges.

“It’s really nice. I told my friends I don’t think I’m going to leave except to eat,” said White “I’m going to study

N.O.

family grieves

Police: Man killed his mother, her partner

BY MICHELLE HUNTER

have lunch

University

in common space at Bayou Hall on Wednesday. Fogelman Hall and Bayou Hall received their first residents this week.

couple killed in murder-suicide

for sex multiple times, including while on the clock and in uniform, the document states. One incident occurred in July, when police said a uniformed Johnson left his marked unit on North Peters Street near Crescent Park, got into a woman’s vehicle and paid her $200 for sex. That woman told police Johnson was “ ‘a good trick’ who often paid women in exchange for sexual relations, and that it was widely

See OFFICER, page 2B

Slidell takes step to buy empty mall

Mayor to sign letter of intent for purchase of once-popular center

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

The city of Slidell has taken another big step in its effort to purchase the nearly empty North Shore Square Mall, authorizing the mayor to enter into a letter of intent to buy the highprofile property at Interstate 12 and Northshore Boulevard.

Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert said he expected to sign a letter of intent Wednesday with the owners of the mall, Morguard, a Canadian company that manages billions of dollars in real estate across North America. Borchert said the city and Morguard have been discussing a possible sale for months, going back and forth on the price.

“They started at $53 million. I started at $9 million,” Borchert said. “We settled at just south of $13 million.”

There are still a number of steps that have to be taken. A property appraisal has to be done — the city can’t offer more than the property is appraised for — and a purchase agreement would have to be finalized.

See MALL, page 2B

BY DESIREE STENNETT Staff writer

A controversial grain facility planned in the Holy Cross neighborhood will open this fall, not this summer, and its operator expects that emissions from the facility will fall below

and her

and killed Sunday. Authorities and relatives say they were killed by

The Fly at Audubon Park getting new playground

Staff report

A new and expanded playground and restrooms are coming to The Fly behind Audubon Zoo, the Audubon Nature Institute posted on social media this week

Major improvements are underway at Audubon Riverview Park, also known as The Fly, that will include remodeled restrooms.

Visitors will have access to temporary restrooms as construction takes place, which includes removal of the existing playground

The $1.6 million project is funded through city bonds and the

STUDENTS

Continued from page 1B

here, eat here, do everything else here.”

In any other year White a sophomore legal studies major, might be relishing her last two semesters of on-campus life before finding an off-campus apartment to split with friends. But Tulane’s new policy requires students to live on campus for three years, meaning she’ll be on campus next year, too. Fogelman, along with another new residence hall nearby, has added enough beds to make the new policy workable. Not that White minds.

“It’s like a hotel for nine months,” she said.

Thousands of Tulane students were in the process of moving back to campus this month, and hundreds of sophomores and juniors were unpacking in Fogelman and Bayou halls, which replaced the Irby and Paterson residence halls between Willow and Freret streets. The new residences are part of “The Village,” a $200 million multiyear project to scale up on-campus housing. With the new buildings, about 5,000 students, or roughly 60% of the undergraduate student body, can live on campus. Students who started attending Tulane in 2023 and after are required to adhere to the new rules. The change comes as Tulane is working to defuse long-simmering tensions between the university’s off-campus students and residents of nearby neighborhoods, and to bolster students’ college experience.

“We’re really excited about this. We think it improves the whole undergraduate experience at Tulane,” President Michael Fitts said in an interview on Wednesday “It improves the education of our students in so many different ways, but also hopefully it will improve the neighborhood and the neighbors will appreciate it.”

On Wednesday morning, a trickle of students and parents rolled suitcases and pushed carts across campus through the August heat. A few dads sat in the new student lounges, assembling shelving carts and other small pieces of furniture.

Bayou and Fogelman halls are adding an additional 780 beds to the campus. River and Lake halls, completed in 2023, make up the other two residential components of The Village, which also has an automated convenience store a 200-person auditorium for classes or movie nights, and plenty of community gathering spaces.

Each residence hall is equipped with sleek kitchens and inviting study lounges as well as suite-style student rooms.

Tulane officials have touted research that shows students who live on campus show more academic

OFFICER

Continued from page 1B

known in the French Quarter community,” the warrant states.

In October, Johnson allegedly told his colleagues he was on Bourbon Street and “available if needed” when he was headed to New Orleans East for sex, the warrant states.

A 28-year NOPD veteran, Johnson accrued a lengthy disciplinary history, according to Public Integrity Bureau records. It includes a November 2005 violation for neglect of duty after he was “AWOL” during Hurricane Katrina. He was suspended for a day in 2015 for breaking the department’s use-of-force policy He was again disciplined with a one-day suspension in 2018 for neglect of duty

In July 2019, Johnson ran a red light in his Ford F-150 and struck a bike commuter on the way to his Royal Street job. Johnson refused to identify himself to the cyclist and left the scene

FACILITY

Continued from page 1B

Audubon Nature Institute. It is expected to be completed by spring 2026. Following construction, officials plan to add trees to the area for shade.

The park is a large green space on the Mississippi River with walking paths, sports fields and picnic areas. Its nickname, The Fly, came from the first building there with concessions and restrooms that looked like a butterfly and opened in 1969 and stood until a stray tugboat destroyed it in 1987.

The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

and social engagement and report higher levels of satisfaction with their college experience.

Up until the class of 2027, Tulane only required students to live on campus for two years. Under the new three-year policy, exceptions will still be made for certain groups, including students older than 22, married and transfer students, as well as those who study abroad for part of their junior year Students who live on campus are required to purchase campus meal plans.

It’s easier for students to get to class, the library, dining halls and other campus amenities, and dorms can provide housing for students with “like-minded classmates who share their intellectual interests and research pursuits,” the university has said.

The move also aimed to alleviate housing tensions Uptown.

Residents have for years complained that off-campus housing aimed at students has driven up costs and driven out longtime residents. The City Council passed restrictions and guidelines two years ago, attempting to curtail the spread of “doubles to dorms,” the conversion of single- and double-family homes into student housing with multiple units rented far above market value.

Longtime Carrollton resident

Debra Howell said she’s hopeful that the new university housing policy will alleviate some neighborhood housing tensions. Howell said she’s witnessed homes nearby one by one get bought by developers and remodeled into units that rent out to multiple students for as much as $1,600 per bedroom

Though fewer students in the neighborhood will hopefully help housing and eliminate a number of cars that cause parking headaches, she said, “it’s a little too little, a little too late in terms of the damage that’s been done to the neighborhood.”

Fitts said housing additions are the “crowning touch” to Tulane’s Uptown campus, which has seen 11 new buildings over the past decade, including new dorms as well as academic buildings.

“This really fills out the rebuilding,” he said.

at St. Louis and North Rampart streets. The cyclist went to the 8th District station to file a report. Investigators pulled security footage to identify Johnson, who was not charged criminally Instead, he received letters of reprimand for lapses in professionalism and adherence to the law, records show Johnson faces two counts of prostitution, three counts of malfeasance in office and two counts of injuring public records.

Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Franz Zibilich preset Johnson’s bail at $1,500 per count on Wednesday Johnson turned himself in at the 8th District station and did not appear in Magistrate Court. If convicted of malfeasance, Johnson faces up to 10 years in prison. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said her office will prosecute the case. “This is a matter that remains under investigation,” Murrill said in a statement. “There are many good police officers protecting the public and enforcing the law We will hold those who breach the public trust accountable.”

The application has been pending since March. Residents in the Holy Cross neighborhood, who have long opposed the $13 million terminal for a host of reasons, have said such a meeting would allow them to air their concerns.

“Sunrise Foods initially applied for a minor source air permit to account for projected long-term growth,” company officials said in a statement. “However, as facility plans were finalized, it became clear that our initial operations — set to begin this fall would be significantly below the thresholds requiring a permit under Louisiana regulations. Accordingly we withdrew our application.”

Jeffrey Wittenbrink Jr., of the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association, said he is “disappointed” to hear that Sunrise withdrew the state application, and that the project still lacks community support. Residents have said they fear the facility will erode property values, emit fine grain dust that causes respiratory illnesses and attract rodents

However Wittenbrink said he met with Michael Corbett, executive vice president of strategy and infrastructure for Sunrise Foods, on Tuesday and the meeting “went surprisingly well.”

The Canada-based Sunrise will use the New Orleans facility to bring thousands of tons per week of imported organic grain into the country From the Alabo Wharf, the grain will be put on trains and

COUPLE

Continued from page 1B

New Orleans Police Department, which is investigating the case as a double murder-suicide.

“He killed his mama first, and then he went inside and shot my dad,” said Carrera’s son, Alexander Carrera, 18. Relatives called Zennitria Stevenson a sweet soul, a mother and grandmother who loved spending time with family Esvin Carrera was a hard worker who dedicated himself to taking care of her and the children in their blended family

“All they did was love each other,” said Alexander Carrera, who referred to Zennitria Stevenson as his stepmother because she’d raised him since he was about 6. Emotions were conflicted when it came to Jarrell Stevenson. His cousin, Jamara Stevenson, 34, of Baton Rouge, watched him grow up and said she does loves him.

“I can’t say what made him want to do this to her,” she said. “It hurts because I really don’t know how to feel towards him.” Domestic disturbance

The shootings occurred about noon Sunday at the family’s home in the 5900 block of Boeing Street. Alexander Carrera did not live at the residence. But he said his brother 15, was there that day along with Jarrell Stevenson’s 11-year-old son and another of Zennitria Stevenson’s adult sons.

New Orleans police said the shootings appear to have stemmed from a domestic dispute. Alexan-

MALL

Continued from page 1B

Borchert said the state Bond Commission would also have to sign off on bonds the city would use to pay for the approximately 55-acre site.

And since the Dillard’s Clearance Center and a self-storage facility on the site are privately owned, the city will have to negotiate a sale with the owners of those businesses, Borchert said.

Efforts to contact Morguard for comment Wednesday were not immediately successful

The 621,000-square-foot mall, which opened in 1985 and became a regional shopping hub, has only two remaining stores: the popular Dillard’s discount store and At Home, a chain that just filed for bankruptcy

For years, Slidell officials have lamented the state of the mall, watching as store after store closed and as the mall’s interior was eventually closed as well.

Slidell City Council member Nick DiSanti noted that the letter of intent is nonbinding, meaning the city is in a “no-risk position” to pursue a deal.

“We’re excited about the opportunity,” he said The city recently commissioned a study to see what could

shipped across the nation. Right now, most organic grain in the U.S. is imported, and company officials have said they hope that the shipping infrastructure in New Orleans will encourage more U.S farmers to grow more of it.

The state allows up to five tons per year of any individual regulated air pollutant as defined by the Federal Clean Air Act and less than 15 tons per year of all defined pollutants combined. Sunrise Foods said emissions from the grain facility in the project’s first phase will “fall well below all of the regulatory thresholds — estimated at approximately half of the threshold for requiring a permit.”

Gregory Langley, spokesperson for the state environmental quality department, didn’t respond to questions about the specifics of the project but said, generally, if Sunrise’s estimates are correct, the company can continue without the permit for now

Company officials said Sunrise will track emissions as the state requires to ensure they remain below state limits, and if emissions rise above the threshold, the firm will seek a permit. Sunrise has so far been tightlipped about future phases of the project, but the company planned to move a vegetable oil terminal with storage tanks and a deodorizer from the Port of Houston to the Port of New Orleans this year, and to make other unspecified “wharf improvements” by 2026, according to a June 2023 email obtained by residents in a public records request and provided to

der Carrera learned from family members that Jarrell Stevenson had been arguing with his mother and she asked him to leave.

But Jarrell Stevenson got angry when Zennitria Stevenson threatened to call police, according to Alexander Carrera. Jarrell Stevenson shot his mother outside the residence before heading into the living room and shooting Esvin Carrera as he sat on a couch next to Jarrell Stevenson’s young son.

“Thank God no bullets hit him,” Alexander Carrera said of the 11-year-old

Alexander Carrera’s younger brother came downstairs after the first volley of gunfire. But he quickly ran to hide once he spotted Jarrell Stevenson shooting their father, according to Alexander Carrera.

“My dad was in a wheelchair and couldn’t walk after a stroke two years ago,” he said. “He killed my dad for no reason.”

Alexander Carrera rushed to the residence after his little brother called to tell him about the shooting. He immediately spotted his stepmother’s body outside on the ground.

Jarrell Stevenson was still alive when he arrived and appeared to smirk while being loaded into the ambulance, Alexander Carrera said.

A bright spirit and a hard worker

Zennitria Stevenson was the older sister to three brothers and grew up Uptown in the Magnolia project, now known as Harmony Oaks. Friends called her “Nitra” and “Ms. Magnolia.”

“She had a very bright spirit,” Jamara Stevenson said. “She wel-

be done with the site to revitalize it and get it back into commerce.

The study is expected in midOctober, DiSanti said.

But Borchert and St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation CEO Chris Masingill have said the consultant, Colliers, has advised them that a first step should be purchasing the site so the city controls its development.

The city hasn’t said what longterm plans it has for the site.

Colliers was hosting a community meeting Wednesday night in Slidell for the public to offer its ideas and thoughts.

But one thing seems abundantly clear: It won’t be reopened as a mall.

“The city will not be in the retail business,” Borchert said. “I can promise you that.”

Masingill called the proposed purchase “transformational.”

“It’s fundamentally the right strategy,” he said. “They literally have the chance to take control of their own economic development future.”

The money to cover any purchase would come from revenues generated by a special tax on purchases made inside the recently expanded Northshore Square Economic Development District. The district’s officers on Tuesday night approved a 1% sales tax on purchases made at stores inside the district and a

The Times-Picayune.

With the grain facility delay, the future phases have also been delayed, the company said.

“At this time, no design or volume projections are finalized for future expansion,” the company said in a statement. “Any additional phase would be several years away and would proceed after further community engagement, updated environmental reviews, and confirmation that initial operations are running safely and responsibly.”

When residents learned of Sunrise’s plans for an air permit, they petitioned the state to hold a public meeting to address their concerns.

The state approved the request and residents were waiting for it to be scheduled when Sunrise announced it was withdrawing its application. Though residents had spent months attending Port of New Orleans board meetings pleading with members to reverse course on the project, which they learned of after it was already approved. The Department of Environmental Quality meeting would have afforded them another opportunity in front of a different audience to attempt to stop the project.

Officials with Sunrise said withdrawing the application “in no way” takes away the community’s voice on the project. They said they plan to host a meeting in September to provide new information to residents and hear their concerns.

They said they will release a more detailed timeline for the project at around that time.

comed everybody with loving arms.”

Zennitria Stevenson was definitely not shy The mother of five was a joyful and outgoing soul who loved a good party and R&B singer Anita Baker

She met Esvin Carrera, a construction worker with three sons, more than 10 years ago while making food a local store, according to Alexander Carrera.

“My dad, he was a man,” Alexander Carrera said, referring to his father’s priority of working as much as possible to put food on the family’s table and keep a roof over their heads. “He never partied. He just worked and went home.”

Esvin Carrera could be rigid and harsh, never letting anyone walk over him, according to Alexander Carrera. Their relationship was strained in his early teenage years.

But Esvin Carrera had expressed pride for his son after Alexander Carrera said he’d straightened out his life, graduated high school and began making plans for college.

The 18-year-old’s anger boiled over for Jarrell Stevenson, with whom he’d practically grown up. Jarrell Stevenson changed after a stint in jail a few years ago, according to Alexander Carrera. Jarrell Stevenson was one of several Orleans Parish jail inmates injured when authorities broke up a three-day protest by detainees inside the jail in August 2022.

“When he came home from jail (four months ago), he wasn’t right in the head,” Alexander Carrera said.

2% tax hotel occupancy tax in the district. Those new taxes begin Oct. 1.

Borchert said officials believe those taxes will generate enough to repay $20 million in bonds to purchase the mall and other properties on the site. He said the state Bond Commission would have to approve the issuance of the bonds, which likely wouldn’t happen until October The officers of the Northshore Square Economic Development District also voted to authorize Borchert to enter into the letter of intent Tuesday night. While the mall has fallen on hard times, other stores on the Northshore Boulevard corridor continue to do well. Home Depot, Walmart and Sam’s Club are among the stores nearby “There’s a lot of life left in that corridor,” DiSanti said.

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Wall Street rises higher after worldwide rally NEW YORK U.S. stocks ticked higher on Wednesday after a rally spurred by hopes for lower U.S interest rates wrapped around the world.

The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, coming off its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 463 points, or 1%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.1% to its own record set the day before.

Treasury yields eased in the bond market as expectations reached a virtual consensus that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its next meeting in September Lower rates can boost investment prices and the economy by making it cheaper for U.S. households and businesses to borrow to buy houses, cars or equipment, though they risk worsening inflation.

On Wall Street, stocks of companies that could benefit most from lower interest rates helped lead the way PulteGroup climbed 5.4%, and Lennar rose 5.2% as part of a broad rally for homebuilders and others in the housing industry Lower rates could make mortgages cheaper to get, which could spur more buying. Brinker International rose 1.6% after becoming the latest to report stronger results for the latest quarter than analysts expected Gildan to purchase HanesBrands for $2.2B

Gildan Activewear is buying the struggling HanesBrands for $2.2 billion in a deal that gives the basic apparel maker access to household name brands like Hanes and Maidenform. The companies put the transaction’s value at about $4.4 billion when HanesBrands’ debt is included.

Gildan, in addition to its namesake brand, also makes American Apparel and Peds. HanesBrands’ sales have fallen for three consecutive years and it hasn’t turned an annual profit since 2021.

The North Carolina company sold its Champion brand last year to Authentic Brands Group for more than $1 billion HanesBrands shareholders will receive 0.102 common shares of Gildan and 80 cents in cash for each share of HanesBrands common stock They will own about 19.9% of Gildan stock once the deal closes.

Bessent sees chip deals as model

Treasury Secretary Scott

Bessent said the recent deal to allow Nvidia Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. to resume lower-end artificial intelligence chip sales to China, on the condition they give the U.S. government a 15% cut of the related revenue, could serve as a model for others.

“I think we could see it in other industries over time,” Bessent said Wednesday in a television interview on Bloomberg Surveillance. “Right now, this is unique, but now that we have the model and the beta test, why not expand it?”

Bessent credited President Donald Trump with the “very unique solution” of allowing Nvidia to expand in China and become a bellwether for Chinese technology, with the U.S. taxpayer getting “a share of” the reward.

The revenue the Treasury receives from the arrangement will go to pay down debt, he said. “If we could make a substantial debt” repayment, that would then allow for discussions about a program of sending money to taxpayers, he also said. On Tuesday, Bessent said that he’d be meeting again with his Chinese counterparts “within the next two or three months,” speaking on Fox Business He dismissed the possibility of China emulating other U.S. trading partners in winning tariff relief in return for boosting investments in the U.S.

Amazon expands grocery delivery

bers, with plans to reach over 2,300 cities and towns by year-end.

BY ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP retail writer

NEW YORK Amazon is now rolling out a service where its Prime members can order their blueberries and milk at the same time as basic items like batteries and T-shirts and get them within hours.

The online juggernaut said Wednesday that customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns including Raleigh, North Carolina; Milwaukee; and Columbus, Ohio, now have access to fresh groceries with its free same-day delivery service on orders over $25 for Prime mem-

Amazon called the move “one of the most significant grocery expansions” for the online retailer as it introduces thousands of perishable items into its existing logistics network. The expansion is expected to put pressure on grocery delivery services offered by such rivals as Walmart, Kroger and Target, which all saw their shares take a hit in trading Wednesday Amazon’s shares rose 1%.

Amazon said that if an order doesn’t meet the minimum, members can still choose same-day delivery for a $2.99 fee. For customers without a Prime membership, the service is available with a $12.99 fee, regardless of order In the past, Prime subscribers’ grocery orders were fulfilled

through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market. Prime members pay $14.99 monthly or $139 annually Amazon launched its Prime membership in 2005 and it has become the gold standard for subscription services with a slew of perks including unlimited streaming with Prime Video and discounts at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh.

Walmart, which launched its membership program called Walmart+ in 2020, has been racing to add more benefits. It costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year Depending on members’ location and availability, Walmart members can schedule same-day delivery for their groceries, including perishables.

Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, noted that

customers can order milk alongside electronics; oranges, apples, and potatoes with a mystery novel; and frozen pizza at the same time as tools for their next home improvement project and check out with one cart and have everything delivered to their doorstep within hours.

Amazon noted that many of its customers were first-time Amazon grocery shoppers who now return to shop twice as often with the same-day delivery service compared to those who didn’t purchase food. It also noted that based on early sales, strawberries now regularly knock AirPods out of the top five best sellers of all products sold, while bananas, Honeycrisp apples, limes and avocados round out the top 10 best-selling perishable grocery items.

GE Appliances investing $3B in additional U.S. production

Work in China, Mexico to move to domestic plants

BY BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press

LOUISVILLE,Ky.—

GE Appliances plans to shift production of refrigerators, gas ranges and water heaters out of China and Mexico as part of a more than $3 billion investment to expand its U.S. operations in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina.

The investment — the second-largest in the Louisville-based company’s history — is expected to add more than 1,000 jobs while ramping up domestic production and modernizing plants in the next five years.

“Our long-term strategy is about manufacturing close to our customers,” said CEO Kevin Nolan. “With lean manufacturing, upskilling our workforce and automation, the math works for manufacturing in the United States.”

The majority of GE Appliances’ production is already in the U.S. and the shift means only that the company will transfer more work to its domestic plants.

GE Appliances will relocate production of gas ranges from Mexico to a plant in Georgia, while six refrigerator models now made in China will be manufactured at its Alabama plant, the company said.

In June, the company said it would move production of clothes washers from China to its sprawling manufacturing complex in Louisville The reshoring announcements come as President Donald Trump tries to lure factories back to the United States by imposing import taxes — tariffs — on foreign goods.

GE Appliances said Wednesday that the first phase of its new investment will begin at plants in five Southern states — Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina.

