The Times-Picayune 11-22-2025

FlulevelsinLouisiana highest in thenation

Health officialssay Louisiana’shigh levels of fluactivity are areminder to getvaccinated

Casesonthe rise heading into heightened season

BY EMILYWOODRUFF Staff writer

Louisiana is headinginto flu season and the Thanksgiving holiday with the highest flu activitylevel in the country.And while the numberofsevere cases of the illness at hospitals remains low,doctors are seeing signs that the respiratory virus season will get into full swing soon New federal data released Friday showsthe percentageofmedicalvisits for flu symptoms in Louisiana climbed to

3.9% in the week ending Nov.15, almost double the national rate and the highest level recorded in any state. Each week, the CDC ranks states on a14-point scalebased on the number of people who visit the doctor for afever, plus acough or sore throat. Louisiana is at level 7. Almostevery other stateisunderlevel 3, exceptfor Colorado, which is at level 4.

Almost 100 people were admitted to the hospital for the flu last week in Louisiana, comparedto39atthe beginningofNovember

Dr.Michael Bolton, apediatric infectious disease specialist at Our Lady of theLake Regional Medical Center in Ba-

ton Rouge, saidLouisiana often sees flu activity rise beforemuchofthe country It’snot always clear why —orifa worse flu season will follow as aresult.

But he said the timingshould serve as areminder to get vaccinated,especially after last year’sdifficult pediatricseason.

Nearly 300 children died nationally,close to half of them without underlying health conditions. Most of those children had not received aflushot

“The flu vaccine is avitally important piece of your healthcare plan,” Bolton said. “I can’tunderscore that enough.”

There’salso another reason the flu may

ä See FLU, page 4A

BY JONI HESS Staff writer

As the Essence Festival of Culture negotiates with city and state officials ahead of the 2026 event in New Orleans, Essence representatives this week pledged to remedy last summer’s hiccups and enact changes that could require more city and state support. Last year’sfour-day summitof Black music, culture and wellness at theErnest N. MorialConvention Center and the Caesars Superdomegenerated $345 million in economicactivityfor New Orleans, per one estimate by Dillard University But there were obvious problems ayear later,the festival’sfirst under anew leadership team:The nightly concert lineup wasfirst released in April, but additional acts wereadded just aweek before the event. The Superdomeshowsran well into the morning hours. And the popular,mini-concert Superloungeswereback,but access came at apremium cost.

Essence leaders this week doubleddown on past apologies for someofthose missteps, pledging to release next year’slineup well in advance, amove they said showed theirsensitivitytopeople’s need to plan their finances in an uncertain economy. They vowed to reduce the number of nightly performers from 10 to 12 to five or six. Theyalso floated theideaofhosting events in the city earlier duringthe July Fourth week, instead of the current four days, and said

ä See ESSENCE, page 5A

Politicaladversaries seem to become allies

BY MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Friday met the man who had proudly proclaimed himself “Donald Trump’sworst nightmare,” but he seemed to find the opposite

The Republican president and New York City’sMayor-elect Zohran Mamdani were warm and friendly, speaking repeatedly of theirshared goals to help Trump’shometown rather than their combustible differences.

Trump, who had in the past called

Mamdani a“100% Communist Lunatic” and a“total nut job,” spoke openly of howimpressed he was with the man who had called his administration “authoritarian.”

“I think he is going to surprise some conservative people,actually,” Trump saidofthe democratic social-

istasMamdanistood next to him in theOval Office. The meeting offered political opportunities for both men. For Mamdani, asit-down offered the state lawmaker —who until recently was

ä See MEETING, page 5A

BY STEPHENMARCANTEL and ADAM DAIGLE Staff writers

WhenGeorgesAntoun came to Louisianafrom Lebanoninthe early 1980s, he needed money

Thecountry wasentering an oil crisis, and cities along theGulf Coast —especially places like Lafayette that depended on oil and gas jobs —felt the hit first.

As families moved to larger cities like Houston in searchofwork,Antounbegan offering aservice: For a fee, he’d drive their moving

trucks back to Louisiana. It’s no secret that Louisiana has long lost talent to its westernneighbor andhas sought ways to entice them back. The opening of First Solar’s$1.1 billionsolar panel manufacturing facility near New Iberia has allowed Antoun, nowthe company’s chiefcommercialofficer, to haveconversations with families whohave chosen to return to Louisiana to work at the facility The2.4 million-square-foot megacomplex is one of the largest investments in the Acadiana regionand is expected to provide morethan 800 jobs by the end of 2025. When the site selection

See PLANT, page 4A

Nigeria: Gunmen abduct schoolchildren, teachers

ABUJA,Nigeria Gunmen attacked aCatholic boarding school in a western region of Nigeria and abducted more than 200 schoolchildren Friday,the Christian Association of Nigeria said,in the latest in aspate of abductionsinAfrica’smostpopulous country

The attack and abductions took placeatSt. Mary’sSchool, aCatholicinstitutioninthe Agwara local government’sPapiri community.Attackers seized 215 pupils and students as well as 12 teachers, said DanielAtori, a spokesperson for the Nigerstate chapter of CAN “I just got back to the village tonight after Ivisited the school where Ialso met with parents,” said Atori in astatement, adding the association is working“to ensure our children’ssafe return.”

The Niger State Police Commandsaid the abductions took place in the early hours,and that military and securityforceshave since been deployedtothe community. It described St. Mary’s as asecondary school, which in Nigeria would serve children between the ages of 12 and 17.

Marjorie Taylor Greene resigning fromCongress

WASHINGTON Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia,a once-loyal supporter of President Donald Trump whohas become acritic, said Friday she is resigning fromCongress in January Greene, in amore than 10-minute video posted online, explained her decision and said she’s“always been despised in Washington,D.C., andjustnever fit in.”

Greene’sresignation followed apublic fallout with Trump in recent months, as the congresswoman criticized him for his stance on files related to Jeffrey Epstein, along withforeign policy and health care.

Trump branded her a“traitor” and “wacky” and said he would endorse achallenger against her when she ran for reelectionnext year Shesaid her last daywouldbe Jan. 5, 2026.

TheWhiteHouse didnot immediately respond to amessage seeking comment Friday night. Greene was one of the most vocal andvisiblesupportersof Trump’sMake America Great Again politics, and she embraced some of his unapologeticpolitical style.

Herbreak withhim wasanotable fissure in his gripoverconservatives, particularly his most ardent base. But her decision to step down in the face of hisopposition put her on the same track as many of the more moderate establishment Republicans beforeher who went crosswise with Trump.

Greene had been closely tied to the Republican president since she launched her political career five years ago.

High courtblocks order on Texas House map

WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday temporarily blocked alower court ruling that foundTexas’2026 congressional redistricting plan pushed by President Donald Trump likely discriminates on the basis of race.

The order signed by Justice Samuel Alito will remain in place at least for the next few days while the court considers whether to allow the new map favorable to Republicans to be usedinthe midterm elections.

The court’sconservative majority has blocked similar lower court rulings because they have come tooclose to elections.

The order came about an hour after the state called on thehigh court to intervene to avoid confusion as congressional primary elections approach in March. Thejustices have blocked past lower-court rulingsincongressional redistricting cases, most recently in Alabama and Louisiana,that came several months before elections.

The order was signed byAlito because he is the justice who handles emergency appeals from Texas.

Texas redrew its congressional map in the summer as part of Trump’seffortstopreservea slimRepublican majorityinthe House in next year’selections.

Zelenskyy: Ukraine facesstark choice

Leader says countryrisks losing American support over U.S. peace plan

BY ILLIA NOVIKOV and BARRYHATTON Associated Press

KYIV,Ukraine UkrainianPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy told his country in an address Fridaythat it could face a pivotalchoicebetween standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs, as leaders discuss aU.S. peace proposal seen as favoring Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile,cautiously welcomed the U.S. plan to end Moscow’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine, which containsmany of the Kremlin’slongstanding demands while offeringlimited security guarantees to Ukraine. Putin said it “could form the basis ofa final peace settlement,” while accusing Ukraineofopposing the plan and being unrealistic.

The planforesees Ukraine handing over territory to Russia —something Kyiv has repeatedly ruled out —while reducing the size of its army and blocking its coveted path to NATO membership.

Zelensky,inhis address hoursearlier, didnot reject theplanoutright,but insisted on fair treatment while pledging to “work calmly” with Washington and other partnersinwhathecalled“truly oneofthe mostdifficultmoments in our history.” He saidhespoke for almost an hour Friday with Vice President JD Vance andArmySecretary Dan Driscoll about the peaceproposal.

“Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is oneofthe hardest,” Zelenskyy said in the recorded speech. “Ukraine may now face avery difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing akey partner.”

Speaking ata meeting of Russia’sNational Security Council, Putincalledthe plan “a new version” and“amodernized plan” of what wasdiscussed with the U.S. ahead of the Alaska summitearlier this year, and saidMoscowhas receivedit. “I believe that it,too, could form the basis fora finalpeace settlement,” he said.

Buthesaidthatthe “texthas not been discussedwith us in any substantive way,

and Ican guess why,” adding thatWashingtonhas so far been unable to gain Ukraine’sconsent.“Ukraine is against it. Apparently,Ukraine and its European allies are still under illusions and dream of inflicting astrategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield,” he said.

President Donald Trump in aradio interview on Friday said that he wantsan answer from Zelenskyyonhis 28-point plan by Thursday,but says an extension is possible to finalize terms.

“I’ve hadalot of deadlines,but if things are working well, youtendtoextend the deadlines,” Trump said in an interview on the Brian Kilmeade ShowonFox News Radio.“But Thursdayisit— we think an appropriate time.”

While Zelenskyy hasoffered to negotiate with theU.S.and Russia,hesignaled Ukraine may not get everything it wants and hastoconfront the possibility of losing American support if it makes astand. He urgedUkrainians to “stop fighting” each other,inapossible referencetoamajorcorruptionscandal that has brought fiercecriticism of the government,and said peace talks next week “will be very difficult.”

Zelenskyy spoke earlierbyphone with the leaders of Germany, France and the United Kingdom, who assured him of their continued support, as European officials scrambled to respondtothe U.S. proposals that apparently caught them unawares.

Wary of antagonizing Trump, the European and Ukrainian responses were cautiously wordedand pointedly commended American peace efforts

German ChancellorFriedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and BritishPrimeMinisterKeir Starmer assuredZelenskyy of “their unchangedand full support on theway to alasting and just peace” in Ukraine, Merz’sofficesaid.

Thefourleaders welcomed U.S.efforts to end the war.“In particular,theywelcomed the commitment to the sovereignty of Ukraine and the readiness to grant Ukraine solid security guarantees,” the statement added.

The line of contact must be the departure point for an agreement, they said, and“the Ukrainian armed forces must remain in aposition to defend thesovereignty of Ukraine effectively.”

Officeracquitted in deathofpregnant Blackmotheraccused of shoplifting

BY PATRICK AFTOORA-ORSAGOS and JULIE CARR SMYTH Associated Press

COLUMBUS,Ohio— TheOhiopolice officerwho shot and killed Ta’Kiya Young, a pregnant Blackmother who had been accused of shoplifting, was acquitted on all countsFriday,including murder.

Blendon Townshippolice officer Connor Grubbhad faced uptolife in prisonifconvicted. Young’sgrandmother collapsed into sobs at the decision, shouting “It’snot right! This is not right!” The judge then toldGrubb he was freetogo.

SeanWalton,anattorney for theYoung family, called it“an American tragedy,” theoutcome of adual system of justice in the U.S. He vowed to keep pursuing a lawsuit against thetownship andpolice chief, while Ta’Kiya’s grandmother Nadine Youngraises hergreat-grandsons, now8 and 5.

“It’salso heartbreaking because what it does is it normalizesthe behavior likethat Connor Grubb exhibited that day, andthat is notnormal,” Walton said. “If you lookat these recent policekillings in Columbus, you have officers who have an irrational fear with no weapons involvedorfolks doingvery minimal behavior that they escalate into amurder.”

Defense attorney Mark Collins said Grubb and his family are relieved, but that it’swrong to suggest the officer was untouched by the death of Young and her unborn daughter.

“For the rest of his life, he has to deal with this,” he said. “Trust me, you didn’t getto hear fromhim because thegovern-

mentput his statementout,but he took a life on dutyand realized another’slife afterthe fact,and to walkaround with that is adifficult situation.”

At the same time,Collins called it “unconscionable” that alaw enforcementofficer would be indicted for felony murder in such acase. He said legislators should fix Ohio’sgrand jury system Grubb had pleaded not guiltytomurder, involuntary manslaughter andfelonious assault in the death of Young, 21, on Aug. 24, 2023. Bodycam recordings showed Young refusing to exit her parked car outside aKroger in suburban Columbus, and thenturning her steering wheel tothe right before the vehicle began slowly rollingforwardtowardGrubb, whofiredone shot into her chestthrough the windshield. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David Young, no relation to Ta’Kiya, droppedfourof10counts relatingtothe death of Young’sbaby, agreeing with defense attorneys that prosecutors failed to present proof that Grubb knewYoung was seven months’ pregnant when he shot her Jurors were shownthe bodycam video andheard testimonyfrom ause-of-force expert,anaccident reconstructionist, a police policy expert andSgt. ErickMoynihan, the officer whowithGrubb had ordered Young out of her car They never heardfrom Grubb, whose side of thestory was contained in awritten statement read into the record by aspecial agentfor theOhio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.Heattended the trial, but prosecutors were unable to questionhim directly

Justices meet to weighbirthright citizenshipcase

High court deciding whether to hear appeal

BY MARK SHERMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Supreme Court metinprivate Fridaywitha keyissue on its agenda —President Donald Trump‘s birthright citizenship orderdeclaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.

The justices could say as soon as Monday whether they will hearTrump’sappeal of lower court rulings that have uniformly struck downthe citizenship restrictions.Theyhave not taken effect anywhere in the United States.

If the court steps in now the case would be argued in the spring, with adefinitive ruling expected by early summer

The birthright citizenship order, which Trump signed on the first day of his second term in the White House, is part of his administration’s broad immigration crackdown. Other actions include immigration enforcement surges in several cities and the first peacetimeinvocationofthe 18th-century Alien Enemies Act.

The administration is facing multiple court challenges, and the high court has sent mixedsignals in emergency orders it has issued. The justices effectively stopped the use of the Alien Enemies Act

to rapidly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members without court hearings, while they allowed the resumption of sweeping immigration stops in the Los Angelesareaafter alower court blocked the practice of stopping people solely basedontheir race, language, job or location. The justices also are weighing the administration’semergency appeal to be allowedtodeploy National Guard troops in the Chicagoarea for immigration enforcement actions. A lower court has indefinitely prevented the deployment. Birthright citizenshipis the first Trump immigration-related policytoreach the court for afinal ruling. Trump’sorder would upendmore than 125 years of understanding that the Constitution’s14thAmendment confers citizenship on everyone born on American soil, with narrow exceptions forthe childrenofforeign diplomats and those born to aforeign occupying force. In aseries of decisions, lowercourtshavestruck down theexecutive order as unconstitutional, or likely so, even after aSupreme Courtruling in late June that limited judges’ use of nationwide injunctions. While the Supreme Court curbedthe use of nationwide injunctions, it did not rule outothercourt orders that could have nationwide effects, including in classaction lawsuits and those brought by states. The justices did not decide at that time whetherthe underlying citizenship order is constitutional.

Khashoggi’swidow,Democrats want call released

Transcript of 2019 communicationbetween Trumpand Saudicrown prince sought

BY STEPHENGROVES and LISA MASCARO Associated Press

WASHINGTON The widow of Washington Post journalistJamal Khashoggicalled Friday for therelease of the transcript of a2019 phone call that President Donald Trump had with Mohammed bin Salman, joining Democratic lawmakers who are raising questions about whether Trump personally benefitted from his embrace of the Saudi crown prince. Hanan Elatr Khashoggi

appeared on CapitolHill on Friday morningonthe heels of Trump’sdismissal of U.S.intelligencefindings that Prince Mohammed most likely had culpability in theOctober 2018 slaying of herhusband.Trumpalso lavished the Saudi ruler this weekwithsome of Washington’shighest honorsfor aforeign dignitary,deepening the business andmilitary relationship between the two nations.

Saudi intelligence officials andaforensic doctor killed anddismembered Jamal

Khashoggi at theSaudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

“There is no justification to kidnaphim,torture him, to kill him andtocut himtopieces,”Hanan Elatr Khashoggi saidFriday during an emotional news conference. “This is aterrorist act.”

Thedemand in Congress for the Trumpadministration to releasethe call transcripts is being led Rep. Eugene Vindman, afreshman Democrat from Virginia whowas deputy legal advisertothe National Security Council during Trump’sfirst term.

LSU’sPenningtonappoints Malone as adjunctprofessor

Doctor says he’s a proud‘anti-vaxxer’

BY EMILYWOODRUFF Staff writer

Dr.Robert Malone, avaccine adviser to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. KennedyJr. who built awide following during the pandemic for his anti-vaccination stances and other controversial views, has been appointedtoLSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center as an adjunct professor The appointment was announcedto Pennington staff on Wednesday and confirmed by Pennington spokesperson Ernie Ballard, who said it is aimed at helpingthe center “facilitate research collaborations.”

apublic institution within the LSU system, which falls underthe authorityofthe state andthe administration of Gov.Jeff Landry

Malone,aself-proclaimed proud “anti-vaxxer,” was appointed by Kennedy in June to akey federal advisory panel that helps set vaccine policy.Inanemailed statement, Ballard suggested he may help the center deal with theupheavals brought by the Trump administration when it comes to public health and researchfunding.

“Dr.Robert Malone’sadjunct appointment will focus on providing insights into the current federal landscape in Washington, D.C.,” Ballard said, positioning Pennington for “national-level opportunities”with hisexperience and federal connections

The position, which is unpaid, runs through June 30. It offers Malone aformal academic affiliation with one of the state’sleading research institutions, though one that has built areputation forits work in nutrition and metabolism, not virology or immunology.

Pennington also conducts research in epidemiology, chronic disease and other public health fields. The institution leans heavily on federal funding, receiving $1.17 billion since its founding in 1988. The center is

Landry has long been a supporter of Kennedy, avaccine skeptic who has remade vaccination polices and recommendations as the HHS secretary In early 2025, Louisiana Surgeon General Dr.Ralph Abraham told Louisiana Department of Health employees they could no longer directly recommend vaccinations and ended the longstanding practice of massvaccination siteslikeflu shot fairs. Abraham is an outspoken critic of government immunization recommendations.

Malone has openly embracedthe anti-vaxxer label, calling it “highpraise” on social media. In addition to questioningthe efficacy andsafetyofvaccines, he has also offered medical commentary thatchallenges mainstream publichealth guidance. Duringthe pandemic, he promoted the useofivermectin andhydroxychloroquineasaCOVID treatment. Large clinicaltrials have not shown either drug to be effective against the virus, and major health agencies now recommend againsttheir usefor COVID-19 outside of clinical trials

He also claimed mRNA vaccineswere “causing a form of AIDS.” (There is no evidence of any link between mRNA vaccines and AIDS.)

Pennington, which promoted COVID immunization during thepandemic andhas participated in a national studyonlongCOVID, did not respond to additional questions about Malone’srole, which was first reported by theLouisiana Illuminator

The research center also didn’taddress Malone’s public commentsonvaccines or other public-health topics.

Malone said in apost on

social media on Tuesday that he was “very grateful” to accept the appointment as professor “Gradually,gradually recovering from five years of being defamed, gaslit andblacklisted forspeaking truth to power,” Malone said, noting that he was still permanentlybannedfrom LinkedIn.

He did not immediately respond to messages.

Malone,66, receivedhis medical degreefrom NorthwesternUniversity’sFeinberg SchoolofMedicine and completed aglobal clinical research scholar fellowship at HarvardMedical School in 2016, according to his website, which sayshealso received scientific training at the Salk Institute’smolecularbiology andvirology laboratories,and trained or taught at several other universities.

He has long operated a biotechnology and clinical trials consultingfirm with his wife.

In 2021, Malone shareda 2013 video of ahigh school athletecollapsing on the field and falsely linked the death to COVID vaccination, promptingthe student’s family to issuea cease-and-desist letter

He has also rejected reportslinking measles deaths in Texas to alack of vaccinations.In2024, he publisheda book titled “PsyWar: Enforcing the New World Order,” alleging sweeping government mind-control programs and sexual corruption within federal agencies.

It isn’tclear how Malone, who does not appear to have anyconnectionstoLouisiana or to Pennington and its research focus, ended up with the appointment.

According to Ballard, adjunctcandidates are recommended,reviewed through an internal administrative process andultimately approved by thecenter’sexecutive director,John Kirwin, who issues aformal appointment letter

EmailEmily Woodruff at ewoodruff@theadvocate. com.

Vindman,whohasreviewed thetranscript of the phone call with Prince Mohammed, declined to go into specifics of theclassified document Friday, but said it used“the terminology of quid pro quo, the ensuing benefits thatthe president reaped.”

The Democratic lawmakers also pointedout that Trump’sfamily hasextensive business dealings in Saudi Arabia thatattimes have benefitted from theprince’s direct involvement

The situationcarries echoes of Trump’s first im-

peachment over his July 2019 call with Volodymyr Zelenskyy,inwhich he asked the new Ukraine president to do him a“favor” in investigating his presidential rival, Joe Biden. At the time, Trump endedupreleasing atranscript of thecallwith Zelenskyy in whichhealso said he would withhold $400 millioninmilitary aid.

Vindman, then at the security council, also reviewed that call. He said that out of all the calls he reviewed in his job, the calls with Zelenskyy andPrince Mohammedstood out as the most concerning. He calledthe

transcript of thecallwiththe Saudi ruler “shocking.”

“The Kashoggi family and theAmericanpeopledeserve to know what wassaidon that call,” he added.

During PrinceMohammed’s state visit this week, HananElatr Khashoggi has tried to serveasareminder of herlate husband’sbrutal killing. Originally from Egypt, Khashoggireceived political asylum in the U.S. in 2023 and currently lives in Virginia. She cast the demand for the transcript as acontinuation of his work standing up for human rights and criticizing Saudi rulers.

RFKJr. says he directed newCDC guidance on vaccines andautism

BY ALISWENSON Associated Press

NEW YORK Health SecretaryRobert F. Kennedy Jr personally directed theU.S Centers for Disease Control andPrevention to update its website to contradict itslongtime guidance thatvaccines don’tcause autism, he told The New York Times in an interviewpublished Friday His comments provide clarity into whodirected the CDC’swebsite change, after many current and former staffersatthe agency were surprisedto see new published guidance on Wednesday that defiesscientificconsensus Kennedy,alongtime vaccine critic, has upended the public healthagencies he oversees and pushed for and enacted changes that have unsettledmuchofthe medical community,which sees his policies as harmful for Americans. “The wholething about

‘vaccines have been tested and there’sbeen this determination made,’ is just alie,” Kennedy said in the interview, which wasconducted Thursday The CDC’s“vaccine safety” page now claimsthat thestatement “vaccines do not cause autism”isnot based on evidence because it doesn’trule outthe possibility that infant vaccines arelinkedtothe disorder. The page also has been updated to suggest that health officials have ignored studies showing apotential link.

Public health researchers and advocates strongly refute the updated website, saying it misleads the public by exploiting the fact that the scientific method can’t satisfy ademandtoprove anegative. They note that scientists have thoroughly explored potential links between vaccinesand autism in rigorous research spanning decades, allpointing to thesame conclusion that vaccines don’tcause autism

Kennedy,a longtime leader in theanti-vaccine movement,acknowledged to The NewYork Times the existence of studiesshowing no link to autism from the mercury-based preservative thimerosal or from the measles, mumpsand rubella vaccine. But he told the newspaperthere are still gaps in vaccine safety science and aneed for more research.

The move creates another disagreement between the health secretaryand Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, aphysicianwho chairs the Senate health committee. During his confirmationprocess,Kennedy pledged to Cassidy he would leavethe statement that vaccinesdonot cause autism on the CDCwebsite. The statement remains on the website but with a disclaimer that it was left there because of their agreement.

Kennedy told The New York Timeshetalked to Cassidy aboutthe updated website and that Cassidy disagreed with the decision.

Feds OK Louisianaplanfor broadbandexpansion

Stateeffortcalled ‘generational investment’

BY JENNA ROSS Staff writer

The federal government has approved Louisiana’s plan for speedy internet, makingitthe first statein the country to get that go-ahead.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced its approval Tuesday of Louisiana’sproposal for $1.355 billion in Broadband Equity,Access and Deployment funding, ahighly debated, highly anticipated grant program.

“This is agenerational investment that places Louisiana at the

PLANT

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process began for First Solar to find its next manufacturing facility,leadersin Iberia Parish and Acadiana got to work.

There were at least 10 sites in the running to land the billion-dollar project thatwould bring hundreds of jobs. Twoofthemwere out of the country.When the Iberia Parish site made the cut for the final three, things got interesting.

“That’swhen we really had to put on our championship jacketsand really work hard,” said Mike Tarantino, president and CEO of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation. “We’re so happy First Solar chose us. We’re so excited to see this plant come to fruition.”

On Friday,First Solar’s leadership team along with local elected officials and other leaders celebrated the company’sinauguration at its New Iberia plant, opening its 2.4-million-square-foot building —now thelargest facility under one roof in Louisiana —that represents its $1.1 billion investment in south Louisiana.

It marked the end of atwoyear process since it was announcedinAugust 2023. Now the companywillemploy826 andoffer an average compensation package of $90,000.

The opening is ahuge win for the region and the state, said Millard Mulé, policy director for Gov.Jeff Landry. “It’s ahuge winfor

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be spreadingfaster.One strain of the flu, known as H3N2, picked up new mutations over the summer Those changes allow the strain to “evade immunity alittle better,”said Bolton. For example, someone who had the flu last year may not have protection against this strain, though it’sunclear if it will spread in Louisiana. This updated H3N2 strain has driven rapid increases

forefront of America’stechtransformation,” Gov. Jeff Landry said in astatement.

That fundingcouldbring broadband to all businesses and households across thestate by the end of 2027,Veneeth Iyengar,executive director of the stateOffice of BroadbandDevelopment and Connectivity,said in an interview

Tuesday

WhenLandrybecame governor in 2024, about80% of thestate was connected to broadband, Iyengar said. Today,about 90% is connected.

“What’sremaining is the most difficult to reach,” Iyengar said, becauseit’sthe most rural. “But we have aplanthat’sbeen approved by NTIA that will attack thatonceand forall.The hope is that by the end of2027, we will

have achieved100%,full universal coverage.”

Afew rural leaders, including those in East Carroll Parish, have previously questionedwhether the new plans for their communities —which have awarded contracts to satellite companiesrather than fiber optic providers —will deliver fast and affordable service.

After rewriting the rules for the grant program,diverting some money from fibertosatellite,the telecommunication agency approved new plans from 18 states, according to aTuesday announcement.

Iyengarsaid Louisianawas the first state to completeall the steps of athree-stepprocess. This week, his office will meet with the14service providers that won grants. About 70% of awards

Apanel is rolled through the

ourstate’sworkers, and it’s ahugewin forLouisiana’s economy. FirstSolar’s investment is bringing hundreds of great, high-quality American manufacturing jobs in the community.”

It’s anotherstep in First Solar’srapid growth across the United States. When it announced plans to locatein Iberia Parish, thenewswas that it wouldbeits fifth facility in the country and have a payroll of at least$40 million.

The plant opened in July, months ahead of schedule. Last week it announced plans to open asimilar plant in South Carolina, its ninth overall.

Thecompany will produceits Series 7modules using American materials, including glass fromIllinois and Ohio along with steel produced in Mississippi and fabricated into backrails in Louisiana

TheLouisiana investment is already paying dividends, with Acadiana manufactur-

in cases in the United Kingdom,Japan andCanada. New CDC data shows it now makes up more than half of flu samples tested in the United States. The current U.S. flu vaccine still teaches the body to recognizeH3N2and is expected to provide at least partial protection against the strain and reduce the risk of severe illness.

With Thanksgiving approaching, Dr.Julio Figueroa, infectious disease expert at LSU Health New Orleans, saidincreases in flu numbers are expected

ers like Noble Plasticsannouncing in September that it would undergo an $8.5 million expansion to supply the New Iberia location.

Ohio-based IceIndustries recently celebrated the grand opening of its $6 millionmanufacturing facility in Jefferson Davis Parish, which will producesteel backrails for First Solar’s photovoltaic panels.

