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F r i d ay, N ov e m b e r 21, 2025
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Aymond defends church settlement Archbishop testifies in federal bankruptcy court
BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer
Archbishop Gregory Aymond took the witness stand Thursday in the federal bankruptcy court, defending his decision five years ago to place the local church under bankruptcy protection and arguing that a $230 million settlement is the fairest way to compensate hundreds of clergy sex abuse survivors. During more than an hour of testimony, Aymond also vowed to uphold new child protection measures designed to guard against future clergy abuse
and apologized to abuse survivors on behalf of the nation’s second-oldest Roman Catholic diocese. “I know you have been through a lot of pain,” Aymond said. “It is unfortunate and embarrassing for me as a priest to think that someone in a trusted position, like a priest or minister, would take advantage of someone sexually. So, my heartfelt apology to those who have been abused.” Aymond’s testimony came on the fourth day of a trial, technically a confirmation hearing, that could resolve the long-running bankruptcy case by the end of the year. If U.S. Bankruptcy
Judge Meredith Grabill confirms a joint settlement plan that would pay more than 600 abuse survivors over the next several years, it would bring to a close one of the most painful and tragic chapters in the history of the local church. The plan, which the church and abuse survivors have said they support, would also implement new procedures outlining how the archdiocese would handle allegations of clergy sex abuse and establish a public database that will be housed at LSU detailing
STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE
Archbishop Gregory Aymond leaves federal court after ä See AYMOND, page 13A testifying on Thursday.
La. officials back plan to increase Gulf oil fields
N.O. schools earn highest score ever
Proposal would bring millions of dollars into state
BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump proposed Thursday a five-year plan that would open about 1.27 billion acres to oil and gas exploration and hold seven lease sales off Louisiana’s Gulf coast, leading to acclaim ä Trump from state officials. administration Trump’s plan will announces “boost domestic exploradrilling off tion and production in the Gulf of America and pro- California, vide much-needed pre- Florida coasts. dictability,” said House PAGE 16A Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson. Under provisions Scalise inserted into the law, Louisiana will get a larger portion of the millions of dollars the federal government shares with states from the bids and royalty payments. The 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, when enacted, would replace the existing five-year plan
ä See GULF, page 13A STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
Frederick Douglass High School teachers Erica Bogan, left, and Jarvis Dillard, center, along with Assistant Principal Je’Marcus Akeem Welch celebrate the school’s academic achievement with the Zulu Tramps at an assembly on Thursday.
Several open-enrollment high schools get A’s this year New Orleans area school performance scores
BY MARIE FAZIO
Staff writer
NOLA Public Schools earned a B rating this year, the district’s highest score ever under the current rating system, according to state grades released Thursday, marking a high point since the school ä Jefferson system’s massive overhaul after HurParish school ricane Katrina. The Leah Chase School, the only disdistrict’s trict-run school in the city, earned a D performance — its first state grade since it opened improves. last year. Its low rating comes as the PAGE 12A Orleans Parish School Board has begun to consider the school’s future as it struggles with low enrollment and a growing budget deficit. But the district overall made strides. Its 2025 performance score, which is based on academic results from the 2024-25 school year, increased by about two points, and the district moved up from a C last year to a B. The statewide average rating also slightly improved this year, growing less than a point from last year.
ä See SCHOOLS, page 8A
The official 2025 grades are based on 2024-25 school year performance data. The unofficial simulated grades show how districts would do under the state’s revised rating system, which takes effect in 2026. SCHOOL SYSTEM
2024 LETTER GRADE
2025 LETTER GRADE
2025 SIMULATED LETTER GRADE
Jefferson Parish
B
B
C
Orleans Parish
C
B
C
Plaquemines Parish
A
A
A
St. Bernard Parish
B
B
C
St. Charles Parish
B
A
A
St. John the Baptist Parish
C
C
C
St. Tammany Parish
B
B
B
Louisiana (statewide)
B
B
B
Source: Louisiana Department of Education
Staff graphic
Note: Individual school grades in each district vary. For a detailed list, visit nola.com or theadvocate.com
Residents brace for Border Patrol operations Immigration attorneys advise on individuals’ rights BY JAMES FINN Staff writer
Federal agents equipped with megaphones descended on a Metairie apartment complex Thursday and urged people to come out for questioning, spurring immigration advocates to advise residents that agents need a warrant signed by a judge to enter someone’s home. That guidance, delivered by New Orleansarea advocacy group Union Migrante and other advocates on social media, came as
ä See OPERATIONS, page 9A
WEATHER HIGH 84 LOW 66 PAGE 8B
Business ...................16A Commentary ................7B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................8D Deaths .........................3B Opinion ........................6B Comics-Puzzles .....4D-7D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C
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