“We are defining the future of manufacturing at GE Appliances by investing in our plants, people and communities,” Nolan said “No other appliance company over the last decade has invested more in U.S. manufacturing than we have, and our $3 billion, five-year plan shows that our commitment to U.S manufacturing will continue into the future.”

The multiyear plan includes ramping up production of gas ranges that have been made in Mexico but will shift to the company’s plant in LaFayette, Georgia, the company said Production of six refrigerators

now made in China will move to its plant in Decatur, Alabama. The GE Appliances plant in Camden, South Carolina, will add production of electric and hybrid heat pump water heaters, doubling the factory’s output and employment once the project is complete, the company said. The plant now produces gas water heaters. Production of the company’s electric and hybrid water heaters — now made in China will shift to South Carolina. In Selmer, Tennessee, its plant will produce two new models of air conditioners. The latest investment includes the June announcement that GE Appliances will

pump $490 million into its Kentucky complex to produce a combo washer/dryer and a lineup of front load washers that are now made in China.

In all, production of more than 15 models of front load washers will shift to the company’s Louisville complex — known as Appliance Park, it said.

Kentucky Gov Andy Beshear said Wednesday that the investment shows his state’s ability to support world-class companies with a skilled workforce and the resources needed to thrive.

“GE Appliances has established Kentucky as America’s destination for advanced manufacturing and job creation, and today’s news shows this iconic company’s unwavering belief in the commonwealth and the role we play in their success,” Beshear said.

GE Appliances handles product design and engineering work at its Louisville headquarters but doesn’t make all of its products in the U.S. It contracts with other manufacturers including in China, for some of its production where it doesn’t have capacity or needs access to a global supply chain. The company said its core business strategy is to base production in the United States, and investments announced in June and on Wednesday are another step toward achieving that goal.

GE Appliances is a subsidiary of the Chinabased Haier company

Nike Georges named president of Georges Enterprises

CEO John Georges says move marks rise of ‘next generation’

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

Georges Enterprises, the Louisiana-based parent company of food distributor Imperial Trading Co. and other diverse businesses in media gaming and real estate, has named Nike Georges as its new president, marking the rise of a new generation into the leadership of the family-owned company run by CEO John Georges. Nike Georges, 28, will be respon-

Nike Georges

sible for driving the Elmwood company’s growth strategies and leading business development initiatives. In addition to Imperial Trading, which supplies food and other products to more than 5,000 convenience stores across 21 states, Georges Enterprises serves as the parent company of AMA Distributors and Georges Media Group, which owns The Times-Picayune, The Advocate, The Acadiana Advocate, The Shreveport-Bossier Advocate and Gambit.

“There comes a point when it’s time for the next generation,” said John Georges, who will continue in his current role with the company “Nike has been with the company for six years. He’s ready.” John Georges was 30 when he became president of Imperial Trading, which was founded by his grandfather Gus Pelias in 1916. In the four decades since, the company has grown into a diversified enterprise with more than $3 billion in annual sales and 2,500 employees.

In an interview Wednesday, he said he wanted to begin the process of passing the torch.

“It’s an important benchmark for the company,” he said. Nike Georges joined the com-

pany in 2019 after graduating from the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in public policy and leadership. In the years since, he worked in management at Imperial Trading under its president, Wayne Baquet, and played a key role in the design and implementation of an automated storage, retrieval and picking system at Imperial’s Bossier City Distribution Center

“It’s an honor,” said Nike Georges, who plans to focus initially on enhancing Imperial’s competitive position. “We are looking to make good investments in the state to help us be competitive on a national level, because we are competing with big national distributors.”

Bailey, Robert Bell, Berneal

Benjamin,Joan

Brinson, Loyd

Dinet, Cynthia

Dolliole,Ida

Gaudet, Gayle

Gibbs Jr., Hines

Green,Patricia

Harris,Ambrose

Lewis, Elaine

Lightell, Elisa

McCoy, Oceanous

Morris, Gaile

Picolo,Earline

Savoie, Gladys

EJefferson

Garden of Memories

Gaudet, Gayle

NewOrleans

DW Rhodes

Bell, Berneal

Brinson, Loyd

Dolliole,Ida

Gibbs Jr., Hines

Green,Patricia

McCoy, Oceanous

Estelle JWilson

Morris, Gaile

Lake Lawn Metairie

Benjamin,Joan

Picolo,Earline St Bernard

CharbonnetLabat

Bailey, Robert West Bank

Mothe

Savoie, Gladys

Dinet, Cynthia Lightell, Elisa

Obituaries

Bailey, Robert Joseph

Robert Joseph Bailey passedawayonFriday, Au‐gust8,2025 at theage of 78. Born to thelateRobert and Florence Bailey on June20, 1947 in NewOr‐leans,LA, “Bobby”ashe was knowntofamilyand friends,was theeldest child.Heissurvivedby daughters,Michelle Bailey Quintero, StephanieBailey Bayardand theirfamilies; siblings, Patricia Nether‐land(Doug), GlennBailey, NoraJones (Kerry)and James Bailey (Wendy) along with numerous nieces, nephewsother rel‐ativesand friends. Bobby was aformerProcessing Geophysicistwho worked for Amoco, Southern Seis‐mic Processors andBailey Seismic Services through‐out hiscareer.A private Celebration honoring his Lifewillbeheldata later time. Finalarrangements entrusted to Charbonnet FamilyServices, (504)302 1520.

On November 1, 1930, in the vibrantcityofNew Or‐leans,Louisiana,a pre‐cious newchapter began. Borntothe union of WilliamBell, Jr.and Eliza‐bethHowardBell, Berneal was thethird of eightchil‐drenand grew up sur‐rounded by thehum of family, faith,and love.On Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the ageof94years young, Berneal received her final and most treasuredpass‐portstamp —her heavenly stamp.Raisedina Christ‐ian home,Berneal ac‐cepted Christ as herSavior at an earlyage.She was baptizedbythe late Rev. HoraceLeonard at Greater KingSolomon Missionary Baptist Church,where she remaineda faithful mem‐ber throughout herlife. Her educational journeybegan asa young scholarat Rudolph T. Daneel Elemen‐tarySchool andBooker T. WashingtonSeniorHigh School.She continuedto the GramblingState Uni‐versity,where sheproudly earnedher Bachelor of ArtsinElementaryEduca‐tion. Shewas aproud Grambling Tiger! Berneal devoted 32 yearstoshap‐ing young scholars.She began hercareerinthe Plaquemines Parish School System, laterteachingat JohnH.MartininJefferson Parish, Holy GhostCatholic School in New Orleans, and thenwithinthe Orleans ParishSchool System at Tommy Lafonand Hoffman ElementarySchools. Her dedicationtoher scholars wentbeyond thelesson plans.She believed in showing up,inevery sense ofthe word,and made it her missiontobepresent for herscholarsevery sin‐gle day. Herremarkable perfect attendance earned her an awardand afeature ina localnewspaper arti‐cle titled,“StillPerfect After AllThese Years.”Out‐sidethe classroom Berneal’s life was filled withjoy,curiosity,and ad‐venture.She wasanavid bowlerand apassionate traveler. When thelast school bell rang each year, she wouldpackher bags and setoff forher next summerdestination.Her travels took heracrossthe globe —Paris,London, Ghana,Jerusalem,Alaska, New York,Washington, D.C., theBahamas,Hawaii, and countless other places. Shealsoenjoyed the gentle rhythm of cruises andthe cama‐raderie of bustours Berneal wasanartistat heart.She found joyincre‐ating,especially whendec‐orating Zulu coconuts. She proudly rode in theZulu paradefor severalyears and oftensaidthatifshe could do onething again, it would be to ride once more. Even after she stopped,she continuedto craft beautifulcoconuts for otherriders, each onea small work of art. Shewas precededindeath by her parents,William Bell,Jr. and Marietta Howard Bell; her siblings Arthur L. Bap‐tiste,Yvonne B. Bradley, Alcee M. Bell,AltheaB Cooper,ElaineB.Pierce, and RussellW.Bell, Sr.; nephews AnthonyJ.Pierce, HowardCooper,and Dwayne R. Pierce;and niece DarleneB.Murray. She leaves to cherishher memoryone brother, Clement C. Bell (Dianne), along with ahostofnieces, nephews,great-nieces, great-nephews,cousins, and friendswho will carry her lightforward.Berneal’s lifewas ajourney welltraveled, apassport filled with love,laughter, and faith.Now,she hasarrived ather finaldestination, and thewelcome thereis surelyasgrand as thead‐venturesshe embraced on earth.Relatives and friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend aFuneral Service honoring thelifeof Ms. BernealBellatGreater KingSolomon Baptist Church,3305 Audubon Street,New Orleans, LA on Saturday, August 16,2025 at10:00 am.Visitationwill begin at 9:00 am until 10:00 am. Interment: Providence MemorialParkCemetery, Metairie, LA.Arrangements entrusted to D.W. Rhodes FuneralHome, 3933 Wash‐ingtonAve., New Orleans, LA70125. Please visitwww rhodesfuneral.comtosign the guestbook,share mem‐ories and condolences withthe family

Joan Durland Benjamin passed away peacefullyon August 10, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana, fifteen days shortofher 100th birthday. Joan was the married to thelateWilliam MenteBenjamin for65 years. She was thedaughterofthe lateElizabeth Warnerand WilliamDavies Durland, and thesisterof Elizabeth Durland Dupont.

Joan was bornon August 25, 1925 in Beverly, Massachusetts and livedin NewOrleans for most of her life.For many years, she spent summers in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Joan is survivedbyfour loving children, William Proctor Benjamin (Margaret)ofGreensboro, North Carolina, John Durland Benjamin, of Boca Raton, Florida, Ann BenjaminZuraw (Ben) of Greensboro,North Carolina, and Thomas MenteBenjamin (Sallee)of NewOrleans, tengrandchildren, William Proctor Benjamin, Jr., Elise BenjaminTurner, Lucy Zuraw Thompson, Jerrold MenteZuraw, Lane Zuraw Ortenberg,Hughes Whitescarver Benjamin, Esme' Boyce Benjamin, Marshall Beardsley Benjamin, Roberta Belle Benjamin, Reid Campbell Benjaminand fivegreat grandchildrenand affectionately was known as "Mimi."

Joan attendedLouise McGeheeSchool and later graduated from Newcomb College in 1946, where she was amember of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.

An activecommunity volunteer, Joan was the founding President of the Young Audiences of Louisianaand was aBoard Member of theWomen's Committee of NewOrleans Symphony, theWomen's Voluntary Committee of theNew Orleans Museum of Art, and theAuxiliary Boardofthe Lighthouse of theBlind.She was apast Chairman of theLadies Golf Associationofthe NewOrleans Country Club, aformerPresident of the Stuart Clan, and apast member of theBoardof theOrleans Club and the Le PetitSalon. She was a memberofthe Mayflower Society and theDaughters of theAmerican Revolution.

An accomplishedgolfer and tennis player, Joan enjoyed many friendships on thegolflinks and thetennis courts in NewOrleans and in Greensboro, North Carolina

Joan was amember of St.Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church in NewOrleans for over 80 years, and thecongregation'slongest living memberatthe timeofher death. Formany years, she taught Sunday School and was astrongsupporter of and teacher forthe Start theAdventurein Reading (STAIR)program

The family wouldliketo thank thestaff at Lambeth House, Right at Home, and HomeCare Solutions for their care of Joan.

Amemorial servicewill be held on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel at St.Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, NewOrleans, LA with visitationpreceding at 10:00 a.m. The burial will be private.Inlieuofflowers, donations may be madetothe St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, Lambeth House Foundation, or the charity of your choice. The family invites youtoshare your thoughts, fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.co m

1952, to thelateHezekiah Sr. andLuvella MageeBrin‐son.Loydattended Orleans ParishSchoolsand gradu‐atedfromBooker T. Wash‐ingtonSeniorHighSchool Healsoattended North CarolinaA&T StateUniver‐sitybeforebecomingill.He had apassion forart and was anatural artist.Unfor‐tunately,his paintings werelostinthe Katrina event.Hewillbedearly missedbyhis familyand friends.Loydissurvivedby seven siblings.Heleaves behindYvonne Custard (Herman Custard),John Brinson,CurtisBrinson (Lisa Brinson),Regina Robinson, Alveretta Williams (Arthur Williams), HezekiahBrinson,Jr(Yu‐landa Brinson) andMichael Brinson (IrmaBrinson)and PhilJohnson,his special nephew. He waspreceded indeath by hisparents, Hezekiah, Sr., andLuvella Magee Brinsonand five siblings, Robert Fulton Brinson,Sr. (Gloria),Larry Brinson,JeromeBuckley (Evelyn), CarolynBrinson and JoyceArmstrong.Heis survivedbya host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, family, and friends. TheBrinson familywould like to ex‐press oursincere apprecia‐tionand thanks to John J. Hainkel Jr.-AudubonRetire‐mentVillage fortheir many years of care provided to Loyd. We also thankall our familyand friendsfor all yourprayers during this time. Relativesand friends ofthe familyare invitedto attendhis FuneralService atD.W.RhodesFuneral Chapel, 3933 Washington Avenue,New Orleans, LA onFriday, August 15, 2025 at10:00 am.Visitationwill begin at 9:00 am until 10:00am.Pleasejoinusby livestreamat9:50amby visitingwww.facebook com/D.W.RhodesFuneralHo me/live.Interment:Wood‐lawnParkMemorialCeme‐tery, 9820 Nine Mile Point Rd, WWestwego, LA 70094 Pleasevisit https://pre miermemories.net/users/ MTcwMDcwLUxveWQgSGV ucnk=/home.htmltosign the online guestbook, share memories andcon‐dolenceswiththe family. ArrangementsbyD.W RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 WashingtonAve,New Or‐leans,LA(504) 822-7162 www.rhodesfuneral.com. 1Th4:13Brothersand sis‐ters, we do notwantyou to beuninformedabout those who sleep in death, so that you do notgrievelikethe restofmankind,who have nohope.

CynthiaElizabeth Hingle Dinet,age 67, wascalled hometobewiththe Lord onSunday, August 3, 2025

She wasbornonJuly12, 1958 in Buras, Louisianato her parents, Lois Denesse Hingleand Jules“Sammy” Hingle. Cynthiadevoted her life to familyand em‐bodying aspiritoflove thatwillbemissedby those who knew her. She carried many titles in her lifetime, abeloved mother daughter, godmother, aunt,but most importantly “Gram”. Sheretired from Plaquemines Parish School Board after 30 yearsofser‐vice. Cynthiaspent her dayslivinglifetothe fullest,opening herhome and hearttofriends,family and even strangers. She found hergreatestjoy in givingher time,loveand energytoher beloved grandchildren,who were the lightofher life.Cynthia issurvivedbymultiple familymembers,including her mother Lois Hingle,her sisterVickieProut, brother-in-lawRollen Prout,twindaughters Tynia Gaines andRachell Murray, sons-in-lawMar‐quelGainesand Eugene Del Murray III, andall sixof her grandchildren, Juliana, Kainnen, MarquelJr., Hazel,Khalid andGia.She isalsosurvivedbymultiple niecesand nephews. Sheis precededindeath by her latehusband,Jonathan Michael Dinetand sisters Anastasia Taylor (Ben‐jamin)and ElisaLightell (Michael).Funeralservices willbeheldonSaturday, August16, 2025 at OurLady ofPerpetual Help Church, 8968 LA-23, Belle Chasse LA70037. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with massfollowing at 11:00 a.m.FatherKyleDavewill officiate. Entombment will beheldatOur Lady of Good Harbor Cemetery, 35736-35748 Hwy. 11, Buras, LA 70041. Thefamily

wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to allwho haveoffered prayers, love and supportduringthis time. Though shewillbe deeply missed, Cynthia’s love, generosity andjoyful spiritwillliveoninthe heartsofall who knew her. Funeral planning entrusted toRobinsonFamilyFuneral Home(504) 208-2119. For onlinecondolences,please visit www.robinsonfamilyf uneralhome.com.

IdaMae Esteen Dolliole ofNew Orleans, Louisiana passedawayonAugust2 2025, at theage of 89. Ida was born in Plaquemine, LAonMarch 3, 1936. She was thesecondoften chil‐dren, includingbrothers and sistersMary, Melba Fae,Carolyn Ann, John Jr Clarence, Barry, Larry, Sharonand Shermond borntoJohnEsteen,Sr. and Mary Ella Bridgewater Esteen.Her parents, sisters Maryand MelbaFae,and brother Larryhaveprede‐ceasedher.Ida attended JosephS.Clark High School and as aU.S.Air ForceMili‐tarySpousetraveledex‐tensively across theglobe withher immediatefamily. She wasa topsellerofLife Insurancefor many years. Idalater flourished as an entrepreneuroperating and managing multiple restaurants before becom‐ing thesoleproprietorof Dolliole’sinNew Orleans, a cityknown forits hospital‐ity andworld-renowned cuisine.Ida is survived by her children Kevin(Janice Flint)Dolliole, Sr Steven Dolliole, Sr., Andre’ (Kim‐berly Balancier) Dolliole; son-in-lawMichael Her‐manspahn; sisters; Carolyn Ann Hankton, Sharon Refuge(Mike); brothers: JohnEsteen,Jr. (Marie), ClarenceEsteen,Sr.,Barry Esteen,Sr. (Adrienne) and ShermondEsteen,Sr., (Jozell);brother-in-lawIsa‐iah Vining,Sr. andsisterin-lawJeanette Sylvester; 14grandchildren,21greatgrandchildren and1 greatgreat grandchild;and a hostofother relativesand friends.She waspreceded indeath by herspouse Henry LouisDolliole, Jr daughters Pamela Dolliole Hermanspahn andLynn Dolliole, andbrothers-inlaw RandallForstall, Sr Lloyd Dolliole,Sr.,EarlHan‐kton, Sr., andsister-in-law Karen Esteen.Known for her NaturallyNew Orleans hospitality,fun-spirited personality andtasty Cre‐ole-soulcooking,Ida pas‐sionately served others bothpersonallyand pro‐fessionally throughout her entirelife. Relativesand friends of thefamily, also priestand parishioners of CorpusChristi Catholic Church areinvited to at‐tenda Mass of Christian BurialatCorpusChristi Catholic Church,2022 St Bernard Ave.,New Orleans, LAonSaturday, August 16 2025 at 10:00 am.Visitation willbegin at 9:00 am until 10:00 am.Interment:St. Patrick #3 Cemetery,New Orleans,LA. Arrangements entrusted to D.W. Rhodes FuneralHome, 3933 Wash‐ingtonAve., NewOrleans, LA70125. Please visitwww rhodesfuneral.comtosign the online guestbook share memories andcon‐dolenceswiththe family.