“You feel theimpact immediately,“Antounsaid. “I’mvery proud, giventhat I’m aLouisiana boy.“

The idea to bring thefacility to south Louisiana wasn’t without its hurdles, he added. The state, known for its damaging hurricanes and flooding,atfirst made the board uneasy,but it had one thinggoing for it —ahighly skilled, easily transferable workforce.

The UniversityofLouisiana at Lafayette and South Louisiana CommunityCollege were also eager to help winoverthe company,

“It’snot goingcrazy yet, but now is the time to get your flu vaccine,” Figueroa said.

According to state data, children ages 2to4 and5 to 11 make up thelargestpercentage of visits to emergency departments for flu, making up more than 10% of visits for each group.

Dr.Margot Anderson,a pediatric hospitalist and infectious disease specialist at ManningFamily Children’s, saidher team is already treating hospitalized children withbothfluand RSV, another seasonal respiratoryvirus.

will go to Louisiana-based companies. Iyengar expects “shovels in theground at the end of this year.”

Louisiana has led before in the effort to bring broadband to the country’srural reaches.

Thestate’s broadbandoffice was first to win approval for its proposal under former President Joe Biden’sadministration.Then, earlier this year,President Donald Trump’sadministration revamped the program, removing apreference for fiber.Soitwas back to the drawing board.

In August, the Connect LA office released its updated plan to spend $499 million to connect households across thestate, about $250 million less than itsprevious proposal. Both Louisiana and the federal government have touted that savings.

providing acurriculum and simulatedtraining for new hires, andtapping the university for alarge portion of its workforce.

“Pushback is normal,” he said. “Louisianaisa tough place to build. South Louisiana, we get afew hurricanes here andthere.Flooding, tax-wise, insurance-wise. This took abit of doingand bringing it here. But the company was committed to drive it in here.”

“(UL)produces atremendous amount of engineers and technical degrees, and alot of folks don’twant to leave the area. They want to stay here.”

It’sa made-in-America approach to manufacturing that allowed First Solar to outpace manufacturing capabilities of companies in China, saidCEO Mark Widmar

“A level playing field that’sall we need,” he said. “American workers can outinnovate and out-compete if giventhe opportunity We’re incredibly proud to inaugurate this facility as a symbol of American energy dominanceand re-industrialization.”

The plant will also use artificial intelligencebyusing

“After stripping away burdensome rulesand regulations and wasteful requirements, taxpayers will save billions in unnecessary costs,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said in astatement,“whileconnecting those in need to high-speed broadband through the full spectrum of broadband technologies.”

But it’sunclear whether the savings will stay with states or be returned to the U.S. Treasury

In aSeptember letter to Lutnick, Landry requested that leftover grant funds be spent on “state-led initiatives” in Louisiana that advance national goals around artificialintelligence, educationand workforce training.

The state has not yet heard back, Iyengar said.

computer vision anddeep learning to quickly detect defectsinits products during production, officials said. Its technicians and operators can use AI tools to make operating adjustments and guide theirdecision making.

First Solar,which has opened facilities in other similar-sizedmarkets, expectedtoemploy 5,500 peoplebythe end of next year andhave invested $4.5 billion in American manufacturing.

“We’ve been able to be successful to go into communities, in some cases, that other companies have left,” Widmarsaid. “Our factory that we put in Alabama, there was apaper mill there. Those guys went to China. We wentback into that community,revived it and now it’sthriving. That’swhatwe wanttodo.”

First Solar is also poised to deliver afinancial boon to Iberia Parish, said Reuven Proenca, director of global brand, corporate and marketing communications at First Solar.The company is expected to contribute the equivalent of $150 million to the parish’sGDP in the first year of operation. The companywas able to

land in IberiaParishthanks to astate incentives package that includedLED workforce solutions program and performance-based grants forsite development and infrastructure improvements totaling $30 million. Iberia Parish and the Iberia Economic Development Authority also committed to fund site improvements.

“The quality of life forthe people in Iberia Parish will change because of this,” Iberia Parish President M. Larry Richardsaid. “I can’t thank First Solar enough forchoosing Iberia Parish. Since (they) chose our parish, we have alot of other companies choosing Iberia Parish. It has totally put us on the map.”

The New Iberia location can produce up to 3.5 GW worthofsolar panelsannually

“You’regoing to seeus throttledown, throttle up We’retrying to react to themarket,” Antounsaid. “We’vebeen on atremendous growth over the past 10 years. Now we’reata point where we need to understandwhatour friends in Washington will do andwhat certainties they will put.”

shock, leading people to put offorevengowithout care.

Simply put—without dentalinsurance, there maybe an importantgap in your healthcare coverage.

Whenyou’re comparing plans

they’d soon announce alocal host committee, in the vein of the local group that shepherded Super Bowl LIX.

But none of that happens, they stressed, without more support from New Orleans and Louisiana.

“As we go forward,we’re being really clear.We’re going to invest more. You’re goingtoget more of our time, more of ourcommitment, more of our presence here,” said Kirk McDonald, CEO ofSundial Media Group, which ownsEssence Ventures.

It’sunclear if the festival,whose five-year contract with the cityexpires in 2026, expects abigger financial commitment from the city, andwhat that wouldlook like. City leaders have workedfrantically in recent weeks to address a$160 million deficit in this year’sbudget and shore up next year’soperating budget.

Asked for comment, Mayor-elect Helena Moreno,who in July called forEssence to bring on alocalhost committee, said talks with the new team are ongoing. She has previously said she’d “do everything possible” to ensure thefestival stays in New Orleans beyond its 2026 contract.

“We’re working with ESSENCE to ensure astronglong-term partnership,” she said in atextThursday. “NewOrleanshas always been, and will continue to be, the

MEETING

Continued from page1A

relatively unknown —the chance to go head-to-head with themostpowerful person in the world.

For Trump, it was ahighprofile chance to talk about affordability at atime when he’sunder increasing political pressure to show he’s addressingvoter concerns about the cost of living.

Until now,the men have been political foils who galvanizedtheirsupportersby taking on each other,and it’s unclear how those backers will react to their genial gettogether and complimentary words.

“We’re going to be helping him, to make everybody’s dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York,” the president said

“What Ireally appreciate about the president is that the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement, which there are many,and also focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers,” Mamdani said.

Mamdani and Trump said they discussed housing affordability and the cost of groceries and utilities, as Mamdani successfullyused frustration over inflation to getelected,justasthe president did in the 2024 election.

“Someofhis ideas arereally the same ideas thatI have,” the president said of Mamdani about inflationary issues.

The president brushed asideMamdani’scriticisms of him over hisadministration’sdeportation raids and claims that Trump was behaving like adespot. Instead, Trump said the responsibil-

homeof ESSENCEFestival.”

The three-decade-oldfestival geared toward Black women attracts thousands ofvisitors to NewOrleansevery July Fourth weekend. Theyare serenaded nightly in theSuperdome by artistssuch as Maxwell, Jill Scott, Boyz II Men and others. By day they attendfree seminarsinthe Convention Center on topicsthat include health,business, personal finances and “experiences” centered on beauty,culture and other themes. They alsocatch up with friends, family,churchmembers andneighbors.

This year,the Convention Center saw 51,000 visitors aday,on parwith previousyears, whereas thenightly concerts saw between 25,000 to35,000 attendees each

ity of holding an executive position in thegovernment causes aperson to change, saying that had been the case for him.

He seemed at times even protective ofMamdani, jumping in on hisbehalf at several points. For example, when reporters asked Mamdani to clarify hispast statementsindicating that he thought the president was acting like afascist,Trump said,“I’ve beencalled much worse than adespot.”

When areporter asked if Mamdani stood by his comments that Trump is afascist, Trump interjectedbefore the mayor-elect could fully answer the question.

“That’sOK. Youcan just say yes. OK?” Trump said. “It’s easier.It’seasier than explaining it. Idon’t mind.”

Trump steppedinagain when areporter asked Mamdaniwhy he flew to Washington instead of taking transportationthat used less fossil fuels.

“I’ll stick up for you,” Trump said.

Mamdani, who takesoffice in January,said he sought the meetingwith Trump to talk aboutwaystomake New York City more affordable. Trump hassaidhemay want to help him out— although he hasalso falsely labeled Mamdani as a“communist” andthreatenedtoyankfederal fundsfromthe city

But Trump on Friday didn’t slingthat at themayor.He acknowledged thathehad said he had been prepared to cutoff fundingormake it harder for New York City to access federal resources if the two had failed to “get along.”

But the presidentpulled back from thosethreats, saying: “Wedon’twant that to happen. Idon’tthink that’s

night, said McDonald. Concert ticket sales werelower this year, Essence leadersacknowledged, attributing the issue to asymptom of theeconomy But there were also widespread complaints this year over issues such as concertdelays, with headliners not taking thestage until after 1a.m. Mia X, New Orleansbredrap royalty,saidshe was billedasaperformer,but no one told her. R&B legend Stephanie Mills,who performed on theSuperlounge stage, also shamed the fest in an open letterfor disorganization and poor time management. The Superlounges, back after athree-year hiatus due to Superdome renovations, were accessed only through a$500 VIP ticket. Organizers ended up opening themto

“We’re going to be helping him, to make everybody’sdream come true, having astrong and verysafeNew York.”

DONALDTRUMP on Newyork City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani

going to happen.”

Trump loomed large over the mayoral race this year and on the eve of the election, he endorsedindependent candidateand former DemocraticGov.Andrew Cuomo, predicting thecity has “ZERO chance of success, or even survival” if Mamdani won. He also questioned the citizenship of Mamdani,who was born in Uganda and becamea naturalized American citizenafter graduating from college, andsaidhe’dhave himarrested if he followed throughonthreats notto cooperate with immigration agents in the city Mamdani beat back achallenge from Cuomo, painting him as a“puppet” for the president, and promised to be “a mayorwho can stand up to Donald Trump andactually deliver.”Hedeclared during one primary debate, “I am Donald Trump’sworst nightmare, as aprogressive Muslim immigrantwho actually fights forthe things that Ibelieve in.”

The president,who has long usedpolitical opponents to fire up his backers, predicted Mamdani “will prove to be one of the best thingstoever happen to our great Republican Party.”

As Mamdani upended the Democratic establishment by defeating Cuomo and his far-left progressive policies provoked infighting, Trump

everyonelater in theweekendafter it became clear that fewwould pay that price.

Even the Convention Center’s events didnot escape public scrutiny,with muchoutcry over the festival’s decision to enlist Target as asponsor despite national boycottsagainst thecompany for revoking its diversity,equity and inclusion policy

And despite the Dillard study and any sales madebythe slew of vendors who sell their wares inside the Convention Center all weekend, the event’seconomic impact on local businesses has been amixed bag, with somebenefiting from an influx of out-of-towncustomersand others feeling shut out due to thefestival’srestrictions on commercial activity within specified areas. McDonald and histeamhave addressedthe festival’s shortfalls severaltimes and did so again Tuesday, calling this apivotalmoment for reflection on howthey plan to get it rightfor thenext30 years in New Orleans.

Theysaidalocal partnerwho ran some aspects of production for the mass shows wasn’tas well-trainedasthey assumed and promised to work earliernext year with local companies to get them up to speed. They said the Superloungescome withasignificantcostthattrickleddown to ticket buyers.They’re now rethinking howtoimprove them.

“Maybe it’s notinthat same place, maybe it’ssomewhere else. Maybe it’s scaled down, maybe it’s

repeatedly has cast Mamdani as the face of Democratic Party

The president hashad some dramatic public Oval

Office faceoffs thisyear,including an infamouslyheated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in March. In May, Trump dimmed thelights while meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosaand played afourminute video making widely rejected claims that South Africa is violently persecuting the country’sWhite Afrikaner minority farmers.

Asenior Trump administration officialwho spoke on condition of anonymity to describeinternal discus-

scaled up,” said RichilieuDennis, executive vice chairman of Sundial. The host committeewill be announced in the coming weeks. Suchcommittees typically raise funds, plan events anddooutreach,and city andstate officials appoint the members. Moving ahead,Essence couldalsomake an even larger commitment to New Orleans, such as by hosting a food or art “journey” earlier in the week, McDonald said.

McDonald also sought to callattention to the things that went right this year: The organization’sfilm festivalreceived 600 submissions andbrought in Blackfilmmakers and film buffs fromaround the globe and helped highlight New Orleans’ role as ahub forfilm productions.

As for Target, he said the retail giant was willing to stepup, and that hosting an event of Essence’s magnitude requires sponsorship. The companyalso handedout 10,000 poundsoffood to cityresidents that weekend as part of its annual community service efforts during Essence, he said.

Organizers also said they hope to have more of abrand presence in NewOrleans year-round andto focus on uplifting morelocal businesses and artists.

“Wehavetofind away to make sure that the impact doesn’tfeel like we visit and do impact, but we do it in host withthe city, in host with this community.And those are the things that we’ve got to get better at,” said Dennis.

sions said Trump hadnot put alot of thought into planning the meeting with the incoming mayor —but said Trump’sthreats to block federal dollars from flowing to NewYork remained on the table.

Mamdani said Thursday that he wasnot concerned aboutthe president potentially trying to use the meeting to publicly embarrass him and said he saw it as a chance to make his case, even while acknowledging “many disagreements with the president.”

Instead, both men avoided apublic confrontationina remarkably calm andcordialseriesofcomments in front of newsreporters.

Mamdani,who lives in Queens —where Trump was raised —has shown acutthroat streak just as Trump has as acandidate. During his campaign, he appeared to borrow from Trump’s playbook when he noted during atelevised debate with Cuomo that oneofthe womenwho had accused the former governor of sexual harassmentwas in theaudience. Cuomohas denied wrongdoing. But the tensions were subduedFridayasTrump seemed sympathetic to Mamdani’spolicies to want to build morehousing. “People would be shocked, but Iwant to see the same thing,” the president said.

Sheep to serve as lawn mowers

BY JOSIE ABUGOV Staff writer

A multinational energy company has completed construction of its first solar farm in Louisiana a project outside Monroe that will generate enough electricity to power 17,000 homes and use a flock of 600 sheep as on-site lawn mowers.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, will buy the renewable energy, though the solar project is not directly tied to the massive artificial intelligence data center the tech giant is building in northeast Louisiana The renewable energy is part of Meta’s broader sustainability goals, a spokesperson for the company said. Meta has separately committed to bring an additional 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy to the grid through its contract with Entergy, the state’s largest utility

The 550-acre project called Lafitte Solar located in Ouachita Parish 4 miles south of Monroe, is the latest solar announcement in Louisiana tied to Meta. Electricity from the 100-megawatt site will start flowing to the regional grid by the end of the year RWE Clean Energy, the U.S. subsidiary of the Germanbased energy company, is the developer

“This is the culmination of almost seven years of work,” said Cody Hoffman, project lead for RWE’s project near Monroe. “It’s really great to see all that work come together.”

“Projects like Lafitte Solar are essential to achieving our clean energy goals while strengthening communities,” Amanda Yang, head of clean energy at Meta, said in a prepared statement.

Joe Holyfield, chairman of the Ouachita Parish Industrial Development Board, said the more than $100 million solar project positively impacted the local economy

The solar farm saw around 150 construction jobs at its peak and is expected to generate $32 million in tax revenue over its lifetime. Hoffman said the company cannot disclose the duration of its power-purchase agreement with Meta. Property tax revenue increased when the former agricultural land was changed to industrial use, Holyfield said. He also observed workers with the construction contractor McCarthy visiting local restaurants, hardware stores and other local businesses.

“They’ve been good partners in our community,” said Holyfield, who attended a Nov 13 ribbon-cutting event for the project alongside solar developers and other local officials.

Earlier this month, Meta signed a deal with another developer to build two large-scale solar farms in rural Morehouse and Sabine parishes. The three projects will total 485 megawatts, enough electricity to power around 100,000 homes.

But the solar farm faced

some opposition from nearby residents, Holyfield said, which the developers addressed by installing barriers between houses and the solar farm.

“You’d probably rather look at a pretty field than a solar farm, but you’ve also got to create energy for growth in our community and all of northeast Louisiana,” Holyfield said.

The former farmland will soon be transformed even further when a flock of around 600 sheep will arrive to graze around the solar panels The project marks RWE’s first Louisiana development, but not its first time deploying the woolly mammal lawn mowers

“Sheep are the best animal that can do grazing amongst these solar panels,” Hoffman said. “Cows can damage the panels, goats will climb on everything and chew on everything. Sheep are docile and calm, and they just like to eat grass.”

The sheep present a greener way to maintain the vegetation, which can grow wild in the north Louisiana climate.

“You can mow it, and it’s expensive, and you’re just burning gasoline and nobody likes it,” Hoffman said.

The sheep grazing will be managed by a local contractor, the company said.

NOLA.COM | Saturday, November 22, 2025 1bN

Checchio testifies in bankruptcy case

Next archbishop vows to guard against clergy sex abuse

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

Coadjutor Archbishop James Checchio, who will lead the Archdiocese of New Orleans out of its five-year bankruptcy and into the next chapter of its 232-year history, testified Friday in the church’s bankruptcy hearing, vowing to uphold new measures to guard against clergy sex abuse “with all my heart and energy I have.”

Safety upgrades made to Broad Street

New signals, bike lanes should improve busy corridor

BY JONI HESS

Staff writer

New Orleans pedestrians and cyclists crossing a stretch of Broad Street between Tulane Avenue and the Lafitte Greenway will soon notice new signals, bike lanes and other changes designed to improve safety in one of the city’s busiest corridors.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration, the state Department of Transportation and Development and the nonprofit Lafitte Greenway Partnership on Thursday celebrated the completion of the $5.7 million project, which has been in the works for the past year

“These improvements make it safer for everyone, whether you’re walking, biking, catching the bus, or driving,” Cantrell said in a statement. “This project is another example of how we leverage federal dollars to deliver modern, safer streets for our residents.”

The work is largely funded through the federal Safe Routes to Public Places Program, which aims to improve safety on public roads. The improvements include:

n Four upgraded intersection signals at Tulane Avenue, Banks Street, Canal Street and Bienville Avenue. They are now compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and feature pedestrian countdown timers for safer crossings;

n New devices that stop traffic to let pedestrians cross at the Lafitte Greenway;

n Full roadway resurfacing between Tulane Avenue and Bienville Avenue;

n Sidewalk repairs and curb ramps that can be accessed by residents who use wheelchairs; n New bike lanes.

Lafitte Greenway Partnership

Executive Director Jason Neville said the work follows a 2024 survey of over 400 Greenway users, who said the Broad Street crossing at the Greenway was the most dangerous of the four Greenway intersections, with others at North Claiborne Avenue, North Carrollton Avenue and Norman C. Francis Parkway For many years, he said in an interview, the Broad Street and Lafitte Greenway intersection lacked a working traffic signal to tell speeding cars to slow down.

“These new investments are a welcome addition to the Greenway and a great demonstration of how the city state and community can work together to make our streets safer for everyone,” Neville said.

Email Joni Hess at joni.hess@ theadvocate.com.

The measures, part of the proposed settlement plan at issue in the three-week trial, would establish new policies for reporting and handling allegations of clergy sex abuse and create a public database detailing past incidents of abuse.

During his brief time on the witness stand, Checchio also apologized to an abuse survivor Pat Moody, on behalf of the archdio-

cese Moody, who heads the committee that represents more than 650 survivors of clergy sex abuse in the case, had testified moments earlier about her experience and the importance of the new policies that will go into effect if the settlement is confirmed.

I pray for you and for our church, too.”

Checchio’s testimony came one day after his predecessor, Archbishop Gregory Aymond, took the stand in the trial, technically known as a confirmation hearing, which could resolve the long-running bankruptcy case by the end of the year.

Attorneys for the archdiocese

“Thank you for what you have been doing for years,” Checchio said. “I am sorry you have had to go through this. It is going to help make things better for the future.

and for clergy abuse survivors are asking U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Grabill to confirm a joint settlement plan that would distribute funds from a $230 million trust to more than 600 abuse survivors over several years. The plan would also establish the “non-monetary” provisions regarding abuse reporting and transparency In marked contrast to Aymond, 76, who appeared solemn and

Relaxing afternoon

Mosquito district likely to get greater oversight

St. Tammany committee suggests lower tax

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

Following a contentious review of its finances the St. Tammany Mosquito Abatement District is likely to see major changes to its board, its funding and how it is overseen under reforms recommended by members of the Parish Council. The parish’s Government Efficiency Committee on Thursday said it plans to recommend that the parish’s mosquito-fighting agency lower its property millage by one mill, which would cause the district’s $9 million budget to be cut by about a third.

Other recommendations include:

n Keeping Mosquito Abatement funded by a dedicated property tax

n Adding “business experts” to the Board of Commissioners

n Asking the northshore delegation to pass legislation that would give the council oversight over the district’s budget

n Further reviewing the district’s future investment in its laboratory

The council appoints four out of the five commissioners on the agency’s board and can decide whether to put the district’s mill-

age renewal on the ballot. For the council to gain control of the district’s budget, however, would require the state Legislature to change laws.

Despite the recommended cut to the property tax rate, Mosquito Abatement Director Kevin Caillouet said in an interview he was encouraged by some of the committee’s other recommendations.

“I think it’s good for Mosquito Abatement, I think it’s good for the parish,” said council member Joe Impastato, who presented the recommendations on Thursday, in an interview

The recommendations are in part based on a recent report, which northshore District Attorney Collin Sims helped compile, that found the district had a larger budget than similar agencies in any other Louisiana parish. The report questioned some of the agency’s investments, like its $4 million helicopter, $8 million new lab facility, and its salaries and benefits packages, which it found totaled around $4 million annually

The financial review came as the parish faces a looming general fund deficit. Council member Cheryl Tanner recently said the deficit could total $20 million in 2027. The parish is already planning 30% cuts to Sims’ office, the judges and the jail in the 2026 budget because of the general fund deficit.

N.O. bluesman Guitar

Lightnin’ Lee dies at 83

He

Reward offeredfor missingcypress board

Ex-House speakerfaces felony charges

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

Wanted: the return of a giant cypress board thatis more than 1,000 years old.

Last seen:inthe legislative office in early 2024 of then-House Speaker Clay Schexnayder,R-Gonzales.

Reward for its return: $5,000, offered by the seven grandsons of the late Walter Stebbins,who donated the boardto the statein1955. Anyone with information about the

missing board should call Crimestoppers at (225) 3447867.

JuliusMullins, aretired doctorinBaton Rouge and one of the seven grandsons, said thefamily issued the rewardtospurinterest in gettingthe boardreturned to the State Capitol, where it was prominently displayed for decades.

Stebbins’ grandchildren offeredthe reward days after Schexnayder was indictedbyagrand jury in BatonRougeatthe behest of Attorney General Liz Murrill and charged with knowingly and intentionally committing theft of a “rareLouisianastate artifact,” leading to acharge

of felony theft greater than $25,000.

The indictment also says Schexnayder has been charged with malfeasance in office for “intentionally refusing to performaduty required of him as apublic officer or employee.”

Schexnayder has said then-Speaker Chuck Kleckley,R-LakeCharles, asked him in 2013 to put the board in hislegislative office because it came from atree in Ascension Parish. Kleckley has questioned that account.

Schexnayder hung the board —which measures about 6feet by 20 feet and haswordsofits originengraved into it —onawall

tax rates.

Continued from page1B

But the review also sparked controversy and tense exchanges between Sims and Caillouet,who disagreed with the parish’s review process. Earlier this month, themosquito districtsuedthe parish over the financial review It also filed abar complaint against Sims in August. However,Caillouet said he was encouraged by some of thecommittee’srecommendations, whichhesaid he thought recognized the “excellent service” the district has provided. The committee stoppedshort

CHECCHIO

Continued from page1B

uncomfortable during morethananhourofintense cross-examination Thursday,the 59-year-old Checchio looked at ease answering questions from the church’slawyer, Pat Vance.

Checchio briefly outlined policies he helped implementinhis former position as bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey where allclergyabuse allegations —even those made by adults—are immediately referred to lawenforcement and transparent record keepingisstrictly enforced.

He also said hisbusy schedulesince arriving in New Orleans one week ago had precluded himfrom reading the274-page settlement, and elicited chuckles in the courtroom with areference to his stint as chaplain of the Philadelphia Eagles

‘Not thewelcome I’dwant’ Checchio was named by Pope LeoXIV as Aymond’s successor in September and was officially welcomed at aMass on Tuesday at St Louis Cathedral.Hehas said the transitional role of coadjutor willallow himto share duties with Aymond, who will focus on wrapping up thebankruptcy while Checchio tendstoministerial and administrative duties. While the worst of the long-running case may be over, Checchio will continue to dealwith the fallout well into his tenure. He inherits ahistoric archdiocese with an aging and shrinking population, more than two dozen of its 104 parishes operating at aloss and asurplus of old buildings that are difficulttosell.

of recommending thedistrictbeconsolidated into parish government,anidea floated in the report.Italso recommended maintaining thedistrict’sindependent funding source, Caillouet noted The district’s property tax does not expire until 2027 and thecommittee recommended the council wait until after the 2026 legislative session before putting the tax on the ballot. In themeantime, Caillouet said he hopes to talk with the council about holding aseries of public meetings to demonstrate to the public thedifferentlevels of service possible based on the different property

He will also need to restore faith in thechurch amongNew Orleans’ half amillion Roman Catholics, followingyears of scandal andpain resulting from the clergy abuse crisisand bankruptcy

Grabill seemed to acknowledgethatdynamic Friday “WelcometoNew Orleans,” she told Checchio. “This has been going on for alongtime and based on yourtestimony,Iam pleased that you’re here.”

Checchio replied, saying, “It’snot part of the welcoming Iwould envision or want, butIam happytobe here.”

Enforcingthe plan

Before Checchio’stestimony,Grabill returned to an issueshe raised Thursday with Aymond on the stand— how thecourt will be abletoenforce the“nonmonetary” provisionsinthe plan once thebankruptcy case is over

“If this planisconfirmed, thecourt is becoming a partner with this organization to enforcethe promises it makes,” Grabill said to Andrew Caine, an attorney forthe abuse survivors.

“How does that happen?

Caine pointed to apassage in the plan requiring the archdiocese to hire outsideexperts, including a childprotection consultant, youth protection advisers and ayouthprotection “executive.” The planalso includesmore transparent abuse reporting protocols, awhistleblower policy and theappointment of atleast two abuse survivors to an Internal Review Board that will review abuse allegations.

Grabillsaidshe wantsto continue discussing the provisions with attorneys for both sidesinthe remaining days of the trial.

Reducing thebudget by a third, he said,would result in aslower response time to residents’ requestsfor service.

“We’re going tohave to crunch thenumbers and seewhatthatwould mean,” he said.

Sims said in astatement that the recommendations “reflect amore responsible approach to ensuring that taxpayer dollarsare spent on what is actually needed, not just what is wanted by an appointeddirector that does not have acheckon hisalmost$10 million annual budget.”

Upcoming meetings

The ball is already rolling

directlybehind hisdesk Mullins spotted it one night when he sawSchexnayder interviewed on TV Schexnayderhas saidhe left the board at his legislative officewhen his term ended and doesn’tknow what happenedtoit. The leasing manager for the office has saidhis team never removed it.

Schexnayder turned himself in on Nov.17and was released after being booked at East Baton RougeParish Prison. He will be formally arraigned on Jan. 8.

The former lawmaker, wholeftoffice 18 months ago because of term limits, has hired noted New Orleanscriminal defense

on the committee’srecommendation to add “business experts” to the district.

Impastatosaidheplans to nominateDavid Billiot, who runs apest control company,tothe board at itsDec. 4meeting.

At that meeting,the council will also consider aresolution to remove the remaining three of thefive membersofthe district’s five-person board of commissioners.

Twoofthe seats on the boardare alreadyvacant, after board members Terri LewisStevensand Jake Groby resigned in recent months.

“I think they madeahuge mistake and misstep in suing theParish Council,”

attorney Billy Gibbens. Gibbens immediately filed arequest through thediscovery process to have access to evidencecollected by the Attorney General’s Office, including anygrand jury or witness testimony that would aid Schexnayder’sdefense Defense attorneys have said Murrill’soffice will need strongerevidence to convictSchexnayderbeyond demonstrating that he last knewofthe board’s whereabouts. Mullins was askedif Schexnayder would qualify for the reward if he found the board. “I don’tknow,” Mullins replied.

Impastato said of the current board, pointing to the lawsuit the district filed against the council.

Impastato also criticized current board members forthe district’sgenerous benefitspackage.Sims’ report found the districtpays 100% of health insurance premiums foremployees, their spouses anddependents.

Caillouet, meanwhile, praised the current board members, saying they have served “our taxpayers really well.” However,hesaid, “we’re happy to talk to whoever is giventous.”

Email Willie Swett at willie.swett@theadvocate. com.

Grabill also heardon Friday from Moody, who explained her role as chair of the court-appointed committee that has represented the abusesurvivors during the bankruptcycase and settlementtalks. She recounted her experience of being sexually abused by apriest,since deceased, between the ages of 8and 10, and said she did not remember the abuse until years later,in2018, when Aymond released alistofcredibly accused

clergy In the years since, she saidshe has struggled to bringchange to thechurch and has served on the committee to trytohelp others who have suffered with clergy abuse.

“All Ikeptthinking is somebody hastodosomething to make changes to protect children. Iwanted the churchtobeasafe place to go,”Moody said.

Moody also disclosed that she has agreed to serve on the Internal Review Board

if the settlement is confirmed.

“I am just so determined to makesure anyone involved in making decisions has an understanding of what asurvivorhas been through,”she said. “I have never come from aplace of hate, and Ithink the person that serves as asurvivor on this IRBneedstobesomeone like me.”

Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@ theadvocate.com.

Josephine at neighborhood bars and music venuesacrossthe metro area. He was more likelytobe found at GuitarJoe’sHouse of Blues in Central City or Mickey Bee’sinthe Lower 9th Ward than better-known venues. He plugged into the city’s underground music community after meeting veteran punk drummerPaul Artigues, whoisalso an accomplished chef,around 1997. They started performingasa duo. Eventually,Artigues recruited twoother members of hispunkband DieRotzz to flesh outthe cross-generational Thunder Band that backed Lee. The Music Maker Relief Foundation, anational nonprofit that provides financial and career support to traditionalmusicians,started working with Lee in 2009. He subsequently released an album titled “N.O.L.A. Rhythum and Booze.” In a2012 profile of Lee, music journalist Alison Fensterstock described the combination of “slamming drums, semi-distorted guitar, andLightnin’s deep, growling voice” as “real blues, real punk, real New Orleans.”

Indicative of the band’s dual personalities, Lightnin’ Lee’srecorded output included contributions from such disparate personalities as New Orleans music legends Fats Domino and Al “CarnivalTime” Johnson as well as unconventional musicmad scientist Mr.Quintron. On his2013 album “Just An Ol’G,” Lee andcompany covered everything from Cookie &the Cupcakes Mathilda”to psychedelic punk band the Cramps’ “Human Fly.”

In the summer of 2013, he and Little Freddie King shared the cover of Big City Rhythm &BluesMagazine Leeperformedatthe New Orleans Jazz &Heritage Festival and other festivals across the country But fans still sought him out in the small, local barrooms where he made his bones. On aparticularly memorable Monday night in July 2013, Robert Plant sat in withLee and southwest Louisiana guitarist C.C. Adcock at BJ’s Lounge in the Bywater neighborhood. In early2017, he took a break from performing as he battled lung cancer.He eventuallyreturned to the stage.

Survivors include adaughter, Phoeneshia L. Jacques (Rene), andfoursons, Desmann D. Williams, Leroy Williams Jr., Norman Williams and Christopher L. Spears, as well as asister, Elaine Thompson. Acelebration of life is scheduled forNov.22at 10 a.m. at New Orleans Bible Fellowship Baptist Church, 4430 Bundy Road. BurialistofollowatProvidence Memorial Park, 8200 Airline Highwayin Metairie. Professional Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Email KeithSpera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

Carr,Velma

Cheramie,Van

Dunn III, John

Galmore,Percy

Harris,Terri

JacksonSr.,Warren

LewisJr.,Alfred

Michel,Linda

Morris, Geraldine

Smetherman,Sharon

Smith,Carmen

Smith,Robert

Sunraa, Sarone

NewOrleans

DW Rhodes

Sunraa, Sarone

Gertrude Geddes

Galmore,Percy

JacksonSr.,Warren

LewisJr.,Alfred

Morris, Geraldine

Lake Lawn Metairie

Smetherman,Sharon

Smith,Robert River Parish

St Garyville,La70051

VanJoseph Cheramie, 78, resident of Larose, passed awayathis home on November 13, 2025

Vanwas aproud Eagle Scout, acareereducator, and an army veteranofthe Vietnam War, awardedThe BronzeStar for distinguishedservice in 1971.He first attended OleMiss, where he was aMember of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. After his military service,hereturnedto NichollsState University whereheearned his MastersofEducation.Over his thirty-three year career with the Lafourche Parish School District, Van workedinall areasofpubliceducation: as a4th grade teacher, an elementary principal,and later as the Title IDirector forthe District. Alifelong learner and devotededucator, his legacy of boundless energy and kindness willbe carriedforward by allwho had the privilege of knowing him.

Vanissurvivedbyhis wifeof54years, Connie Curole Cheramie;his daughter, Jeanne Sabaand husband, Brent; his grandson,Quentin Saba;his son, WilliamCheramie and wife, Kristi;his brother, Edmond Cheramie and wife, Miriam; and hissister,Ora Ordoyne. Vanwas precededin death by his parents, WilliamJosephCheramie andFlorine Philomena Raymond Cheramie;and his brother-in-law, Dale Ordoyne.

All are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Rosary CatholicChurchin Larose on Monday, November 24, 2025; visitation from 9-11and funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. His remarkable life will forever be an inspiration

to Heaven, Friday, November 14th, surrounded by his loving family BornAugust 20, 1943 in Spartanburg, SC,Jack graduated from East Jefferson High School,received aB.S.inZoology fromLSU and aJuris Doctoratefrom Loyola University CollegeofLaw. Jack livedanincredible life most people could only dreamof. He was proud of hisTrack days,asa memberofthe LSUTrack and FieldTeam, and laterasa member of the Louisiana Lightning Track Club.He competed in many notable trackmeets achieving his personal record in speed Later in life he set records in SeniorOlympicsTrack and Field. He was also a member of OTMAC (Over theMountain Athletic Club) in NewOrleans. Jack spent his early years teaching at schoolsinthe Metairie area and mentoring his studentswho came to knowhim as "Coach Dunn".Jackpracticed law foralmost 50 years, lovingly representing his clients. In 1984, Jack managed the aquarium exhibit at the World'sFairinNew Orleans. He also created and owned thelegendary Sharkey'sReefRestaurant and Bar, sharing hisloveof aquariums and fish. He cultivated alarge following of friendsfrom Sharkey's whomremainclose today. Jack's love foraquariums resurfaced againwith the creationofBlue Fish Grill, home of a107,000 gallon aquarium, in BatonRouge. He lovedsharing his knowledge of fish through children's field trips, at his restaurantsand in his home he called "Seven Seas". Jack always had a love formusic and in recent years joinedthe Pontchartrain Shakers on stageplaying his harmonica. He was apractical joker alwaysfinding humorin life,helpingothersand lovedhis family and friends. He is considereda legend by many whose liveshetouched. Jack is preceded in death by his parents, John MorrisDunn, Jr. and Helen WestDunn, his sister, SaraleeDunn Keatingand his brother, Robert Dunn. Jack leaves behind hislovingwife CarolynFeehan Dunn, his daughter, JenniferDunn Poe(Jason Poe), their children, Gracie and Jackson TatePoe,his daughter, ErinDunn Halligan,her son, Gavin Halligan,and his son, John Morris Dunn IV. He also leaves hissisters, JoellenDunn Tschirn and Laurie Dunn Tschirn. Jack wouldnot want us to be sad that he has left us, butrathertolookfor the signs that he is stillwith us throughmusic, fish, birds and beautiful sunsets. Spendyourdays simply caring for others and laughing through life.Until we meetagain, we love youAquaman.

ACelebrationofLife will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 at St

JosephAbbey Church, 75327 RiverRoad, Covington, La. 70435. Visitation:1-2pm. Service to follow withAbbot Justin.

a.m. until10:00 a.m. Inter‐mentDeweyvilleCemetery, Houma,LA. Youmay sign the guestbook on http:// www.gertrudegeddeswilli s.com. Gertrude Geddes Willis-Terrebonne Funeral Home, Inc. in charge (985) 872-6934.

Galmore, Percy

PercyGalmore age69, nativeofHouma,LAand residentofTerrebonne, passedawaypeacefully on November7,2025. He leavestocherish hismem‐ories,his wife;Debra W. Galmore,his children Percy Kentrell Galmore, Khyri T. Galmore; hissib‐lings,MollieDiggs,Helen Brown (James), AlineJohn‐son andthe late Rosa Lee James.Heisprecededin death by his; parents, Her‐man andOleviaGalmore; his siblings,Shirley McKin‐ley Toney, Alfred Diggs, LesterGalmore,Ricky Gal‐more, FreddieGalmore, ClaudeGalmore,Lionel Diggs andgrandparents, Harry andRubyMcKinley and Freddie& EllenGal‐more. Relativesand friends ofthe familyare invitedto attendthe Celebrationof LifeService on Saturday November22, 2025, at Beautiful Zion Baptist Church,120 HialeahAve., Houma,LA70363 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation from 9:00

Harris, Terri

TerriL.Harris, 67, of NewOrleans,passed on November 16, 2025. AdevotedservantofGod and ordainedDeaconess, she workeddecades in Home Healthcare and wasknown for herjoyfulspirit and strongfaith. She is survivedbysistersJacquelyn Fedison andSharonHarris, nieces, nephews, anda host of lovedones. She waspreceded in death by herparents, Ida andDavie Harris, and herbrother, Alfred Bankston Sr.A memorial service will be held from11:00 AM to 12:30 PM on 2025-11-22 at New Journey Word Church,2536 AnnetteStreet.

Warren Jackson, Sr age 62, native of Bogalusa,LA and resident of Houma, LA passedawaypeacefully on Wednesday,November12, 2025. He leaves to cherish his memories,his wife BerthaNixon Jackson, bonus mother,RuthPayne; his children,Marcus Kinchen of Baker, LA,Anto‐nio JacksonofBaton Rouge,LA, Ernest and Akeen NixonofHouma,LA, TunesiaJackson of Hous‐ton,TX, Quinyawna Land (Jacob) of BatonRouge,LA, Dacoble EnnisofBaton Rouge,LA, Shelby Dicker‐son of Plaquemine,LA, QuintellHarvey(Christo‐pher) andAsiaWilliams (Ron) of Houma, LA;broth‐ers-in-law, Steven Nixon (Michell) of Lake Charles, LA, AllenNixon (Wanda)of Houma,LAand Corey Nixon (Samaria)ofNorfolk, Virginia; sisters-in-law BrendaLivas,AnnieNells (Williams), Constance Nixon,Debra Boyd (Charles Sr.). of Houma, LA;a beloved cousin Yolanda HarveyofBogalusa,LA; godchild, KiaraJones of Houma,LA; 23 grandchil‐drenand host of nieces nephews andrelatives Warrenenjoyed spending his leisuretimewith friends,Matthew Clay JamesBrown, Steven

4B ✦ Saturday, November 22, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune Branch,Brian Nixon, Rev. TroySmith andMelvinHite. Heisprecededindeath by his parents, AngelBeal, Guadette Brooksand John Jackson;his son, Warren EdwardJackson,Jr.,his mother-in-law Minerva Nixon,sister, Wendy (McHenry) Morris, brother, Bryon Jackson; brothersin-law, HenryLivas,Sr., Micheal Nixon, Sr.and Larry Nixon; godbrother FredrickCulbert and grandparents, Edward Beal and IdaH.Thomas. Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtothe Celebration of Life Service onFriday, November 21, 2025, at BeautifulZionBap‐tistChurch,120 Hialeah Ave Houma, LA 70363 at 11:00 am.Visitationfrom 10:00 am to 11:00 am.Pri‐vateBurial. Gertrude Ged‐des Willis-Terrebonne Fu‐neral Home is in charge of arrangements. Youmay signthe guestbook on www.gertrudegeddeswilli s.com.

LewisJr.,Alfred

Alfred Lewis, Jr., age84, was born on December 15 1940 native of Houma, LA and resident of Larose,LA passedawaypeacefully on Saturday, October25, 2025 athis daughter Tammy Lewis PrestonHome in Baton Rouge, LA.Alfred Lewis waswidowed andhe leavestocherish hismem‐ories;his children,Tammy Lewis Preston, Kentrell Crowell,Ava “Sue"Cora Lewis,DoraAnderson, JacquelineHartman,Billy Ann Lewis, Leslie Lewis, Craig Lewisand Rickey Lewis.Heisprecededin death by his; Children,Jer‐maine Lewis, ToyLewis and Alfred LewisIII; his parents,AlfredLewis,Sr. and CynthiaLee.Relatives and friendsofthe family are invitedtoattendthe Celebration of Life Service onSaturday, November 22 2025 at Gertrude Geddes Willis-Terrebonne Funeral Home, 617 Bond St., Houma,LA70360at 2:00 p.m.Visitationfrom1:00 p.m.until 2:00 p.m. Inter‐mentDeweyvilleCemetery. You maysignthe guest book on www.gertrudeged deswillis.com.Gertrude GeddesWillis-Terrebonne FuneralHome, Inc. in charge(985) 872-6934.

Linda Reck Michel, 84, passed away on November 19, 2025 at 8:05 am. Born August 16, 1941native of New Orleans, LA and resident of Labadieville, LA. Friends and family willbe received at Saint Philomena Catholic Church on Monday, November 24, 2025 from 9:00 AM until service time.A Mass of Christian Burialwill begin at 11:00 AM with burial following in the church cemetery. Linda is survived by her children, April LeBouef (Barry), Pamela Zeringue (David), Euclid J. Michel (Angela), Connie Rodrigue (Keith), Chris S. Michel (Gay); grandchildren Samantha L. Ellender (Kathryn), Lee LeBouef (Reney) Stephen J. LeBouef (Lindsey), Emily M. Zeringue, Kourtney R. Labat (Rene'), Kacey R. Hernandez (Brett), Kyla R. Matthews (Taylor), Kathleen Rodrigue (Blake), Euclid Michel III (Paige), Kate Michel,Adam Michel;13 great grandchildren; brother, Ernest J. Reck. She is also survived by her in laws, Thomas Michel, Henry Michel, Rita Brehm, Julie Lapara and numerous nieces and nephews. Sheis preceded in death by her husband, Euclid J. Michel; parents, Ernest J. Reck and Myrtle Bayard Reck Michel; sisters, Darlene R. Miller, Emily Ann Reck. She was a dedicated homemaker and business women who loved to travel, treasured every family gathering and found her greatest joy in her beloved grandchil-

drenand great-grandchildren. Aproud LSUand Saints fan, she cheered on her teamswith passion and heart.Linda was a member and Past Presidentofthe American DiabetesAssociation, member of the RedHatters Club of Thibodaux and Destrehan and the NewcomersClub of Thibodaux. The family wouldliketothankher caregivers, Michelle, Trudy,Catherine, Aryel, Katlynn, Andrea,and Dena, Haydel Hospice,Dr. Daniel Naul and Dr. FrancisRobichaux. Inlieuofflowers, the family requests donationsbemade to Massesin her nameortoE.D. White Catholic HighSchool or St Philomena Catholic Church. Online condolences can be made at http://www.ordoynefuner als.com/. Funeral arrangements were trusted to Ordoyne FuneralHome, 1489 Saint Patrick Street Thibodaux, LA 70301.

Morris,Geraldine MarieBrazley

GeraldineMarie Brazley Morris, of theMercadel Family, age84was born on September 13,1941. She passedawaypeacefully, embracedbyher devoted familyonTuesday,October 28, 2025. Shewas born and raisedinNew Orleans, Louisiana,she laterlived in Washington, D.C.,before settlinginAtlanta,Georgia She wasa dedicatedentre‐preneur andbuilt twosuc‐cessful business with her latehusband.She wasalso known forher impeccable style andgracefulpres‐ence, sheloved classical music, flowers, Creole cooking, andexperiencing the arts throughplays and liveshows.Her life was beautifully wovenamong the threecitiesshe lovedNew Orleans, Washington, D.C., andAtlanta -each shaping herspirit, her work, andher legacy.She leavestocarry forthher legacyJoy Curtis and Angel Morris;grandchil‐drenTyroneMorris, Levon Coachman, JoyMorris, and TreasureCurtis; greatgrandsonD’AngeloCoach‐man;sisterBarbara Ann Sanders;nephewJenerio Sanders (Michele Sanders) and ahostofextended familyand friends. The MercadelFamilywillfor‐evercherish hermemory. She wasprecededindeath byher husband Gerald Morris, and herparents JosephEdwardBrazleyand AlmedaMercadel. Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the Mass of ChristianBur‐ial on Saturday,November 22, 2025, at St.Raymond & St. Leothe GreatCatholic Church,2916 ParisAvenue, New Orleans, LA 70119 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation from 9:00a.m.until 10:00a.m Private Burial.You may signthe guestbookon www.gertrudegeddeswilli s.com. Gertrude Geddes Willis FuneralHomeInc in charge(504) 522-2525.

Smetherman, Sharon Winn

Sharon Winn Smetherman (85) passed awaypeacefully on November 9, 2025, surroundedbyher four daughters. Sheissurvived by her children: Dana Smetherman (Charles Freeman) of Arlington, VA Collin Smetherman GinsbergofMadisonville, LA, Lauren Smetherman Merten(Peter Merten) of Cincinnati, OH,and Ashley Smetherman Lemmler of Covington, LA;eight grandchildren:Robert and Emma Freeman, Tyler Ginsberg (Jacki Pagliaro Ginsberg), Vivian LaCerda, Caroline Merten, DavidMerten (Oliver Lehne),Riley and Molly Lemmler; her sister: Ave Winn McNamara;her sister-in-law and brotherin-law: MariaWinnand Jesse Smetherman; and manynieces and nephews. Sheispreceded in death by her parents, Robert Blanks Winnand Audrey Hampton Winn and her brother,Robert Ernest

Winn. Sharonattended St Dominic School and St Mary'sDominican High School. She then received aBachelor of Science in Secondary Educationfrom LoyolaUniversity and later aMaster of Educational Administrationfromthe University of NewOrleans. Alifelong educator, Sharon's love of teaching started at age 14 when she joinedthe staff of Gentilly Dance Academy. She went on toteach English, Speech, and Drama over a more than 50-yearcareer, most notably at Kehoe France where she taught for 27 years. Another lifelong passionwas theperforming arts, and Sharon shared her talents on many stages, includingLe Chat Noir, Rivertown Repertory, Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, Tulane Shakespeare Festival, Bayou Dinner Theatre, Tulane SummerLyric Theatre and theProducers' Club Theatre in NewYork. Her final onstage performance was with the Durban Playhouse CompanyinDurban, South Africa as part of the International Arts FoundationInc.ofNew Orleans. Sharonshared her love of thestage with the many studentswho participated in countless shows she directed and choreographed throughout her career. Sharon'sdaughters and grandchildrenwere her greatest joy, and nothing made her happier than attending their activities and applauding their accomplishments. Aloving and dedicatedparent and grandparent, she attended everyconcert, game, recital,performance,graduation, and celebration to theend.Her love of Mardi Gras, her students, Drew Brees, Little Debbiesnack cakes, and theHokey Pokey (the standard closing routine forher dance classes) will live on. That's what it's allabout!Family and friends are invitedto attend theFuneral Mass in thechapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in NewOrleans, on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 12:00PM.A visitationwill be held at thefuneral home beginning at 10:00AM. The interment willfollow Mass at Lake Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers,pleasemake adonation in Sharon'sname to Tulane SummerLyric Theatre: https://securetu.t ulane.edu/s/1586/Giving/1 6/interior.aspx?sid=1586& gid=2&pgid=2062&cid=374 7&appealcode=EGSW6

Carmen JoyCochran

Smith,a longtime resident of Mandeville,Louisiana and acherished wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away November 16, 2025 after a briefbattlewithpancreatic cancer. She willbe deeply missed and forever in the heartsofthose whose livesshe touched. Carmen was born May 4, 1943 in Salem,Oregon -the onlychildofVerl and Doris Hadley Cochran. She wasa happygirl. She livedin Hubbard Oregonuntil 1952 attending HubbardGrade School through thethird grade. Her maternal grandparents, James Harrison Hadley &Mabel Cree Hadley (Nanan &Bapa) livednext door in ahouse that her dadVerl builtfor them. She attendedfourth and fifthgradesinCanby after Verl boughtthe local truck Line.InCarmen's words -"My mom helped outinthe office at the truck line.One time, while mom was at work, some neighbor girls daredmeto throwa mud pieattheir bedroomwindow, which I did. They told on me and I

gotintrouble. Because I was rarely in trouble,being the"badgirl" was a shame to me."They moved to Silverton,Oregon in 1954 to run theSilverton school buses and built ahouse on Western Ave. across the street fromthe busgarage. The house was very nice, a split level witha daylight basement which allowed Carmen to host acouple of partiesduring her high schoolyears. In 1961 Carmen graduated from SilvertonHighSchool SUHS where she had remarkable achievements -third highest GPA in aclass of 105, Girl'sState, Girl of the Month, TNTPresident, Best Actress in "Time Out for Ginger" and "The Perfect Idiot,"Thespians, and Prom Princess. She met theloveofher life,John Smith in the6th gradeat EugeneField School in Silverton. After highschool they bothwent to Oregon StateUniversity. They married in 1963 and movedto NewOrleans in 1964 when John accepteda position with theBoeingCompanyhelping to buildthe Saturn Vrocket for the1969 missiontothe moon. Carmen graduated fromthe University of NewOrleans in 1969 with aBiology degree (she was delayeda few years raising their wonderfuldaughter Debby). In 1969 John resignedfrom Boeing and they started apersonnel service "Professional Staffing." Over 26 years they builta business with officesinsix states and about60full timeemployees. Carmen became a CertifiedPersonnel Consultant (CPC) in 1972 and was aCharter Member of theLouisiana AssociationofPersonnel Consultantsservingonits boardofdirectors forseveral years and as theassociation'spresident. In 1981 she received theNational AssociationofPersonnel Consultants"Chair Person of theYear" award forher servicetothe association. In 1996 they sold thebusiness, retired and boughta summer home outside their hometown of Silverton, Oregon. Carmen didvolunteer work tutoring gradeschool kids, some church workassociated withrecovery from Hurricane Katrina and spent as much time as she couldwithher granddaughters. For morethan 20 years she and John were involvedwithcreating and funding the SilvertonHighSchool Alumni Association (SHSAA)which has granted more than one million dollarstohighschool graduates to continue theireducation. Carmen's passion was buildinga business with John and working with thehigh schoolalumni association.Her happiness was spendingtime with John, their daughter Debby, son-in-lawArthur, and granddaughters Theresa, Sophia and Rachel Leithtowhom she was abeloved "Gam."She had alovely family and was awonderfulhostess who enjoyed hosting many family gatherings most of which included Carmen and John's close friend Norma Peikert and her son Michael,daughterDanielle Peikert Meyer,son in law Scott Meyer, and their daughters Emma, Isabella andOliviaMeyer. Carmen enjoyed travel to many placesincluding Greece, Peru, Panama, Alaska, Hawaii, and Germany wherethey visitedwith John's step sister Rose, half-sister Rubyand Ruby's daughter Julia Siefert (husband Stefan and sons Julius and Philipp Siefert). She was preceded in death by her parents Verl and Doris Cochran, her mother in law Ruby Briggs Smith Morgan, her step father in lawTodd Morgan, herstepmother PhyllisCochran and her step sisterinlaw Rose Monette.Carmenissurvivedbythe family and friends mentioned above, her brother in lawDon Smith (Wife DeAnn), Bill Graling (wife Ally) and his kids Zac, Ethan and Isabella,and by Wendy Luttrell(husband Duane) d d d h

and Wendy's daughters MackenzieMcCarthy (husbandRyan)and Mariah Swift (husbandDaniel). Sheisalso survivedbytwo stepsisters(daughters of Verl's 4th wife Phyllis Livingston Cochran) Karen Livingston and Arlene Crooks andArlene's daughterRoseCrooks and son Will Crooks (wife Tera) andtheir son Logan and daughterScarlet.Carmen wasa wonderfulpersonstrong, loving,and someonewith atruly open heart andgenuine care for others. We thank herfor everything she hasbeen and everythingshe will always be in ourhearts. The family extends theirthankstothe staff of Trinity Trace CommunityCareCenter andNotreDame Hospice for theirsupport andcare duringCarmen'sfinal days.In lieu of flowers, the familyrequeststhatdonationsbemade to The SilvertonHigh School AlumniAssociation (SHSAA)aspartofthe Carmen JoyCochran Smith Scholarship fund. For info about howtodonate go to shsfoxes.com.Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the GraceFuneral Home (450 Holy Trinity Drive, Covington,LA). A Memorial Service will be held on at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at GraceFuneral Home (450 Holy Trinity Drive,Covington,LA).

W. Smith,age 100, departed this worldto join hisbeloved wife, Armenda, on Thursday, October30, 2025. Anative son of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Bob wasa proudU.S. Marinewho served in the SouthPacific in WWII. After thewar, graduated from Berea College, wherehemet and marriedArmenda,the love of hislife. He went on to a career in teaching in public schools in Ohio,first Monroe High School and then,untilhis retirement, Fairfield Junior High School. He sincerelyenjoyed working with young people andhad atruetalentfor doingso. He spent many extracurricular hourscoachingtrack,advisingcontestants in oratory competitions, and teaching ballroom dancing.

After retirement,Bob spent much of histime fishinginthe Gulf off of Pensacola Beach, celebratingholidays in New Orleans, andcruisingto Alaska, theCaribbean Islands andMexico with hisfamilyand friends. After Armenda's pass-

ingin2014, Bob made his home in NewOrleans wherehewalked in AudubonPark, cheeredfor theSaintsand the Bengals and learned to eat crawfish!At98yearsofage, Bob wasthrilledtoattend thewedding of his older grandson, Scott, and to dance withhis newgranddaughter-in-law,Sumner Happy, kind, loving sweet,gentleand outgoing, Bob enjoyed people andnevermet astranger. He became the "adopted dad"tomanyofhis daughter'sfriends,who showered himwith affection andattention. Bob is survived by his only childBrendaSue,his favorite son-in-law Craig Tolbert,his cherished grandsons Sean McCloskey Tolbert and Scott ParkerTolbert, and hisbeloved daughter-in law Sumner B. Tolbert.Heis also survived by his brother,Reginald Smith (June), nieces Patricia Collins (Darius) and theirchildren, Samuel andElisabeth and Carla Eades and herchildren,Cross and Dublin, andhis nephewMichael Smith.

Thefamilywould like to thank Dr.CharlesSmith andthe entire staff at Poydras for theirexcellent care.Our sincere appreciation goestothe wonderful women of theBegonia Housewhose daily kindness and enthusiasm kept Bob engagedand happy! Bob waslaidtorest with ArmendaatRoseHill Cemetery in Hamilton, Ohio on November 6, 2025. Amemorial service,to further celebrate Bob's life, will be held at Rayne Memorial United Methodist ChurchinNew Orleans on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 1:00 PM. In hishonor,please consider donatingtothe RayneMethodist Food Pantry: Rayne Methodist Church 3900 St Charles Avenue,NOLA 70115, with amemo designating"Food Pantry" To view and sign the familyguestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairi e.com

Sunraa, Sarone With sadnessweshare the passingofSaroneSun‐raa, on November 5, 2025 Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtoviewservice information,signonline guestbook,sendflowers and sharecondolences

France to investigate Musk’s Grok chatbot

PARIS France’s government is taking action against billionaire Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok after it generated French-language posts that questioned the use of gas chambers at Auschwitz, officials said.

Grok, built by Musk’s company xAI and integrated into his social media platform X, wrote in a widely shared post in French that gas chambers at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp were designed for “disinfection with Zyklon B against typhus” rather than for mass murder — language long associated with Holocaust denial.

The Auschwitz Memorial highlighted the exchange on X, saying that the response distorted historical facts and violated the platform’s rules.

In later posts on its X account, the chatbot acknowledged that its earlier reply to an X user was wrong, said it had been deleted and pointed to historical evidence that Auschwitz’s gas chambers using Zyklon B were used to murder more than 1 million people. The follow-ups were not accompanied by any clarification from X.

In tests run by The Associated Press on Friday, its responses to questions about Auschwitz appeared to give historically accurate information.

Fed governor signals inflation concern

Add one more to the number of Federal Reserve officials signaling fresh discomfort over inflation.

Fed Governor Michael Barr on Thursday said the U.S. central bank needs to proceed with caution in considering additional interest-rate cuts.