GayleBurke Gaudet,af‐fectionatelyknown as “MeeMee”,earnedher angel wingsonAugust9 2025, at theage of 86 sur‐rounded by herlovingand devoted children.She was borninNew Orleans, raisedinOld Metairie,and a classof1957 graduate of SacredHeart High School Gayle wasthe Executive Secretary forthe Shera‐ton/Radison HotelinKen‐ner forover30years.Her passion in life washer love and devotion to herfamily. Sheissurvivedbyher chil‐

dren:Michele Gaudet An‐derson(Rod),Sharon GaudetWillis(Ronald), David Gaudet (Andrea), Douglas Gaudet (Maria); a veryspecial familyangel, JoanieJenkins (and beauti‐ful family);her aunt,Alice Burke Harper;her sister-inlaw,GailGaudet; hersev‐enteen grandchildren: Johnny(Lorraine), Nicholas (Rachel), andRyan (Ameena) Peppo,Kristi Peppo St.Pierre(Maurice), BrittanyPeppo Lemoine (Blake),NathanAnderson (Daniel), Genevieve, Dun‐can (LuLu),and Emily Gaudet, JimmyWixted (Bee),AshleyWillisAcosta (Daniel), Ronald Willis III (Alexis), Kyle Gaudet (Bre‐anne), Misti, Beaudon (Skyler), Mason, andBen‐jamin Gaudet,and Haleigh GaudetDay (Caleb); twenty-onegreat grand‐children: Jocelyn, Jacob, Emma,Reagan, Dax, Dakota, Kaden, Kamden Aiden,Liam, Justin,Aria, Lukas,Maxton, Addyson, Kinsley,Blair,Abigail, Is‐abella,Gabriel,Charlotte and Zachary; nephew Brian Burke; andnumerous other familymembers and friends.Gayle waspre‐ceded in deathbyher lov‐ing husband, Donald J. Gaudet, Sr.; herson,Don‐ald J. Gaudet,Jr.;her par‐ents, Earl andEva Burke, Sr.;her brotherand sisterin-law, Earl andFay Burke, Jr.;her nephews, Dennis and GlennBurke;and all but oneofher many GaudetFamilyin-laws Gayle wasa parishionerof St. Matthew theApostle Catholic Church forthe past30years.She wasa memberofMissionaryof St. ThereseCircle65, Mari‐ans of theImmaculate Conception, OurLadies Ladies, LesNouvelles, and Red HatSociety.Her family would like to thankthe staff at Compassus, espe‐cially George,and the specialangels” who sat and helped care forher: great-grandsonDakota, Deborah,Katrina,Kathy, Aline,and Shannon. Rela‐tives andfriends arein‐vited to theFuneralMass atSt. Matthew theApostle Catholic Church,10021 Jef‐fersonHwy., RiverRidge, LA70123 on Saturday,Au‐gust16, 2025 at 12:30 pm withvisitationbeginning at11:00 am.Interment will beinGardenofMemories Cemeteryimmediatelyfol‐lowingthe services.Inlieu of flowers, donationstoSt. Jude’sChildren’sResearch Hospital(www.stjude.org) orShrinersChildren’s (www.shrinerschildrens org) arepreferred.Online condolences maybeof‐fered at www.gardeno fmemoriesmetairie.com

Gibbs Jr., Hines'Junior'

HinesGibbs,Jr.,the old‐est of twelve wasbornon June 27, 1949 in NewOr‐leans,Louisiana to thelate Hines Gibbs,Sr. andHenri‐etta Pree Gibbs.Hines Jr was baptized at an early age andlater gotbaptized again at GreaterSt. Stephenswhere he further dedicated hislifetothe Lord. “Junior”, as he was affectionatelycalled, was educatedinthe Orleans ParishSchool system.He graduated in 1967 from G.W.CarverHighSchool After high school,hewent toworkatOchsnersMed‐icalCenterand attended Delgado CommunityCol‐lege. In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he re‐ceivedthe National De‐fense Medal, theConduct Medal,and theExpertRifle Badge andcompleted two USA Engineeringcourses in 1971. In 1972, “Junior”was honorably discharged by the U.S. Army.Uponreturn frommilitaryservice,“Ju‐nior” beganworking for various oilcompanies throughoutNew Orleans. “Junior”eventually retired fromthe NewOrleans Sewageand WaterBoard asanengineeringinspec‐tor for25years.Duringthis timehebecamewell known to family, friends and coworkersasthe “Grill MasterSergeant!”During thistime, youcould see him in thefront yard play‐ing hisfavoritesongs while onthe grilland inviting anyonetocomeget a plate.After retirement,“Ju‐nior” enjoyedhis time by listening to varioustypes ofmusic,eatingathis fa‐voriterestaurants,while believing that “you have to treat yourself,not cheat yourself!”Healsoenjoyed going to thecasino, watch‐ing theSaintsplayand supportingSouthernUni‐versity andMississippi StateUniversity. “Junior”

left this earthlylifetogo bewiththe Lord on August 1,2025.Hewas preceded in death by HinesGibbs,Sr. (father), HenriettaPree Gibbs (mother) andDr. Ty‐ronne Gibbs(brother).He leavestocherish hismem‐ory,one daughter,Jocelyn Henderson (Biloxi, MS), three grandchildren, Ar‐maniHenderson,Archie Davis andCarlTerrell. Four great-grandchildren,Remi Rayne,RamiahTerrell, RyanTerrell andKhaden McGill.Fourbrothers, Charles Gibbs, Willie (Paulette)Gibbs,Joseph (Michelle)Gibbs,Herbert Gibbs.Six sisters, Barbara (Gary)Hyatt,RubyGibbs Diane Gibbs,Brenda(Fred) Carodine, Loretta(Ricardo) Green andBertha(Chris) Ballard.Healsoleavesa hostofniecesand nephews,great-grand‐niecesand greatgrand nephews andone godchild, Metrell Cain andhis fa‐voriteuncle Theodore Sonny Reed.Friends,fam‐ily,employees of Sewage and WaterBoard of New Orleans,Scarlet Pearl CasinoofD'Iberville,MS, BeauRivageCasino of BiloxiMS, TSXofNew Or‐leans areinvited to attend the celebrationofHines Gibbs,Jr. at D.W. Rhodes FuneralHome, 3933 Wash‐ingtonAve NewOrleans LA70125 on Saturday,Au‐gust16, 2025 at 1:00 pm Visitationwillbegin at 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm Pleasejoinus by livestreamat12:50 pm by visitingwww.facebook com/D.W.RhodesFuneralHo me/live.Pleasevisit https://premiermemories net/users/MTcwMDY1LUh pbmVz/home.html to sign the online guestbook share memories andcon‐dolenceswiththe family. Arrangementsentrusted to D.W.RhodesFuneral Home, 3933 Washington Ave.,New Orleans,LA(504) 822-7162 www.rhodesfuneral.com.

Green,Patricia Anne Domango

“I have fought thegood fight, Ihave finished my course, Ihavekept the faith:henceforththere is laidupfor me acrown of righteousness, which the Lord, therighteous judge, shall give me at that day: and nottomeonly, but untoall them also that love his appearing.”– 2Timothy 4:7-8.InHis infinite wis‐dom andtendermercy,the AlmightyGod called home one of Hisbeloved daugh‐tersonAugust2,2025. Sur‐rounded by love andcher‐ished memories,Patricia Domango Green, age69, of New Orleans, Louisiana, passedawaypeacefully She wasa remarkable woman of graceand strength, devotedmother, sister, aunt,and friend, who stood faithfullyby those sheloved andwhose legacywillliveoninthe heartsshe touched. Patri‐cia Anne Domango(Green) was born on January15, 1956, in NewOrleans Louisiana,toVictoria Smith andNarcisse Do‐mango. Aproud native daughter, shegraduated fromBooker T. Washington HighSchool,carryingwith her thevaluesofdisci‐pline,determination,and faith that wouldguide her life. In 1995, shebegan working at TheElmsMan‐sion, whereshe proudly servedfor 30 years. In 2010, she expanded hercalling ofservice by becoming a Certified NursingAssistant through theDryades YMCA School of Commerce, pro‐vidingcarewithcompas‐sionand dignity. Patricia gaveher life to Christ at a young ageand livedasa God-fearingwoman whose faith wasevident in every seasonofher life.She en‐couragedher children to liveproperlyand to do the right thingsimplybecause itwas right. Shestressed the importance of reading, makingwisechoices,and livingwithpatienceand grace.Her counseloften camewrapped in both love and truth, urging herloved onestohavetheir ownex‐periences,maintaincon‐trolovertheir lives, and understandtheir worth. She wasassteadfastin her prayersasshe wasin her convictions, awoman who both nurtured and guided. Patricia’s life wasa testament to resilience, adaptability, andunwaver‐ing faith.Her married years took herfromcoast tocoast andacrossthe globe,where shemade homes filledwithloveon militarybases andshared hergiftofcaregivingwith

children from allwalks of life. Aproud New Orlean‐ian,she found joyinthe soundsofJazz, R&B, and Gospel, fillingher home withmusic that reflected her soul.Patriciabelieved inguiding herchildren without living through them, urging them to cher‐ish theirown experiences, keep controlovertheir choices,and always know their worth. Patricia leaves tocherish herprecious memoryher loving chil‐dren, TahnikaM.Green and AlbertGreen III; hercher‐ished grandson,George Aurthur DysonV;her de‐voted sister,GloriaCon‐nors; anda host of nieces nephews,relatives,and friends whose liveswere betterbecause of herlove. She is preceded in death byher parents, Victoria Smith andNarcisseDo‐mango; and hersiblings, Willie Smith, Norris Do‐mango, andIrmaThorpe. Thoughher earthlylight has dimmed, theglowof her love,faith,and exam‐ple will continue to shine inthe hearts of allwho wereblessed to know her. Relatives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend a FuneralService in honor‐ing thelifeMrs.Patricia Green at Macedonia Church of GodinChrist, 3015 Louisa St New Or‐leans,LAonSaturday, Au‐gust16, 2025 at 11:00am. Visitationwillbegin at 10:00 am until 11:00am. In‐terment:Mount Olivet Cemetery, NewOrleans, LA. Arrangements en‐trusted to D.W. RhodesFu‐neral Home,3933 Washing‐ton Ave.,New Orleans, LA 70125. Please visitwww rhodesfuneral.comtosign the online guestbook share memories andcon‐dolenceswiththe family

July 24, 1943 -August 6, 2025 Ambrose JamesHarris, 82, of LaPlace,Louisiana, passed awayAugust 6, 2025.A U.S. Navy veteran and longtime restaurant industry leader, he is survived by his wife of 38 years, AngereanBrown Harris; fivechildren, Aaliyah Olgletree,Metairie, Louisiana,Ashleigh Harris Clark (Darryl),Jawaad Ogletree,AmbreaHarris Peters (Silvester), and Alanna Harris (Jay), of Jacksonville, Florida; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; asister; abrother; and ahost of nieces and nephews.

Aviewing willbeheld on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 from 10:00a.m. to 11:00 am. FuneralService immediately followingat11:00 a.m. at CelebrationChurch RiverParishes Campus, 3400 US-51, LaPlace,LA. A repast willfollow at La BellePlace/Baloney Funeral Home,1905 West Airline Highway, LaPlace, Louisiana 70068. Private Burial to follow.

Services entrusted to the BaloneyFuneral Home, LLC,(985) 224-8460, https:/ /www.facebook.com/balo neyfuneralhome.

Elaine Joy W. Lewis, 89, passedawaypeacefully and surroundedbylove, on August 7, 2025,after along battle with Alzheimer's Joy,asshe was known to all, was alifelong resident of New Orleans,only moving to SanDiego in her final yearstobecared for byher daughter. She was afixture at D.H Holmes and later Dillard's working therefor justover 50 years. Shewas smart quick witted, fun loving, hard working and always enjoyed herself no matter whatshe did or which projects she tackled. As much as she relished SanDiego's warm welcome and weather, she lovedher NewOrleans and she let everyone know!Her presenceand companionship willdeeplybemissed Sheisprecededindeath by her husband Donald C.

Juneau and her mother, Mary Elaine BrugierBrown. She is survived by her daughter Nancee E. Lewis, brotherMichael N. Brown, nephews, Keith and Eric Brown and her lifelong best friend Patsy Cummings We expressgreat gratitude to ourneighborsand to theBaksh family for their loving support. En lieu of flowers please consider adonation to the Alzheimer'sAssociation. Interment at Hope Mausoleum willbeprivate.

Lightell,Elisa Patricia Hingle

ElisaPatriciaHingle Lightell(1956-2025).Elisa PatriciaHingleLightellen‐tered eternalrestonSun‐day,August3,2025, at the age of 68. Shewas born in Buras,LAonSeptember 17 1956, to Lois Denesse Hin‐gle andthe late Jules “Sammy” Hingle.The old‐est of four siblings,she took herjob of beinga big sisterveryseriously.She attended BurasHigh School &graduated in 1973 beforebecominga devoted wifeand mother.Elisa was a devotedChristian who cherished theteachings of Jesus Christ.Christian val‐ues informed everyaspect ofher life andmoldedher intothe belovedperson she was. Shewas ade‐voted grandmother(and dog grandmother),sister, aunt,and friend.A native ofBuras,LA, shevolun‐teered at Port Sulphur High School during thefootball season, andatSt. Jude Catholic Church andEle‐mentary School.She wasa residentofBreauxBridge, LAafter hurricane Katrina, where sheworkedat Hebert’sSuperette for12 years before retiring and movingtoMaurice,LAin 2021. Belovedmotherof Michael Lightell Jr.(Alicia) and ChristopherLightell (Brittney). Sister of Vickie HingleProut (Rollen) and the late CynthiaHingle Dinet (the late Michael), and thelateAnastasia Hin‐gle “Stacey” Taylor (Ben‐jamin). Sheisalsosurvived byher mother Lois Hingle, five grandchildren, Tyler, Krystal Marie, Cameron, Krystal Alyssa &Jasmine and threegreat-grandchil‐dren, Jahiem,Jacob &Julie She is also survived by multiplenieces, nephews and greatniecesand nephews.Elisa waspre‐ceded in deathbyher fa‐ther, Jules“Sammy” Hin‐gle,her sister Anastasia “Stacey”Taylor, andjoined indeath by hersisterCyn‐thiaDinet.The Funeral MasswillbeonSaturday, August16, 2025, at Our LadyofPerpetual Help, 8968-LA 23, BelleChasse LA70037, at 11 a.m. The viewing will beginat10 a.m.FatherKyleDavewill officiateand entombment willfollowatOur Lady of Good Harbor Cemetery 35736-35748 Hwy. 11, Buras, LA70041. Funeralplanning entrusted to Robinson FamilyFuneralHome(504) 208-2119. Foronlinecondo‐lences, please www.rob insonfamilyfuneralhome. com.

Oceanous JamesMcCoy was thelast-born child to JohnHenry McCoy, Sr.and Noela SarahMcCoy on Au‐gust30, 1945. Oceanous was well lovedbyhis friends andfamilyalike and understood thehigh expectationsofhis loving parents andremained steadfastinthe teachings ofhis Seventh-DayAdven‐tistfaith.BorninNew Or‐leans andraisedinKenner, Louisiana.Oceanoushad anexcitingchildhood!He and hissiblingsformeda familysinging groupcalled the Kenner Revelators and performed weekly on a local radioshowwhere their father served as the announcer.Hewas edu‐cated in theOrleans Parish publicschool system and graduated from Walter L Cohen High School in 1963 After abrief period in the workforce, he answered

thecalltoserve hiscoun‐try,joining theU.S.Armyin 1967. StationedinCrail‐sheim,Baden-Wüttemberg, Germany,hefulfilled his dutieswithpride Oceanousmet hisfuture wife, Beaula Richardat Ephesus Seventh-DayAd‐ventist Church andonApril 24, 1968, Beaula and Oceanouswerewed in Los Angeles,California. After welcoming their firstchild, SecretD.McCoy,the young militaryfamilyembraced lifeabroadinGermany Theyexploredand toured Europe, visiting Italy, Aus‐tria, Switzerland, andmany other cherisheddestina‐tions.Theyreturnedto New Orleanswithtrea‐sured memories as well as a stylishnew VW Beetle which they enjoyedtooling around town! In 1974, the familyjoyfullywelcomed their second child, Kendal O.McCoy.Their love of traveland fellowship con‐tinuedto flourish,with memorable journeys to campmeetings at Lone StarCampand spirited gatheringsatYouth Con‐gressesand Alumni Week‐endsatOakwood College. These experienceswere spiritually enlightening ad‐venturesthatshapedthe family’senduringvaluesof faith,togetherness, anda deep appreciation forcom‐munity andculture Oceanouswas alifelong seeker of knowledge, al‐waysimmersed in anew book or pursuing afresh businessventure.His ca‐reer path reflectedhis ver‐satilityand drive, spanning roles in trucking,security, and construction.After Hurricane Katrina, he chose to retire andclose one chapterofalife markedbyresilience and exploration.Oceanous’s presencewas agifttoall who knew him. Hisgener‐ous spirit,gentleaffable nature, andabilitytomake a genuineconnectionwith a smile left an enduring markthatwillbefondlyre‐memberedand deeply missed. On Monday,Au‐gust4,2025, after abrief illness, Oceanous quietly began hisslumber await‐ing thereturnofour Sav‐ior.Oceanousleaveshis lovinglegacywithhis two children, Secret D. McCoy Aubert(Ryan)ofNew Or‐leans,KendalO.McCoy (Denise)ofJacksonville, Fl.,and twobeloved grand‐children, Niko F. Mbayeand IshaE.Mbaye.Heissur‐vived by twodevoted sib‐lings,JosephWardMcCoy (Judith)ofBrentwood,TN., and Loviland Jeaurene Howzell of LosAngeles,CA; a host of nieces,nephews, extendedfamilyand countless friendswho carry hismemoryintheir hearts. Oceanous waspre‐ceded in deathbyhis par‐ents, John &Noela McCoy; his siblings,JohnH.McCoy Jr. andAuritaElizabeth Booker;and Beaula “Nia” McCoy,withwhomhe sharedthe privilege of raising theirchildren. Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend a FuneralService at D.W. RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 WashingtonAve., NewOr‐leans,LA70125 on Satur‐day,August16, 2025 at 10:00am.Visitationwill begin at 9:00am until 10:00am.Pleasejoinusby livestreamat9:50amby visitingwww.facebook com/D.W.RhodesFuneralHo me/live.Pleasevisit https://premiermemories net/users/MTcwMDY2LU9 jZWFub3VzIEphbWVz/ home.htmltosignthe on‐lineguestbook,share memoriesand condo‐lenceswiththe family. Arrangementsentrusted to D.W.RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 Washington Ave.,New Orleans,LA(504) 822-7162 www.rhodesfuneral.com.

GaileMarie Gray Morris passedpeacefullyonFri‐day August 1, 2025 at her home. Shewas 73 years old.Gaile wasbornFebru‐ary 27, 1952 in NewOr‐leans,Louisiana where she resided. Daughter of the

late MildredOdumand Wil‐son Odum,Sr. Wife of the lateSidneyMorris. Sister ofKathleen Snowden, Wil‐son Odum Jr Michael Odum, Jayson Odum,and the late Clarence,Wayne Sr.,AngelaOdum, andLor‐raine Gray.MotherofWen‐dellGray(Treniece Mar‐shall) andthe late Donell (Tweet), Corey(Termite), Sharrie (Meetie), andKevin Gray. Also survived by a hostofgrandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relativesand friends. Relatives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the CelebrationofLifeSer‐vicewhich will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025 for 10:00 a.m. at Estelle J. Wil‐son FuneralHome, Inc., 2715 Danneel Street,New Orleans,La. 70113. Visita‐tionfrom9:00a.m.until service time.Pastor Michelle Dunamsofficiat‐ing.Interment:Providence MemorialParkCemetery, 8200 AirlineDr.,Metairie, La. 70003. Arrangements entrusted to Estelle J. Wil‐son FuneralHome, Inc., 2715 Danneel Street,NOLA 70113. Information: (504) 895-4903. To sign online guest book,pleasevisit www.estellejwilsonfh.com.

EarlineBordelon Picolo passedaway peacefullyinto thelovingarms of her Heavenly Father, Jesus, on August 6, 2025 at the age of 85. Earlinewas preceded in death by herhusbandof50 years, Joseph George Picolo Jr.; herparents, Louise RoyBordelon and Cilton Bordelon; hersisters MaxinePonseti and Betty Prentice; herbrother, MackBordelon;and her sons-in-law, Mark Thomas MartinezSr. andLarry DanielSears. Earlineissurvivedby herdaughters, Jodi Picolo Martinezand LoriPicolo Sears,and herson,Jay Picolo (Michelle).She is also survivedbyher cherished grandchildren: Mark MartinezJr., Tori Esteves (Ricky), MatthewMartinez (Jenna), Robbie Mirsberger (Ashley), Micah Mirsberger (Lynzi), EmilyPicolo; and hergreat-grandchildren: Molly, Charlotte, Luke, Celia, Noah,Iris, Aubree, Autumn,and Fiorella. She leaves behind many nieces andnephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

Aboveall,Earlineloved Jesus and was afaithful prayer warriorfor herfamily. Shelived aChrist-centered life, settinganexampleoffaith, love,and devotion for all whoknewher Thefamilyextendstheir heartfelt gratitude to Trinity Trace Community CareCenterinCovington for theirexceptional care, compassion,and love over thepast fiveyears, her home away from home.

Familyand friends are invited to attendthe visitation and funeral services

on Saturday, August 16, at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, locatedat 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., NewOrleans,LA70124. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, followedbya chapel service at 1:00 PM

Savoie,Gladys ToupsRichard Gladys ToupsRichard Savoie, age92, enteredinto eternal rest on Wednesday, August6,2025. Wife of the lateLesterJ.Richard Sr.by firstmarriage, andthe late Desmond T. Savoie by sec‐ond marriage.She wasa lovingcompanion for15 years to thelateConrad “Frenchie”Adams.Daugh‐ter of thelateHectorE Toups andAnastasia GaudetToups.Motherof Karen RichardGuillot(AI), LesterJ.Richard,Jr. (Lesa) and thelateKenneth P. Richard (Orfy).Sisterofthe lateCarmenToups Cheramie, Irby Toups, LesterToups,Hubert Toups,and Ulysse Toups. Alsosurvivedby7 grand‐children, Cory Guillot (Jenn),TiffanyGuillotRe‐baudo (Eric),Nolan Guillot (Staci),LesterRichard III (Haley) LeelandRichard (Katherine),Jessica Richard McReynolds and KyleRichard (Alix)and 10 great grandchildren, Cody Campbell, JacobRebaudo, SophiaRebaudo,Ava Richard,MaddoxRichard, Jonah Richard, Kaleigh Richard,Ayden McReynolds,Myles Richard, and RemiRichard.Alsosur‐vived by ahostofnieces and nephews. Shewas a longtimeresidentofWest‐wego, LA andspent the lastthirtyyears in Gulf‐port, MS.She enjoyed going to Karaoke, gambling atthe casino andeating out with familyand friends.She attended manyeventswiththe Sassy Cats,Glamour Girls, Tuesday Girls, RedHat Flashes,JPPSSRetirees, and Card partieswith friends.She wasalsoa guest of theComeLord Jesus BibleGroup who will besayingthe rosary at 10:30am.Relatives and Friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend theFuneral Service in thechapelof Mothe FuneralHome, 7040 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, LA onFriday, August 15, 2025 at11am. Visitation will be heldfrom9am until11am. IntermentOLPSGateof Heaven. Family andfriends can view andsignthe on‐lineguest book at www mothefunerals.com

In mourning BatonRouge

We add our voice to the chorus of those in Baton Rouge mourning the deathand celebrating the life of Sgt. Caleb Eisworth, the Baton Rouge Police officer who died almost two months after being struck by apickup truck while riding his police motorcycle in what prosecutors have alleged was an intentional attack because he wore abadge.

At times during the ensuing months following the June 16 attack, he seemed tobeimproving, but on Sunday,hesuccumbed while surrounded by loved ones.

A23-year veteran of the department and a motorcycle officer since 2008, Eisworth will be remembered as ahero who, during his career, was awarded anumber of commendations and awards including the Medal of Valor, thehighesthonor the departmentbestows, for having rescued aperson from aburning vehicle while off-duty Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse described Eisworth as a“wonderful guy” who loved his family and LSU sports. He leaves behindhis wife and adaughter

The attack on Eisworth should serve as the latest tragic reminder that,for many in law enforcement, apotentially fatal threat can come at any momentand from any direction.

It also comes at atime when there have been other acts of violence against police. In recent days, aDeKalb County Police officer was shot and killed while responding toa shooting at the federalCenters for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. And last month, aNew York City police officer was among those killed duringaManhattan shooting.

Louisiana has seen its share of anti-police violence. In March, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Grant Candies was killed when he was deploying aspike strip during ahigh-speed chase in Slidell.