“I am concerned that we’re seeing inflation still at around 3% and our target is 2%, and we’re committed to getting to that 2% target,” Barr said. “So we need to be careful and cautious now about monetary policy, because we want to make sure that we’re achieving both sides of our mandate.

Barr stopped short of declaring his opposition to another rate cut, but his unease over stalled inflation will further complicate the job of Chair Jerome Powell as he tries to forge a consensus among a fractured group of policymakers in time for their Dec. 9-10 gathering in Washington.

Investors now see about a 40% probability of a rate cut at the December meeting, according to pricing in futures contracts

Barr supported the Fed’s cuts in September and October but had so far given no signal on December His vote could prove pivotal as several of his colleagues have already declared that they favor or oppose a third straight rate reduction, making the outcome uncertain.

The Fed is, after a long government shutdown, finally receiving new official data, but so far it hasn’t done much to resolve the division among policymakers OpenAI, Foxconn to partner in design

TAIPEI, Taiwan OpenAI and Taiwan electronics giant Foxconn have agreed to a partnership to design and manufacture key equipment for artificial intelligence data centers in the U.S. as part of ambitious plans to fortify American AI infrastructure.

Foxconn, which makes AI servers for Nvidia and assembles Apple products including the iPhone, will be codesigning and developing AI data center racks with OpenAI under the agreement, the companies said in separate statements on Thursday and Friday

The products Foxconn will manufacture in its U.S. facilities include cabling, networking and power systems for AI data centers, the companies said. OpenAI will have “early access” to evaluate and potentially to purchase them Foxconn has factories in the U.S., including in Wisconsin, Ohio and Texas. The initial agreement does not include financial obligations or purchase commitments, the statements said.

BUSINESS

More swings hit Wall Street

This time stocks finish higher

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK — More swings hit Wall Street on Friday, except the U.S. stock market finished higher this time.

After bobbing up and down through the morning, the S&P 500 took off and rallied nearly 2% before finishing with a gain of 1%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 493 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.9%.

It was a fitting finish for a week that left the S&P 500 just 4.2% below its record but also forced investors to stomach the sharpest hour-to-hour swings since a selloff in April. The jarring moves are testing investors following a monthslong and remarkably smooth surge for stocks, and they come down to two basic questions, neither of which has been answered yet. Have prices for Nvidia, bitcoin

and other stars of Wall Street shot too high? And is the Federal Reserve done with its cuts to interest rates, which would boost the economy and prices for investments?

On the second question, financial markets found some assurance from a speech by the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Markets perked up immediately after John Williams told a conference in Chile that he sees “room for a further adjustment” to interest rates.

That could signal he’ll vote for another cut to rates in December

What the Fed does is critical for Wall Street because stock prices ran to records through last month in part because of expectations for a series of reductions.

Other Fed officials, though, have argued against a December cut given how high inflation remains. The uncertainty created by such sharp disagreement has triggered dramatic moves back and forth for markets

The swings hit a crescendo on Thursday, when U.S. stocks initially surged after Nvidia

seemed to tamp down worries about a potential bubble in artificial-intelligence technology But the market quickly dropped to a sharp loss in its biggest one-day reversal since April, when President Donald Trump shocked markets with his “Liberation Day” tariffs.

Despite the strong profit report from Nvidia, whose chips are powering the move into AI, worries are still hanging around about the longer term. Will all those AI chips that Amazon, Meta Platforms and other companies are gobbling up actually yield profits and productivity as big as proponents are envisioning? If not, some investors fear, all the investment won’t be worth it.

AI-linked stocks continued to swing on Friday helping to drag the rest of the market behind them. Nvidia went from an initial gain to a drop of 4.3% and then swung back and forth before finishing with a loss of 1%, for example. Amazon went from an early loss to a gain of 1.6%.

Bitcoin, meanwhile, briefly

plunged below $81,000 before pulling back toward $85,000. That’s down from nearly $125,000 last month and brought it back to where it was in April, when markets were shaking because of Trump’s tariffs.

The vast majority of stocks on Wall Street rose despite such swings, with nearly 90% of stocks in the S&P 500 climbing. Their movements often get drowned out by Nvidia and other Big Tech stocks, whose movements have much more effect on the S&P 500 because of their immense sizes.

“When the largest companies drive most of the losses, the market can look weaker than it really is,” said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management.

Several retailers led the way Gap jumped 8.2% after reporting a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. CEO Richard Dickson said it saw strong sales trends at each of its Old Navy, Gap and Banana Republic brands.

Safety improvements

New feminine crash test dummy gets key government endorsement

BY JEFF McMURRAY and AUDREY McAVOY Associated Press

The U.S. government announced major design changes it wants to implement to make the female version of the vehicle crash test dummy more lifelike, potentially replacing a model used for decades that is based almost entirely around the body of a man despite higher injury risks for women.

Department of Transportation officials will consider using the new dummy in the government’s vehicle crash test five-star ratings once a final rule is adopted, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday night in a news release.

Women are 73% more likely to be injured in a head-on crash, and they are 17% more likely to be killed in a car crash, than men.

The standard crash test dummy used in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration five-star vehicle testing was developed in 1978 and was modeled after a 5-foot-9, 171-pound man. The female dummy is smaller and has a rubber jacket to represent breasts. It’s routinely tested in the passenger or back seat but seldom in the driver’s seat, even though the majority of licensed drivers are women But the change is not guaranteed to happen.

Some American automakers have been skeptical and a group representing auto insurers has already said it thinks the current crash test dummies are fine.

The new female dummy endorsed by the department more accurately reflects differences between men and women, including the shape of the neck, collarbone, pelvis, and legs. It’s outfitted with more than 150 sensors, the department said.

Maria Weston Kuhn, a law student at New York University started lobbying members of Congress to pass a law requiring the new female dummy after surviving a 2019 crash in Ireland in which her seat belt slid off her hips and ruptured her intestines. She welcomed Duffy’s support but said she won’t celebrate

until NHTSA incorporates the new model into its testing a step that has been delayed numerous times.

“I fear that with this announcement everybody will throw up their hands and say we’ve won,” Kuhn said Friday “But we are far from crossing the finish line.”

Some American automakers have been skeptical, arguing the new model may exaggerate injury risks and undercut the value of some safety features such as seat belts and air bags.

Despite Duffy’s announcement, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a research arm funded by auto insurers, continues to advocate for the current line of dummies used to represent women and has seen dramatic improvements in safety as a result, spokesperson Joe Young said.

“Certainly we are going to continue to monitor the new tools and perhaps do some additional research,” Young said. “But for now, our researchers are content and confident that the dummies we’re using are doing a good job.”

Lawmakers and transportation secretaries from the past two presidential administra-

tions have expressed support for new crash test rules and safety requirements, but developments have been slow

U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer, a Republican from Nebraska, and Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, both released statements welcoming the female crash test dummy announcement.

“Any progress here is good because there’s simply no good reason why women are more likely to be injured or die in car crashes,” Duckworth said.

Fischer introduced legislation, the She Drives Act, that would require the most advanced testing devices available, including a female crash test dummy Duckworth is a cosponsor

“It’s far past time to make these testing standards permanent, which will help save thousands of lives and make America’s roads safer for all drivers,” Fischer said.

The department said the new specifications will be available for manufacturers to build models and for the automotive industry to begin testing them in vehicles.

Brazil hails U.S. tariff rollback as ‘significant progress’

By The Associated Press

SAO PAULO Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin on Friday hailed U.S. President Donald Trump’s order to remove the additional import tariffs on some agribusiness products as “significant progress,” but said the country will keep pushing for more exemptions.

“We want to exclude more products and move forward in the negotiation,” he told journalists in Brasilia. Alckmin, who also serves as Trade minister, led the negotiations with the U.S. along with Brazilian diplomats and business

leaders. Cecafé, Brazil’s coffee exporters council, celebrated Trump’s latest order and called the tariff hike “a complete loss of competitiveness.”

“The tariff reversal comes after months of intense work representing the interests of Brazilian coffee It is a historic victory for the entire coffee agribusiness production chain,” the council said in a statement. Brazil has long been a key supplier of beef and coffee to the United States. On Thursday, Trump lifted tariffs on Brazilian goods as part of an effort to lower consumer costs for Americans. The

decision affected coffee, fruit and beef, among other products. The U.S. leader had imposed additional import taxes on Brazilian goods, citing trade practices he deemed unfair and the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was later sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to stage a coup after losing the 2022 election. The U.S. ran a $6.8 billion trade surplus with Brazil last year according to the Census Bureau. Before the tariffs, U.S. government data showed Brazil, the world’s top coffee producer, supplied about 30% of the American market, followed by Colombia at

roughly 20% and Vietnam at about 10%.

“The removal of the 40% tariff imposed by the U.S. government on several Brazilian agricultural products is a victory for dialogue, diplomacy and common sense,” Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Thursday on X. He also shared a video reacting to Trump’s order, saying he was pleased with the decision. Trump and Lula have been negotiating over trade, which could further reduce tariffs. Lula also praised “the frank dialogue” with Trump, and said that Brazil would continue talks.

ANOTHERVIEW

Enduring shadow of Nov. 22

Sixty-two years ago, on Nov.22, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The event changedAmerica —not onlythe courseofhistory,but thenation’scharacter and outlook.

Americans still wonder whatreally happenedthatday Speculation abounds —someplausible, somefar-fetched but hard evidenceiselusive.

Ron

Faucheux

Although the caseisofficially closed, it stays open in many minds. Did 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald pull the trigger?Was he the lone gunman? Wasthere aconspiracy? Jim Garrison, the former NewOrleans district attorney, was theonly one to bring his theory to court and failedtoprove it. Nevertheless,a 2023 Galluppoll found that 65% of Americans believe someone other than Oswald was involved. Fewerthan3 in 10 think he acted alone.

Mystery shrouds presidential assassinations and attempts. Many believethatthe near-miss on Donald Trump’s life in Butler,Pennsylvania, hasyet to be fully explained. Four sitting presidents have been assassinated: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley andKennedy The first three happened within 36 years: Lincoln was watching aplay,Garfield was walking through aWashington train station and McKinley was greeting visitors at a New York exposition.

None have held history’s attention longer than JFK’sassassination. Abraham Lincoln’scomes close, andthe parallels areuncanny Lincoln was elected in 1860; Kennedy in 1960.Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846;Kennedy in 1946.Both men were assassinated while seated beside their wives. Eachwas shot in thehead and died on aFriday.Bothhad vice presidents from the South namedJohnson.Oswald shot Kennedy from astorage building and was captured in atheater;Booth shot Lincoln in atheaterand wascaught in astorage building.Both assassins went by threenames —JohnWilkes Booth and LeeHarvey Oswald —and both were killed before they could stand trial.

Premonitions add eerie footnotes. Aweekbefore his death, Lincoln dreamed he sawhis own casketinthe East Room of the White House.Jacqueline Kennedy recalled herhusband saying, “If someone wants to shootmefrom a window with arifle, nobody can stop it.”

How about this for trivia:Lincoln’seldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was presentat—orconnectedto— all three presidentialassassinationsduring his lifetime:his father’s, Garfield’s, and McKinley’s. Thereafter,heavoided the company of presidents.Beforehis father’s assassination, Robert narrowly escaped death himself when he slipped between atrain platform and tracks;the man whopulled him to safety wasEdwin Booth, brotherofJohnWilkes Booth.

Although the Secret Service was created the year Lincoln died,its original mission was to combatcounterfeiting, not protect presidents. It didn’tassume that role until after McKinley’sdeath.

Four sitting presidents (Andrew Jackson, Harry Truman, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan), one president-elect (Franklin Roosevelt), andtwo formerpresidents seeking comebacks (TheodoreRoosevelt and Trump) have survivedassassination attempts.Trump,Reagan,and Theodore Rooseveltwere actually shot. Ford faced twoattempts within 17 days.

Jackson, unharmed when an English-bornhousepainter fired at him, beat back his assailant with acane. Violence was nothingnew for the Hero ofNew Orleans —hecarried abullet in his chest for decadesfromapre-presidential duel over ahorse-racing incident.

In 1912, Teddy Roosevelt’slifewas likelysaved by an eyeglass case and athick, folded speech in his pocketthat slowed the bullet’sforce.Afterbeing shot,the pugnacious RoughRider saw blood, paused, explained what had happened to the audience and thenspoke for anotherhour Kennedy narrowly escapeda plot in Palm Beach before taking office. Aman namedRichard Pavlickplannedto bomb his car but was foiledbylaw enforcement.There have been numerous threats on otherpresidents thatnever materialized.

It’s possible that two assassinatedpresidents might have lived were it notfor primitive medicalcare. McKinley’s wound would not havebeen deadly had surgerybeen more advanced and antiseptic techniques more consistent.Garfield’s doctor probed for bullets with unwashedfingers and unsterilizedinstruments, causingfatal infection.

The newNetflixseriesonGarfield, “Death by Lightning,” is worthwatching —not justfor the assassination story,but for the loss of apotentially greatpresident who died at 49, less than sevenmonthsafter takingoffice. Assassinations naturally stir historical curiosity,but the intrigue shouldn’tdistractus from the fundamentaltruth: They’rebrutalcrimes with immenseconsequences —each one carving away an important piece ofthe American spirit

Ron Faucheux is anonpartisan political analyst, pollster and writer based in Louisiana.

Trumptryingtomake countrybetterfor all

The first thing Iwould like to talk about is President Donald Trump wanting to be theking, as theDemocratssay.Trumpcertainly doesn’t need all the aggravation he has to put up withtrying to straighten out this country. He has enough funds to actually live like aking on his own. In theOct. 19 edition, Iread where aformer U.S. Marine felt like Trumpwas pushing the country to civil conflict, and Hayley Wingard and Jessica Yother couldn’tbelieve the military invasion of Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland. Well, do they like the crime and lawlessness in these cities, and do they feel safe there? Why do people elect mayorsin these cities that let this take place andaccept illegal immigrants there? That’snot the America I grew up in. I’man87-year-old patriot and aformer Marine and Air Force veteran.

This country’sgovernment is a bloated bureaucracy that needs trimmingdown, along with term limits on legislators. We need to respect our immigration laws, and we should allow foreigners to work in our country under approved circumstances, green cards or whatever they’re called. But these workers wouldn’tget any of our country’sbenefits like insurance or healthcare. Iknow our agricultural farmers need them Andweshouldn’tlet our enemies like China buy land in our country Youcan’town property in China. Treat them like they treat us. We should buy them out and get rid of them.

Believeme, Trump’snot looking for anything other than straightening out this country and stopping world conflicts.

TOMLINGONI JR. Marrero

Football coaching salaries have gotten outofhand

Ihave afew thoughts regarding Brian Kelly’sfiring by LSU. Kelly’sbuyout is 90% of the remainingvalue of his bloated contract, which translates into $54 million,paid out monthly through 2031. To put that in terms somewhat easier to understand, that is $750,000 per month,or$175,000 per week, $25,000 per day! Let’s let that sink in for amoment while we imagine what some might call abetter use of these funds. How manyLouisianans earn these kinds of numbers in ayear,working multiple jobsand struggling to afford reliable day care?

While Ilove college and professional sports, these compensation packages and theirgolden parachutes are absolutely ridiculous. As an employee of apublic institution, alarge part of Kelly’ssalary is publicly funded, and now we get to keep payinghim forsix more years? Beforewehire another football coach, let’sthink about some performance criteria, especially in the first four to five seasons of a 10-year contract, to avoid having to pay someone whonolonger works for us.

AVAFARRAR NewOrleans

Majorcoastal moneyneeds to go to protection

Your editorial view on the coastal protection and restoration issues lacks the coverage of the “protection”aspectofthat subject There is only one way to provide theprotection that is critically needed for thecommunities being directly harmed by hurricane storm surge. Elevated structures are being constructed across the

globe to deal with sea-level rise and theeffects of weather events producing flood damage. Those supporting long-term projects based on questionable results are simply in error and ignorant of thetruth.

Why is this happening?

KENNETH RAGAS NewOrleans

Sen. Cassidy losesvoters dueto hypocrisy

Reading the newspaper,I was very surprised to see that U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy nominated President Donald Trumpfor the Nobel Peace Prize forhis actions regarding COVID. This is the epitome of hypocrisy and resultant Republican complicity and groveling.

Remember that Cassidy voted to impeach Trump. Now he is bending over backward, first by allowing Robert Kennedy Jr.to be appointed secretary,and the Nobel Peace Prize nomination. I voted forCassidy the last timebecause Irespected his principles. I take that all back.

AUBWARD Baton Rouge

Unintended side effect of misinformation helps thosewho seek vaccines

Heading into flu season, I’m up to date on my vaccinations. While getting the shots, Irealized aside benefit from the superb leadership of Gov.Jeff Landry, Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy: There is virtually no waitto get your vaccines. These gentlemen —alawyer, aveterinarian and aphysician —have successfully squelched demand forvaccinations in Louisiana.

Back in the day,when flu, pneumonia, COVID, shingles, RSV and measles used to be problematic, there werewait lines. Now you can just score that miracle drug, ivermectin, without aprescription if you get any symptoms. If these politicos can reduce the lines at grocery stores and the airport, perhaps by spreading someadditional misinformation, they could achieve even more.

DAVE WHIDDON NewOrleans

GAMEDAY

BU

lsuQb vanburen is experiencedatbeing thrust into difficult situations

BYKOKI RILEY staff writer

Messay Hailemariam had seen Michael VanBuren do it before.

Scrambling, creating, improvising. These were the hallmarks of VanBuren’splay during hissenior season at St.Frances Academy in Maryland, where he could make themost outofa less-than-ideal situation

Twoyears later,Hailemariam —Van Buren’s coach at St. Frances —watched him make thesametype of play again. The difference wasthistime he was at LSU and looking to snap the Tigers’three-game losing streak in hisfirst gameastheir startingquarterback. VanBuren scrambled to his right, flushed out of thepocket by an Arkansas defense that eliminated theinitial readsinhis progression.Itforced him tolook to the back of the end zone as he drifted toward the sideline. That’swhere he spotted fifth-year senior tight end Bauer Sharp. Perfect throw.Touchdown.

ä see LSU, page 2C

LSU GAMEDAY

Western Kentucky at LSU

6:45 p.m. Saturday, Tiger Stadium

TV: SEC Network | Line: LSU 22½ Radio: WDGL-FM, 98.1; WWL-AM, 870; WWL-FM, 105.3; KLWB-FM, 103.7

TEAM SCHEDULES

LSU

Date Opponent Time/TV

8.30 at Clemson W, 17-10

9.6 Louisiana Tech W, 23-7

9.13 Florida W, 20-17

9.20 Southeastern W, 56-10

9.27 at Ole Miss L, 19-24

10.11 South Carolina W, 20-10

10.18 at Vanderbilt L, 24-31

10.25 Texas A&M L, 25-49

11.8 at Alabama L, 9-20 11.15 Arkansas W, 23-22

DEPTH CHARTS

COACHES

9.6 at Toledo L, 21-445

9.20 Nevada W, 31-16 9.27 at Missouri State W, 27-22 10.3 at Delaware W, 27-24

10.14 FIU L, 6-25

10.21 at Louisiana Tech W, 28-27, OT

MICHAEL JOHNSON

By

LSU

Continued from page 1C

Once again, Van Buren had created something out of almost nothing, and the result was a onepoint lead for LSU after the extra point with 7:53 left to play LSU held on to win 23-22, giving the Tigers their first win in more than a month.

“I was proud of him,” LSU interim coach Frank Wilson said. “I thought he played admirably and got the game to a point where he was able to affect change and dictate for our football team.”

Van Buren and LSU will look to replicate that success Saturday when the Tigers host Western Kentucky in their final home game of the season (6:45 p.m., SEC Network). Van Buren will start in place of injured fifth-year senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier who was ruled out Thursday after missing last Saturday’s game with a reaggravated abdominal injury

His opportunity came suddenly, but Van Buren was prepared for the moment.

“When the opportunity presents itself, people don’t understand it’s not really luck,” Hailemariam said. “It’s just they’re prepared for the chance He was prepared, and he took advantage of the opportunity that was presented in front of him.”

This isn’t the first time Van Buren has been thrust into this kind of situation.

He had replaced injured starters twice before arriving at LSU, during his sophomore year at St Frances and his freshman year at Mississippi State. His opportunity at St. Frances eventually earned him a shot at playing in the Southeastern Conference. An injury to Mississippi State starter Blake Shapen opened the door for Van Buren to start eight games.

Both instances equipped him for this moment, when he replaced Nussmeier during LSU’s 20-9 loss to Alabama in the second half and started in Nussmeier’s stead last weekend.

“It’s an amazing, pleasant surprise for him,” Hailemariam said. “He deserves it. I’m not surprised, but what I mean by that is, I know that it’s difficult to start in an environment like in the SEC when it wasn’t planned, if that makes sense.”

Playing quarterback has been Van Buren’s goal since he was 8 years old, the time when Monique Walker remembers her son watching endless YouTube clips of NFL quarterbacks. The next year, he started working with his current personal quarterback coach, Russell Thomas. She always knew Van Buren was especially talented. So did Thomas. “(Thomas) saw Michael and saw Michael’s potential at such a young age,” Walker said “Michael already had the tools going into Russ. So Russ basically just critiqued everything for him and made him better.”

Among the quarterbacks Thomas works with is Chicago Bears starter and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams Through their mutual connection, Williams has worked out with Van Buren and offered advice to the fellow Maryland native.

“We texted a couple of times. I’ve asked him for advice sometimes,” Van Buren said. “So, I mean, he’s like a big brother.”

When the opportunity presents itself, people don’t understand it’s not really luck. It’s just they’re prepared for the chance. He was prepared, and he took advantage of the opportunity that was presented in front of him.”

MESSAy HAILEMARIAM, Van Buren’s former high school football coach

STAFF PREDICTIONS

WILSON ALEXANDER

LSU 33, WESTERN KENTUCKY 10

LSU should be able to score a little bit on Western Kentucky, which ranks 109th nationally with 175 yards rushing allowed per game. Sure, LSU hasn’t been able to take advantage of many mismatches this season, but there’s a talent gap between these teams and LSU ran the ball well against Arkansas Look for that to continue and the defense to have another good day.

REED DARCEY

LSU 27, WESTERN KENTUCKY 17

It got lost in the intrigue surrounding the coaching search, but the LSU defense played pretty well last week against an Arkansas offense that should have been able to exploit some of its vulnerabilities. Western Kentucky has a good offense, too. But the Tigers have too much size and talent for this one to turn into an upset, regardless of how poorly this season has gone for them.

Van Buren’s work with Thomas helped him thrive at St. Frances, but things started going sideways during his senior season. His starting running back and three offensive linemen tore their ACLs. Suddenly, Van Buren had to play in an offense that was ill-equipped to score points against a brutal schedule.

“He had a 14-year-old center He had a sophomore transfer that had never played football in his life and somebody else,” Hailemariam said, “and he was running for his life.

“We played a gauntlet of a schedule. Seven of our games were against top-15 teams in the country No other high school takes on that kind of a challenge.”

Facing that constant pressure in the pocket, Hailemariam believes, has helped Van Buren prepare for the next level. That experience has come in handy at LSU, where

SCOTT RABALAIS

LSU 30, WESTERN KENTUCKY 15

This game buries the needle on the anticlimactic meter given the opponent and circumstances That said, you play to win every time, and LSU has a chance to secure a winning season no matter what happens against Oklahoma and in a bowl The offense gets three touchdowns and three field goals, and a defense good enough to hold the Arkansas offense to 15 points does the same to the Hilltoppers

KOKI RILEY

LSU 24, WESTERN KENTUCKY 13

Unless Lane Kiffin shows up in Tiger Stadium standing next to Verge Ausberry it’s hard to imagine much drama around this matchup. The

By MICHAEL JOHNSON

STAFF

LSU quarterback Michael VanBuren takes in theatmosphere before agameagainst Arkansas on Nov. 15 at TigerStadium.

the offensive line has struggled throughout the season.

Starting left tackle Tyree Adamshas been out since injuringhis ankle during LSU’sloss to Vanderbilt. His replacement, freshman Carius Curne, was benched last weekend in favor of redshirt freshmanOry Williams, who started the game at right tackle.

Filling Williams’ spot at right tackle was redshirt freshman Weston Davis, thestarter at that spot for most of theseason until he was supplanted by Williams for the Alabama game.

“Itwas almost like ablessingindisguise,” Hailemariam said regarding the challenges VanBurenfaced as asenior,“and whathe went through and how he perseveredthrough it.”

VanBuren didn’texpecttofight for the starting job when he transferred toLSU fromMississippi State.

The Tigers already had areturning starter in place with Nussmeier,and VanBuren was more focusedonlooking for aplace wherehe could develop whilestayingwithin theSEC. Wilson said this year was supposed to be an “apprenticeship”for VanBuren.

“Weknew coming in that he was goingtobe thebackup,”Walker said. “Just likegoing into Mississippi State,weknew he was going to be the backup.”

When he became the starter at Mississippi State, Thomas believes VanBurenwas wedged into an offense that had toberetooledaround

his existing skill set. He didn’thavetimeto learn the nuances of playing theposition.

The hope of transferring to LSU, in part, was to develop those parts of his game,identifyingprotections andmakingcheckswithinan offense.

“Hecould have done thatwith(coach Jeff Lebby) at Mississippi State as well,”Thomas said. “He was just ayoung guy,and Jeff didn’t wanttokind of put too much on him.”

Butthe coacheswho recruitedhim,mentored him and toldhim that he could fight for the starting job at LSU in 2026 are no longer around.Coach Brian Kelly wasfiredthe Sunday after LSU’sloss to TexasA&M, aday before offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan also was let go.

Have those changes altered hisoutlook on hisfuture at LSU? On Tuesday,Van Buren made it clear that he wantstoremain at LSU. But Thomas andWalkerhaven’t been as definitive about what next season has in store for VanBuren.

“He hasn’tindicated any desire to kind of do anything other than, let’ssee what the coach is going to be here,” Thomas, who is alsoVan Buren’srepresentative, said. “The platform is the same. Thecompetition is the same. He’s not even thinking about those kinds of things.”

But wherever thefuture holds, VanBuren will be ready.He’salways been prepared for the moment.

“He’sready,”Walker said. “Hewas readyfor what was coming at him.”

LSUformallyfiresKelly in response to lawsuit

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

The LSU board of supervisors Friday authorized new school presidentWadeRousse to send former coach Brian Kelly writtennotice that he has beenfired, the first step in its response toalawsuit Kelly filed against the board. The topic was discussed during aprivate executive session that lasted around27minutes. Upon returning from the closed-door meeting, LSU board member JohnCarmouche asked the board to give Roussepermission “in consultation with general counsel to review and, if appropriate, send BrianKelly written notice of termination under hisemployment agreement.”

The motion was passed without an objection. Carmouche is the chairman of theathletics committee and has been akey figure in the buyout negotiations with Kelly’srepresentatives. Carmouche, Rousse andboard chairman

Scott Ballard declined further comment.

Kelly filed alawsuit Nov.10inthe 19thJudicial District for EastBaton Rouge Parishas thetwo sidesreached an impasseinbuyout negotiations. His attorneys alleged LSU took the position that he had not been “formally terminated” and that the school sought tofire himfor cause to avoid paying his nearly $54 million buyout.The lawsuit asked for adeclaratory judgment that Kelly has been fired without cause and is owed his full buyout.

Thelawsuit also claimed LSU said then-athleticdirector Scott Woodward didnot havethe authoritytofire Kellyatthe time. Woodward andthe school parted ways four days later after Gov.Jeff Landry criticized Woodward in a public news conference and said he would not hire the next head coach.

“Under Article VII, Section 1(L)(3) of the Board of Supervisors Bylaws, any personnel action relating to varsity athletics coaches with asalary over $250,000 requires board approval,” LSU said in astatementFriday

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

games TOP25 No. 1OhioSt. (10-0) vs.Rutgers(5-5), 11 a.m. No. 3Texas A&M (10-0) vs.Samford(1-10), 11 a.m No. 4Georgia (9-1) vs.Charlotte (1-9), 11:45a.m No. 6Oregon (9-1) vs.No. 16 USC(8-2), 2:30 p.m No. 8Oklahoma (8-2) vs.No. 23 Missouri (7-3), 11 a.m. No. 9Notre Dame (8-2) vs.Syracuse (3-7), 2:30p.m. No. 10Alabama (8-2) vs.Eastern Illinois (3-8), 1p.m. No. 11BYU (9-1) at Cincinnati (7-3),7 p.m. No.12Vanderbilt (8-2) vs.Kentucky (5-5), 2:30 p.m. No. 13Utah (8-2) vs.Kansas St. (5-5), 3p.m. No. 14Miami (8-2) at Va.Tech (3-7),11a.m. No. 16Georgia Tech (9-1) vs.Pittsburgh (7-3), 6p.m. No. 17Texas (7-3) vs.Arkansas (2-8), 2:30p.m. No. 18Mich.(8-2) at Maryland. (4-6), 3p.m. No. 20Tenn. (7-3) at Florida (3-7), 6:30

Fordham (1-10) at Merrimack (3-8),11a.m.

Tulsa(3-7) at Army(5-4), 11 a.m. Lehigh (11-0) at Lafayette (8-3), 11:30 a.m. Columbia(1-8)atCornell (4-5), noon Hampton (2-9) at Rhode Island(9-2), noon Princeton (3-6)atPenn (5-4), noon SC State (8-3)atDelaware St. (8-3), noon Bucknell (5-6)atColgate (4-7), noon Maine (6-5) at NewHampshire(7-4), noon St. Francis (Pa.) (0-10) at Stonehill (3-8), noon Campbell(2-9) at Towson (5-6), noon SacredHeart (8-3)atVillanova (8-2), noon Duquesne (6-5)atRobertMorris (3-8), 1p.m. Howard (4-7)vs. NorfolkSt. (1-10),2:30 p.m.

Tulane (8-2)atTemple (5-5), 2:45 p.m.

Holy Cross(2-9) vs.Georgetown (6-5), 3p.m. Michigan (8-2)atMaryland (4-6), 3p.m. Nebraska (7-3)atPenn St. (4-6), 6p.m. SOUTH Miami (8-2)atVirginia Tech (3-7), 11 a.m. Delaware (5-5)atWakeForest (7-3), 11 a.m.

at App. St.(4-6),1:30 p.m. Sam Houston St.(2-8) at Mid.Tenn.(1-9), 2p.m. South Florida (7-3)atUAB (3-7), 2p.m. Uconn (8-3)atFAU (4-6), 2p.m. Jacksonville St. (7-3)atFIU (5-5),2:30 p.m. Bethune-Cookman(5-6) vs.Florida A&M (55) at Orlando, Fla 2:30 p.m. Alcorn St. (5-6) at Jackson St.(8-2),2:30 p.m. Kentucky (5-5)atVanderbilt (8-2), 2:30 p.m.

So. Miss. (7-3) at So.Alabama (3-7),2:30 p.m.

Duke(5-5) at North Carolina(4-6),2:30 p.m.

Oklahoma St. (1-9)atUCF (4-6),3 p.m.

Georgia St. (1-9)atTroy(6-4),3 p.m. Coast. Car. (6-4) at So.Carolina(3-7),3:15 p.m. Furman (6-5)atClemson (5-5), 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh (7-3) at GeorgiaTech(9-1) 6p.m. Tennessee (7-3) at Florida (3-7), 6:30 p.m. MIDWEST Rutgers(5-5) at Ohio St. (10-0),11a.m. Kansas (5-5)atIowaSt. (6-4), 11 a.m. Minnesota (6-4) at NW (5-5), 11 a.m.

S. Illinois (6-5) at IllinoisSt. (8-3),noon

THENATION

THINGS TO WATCHINWEEK13

OKLAHOMA FACESFBS’TOP RUSHER

No. 8Oklahoma and its fourth-ranked rushing defense will seek to maintain College Football Playoff placement against FBS-leadingrusher Ahmad Hardyand No. 23 Missouri on Saturday.Hardy has rushed for 1,346yards in 10 games for Missouri.The Sooners allow just82.2yards per game on theground.Two of the SEC’sbest receivers willbeonopposite sidelines —Missouri’sKevin Colemanand OU’sIsaiah Sategna. Coleman has 56 catches for600 yards and one touchdown. Sategna has53catches for 718 yards and five TDs

USC-OREGON AMARQUEE MATCHUP

SouthernCalifornia will needtoovercome its road woes in big games against Oregonifit hopestostayontrack to secure aspot in the CFP.USC has largely fallen shortinbig gamesonthe road since joiningthe BigTen. The Trojans are 2-2 away from home thisseason.For Oregon, the stakes are also high. Lose to USC and the Ducks are out of the playoff, and the slimchances of asecondstraight Big Tentitle —shouldIndiana or OhioState dip in the final twogamesofthe season —also vanish

GA.TECHEYESACC TITLE-GAME SHOT

The yellowJacketscan clinch aspot in theACC championship game with awin overPitta week before their rivalrygame against No.4Georgia. Pitt is among fourone-loss teams in the ACCstandings.The yellowJackets have thenation’s No. 1offense, but theirdefense gave up acombined 11 scoring drivesof75-plusyards in a loss to NC State and awin overBostonCollege Pittsburgh clings to ACCtitle-game hopes, seeking itsthird trip to the ACCtitle game under coach PatNarduzzi, while GeorgiaTechis aiming for its first appearance since2014.

—AssociatedPress

OleMisscoachLane Kiffinwaitsfor aplayashis offense battlesLSU in the first quarter of agameonSept.27atVaught Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.Kiffin’sfutureatOle Miss is still murky

LSUshouldplaywaiting game

Some patience is needed forKiffindecision…for now

Everyone was waiting forwhitesmoke Friday regarding Lane Kiffin,his status going forward at Ole Miss and his potential move to LSU.

1. TEXASA&M

Record: 10-0 overall, 7-0 SEC

Previous rank:1

Last week:DefeatedSouth Carolina 31-30

Thisweek:vs. Samford, 11 a.m. Saturday (SECNetwork+)

2. GEORGIA

Record:9-1 overall, 7-1 SEC

Previous rank:3

Last week:DefeatedTexas35-10

Thisweek:vs. Charlotte,11:45 a.m. (SEC Network)

3. OLEMISS

Record:10-1 overall, 6-1 SEC

Previous rank:4

Last week:DefeatedFlorida 34-24

Thisweek: Idle

4. OKLAHOMA

Record:8-2 overall, 4-2 SEC

Previous rank:5

Last week:DefeatedAlabama 23-21

Thisweek:vs. Missouri, 11 a.m. Saturday (ABC)

5. ALABAMA

Record:8-2 overall, 6-1 SEC

Previous rank:2

Last week:Lost to Oklahoma23-21

Thisweek:vs. Eastern Illinois, 1p.m. Saturday(SECNetwork+)

6. VANDERBILT

Record:8-2 overall, 4-2 SEC

Previous rank:7

Last week:Idle

Thisweek:vs. Kentucky,2:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN)

7. TEXAS

Record:7-3 overall, 4-2 SEC

Previous rank:6

Last week:Lost to Georgia 35-10

Thisweek:vs.Arkansas, 2:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC)

8. TENNESSEE

Record:7-3 overall, 3-3 SEC

Previous rank:8

Last week:DefeatedNew Mexico State42-9

Thisweek:atFlorida, 6:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC)

9. MISSOURI

Record:7-3 overall, 3-3 SEC

Previous rank:9

Last week:DefeatedMississippi State 49-27

Thisweek:atOklahoma, 11 a.m. Saturday (ABC)

10.KENTUCKY

Scott Rabalais

What we got was gray smoke. The kind of smoke that obscures your vision and leaves you to try to figure out what’sthere. On Friday,asexpected, Kiffin met with Ole Miss athletic director KeithCarter and, accordingtothe school, Ole Miss chancellor Glenn Boyce. After emerging from that meeting,Ole Miss released astatement Friday afternoon from Carter —notably not from Kiffin or Boyce—saying Kiffinwill coach the Rebels in next Friday’s regular-season finale at Mississippi State. The statement concluded with this sentence from Carter: “An announcementon Coach Kiffin’sfuture is expected the Saturdayfollowing thegame.”

Allow me to make afew inferences and draw afew conclusions:

•Ibelieve Kiffin is leavingOle Missafter the Egg Bowl againstMississippi State He’shad acontract extension offer from the school for some time now andhasn’t signed it. Friday’sannouncement would have been theperfect opportunitytosay Kiffinisstaying, but thatwas no part of Carter’sstatement. In other words, two words: He’sgone.

•Ole Miss wants Kiffin to coach the Egg Bowl to give the Rebels the bestchance to make theCollege Football Playofffor the first time. If the Rebels beat thearchrival Bulldogs, they’re 11-1 and definitely in the CFP.IfOle Miss loses,especially if paired

with the prospect of Kiffin no longer being its coach, the CFP selection committee couldhold that against theRebels, knocking them out of the 12-team CFP.The Rebels are currently No. 6inthe CFP. We just saw Alabama tumble six spotstoNo. 10 after losing 23-21 to current No. 8Oklahoma. Imagine how many spots thecommittee might drop Ole Miss if it loses?

•Will Ole Miss players stand for this, willing to play one more game for acoach who they have to believe is bailing on them? That may be afaulty assumption on Ole Miss’ part. We shall see.

•There is no doubt Kiffin is LSU’stop choice to be its next coach and that school officials believe theinterest is mutual. Accordingtosome excellent reporting Friday by ourWilson Alexander,LSU is willing to wait abit longer for acommitment from Kiffin butmay start pushing for that word as early as Sunday

•Isitreally worth it for LSU to continue to wait for Kiffin through all of this drama? There are issues. He has been pilloried in thenational media for considering leaving Ole Miss on thecusp of itsfirst CFPberth. If he leaves for LSU, both Kiffin and LSU mayget hammered over this move. It’s ahuge caution light for LSUthat Kiffin is even contemplating this movetobegin with, though Tulane coach Jon Sumrall is in somewhat similar circumstances and no oneisblasting him. Kiffin’stenure at LSU could beNick Saban’stime at LSUall over again,when there were rumors every year that he would leave for theNFL until he finally didafter the2004 season.

•All that said, considering where LSU hascome from with thedebacle and controversy involving Brian Kelly’sfiring,

athletic director Scott Woodward’sfiring, Gov.Jeff Landry’sinvolvementand the missteps by new LSUpresidentWade Rousse over whether Verge Ausberry would be thepermanent AD,yes, LSU should stay the course. Kiffin is the biggest fish out there, not only aproven winner but awinner in the Southeastern Conference. By waiting, LSU runs therisk that Kiffin may still stay at Ole Miss, may choose Florida(that appears unlikely now)orwho knows, may covet theAlabama job if,as has been reported, Kalen DeBoer goes to PennState, where he may be its top target. Despite all that, Kiffin gives LSU the best chance to win and is worth the risks.

•But patience withKiffin should not be limitless. If I’m Ausberry and LSU, I’m giving Kiffin afirm deadline to decide whether he’scoming to BatonRouge. Like midnight next Saturday after theEgg Bowl. After that, LSU has to moveonto its next candidate, who our reporting says is Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz. Drink, or another candidate, wouldn’twin as many heartsand minds among LSU’sfan base as Kiffin would. ButIthink he would winlots of games. LSU also would have to moveon because thestartofthe early national signing period is Wednesday,Dec. 3, followed closely by theopening of college football’s transfer portal window on Jan. 2. Is it an ideal situation for LSU to be in?

Hardly.But coaching searches are frequently messy.And perilous. With great risk can comegreat reward. That’sthe game, the waiting game, LSU is playing with Kiffin.

Email Scott Rabalais at srabalais@ theadvocate.com

Record:5-5 overall, 2-5 SEC

Previous rank:10

Last week:DefeatedTennesseeTech 42-10

Thisweek:atVanderbilt, 2:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN)

11.LSU

Record:6-4 overall, 3-4 SEC

Previous rank:11

Last week:DefeatedArkansas 23-22

Thisweek:vs.Western Kentucky,6:45 p.m. Saturday(SECNetwork)

12.AUBURN

Record:4-6 overall, 1-6 SEC

Previous rank:12

Last week:Idle

Thisweek:vs. Mercer,1 p.m. Saturday(SEC Network+)

13.MISSISSIPPI STATE

Record:5-6 overall, 1-6 SEC

Previous rank:13

Last week:Lost to Missouri 49-27

Thisweek:Idle

14.SOUTH CAROLINA

Record:3-7 overall, 1-7 SEC

Previous rank:14

Last week:Lost to Texas A&M 31-30

Thisweek:vs. Coastal Carolina, 3:15 p.m. Saturday(SECNetwork)

15.ARKANSAS

Record:2-8 overall, 0-6 SEC

Previous rank:15

Last week:Lost to LSU23-23

Thisweek:atTexas, 2:30 p.m.

16.FLORIDA

Previous

NO TIME TO RELAX

BY GUERRY SMITH

Contributing writer

Instead of engaging in pointless politicking ahead of the latest College Football Playoff rankings release, Tulane coach Jon Sumrall went the opposite route.

He trashed his own team

Nine hours before the selection committee revealed a clear path to hosting the American Conference championship game and earning a playoff berth by naming Tulane the best Group of Five school in the land, he labeled the Green Wave “average” when asked if it deserved its top 25 spot in the polls. Then he elaborated

Saints quarterback Taysom Hill runs past Atlanta Falcons cornerback Clark Phillips on Jan. 7, 2024, in the Caesars Superdome. Hill has since moved to tight end, but remains a versatile option in the Saints offense.

“If you start to pat yourself on the back and get real comfortable, that’s when you get absolutely crushed in football or life. ”

JON SUMRALL,Tulane coach

“There are some days I feel like we’re one of the bottom 25 teams in the country watching us play,” Sumrall said.

It was never in the game at Ole Miss, losing 45-10 to a probably playoff-bound team whose average margin of victory against its other seven FBS victims since the start of September is only eight points.

Sumrall knows Tulane (8-2, 5-1) needs to be on red alert when it plays at Temple (5-5, 3-3) on Saturday You could make the case the Wave has produced only one championship half out of 10 away from home It struggled early and late while winning 33-31 at South Alabama, which is 3-7.

“If we want to start feeling comfortable or casual about somebody wanting to vote us in the top 25, there must be a lot of really bad football being played. We can promote ourselves and embarrass ourselves, and we’ve done that before.”

Saints finding comfort zone in using Hill during key moments

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

It capitalized on an unforced fumble inside Tulane territory late in the first half to go ahead of Tulsa 21-14 on the way to a penalty-plagued, sloppy 31-14 victory against an opponent that remains winless in league play It allowed Texas-San Antonio quarterback Owen McCown to complete a school-record 93.9% of his passes (31 of 33) in a 48-26 loss.

See TULANE, page 7C

ä See HILL, page 6C

together to the point where we could just rely on one of our best playmakers to go out there and make great decisions and put us in position to win,” tight end Foster Moreau said. That final drive spanned 14 plays, 11 before three kneel-downs to chew up the final two minutes of game clock. Hill was on the field for nine of those first 11 snaps, often with the ball in his hands. And it was Hill who delivered two of the most crucial plays on the drive, twice gaining 5 yards to convert third and 4 with a read-option keeper to keep the

LSU continues to target Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin in its search for a new head coach, multiple sources told The Advocate on Friday, and it is waiting on an answer from him that may not come for another week. Kiffin had a meeting Friday with Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter and university chancellor Glenn Boyce as Ole Miss sought clarity about his decision. Afterward, Carter said an announcement on Kiffin’s future is expected to come the day after No. 6 Ole Miss plays rival Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl next Friday

“Despite the outside noise, coach Kiffin is focused on preparing our team for the Egg Bowl,” Carter said in a statement posted on X, “and together, we want to ensure that our players and coaches can concentrate fully on next Friday’s game.”

LSU’s other primary target in the search at the moment is Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz, sources said. When asked Wednesday whether his representation has been contacted by LSU, Drinkwitz declined to comment. Drinkwitz, 42, has a

57-28 record in seven seasons at Appalachian State and Missouri. LSU decision-makers have wanted to remain patient during the search process, but sources said LSU will begin pushing for a commitment starting Sunday as it heads into the final week of the regular season.

Kiffin and Drinkwitz emerged as primary targets as LSU narrowed its search over the past month after the firing of Brian Kelly

On Monday, a private plane arranged by LSU officials brought several of Kiffin’s family members, including his ex-wife Layla Kiffin, to Baton Rouge for a tour of the city His family visited Gainesville, Florida, the day before. Kiffin’s representatives met with Florida athletic officials Thursday night, according to 247Sports. Ole Miss has an open date this weekend before it plays Mississippi State. At 10-1, the Rebels are headed toward their first College Football Playoff appearance. They would almost certainly make the 12-team field with one more win, and they could host a first-round game Dec. 19 or 20 if they are ranked outside the top four LSU would be open to Kiffin coaching in the playoff, sources said, but it is unclear whether Ole Miss would let him if he intends to leave for another job after the season.

Saints wary of Falcons RB duo

BY LUKE JOHNSON AND MATTHEW PARAS Staff writers

The Atlanta Falcons will take the Caesars Superdome turf Sunday without their starting quarterback or their top pass catcher.

But that hardly means the cupboard is bare, and the New Orleans Saints are certainly not underestimating the difficulty of stopping Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier Atlanta’s talented backfield duo.

Notebook

“It’s definitely a dynamic tandem, and they complement each other extremely well,” Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley said. “And then they play them together quite a bit, which I think is the sign of a great tandem. Definitely one of the strongest points of their team.” Robinson, the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is one of the league’s most explosive and difficult to tackle backs. He enters the Week 12 game against the Saints ranked No. 7 in the NFL in rushing (783 yards) and tied for fifth among running backs in yards per carry (5.0).

He’s already broken 17 tackles this season and is averaging a career-best 2.5 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Reference. And he hasn’t just produced as a runner: His 506 yards receiving this season are already a careerhigh, and he leads all NFL running backs with 10.8 yards per reception (minimum: 20 receptions).

Robinson may be the headliner, but the Saints may know better than any other team how dangerous Allgeier can be.

In five career games against the Saints, Allgeier has averaged 69.2 yards per game and 6.7 yards per carry — more than he has against any other team that he’s faced more than once.

A 2022 fifth-rounder, the 5-10, 225-pound Allgeier represents a punishing complement in style to the slashing Robinson

“Allgeier is a hell of a player I think he’s very underrated,” Staley said.

Injury report

Taliese Fuaga was a limited participant in practice the last two days,

but the Saints aren’t quite ready to say whether the offensive lineman will be available for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.

The Saints listed Fuaga as questionable with an ankle injury He was one of three players to be given the questionable tag, joining running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) and tackle Barry Wesley (hip).

Fuaga has been hurt since a Nov. 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams when he exited the game late with a high-ankle sprain. He then missed the following week, a win over the Carolina Panthers.

If Fuaga can play the Saints likely would regain their starting right tackle. But coach Kellen Moore also left open the possibility that Fuaga could still be active Sunday and available only in an emergency-type setting, something the team did with Trevor Penning earlier this season.

The Falcons, meanwhile, had 21 players on their injury report and listed three out: Wide receiver Drake London (knee), defensive tackle

game back, but only one of his first 18 touches went for an explosive play and the overwhelming majority were snuffed out for next to nothing.

wick on the clock burning.

“He was a big part of that (drive),” offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier said And it was also the first time this season that Hill was able to affect a game in the way he’d done throughout his career before an injury ended his 2024 season.

Hill is nearing the anniversary of when he tore his ACL against the Los Angeles Rams. He missed the offseason and training camp, and was on the physically unable to perform list for the first four weeks of the season That time away made things more challenging. Not only was Hill, 34, attempting to play highlevel football again after an injury that could have ended his career, but because of his rare skills and the fact that he could not practice until a few days before his season debut, his firstyear coaching staff had to figure out how to fit him into the offense on the fly.

There were theories and action plans but no way to put them into motion until Hill got back on the field.

“We knew he’d be a big piece of it,” Nussmeier said. “For us, it’s been an adjustment to figure out how best to use him.”

That played out in Hill’s first five games back. He played a total of 44 offensive snaps. When he did have the ball in his hands, it didn’t always look right. Hill scored a touchdown in his second

But New Orleans stuck with him and reaped the benefits against Carolina. Some of it was dictated by game situation, but Hill played a season-high 25 snaps and recorded a seasonhigh seven carries. The numbers aren’t attention-grabbing (22 yards, 2.9 yards per carry), but the impact was there.

“We’ve found the last few weeks a little bit better ways in which we can utilize him,” head coach Kellen Moore said “His unique trait is his ability to play so many different positions and it’s just about connecting all those dots. I like the way he played the last couple weeks.”

It would seem to make sense for Hill to get more opportunities this week against a team he has hounded throughout his career Hill has had more success against the Atlanta Falcons than any other team, no matter the role.

As a runner, Hill has turned his 72 carries against Atlanta into 476 yards and six TDs. As a receiver, he’s caught each of his 12 targets for 136 yards and a TD. He’s carved up the Falcons as a passer, completing 76% of his attempts for 702 yards, four touchdowns and a 122.2 passer rating. As a team, the Saints have gone 11-6 against the Falcons when Hill plays at least one snap.

New Orleans would like to tap into more of Hill’s history this weekend.

Zach Harrison (knee) and cornerback

Billy Bowman (Achilles). Another five are listed as questionable.

Not yet released

The Saints technically ruled out Brandin Cooks for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, even though they announced he had been waived days earlier.

What’s going on?

Cooks has yet to be officially released and hit the league’s waiver wire as the veteran wide receiver and the Saints work on readjusting his contract, Moore said Friday “They’re just finalizing the contract portion, working with the league just to make sure everything’s all good to go for all parties,” Moore said.

Moore said Wednesday that Cooks asked to be released, and the Saints were willing to grant that as long as the two sides could rework his deal. Cooks, New Orleans’ first-round pick in 2014, rejoined the franchise this offseason on a two-year, $13 million contract

with $7.75 million guaranteed.

The reunion did not work out as envisioned. Cooks appeared frustrated with his role as he caught only 19 passes for 165 yards in 10 games. After he was not moved at the trade deadline, Cooks said he still had a “fire” to be involved and make plays. He said he felt like he could contribute at a high level.

“I’m not just a guy that’s a vet, that’s like, ‘Oh, I’m good. I’m just glad to be playing football,’ “ Cooks said last week.

Despite a lack of production, the Saints did value Cooks’ leadership. Players voted him as a captain before the season and the wide receiver hosted a group of players — including quarterback Tyler Shough — for two separate throwing sessions in the offseason.

Moore said the team could “potentially” name a new captain to replace Cooks for the second half of the season.

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@ theadvocate.com.

Baylor is keeping football coach Aranda another season WACO, Texas Baylor addressed questions about football coach Dave Aranda’s future on Friday with the school’s president saying that the Bears are keeping their sixth-year coach.

Baylor (5-5) has lost three of its last four games, and has to win one of its remaining two games to get bowl eligible.

The 49-year-old Aranda hadn’t been a head coach before being hired by Baylor in January 2020. Aranda had been the defensive coordinator at LSU, which was coming off an undefeated national championship season.

After going 12-2 in 2021, the Bears slipped to 6-7 in 2022 after losing their last four games, then went 3-9 in 2023. A loss to LSU in the Texas Bowl gave them an 8-5 record last season.

Novak takes one-shot lead into weekend at PGA event

ST SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Andrew Novak took advantage of more benign weather Friday and the absence of the pressure facing so many others in the PGA Tour’s season finale. He had a 7-under 65 on the Plantation Course at Sea Island to take a one-shot lead into the weekend.

Novak has gone three months without competition dating to the Tour Championship, the culmination of a breakthrough year Novak shot a 61 on Seaside in the opening round and followed that with a 65 to reach 16-under 126.

Even so, his place on the PGA Tour is set for next year And having reached the Tour Championship, he’s also in all the majors and $20 million signature events.

Defending champion Italy returns to Davis Cup final BOLOGNA, Italy Two-time defending champion Italy reached the Davis Cup final after Flavio Cobolli beat Zizou Bergs of Belgium 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (15) after saving seven match points in a dramatic semifinal on Friday

The 17-15 final set tiebreak was the sixth longest in Davis Cup history Cobolli gave Italy a 2-0 lead without needing the doubles contest.

Italy is riding a 13-time winning streak and meets the winner of Saturday’s semifinal between Germany and Spain, which is without injured No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The Davis Cup Final 8 is the sixth edition of the revamped event that has the champion decided at a neutral site.

McCann, Diamondbacks agree to one-year contract

PHOENIX The Arizona Diamondbacks are bringing back catcher James McCann on a $2.75 million, one-year deal, according to a person familiar with the agreement. The sides agreed Thursday to the contract, which also includes the potential to earn up to $500,000 in bonuses.

The 35-year-old McCann signed with the D-backs in June and provided solid production, batting .260 with five homers and 17 RBIs. He was also good with the team’s young pitchers, including Ryne Nelson and Brandon Pfaadt.

A 2019 All-Star with the Chicago White Sox, McCann will be playing his 13th season in the big leagues. He has a .242 career batting average and 97 homers.

Thitikul takes 3-shot lead in LPGA season finale NAPLES Fla. Jeeno Thitikul putted for birdie on every hole Friday in a performance worthy of the No 1 player in women’s golf giving her a 9-under 63 for a threeshot lead in the CME Group Tour Championship as the Thai star closes in on another $4 million payoff and LPGA player of the year Thitikul, the defending champion, was at 14-under 130. Thitikul is leading the pointsbased award for LPGA player of the year The only player who can catch her is Women’s British Open champion Miyuu Yamashita of Japan, who shot a 69 and was nine shots behind going into the weekend.

Thitikul and Yamashita are the only players with multiple victories this year

GAMEDAY

Tulane back on topofconference

BY GUERRYSMITH Contributing writer

Four teams stillhave arealistic shot at theAmerican Conference championshipgame with twoweeksleft, but acoach on the outside looking in —Temple’sK.C. Keeler —put it bestwhen talking about the league’sCollege Football Playoff possibilities.

In his words, American should produce thedefault representative in thebracket almost every yearbecauseits top teams simply play at ahigherlevel than the contenders in the other Group of Five conferences.Boise State of the MountainWest was an outlier last season, clearly earning itsspot in the inaugural12-team field witha nastydefense and Heisman Trophy runner-upAshton Jeanty at running back.

This year,the American owns half of the GroupofFive’s10wins against PowerFouropponents.

In Keeler’sview,Tulane, North Texas, Navy and East Carolina all have astrong case for the playoff berthifone of them emergesas champion

61.19%,2,195 yards, 12 TDs, 4INTs

64.29%,201 yards, 2TDs,2INTs

28 catches, 443yards,15.82

PREDICTION

TULANE 30,TEMPLE 24: With the exceptionofthe firsthalfatMemphis, Tulane simply hasnot played well on theroadthisseason, andvastly improved Temple will do everything in itspower to spoilthe GreenWave’s dreampathtothe CollegeFootball Playoff. This onecould come down to fourth-quarterexecution,where Wave quarterbackJakeRetzlafftypically excels.His winningpedigree, the availability of linebackerSam Howard andaspeed advantageonbothsides of theballwillpropelTulanetoa massivelyimportant victory.

Guerry Smith

Here are the latest power rankings:

1. Tulane

Record: 8-2(5-1 American)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: defeated Florida Atlantic 35-24

This week: at Temple, 2:45 p.m. Saturday(ESPNU)

Extrapoints: When Tulane lost 4826 to Texas-San Antonio on Oct. 30,noone could have foreseen the clearpathitwould have to the College Football Playoff three weeks later.The Green Wave is catching abreak in atricky gameinPhiladelphia. Thetemperature is predicted to be above 50 degrees at kickoff.

2. NorthTexas

Record: 9-1(5-1 American)

Previous rank: 3

Last week: defeated UAB 52-24

This week: at Rice, 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

Extra points: The metricsfavor theMean Green by aconsiderable amount over theWave even thoughschedule strength does not. Ifboth teamswin their final twogames,North Texaswilltry to emulate SMU from 2023 and prove it is the better team.

3. East Carolina

Record: 7-3(5-1 American)

Previous rank: 5

Lastweek: defeated Memphis3127

This week: at Texas-San Antonio, 2:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN+)

Extrapoints: Temple’sKeeler made thecaseEastCarolinamight be the best teaminthe league. His viewpoint is understandable considering how the Pirates hammered theOwls48-14.Theyalso handed Army its mostlopsided loss of the year by along way (286) and lead the American in scoringdefense.

4. Navy

Record: 8-2, 6-1 American)

Previous rank: 6

Last week: defeated SouthFlorida 41-38

This week: off

Extra points: Navy can clinch a

TULANE

Continued from page5C

It nearlyallowed Memphis to recover froma 35-17 halftime deficit, holding on to win 38-32 when alongfourth-downpassbarely failed to connect near the goal line with 1:55 left.