And we hardly need to be reminded of the traumatic summer of 2016, when an armed gunman, apparently angered by thedeathof Alton Sterling in police custody,ambushed law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge, killing three and wounding three more. Afourthdied years later due to injuries sustained in the ambush. This month also marks 20 years since the death of Det. Terry Lee Melancon Jr., another BRPD officer who was shot while on asearch warrant.

We acknowledge that not all policing is perfect. There are problems, of course, some of them serious. But there are also officers like Eisworth and Candies, bothofwhom died while fulfilling their duty to protect and serve their communities. That’sworthy of our respect and gratitude. And no amount of grievance can justify violence against the officers who patrol ourstreets.

The words of this editorial will do little to assuage the pain that Eisworth’sfamily is experiencing. Nevertheless, we hope and pray that they will find some comfort in knowing that all of Louisiana mourns with them.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence TheAdvocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address andphone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

Auto rateshighbecause real issues arenever addressed

What does it mean when your statelegislators tell you they are voting to reduce car insurance rates?

Well, it meansthey are lying.

Nothing has put adent in crippling insurance costs because governmenthas done nothing about the biggest problemsthat keep rates high.

More than athird of drivers are uninsured. This forces accident victimstoeither pay for uninsured motorist coverage or run the risk of uninsured catastrophic costs for vehicle damage, medical treatment and loss of income.

Uninsured drivers face suspension of their licenses, but unless they are in accidents, they are not caught. Many continue to drive under suspension. Insurance coverage is supposed to be checked when drivers get their inspection stickers (“brake tags”),but that often does not happen.

What else contributes to accidents and thus raises insurance rates?

Inadequate trafficlaw enforcement is abig local problem. Orleans Parish has its cameras, which help. But Jefferson Parish trafficisvirtually unregulated save for drivers’ own fear of accidents. Bad road conditions, including alack of proper signage, also contributetothis mess. Gov.Jeff Landry touts his “tort reform.” For two reasons, most of these new laws over the past twosessions will do nothing to reduce rates. First,some of these “new” laws have already been on thebooks for years. Second, police rarelyenforce current laws. How many times have you seen adriver stopped forcellphone use? Or unlicensed RVsand golf cartsoften driven by children? So if your legislator insists that he wants to reduce car insurance rates, ask him aquestion. “How much money areinsurance companylobbyistscontributing to you or your PAC?”

PETER M. MEISNER River Ridge

Denial of public broadcasting’s valueshameful

Iread with absolute disgust U.S. Sen. John Kennedy’sreason for voting to deprive thepublic broadcasting system of its financial support Kennedy’sclaim that the public media’saudience could simply get the samecontentfrom other stations is bogus, to say theleast Public television’scontent includes segments on our history,culture, local musicians, cuisine, symphonies and shows like “Sesame Street”that have been entertaining and educating our children for decades. Many rural communities are

Adrian Bruneau’sletter on July 24 is an example of projection. To claim that the MAGA Republicans represent“faith, family,freedom and the Constitution” is laughable at best. This comes from thelocal Republican chair of the party that continually supports aconvicted felon and sexual predator,supports seizing American citizens off the street with masked ICE agents and ignores courtdecisions that attempttouphold theactual words of

totally dependent on public stations. It seems that Kennedy represents what is wrong with our current political climate, where all decisions boil down to whether they are good forbusiness, i.e., transactional. But everything in life is not valued in dollars and centsalone. Sometimes the real value is in doing theright thing for the people who need it most! Andthat means supporting public broadcasting for thegood it does.

MIKE GERTLER NewOrleans

theConstitution. Yetit’sthe left (an amorphous term to include all who disagree with the MAGA agenda) that doesn’taddressreal-world concerns. Isuggestalook in the mirror andatthe daily news is in order for those whoclaim majority support with less than majority votes(as in Jeff Landry’selection with 17% of theeligible voters).

JONATHAN TANKEL NewOrleans

How ironic that the lead story on the front page of your paper on July 25 was about the federal government rescinding pollution regulations forindustries in Louisiana that have contributed to our state’shigh rates of cancer,while the lead guest column wasabout increasing access to blood tests that allow early detection of cancer.Itreminds me of what Gary Groesch, co-founder of the Alliance for Affordable Energy,used to say about Louisiana being agreat place to be afrontline soldier forsocial justice because Louisiana’speople face so manychallenges, from poverty and poor health outcomes to environmental degradation and corruption. At least if we get those blood tests, we can detect our increased cancer rates even sooner!

CLAUDIA BARKER NewOrleans

English philosopher John Stuart Mill once said, “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends than that good men should look on and do nothing.” In spite of their political differences, Iwould like to think there is amajority of good people in the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives and on the SupremeCourt. Iam baffled whythey continue to do nothing about the chaos coming out of the White House.

MARK WEBER NewOrleans

America has always been split. Some wantequal rights forall, while others think only White Christians should have power.This fight started long ago. Early on, only White men had rights. After the Civil War, Black people gained some rights, but those weretaken away In the 1960s, lawstried to makethings fairer,but somefought back. Today,this old argument continues as someleaders wanttolimit whocounts as a“real American.” To fixthis, America needs to treat everyone equally,especially as it becomes morediverse.

SCOTT

LEBLEU Lafayette

COMMENTARY

KATRINA YEARS

REFLECTIONS

CHARLES E. HAMILTON JR on culture

ArtbyChandra McCormick and KeithCalhoun

Knockeddown, notout

On Sunday evening, Aug. 28, 2005, I was looking out of theupper window of the Hyatt Regency NewOrleans, looking down as crowdswere scurrying to enter the Superdome. Ihad just checked into the hotel withmyfamily, including my daughterand my new grandson, Jordan,who was 6days old Iwas thinking aboutthe approach of Hurricane Katrina, predictedtoarrive the next day.Would Ibeabletogo home?

Earlier in the day,Ileft theZulu Club on Broad Street, makingsure everything was boarded upand sandbags were in place. Iwas elected Zulu president in June 2004. Ihad family responsibilities.Now Ihad clubresponsibilities.

That night, as aprecautionary measure, Hyatt personnel instructed hotel guests to grab blanketsand pillows and move to theballrooms downstairs. They would protect usfrom flying window glass. Ibrought abassinetfor Jordon As thestorm arrived,myfamily,other guests and Iheardloud thunderand harsh winds beating againstthe walls. The atrium started to leak. Iworried aboutmy family andthe club.

It was arough night,but we felt relieved and blessed to be alive. We were ready to go home.

Then we heard thewater was rising We decided to makeamove, to leave and take our chances goingelsewhere. Through rising waters, we drove across Loyola Avenue to theCrescent City Connection. We drove west across the bridge to Patterson, in St. Mary Parish, to my mother-in-law’shome.

We left the bassinet at the hotel. The next day,wedrove to Houston. My family was safe, including the baby.Iwatched what washappening in New Orleans. The club building on Broad Street had taken more than 4feet of water on thebottom floor.Thatwas aproblem. I wondered whether we could return to normal.

Nearly all of our Zulu members were in different locations. We would keep in touch by phoneand theinternet. After abouta month, Icalled a

PROVIDED PHOTOSByCHARLES HAMILTON LEFT,Jordan Barnes, Charles Hamilton’sgrandson, was6daysold when Hamilton and his family sought refugeinthe Hyatt Regency just before Hurricane Katrina struck on Aug. 29,2005. Twenty years later,Jordon is 20 and astudent at LSU in Baton Rouge.

membership meetinginPlaquemine, just outside of Baton Rouge. About 60 membersarrived from throughout the South. We discussed our future and debated next steps, ultimately deciding that we had to return and rebuild.

And we planned to parade on Mardi GrasDay 2006. We faced opposition, including among members who thought that wasn’tagood idea.

Icalled another meeting, this time at Southern Eagle on AirlineDriveinMetairie. More than 200 members voted to parade. That parade was scaled back. Our annual ball had 1,200 participants at the Hilton Riverside, not the20,000 we normally host at the Morial Convention Center

We did not have aking in 2006. Larry Hammond, who had been elected in May2005 to be the2006 Zulu king, asked to reign in 2007, and we obliged.

Theparade was modest, but theattention was huge. We had worldwide media attention from as far away as Russia and Japan. We paraded along an alternative route, so we didn’ttake the floats to our North Broad Street home. We did walk toour club from the Superdome. It was asight to behold and instrumental in our city’sreturn. Onewriter wrote that it was the year that “Zulu

Saved Mardi Gras.”

Oneaspect of that day that Iremember clearly.When my float reached Gallier Hall for thetraditional toast with the mayor,Isaid, “Katrina knocked us down, but did not knock us out.”

It was aheartfelt, passionate statement. Zulu was not knockeddown. Neither was New Orleans.

We lost 12 memberstoHurricane Katrina. At St.John Institutional Missionary BaptistChurch on Jackson Avenue, achurch on our parade route, we prayed and thanked God forour members’ lives —and for moving us forward.

My grandson Jordon was born days before thebig storm. It was the right thingfor Zulu to rebuild. It wasthe right thingfor New Orleans to rebuild. Zulu has grown since 2005 from 200 memberstoamore diverse group of 800 members. Katrina baby Jordon, believed to be theyoungest person at the Hilton the night Katrina roared, is asophomore at LSU in Baton Rouge. He’ll be 20 years old afew days before the 20th anniversary of Katrina.

Jordon can look at Zulu and New Orleans can know that we and others madedecisions to continue to build our culture for his generation and others to come.

couple,theyhavebeen documenting the culture of Louisiana and its people for about 40 years.

Throughout August and September,weare featuring reflections on the 20th anniversary of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, two storms that changed Louisiana forever

Shough finding footing

afterearly struggles

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

IRVINE,Calif.— Before the New Orleans Saints decampedfor Southern California, Tyler Shough missed an opportunity to make abig play duringascrimmage at the team’sMetairie facility

The rookie quarterback rolled to hisleft and saw receiver Rashid Shaheed flash open to his right in the end zone. Shough squared his shoulders to throw and tried to squeeze the ball through awindow that was never reallythere. Linebacker Nephi Sewell read what washappeningand drifted back toward the middle of the field, easily intercepting the throw and killing a red-zone opportunity Flash forward to amorerecent practice on UC-Irvine’scampus.There wasShough, rolling to his left and seeingareceiver flash open in theend zone.Thistime, he threw the ball high toward theback of the end zone —what he described as a“top-shelf” throw.Ifitwas off the mark, it would have sailed harmlessly out of bounds. Instead, receiver Kevin Austin high-pointed it fora touchdown.

“The best lesson I’ve learned is, you’re goingtohave to accept failure sometimesand keep going,” Shough said. ä Jaguars at Saints NOON SUNDAy,WVUE

ä See SAINTS, page 4C

LSUworks on ‘passing the mic’ at Tiger Stadium

SPORTS

Good

andshaky areashardtoignorehalfway throughLSU camp

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

LSUpassed the halfway mark of preseason camponTuesday,holding its11th practice ahead of theseason opener at Clemson on Aug. 30.

Here are five observationsthrough the first halfofpreseason practices for LSU

Perkinsmakingplays

After tearing hisACL during the fourthgame of theseason ayear ago, redshirt junior linebacker Harold Perkins has wreaked havoc during camp. Perkins’ speed,agility andquickness have all returned to pre-injury levels.Healsoappearsmorecomfortable returning to thestar position,ahybrid safety/linebacker role that gives him thefreedom tomake plays all over the field. Between Perkins andjuniorWhit

Weeks, LSUheadsinto theseason with oneofthe best linebacking corps in thecountry O-linequestions

Replacing fourthree-year starters along the offensive linealways was going to be achallenge for LSU. With Will Campbell, EmeryJones, Garrett Dellingerand Miles Frazier all in the NFLnow, theTigersadded two transfers and brought back onestarter,relying on their younger pieces to fill the remaining holes

That strategy has provided mixed results. The unit has held its own in pass protection at times —the first team dominated the defensive line in one-on-one drills Saturday —but also consistently struggledtorun the ball, especially in short-yardage situations.

Coach Brian Kellyinsiststhe starters aren’tset, but LSU has leaned on thesamefivelinemen since the beginning of camp. Virginia Tech center Braelin

ä See LSU, page 3C

When Dan Borne applied to become the public address announceratTiger Stadium in 1986, his voice was the only one heard. The job was his, virtuallybydefault. That wasn’tthe caseafter Borne announced his retirement in July.LSU has received about 40 formal applicationsto fill Borne’srole, asearch that has reached the red zone with the Tigers’ Sept.6home opener against Louisiana Tech drawingcloser It is ahuge responsibility and void to fill. Theseat in Tiger Stadium’sPAboothhas had precious few occupants. Since 1955, only threepeople haveheldthe job: lateWAFB weatherman Sid Crocker from 1955-85, Borne and Bill Franques. The PA announcer and publicistfor LSUbaseball, Franques filledin for Borne during the 2024 season when the latter took aleave of absence for medical reasons, as well as for asprinkling of other games over the years.LSU is seekingareplacement for Borne as thePAannouncer for men’sbasketball as well. Dave Haskin, the LSU associate

See RABALAIS, page 3C

BYDAVESKRETTA AP sportswriter

ST.JOSEPH, Mo.— Maxx Crosby kept running into starathletes over thesummer— from NBA great Kevin Garnett to former NFL wide receiverSteve Smith—and the instant connection they sharedmade theRaiders’ star passrusherthink about another athlete he keeps coming across a couple of times ayear Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Thereason was simple: “He’s theultimate competitor,” Crosby said.

“Like, I’ve had the honor to meet some of thegreatest players, greatestpeople, greatest dudesacross all differenttypes of walk of life,” Crosby said, “and Icould saythis: Like, when you meet somebody elsethat’sanultimate competitor,and that is all what you’re about, Idon’t even have to say nothing. It’sjust, youclick right away ” Crosby and Mahomes are not exactly best of buds, but there is ahealthy dose of

respect between two of the fiercest rivals in the AFC West. Crosby has sacked Mahomes sixtimes in 12 careergames, yet the Chiefshave won eight of the last nine. Mahomes is 12-2against the Raiders overall, throwing 33 touchdownpasses and only five interceptions.

“So,Igot the ultimate respect for Pat. I’ve said it amilliontimes,”Crosbysaid. “I look at myself as theultimate competitor. Ilook at myself as the best in the world. Iknow he thinks he’sthe best in the world. And I’ve said it myself. So,he brings the best out of me.” Mahomes isn’texactly sure where his competitive nature comes from, though dad is asafeplace to start. PatMahomes Sr.managed to hang around for11years in the big leagues, and his son spent alot of those years hanging out in the clubhouse.

It’s what drives Mahomes all offseason, when hispersonaltrainer,Bobby Stroupe,

Twins owners opt to halt sale, keeping club in family

Liberty eager to bounce back

Flames movitated in Conference USA after disappointing 2024 season

BY TERESA M.WALKER

AP sportswriter

The Liberty Flames find themselves in a familiar position favored to win the Conference USA title with added motivation of bouncing back from a disappointing 2024.

Coach Jamey Chadwell and his Flames were favored a year ago only to miss the title game. They also finished on a two-game skid capped by a loss in the Bahamas Bowl.

“Maybe a bad taste in the mouth about how we finished thinking that we could’ve had a better season than we had last year and I think the guys returning knew that and they knew why we didn’t and they’re focused on making sure we don’t beat ourselves moving forward,” Chadwell said.

Liberty had a game canceled by Hurricane Helene in September, then stumbled to a 5-3 mark in league play and 8-4 overall. It was a big drop from 2023 when Liberty went undefeated in winning the CUSA championship and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl in Chadwell’s first season.

Now Chadwell is managing the transfer portal that saw quarterback Kaidon Salter go to Colorado Ethan Vasko is among 13 portal additions, and the quarterback threw for 2,110 yards and 14 touchdowns last season at Coastal Carolina. Vasko also ran for 447 yards and five more scores.

Chadwell said the challenge now in Conference USA is knowing which teams got “plucked” through the portal and who’s actually back.

He sees his fellow coaches now having to build teams each season rather than programs.

“We lost a bunch of guys just like everybody else, but I do think we have a good nucleus,” Chadwell said.

“I think we have a chance to have a really, really good year if we can stay together and stay connected.”

Liberty also will be relying on Vaughn Blue and JuJu Gray to keep an offense clicking after ranking fourth nationally last season averaging 250.7 yards rushing

per game. Western Kentucky also is a heavy favorite after the Hilltoppers lost in the title game last December

Defending C-USA champ Jacksonville State will try to defend its league title with a first-year head coach.

Louisiana Tech is expected to bounce back after a 5-8 season as well.

Transfer portal help

Western Kentucky went back to the portal for a quarterback with Maverick McIvor transferring from Abilene Christian.

McIvor threw for 3,847 yards and 30 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

McIvor should be comfortable with offensive coordinator Rick Bowie, brought along for the same job

Other portal additions include running back George Hart III and a pair of wide receivers in K.D. Hutchinson and Noah Meyers.

Newcomer coach

Jacksonville State has Charles Kelly in his first season as a first-

time head coach replacing Rich Rodriguez, who went to West Virginia.

Kelly was hired away from Auburn where he had been co-defensive coordinator to return to where he started his coaching career at Jacksonville State in 1994.

The Gamecocks hope to ease Kelly’s transition with the addition of running back Cam Cook, who transferred from TCU after scoring nine TDs in 2024.

Tony Franklin’s back

The offensive coordinator is back at Louisiana Tech where he was coordinator between 2010 and 2012. He’s also had a stint in the same role at Middle Tennessee for six seasons before retiring in January 2021. Louisiana Tech already has quarterback Evan Bullock returning after throwing for 2,104 yards with 14 TDs and only three interceptions

The last time Franklin was the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator, Louisiana Tech led FBS scoring 51.5 points and piling up 577.9

yards per game.

Waiting for bowl options

Delaware and Missouri State are in the second year transitioning from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision.

That means they’re not eligible for bowl games. But if the record is worthy, they each could become eligible if not enough FBS teams are available to fill the slots.

Notable matchups

The season starts Aug. 23 when Sam Houston visits Western Kentucky C-USA has packed its schedule with some heavyweight games starting with Kennesaw State visiting Wake Forest on Aug. 29 and Missouri State at Southern California on Aug. 30. Sept. 6 is a big day for C-USA with FIU at Penn State, Kennesaw State at Indiana, Delaware going to Colorado, Middle Tennessee playing at Wisconsin and Louisiana Tech visiting LSU. UTEP goes to Texas on Sept 13, and Western Kentucky visits LSU on Nov 22 before the season finale at Jacksonville State.

Venus Williams, 45, set for U.S. Open singles

BY HOWARD FENDRICH

AP tennis writer

NEW YORK Venus Williams will make her return to Grand Slam tennis at the U.S. Open after a twoyear absence, receiving a wildcard invitation on Wednesday to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows at age 45. The American will be the oldest entrant in singles at the tournament since Renee Richards was 47 in 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation Williams already had been given a wild-card entry by the U.S Tennis Association for next week’s mixed doubles competition. Singles matches begin in New York on Aug. 24. She is the owner of seven major singles championships including at the U.S. Open in 2000 and 2001 along with another 14 in women’s doubles, all won with her younger sister, Serena, plus two in mixed doubles. Serena retired with 23 Slam singles trophies after playing at the 2022 U.S Open The older Williams last participated in a Grand Slam tournament at the 2023 U.S. Open, losing in the first round. She hasn’t won a singles match there since 2019. When Williams came back to the tour last month at the DC Open for her first match anywhere in 16 months, a reporter asked whether that would be a one-time thing or if there were plans for other tournaments “I’m just here for now and who knows?” she replied then. “Maybe there’s more. But at the moment, I’m focused just on this. I haven’t played in a year There is no doubt I can play tennis but obviously coming back to play matches, it takes time to get in the swing of things I definitely feel I’ll play well. I’m still the same player I’m a big hitter. I hit big. This is my brand.”

Last year, Williams had surgery to remove uterine fibroids and missed most of the season. In Washington this July she competed for the first time since March 2024 at the Miami Open and became the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova was 47 at Wimbledon in 2004; Williams

The Minnesota Twins are no longer for sale, executive chair Joe Pohlad announced on Wednesday After exploring a variety of options since publicizing the sale 10 months ago, the Pohlad family will remain the principal owner of the club and add new investors instead. Carl Pohlad, a banking magnate and the late grandfather of Joe Pohlad, bought the Twins in 1984 for $44 million.

Pohlad said the family was in the process of adding two “significant” limited partnership groups to bring in fresh ideas, bolster critical partnerships and shape the long-term vision of the franchise that relocated to Minnesota in 1961 after originating as the Washington Senators. Details about the new investors were being kept private until the transactions are approved.

Browns QB Sanders likely to miss game with an injury Cleveland rookie quarterback

Shedeur Sanders suffers an oblique injury during drills ahead of practice Wednesday and is considered unlikely to play in the Browns’ preseason game against the Eagles.

Sanders did not play the remainder of the practice session after he was hurt and was ruled out of Thursday’s practice.

Sanders and the Browns were in Philadelphia for a pair of joint practices ahead of Saturday’s preseason game.

The Browns said Sanders is dayto-day

Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards with two first-half touchdown passes to Kaden Davis in his NFL preseason debut in a win over Carolina on Friday night.

Running back Cook agrees to four-year deal with Bills

Running back James Cook secured a big payday and a four-year deal to stay with the Buffalo Bills, ending his contract standoff. Cook’s deal will pay him $48 million over the four years, two people with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity

The contract includes $30 million in guaranteed money one of the people said. Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia.

The new deal comes a day after Cook ended his weeklong standoff by returning to practice. He skipped four straight sessions and although he took part in warmups, he declined to play in Buffalo’s preseason-opener against the New York Giants on Saturday

NBA approves sale of Celtics for $6.1 billion

The NBA on Wednesday unanimously approved the sale of the Boston Celtics to a group led by private equity mogul Bill Chisholm, a deal that values the franchise at more than $6.1 billion the largest ever for an American pro-sports team.

also won a doubles match at the DC Open.

In the process, Williams drew a ton of attention for her tennis, yes, but also for letting the world know she’s engaged to an Italian actor and for her half-joking comments about needing to get back on court to get covered by health insurance.

“I love Venus We’re friends. I didn’t really know this was something she was still wanting to do. But I also didn’t know it was something she didn’t want to do,” said Mark Ein, the chairman of the hard-court tournament in Washington. “I was surprised. And it was a wonderful surprise.”

Williams also entered the Cincinnati Open via a wild card last week, exiting in the first round of singles.

In New York, she will play in the Aug. 19-20 mixed doubles tournament with Reilly Opelka, a 27-year-old American who used to be ranked in the top 20.

Other women getting singles wild cards for the U.S. Open are Americans Clervie Ngounoue, Julieta Pareja, Caty McNally, Valerie Glozman and Alyssa Ahn, plus France’s Caroline Garcia — who’ll be playing in her last Grand Slam tournament before retirement — and Australia’s Talia Gibson.

Men’s wild cards went to Americans Brandon Holt, Nishesh Basavareddy, Tristan Boyer, Emilio Nava, Stefan Dostanic and Darwin Blanch, and France’s Valentin Royer and Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate.

The league said the transaction is expected to close shortly When it does, Chisholm will take ownership of at least 51% of the team, with full control coming by 2028 at a price that could bring the total value to $7.3 billion. The previous record for a U.S sports franchise was the $6.05 billion paid for the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023. The record price for an NBA team was the $4 billion mortgage firm owner Mat Ishbia paid for the Phoenix Suns in 2023.

Rangers put slugger García on 10-day IL

The wild card-chasing Texas Rangers put slugger Adolis García on the 10-day injured list Wednesday because of a sprained left ankle, and activated outfielder Evan Carter after he missed 10 games because of back spasms. Texas made the moves with both outfielders before their series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Another outfielder, Wyatt Langford, was held out of the lineup because of forearm stiffness but could be available to pinch-hit. García is hitting .224 with 16 homers and 64 RBIs in 116 games. He hit .176 (6 for 34) during the nine-game homestand that ended with Wednesday’s game Carter was in a 4-for-34

NCAA aims to curb faking of injuries

BY ERIC OLSON AP college football writer

Of

ficials will crack down on college football players who feign injuries, the number of overtime timeouts will be reduced, and referees will use different verbiage when announcing the results of video reviews.

Those are among the changes for the 2025 season, the National Football Foundation announced Wednesday in its annual summary of rules changes.

Combatting the practice of players faking injuries to stop the game clock was an offseason priority for the NCAA Football Rules Committee.

Beginning this season, if a player on the field presents as injured after the ball is spotted for the next play, that player’s team will be charged a timeout. If the team does not have timeouts remaining a 5-yard delay-of-game penalty will be assessed.

The player also must remain out of the game for at least one down, even if that team is granted a timeout, and may not return until receiving the approval of a medical professional.

Feigning injuries, sometimes at the coach’s instruction, has concerned the rules committee in recent years. It’s a tactic defenses use to slow down tempo offenses or as a way for an offense to avoid a delay-of-game penalty or get an extra timeout. In overtime, each team will con-

RABALAIS

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athletic director for marketing and broadcast operations, is overseeing the search. He said he’s never experienced the volume of interest in a job like this before “I’ve done these searches before, but not to this magnitude,” Haskin said. “It’s kind of like replacing a long-standing head coach. It’s a very important piece of LSU’s game day, not just for football but for men’s basketball.

“The thing that got me was all the people who grew up with Dan being the voice of LSU football and basketball. What he meant to LSU. It’s an honor, and carrying that tradition on to the next person is a tall task. Those are big shoes to fill.

But I know he’s honored to have the ‘passing of the mic,’ as he told me.”

Borne, who was the longtime president of the Louisiana Chemical Association, has inspired a wide variety of applicants.

One is Bill Sanders, principal at Lee & Associates, a local commercial real estate firm.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty center is helped up by offensive lineman Zach Holmes left, and tight end Luke Voorhees after being slightly injured in the second half of a game against Wyoming on Nov 23 in Laramie, Wyo

tinue to be allowed one timeout in both the first and second extra periods. After the first two overtime periods, each team will be allowed only one timeout for the remainder of the game. Previously, a

kids you have to be willing to try things that are hard and not be afraid to fail.”

Applicants were asked to submit an audition tape reading from a script and send it in electronically Finalists are being brought into Tiger Stadium this week for in-person auditions

Mike Smith, the longtime voice of LSU gymnastics meets, is one of the finalists. He heads to Tiger Stadium’s PA booth Thursday for his in-person audition, put in the unusual position of having his voice boom out not over 100,000 voices but 100,000 empty seats.

“From my perspective, it’s an honor to be considered and very gratifying,” said Smith, the founder and CEO of MDSA Strategic Communications, a St. Francisville-based public relations firm.

“I’ve done these searches before, but not to this magnitude. It’s kind of like replacing a long-standing head coach. It’s a very important piece of LSU’s game day, not just for football but for men’s basketball.”

DAVE HASKIN, LSU associate athletic director for marketing

Sanders’ experience at sports announcing admittedly is limited It entails calling eighthgrade basketball games for his nephew at St. Aloysius School. But there was something about the LSU PA job that spoke to Sanders, as it no doubt did for thousands of other LSU fans, an inner and perhaps unspoken ambition. Difference was, Sanders took his shot and actually clicked on the button to submit his audition tape while most folks dismissed the notion out of hand.

“You really do feel funny recording yourself on your phone at the kitchen island and converting it to an MP3 file, which I had to ask ChatGPT how to do,” Sanders said with a chuckle.

“It’s the definition of getting uncomfortable. But, I thought, why not take a shot? The main reason I wanted to do it was to tell my

MAHOMES

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is putting him through another brutal workout. It’s what pushes him in practice, the boiling ones at training camp and the frigid ones late in the season And it’s what allows him to push through the pain of bumps and bruises on game day, when other QBs might call it quits It’s what has allowed Mahomes to continually rally his team, lead-

Smith got his start as the PA announcer for LSU softball, and he also called soccer, swimming and diving meets — and even LSU baseball.

It was during a softball game at old Tiger Park where then LSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux strode into the press box to look Smith up in person.

“She asked me if I knew anything about gymnastics,” Smith said. “I said, ‘No, ma’am, I don’t.’ She said, ‘You’re perfect for the job.’ I said, ‘How’s that?’ She said, ‘I’ll teach you everything you need to know.’ ” Thirty-one years later, Smith is still at it. He also has been the PA voice of the SEC gymnastics championship meets since 2018.

“I’ve learned a lot about the fans and emotions and inner workings of the sport,” Smith said. “I know how to get folks fired up, but the primary focus is to inform It’ll give me the opportunity to bring that to Tiger Stadium, if I’m so fortunate.”

Haskin said LSU is planning to honor Borne at a home football game this season, though which one has yet to be determined. The new Tiger Stadium PA voice will no doubt make the introductions. It will be then that the mic truly will be passed

ing it to five Super Bowls and three championships.

“Yeah, that burn to win is at the highest level of probably any player in the NFL,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said.

“He’s built different that way, and I think when you have that, it goes on to these players on the team — offense, defense, special teams — and us as coaches. You want to make sure you are doing everything possible.” So many games in the NFL come down to the wire, Nagy said, and the sheer will to win sometimes

team was allowed one timeout in each overtime period regardless of how many were required to decide a winner After video reviews, if the ruling on the field is not overturned, ref-

erees will announce that the call is “upheld.” Previously the referee would say the call is “confirmed” if video showed the call was correct or “stands” if there was no clear and obvious evidence to overturn

the ruling. If the call is changed after the review, the referee will describe the reason.

Some other changes:

n On kick returns, if any player on the receiving team holds out his arms to make a “T” signal during the kick, the team gives up its right to make a return and the play will be whistled dead.

n Any defensive player within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage (stationary or not) may not make quick and abrupt or exaggerated actions that simulate action at the snap in an obvious attempt to make the offense commit a penalty The offense will be held to the same standard as any pre-snap movement that simulates action at the snap is a foul on the offense for a false start.

n The defense may not have more than 11 players on the field when the ball is snapped. The infraction is treated as a live-ball foul and is a 5-yard penalty If this occurs after the two-minute timeout in either half, the offense will have the option to reset the game clock back to the time displayed at the snap. The game clock will then restart on the next snap.

n A player attempting to recover a loose ball is added to the list of defenseless players.

n All forms of gun violence are not permitted and simulating the firing of a weapon is an automatic unsportsmanlike foul. This year, if a player simulates the act of brandishing a weapon, it is considered an unsportsmanlike act.

LSU

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Moore has been a rock at center. Redshirt sophomore DJ Chester and Northwestern transfer Josh Thompson have earned the majority of reps at guard, but LSU also has rotated in redshirt sophomore Paul Mubenga and redshirt freshman Coen Echols at their spots. At tackle redshirt sophomore Tyree Adams and redshirt freshman Weston Davis routinely have held starting positions.

Adams started at left tackle in the Texas Bowl and has maintained the role throughout camp. Davis has had promising moments thanks to his athleticism and size, but he’s also struggled in pass protection and has committed multiple false-start penalties.

Defensive depth

An aggressive offseason in the transfer portal combined with a core of young players returning and key players such as Perkins coming back mean that LSU heads into the season with its deepest defense under coach Brian Kelly That reality has been evident this preseason. Defensive coordinator Blake Baker has continued to rotate defenders in and out of the first unit during scrimmages.

makes the difference.

“When you have him on your side, you know he’s going to give you a great chance,” Nagy said of Mahomes. “When we lost that Super Bowl (in February), it was the very next day and he was ready to go, and we just know that it’s a great, high standard that we all have.”

Mahomes readily admits that the 40-22 loss to the Eagles in New Orleans was one of the worst performances of his career, and that the Philadelphia defense had a lot to do with it. He threw two interceptions

The Tigers have gone at least four deep at defensive tackle and edge rusher, have relied on multiple linebackers, and haven’t been afraid to rotate safeties and cornerbacks in and out depending on the situation. Young players not expected to play a major role heading into camp have emerged. Freshman CJ Jimcoily has stepped up as a physical option at the star position. Redshirt freshman Tylen Singleton has made plays at linebacker Redshirt freshman edge rusher Kolaj Cobbins has shown potential as a pass rusher Starters from years past haven’t been guaranteed the same roles on this year’s team. Sixth-year senior defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory has rotated in and out of the first-team defense, as has sophomore Ahmad Breaux. And fifth-year senior safety Jardin Gilbert has worked fewer snaps with the first team because of the emergence of NC State transfer Tamarcus Cooley and Houston transfer AJ Haulcy Gooden is a problem

No defensive lineman has made more plays in the backfield than Bernard Gooden, a transfer from South Florida.

At6-foot-1and268pounds,Gooden uses his smaller size to his advantage. He’s quick off the snap, agile and often too slippery for blockers

and was sacked six times. Still, the numbers that Mahomes — who turns 30 next month — has compiled through his first eight seasons are staggering. His career passer rating of 102.1 is second only to Aaron Rodgers, while Mahomes’ average of 288.9 yards passing per game is the best of anyone to play the quarterback position. Perhaps most importantly, Mahomes has led the Chiefs to seven of their nine consecutive AFC West titles, and then reached the conference title game in each of those seven seasons.

to stay in front of. No defensive linemanhasbeenmoreeffectiveagainst the run than him so far Last year, Gooden had 35 quarterback pressures and 16 tackles, according to Pro Football Focus. The fifth-year senior began his career at Wake Forest before he spent two years at South Florida.

RBs after Durham

LSU has an established No. 1 running back in Caden Durham. But after the sophomore, the Tigers’ options have dwindled.

Junior Kaleb Jackson and freshman Harlem Berry were expected to play big roles in the backfield this season, but Jackson hasn’t taken a noticeable step forward after struggling last year, and Berry has had trouble with the physicality of LSU defenders at practices. He’s had issues with breaking tackles and fumbled Saturday Freshman JT Lindsey was suspended last week after he was arrested on accessory to seconddegree murder charges. He could have helped take some load off of Durham, but LSU will turn to sophomore Ju’Juan Johnson to fill that role instead. Johnson began preseason camp working with the quarterbacks but has since shifted back to running back after playing the position last year

Email Koki Riley at Koki.Riley@theadvocate.com.

“I think you always have to get better,” Mahomes said. “That’s something that people lose track of when you have success. Obviously we didn’t win that last game, but we had a lot of success last year And I think sometimes people want to be stagnant, and they want to go out there and just do it over again. But you see with the rest of the AFC West, the rest of the AFC and the NFL, everybody is getting better So we have

NFL

Scuffleensuesduring Falcons-Titans practice

BY CHARLES ODUM AP sportswriter

FLOWERYBRANCH, Ga. Atlanta Fal-

cons quarterback Michael Penix was surprised to findhimself in the middle of ascufflethatinterrupted his team’ssecondjoint practice with the TennesseeTitans on Wednesday After connecting with Ray-Ray McCloud on along touchdown pass,Penix said he was“celebrating”with comments he said were delivered in response to “words” from Tennessee players

“I like to compete at ahigh level and when Icompete Idon’t really do too much talking,”Penix said “So somebody said something to me and OK,Ithrow atouchdown.

‘Now what y’all talking about?’ And then Iguess not everybody take that the right way.And Ithink that’sall it was.” Penix was thrown to theground by one or more Tennesseeplayers. Penix ended up at the bottomofa pile of players.

He said it was the first time he’s been involved in an altercation like that on the field.

The scufflecame only hours after Falcons coach RaheemMorris commended players for competing in the first joint practice Tuesday “without all the foolish things” like fights on the field.

Tennessee players were critical of their inability to match the in-

SAINTS

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Plays like these illustrate the growth that has been evident lately.Shough learned from the bad interception and aweek later applied the knowledge to earn apositiveoutcome.

Shough’sstart to training camp wasfairly bumpy.Heplayedhalf atick slow,hestruggled with pressure,hesometimes looked unwillingtoshowoff his arm with aggressive throws and instead opted for check-downs. But as things have progressed,the No. 40 overall pick appears to be finding his footing and is making astrong push to claim the team’s starting quarterback job.

It has helped that the Saints have been playing whatShough described as “realistic football” in recent practices.While New Orleans is still doing some scriptedperiods, it hasshifted more heavily into “call-it” mode, in which theoffensive anddefensive play-callers call plays live depending on the situation.

Shough has appreciated that hisplay-caller,headcoach Kellen Moore, is aformer professional quarterback who understands the benefitof havingpracticefollow agame-like flow

tensity of the Falcons’playersin Wednesday’sfirst joint practice. The visitors weredeterminedto show more fire in the second joint practice.

“The team hada little scuffle going on, but after the scufflewe were still able to play football and keepthathighintensity,” Titans outside linebacker Arden Key,a former LSUstar,said.

The joint practices were staged at theFalcons’ practicefacility before the teams play apreseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday night.

Falcons quarterback coach D.J. Williams wasn’thappy to seePenix, the second-year quarterback enteringhis first full season as the starter, at the bottom of the pile.

“Obviously,you don’twant that,” Williams said. Williamssaid it was revealing to see how Penix’steammates rose to hisdefense.

“I take the positive outofit,” Williams said. “Like you saw the guys takeupfor him. AndIthink that speaks to his leadership and whoheisinthatlockerroom. Obviously he has the relationship and the trust of the guys because everybody ran to hisdefense. So Ithink that’sa good thing for the Falcons.”

Following the practice, Penix was stillstrugglingtoprocess the altercation

“I don’tknow.I was somebody

SAINTS WR MEANS OUT FOR SEASON

BubMeans gothurtinSunday’s preseasonlosstothe Los Angeles Chargers, andnow hisseason is over The NewOrleans Saints placed the second-year wide receiver on injured reserve Wednesday. CoachKellen Moore said TuesdaythatMeanshad sufferedanankle injuryand would miss some time By beingput on injuredreserve in the preseason, Means is no longer eligible to return in 2025.

The placement on the list marks a disappointment forMeans, whohad hoped totakea meaningful step forward in his second season.

The Saintsdrafted Means in the fifth round ofthe 2024 draft out of Pittsburgh. He had nine catches for 118yards and atouchdown in seven games as arookie.

Hisrookie campaign also ended after he suffered an ankle injury last year at SoFiStadium against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Matthew Paras

else,” Penix said.

Asked about being at the bottom of thepile, he said,“Idon’t know where Iwas at in it. It was alot of people in it.Iknow Iwas down there somewhere. Iwasn’tthe only one, though.”

Penixsaidhewas appreciative “to see the team had my back and they were there to makesure they protect me. Alot of guys asked me if Iwas good.”

Morris said Penix will sit out the second straight preseason game. Backup Kirk Cousins also may be held out after the two split mostof thesnaps in team drills in thejoint practices.

Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward, whoplayedtwo series against the Buccaneers, said he wasencouragedbythe response to the team’sdisappointing Tuesday practice.

“Today’spractice, we werealot better,” Ward said.

Ward acknowledged his Wednesday practice wasn’tperfect. He was pickedoff by Falcons safety DeeAlford after he was forcedto scramble andthentried to throw theball out of bounds.

“Just not putting enough on it,” Ward said.

Ward, theNo. 1overall pick in this year’sNFL draft,said he already feels “I’d be fully prepared” to open the regular season this week.

Moore said. “But the way he responded was excellent.”

Theresponse wasa five-play, 82-yard touchdowndrive. Shough went 4for 4for 80 yards on that drive,with the final throw a54yard thunderbolttoMason Tipton fora score.

Thatisthe sort of stuff Moore is looking for out of his young quarterback, anditiswhy Moore hasbeen optimisticabout Shough even while he wasgoing through his growingpainsearlierincamp

“This is Tyler’s first NFL training camp; you cannot rush to judgment,” Moore said. “You’vegot to go through this whole process. He’s goingtoget better each and every day; there are alot of things that are first-time trial and error, andthenyou getbetter thesecond time. Youdon’tsee alot of the samemistakes.”

Shough said incrementalimprovement was his goal going into training camp.While he entered it withsome expectations —heis thehighest-drafted quarterback theSaintshavehad sinceArchie Manning —hewasn’tnecessarily placing those expectations on himself.

Rattlershines whileHaener’s work decreases

Johnson

IRVINE, Calif. With ajoint practice against the Los Angeles Rams on the schedule forThursday,the New Orleans Saints held ashort and light practice Wednesday afternoon at UC-Irvine, working forabout an hour in shells before calling it a day New Orleans ran only 32 plays during full-team drills, focusing mostly on situational work, and ran its first period of seven-onseven since late July.Asthey’ve done several times in recent practices, the Saints rotated Tyler Shough and SpencerRattler with the first teamthroughout, giving Shough the first opportunity while giving Rattler an extended look with the first team late. After asomewhat off day in Tuesday’spractice, Rattler rebounded with amostly sharp effort in Wednesday’ssession. Andwhile Kellen Moore said earlier this week that Jake Haener is still a part of thestarting quarterback discussion,the coach has not backed up his words with the distribution of practice snaps. Here’show the numbers shook out for the quarterbacks: n Spencer Rattler: 11 of 16 (111-166overall) n Tyler Shough: 3of6 (97-154) n Jake Haener: 0of1 (73-109) New Orleans ran only three full-team periods, and only one of them featured an extended drive —the quarterbacks ran amax of only four plays on the other Rattler’s first twodrives featured some excellent, confident throws. He hit Brandin Cooks on a deep crosser forabig gain on his first series, and then threw an in-rhythmdart to Chris Olave for atouchdown on ared-zone sequence. His only incompletion on those first twodrives wasa throw to Kevin Austin that likely would’ve resulted in adefensive pass interference had there been referees at practice. The Saints closed practice by giving Rattler the first-team offense on the 40-yard line needing atouchdown in alate-game situation.Onthat drive, Rattler converted athird and short with athrow to Olave and afourth and 5to Juwan Johnson at the line to gain just before the linebacker arrived. Rattler also gained a

free 5yards by getting BryanBresee to jumpwith ahard count. He positioned the Saints to have ashot at ascore —itwasn’t clear how manypoints the offense was trailing by in the situation, but it wasclear it needed morethan a field goal. But after afalse start by Rashid Shaheed set the offense back, Rattler’slast gasp heave to the end zone as the clock was draining was intercepted by Julian Blackmon to end the practice.

While Shough wasthe first one on the field Wednesday,his reps were extremely limited. He led only two drives, one of which ended when his throw missed low and behind Shaheed on a third-downplay —after which, he found Shaheed on the sideline and appeared to talk through the play

His only other drive came in the redzone, which he ended on anifty play-action shovel pass touchdown to Jack Stoll.Shough alsoconverted athird and 3on that red-zone sequence with a quarterback draw —another data point in along line of them suggesting the quarterback run game maybeinMoore’stoolbox. Haener,meanwhile, is clearly the odd man out of the mix. He took only four scrimmagesnaps in Wednesday’spractice, all with the third team,and his lone pass attempt wasathrowaway as he evaded pressure.

NewOrleans has held four practices in California so far, and Haener has thrownjust 17 passes during full-team periods in those sessions —one less than Rattler had in Wednesday’s practice.

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

Cowboysowner Jones revealscancerdiagnosis

First-year Cowboys coach

BYDAN GREENSPAN Associated Press

OXNARD,Calif. Dallas Cowboys

Brian Schottenheimer described Jones’ fightwithcancerasan “amazing story” and praised him forgoing public.

“I’m glad that Jerry shared it, just because Ithink it gives people hope,” Schottenheimer said. “Itgives people the strength to say ‘Hey,you can beat this.’ ” Schottenheimer,51, used his last newsconference of the Cowboys’ nearly monthlong stay in Southern California to talk about his own cancer diagnosis. He underwent surgery in 2003 for thyroid cancer at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,Minnesota.