Aside from the dominant first halfat Liberty Stadium, when Jake Retzlaff threwfor three scores and ranfor another,none of thoseperformances were good enoughtoassure awin against Temple

“As soon as youstart to feel goodabout whereyou are or what you’redoing, pride comes before thefall,”Sumrall said. “Ifyou start to pat yourselfonthe back and get real comfortable, that’s when you get absolutely crushed in football or life. We need to continue to have humility,put the work in, play with achip on our shoulder andhaveanedge about us.When I’ve seen us do that, we’rea better team. When I’ve seen us not do that, we’re areally badteam.”

share of the regular-season championship by winning at Memphis on Thanksgiving night. It will be no easy task. The Midshipmen have lost fourinarow at Liberty Stadiumtothe Tigers. Their last victory there was in 2015.

5. SouthFlorida

Record: 7-3 (4-2 American)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: lost to Navy 41-38

This week: at UAB,2 p.m.Saturday (ESPN+)

Extrapoints: The Bulls looked poorly coached on defending the option in acrushingdefeat that took themfromGroup of Five college football playoff frontrunner to American also-ran. They were burned for threeplays of 64-plus yards and could notstopbackup quarterback BraxtonWoodson when it mattered.

6. Memphis

Record: 8-3 (4-3 American)

Previous rank: 4

Last week: lost to East Carolina 31-27

This week: off

Extrapoints: After excruciating lossestoTulane andEastCarolina, theonly thingthe Tigers have going for them is an FBS-best 51-game streak of scoring20or more points.That’snot therallying cryTigersfansenvisioned when Memphisrallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat SouthFlorida on Oct. 25.

7. Army

Record: 5-4 (3-3 American)

Previous rank: 7

Last week: off

This week: at Tulsa, 11 a.m. Saturday (CBS SportsNetwork)

Extrapoints: The Black Knights have won fouroffive sincegetting clobbered by EastCarolina, and the lone defeat required an improvisedfourth-and-long touchdown pass fromTulane’sJake Retzlaff

Tulane needs theRetzlaff who dominated Memphis early to show up at Lincoln Financial Field. He has been American Conference offensive player of the week twice and on the honor roll another four times,but fiveofthosementions came after games at Yulman Stadium. Beforefacing the Tigers, he was amodest 49 of 99 (49.5%) for 517 yards (129.3average) with two touchdown passes and two interceptionsinfour games away from home.

“When we’replaying like we shouldplay, thenwe’re no doubt oneofthe top 25 teams in the country,” Retzlaff said.“Forusit’sabout provingthatweek after week.Just talkingabout it is not going to do anything. Youhave to show up every day readytoget better.”

Even Templecoach K.C. Keeler noted Tulane’sup-and-down nature, departing from standard coach-speak extollingonly an opponent’s virtues.

“Interestingly,they’ve been very inconsistent,”hesaid. “I thinkthatprobablyfrustrates their coaching staff because there’stimes, when against Memphis, they dominated, and then all

to Bryce Bohanon afterthe twominutetimeout. Theyhaveheld their past four victims to 17 points or fewer

8. Temple

Record: 5-5 (3-3 American)

Previous rank: 8

Last week: off This week: vs.Tulane, 2:45 p.m. Saturday (ESPNU)

Extrapoints: Except for the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, no team this century has committed fewer than five turnovers. Temple, which needs awin for bowl eligibility,has lost onefumble and thrown one interceptionwith two gamesleftina race with equally protectiveUConn forhistoric ball security.

9. Texas-SanAntonio

Record: 5-5 (3-3 American)

Previous rank: 9

Last week: defeated Charlotte 28-7

This week: vs. East Carolina, 2:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN+)

Extrapoints: The most interesting game in theleague this weekend will notbeonlinear TV.Can the Roadrunners extend their 23gamehome conference winning streak to 24 and endthe Pirates’ championship hopes? Don’t bet against it. UTSA outscoredRice and Tulane 109-39.

10.Florida Atlantic

Record: 4-6(3-4 American)

Previous rank: 10

Last week: lost to Tulane 35-24

This week: vs. Connecticut, 2p.m Saturday (ESPN+)

Extra points: The Owls can strike another blow forthe league. UConn is 8-3 but lost to Rice in double overtime on Oct. 25. FAUhas the quarterback (Caden Veltkamp) andthe receivers (a slew of them) to upset the Huskies if Veltkamp, thenation’sinterceptions leader, avoids giveaways.

11.Rice

Record: 5-5 (2-4 American)

Previous rank: 11

Last week: off

This week: vs. NorthTexas,

of asudden they were at aloss in the second half. They’ve been erratic, but when they put it together,they are as good as anyone in theleague.”

Tulane has allowed 1,134 yards passing and eight scoring tosses in its past three games, aconcern heading into amatchup with Temple’sEvanSimon, whose 22 touchdown passes are one off theAmerican lead. Although the Wave intercepted Caden Veltkamp three times lastSaturday Simon has been picked offjust once all year

“Wetooka smallstep forward (against FAU),but we leftalot of things out there andmessedupa lot of things,” Tulane linebacker Chris Rodgers said. “I really don’t thinkweare playing our best.”

Sumrall viewed the defensive performance the sameway,citing Isaiah Wadsworth’soutstanding interception near thegoal line and LJ Green’sbreakup of adeep ball as examples of backups excelling but lamenting plays like receiver Easton Messer’s50-yard catch and run in the first half

“There were some positives and at timesthere were some nega-

6:30 p.m.Saturday (ESPNU)

Extrapoints: Rice likely cannot score enough to keep up with NorthTexas,but this onebears watching forTulane fans.The Owls average211.1 yardsonthe ground with their option attack —17th best in the FBS. The Mean Greenallows202.7 —the ninthworst total.

12.Tulsa

Record: 3-7(0-6 American)

Previous rank: 13

Last week: defeated Oregon State 31-14

This week: at Army,11a.m.Saturday (CBS Sports Network)

Extrapoints: Youread in this space Tulsa would end its fivegameskid, and it cruised to a31-0 fourth-quarter lead in dispatching Oregon State. The next step is winningaconferencegame,but it likely will nothappenatArmy. The season finale vs. UAB should do the trick.

13.UAB

Record: 3-7(1-5 American)

Previous rank: 12

Last week: lost to North Texas 5324

This week: at South Florida, 2p.m. Saturday (ESPN+)

Extra points: The good news is quarterback Jalen Kitna returned frominjury to throwfor 281 yards against North Texas. The bad news is theBlazerstrailed 28-0 early anyway.Good luck facing the angry Bulls, whose average of 41.6 point is atickbehind North Texas.

14.Charlotte

Record: 1-9(0-7 American)

Previous rank: 14

Last week: lost to Texas-San Antonio 28-7

This week: at Georgia, 11:45 a.m. Saturday (SEC Network) Extra points: Hidethe women and children. Charlotte, which has yet to lose by single digits this year, gets adatebetween thehedges. No matter howflat the Bulldogs are, they can name the score. This one could get really ugly

tives,” Sumrall said. “There is a lot to clean up.” Temple is playingfor bowl eligibility on seniorday in whathas been aturnaround season under Keeler,who inherited ateam that had not wonmore than three timesina yearsince 2019. Three of theOwls’ six conferencegames have been decided by one point. If Sumrall is on edge, it is understandable. He knows what is at stake even while loath to talk about it, insisting he does not care about Tulane’sNo. 24 CFP ranking. If Tulane beats Temple, only a homegame against hapless Charlotte is standing in front of the Wave clinchingthe host rolefor the American Conference title matchup with the prize of aplayoff berth at the end.

If it loses, it would be one of the mostdeflating moments in school history “Wehave to go on the road and play well,” Sumrall said. “This late in the year you have to keep getting better. We have notarrived. We have not played our best yet, and we have to continue to strive forthat.”

THE VARISTY ZONE

Double thethreat

Karr QB Johnson dominatesJesuiton ground,through theair

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

TheEdnaKarrplaybook hasseveral designed runs for dual-threat quarterback John Johnson,but his most successful runs cameon a pair of drop backs

His two rushing touchdowns in the second quartersparkeda run of scoring drives that lifted the top-seeded Cougars overNo. 17-seeded Jesuit 39-13 in aDivision Iselect second-round playoff game Friday at Morris F.X. Jeff Sr Park in Algiers. Johnson finished with six total touchdowns (three rushing, three passing) in awin that advanced Karr (10-0) to face No. 8-seeded Evangel Christian in the quarterfinals next week. Karr will be the home team.

“He bailed us out in the first half, especially with his legs,” Karr coach Brice Brown said of Johnson. “Wehad alot of missedassignments and alot of pressuresthat we weren’tanticipating. That’s the point of having one of thebest quarterbacks in the nation, dualthreat wise, to pass the ball and to run it with his legs.”

Johnson ran 29 yardsfor his first touchdown on athird-and-12 play when he looked to pass before

scrambling around the right endto run untouched to the endzone. The next touchdown came on a20-yard run after he corralled ahigh shotgun snapand weaved through the Jesuit defense to the end zone.

Neither play appeared to be a designed run, but the Washington State commitment made the most of his chances as the reigning state champion Cougars ran their statebest winning streak to 24 games.

Johnson finished with 17 carries for 185 yards and three touchdowns as he completed15of20 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns. He threw two touchdown passes to Greg Wilfred (six catches, 114 yards) andone to Floyd Jones. Johnson ran 11 yards for atouchdown in the third quarter

“They were dropping eight (defenders),”Johnson said. “When they’re dropping eight, usually there’snobody on the quarterback, so Ijust took thegaps.”

Karr defensivelineman Richard Anderson reached theJesuit quarterback for apair of sacks before halftime. TheBlue Jays ended the half with only three first downs. Maurice Williamsplayedclose coverage on top of Jesuit wideout Roman Larre.

Afake punt pass attemptbythe upback from near midfield fell incompletefor aturnover on downs that set up the touchdown that made thescore 20-0 before halftime. Karr widened the lead to 26-0 in the thirdquarter Jesuit(6-6) got aspark from sophomore backup quarterback

Mani Vandenweghe (nine carries, 88 yards) when he ran 32 yards for atouchdown thatincluded anifty spin away from aKarrdefender to make the score 26-7. Vandenweghe scored asecond touchdown on a1-yardplunge in the fourth quarter Karr won twice against Jesuit this season —the other onea41-0 victory during District 9-5A play —and improvedto8-0 all-time against Jesuit. Neither team scored in the first half. Karr linebacker Kevin Martin snuffed out athird-and-1 keeper toforce apunt, andJesuit forced apunt on the first Karr possession with an overthrow by Johnson—his only incompletion before halftime.

Jesuit senior Cole Puneky intercepted apass at thegoal line in the third quarter.Karr picked off twopasses, one each by Torrence Sanders and Andrew Grant

“You have to bearnear perfect against theseguys,” Jesuitcoach RyanManale said. “I thought Karr played really well tonight. I thought we did alot of great things We gambled alittle bit early with thefake punt, it was right there to be executed. We’regoing to learn from it. I’m superproud of these guys.”

The win for Karr came after the latest LHSAAdistricting proposal had theCougars remaining in 9-5A, commonlyknown as theCatholic League, for another two seasons. Karr has won the outrightdistrict title in all fourseasonssince it joined thedistrict.

Loop’s biggamepropels Newman in rout

BY DARRELL WILLIAMS Contributing writer

Newman senior wide receiver

George Loop returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for atouchdown.

He then caught two first-half scoring passes as the Greenies built an insurmountable halftime lead on the way to a42-13 triumph against Holy Savior Menard in the DivisionIII selectregional playoffs Friday at Newman.

“I think the bye week helped,” Newman first-year coach Aaron Vice said. “Wecame out, Ithought we were fresh, and we jumped on ‘em. We’ve been really goodat starting fast

“I thought (Loop)finessed his way through the line (on the kickoff return). Ithink the biggest thing for us is we have (Loop), we have Hendrix (Hill) and we have Collier (Villere) as receivers. Different ones have had big games on different nights. One of them will be on.” Loop had atouchdownreception of 87 yards in the firstquarter that gaveNo. 4Newmana 20-0 lead, then of 47 yards that made it 34-0 at 4:30 of the second period

Quarterback Jake Randle, who hascommittedtoTulane, threwa 21-yard scoringpass to wideout HendrixHill for Newman’sfinal touchdown of the half. Loop then reeled in the two-point conversion pass on afadepattern with seven second left. That gave Newman a 42-0 halftime lead, which set up the second halftobeplayedwith arunning clock.

The Greenies (7-2), theDistrict 10-2A champions, next will play No. 5Dunham on Friday at Newman.

Randle completed 10 of 13 passes for264 yards and threetouchdowns in the half.Healso rushed fortouchdowns of 4and 22 yards, but his touchdown passes to Loop seemed to indicate astrongconnection.

“Jake and Ihave been playing togetherforever,” said Loop,who will playatDartmouth in college.

“The kickoff return is like our bread andbutter. It wasamiddle return. It was agreat start to the game

“On the touchdown passes, we liked ourmatchups. On the first one(87 yards), that was awesome. Jake put it in agreatspot. Iwas able to break afew tackles and fin-

Lewis’ late TDshelplift St.Aug past Acadiana

BY ANDREWVALENTI Contributing writer

St. Augustine running back Khlil Lewis knew he had to step up after No. 14 Acadiana tied the game earlyinthe final frameof thethird-seededPurple Knights’ Division Iselect regionalround game on FridayatTad Gormley Stadium.

The sophomore delivered with twofourth-quarter touchdown runs to help lift his team to a5542 win against the Rams. Lewis’first touchdown run came from 4yards out to give St. Augustine(10-1)a 49-42lead with 7:54 left in the contest. His final score came on a20-yard run with 2:40 remaining in the game. Lewis finished with 114 yards and two touchdowns on 19 attempts.

“I was praying all week and manifesting what this moment would be,” Lewis said. “This wouldn’tjust be formyteam.It would be forthe whole school and thewholePurple Knight community.”

St.Augustine will host No. 11 seed andCatholicLeaguefoe Rummel in the quarterfinals. The Raiders dispatched No. 6Tioga 42-21 in their regionalround matchup. Acadiana (8-4) fought back from a30-14 halftimedeficit to tie the gameat42-42 after running back Troy Kennerson ran up themiddle of the Purple Knights’ defense fora66-yard touchdown with 10:05 left in thefinalframe The senior had 107 yards and a score on 14 attempts.

The Rams had three touchdownsinthe third quarter,with quarterback Ty LaMartina tossing two scores —one to Travis Gallienand another to Collin Dibetta. Gallien added an 87yard kickoffreturn fora touchdown to bring Acadiana within 42-35with4:29leftinthe third frame and finished with 181 yards and two touchdowns on five catches

Dibetta played quarterback in the first half andhad atouchdown pass in addition to his receiving score.

St. Augustine wide receiver Miguel Whitley,one of the top recruits at his position in the 2027 class, finished with 128 yards and atouchdown on four catches. Vashaun Coulon threwfor 327 yardsand four touchdowns and an interception. Theteams combined for884 yards of total offense and 32 first downs.

“That’sastate championshipquality program we just played,” St. Augustine coach Robert Valdez said. “Weknew they were going to give us their best, and in the playoffs, you take the win. Ithink thebye week gotusoff rhythm alittle bit, and we made some uncharacteristic mistakes. We’ve got to clean that up, but the good thing is we came outwith the win.”

The Purple Knights will now face Rummel, ateam they downed in the regular season. “Guess what, we’ve got to punchthem in the mouthtwo times. That’swhatit’sgot to be,” Lewis said.

Boudreaux’sthree TDs settoneinwin over STM

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

John Curtis got offtoanearly lead against St. ThomasMoreand neverlooked back after senior running back Jacobi Boudreaux set thetoneinasecond-round playoff matchup. St. Thomas More struggledto containthe John Curtis rushing attack, as the No.7-seeded Patriots finished with 345 rushing yards on Friday at the Shrine on Airline. Threefirst-half turnovers for No.10seed St. Thomas More also contributedtoCurtis winning 49-7 to advance to the Division Iselect quarterfinals.

Boudreauxled Curtiswith 125 rushing yards on 11 carries and scored the first three touchdownsofthe game.All threeof Boudreaux’stouchdowns came in thefirst quarter,and he wasable to rest in the second half as other Curtis running backs carried the load.

“(Boudreaux) hasbeen like that all year,” Curtis coach J.T.Curtis said. “He’sanexcellent back. He’sunselfish, he blocks, he runs withauthority,catches it out of thebackfield. He’sakey to our offense, no question about it.”

spondedwitha 4-yard touchdown from Hrabovsky,who finished with 56 rushing yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.

The sixth Curtis touchdownwas scored by Gavin Ledet,who finished with 50 rushing yards on 10 carries. Brock Bergeronscored the final Curtis touchdown in the fourth quarter from 6yards out. Jaden Turner and Jewellz Tapp each had interceptions forCurtis in the first half.The Patriots also recovered aSt. Thomas More fumble, which marked the third opening-half turnover

ish the play.”

Vice sat his starters in the second half. With theclock running except for change of possessions in the second half,HolySavior Menard scored on sophomore quarterback Peyton Procell’s 4-yard run around left endat 6:46 of the third quarterand running back Aidyn Moran’s 34-yard carry at 8:58 of the fourth.

“They ran back the openingkickoff, and it was all downhill after that,” said coach David Perkins of No. 13-seeded HolySavior Menard, located in Alexandria. “It was abig momentumboostfor (Newman). They werejust the better team, and it showed. Butwe’ve got agood group coming back for next year.”

For Vice, the game against Dunham will have special significance.

“Dunhamiscoached by Neil Weiner,who was myhigh school positioncoach.Hewas areference for this job at Newman,amentor that has hired me before,” Vice said. “Wetalk andshare ideas all the time.I don’tknowifwewill this week.

“He’sa greatman anda great coach, and I’m excited about it.”

Boudreaux’sfirst touchdown was from 14 yards out, and he followed that up with a22-yard score and added a7-yard score to put Curtisup21-0. Isaac Hrabovsky scored from 8yards outinthe second quarter to put Curtis up by four scores.

St. Thomas More scored the first points of the second half after AikenBondcaught a42yard touchdown pass fromCole Bergeron,but Curtisquickly re-

“The secondary did an excellent job,” Curtis said. “I couldn’t be more pleased with how they played. That’swhat you have to do in the playoffs.” Curtis sophomore quarterback LondonPadgett completed7 of 14 passes for73yards while also gaining 37 rushing yards on six carries. Luke Martinez had 38 rushing yards on three carries. Bergeron completed 14 of 28 passes for 210 yards with atouchdown and two interceptions. MasonMoutoncaught four passes for81yards, and Bond finished with twocatches for46yards. St. Thomas More running back Carter Melancon led the Cougars in rushing with 81 yards on 18 carries.

“Wejust kept playing andkept playing,” St. Thomas More coach JimHightower said. “Wasn’t enough tonight, butI’m awfully proud of this senior group.” Curtis(8-2) will be on the road next Friday against No. 2seed Teurlings in the DivisionI select quarterfinals. The winner will face either No. 3St. Augustine or No.11Rummel in the semifinals.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

VARSITYZONE

Shawcoach Hank Tierneycelebrates the

Shaw blowspastHaynes into Div. II quarterfinals

BY JIM DERRY Contributing writer

Once it was announced

Hank Tierney was headed back to Shaw for asecond stintascoach in January 2022, fans and alumni began to dream about areturn to the glory days. It’sbeen even more than they could have ever dreamedof.

For the fourth consecutive season, the reigning state champion Eaglesare headed to the Division II select quarterfinals after a 49-6 beating of 10th-seeded Haynes on Friday nightat Joe Zimmerman Stadium Shawwillface secondseeded Loyola Prep (10-1) in the quarterfinals. Loyola Prep blanked No. 18 Belaire 42-0.

The night started strong for the seventh-seeded Eagles as running back DeAndreFranklin scoredtouchdowns on three straight drives to open a21-0lead lessthantwo minutes into thesecondquarter “Wedidn’tmakemistakes. We focused on us, not them,” Tierney said.“Our approach is the enemy has no face. We ran the ball better,and we blockedbetter. We hadn’t scored in two games;we needed this for our psyche.” Shaw (7-4) hadnot only lost its last two regular-season games to Belle Chasse and St. Charles, butneither was particularly close. On Friday, the Eagles were successful in every phase of the game. In fact,inanoddity,Shaw scored 28 points in the second quarter—the

Alexandria

final21overthe course of 10:45 withouttouchingthe ball on offense.

Jonathan Williams took in ablockedpunt by Ethan Lentz and went 10 yards to make it 28-0, andHayden Hudsonfollowedwitha 43yard pick-six.Nearthe end of thehalf, RontraeCarter returned apunt 66 yards for atouchdown anda 42-0advantage at intermission. Therewas arunning clock in the second half, and Haynes (6-5) ended the shutout on the final play of thegame— a31-yard touchdown pass from Trent Helwig to Gabriel Esteves. Shaw collected162 yards of totaloffense through the first 13:15, andwere ledby Franklin, who rushed five timesfor 78 yardsand the three scores.

overcomes 3Royal TDs, Crusaders

BY LAMAR GAFFORD

Contributing writer

ALEXANDRIA Survive and advance.

In this stage of the football playoffs, those three words are the mantra to any team withaspirations for playing on Thanksgiving week.

No.5-seeded Alexandria Senior High came away with a38-27 victory over No. 12 BrotherMartin at J.L“Butch” StokerStadium on Friday in the regional round of the Division Iselect playoffs.

The Trojans will travel to No. 4Catholic of Baton Rouge next week after the Bears defeated Captain Shreve 37-14.

“We’re going to do what we always do,” Alexandria coach Thomas Bachman said.“We’regoing to work as hard as we possiblycan

work andthrow everything we can into preparation. Our kids willbeready to roll seven daysfrom now.” However, theCrusaders continued to find an answer thanks to speedy receiver Easton Royal. Royal,one ofthe nation’s top wide receivers for the Class of 2027, scored three touchdowns—all coming from long rangetohang aroundinthe contest

Junior running back KasonWilliams pacedthe Trojanswith four touchdowns —three rushing —tohelp them rally from a13-10 deficit in thesecondquarter.

Williams finishedthe night with over 250 yards as ASH (9-2)moves on to the quarterfinals for the third straight season. Brother Martin seemed poised to come away from

Alexandriawitha victory but the Trojanssecondary had other plans.

Junior defensive backs

Jaytun Terry andLetravious Williams combined for three interceptions and filled the role left behind by JaKyrin Griffin, whodid not suit up because of injury.Inall, ASHforced four turnovers and had akey stop on aCrusaders fake punt in the third quarter

“Weplayedreally well defensively outside of the explosive plays,”Bachman said. “Wegave up acouple of jail screens. (Royal’s) electric.Weknewthat if he gotinspace with theball that he would be aproblem. All in all, we madethe plays that we hadtomoveonto thenext round.” Brother Martin ends its season withan8-4 record.

LSUmakes season-highin 3-pointers to down Omaha

BY TOYLOY BROWNIII Staff writer

Dedan Thomas backpedaled and deflected apass for asteal. After showing hisactive hands, LSU’slead guard pushed the ball down the middle of thecourt and made afundamentalchest pass to his backcourt mate, MaxMackinnon. The Australian sharpshooter dialed up a3-pointer from the left wing over alate Omaha player’scontest to give the Tigers an 18-point lead in thesecond half. Impressive sequences of defense leadingtooffense were frequent in LSU’s9973 winagainst Omaha(2-4) on Friday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center The Tigersespecially werehot from beyond the arcasthey made aseasonhigh 15 3-pointers on 33 attempts.Their previous season-high was 10 against UNO on Nov.10.

LSU(5-0) was led by Thomas, who had15points and 10 assists for his first double-double withthe Tigers. The top scorer was Mackinnon, whohad 22 pointsand went 6of8from 3. This matchup was against afamiliar program for Marquel Sutton.The 6-foot9startingsmall forward in hisfirstyearatLSU transferred from Omahaafter three seasons. The fifthyear senior was givenhis SummitLeague Champion-

ship ring from his former coach, ChrisCrutchfield, before tipoff. Sutton, who entered the game off of three straight double-doubles, cooled off in this matchup as he finishedwithnine pointsand eight rebounds.

LSU started the game by scoring 12 unanswered points in thefirst four minutes. The team was clicking on all cylinders as Thomas pushed thepacefor fastbreak chances. The UNLVtransfer was responsible forfive of those early points as he scored a fastbreaklayup through contact in the middle of the paint and drained aleftwing 3-pointerwhenadefender went under ascreen. Thomas also had an electric close to thefirst half as aplaymaker.Hepassed the ball to his backup

shooting guard, PJ Carter, who knocked downthree catch-and-shoot 3s.Carter, fifth-year senior,entered thegamefor thefirsttime at the2:42 mark but was the team’ssecond-leading scorer with nine points at halftime. Also making 3s was Mackinnon, who wasrecently in acold spell from distance.After making 4 of 5inthe season opener, he missed all eight of his 3-point attempts in the previous three games. The senior had apair of 3s fall to help LSU make 9of 19 by halftime as the Tigers built a50-37 lead. Whilethe LSUoffense was flowing forthe entire game, its defense also impressed.Omaha wasunable to get manyeasy looks in the paint. The Mavericks shot 39% from the field.

Second-halfcollapse sinks Tulane againstUtahState

BY GUERRYSMITH

Contributing writer

Leading perennial NCAA tournamentparticipant Utah State 45-40 earlyin the second half, theTulane men’sbasketball team collapsed over thenext10minutes.

The Green Wave could not stop the suddenly torrid Aggies, who hit eight shots in arow,and could notget intoany offensive flow after astrong first half.

When aCurtisWilliams turnover led toafast-break layup with 9:33 left, Tulane trailed 71-53 and thegame was outofreach.Utah State went on to win 96-75 on Friday afternoon in the opener of the Charleston Classic.

Tulane (2-2) will face Boston College (3-3), which lost 59-49 to Davidson later Friday,inthe consolation round on at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.The Wave has dropped back-to-back games by 20plus pointsfor the first time since 2018-19, theyear beforecoach Ron Hunter arrived.

Utah State 96, Tulane75 UTAH STATE(5-0) Anderson 2-50-0 5, Templin 2-42-2

5-10

5-72-2 16, Perryman 0-11-2 1, Elamin 1-30-0 2, Keller 0-00-0 0, Barnes 0-00-0 0, Kearney 1-10-0 3. Totals36-58 12-18 96. TULANE (3-2) Ringgold 2-31-2 5, Daniels 0-10-0 0, Brumbaugh 5-12 5-719, Greene 2-46-6 12, Woods 6-16 1-216, Middleton 2-30-0 6, Williams 4-9 0-011, J.Moore1-3 1-23,Bradford 0-00-0 0, R.Moore1-2 0-03,Rasmussen 0-00-0 0, Shapiro 0-00-0 0. Totals23-53 14-19 75. Halftime —40-40. 3-PointGoals —Utah State 12-23 (King 4-6, Collins 3-6, Falslev 2-5, Allen 1-1, Kearney1-1,Anderson 1-3, Elamin 0-1),Tulane 15-30 (Brumbaugh 4-7, Williams 3-5, Woods 3-8, Greene 2-3, Middleton 2-3, R.Moore 1-2, Daniels 0-1, Ringgold 0-1) Rebounds —Utah State 34 (Falslev 7),Tulane 18 (Woods 5).Assists —Utah State 24 (Allen 8), Tulane 16 (Greene, Woods 3).Total Fouls —Utah State 12, Tulane 16.

“I never like losing,but I saw signs today of agood team,” Hunter said. “I’m not as distraught as Iwas last Friday.Welost to a definite NCAA tournament team.I’m really happy with how we played in the first half.Our guys were ready to play,and then all of a sudden we went on ascoring drought. We played with intensity but we panicked a

little bit and took somebad shots whentheywenton that run.”

Rowan Brumbaugh led the Wave with 19 points, but he scored only six in the secondhalf. AsherWoods added16points, withKJ Greene contributing 12 and Williams11getting off the bench. Mason Falslev paced Utah State with 24 points on 11-of-15 shooting.MJ Collins had 21. Backup point guard KolbyKing, who spent2023-24 withthe Wave and is at his fourth school in four years, scored all 16 of his points in the second half The Aggiesshot63%, including 68% afterhalftime. After beating Tulane’s matchup defenseinside in the first half, outscoring the Wave 30-6 in the paint, they went 10 of 14 on 3-pointers in the second half. Tulane was sloppy with the ball, committed 13 turnovers that led to 24 points, butits own hotshooting from outside kept it in from formuch of the first half

NEWMAN: George Loop 91 kickoff return(JackFalgoust kick)

NEWMAN: JakeRandle4run (Falgoust kick)

NEWMAN: Loop 87 pass from Randle (Kickfails) NEWMAN: Randle22run (Falgoust kick)

NEWMAN: Loop 47 pass from Randle (Falgoustkick) NEWMAN: HendrixHill 21 pass from Randle (Falgoustkick)

14-29-2 7-14-0

Punts-avg.2-33 2-33

Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-0

Penalties-yards3-25 6-50

SCORINGSUMMARY St.ThomasMore0 07 0—7

JohnCurtis 21 7147 —49

JC: Jacobi Boudreaux 14 run (Matias Hernandez kick)

JC: Boudreaux 22 run(Hernandez kick)

JC: Boudreaux 7run (Hernandez kick)

JC: Isaac Hrabovsky 8run

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CAnCER (June 21-July 22) You're in a good spot. Don'tponder over apast you cannot change when the future looks bright,and thetime to act is now. It's up to you to choose what you want and makeithappen.