“Whenever we’re going in the actual footballscenarios,I think that’swhen Iperform the best,” Shough said. “We’re outthere, and I’m just operating and feeling it and getting out there on the move and all those things. That’s where Ifeel most comfortable.” Moore repeatedly has said that one of the traits he likes about Shough is his maturityand the way he’sdemonstrated an ability to respond to adversity.Incollege, that meant navigating several seriousinjuries. Through training camp, it has meant bouncing backafter amistake on the practice fieldorinapreseason game. That was evident in the preseason opener,when Shough threw an interception thatwas returned for atouchdown

He is going to try to play perfect football, and he’sgoing to critique himselfharshly when he makes mistakes. But he’sallowed himselfsome grace, because those mistakes ultimately generate the growthhe’slooking for “I mean, I’m not going to be Tom Brady or Drew Brees in training camp right now,” Shough said. “I want to aspire to continue to grow, and Ithink thecoaches have done agood job of just facilitating alot of these practices.”

“It’snot what we want; it’salow moment forany quarterback,”

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com

owner Jerry Jones credited an experimental trial drug for successfully treating advanced melanomaashedisclosed his cancer diagnosis publicly for the first time. Jones revealed his illness in adocumentary series, “America’sTeam: The Gambler andHis Cowboys,” which will debut on Netflix next week. The 82-year-old Jones thentold TheDallas Morning News how he was initially diagnosed in June 2010 and underwent two surgeries on his lung andtwo on his lymph nodes over the next 10 years after skincancer cells metastasized to other parts of his body

“Well, you don’tlike to think about your mortality,but Iwas so fortunate to have some great people that sent me in the right direction,” Jones said after practiceonWednesday. “I got to be part of atrial that waspropitious. It really worked. It’scalledPD-1 (therapy), and it really,really,really worked.”

Then-Washington Commanders owner DanSnyder helped arrange Schottenheimer’streatment twoyearsafter firing his father,Marty Schottenheimer,as coach.BrianSchottenheimerwas Washington’squarterbacks coach during the 2001 season, the same year Snyder himself wastreated forthyroid cancer

“It doesn’tdiscriminate against anybody,” Schottenheimer said. “And mine wascertainly less serious, but Iwas 28 when Iwas diagnosed withthyroidcancer Nothing like Stage 4, nothing like what Jerry and other people have to go through. But you hear that word ‘cancer,’ and it scares the hell out of you.”

Schauffele is in danger of missing finale of PGA

Golfer out of top 30 of FedEx Cup for 1st time since rookie season

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Xander

Schauffele knows where he will be the last weekend in September, having already clinched a spot on the U.S. team for the Ryder Cup

The immediate concern is where he goes next week

Not since he was a PGA Tour rookie in 2017 has Schauffele, who won two majors a year ago, been outside the top 30 in the FedEx Cup going into the all-important BMW Championship. He tied for 20th, advanced to East Lake and won the Tour Championship

Every year since then, he already has locked up his spot in the Tour Championship by now

This has been a different kind of year, and now Schauffele is at No 43 and in danger of missing the FedEx Cup finale for the first time.

“This is my worst position I’ve ever been in, injury aside,” said Schauffele, who was hurt by missing two months at the start of the year with a rib injury “Even my rookie year I was in a better position. It sort of has that rookie-year vibe to me a little bit. Just sort of need to work my way through the playoffs.

“You definitely play a little bit freer when you know you’re in (East Lake),” he said. “I’m try to get that freedom because I have absolutely nothing to lose.”

The BMW Championship always has a lot at stake. The top 30 not only have a chance at the Fe-

dEx Cup title, they are assured of being in three of the four majors, and have made enough money to be virtually certain of the PGA Championship

This year, the stakes are a little higher

The BMW Championship starts Thursday at Caves Valley, the final tournament before the top six players in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings qualify for the team that goes to Bethpage Black on Sept. 26-28 Schauffele’s two majors last year helped him clinch one of those spots.

Justin Thomas is at No. 7, and the six players behind him likely would have to win or finish second to earn one of those automatic spots. After next week’s Tour Championship, U.S captain Keegan Bradley fills out the team with six wild-card picks.

Thomas is likely there one way or another, so the stress is minimal. Three others have never played in a Ryder Cup, which could work against them. And then there’s Bradley, who is considering picking himself as the first playing captain in more than 60 years.

“I still have a lot to prove as well as everyone around me on the list,” said Bradley, who checks in at No. 10 in the Ryder Cup standings and No 12 in the world ranking.

The proving ground is Caves Valley, hosting the BMW Championship for the second time since 2021. Patrick Cantlay won a thriller that year with a stunning rally of clutching putting — the gallery

was chanting “Patty Ice!” at him after each big putt he made that carried him to a playoff victory over Bryson DeChambeau.

Cantlay hasn’t won this year He is No. 19 in the FedEx Cup, safe for the Tour Championship, but at No. 15 in the Ryder Cup standings.

The course has gone through an overhaul, longer at 7,601 yards, and two par 5s have been converted to par 4s. The fifth hole is now 367 yards and slightly downhill, but the green has wild ridges that make it unlikely for players to take the risk of driver off the tee.

“They definitely made it significantly harder, so should be a good challenge for us this week,”

Scheffler said. Scheffler is the No. 1 seed in the FedEx Cup and he already has clinched $10 million for leading after the regular season and $5 million for being assured the top seed going to East Lake.

Rory McIlroy is at No. 2, even without playing the first postseason event last week. This is his first appearance since the British Open. He is among those with little stress at Caves Valley For the Americans who aspire to play in the Ryder Cup, consider the BMW Championship the first of two weeks to audition for the team. But for those wanting to chase the $10 million FedEx Cup prize, the BMW Championship is their last chance.

“Definitely been trying pretty hard to get something going,” Schauffele said “This year has been a work in progress to get back into some good form. Still a work in progress. You know, 50 guys, a small field, and I’ve played well them before. So why not do it again?”

QBs Wilson, Fields reunite as starters for Giants, Jets

BY STEPHEN WHYNO

AP sportswriter

EAST RUTHERFORD N.J A year ago, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were the top two quarterbacks at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp vying for the starting role.

This week, they were back on the same field together in the same market, but with different teams with Wilson installed as the starter for the New York Giants and Fields filling the same spot for the Jets.

“It’s kind of crazy how it worked out,” Fields said.

Two joint practices — one at each team’s facility — before the Giants and Jets face off in the preseason on Saturday night gave Wilson and Fields the chance to catch up however briefly before again going their separate ways. Rivals no more, they were able to connect and wish each other the best — in separate conferences, with their collective history behind them.

“He’s a great friend, great teammate,” Wilson said. “I loved playing with him and I know he’s going to have a great year.” Their time together had its ups and downs. Wilson was given the starting job out of camp, then a calf injury sidelined him for the first six weeks, opening the door for Fields to play, winning four of

the six games he started.

Wilson got healthy and took over, starting every game the rest of the way, while Fields tweaked a hamstring and was relegated to backup duty through a wildcard playoff defeat. During the process of coming to peace with that, Fields learned some things from his older counterpart along the way

“Just how he goes about his everyday business, you can really see how he operates and stuff like that,” Fields said after practice Tuesday at the Jets’ facility in Florham Park, New Jersey “Really just trying to take bits of pieces of what he does and implement it into my game, my routine and everything like that.”

Fields agreed to join the Jets on March 10 after they announced they were releasing Aaron Rodgers, who later signed with Pittsburgh. Wilson did the same with the Giants a little over two weeks later That coincidence came up initially, but they haven’t talked about it much since.

That doesn’t mean they don’t talk. Their relationship dates to Fields’ time in college from 201820, by which time Wilson already had established himself in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with Seattle.

“He’s been awesome: an awesome mentor, an awesome per-

Scheffler to use different caddie at BMW tourney

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Scottie Scheffler is going with a PGA Tour caddie for the BMW Championship as his regular looper, Ted Scott, deals with a family emergency at home in Louisiana. A Lafayette native, Scott had to leave immediately after the third round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and Scheffler used longtime friend Brad Payne from the College Golf Fellowship. This week he has turned to Michael Cromie. He usually works for Chris Kirk, who missed qualifying for the BMW Championship by one shot.

“He works really hard and does a good job. We’re both learning a new golf course this week, so it’s been fun,” Scheffler said.

The family matter involving Scott was kept private, though Scheffler said he has spoken to him a couple of times and the family was in good spirits.

“I think Ted’s where he needs to be right now, and I think caddying is probably the last thing on his mind, as it should be,” Scheffler said.

Scheffler finished one shot out of a playoff last week at the TPC

Southwind. He remains the No.

1 seed in the FedEx Cup at the BMW Championship and already is assured of a $5 million bonus for staying at the top going into the FedEx Cup finale next week at East Lake.

Scheffler said Cromie was learning a lot of the minutiae that often goes unnoticed by spectators, such as when he likes to snack and how often to drink, and how he likes to get the yardage and other conditions communicated to him.

There’s also the matter of getting yardages from tee-to-green.

“Brad did a great job stepping in, but Brad is a friend, he’s not a professional caddie,” Scheffler said. “I think when you have a professional on the bag, it’s a bit different. It’s not that I don’t trust Brad to do the numbers. It was just something that I think both of us probably thought it was a good idea to be double-checking each other

“Going into this week, it will be kind of more of a normal routine for me in terms of preparation over the shot and stuff like that,” he said. “It’s nice for me to be able to walk up to the ball, see the shot that I can imagine hitting, and then when the numbers come, we start trying to really dial it in.”

Bears QB will get first preseason playing time in Johnson’s offense

BY GENE CHAMBERLAIN Associated Press

LAKE FOREST Ill. Chicago Bears

coach Ben Johnson sees the second preseason game as the ideal time to get quarterback Caleb Williams some on-field reps.

Williams will see game action in Johnson’s offense for the first time when the Bears host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. Backups Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum and Austin Reed took the snaps in last Sunday’s 24-24 tie against Miami in the preseason opener

to spit these plays out right now,” Johnson said. “He’s made significant progress in that regard and once we get going here in a game week, we’re going to condense the verbiage even more. But we have challenged him. It’s been a lot.

son,” Fields said. “It was great learning from him last year and great being in the same room as him last year.”

Their dynamic has evolved over the years, including sharing a locker room together in Pittsburgh. Wilson called that chance “a tremendous honor in the quarterback club.”

“I really admire his work ethic, admire his friendship and who we (were) as teammates and we’ll forever be connected,” Wilson said. “He’s tremendously talented, and I’ll always have his back and all that and vice versa.”

Fields feels the same, believing he could reach out to Wilson for advice and receive it with no hesitation, even though they’re no longer with the same organization.

They’re still in the same area after signing with the New York teams that call northern New Jersey home for games and practices. Still, the two haven’t gotten the chance to hang out for an extended period of time or break bread over dinner to talk about glory days.

They probably won’t now, with the season on the verge of getting underway, but they’re glad they found favorable landing spots.

“We were just happy for each other,” Fields said. “Both happy that we were able to find a new home.”

“Our starters are going to play, everyone is going to play,” Johnson said Wednesday “Last week and really all through camp I’ve been pretty consistent with the thought of reps, reps, reps are the most important thing to get (Williams) up to speed.” Johnson said he got Williams 80 to 100 practice plays within the offense that he wouldn’t have had if he had played in Sunday’s game.

Of course, Williams wasn’t facing a live defense trying to sack him.

“This week it’s a different schedule, a different length of time in terms of between games, and all that,” Johnson said. “So our plan right now is the guys that sat out last week they will be playing this week.”

Williams’ play in training camp practices has been inconsistent but Johnson has seen improvement from the second-year QB.

“I’m pleased with how he is able

“That was by design, and so if we struggle at all in the huddle to get the play out, then the delays are going to pop up. That’s a little bit part of the learning process and us growing, but by design we have made this very challenging and hard and we know what we need to do as a staff to elevate some of that pressure. I think Week 1 we’re going to be in a good spot.”

What’s less clear is who will start at left tackle.

Starter Braxton Jones is being challenged by rookie Ozzy Trapilo. However, at Wednesday’s practice, second-year undrafted free agent Theo Benedet alternated with Jones at left tackle with the starters, while Trapilo was the backup right tackle.

Cornerback Jaylon Johnson remains on the non-football injury list, but Ben Johnson sounded more optimistic Wednesday that the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback will be ready for the season opener

“He’s right on track, he’s right where he need to be,” Johnson said. “It’s really like I said, those type of injuries you really don’t know Short term, long term, every guy is a little bit different, but I think we’re going in the right direction.”

LIVING

Father andson fishingtrips were thestart of deliciousdinners andwarmfamilymemories

Inthe golden haze of the 1960s and ’70s, myDad Oscar andIcrafted memories along the waterways of New Orleans that would lasta lifetime.

BY BETH DOOLEY

The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

“Americans just do not know how to cook green beans,” said afarmers market vendor as she handed me asack of deep green, plumpbeans she picked earlier that morning.

“When they’re underdone and too crisp, they just don’t have much taste. Give them a fewminutes moretimewhen you boil them.They’re tender but still firm.The little beans within the green bean [the seed] will cook, too.”

Having grownuponlimp, soggy,overcooked beans, I wasreluctant to try this technique. Igot the water boiling, dropped the beans, watched the pot and when they turned abright green, drained them and refreshed under cold running water.They werepliable but no longer snapped back. After Idrizzled the beans with alittle good olive oil and sprinkled with coarse salt, they wereso finger-licking good I nearly polished off the entire lot. The baby bean inside the green bean added agentle creaminess. Cooked this way, the beans were milder and less harsh —more of themselves. Iturnedwhatwas left of those beansinto abowl,added a fewcooked newpotatoes from last night’s dinner and alittle prosciutto forbody,tossed the whole thing in aboldvinaigrette andtoppeditoff withthinly sliced radishestoadd apeppery snap.IfIhad cherry tomatoes, corn or cucumbers at the ready, they’d make fine additions, too. Given summer’sheat, this allveggie combo makes asatisfying alternative to achilled main dish pasta salad, plus it can be made ahead. Serve with ahunk of toothy rustic bread and save what’sleft for a fine lunch. Follow this light, healthy dinner with ascoop of ice cream fordessert …noguilt!

BigGreen Bean Salad

Kevin Belton

Our ritual began before dawn. Dad would gently shake me awake. Iwould rub sleep out of my eyes, grab my pre-packed tacklebox and follow himto the car

We frequented the marshybayous where cypress knees poked through still waters. Dad taughtme to read the water —how ripples might betray a lurking bass, or how to spot the telltale bubbles of feeding catfish.

ä See MEMORIES, page 2D

Florentine Fish

Serves 4.

1tablespoon olive oil

1tablespoon butter

1cup red bellpepper, chopped 2garlic cloves, minced 9ounces fresh baby spinach 2ounces cream cheese

¼cup halfand half 3tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated 45-ounce, thick pieces of skinless white firm fish fillet(such as grouper flounder or bass) Kosher salt Fresh black pepper

1. In alarge skillet over medium heat,add ½tablespoonofolive oiland ½tablespoonof butter, red bell pepper andgarlic andcook for about 4minutes

2. Add spinach, season with apinch of salt and pepper mix until thespinach wilts down.

3. Addcream cheese, half and half and Parmesan cheese. Mix well until cream cheese is melted andresembles creamed spinach.

4. Heat aseparate skilletonmedium-high heat, add remaining oil and butter

Serves 4. Recipe is from Beth Dooley.Inspired by the classic French bean salads, you can make the salad in advance to allow the flavorstomarry.

1pound newpotatoes (see tip) 2cloves garlic, smashed 1tablespoon chopped capers 2teaspoons Dijon mustard

¼cup white wine vinegar

1 3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2pounds green beans, trimmed 2slices prosciutto, cut into thick pieces, optional 1tablespoon chopped thyme, plus more forgarnish

2tablespoonschoppedparsley, plus more forgarnish 2tablespoonschoppedbasil, plus more forgarnish ¼cup slicedradishes

5. Season fish on both sides withsalt and pepper and place in thehot pan.

lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions, rolled

6. Cook 6minutes on first side and flip fish over and cook other side an additional 5minutes, until cooked through and browned.

7. Divide the spinach mixture on thebottom of each plate and top with apiece of fish.

Rice Paper Spirals, RECIPE 2D

1. Bring alarge pot of wellsalted water to aboil. Add the potatoes and cook at abrisk simmeruntil easily pierced, about 25 minutes. Drain.

2. In asmallbowl, whisk together the garlic, capers, mustard and vinegar.Add the oil and whisk until emulsified.

3. When the potatoes are just cool enough to handle, slice into ¼-inch chunks and transfer to a largebowl. Add half of thevinaigrette while the potatoes are still warm

4. In alarge potofrapidlyboiling water,cook the beans until they turn brightgreen, 4to5minutes. Transfer to acolander and drain; rinse under cold water.Cut into ½-inch pieces andtransferto thebowl withthe potatoes.

5. Add the prosciutto and toss with enough of the dressing to coat the beans. Add the herbs and top with the radishes. Garnish with anyleftover dressing and moreherbs.

6.

CheeseburgerRice Paper Spirals

Serves

¼teaspoon fine sea salt

¼teaspoon garlic powder

Squirtortwo of ketchup

BURGER

Continued from page1D

burrito-style into atight cylinder,curled into aspiral and baked to agolden crisp under asprinkle of sesame seed.

Atangy,mayo-based special saucecrafted with yellowmustard and sweet pickle relish is served on the side for dipping, along with shoestring fries. Recipes for the culinary creation dubbed the “Big Mac Spiral” have been making the rounds on social media for awhile, and I’m guessing it’sbecausethe

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.

2. Brown and crumble ground beef in alarge nonstick skillet over mediumhigh heat. Drain any grease. Season to tastewithsalt, pepperand alittle garlicpowder.

3. Whiskeggs with alittle waterinawide and shallowbowl (it should be large enough to hold arice paper round comfortably).One at atime, carefully dip 3rice papers intothe beaten egg for afew seconds until they soften (begentle!), thenlay them in arow with theedges overlapping on alightly oiled cutting board.

4. Spoon ¼ofthe ground beef evenly across the top of thesheets, followed by shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, diced pickles and onions.

spirals actually are afairly goodfacsimile of the real deal.The rice paper bakes up crispy,the ingredients are fairly economical and for those on gluten-free diets, there’snoworries aboutcross-contamination with flour Rice paper roundsaren’t as delicate as they might appear,but youdohave to be carefulwhen rehydrating them. Also, they need only afew secondsinthe egg wash;linger toolong and they’ll get too soft and be tricky to work with It helps to get all the ingredients organized at awork station before you prepare to roll. Lightly

5. Roll up like acigar into atight cylinder, then gently curve it around itself into a spiral.

6. Place spirals on aparchment paper-covered baking sheet. Brush with alittlebit of the egg washand sprinkle with sesame seeds. Repeat with remaining wrappers and fillings.

7. Bake spirals in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.

8. While spirals arebaking, make saucebystirring all the ingredients together in asmall bowl. Tasteand add moreseasoning if needed. Set aside.

9. Whenspirals are done baking, remove from the oven and serve immediately with dipping sauce.

oiling the cutting board so nothing sticks will also makerolling easier,along with allowing yourself a few tries to get thehang of it. Practice makes perfect! Don’tfret over small tears, as theycan be repaired by overlapping the rounds. If the rip is toobig to work with, simply replace the torn sheet with afresh round —a package comes with more thanthe 12 sheets you need to make this recipe.

Iserved therolls with a copycat McDonald’sspecial sauce but you could use thousand island dressing. Or,simply dip the spirals in Heinz ketchup. Fries go best as aside.

PHOTO By MONICA BELTON

Strawberry CheesecakeParfaits

Serves 3

2cups graham cracker crumbs

¼cup butter,melted

1tablespoon sugar

16 ounces cream cheese,softened 14-ouncecan sweetened condensed milk

1teaspoon vanilla

1pound fresh strawberries, chopped

Whipped cream and extra strawberries for topping

1. Stir together graham cracker crumbs, meltedbut-

MEMORIES

Continued from page1D

“Patience,” Dad would say, his voice barely above a whisper,“is what separates a fisherman from someone who just holds apole.” Our expeditions often tookustoLake Pontchartrain, where the brackish waters yielded speckled trout and croaker.Ilearned to bait hooks with live shrimp. Whenwereturned home, our cooler heavy with the day’scatch, my mom Sarah would smile becauseweall knew dinner would be spectacular Those catches were transformed into feasts that celebrated the bounty of Louisiana waters.

Dad’sspecial courtbouillon —arich tomato-based stew swimming with fresh fish, onions, bell peppers and celery —would simmer all afternoon, filling our home with aromas that announcedsuccess.

Iwould watch, mesmerized, as my Dad added just the right amount of filé powder,a technique passed down from his Dad. Summer vacations meant trips to Waveland Beach

ter,and sugar in amedium mixingbowl. Set aside.

2. In alarge mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with an electricmixeruntil smooth. Addsweetened condensed milk andvanilla,and mix until combined.

3. Addasmall layerofthe cheesecake mixture to the bottom of theglass.

4. Adda layerofgraham cracker crumbs (using half of thecrumb mixture, divid-

alongMississippi’sGulf Coast. There, the fishing changed from freshwater patience to the excitement of castinginto the surf. Dad taughtmehow to read the tides andspotthe sandbars where red fish and flounder gathered. We’d spend hours with ourlines in the water, talking abouteverything andnothing,the rhythmic sound ofwaves providing thesoundtrack to their conversations.

These coastal trips often included detours to Canton,Mississippi, wheremy great-grandmother’s house stood as an oasis of Southern comfort. Her kitchen,perpetually warm and fragrant,welcomed uswith open arms andcast-iron skillets.

She’d transform their catches into crispy fish fillets dredgedincornmeal, accompanied byhushpuppiesthat Iswore were the best!

Her table groaned under theweight of Southern delicacies —collard greens simmered with ham hocks, sweet corn puddingand tomatoes still warm from her garden. Fordessert, there was alwayspeach cobbler or

What do Idowith leftoversauce packets?