LEo(July23-Aug. 22) Put pressure on people in charge, and offer solutions that are undeniablyworthwhile.It's your turn to shine. Deploy your efforts withprecision and. Care.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept.22) Step aside, rethink your plans and initiate change that you can manage without outside assistance. Sometimes alittle goes a long way. It's yourself you must please, not others.

LIBRA(sept. 23-oct. 23) Pay attention to what's unfolding. Don'thesitate to entertain guests or to network with peoplewho can helpyou connect with others whoshare yourconcerns, interests or path in life.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. ©2025 by nEa, inc dist.Byandrews mcmeel syndication

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotationsbyfamous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands foranother.

toDAy'sCLuE: GEQuALs W

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers The object is to place the numbers1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the sudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Don Marquis, anovelist, poet, newspaper columnist and playwright who died in 1937, said, “A pessimist is aperson whohas had to listen to too manyoptimists.”

Abridge expertisa person who listens to his opponents, whether they are optimists or pessimists, and uses that information to his benefit.

In this deal, look at the auction and the Eastcards. South is in four hearts. West leadsa fourth-highest spade two. How should Eastplan thedefense?

South’s sequence of clubs -heartshearts showed(at least) five hearts and six clubs. If South hadhad equallength inhistwosuits,hewouldhaveresponded oneheart,nottwoclubs.Afterthat,itwas nigh impossible for Southtopass out threeno-trump,whichwouldhavemade. And it was understandable that North went for themajor-suit game instead of correcting to five clubs, which would also havecome home here.

West’s spade-two lead is from afourcard suit. This means that South has two spades to go with hisfivehearts and six clubs; he must be voidindiamonds Similarly, East knows that Westisvoid in clubs.

South’s best chance is to win with the spade ace and to call for theheartjack,

wuzzles

feigning taking afinesse in the suit. But East should not fall for it. He should win with his ace and return the club nine, his highest being asuit-preference signal asking for aspade return West ruffs and leads aspade. East takes the trickand gives his partner a secondruff for down one. ©2025 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuCtIons: 1. Words must be of four or moreletters.2.Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” suchas“bats” or “dies,”are not allowed. 3. additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” maynot be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

toDAy’s WoRD WonDERs: WUN-ders: Miracles or marvels.

Average mark39words

Can you find51ormorewords in WONDERS?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —IntEGRIty

thought

nowstays faith, hope, charity, thesethree; but the greatest of theseischarity.” 1Corinthians 13:13

dIrectIons: make a2-to 7-letter word from thelettersineach row. add points of each word, usingscoring directionsat right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus “Blanks”used as any letter havenopoint value. all the words arein theOfficial sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 -Each row and each columnmust contain the numbers 1thorugh 4(easy) or 1through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 -The numbers within theheavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (in any order)to produce the target numbers in thetop-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages withthe number in the top-left corner

Puzzle Answer

WiShinG Well

167560-11/20-21-22-3t $109.00

by emailingChristina Oc‐mand,Louisiana Eco‐nomicDevelopment RFP Coordinator, at Email: LEDRFQ-RFP@la.gov. Deadline forreceipt of writteninquiries is 4:30 p.m. CDTonNovember 14, 2025. Deadline forre‐ceiptofproposals has been extended andmust be in LouisianaEconomic Development’sposses‐sion by 4:30 p.m. CDTon November 26,2025 to be considered.All written inquiriesand Proposals must be submittedvia emailto LEDRFQ-RFP@la. gov. 167678-NOV22-26-5T $79.55

Chef Donald Link prepares ameal with his daughter CassidyLink, recently namedasenior manager at his LinkRestaurant Group.

HOME | DESIGN | GARDEN | REAL ESTATE

Talkingturkey

Chef Donald Link’sholiday tradition includes adecidedly nontraditional take on turkey.See the rest of his Thanksgiving menu and get apeek inside his Uptownhome. Jyl Benson has the story on Page12.

Shopping for the right shade of paintcan be like steppinginto aCrayola-colored quagmire. Interior designer Louis Aubert offers some practical advice on how to get the color of your

dreams while keeping thestress to aminimum. That’s on Page 4.

INSIDEOUT EDITOR: Karen Taylor Gist, kataylor@theadvocate.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Karen Taylor Gist

Youcan’tforce your boss to giveyou araise or atraffic light to turn green when you want it, but you can force a flower bulb to bloom. Dan Gill explains the process called “forcing” that letsyou have indoor blooms in winter from bulbs that typically flower in spring. See Page 8.

The InsideOut home and gardensection is published every Saturday by TheTimes-Picayune Questions about InsideOut should be directed to the editor

Victor Andrews, Louis J.Aubert, Jyl Benson, Dan Gill

COVER DESIGN: AndreaDaniel COVER PHOTO: Chris Granger TO BE FEATURED: Send information and photos to insideout@theadvocate. com

InsideOut’s missionistogive readers peeks inside the many different ways thatpeople in the New Orleans area live. We profile spaces thatare opulent, or just offbeat; sophisticated or simple; functional or light-hearted; historic or brand-spanking new.And anything in between. Please help us by sending information andJPEGphotos of your home, or specific spaces inside it,toinsideout@theadvocate.com. We love gardens and outdoor spaces, too. And we’re waiting to hear fromyou.

HOMEWORKWITHLOUIS

Selecting anew paint color?Don’t panic. PAGE 4

ONEINAMILLION

Historic details, modern comfort near park. PAGE 7

GREENTHUMB

Howtomakespring bulbs bloom now. PAGE 8 INSIDE INFO

Home &garden happenings. PAGE 11 COVERSTORY

Holidayathome with chef Donald Link. PAGE 12

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Recent transactions in the metroarea. PAGE 18

638BocageLane•Mandeville/BeauChene

$550,000

Beautifullymaintained&updated 3Bd/3.5Ba/3,018SF Colonial on aquiet cul-de-sac w/ golf course viewsacrossfront &back. Newcustomkitchen & flexible sunroom/4thbdrm. Bright open layout,tallceilings&gas fireplace. Topschooldistrict&premier golf community.Sellerisoffering 1% of salesprice towardsbuyer’s closingcosts &pre-paids at actofsale! DarleneGurievsky985-789-2434 Berkshire HathawayHSPreferred,REALTORS985-674-7653

Charming home just oneblock from Harrison Ave! Features includeanopen floorplan, sunlit living spaces,spaciouskitchen with pantry,4bedrooms, sunroom, gatedcarport withgarage, andshady oak-coveredyard. Walk to shops, restaurants, andschools.X flood zone,assumable insurance, and newroofcoming! Greatvalue persqftina highly desirableneighborhood!

KenHamrick 504-628-5428 KellerWilliams RealtyNew Orleans504-862-0100

GrassCourt •River Ridge /ColonialFarms

$1,155,000 Luxury 5Bd, 4Ba, 4,567Sfcustomhome on acul-de-sacinprestigious area.DesignedbyBrian Gille& builtin2007, offeringnew architectural roof,whole-house generator&private resort-style bkyd w/ saltwaterpool, hottub &crtyd.Beautiful marble foyer, 12’ceilings, hdwd flrs,gourmet kitchen, 2primary suites &oversized 2-cargarage. Greatfor entertaining! AprilGongora Brownaprilgo1@gmail.com504-606-0466 Hospitality Realtywww.HospitalityRealty.net

Pick acolor

Expertscan offertop 2026 picks, butit comesdowntowhatyou like

Color! What agreat and broad subject. Nothing in design is morepersonal than color preference. It may start in childhood, when associations with aspecific color can be either positive or very negative. Ask anychild, and they will happily name their

favorite color,and sometimes they will also volunteer their least favorite.

Do you remember the big box of Crayolas? While the greens, reds and blues were worn to anub, “fleshtone” was untouched. That little cone-shaped top was pristine because it was never used. No one liked that color

When it comes to paint,there arethousands of choices. It can be dizzying to stand beforea wall of paint samples and tryto make aselection while standing under fluorescent lighting. Don’tdoit! This can lead to paint paralysis, and nothing good will follow.You will likely go home with acan of white paint when you had hoped to find awonderful color

Fortunately,wehave entered Color of theYear season. Various paint manufacturers make their predictions, but theHoly Grail of color prediction is PantoneLLC, located in New Jersey.Working behind the scenes, Pantone’scolor jury

PROVIDED PHOTOByBENJAMIN MOORE Benjamin Moore’s colorofthe year,Silhouette AF-655, is arich espresso hue that is perhaps bestdescribed as ‘brown meets charcoal.’

is composed of design professionals, graphic designers and industry representatives who

assist their clients with color decisions.

Manufacturers take their color cues from the morethan 2,000 standardized colors. Remember when kitchen appliances were avocado or harvest gold? Those colors werecoordinated by Pantone forvarious manufacturers. Today,this is whyyour toaster is available in the samecolor as your blender,even though they are madebydifferent companies. While the consumer has little control over corporate America’scolor selections, we do have avery strong voice in paint color selection. Agreat range of colors have been predicted as favorites by Pantone from 2000 to 2025. Itsselections reflect current trends and secure Pantone’s authority.

HOMEWORKWITHLOUIS

Its warm,

or bold

How top colors are chosen

The Color of the Year list has great influence over both fashion and design. According to Pantone, the Color of the Year represents “an expression of a mood and an attitude.”

Color psychology, design trends and market research are factored into the selection of colors. Minimalism resulted in the preference for quiet colors. Think of the many white-on-white interiors with color confined only to accents. For the most part, colors promoted over the past 25 years have leaned heavily into reds, greens and blues. More often than not, the colors have been saturated, although pastels appear occasionally but seldom capture the market.

On the walls for 2026

This brings us to the color predictions for 2026. Pantone won’t release its pick until early December, but several paint companies have already placed their bets.

Benjamin Moore has chosen Silhouette AF-655, a rich espresso hue that is perhaps best described as “brown

meets charcoal.” More saturated and much richer than last year’s Mocha Mousse, this color will likely please a greater number of people It’s described by Andrea Magno, color marketing and development director at Benjamin Moore, as “rich in depth and a luxurious blend of burnt umber and delicate charcoal undertones.”

That’s quite a description of a handsome, saturated color that will likely find a receptive audience.

Meanwhile, Sherwin-Williams is promoting its “easygoing neutral” Universal Khaki SW 6150 as its color choice for 2026. Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for SherwinWilliams, said, “Every room feels pulled together It’s warm, earthy tone works well with natural finishes, crisp whites, or bold pops of color, bringing timeless style to your home.”

Interestingly, these are not

See COLOR, page 6

HOMEWORKWITHLOUIS

TIPS ON SELECTING COLOR

n Think about what mood you wish to create.

n Don’t decide at the paint store. Pull many color chips and take them home.

n Take time to consider each. Eliminate some and then purchase a small amount of a few colors, or purchase peel-and-stick sample sheets from the paint manufacturer

n If you choose to prepare sample boards, they should be two-coat samples on foamboard so that you can move them around the room to be viewed under varying light.The same color will look very different on a window wall than it will on the opposing wall.

n Consider existing furnishings when choosing a color. In fact, a patterned rug or fabric may inspire a color scheme

n Check out the paint manufacturer’s website.There is helpful information regarding both color and product selection.

n Pay special attention to the selection of paint sheen.A matte finish is very forgiving and will minimize walls that are less than perfect. Latex matte finish paints are now washable.

PROVIDED PHOTO By SHERWIN WILLIAMS Sherwin-Williams is promoting its ‘easygoing neutral’ Universal Khaki SW 6150 as its color choice for 2026.

COLOR

Continued from page 5

new colors created for 2026. Both Silhouette and Universal Khaki have been available for quite a few years. I can attest that both are great colors, and you may wish to consider them when you are next inclined to pick up a paintbrush.

Finding your own color

While

color predictions

are all well and good, color remains intensely personal. What colors appeal to you? Do you prefer deep saturated hues? Medium depth color? Or even pale shades bordering on pastels?

Ultimately, it’s your choice. Blues can be calming and embody tranquility and peace. Blues and greens can also be refreshing and cool. Then there are passionate reds, earthy browns, bold corals, light and bright whites and near whites.

When you sample paint colors, most often your little inner voice will tell you what is best for you.

Color? The ball is in your court.

Louis J. Aubert is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers and an avid preservationist. Some of his most visible New Orleans projects include making interior color selections for Gallier Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church and the Louisiana Supreme Court Royal Street Courthouse, and both interior and exterior selections for St. Stephen’s Basilica. Contact him at mrcolour@aol.com.

ONEINAMILLION

Historic home near Audubon Park has modern touches

BY VICTOR ANDREWS Staff writer

Skillfully blending past and present, the home at 535 Lowerline St. in the university section of New Orleans is a mélange of Greek Revival and Italianate styles that yields a stunning slice of refined life under the oaks

Built in 1869, the five-bedroom, 41/2bath home originally faced St. Charles Avenue, just steps from Audubon Park and Tulane and Loyola universities. Relocated with care, the dwelling now faces the west and provides abundant examples of vintage elements with contemporary style for $2.8 million.

The broad front porch, neatly framed by six square columns, is approached by a broad staircase set in fastidious landscaping behind a wrought-iron fence. The glass-and-wood front door is recessed in a cove protected by functioning shutters, creating a passageway into the elegance within.

A broad center hall traverses the home, dominated by a floating curved staircase that rises to the upper floors Rich wood floors lead the way into the home, which features many of the original architectural details and the layout of such homes.

To the left, through double doors, a sitting room receives an abundance of natural light from floor-length windows on one wall. A marble fireplace surround anchors the room.

Pocket doors lead into the formal dining room with a matching fireplace and ceiling details matching the sitting room. Double doors lead out to the back hall, which leads to a powder room and beyond.

The back half of the house is a tantalizing collection of spaces that function in a variety of ways. A casual dining space sits in a portion of the hall directly behind the main entry hall, opening onto the kitchen and the family room.

A large bay with windows and a fireplace marks the casual family space, prime for relaxing and enjoying conversation or television.

A low bar with seating separates the family room from the kitchen, a contemporary space studded with stainless appliances and bold cobalt tilework that ties the modern and vintage together. Tall windows on two walls bring a bit of the outdoors into the culinary center

The primary suite, a stellar space

An arch frames the casual dining and kitchen areas of the home.

on the first floor opposite the sitting room, features a sleeping chamber with double floor-length windows onto the front porch, plus a side window and a fireplace. Through a glass-transomed door, the suite opens onto a dressing room lined with custom storage, a fireplace and ample space for fashion assessment. The primary bath is adjacent with a double vanity, soaking tub, cor-

LEFT: This fivebedroom home, priced at $2.8 million, was built more than a century and a half ago and is a prime example of blending vintage and contemporary.

BELOW: The sitting room is washed with natural light from large windows, including two floor-length panels off the front porch.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

ner glassed shower and more cabinets.

An office and a bonus room, plus a laundry, are located at the back of the house, along with stairs to the back portion of the upper floor.

The main stairs lead to the upper floor and a broad hall that ends in a den, which benefits from plentiful light from the front dormer There are also three additional bedrooms — one an en suite, and two that share a full hall bath. One of the bedrooms can also serve as library, with custom shelving and storage.

The back half of the upper floor includes a contained apartment with a sitting room, compact complete

kitchen, full bath and laundry

The home also has a recently constructed garage that opens onto the rear patio for easy access to the home.

The tidily landscaped backyard includes a large tiled patio and bricked walkways.

Alarm and camera systems are included, and several of the homes systems have been recently updated.

The house is listed by Joey Walker, of Rêve Realtors, (504) 610-5637.

One in a Million is an occasional series featuring upscale homes for sale in the metro area.

Amaryllis bulbs makegreat hostess gifts and can be forced to bloom at the desired time.

GREENTHUMB

GARDEN

CALENDAR: The LSU AgCenter’s 2026 Get It

Growing Lawn and Garden calendar is available online at lsuagcenter.com and at some nurseries

Featuring monthly gardening tips, beautiful photograph by Louisiana gardeners and lots of useful gardening information, it’sa wonderfulgift to

foshow rce A of

It’s easy to make some spring bulbsbloom indoorsnow

Forcing is agardening term that usually refers to making plants bloom out of season. Forcing is done by manipulating aplant’s environment, primarily light and/ or temperature. Really,it’snot so much forcing plantsasconvincing themtobloom at thedesired time. Although youmay not realize it, you are already familiar with many examples of forcing. For instance, Easter’s date varies widely from year to year.Yet,byproperly manipulating growing conditions, growersare always able to produce blooming Easter lilies at exactly

GARDEN TIPS

ourself or foryour ardening friends hecalendarcosts 13.95; proceeds upporthorticulture scholarships and esearch.

IT’S GO TIME FOR BULBS: Finish planting springfloweringbulbs suchasdaffodils, Dutch irises,narcissus and lilies by earlyDecember.Thisisyour last chance tobuy tulips and hyacinths, which must

be refrigerated foratleast sixweeks before planting.Bulbs purchased and refrigerated nowshouldbeplanted in thesecondweek of January.

LOCALCOLOR: Late November through earlyDecember is usually peakseason forthe leavesofour deciduous trees and shrubstoshowtheirbest color in south Louisiana. Some of the trees that are most reliable about producing fall colorhere include green ash, sweet gum, crape myrtle, ginkgo,Southern sugar maple, Shumard oak,red maple, Japanese maple, floweringpear and Chinesepistachio. Shrubs such as

the right time. Spring-flowering bulbs are relatively easy to force. Twobulbs, paperwhites and amaryllis, do not need muchspecial treatment and are very easy to force. Most of the other spring-flowering bulbs need acold treatment first but are otherwise pretty straightforward. Keepinmind you will not be able to precisely control and predict exactly when the bulbs will bloom, so don’ttry to time bulbs to bloom for aspecial occasion.

ä See FORCE, page 10

sumac,Virginia willowand deciduous viburnumsalso have good fall color ANEW LEAF: Do not rakeupand throwawayleavesthat fall from your deciduous trees overthe next few weeks.Use fallen leavesasmulch around shrubs, flowersand vegetables. Pile up the fallen leaves and allowthem to decayinto valuable compost.Adding compost or otherforms of organic matterisa keypartofbed preparation. Whythrowawayperfectly good organic mattergenerated by your landscape and thengoand spend moneybuying mulch or organic matter?

GREENTHUMB

Sometimes fruit trees skip a year, but can return stronger

BY DAN GILL

Contributing writer

My sister who lives in Eunice has a large persimmon tree in her backyard. Every year, we enjoy many beautiful persimmons.This year, after the last freeze, the top of the tree turned yellow and brown, and the leaves fell off.The worst part: The tree did not yield a single persimmon this year. She is worried that the tree may have died. Do you have any suggestions? — Lyndon

It’s a shame the tree did not produce this year I can’t give you a specific reason. It could be weather-related or sometimes fruit trees skip a year and produce a bumper crop the next year I would not be overly concerned about the lack of fruit this year. See how it does next year

As to the foliage, if the tree was green and relatively healthy looking through the summer, I would not be worried about seeing the leaves dying now (turning yellow, brown and dropping off).

Persimmons are deciduous. They naturally drop their leaves in the fall and are leafless over the winter Your sister must have seen the leaves change color, die and drop off every fall since she has had the tree. Early freezes can encourage this, and that is why your sister saw a change in the foliage after the recent light freezes. So, this is normal and nothing to be concerned about.

From what I read in your

Dan Gill is a retired consumer horticulture specialist with the LSU AgCenter. He hosts the “Garden Show” on WWL-AM Saturdays at 9 a.m. Email gardening questions to gnogardening@agcenter.lsu. edu.

A nonproducing persimmon tree could be due to the weather, but sometimes fruit trees skip a year before returning with a bumper crop.

email, the tree is likely fine other than not producing fruit this year I don’t see anything that indicates the tree may have died

There is a sticky black area on the trunk of my tree. Help.What do I do? —

Sherlyn

It is likely that this is caused

by sap bleeding from the trunk. This may indicate an internal infection. I don’t know of any effective treatment for this. You might want to contact a licensed arborist to come out and look over the situation and provide a more accurate diagnosis.

Have you ever heard of forcing paperwhites with alcohol (the kind we drink)? Iheard this from afriend recently and immediately thought it wasbogus.What do you think? —Caroline

Acommon problem when forcing paperwhites indoorsisthat they grow too tall, and the leaves and flower stalks tendtobe floppy and bend over.The alcohol makes them grow shorter and reduces floppiness.

Imust admit,I’ve heard lots of off-the-wall gardening recommendations over the years, and my initial reaction to using alcohol (ethanol) when forcing paperwhites was quite skeptical. However,I found researchconducted at Cornell University that supports this finding Here’show to do it

Plant the bulbs in containers of pebbles with water.Wait until the roots are growing, and thegreen shoots are about 1to2 inches tall. At this point, pour off the waterand replace it with asolution of 4% to 6% ethanol, made

from just about anyhard liquor

To get a5%solution usinga 40% distilled spirit (gin, vodka, whiskey,rum, tequila —donot usebeer or wine), you addone part of thebooze to seven parts of water.Ifplants are given more than 10% alcohol, it will adverselyaffect growth, and 25%alcohol is dramatically toxic. So, moderation is the key

From that point on, simply usethissolution whenever you need to addwater to maintain the proper level. It’sassimple as that. Theresult will be aplant that is one-third shorter,but with flowers just as large, fragrant, and long-lastingasusual. The plants will be nicely proportioned andwon’t needsupport stakes to keep them upright. It’s still important to provide abundantlightand cool temperatureswhen forcingthese bulbs,but the use of ethanol helpsensure success when the growing conditionsare not ideal.

—Dan Gill

GREENTHUMB

FORCE

Continuedfrom page8

Paperwhites

Paperwhite narcissuses in our gardens generally begin to bloom in lateDecember or January.Bulbs can be planted in pots now and easily grown for bloom in December.

Plantthe bulbs withtheir pointed ends exposed in pots of well-drained potting soil. Plantenough bulbs in the pot to fill it without the bulbs touching each other.Ifyou grow thebulbs too warmor with too little light, the leaves and flower stalks will be tall and tend to flop over.This frequently occurs when people trytoforce paperwhites in a warm room indoors on awindowsill.

Youcan get better results by placing thepots outside in asunny location that gets plentyoflight and cooler outdoor temperatures. Bring thepot inside on those nights when freezing temperatures are predicted. When thefirst flower buds open, move the pot indoors to enjoy.(Note: Some people find thefragrance objectionable.)

Paperwhites may alsobe grown in bowls of pebbles and water.Choose ashallow,decorative bowl and fill it half full of gravel, pebbles or marble

chips. Place the bulbs on the surface and add enough rocks so that the bulbs are two-thirds covered. Addenoughwater to touch the bottom of the bulbs and maintain the water at this level. Proceed from this point as directed above to grow potted bulbs.

After forcing, you can plant thegrowing bulbs outside in asunny spot where they will bloom year after year.

Amaryllis

Youmay purchase prepotted amaryllis bulbs ready to grow or as loose bulbs you pot yourself. Thepot should be large enough to have about 1

Nestledonthe coveted2nd hole of theEnglish Turn Golf Course, this exceptionalresidence offersserene waterviews andstunningsunsets that will take your breath away.Step into thetraditional yetsophisticated living spaces, wheresolid wood floors andsoaring ceilingscreate an inviting atmosphere filled with naturallight.The heartofthe home is acustom-designed Italian Poliform contemporary kitchen, a masterpiece of both functionality andtechnical excellence.The luxuriousfirst-floor primarysuite offersa tranquil retreat, featuring beautifultravertineflooringand custom draperies. Copper gutters anddownspoutsfurther enhance thehome’stimelessappeal.

tips of the bulbs just above the top of the soil.

inch of clearance between the pot rim and the bulb. Plant the bulb so that the upper onefourth is exposed. Clay or plastic pots may be used, but since an amaryllis in bloom can be somewhat top-heavy,clay pots provide alittle morestability Place the pot indoors in a sunny window (the moresun the better) and keep the soil evenly moist. If you provide your amaryllis with too little light, the flower stalk may grow excessively tall and may even fall over.Flowering generally occurs in December from bulbs planted this time of year.Some large bulbs will produce twoflower stalks. After the flowers have faded, cut the stalk at the point where it emerges from the bulb, but do not cut any foliage. Keep the plant inside and continue to provide plenty of light or the leaves will be floppy.Water it regularly when the soil begins to feel dry,but it is not necessary to fertilize your amaryllis during this time. When April arrives, it’stime to plant your bulbs into the garden. Amaryllises planted in the garden this coming spring will get into their natural cycle and bloom in April the following years.

Bulbsthatneedchilling

Purchase high-quality spring bulbs of tulips, hyacinths,

GREENTHUMB

Hyacinth bulbs purchasednolaterthan Novembercan be placed in the vegetable bin of the refrigeratorfor about six weeks.

crocus, daffodilsorgrapehyacinths and others by lateNovember and place theminthe vegetable bin of your refrigerator for about six weeks(do not put apples or otherfruit in that drawer).

The bulbs should be potted in early to mid-January.It’s not hard to do, and nothing beats apot of bloomingflowers indoors. All spring bulbs except paperwhites (andother Tazetta narcissi) and amaryllis are grown this way

1. Fill acontainerwithdrainage holes about two-thirds with potting soil.

2. Place enough prechilled bulbs, pointed end up,onthe soil surface to fill the container without the bulbs touching Plant tulips with the flat side of thebulb facing the rim of the pot; the first leaf of each tulip bulb will grow out facing the outside, creating amore attractive planting.

3. Add soil until just thetips of the bulbs show,and water thoroughly

4. Place the containers in a shady area outside and keep the soil evenly moist.

5. When the sprouts are about an inch high, movethe pots into asunny location.

6. Continue to water thepots regularly.Iftemperatures below 28 degrees are predicted, move the pots to acool location that will not freeze. Move the pots back outside as soon as possible.

7. When the flower buds be-

Wreath-making workshopsplanned

Magnolia wreaths, aholiday statement of Southerndecor, will be the featured “howto” workshop Dec. 6atLongue Vue House and Gardens,7Bamboo Road, in New Orleans.

Leigh Gradiz,head gardener at the historic dwelling, will lead participantsinusing the leaves from thetrees at 1p.m.

The workshop is $85 and includes all materials.Itisopen to all ages,but children must be accompanied by an adult, withamaximum of twochildren per ticketed adult.

INSIDEINFO

maintain the extensive urban green space. Those coming up include:

n Urban Forest SupportInitiative: 9a.m. Saturday.Volunteer Center, 1031 Harrison Ave.

gintoshow color,move the pots indoors andenjoy. Hyacinthsmay also be plantedinbowlsfilled with pebbles. First, refrigerate them for abouteight weeks. Bury the bulbs two-thirds deepinthe pebbles and add enoughwater to touch the bottom of the bulbs. Maintain water at that level. Followthe above directions starting with step four. Individual hyacinthbulbs may alsobegrown in aspecial hyacinth vase shaped like an hourglass. Place them in the upperpartofthe vase andmaintain water at alevel just touchingthe bottom of thebulb. Hyacinths are incredibly fragrant and are wonderfulindoors.

For information and to register, visit longuevue.com.

Free music in the Sculpture Garden

The New Orleans Museum of Art hostsits next free concertinthe Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden from 2p.m. to 4p.m. Wednesday.The concert will feature live acoustic sets from artists Kr3wcial and KhiryBey.

The garden is in City Park at 1Collins Diboll Circle. Visit noma.org.

Volunteer projects abound at City Park

Avariety of cleanup days and initiatives areontap at City Parktoimprove and

n Litter Cleanup Krewe: 9a.m. Tuesday.VolunteerCenter

Longue Vue House and Gardens is hosting a magnolia wreathmaking class on Dec.6.Materials will be provided.

Register for the programs and find out more about what to bring at friendsofcitypark. volunteerhub.com.