Dear Miss Manners: Ioften have lunch at fast-food restaurants. Iwill get five or six packetsofhot sauce from the self-serve area, and when I’m finished with lunch, Ijust return the unopened packetstowhere Igot them. Sometimes I get bad looks from people for doing this. What is the etiquette for this? Should Ijust trash any unopened sauce packets?

and forall, how many packets you need?

ed amongthe 3glasses). Add alayer of choppedstrawberries(dividing thestrawberriesevenly amongthe glasses). Reserve6-9 pieces of strawberry for garnish.

5. Add athick layer of cheesecake mixture (divided evenly among the cups). Adda final layerofthe graham cracker mixture.

6. Topwith whippedcream andadditionalfresh strawberry pieces.

blackberry pie, thefruits harvested from her backyard. “Eat up,” she’dinsist, “growing boys need their strengthfor fishing. Through Dad’spatient instruction, Ilearned perseverance, attention todetail and respect for nature’s rhythms. In Grandma’s kitchen, Iabsorbed the importance of family traditions and the love expressed through carefully prepared food. Today,when Icast aline into water or prepare Dad’s courtbouillon recipe for my own family andfriends, those sun-dappled days return —the weight of my Dad’shand on my shoulder thetaste of Grandma’s cornbread, and the knowledge that some inheritances can’tbemeasured, only treasured.

Kevin Belton is resident chef of WWL-TV and has taught classes in Louisiana cooking for 30 years. The most recent of his four cookbooks, “KevinBelton’sCookin’ Louisiana: Flavors from the Parishes of the Pelican State,” was published in 2021. EmailChef at chefkevinbelton@gmail. com.

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

Gentlereader: Either solution is acceptable to etiquette, but this is not one you are going to win, no matter what you do. Half of the restaurant will lecture you about the waste of throwing away the unused packets —never mind thatthe packets are tiny The other half will lecture you about itsbeing unsanitary to return them— never mind thatthey are sealed, and thatthey were likely stored in far less sanitary circumstances in the warehouse before theymade it to the self-serve area.

ButMiss Manners has aquestion for you: Given that the portions of everythingare identical from meal to meal, would it not be simpler to decide, once

Dear Miss Manners: Iwas at the dentist, having acleaning, when the dentist and the hygienist began adetailed conversation about their plans forthe weekend. One said something funny and Ichuckled —as much as one can with tools in one’s mouth —atwhich point apause in their conversation led me to believe I had committed afaux pas by eavesdropping.

In the future, should I pretend to be part of the furniture?

Gentle reader: Or morelike aplant being pruned or watered?

Miss Manners suspects that the dentist and hygienist, just like all those people yelling into their phones in public and then glaring at passersby,indeed thought you were eavesdropping.

Youwere not.

In fact, you may have done them afavor by reminding them that someone else waspresent. Otherwise, they may have gone on to say something terrible, thinking their pa-

tient wasunder anesthesia. If this happens to you again, pretend you were coughing and that you need arinse.

Dear Miss Manners: What should my mannered response be to aco-worker’s sneeze? And what should my response be to those whosay “God bless you” to me after I’ve sneezed?

Notwanting to perpetuate religious superstition, Isay nothing when aco-worker sneezes. That doesn’t bother me much, butnot acknowledging theirgood graces when I’ve sneezed does strike me as rude. I’ve never explained myself to my co-workers, and none have ever brought it up to me, but am sure it’s been noticed that Iseem to be lacking in this area of politeness.

Gentle reader: Do you also examine each morning to decide if it will be agood one before issuing your daily greeting?

Someconventions are usually just meantasconventions. “Bless you” is less disruptive than “Are you OK?” And the polite response is “Thank you.”

Sendquestions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www.missmanners.com.

Teenagedaughtercausing strain

Dear Harriette: My 13-yearold daughter has recently started refusing to attend family gatherings like birthday parties or Sunday dinners at my parents’ house. She says they’re “boring, fake and awaste of time.” Iunderstand that she’sa teenager and trying to find her own identity,but it’sreally starting to hurt my parents’ feelings. They miss her and have mentioned that they feel like she doesn’t care about spending time with them anymore.

be concerned about something deeper going on?

Awkward Teen

Harriette Cole SENSE AND SENSITIVITy

I’ve tried explaining to my daughter how importantfamily is and how these events aren’tjust about fun; they’re about staying connected to those who matter to us. She just shutsdown or rolls her eyes. Idon’twant to force her to come and makethings even more awkward, but Ialso don’t want to let her completely disconnect from thefamily.How do Inavigate this without pushing her further away or upsetting my parentseven more? Is this just aphase, or should I

By The Associated Press

Today is Thursday

Aug. 14, the 226th day of 2025. There are 139 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Aug. 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed theSocial Security Act into law,ensuring income for elderly Americans and creating afederal unemployment insurance program

Also on this date:

In 1936, in front of an estimated 20,000 spectators, Rainey Bethea was hanged in Owensboro, Kentucky, in the last public execution in the United States.

In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and BritishPrimeMinister Winston Churchill signed theAtlantic Charter,which detailed the postwar goals of the two nations.

In 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced that Imperial Japan had surrendered unconditionally, ending World WarII.

In 1947, Pakistan gained independence from British rule.

In 1994, Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, theterrorist known as “Carlos the

Dear Awkward Teen: First, makesure that nothing has happened between your daughter and your parents to cause her not to wanttospend timewith them Shy of an egregious incident between them,myrecommendation is that you let your daughter know that you need her to show up and be respectfulatthese family events; they are not optional. If she refuses, take away a privilege that she values, like visiting with friends or using social media.

Yes, teens can go through tremendous emotional turmoil, but that should not give them apass to be disrespectful to others, especially their grandparents. Do not tolerate it. Dear Harriette: Ihave ason whoisstill living at home after finishing college. He has ajob and is looking for abetter one in his field of interest, but it’sslow going. Iappreciate that he is making the effort. What he has not been good at is helping

TODAYINHISTORY

Jackal,” was captured by French agents in Sudan.

In 1995, Shannon Faulkner officially became the first female cadet in the history of The Citadel, South Carolina’sstate military college. (However Faulkner withdrew from the school less than aweek later,citing the stress of her court fight, and her isolation among the male cadets.)

In 1997, an unrepentant Timothy McVeigh wasformally sentenced to death forthe OklahomaCity bombing. (McVeigh was executed by lethal injection in 2001.)

In 2009, Charles Manson follower Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, 60, convicted of trying to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975, was released from aTexas prison hospital after morethan three decades behind bars.

In 2016, Usain Bolt became the first athlete to winthe 100-meter dash in three consecutive Olympics, taking gold at the Summer Games in Rio.

In 2021, a7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, turning thousands of structures into rubble; the

around the house. When he isn’tworking, he is sleeping or playing video games or doing something other than contributing to the household. This is partly my fault. Ididn’trequire him to do dishes or laundry when he was growing up, but Ineed him to chip in now.How can Iget him to take my requests seriously? —TimeToHelp Out DearTime To HelpOut: Sit down with your son and talk about the rules of your household. Acknowledge that you didn’thave as many requirements of him whenhewas achild, but you need him to step it up now.Give him afew chores that he should do each day and some that should be done weekly.Remind him until it becomes second nature to him (if it ever does). Trynot to get angry when he slips up. Since he hasn’t learned the discipline yet, you can expect him to give you attitude or to forget. Just keep reminding him that he is part of your household, and he needs to pull his weight.

Sendquestions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com.

quake leftmore than 2,200 people dead and injured morethan 12,000 others.

Today’sbirthdays: Broadway lyricist LeeAdams (“Bye Bye Birdie”) is 101.College Football Hall of Famer andNFL quarterback JohnBrodie is 90. Singer Dash Crofts is 85. Country singerConnie Smith is 84. Comedian-actor Steve Martin is 80. Film directorWim Wenders is 80 Singer-musicianLarry Graham is 79. Actor Susan Saint James is 79. Author Danielle Steel is 78.“Far Side”cartoonist Gary Larsonis75. ActorCarlLumbly is 74. Olympic gold medal swimmer Debbie Meyeris73. ActorJackee Harry is 69. NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace is 69. ActorMarcia Gay Hardenis66. Basketball Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic”Johnsonis66. SingerSarah Brightman is 65. ActorSusanOlsen (TV:“The Brady Bunch”) is 64. ActorHalle Berry is 59. Golfer Darren Clarke is

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Youhavethe wherewithal to be successful, but first,you must determine what that means to you. It's timetomake yourself happy and to let others fend for themselves.

VIRGo(Aug.23-sept. 22) Volunteer, do your partand seewhat happens. The peopleyou meet will lead to newpossibilities. Engage in discussions, offer suggestions and showcase your skills.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Push hard when energy is arequirement to get things done on time and your way. Take control, do your thing and stop waiting for someone else to step in and do things for you.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Engage in events or pastimes thatwill help hone your assets. Travel, reunions and personal growth will help you discover what's missing in your life and howto turn things around that are holding you back.

sAGITTARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Achange will spark your imaginationand interests. Home improvements that you can do yourself will be the most rewarding. Invest wisely in yourself, and you can thrive.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec.22-Jan. 19) Show compassion and understanding, and you'll gain insight into what others want and need to support your demands. Life is about clarity, honesty andfreewill, not conquest and orders.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Be careful making promises. Don't offer anything youcan't deliver. Achange at home can

save you money. Alucrative opportunity is within reach. Extend your thoughts and put your plans in motion.

PIscEs(Feb. 20-March 20) Spend less time analyzing and pontificating and more time doing. Whatyou accomplish will have an impact on the people you encounter andthe reputationyou are building.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Paymoreattentiontotaking careofyour responsibilities and lesstoadding to your to-do list. Organization anddiscipline are necessary to maintain your reputation. Aclean slate will help you avoid criticism.

TAuRus (April 20-May 20) Emotions will surface regarding domestic and personalaffairs. Don't waste time on matters over which you have no control. Follow your heartand do whatmakes you happy.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) An open mind will keep you awareofthe possibilities. Converse with people in the know, andyou'll discoversomething that will make life choices easier. Be observant and thorough.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Look at every angle before you make amove. Walk away from excessive suggestions and avoid taking on responsibilities that don't belong to you.

The horoscope, an entertainmentfeature, is not based on scientific fact. ©2025 by nEa,inc dist.Byandrews mcmeel syndication

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers1 to 9inthe emptysquares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains thesame number only once. Thedifficulty level of the sudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

Bridge

By PHILLIPALDER

In the“Get Smart” television show, the agents from Control usually battled against thebad guys from Kaos. To be successful, bridge players must know howtocontrolthe trump suit; otherwise the playmight become chaotic.

In this example deal, Southisinfour spades. The defenders start with two rounds of hearts. Howshould South continue?

North’s sequenceshowed agame-invitationalhandwith exactly three spades. Although South had only12high-card points,his secondary club fit made his hand worth game

Declarer has10winners: five spades, two diamonds and threeclubs. And if trumps are breaking 3-2, it will be easy totakethosetricks.SoSouthshouldwonderabout a4-1 spade split

To see why thisisimportant, suppose declarer trumps thesecond round of heartsand starts to draw trumps. When he sees the 4-1break, he will have to stop (orrun outoftrumps) and shift to clubs

But if East ducks the first round, takes the second (seeing West’s high-low to show adoubleton), andgivesWesta club ruff, the defenders will eventuallyget a diamond trick for down one.

SinceSouth is doomed to lose one diamondwhateverhappens, he should be

wuzzles

happy to concede it at tricktwo,discarding adiamond from his hand instead of ruffing. Then if athird heartisplayed, declarer can ruff in thedummy,keeping his five trumps intact. He can draw trumps, knock outthe club ace and claim

Watch out for the loser-on-loser play. ©2025 by nEa, inc.,dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InsTRucTIons: 1. Words

be of four or moreletters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,”are not allowed. 3. additional

by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns,

or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

ToDAy’s WoRD TRyouTs: TRY-outs: Testsofthe ability to fill apartormeet standards.

Average

Time

Canyou find 28 or more words in TRYOUTS?

dIrectIons: make a2-to 7-letterword from theletters in each row. add pointsof each word, using scoring directions at right.Finally, 7-letterwords get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. allthe words arein theOfficial sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5thEdition. For more information on tournamentsand clubs,emailnaspa –north

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

info@scrabbleplayers.org.Visit

kenken

WiShinG Well

InstructIons: 1 -Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1thorugh 4(easy) or 1through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes called cages mustcombine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners 3 -Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner. HErE is aplEasanT liTTlEgamEthat

the number of letters

left

code(s) before there‐leaseofthe sourcing event: COMMODITYCODE(s): 909, 909-16, 909-17, 909-27, 911, 912, 913, 914

TheCityofNew Orleans strongly encourages mi‐nority-owned and women-ownedbusi‐nesses, socially andeco‐nomicallydisadvantaged businessesand small businessestorespond to this solicitation,orto participateinsubcon‐tracting opportunities pursuant to this solicita‐tion Formoreinformation aboutthissourcing event, go to www.nola. govand clickon“BRASS Supplier Portal under “BIDS& CONTRACTS” Once on theSupplierPor‐tal, search “Open Events.”

Thankyou foryourinter‐estindoing business with theCityofNew Or‐leans. JamesC.Simmons,Jr. ChiefProcurement Officer AdvertisingDates: August 14, 21 and28, 2025 NOCP 8567 154038-aug14-21-28-3t $109.32

g theCity’s supplier portal If this solicitation is fed‐erally funded,prospec‐tive bidder/respondent must payparticularat‐tentiontoall applicable laws andregulations of theFederal government andthe Stateof Louisiana. TheBureauofPurchas‐ingusescommodity codestonotifysuppliers of therelease of asourc‐ingevent andsubse‐quentmodificationsvia addendum. Note that you wouldreceive thosenoti‐ficationsifyou selected thefollowing commodity code(s)beforethe re‐leaseofthe sourcing event: COMMODITY CODE(s): 962-58 TheCityofNew Orleans strongly encourages mi‐nority-ownedand women-ownedbusi‐nesses, socially andeco‐nomicallydisadvantaged businesses andsmall businesses to respondto this solicitation,orto participateinsubcon‐tracting opportunities pursuant to this solicita‐tion Formoreinformation aboutthissourcing event, go to www.nola. govand clickon“BRASS SupplierPortal” under “BIDS& CONTRACTS” Once on theSupplierPor‐tal, search “Open Events.” Thankyou foryourinter‐estindoing business with theCity

ENJOyVISTASOVERTHE ENJOyV WATERATRESTAURANTS T RESTAURANTS ON BOTH SIDESOFTHE LAKE

ENJOyVISTASOVERTHE WATERAT RESTAURANTS ON BOTH SIDESOFTHE LAKE

Former NewOrleans journalist returnsfor Katrinadoc page 11

‘The Wizard of Oz’opening at SlidellLittleTheatre page 4

don’t miss don’t miss don’t miss

Keith Spera column will return next week

The "Sound Check" live music outlook does not appear in this week's Lagniappe. It will return next week.

The Black and Gold take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at noon Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in their first home game of the preseason The Saints will have one more preseason match before they face the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 7. Tickets were still available at press time. neworleanssaints.com.

snoball fest

The Krewe of Krampus keeps things chill at The Barabegazi Snoball Fight, a fundraiser that pits five marching clubs against each other to come up with a unique flavor, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the New Marigny Theatre, 2301 Marais St. The free event, which includes music, an art market, resources and raffles, supports “Parading for All,” which works to provide accessibility for everyone to enjoy street processions. Sno-balls are $5. kreweofkrampus.com.

saints home gamesip+dip: country night

Kick off your boots and take the plunge at Audubon’s Cool Zoo from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, when the waterway goes full-on country with live music by 90 Degree West. The 21-and-over waterpark event features savory bites, specialty cocktails and the aquatic adventures of the Lazy River and Splash Zones. Ye-haw! Tickets are $50. audubonnatureinstitute.org.

dinner

with a curator children’s book sale

Friends of the New Orleans Public Library will be selling everything from kids’ picture books to chapter books for older youths from noon to 4 p.m.

Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday at the Norman Mayer branch in Gentilly, 3001 Gentilly Blvd. The sale of the gently used tomes will benefit a number of Friends’ programs, including the Summer Fun & Reading Challenge. friendsnola.org.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, the former general and U.S. president, said New Orleanian Andrew Higgins was “the man who won the war for us.” The boatbuilder’s legacy will be the subject of a talk by Joseph Tingley, of The National WWII Museum, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, 945 Magazine St. The dinner will be prepared by the American Sector Restaurant. Tickets start at $77 and sales end Monday. nationalww2museum.org.

myths and truths of marie laveau

Researcher and author Ina Fandrich will unravel some of the voodoo queen’s mystery during the free Kulturabend evebt at 7 p.m.

Tuesday at Deutsches Haus, 1700 Moss St. Doors to the Haus open at 4 p.m. with food and drink service available. deutscheshaus.org.

art art art

French artdecostyle still resonates100 yearslater

ART BEAT

In this series, Lagniappe presents works from the collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art, with commentary from a curator

BY MEL BUCHANAN Contributingwriter

One hundred years ago, in the summer of 1925, over 16 million people visitedParis for an exhibition that celebrated modern design in art, architecture and household objects.

The French fair’sofficial name, the “Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes,” lent the nickname art deco to this wildly popular style.

Art deco’ssharp geometry and saturated colors dominated design through the 1920s and 1930s. Glob-

bold starburst and ziggurat shapes.

The Paris fair gathered thousands of designers and industrialists to showcase their artistic vision for the future. With his company’stowering illuminated glass fountain at the center of the exposition, French glass artist René-Jules Lalique had amajor presence at this art deco-defining moment. Lalique’ssuperb quality objects contrasted frosted and clear glass in a dazzling effect thathighlighted inventive designs of geometric birds and fruit,classical female figures or even sauterelles (grasshoppers) as on the New Orleans Museum of Art’svase. rare also afford-

PROVIDED PHOTO

RenéJules Lalique’smold-blown glass ‘Sauterelles’ (Grasshoppers) vase, a1913 design made between 1920 and 1940

able pieces thatwere widely available Success selling glass to allsegments of the marketestablished thename “Lalique” as aleader in both glass artistry and spread art deco style worldwide beyond the influential1925 French fair.

ABOUTLAGNIAPPE

The Lagniappe section is publishedeach Thursdayby The Times-Picayune |The NewOrleans Advocate. All inquiriesabout Lagniappe should be directed to the editor.

LAGNIAPPE EDITOR: Annette Sisco,asisco@theadvocate. com

COVERDESIGN: Andrea Daniel

CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS: Victor Andrews, Mel Buchanan, Will Coviello, Ian McNulty

GETLISTED IN LAGNIAPPE

SubmiteventstoLagniappe at least twoweeksinadvance by sending an email to events@theadvocate. com.

ON THECOVER

MelBuchanan is RosaMary curator of decorative arts and design at theNew Orleans Museum of Art.

The afternoon sunsets over LakePontchartrain outside of The Blue Crab Restaurant &Oyster Bar in NewOrleans. PhotobyBrett Duke. Food writer Ian McNulty offers alistofrestaurants withaviewfor diners on Page 6.

stages stages stages

PROVIDED PHOTO

Maria Hefte has landed the wild card spot for the StageDoor Idol finale, set for Aug. 19 at theNational WWII Museum.

Final7 selected forStage Door Idol at WWII Museum

BY VICTORANDREWS Staff writer

The seven competitors are set for the summer singing sensation finale Aug. 19 at The National WWII Museum’sBB’sStage Door Canteen.

The preliminaries at museum wrappedTuesdayafter four weeks of vocalists crooning tunesfromthe Big Bandera in hopes of makingit to the finals. Apanel of judgesalong with the audience selected six finalists from each night, with twonights having ties. Awild card contestant was also added.

Preliminary winners are Rad Jennings (“La VieenRose”),Adam Breaux (“Old Black Magic”),Hallie Legentre (“Angel Eyes”),Noah Lanier (“Alone”), Elijah Hartman (“The Joint is Really Jumpin’”)and Curstin Kaufman (Skylark”).

The wild card entrantisMaria Hefte, who will sing “My Heart Belongs to Daddy.”

The finalists will be accompanied by the museum’sVictory SixSwing Band. In addition to the titleand trophy,the winner receives $2,000.

Tickets start at $15. Visit nationalww2museum.org.

There’snoplace like NewOrleans-areatheaters

Fall might not be in theair,but it seemstobeagood timetohead over the rainbowand check out some of the upcoming productions setfor local stages.Dance the yellow brick road from Tulane Universitytoatheater Slidell.

‘And your little dog, too’ Dorothy, Toto,her trio of tagalongs andacouple of witches hit the stage via atornado (notreally) for Slidell LittleTheatre’s staging of “The Wizard of Oz,”opening Aug. 22. Basedonthe L. Frank Baum 1900 children’s book and the classic 1939 MGM movie, the stage musical features many of the beloved songs, including “Over theRainbow,” “We’reOff to Seethe Wizard” and “Munchkinland (Ding Dog! The WitchisDead!).”

Scott Sauber directs the Royal ShakespeareCo.’s version of the story that hasDorothy transported to afantasy land where she mustdefeat one wicked witch(the house already killed her sister) and help her get home, along with herconstant companion, Toto,the Cairn terrier.

Playing Dorothy is Lilly Monchgesang, withHeather Orgeron as the Wicked Witchofthe West, Fred Martinez as the Wizard of Oz and Trenton Gilmore,Michael Chandler and Juleea Berthelot as theScarecrow,Tin Man andCowardly Lion. Muffy Vanderbilt is Glinda, with Emily Maurer as Aunt Em and Lucas BissettasUncle Henry.NoachOsborne is the Captain of the Guard and MatthewHitchcockisNikko the money commander

Ensemble membersinclude Isabella Binder, Madison Bywater,Logan Chitwood,Adeline Devereux, Joshua Evans, Annaliese Giardina,Juliana Giardina, London Hauck, BraydenHeritage, Isabella Hosch, Danny Jepson, Lukas Jepson, Veronica Knock, Olivia Loomis,Angela Luque, Benjamin Luque, Nicholas Luque, Victoria Mattern, Lola Penton, Annie Rawle, Cecelia Rawle, Graham

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Starring in Slidell Little Theatre’sproduction on ‘The Wizard of Oz,’opening Aug. 22, are Heather Orgeron as the Wicked Witch of the West, Fred Martinez as the Wizard and,ofcourse, Toto.

Rhodes, Audrie Saint Cyr,MauraSandoz, Adaline Shehadeh, Sawyer Smith, OlsenSpilling, Sonni Talamo, Avery Thompson, Emily Thompson, Millie Tiblier and Olivia Vicidomina.

The show at 2024 Nellie Drive is at 7:30 p.m. (a new time for the playhouse) on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2p.m Sundays, plus Saturday matinees Aug. 30 and Sept. 6, through Sept.7at2024 Nellie Drive.

Ticketsstartat$25. Visit slidelllittletheatre.org.

Tulane season ahead

The Mainstage Season at Tulane University’sSchool of Liberal Arts includes abroad palette of theater and dance ranging from classics to new works and bounty of talents.

n “The Lesson”: Oct. 15-19, Lupin Theatre.Eugene Inesco’sabsurdist one-act play about aprofessor,his student and arevolving storyline. Antony Sandoval directs.

n “The Squirrels”: Nov.11-20, Lupin. Theblack comedy by Robert Askins is about amixed-race family of squirrels, greed and prejudice. Ryder Thornton directs.

n “Little Women”: April 15-19, Lupin. The musical co-produced by theNewcomb Department of Music, based on the novel by LouisaMay Alcott, is the story of aNorthernfamily of daughtersduring the Civil War. LauraWaringerdirects.

n “Above the Oaks”: Oct. 22-23, McWil-

liams Hall Dance Lab 300. Student choreography under faculty adviser Jeffrey Gunshol kicks off the university’s dance program.

n “AnEvening of Dance”: Feb. 27 to March 1, DixonHall. The Newcomb Dance Co performs works by guest choreographer Nora Gibson and faculty choreographer Alice Pascal Escher,with others. Tickets typically go on sale one month prior to the opening performance. For information, visit liberalarts.tulane.edu/ theatre-dance/performances.

In production

“THE CRUCIBLE”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday; Big Couch, 1045 Desire St. Fat Squirrel stages Arthur Miller’s fictionalized story of the Salem witchtrials that looks at betrayal, consequences and how truth can often become avictim when hysteria takes hold. Tickets start at $25. fatsquirrelnola.square.site.

“SCHOOL OF ROCK: THE MUSICAL”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 24; 30 by Ninety Theatre, 880 Lafayette St., Mandeville. Singer-without-a-band Dewey Finn turns the students of asnooty private school from honor rollers to hard rock ’n’ rollers to compete in the Battle of the Bands, all without their parents or the school administrators finding out. Tickets start at $32. 30byninety.com.

EmailVictor Andrews at vandrews@ theadvocate.com.

stages stages stages

LANGUAGE ANOTHER

Unpredictability is in New york comedian Brittany Carney’s wheelhouse

BY WILL COVIELLO Gambit Weekly

Brittany Carney wrote for “Saturday Night Live” Weekend Update co-host Michael Che’s HBO series “That Damn Michael Che” and for “Teenage Euthanasia” on Adult Swim. But her 2024 half-hour comedy special, “That Is My Horse,” derives from a much more obscure TV show

Carney grew up in Japan, where her mother is from. While visiting Tokyo recently, she found herself watching a public TV show offering Japanese to German language instructions.

She finds that the former Axis powers have a lot in common, including in bathroom etiquette. She also marvels at the technological innovations of Japanese toilets.

“A lot happened after the war,” she said in a deadpan summary.

Carney returns to New Orleans on Saturday to perform at Sports Drink Comedy Club, and she’s working on material for a new special, some of it in her wheelhouse of unpredictable observations and mesmerizing halting delivery.

tory and the National Portrait Gallery

At times, she posted humorous riffs on Facebook about things she found in her research, mostly for historian friends. Early posts included one on what London scientists wanted to know about the botany of the colonies before the Revolution and pressing questions like, “What does a buffalo look like?”

But she was interested in more mainstream comedy and eventually tried an open mic in Washington, D.C.

“A week before I did my first open mic, I went to the place,” Carney said. “A guy from the club recognized me. I asked him, ‘How do you describe D.C. audiences?’ He said, ‘They’re overly educated and overly miserable.’”

That translated as they’ll get all the references, but they don’t know if they can laugh at edgy material, she said.

7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday Tickets $32.36 sportsdrink.org

Carney lives in New York, and many of her projects were the results of people, like Che, seeing her perform at clubs like the Comedy Cellar During the pandemic, she also filmed a short set for the “Comedy Central: Featuring” series.

Her path to the New York comedy scene was anything but conventional. Carney was born in Japan, and except for a few years in Singapore, didn’t live in the U.S. until the ninth grade After earning a master’s degree in history, she started working in museums, designing educational programs for visitors and school groups. She worked at Smithsonian institutions including the National Museum of American His-

She started making monthly trips to New York to perform and eventually moved there. She was booked at comedy festivals around the country when Rhizome Comedy reached out, interested in filming her in a special.

In “That Is My Horse,” she jokes about everything from the translation bit that gives the special its name to a Santa Claus roleplay — or “Clausplay” — going off script. She also notes the serendipitous arrival of Black Hobbits in the Shire in Amazon’s “The Rings of Power” series. And there are some more jokes about very long German words for bathroom etiquette.

Carney doesn’t speak German, but in addition to Japanese and English, she’s picked up some French, Mandarin and Arabic.

Though she likes the occasional language joke, she’s got no problem reaching different audiences. Her most recent performance in New Orleans was part of a short tour opening for Shane Torres. After shows in Jack-

son, Mississippi, and Mobile, Alabama, the audience at The Howlin’ Wolf was a lot less bro-y, she said. She was excited about exploring New Orleans’ historical sites and spooky stuff for Halloween, but the city had a different look.

“The Taylor Swift concerts took over the city,” she said. “Everything was purple and pink. Shane and I were joking that there’s no crossover with his comedy.”

Email Will Coviello at wcoviello@ gambitweekly.com.

show your WILD side

shop @gaetanasnola

food food food

the

‘I’llhavehorizon’

Cool thesummerswelterand dine over water at theseNew Orleans-area restaurants

Ian McNulty

Atable, aglass, aview of thewate and, ah,there it is, an invigorating gust of breeze. This can be the antidote to asummerswelter,and it is often what locals seek down the coast.

But around the New Orleans area, agrowing numberofspotsoffer this remedy much closer to home.

There are more on the way.One newaddition, theBatture,ison summerhiatus but still hosts a weekly farmersmarketand will return in the fall. And Delacroix, th next restaurant from John Besh and his BRG Hospitalitygroup,isslated to open in early fall right on the river in Spanish Plaza.

e STAFF FILEPHOTOSByIAN McNULTy

ABOVE: The bar at Tchefuncte’srestaurant in Madisonville givesan elevated viewofthe river just outside. RIGHT: Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Baronthe West End offers adeck facing the sunset.

ä See VIEW, page 8

food food food

VIEW

Continued from page 6

Here are top spots for a meal-sized waterfront getaway right now.

Northshore waterfronts

APERITIF

1943 Lakeshore Drive, Mandeville; (985) 778-2045

The newest hot spot in Old Mandeville catches cool breezes in the evening, right on the lakefront. It’s the latest from Cayman Sinclair, who previously had the Lakehouse, just up the shore.

Seats at a barlike rail on the front porch give an outdoor perch; inside, the busy dining room feels beach house cool. Though casual, the food aims more upscale than its neighbors with a particular strength in local seafood. There’s also a dash of Asian flavor running through some of the first courses, which are good for shared plates over cocktails, or perhaps an aperitif.

PAT’S REST A WHILE

2129 Lakeshore Drive, Mandeville; (985) 951-2173

Once a collection of historic summer camp buildings, Pat’s is a complex of dining rooms and bars. Veteran chef Pat Gallagher’s menu combines anytime-casual food and more chef-inspired upscale dishes (check the cedar plank fish).

The building’s elevation brings gives both a view and a breeze, making a table on the open patio feel like a seat on the deck of the ship.

SOCIAL

708 Water St., Madisonville; (985) 206-9034

What was once a rough-and-tumble bar is now a stylish new restaurant, right by the bridge over the Tchefuncte River Social is a Peruvian restaurant and shows all the hallmarks of this cuisine: a blend of Latin American, European and Asian with especially strong Japanese influence. Dishes like ceviche and fish tartare tacos are served with a visual flair to match the lushly decorated dining rooms, while the covered porch out front has tables facing in the water.

People take in the lakefront view on the porch at Aperitif Spritz + Bites, an upscale casual restaurant and bar in Old Mandeville.

TCHEFUNCTE’S AND THE ANCHOR

407 St. Tammany St., Madisonville, (985) 323-4800

This multilevel riverfront development is a two-in-one hospitality hub. You can go dockside casual at the Anchor, which functions as an openair tavern. Or you can go upstairs and

upscale for the ambitious and polished Tchefuncte’s, an impressive and contemporary modern restaurant. With a beer on the dock below or a glass of wine on the deck lining the upstairs dining room, you can watch boats file past or just gaze at the Tchefuncte River languidly flowing.

food food food

West End revisited

FELIX’S

RESTAURANT & OYSTER BAR

7400 Lakeshore Drive; (504) 304-4125

The expansion of the famous French Quarter name serves oysters any way, including right from the oyster bar with its view over the water and out on a large, covered second floor deck Flames leaping around grilled oysters join that view There’s boiled seafood seasonally and, often, bands playing by the open-air dockside bar below.

THE BLUE CRAB

7900 Lakeshore Drive; (504) 284-2898

This feels like a modern reincarnation of the old West End restaurants, starting with the whole stuffed flounder, a dish bound to evoke lakefront memories. Today, the menu covers the waterfront, from pizza to BBQ shrimp Get there early for a generous happy hour (4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) with deals on oysters, hot food and cold drinks. There’s live music Friday through Sunday around the dockside bar

The northshore location of Blue Crab (118 Harbor View Court, 985-315-7001) in Eden Isles has a similar feel and menu, with live music, too. Around the lake

MIDDENDORF’S

30160 U.S 51, Akers; (985) 386-6666

The gradual evolution of this 1930svintage seafood roadhouse has made it another dockside destination, with a dining deck open to Pass Manchac, where some people do arrive on boats. Catfish cut thin as chips, and just as crisp, will always be the specialty, but the menu goes much deeper with barbecue oysters, broiled frog legs and whole flounder

The much newer Slidell location of Middendorf’s (1951 Oak Harbor Blvd., 985-771-7777) is a bit more inland, though the covered deck overlooks a sandy playground for the kids with a beachy vibe.

FRENIER LANDING

113 Dottie Lane, LaPlace; (985) 224-2178

Perhaps even more of a find than Manchac, Frenier Point juts through the cypress into Lake Pontchartrain like a pier. This restaurant stands like

Fish grilled on a cedar plank is among the dishes at Pat’s Rest A While on Lakeshore Drive in Mandeville where diners can take in a view of Lake Pontchartrain from the patio.

a deluxe, elevated fishing camp right by the water’s edge, with an extensive menu running through steaks to seafood platters, and of course oysters (raw or grilled). Sip a drink on the covered deck and watch boaters come and go at the adjacent launch (and maybe spot the occasional alligator). There’s live music Friday and Saturday nights (from 6:30 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (at 1:30 p.m.).

An elegant overlook

CHEMIN A LA MER

Four Seasons Hotel, 2 Canal St.; (504) 434-5100

Oysters and steak with a French accent are central to Donald Link’s restaurant Chemin à la Mer in the lux Four Seasons So is the setting. The glass-lined dining room can feel like the front porch to the Mississippi River, with air conditioning to boot If you’re just after a snack, and some redemptive time with the view, pair the oysters with the steak tartare and firstclass frites at the raw bar.

Market meals on the river

THE BATTURE

25 Walnut St.; schedule updates at instagram.com/thebatture

Just past the Fly at Audubon Park, you go over the levee top to find a one-time marine industrial yard turned into a multiuse development, with offices, event spaces and a collection of food trucks and pop-ups serving outdoors with wide-open

views of the river.

The Batture’s regular weekend programming is on a summer hiatus. But the site remains home to the Tuesday edition of the Crescent City Farmers

Market (8 a.m. to noon). In addition to stands from local farmers and producers, you’ll find food vendors to furnish a quick breakfast or lunch for a market meal on the spot, and right on the river

Email Ian McNulty at imcnulty@ theadvocate.com.

Cregger’s ‘Weapons’ is the scariest movie of the year

BY KATIE WALSH Tribune News Service (TNS)

Zach Cregger’s “Weapons” opens with a mystery that sounds like a math word problem: If 17 children left their homes and disappeared at 2:17 in the morning, and there’s only one kid and one teacher left in their classroom — who is to blame? Because someone has to be at fault.

To puzzle through this particularly dark riddle with maximum mysteriousness, writer/director Cregger follows the main characters through the aftermath of this peculiar event.

The first person he follows is the teacher, Justine (Julia Garner), and the last student, Alex (Cary Christoper). In between, we ride along with Archer (Josh Brolin). the angry, grieving father of one of the missing kids; Marcus (Benedict Wong), the school principal; Paul (Alden Ehrenreich), a local cop; and James (Austin Abrams), the town junkie.

Cregger used a similar kind of perspective-swapping to great effect in his 2022 horror sensation “Barbarian,” crashing from one subjective storyline to the next at moments of maximum tension.

Confusion and grief about the case of the missing kids spirals into anger and harassment, spilling into and mixing with the mess of the characters’ own personal lives, their preexisting conditions. Each storyline ends with a violent cliffhanger or strange event that haunts the next strand and keeps suspense at a fever pitch.

Cregger and cinematographer Larkin Seiple emphasize this internal structure with a visual motif in which the camera follows these characters using long, thoughtfully choreographed shots, such as when Justine enters a liquor store to pick up a couple of bottles of vodka after a tense parent meeting at school.

Sometimes the camera pushes in on the characters threateningly, like an unseen force, or pulls them forward in space, creating a sense of propulsive momentum.

As the violence intensifies, Seiple places the camera in surprising places,

TNS

remaining student, Alex, around town, even as she’s painted as a pariah by the parents, and struggles with her own issues surrounding booze and sex.

Archer, a building contractor with an anger problem, decides to problemsolve his son’s disappearance with the tools at his disposal. Neither her nor Justine are entirely trustworthy, but through dogged determination, they find the cracks and chase them down.

Meanwhile, Paul is locked in a game of cat and mouse with James, while struggling with his own relationship and sobriety, and James is just trying to score some cash so he can secure his next fix. The kids of this town might have gone missing, but the adults were struggling long before this crisis.

‘WEAPONS’ HHHH

STARRING: Julie Garner, Josh Brolin,Alden Ehrenreich, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong,Austin Abrams

DIRECTOR: Zach Cregger

MPA RATING: R (for strong bloody violence and grisly images, language throughout, some sexual content and drug use)

RUNNING TIME: 2:08

HOW TO WATCH: In theaters

be a master of tone, expertly blending terror and humor In casting, he peppers the ensemble with comedy stars in supporting roles, such as June Diane Raphael, Whitmer Thomas and Clayton Farris, who add to the absurd and inexplicable atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Abrams might deliver the best and most compellingly authentic performance of the entire company.

With “Weapons” Cregger establishes himself as the foremost purveyor of wicked and witchy contemporary fables that play like demonic urban legends: Did you hear about the Airbnb with the creepy basement? The one about the kids who ran out of their homes in the middle of the night?

There’s also enough cultural allegory in “Barbarian” and “Weapons” to make these films feel meaty, like a full meal, but Cregger doesn’t spoon-feed metaphor to the audience.

What he’s trying to say about the world through “Weapons” — about children, and their relationship with and function to older generations — feels incisive, but never obvious.

The ideas here are bigger, and scarier, than just what we experience during the film (which is really very scary).

like when it’s attached to doors that move with the action. The entire film is a masterpiece of camera blocking and long, unyielding shots that wind through the town of Maybrook with these characters.

Both Justine and Archer, at odds with each other initially, find a sense of purpose for their restless energy in investigating the disappearance themselves. Justine follows her one

To fully unpack “Weapons” in all of its deliciously creepy and shocking glory would spoil all the fun, and like “Barbarian” it is best to go in as cold as possible, to allow Cregger’s twisted tale to simply spill over you.

With his second horror film (he directed two comedy features and numerous TV episodes as a member of the comedy troupe the Whitest Kids U’Know), Cregger proves himself to

It’s exciting to see a newer horror voice like Cregger not just maintain his momentum in filmmaking craft but also hit the gas on his ideas.

“Weapons” is remarkably captivating because it’s the scariest movie of the year, not just for what happens on screen, but for the larger implications he suggests. It’s the kind of film that leaves the theater with you, whether you want it to or not.

Katrina film sheds light on troubles before the storm

BY LESLIE CARDÉ Contributing writer

Journalist Trymaine Lee was a cub reporter at The Times-Picayune in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck, part of the team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2006 for its coverage of the storm. Even though he left the city long ago and now lives in Brooklyn, New York, he knew as the years passed that he would eventually come back and tell the stories of recovery both in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast.

Over the last 20 years, he’s covered stories of racial injustice and the quest for equality. As a national correspondent for MSNBC, he led coverage of the killing of Michael Brown Jr and the Ferguson, Missouri, uprising in its aftermath.

But, 18 months ago, with the 20th anniversary of Katrina approaching, Lee determined it was time to make plans for the documentary that would tell the story of rebuilding, through the voices of those who never left.

Those initial seeds would become the compelling documentary “Hope in High Water: A People’s Recovery Twenty Years After Hurricane Katrina.” Lee is the executive producer and host of the film, which is directed by Haimy Assefa.

Initially, Lee reached out to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for support. That philanthropic organization provided $27 million in emergency funding to those in need after Katrina and has continued its support ever since. The nonprofit was very interested in a film that would aid its mission of creating conditions where all children can thrive.

How things have changed

The documentary is broad in its scope, tackling topics that were problematic before and after Katrina. It includes subjects as varied as premature births, toxic pollution along Louisiana’s industrial corridor, the root causes of violence, longevity rates in the Black and White communities, the New Orleans school system before and after Katrina, the

PROVIDED PHOTO By I AM SOMEBODy MEDIA

Grow Dat education coordinator Jonshell Johnson shows filmmaker Trymaine Lee around the City Park farm in the new documentary ‘Hope in High Water.’

HOPE IN HIGH WATER

New Orleans premiere

WHEN: 5 p.m to 8 p.m.Aug 24

WHERE: Ashé Powerhouse Theater, 1731 Baronne St.

TICKETS: Free, but RSVP at eventbrite.com

attempted erasure of particular neighborhoods along the Gulf Coast and the erosion of the wetlands.

“It was never just about the storm,” said Lee. “The levees were eroding before Katrina, the school system wasn’t working, and pregnant women in poor communities didn’t have access to prenatal care. The hurricane shed a light on all these problems — and more. By getting on the shoulders of those who have been doing the hard work since Katrina, we were able to show just how things have changed.”

It’s the story of people who learned to bend but not break. This film is not a recitation on the destruction that upended the city, but rather a focus on the way people resolved to make changes for their own betterment as

well as that of their communities

“The biggest takeaway for me was the resolve of the people who suffered not just the loss of their homes and memories, but who lost loved ones as well,” Lee said. “Couple that with being smacked in the face with the racialized nature of the response, the eventual failure with the Road Home monies, and even the formaldehyde in the FEMA trailers, and it would have been easy to give up. But people found the courage to try to heal themselves.”

Food deserts and untreated trauma

Take Jonshell Johnson, an education coordinator at Grow Dat, a youth farm in the middle of City Park. She lives in a part of the city that does not have grocery stores, because post-Katrina, many major chains did not return to areas wiped out by the storm.

And, while she is forced to buy food at smaller places with higher prices, she has resolved to learn how to grow her own fruit and vegetables and teach others how to do the same thing.

The film also explores the root causes of violence, much of it the result of untreated trauma on the part

of the perpetrators. The documentary points to an African proverb, which says, “If a child is not embraced by the village, he will burn it down just to feel the warmth.” It’s about communities that take care of their own

There’s a lot of finger-pointing when it comes to violent crime, but there’s a common denominator at its base, Lee noted. And, the absence of hope can proliferate generationally

“Kids who grow up with food on the table, a family structure where there’s a regular paycheck and who aren’t exposed to violence in their streets on a regular basis are already ahead of the curve,” Lee said. “We need to do more to shrink inequities. This isn’t just a Black and White thing. There’s no expanded health care for poor White people. It’s the underclass across the board which gets the short shrift.”

Progress was made, but now what?

Nowhere, Lee shows in the film, is that more apparent than when it comes to the air we breathe. Factories along the industrial corridor of Louisiana still emit pollutants. Many of the surrounding communities are poor, and without strong state and federal intervention, the issue will continue.

The film is quick to point out that all the problems pre-Katrina have not been resolved in the ensuing 20 years, but shows there have been real strides made, despite an administration that seems to be going in a different direction when it comes to the problem of racism.

“The current administration and their recent moves are not benign,” said Lee. “First, it’s punishing DEI, and now we’re re-erecting Confederate statues and renaming military bases, resurrecting the names of those who opposed integration.”

There’s no shortage of provocative topics in “Hope in High Water,” which will have its New Orleans premiere from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Ashé Cultural Arts Center The documentary begins streaming Aug. 22 on Peacock.

Email Leslie Cardé at lesliecardejournalist@gmail.com.