Have ahome and garden event coming up? Send it to events@theadvocate.com.

SEASONED TO

TASTE

With family, friends and food, Donald Link is living his best life Uptown

BY JYL BENSON

Contributing writer

COVER STORy

Donald Link is an Uptown guy. The James Beard Award-winning chef, president of The Link Restaurant Group and Lake Charles native took to life among the oaks when he moved to the city from San Francisco after completing culinary school in 1995.

“I love the trees, the people, the park,” he said. “There’s a real sense of community, and I can walk anywhere — Whole Foods, shops, restaurants. It’s the best.”

To illustrate his point, Link recounted the day last winter that New Orleanians collectively regard as “Snowpocalypse,” when he ended up playing a round in the snow on the Audubon Park golf course with a couple of buddies from the neighborhood.

“It was an amazing day,” he said Link and his wife, Cameron Link, purchased their elegant home on a broad street shaded by the draping boughs of centuriesold trees in 2017.

It was built in 1960 as a commercial property and lived its life in various incarnations, including that of an upscale spa and a floral design studio, before it was reworked into a three-bay, two-story single-family home in the style of a Creole town house that fits seamlessly into the neighborhood.

“We are the first people to live in this place as a house,” Donald Link said.

ä See LINK, page 14

ABOVE: Chef Donald Link and Cameron Benson Link welcome friends and family to their Uptown home for Thanksgiving dinner.

RIGHT: Family and friends gather in the kitchen, drinking bottles of wine, and noshing on deviled eggs and pate. A plush boucle-upholstered sectional sofa overlooks the rear garden and swimming pool. The room is overseen by the color-saturated oil painting ‘Ballers’ by John Alexander.

LEFT: Donald Link, center, cuts chicken and turkey as he and his family gather around the dining room table. The layered table setting was designed by Angela DiSimone, of Avis Aldine Vintageware, using vintage pieces, including gold chargers topped by Horchow dinner plates in the ‘Tobacco Leaf’ pattern, salad plates by Harmony House in the ‘Golden Starlight’ pattern from Japan and plates from Blue Danube of Japan.

The Menu

Cameron’s Deviled Eggs

Green Salad

Pate on Toasted Baguette (La Boulangerie) with Edmund Fallow Stone Ground Mustard

Grilled Turkey Stuffed with Boudin

Oyster-Cornbread Dressing

Smoked Bacon-Giblet Gravy

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Sweet Potato Pie (La Boulangerie)

Carrot Cake (La Boulangerie)

Satsuma Buttermilk Pie

yeast Rolls (La Boulangerie)

Recipes on Pages 16-17

Donald and Cameron Link ditched a carport for a swimming pool. Here, guests gather by the pool for drinks and snacks before dinner

STAFF PHOTOS By CHRIS GRANGER

LINK

Continued from page 12

The couple made few changes to the 3,000-squarefoot home, save for ditching a carport in favor of a swimming pool and adding built-in floor-to-ceiling bookcases and cabinets in the family room. The shelves display items from their world travels and framed pictures of family and of the life they have built together in the six years since they were married on a beach in Jamaica.

A pair of towering, stately glass-and-metal doors flanked by Federalist-style pillars open into a vestibule that accesses the entryway to the home, which is thoroughly reflective of the owners’ interests.

What was intended to be a formal living room is Donald

Link’s hangout space, where he hosts jam sessions with his friends or lounges on his leather sofa, thumbing through the collection of cookbooks and other tomes that fill the bookcases.

A keyboard occupies one wall, a Marshall amplifier inhabits the bottom shelf of the bookcase, and an impressive

collection of both electric and acoustic guitars is displayed on floor stands or hanging from swing strings on the walls.

The dining room is dominated by a long table of Louisiana cypress and a breakfront with a washed finish that Cameron Link found at Rustic House in Covington.

A treasured painting by Bill Dunlap, depicting Donald Link’s family’s rice farm in Crowley, holds a place of prominence. It is part of a series that adorns the walls at Calcasieu, the private dining space located above Cochon, a Cajun restaurant owned by Donald Link and chef Stephen Stryjewski.

Donald Link presides merrily over the home’s central kitchen, which opens into a great room. An 8-foot seated island divides the two spaces, both of which look out over a lush backyard and an inviting swimming pool lined in dark slate.

Like the kitchen counters, the island is topped with pale

Carrara marble. Additional seating is afforded at the built-in breakfast banquette, where Cameron Link likes to perch and chat while her husband cooks. The cozy nook is

A chest is topped with ‘Ballers,’ an oil painting by John Alexander depicting revelers at a masked ball.

Donald Link says, ‘It was the best purchase I ever made.’

adorned with an ethereal abstract painting by Julie Silvers, which Donald Link gifted to his wife for Christmas. “I was blown away when he gave me this painting,”

DonaldLink hosts jam sessions with hisfriendsor lounges on hisleather sofa in this hang-out space.A keyboard occupies one wall, aMarshall amplifier inhabits the bottom shelf of the bookcase, and an impressive collectionof both electric and acoustic guitars is displayed.

said Cameron Link, anative of Mid-City.“Imentioned it to him in passing, buthe listened. He remembered. He heard me, and he went out and found it for me. It was so touching. Donald really listens.”

The chef’s 431/2-inch, deep navyblueFrench Lacanche range is the pride of his kitchen. It features both gas and electric ovens, awarming drawer,brass and stainlesssteel fittings, acast-iron grill plate, and aflat cast-iron French plate over acentral 18,000 BTU burner.

“I went to Burgundy (France) with my family and had aday to just cook,” DonaldLink said. “I went to the market the day before. They had aLacanche range in the house we were renting. Icalled the owners over to joinusfor dinner because, as usual, Ihad cooked too much. Ifellinlove with that range. With the French top, Ican reallyloaditup.”

There seems to be aquasiopen-door policy at Chez Link. Aneighborhood friend stopped by after aGulffishing trip bearing heaps of fresh

tuna. Shortly thereafter,they were enjoying the freshly seared catch with fennelpollenand bottles of fine wine.

Guests lounge on aplush boucleupholstered sectional sofa whilethe chef mans thekitchen.They snack on freshly made pate smeared on crustybread (“No crackers with pate,” Donald Link said, “not around here. Pate belongs on abaguette”) and sip glasses of wine. The room is overseen by thecolor-saturated painting “Ballers” by John Alexander Theartist had donatedthe painting to an auction forthe Link-Stryjewski Foundation, created to address the cycleof violence and poverty in New Orleans.

“The auctioneer asked, ‘Who’sthe mark for this?’” Link said. “I didn’tknowwhat he was talking about, so he explained, ‘Who are you hoping willbuy thepainting?’ Iwas likeIdon’tknow,me?

“When the bidding started, someone put in abid. Ididn’t think thebid was high enough, so Iraised the bid, figuring I wouldrun things up, but that was it. Iwas the mark. Best purchase Iever made.”

Thanksgiving recipes from chef Donald Link

Chef Donald Link is a reserved presence, but his career accomplishments are anything but quiet. In October, his flagship restaurant, Herbsaint, celebrated 25 years in business.

The contemporary French-American/Southern bistro won him the Best Chef: South award in 2007 from the James Beard Foundation Link also established The Link Restaurant Group, the powerhouse behind Cochon, Cochon Butcher, Pêche Seafood Grill, La Boulangerie, Gianna and the private event facility Calcasieu, which aims to boost the

Boudin-Stuffed Turkey Breast

Serves 12-15

From “Real Cajun” by Donald

Link

Donald Link created this recipe one Thanksgiving when he invited 15 people over for dinner and forgot there was only one oven that could accommodate a turkey, so he had to use his grill for the bird. Now it is his holiday go-to.

Arrange the turkey skin side down on a cutting board. Remove tenders and reserve for another use. Make a lengthwise cut about 3/4-inch deep down the middle of each breast. Cover the turkey with plastic wrap. Using the smooth side of a meat mallet, pound the breast evenly to a thickness of 11/2 inch. Season the turkey with salt and pepper Smear boudin over breast, leaving a 1-inch border around edges.

Beginning with one long side of the turkey breast, roll the turkey into a cylinder so that the skin faces outward; set aside. Tie the turkey crosswise at 1-inch intervals with eight 15-inch lengths of kitchen twine, then tie one 24-inch length of twine around the length of the breast to secure it Trim excess twine with scissors. Place stuffed turkey on a plastic — wrapped baking sheet. Season the turkey with

careers of other chefs in his employ while he continues to serve as executive chef and partner.

In 2015, he and chef Stephen Stryjewski founded The Link Stryjewski Foundation, a 501(c)(3) to address the cycles of poverty and violence in New Orleans.

In 2009, he won Best American Cookbook, another James Beard Award, for “Real Cajun: Rustic Home Cooking from Donald Link’s Louisiana (Clarkson-Potter).” He later penned “Down South: Bourbon, Pork, Gulf Shrimp & Second Helpings of Everything,” released in 2014. Last

1 (4- to 5-pound) whole skin-on boneless turkey breast, trimmed Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 pound pork boudin sausage, casings removed 3 tablespoons

canola oil

2 tablespoons minced fresh sage

2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 lemon, thinly sliced

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

salt and pepper; rub with oil, sage and thyme, and arrange the garlic and lemon slices on top. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill overnight. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Unwrap the turkey; remove the garlic and lemon. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set a rack inside. Transfer the turkey to a rack and bake, basting with butter and turning the turkey every 20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the turkey reads 145 degrees, 1 to 11/2 hours. Increase oven heat to 500 degrees and continue cooking, turning once, until turkey is deep golden brown and an instantread thermometer reads 150 degrees, about 10 minutes more. Transfer the turkey to a serving platter and let it rest for 20 minutes. Remove kitchen twine. To serve, slice turkey crosswise into 1-inch pieces.

year, the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience honored Link with the Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality

The renowned chef invited InsideOut into the Uptown home he shares with his wife, Cameron Benson Link, and two very grateful pups, Sassafras and Louie, to share an early Thanksgiving dinner with his friends and family.

Present from out of town for the occasion were Link’s father and stepmother, Gene and Kathy Link; his son Nicco Link, a sophomore studying business at LSU; and his daughter

Cassidy Link, who recently was named senior manager of training and development at The Link Restaurant Group.

The Louisiana cypress table, styled by Angela DiSimone, of Avis Aldine Vintageware on Magazine Street, was left bare of linens. From there, DiSimone created a layered look that told the story of the Links’ family and travels. Cameron Link’s cherished Royal Doulton dinner plates in the “Sovereign” pattern, which once belonged to her grandmother, took center stage.

— Jyl Benson

Cameron’s Deviled Eggs

Makes 24 pieces

Courtesy of Cameron Link

12 large eggs

1 3 cup finely diced celery

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup Miracle Whip

1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon dry mustard

11/2 tablespoons sweet relish

2 teaspoons dill relish

2-4 shakes of hot sauce

Salt and pepper to taste Paprika, cayenne or chili powder for sprinkling on top

Cover the eggs with water in a large pot. Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat and allow to sit for eight minutes. Drain and cool.

Peel the eggs. Cut them in half. Reserve halved egg whites. Scrape the cooked yolks into a mixing bowl. Smash and mix the yolks with a fork until thoroughly combined, then add the remaining ingredients. Stuff the yolk mixture back into the halved egg whites. Use a piping bag for a polished look or a small spoon for a rustic look. Sprinkle paprika on top, or something spicier if you prefer Notes from Donald Link: I put the filling into a ziptop bag and snip the corner off to make a piping bag. If you like a drier filling, use less mayo; for richer and creamier, add more.

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Serves 4 to 6

From “Real Cajun” by Donald Link

Donald Link: “I think the most common mistake people make in preparing mashed potatoes is to under- or overcook the potatoes, or stir them too vigorously, causing the potatoes to become gummy. The goal is to ‘slightly’ overcook the potatoes so that they crumble when pressed with the back of a fork.”

14 tablespoons (13/4 sticks) butter

4 large russet potatoes (about 2 pounds)

1/2 cup half and half

1 tablespoon salt

Scant 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

Cut the butter into pieces and set aside so it softens and comes to room temperature. Peel the potatoes and cut them into half-inch cubes. Place the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with water Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until a chunk of potato crumbles when placed on a cutting board and pressed gently with a fork. Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them air dry for five minutes until they start to appear somewhat chalky on the outside.

In a small saucepan, gently heat half and half until it’s just warmed through. Remove from the heat. Return the potatoes to the same pot you cooked them in (it’s warm and will not cool them down). Add the softened butter and let it sit for another minute to soften further. Add the salt and pepper, then, using a whisk, smash the potatoes in an up-and-down motion to begin mashing.

Once the butter is incorporated into the potatoes, add the half and half and continue mashing gently, moving the whisk side to side and around the pot. Mix only until the potatoes look smooth and then stop (this should not be more than 20 seconds total). Serve immediately or cover to keep warm until you are ready to serve.

Smoked Bacon and Giblet

Gravy

Makes about 4 cups; from “Real Cajun” by Donald Link

1/2 cup chicken livers

1 turkey gizzard

1 turkey neck

4 sprigs fresh thyme

6 bay leaves

2 garlic cloves

6 cups chicken stock or water

2 strips thick-sliced bacon, sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch

Combine the livers, gizzard, neck, thyme, bay leaves, garlic, and stock or water in a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for about two hours.

Strain the stock (you should have 4 to 5 cups) and let the meat cool, then pick the meat from the wings and neck, chop

pieces

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter

1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour 1 small onion, finely

finely and set aside. Render the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it releases its fat. Transfer the bacon to a separate plate, leaving the fat in the skillet. Add the butter to the pan and melt it. Stir in the flour. Cook over medium-low heat until it forms a medium-brown, peanut butter-colored roux. Add

chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Drippings and pan juices

the onion, oregano, pepper, reserved bacon and chopped meat mixture, and cook, stirring until the ingredients are coated with the roux, about three minutes.

Stir in 4 cups of the reserved stock and simmer slowly, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 30 minutes, until the flavors meld and the mixture is thick

from a roasted turkey or chicken

1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste

Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)

enough to coat the back of a spoon.

To finish the gravy, stir in the pan drippings from the turkey or chicken, once degreased. Taste to season.

Note: Donald Link likes to finish his sauces, including this gravy, with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the flavors.

Satsuma Buttermilk Pie

Serves 8

From “Real Cajun” by Donald Link

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

3 tablespoons allpurpose flour

4 large eggs

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1 cup buttermilk, well shaken

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon finely grated satsuma zest (or orange or tangerine)

3 tablespoons satsuma juice (or orange or tangerine)

1 10-inch graham cracker pie crust, prebaked (recipe at right)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Whisk together the sugar and flour, then add the eggs one at a time, until well combined. Slowly whisk in the melted butter Whisk in the buttermilk, vanilla, zest and juice, and pour into the pie shell. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the mixture is just set. Serve this pie at room temperature or chilled with whipped cream and fresh berries, if desired.

Graham Cracker Pie Crust

From “Real Cajun” by Donald Link

1/2 cup butter

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

4 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 tablespoons honey

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

The Link family dinner included an abundance of desserts, some made at home for the occasion, others made by chef Maggie Scales of La Boulangerie.

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars. Add the honey, flours, salt and cinnamon, and stir until just combined. Refrigerate the dough for at least two hours or up to one day in advance. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Use your hands to press the dough into a 9- or 10-inch pie pan. Bake about 30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool completely before filling.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

NEW ORLEANS

n TRANSFERS ISSUED NOV. 12-15

DISTRICT 1

BANKS ST. 4013-15: $357,000, Bank Street Investments LLC to Mark Morgan Kreusch.

D’HEMECOURT ST. 3727, S.

CORTEZ ST. 538-40: donation, no value stated, Samuels Interests Nola LLC to Benjamin R. Samuels.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 752: $2,000,000, 639 Julia Street LLC to Alphadia752 LLC.

S. SOLOMON ST. 617-19: donation, no value stated, Micah Allen to Arty Rose LLC.

DISTRICT 2

COLBERT ST. 6800: $1,014,750, Shelton E. Green III to Richae Dehaney Barbier and Richard

Barbier.

COLBERT ST. 6959: $690,000, Amber Elizabeth Hebert and Nicole Elise Comeaux to Harold S. Davidson Jr. and Patricia I. Davidson.

CONTI ST. 2025-27: $285,000, Williams Risinger Investments LLC to Mariah A. McGowan.

DAUPHINE ST. 1119: donation, no value stated, William B. Trapp III to Robert Ellis Sanford Jr.

DAVID ST. 520-22: $575,000, Succession of Gladys Margarita Noda Torrealba Johnson, John Ralph Zingo, Mary Ann Johnson Hughes, Michael Gerard Johnson, succession of Richard C. Johnson Jr., Shawn Paul Johnson, William Carl Johnson and Yvar A. Torrealba to Konstantin A. Smorodnikov Weick

DUMAINE ST. 1501: $358,000, Mary Laverne Becker to Jaleana Stevenson.

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MEMPHIS ST. 6536: $660,000, Sai Sruthi Veerisetty Hannah and Wilson Thomas Hannah to Janet Smith.

N. MURAT ST. 211: donation, no value stated, Matthew R. Payne to Melissa Montelaro Payne.

N. MURAT ST. 616-618: $320,000, Jo Lynn Beloso Nee Mussachia, Nicki Donnelly Nee Mussachia and Richard R. Mussachia Jr. to Howard Michael Fussell and Shannon Christine Fussell.

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ORLEANS AVE. 810: $525,000, 810 Orleans LLC to John Alan Wolford and Joey Lee Stevens revocable living trust.

ST. ANN ST. 2137-2139: $64,000, Bethany Builders LLC to MGB Nola 1 LLC.

ST. PHILIP ST. 1501-03: donation, no value stated, CAS 1501 LLC to Cynthia Ann Sylvester.

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BARTHOLOMEW ST. 2417: $28,000, Vernice Simon to Blackman Developments LLC.

BRIGHT DRIVE 4826: $180,000, Bruce J. Stewart and Madeline

Smith Stewart to Jade Jamilla Banks.

BUNKER HILL ROAD 7160-62: $190,000, David Lackey III and Labrina Marie Carey Lackey to Natasha A. Dixon Joseph and Phillip Joseph Jr.

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LAKESHORE DRIVE 2220: $795,000, Diocese of The Episcopal Church of Louisiana to Greater New Orleans ChineseChristian Church.

MARAIS ST.1812-14: $40,000, 600 S. Alexander LLCtoTracy Popken.

NEW ORLEANS ST.2439: $15,000, Cryptostate LLCto1989-91 Law Street LLC.

N. CARROLLTONAVE. 816-A, 816-B: $385,00, Ancillary Succession of Janet Amanda Dugger to Hanna Williams Unverzagt. N. RAMPART ST.3913-15: $350,000, Francis M. Smallwood IV and Katherine Smallwood to Tracy A. Mickelson.

OLD ROMANST. 1800-02: donation, no value stated, Courtney Cook and Meredith Dunbar to PennyGransberry Dunbar.

PAULINE DRIVE 6015: $39,167.25, City of New Orleans to Fisher Estates LLC.

PELICAN AVE. 212-218: $240,000, Eugene Joseph Fields Jr. and Nathan Andrew Sitz Fields to Ian R. Graham and Joelle Bordelon Graham.

PERLITAST. 6126: $518,000, Dorota Beata SaneckaMalkinski and Leszek MariuszMalkinskito James Alfaroand Lisa Iannaconi Alfaro.

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RONEAGLE WAY3728-30: $110,000, A-Shalom Home Restoration Service LLCtoRoyal Orbit Investments LLC.

ST.ANTHONY ST.1401-1403: $50,000, Succession of Rhonda M. Edgerson to Carlos Sims.

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STEMWAY DRIVE 4605: $20,000, Delando McMorris, Lisa Giselle McMorris Williams, MacAnthony McMorris and Vernon McMorris III to Kimberlee Kate Banning Bruser and Mark BernardBruser.

URSULINES AVE. 1607: donation, no value stated, CASProperties LLCtoCynthia Ann Sylvester.

VIOLA ST.4849-4851: $155,000, AnnVerrett Guillory,Christine Guillory and Elizabeth Guillory to CathyLoretta Anderson

WICKFIELDDRIVE 5313-15: $165,000, Anchor Holdings LLCto AshleyStrader.

DISTRICT

4

CARONDELET ST.2515-2517: $60,000, DianeWondergem Taylor and Terry Jean Willenbrockto Ruth Watts Wondergem revocable living trust.

COLISEUM ST.2045: $1,200,000, Christina Mayeaux Scott and Madeline Adelle Scott to Van Baggett LLC.

EIGHTHST. 721: $720,000, Louise Olivia Spencer to Matthew Ryan Baker and Nicole KhalafBaker.

FIRST ST.931: $549,900, Samantha Jean Kuhn to MichaelA.Platz.

ST.CHARLES AVE. 2833: $255,000, Margaret Ann Roberie to Steve Wayne Lamb andTerri Kent Lamb

S. CHIPPEWAST. 2029: $431,000, Patrick McKenzie Clise and Sarah Ann Clise to Cara Bernstein

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WASHINGTONAVE. 614-618: $395,000, NewVenice LLCto Elizabeth A. Russelland Justin M. Russell.

DISTRICT 5

ABALON COURT 542: $495,000, Tova Julianna Osborne to Kim Sabreen Williams and Nathaniel Williams.

BEHRMAN AVE. 1202: $70,000, DiamondInvestment Properties LLC to 4th Quarter Investments LLC.

DICKENS DRIVE 3660: $18,000, GirumAlemutoKevin P. Huff and Lashanda Harrison Huff.

ENGLISH TURN COURT 601: $52,000, Jean Ann Rapp to Fifty Nine Seventy Three Trust.

FAIRFAXST. 6327: $25,000, Barker Investors to Lien Thi Nguyen and Thanh Huu Nguyen.

GEN. COLLINSAVE.1534: $194,900, Succession of Helen Louise H. Michel, Joycelyn Michel Treuil, Raymond P. Michel Jr.,Robert Andrew Michel and Ronald J. Michel to Amelia Colomb.

GEN. MEYER AVE. 6307: $105,000, Archie J. Carter Jr. to Thao VanNguyenand Tuyetmai Thi Nguyen.

KRAFT PLACE 2208-2210: $160,000, Liberty Bank and Trust Co.to Trason Enterprises LLC.

PACIFIC AVE. 1321: $60,000, Gitsit Real Property BBPLCI LLCtoMelvinia Merritt.

PELICAN AVE. 143: $250,000, Claire Kellam to Iceman Enterprises LLC.

WAGNER ST.530: donation, no value stated, Chigusa Nishimoto Rogers to Chris Rogers and HarveyRogers.

WAGNER ST.909: $19,943.20, City of New Orleans to Tuxorand

Announcing TheRendonCondominiums. GrandLivinginEsplanade Ridge-Now available forpurchase! An architectural jeweltwo blocks to BayouStJohn. Completely restored in 2019,thisc.1906Beaux Arts school building wasconverted to avariety of 26 oneand twobedroom residences withonsite parkingand apool. Unitsoffer thoughtfully designed living spaces,soaring ceilings, oversizedwindows, reclaimed hardwood floors, andmodernkitchensand baths. Locatedinthe heartofMid-City, near theFairGrounds,Bayou

REALESTATETRANSFERS

ORLEANS

Continued from page 19

DISTRICT 6

ANNUNCIATION ST. 5624-26: $619,000, 4027 Tchoupitoulas LLC to Megan Marie Hebert Fleming and William Grayson Fleming.

CAMP ST. 5016-5018: $510,000, Jose Luis Alvarez to Isabelle Colf

EAST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR NOV. 8-13

HARAHAN

COLONIAL CLUB DRIVE 118: Charles J. Ward Jr. to Rene Kloete, $330,000.

OAK AVE. 971: Tracie Hyver to Haley Williams, $349,000.

JEFFERSON

ASHBURY DRIVE 4721: Patricia Lorio to Antonio O. Pena, donation, no value stated.

AUDUBON TRACE 2205: Lauren L. Sheridan to Paul C. Norris, $167,500.

DODGE AVE. 239: Russell D. Parks to Leah R. Boyce, $575,000.

SHREWSBURY ROAD 804: Regina H. Royal to Premium Management Group LLC, $75,000.

KENNER

BERTOLINO DRIVE 433: Rita M. Garabedian to Elegant Houses LLC, $125,000.

COLORADO AVE. 4329: Ama Investment Group LLC to Veeda

Freese and Paul William Freese.

CHESTNUT ST. 3613: $650,000, Nancy Chase Holbrook and Virginia Holbrook to Charles Douglas Landis and Ella Camburnbeck Landis.

DRYADES ST. 3418-20: donation, no value stated, Ernest W. Turner Jr. to Michelle K. Johnson.

FOUCHER ST. 1717: $209,000, Eric Charles Joseph, Jerrydette Theresa Joseph and Kermit Joseph to Alexandra G. Burguieres.

L. Ledet, $345,000.

FLEURIE DRIVE 624: Andrew C. Hopkins to Blake Battle, $360,000.

GUM BAYOU LANE 228: Michael

A. Kalantari to Ameen Salem, $552,000.

INDIANA AVE. 2015: Burnie Reva to Rianna Tranchant, donation, no value stated.

LANCER LANE 601: Faltroc LLC to Marleny M.S. Deleon, $187,750.

LOIRE DRIVE 4325: Yu & Chen

Investment Home LLC to New Horizon Investments & Holdings Group LLC, $491,000.

OHIO ST. 3141: Alexander W. Moore to Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC, $90,000.

OLE MISS DRIVE 4164: Fidela M. Archbold to Ullah Inc., $147,750.

PELLERIN DRIVE 437: Marylee A. Sauve to Mary C. B. Orlando, $260,000.

W. GRANDLAKE BLVD. 3611: Lillian Mejia to Amina Rochdi, $293,500.

METAIRIE

39TH ST. 3117: Meghan M. Doyle to Brian Amorosi, $725,000.

46TH ST. 3113: Carol C. Lepere to Three Thousand Six Hundred Thirty One Indiana LLC, $220,000.

FRERET ST. 5324, JEFFERSON AVE. 2237-39: no value stated, Scott L. Maddox to Half of A Hole LLC.

JEFFERSON AVE. 2017: $600,000, John Morris Mintz and Linda B. Mintz to Joshua Benjamin Kemp and Michelle Napoli Kemp.

JENA ST. 1917-19: donation, no value stated, James Robert Davis to Terence Joseph Jackson and Troy Stephen Davis and Tyrone Joseph Jackson.

JOSEPH ST. 821-823: $702,500,

BEAU LAC LANE 4516: Sarah J. M. Briscoe to Craig Raymond, $540,000.

BLANKE ST. 7213: Abdul K. Hbous to Mohammed Hbos, donation, no value stated.

BONNABEL BLVD. 900: Victor S. Pizzolato Jr. to Gwendoline O Casey, $1,100,000.

BROCKENBRAUGH COURT 1221: Stephanie F. Davis to Daniel S Hart, $352,000.

CALVERT ST. 711-13: Patrick S. McCarty to Kamila U. Legnon, $348,075.

CAMMIE AVE. 1900: Benjamin Bertucci to Dylan Mattio, $322,000.

CLEARY AVE. 4421: John Junot to Micaza Properties Inc., $168,000.

COLONY PLACE 1401: Jonathan E. Bachman to Troy Villafarra, $449,000.

DAHLIA ST. 221: Isabelle Viguerie to Benjamin J. Cannon, $260,000.

GIUFFRIAS AVE. 1900: Derrell J. Plaisance to Dennis C. A. Eichar, $920,000.

HENICAN PLACE 4713: Donna G. Daughtridge to William Daughtridge, donation, no value stated.

HOUMA BLVD. 2201: Brett E. Da-

Eugenie Manget Lyman McLaren and Robert Harold McLaren to Margaret Francez.

MAGAZINE ST. 5508-5510: $10, Donald J. Simon to Vicki Adjmi Holdings LLC.

PITT ST. 5112-14: $100 and other good and valuable consideration, Angele M. Parlange to Caitlin Carrigan and Sean Carrigan.

S. GENOIS ST. 1204-1206: $155,000, Jordan Valdas Rollins to Yelir Riley

vidson Jr. to Joshua P. Freeman, $77,500.

KENT AVE. 3413: Stanley R. Chatagnier to Discount Group Inc., $458,000.

KENT AVE. 4905: Cynthia A. Z. Nenarella to Jacquelyn B. Hughes, $470,000.

KRISMA ST. 2113: Carlos Gonzalez to Scott Crabtree, $345,000.

LAPLACE ST. 4409: Angel M. R. Paysse to Blane M. Lightell, donation, no value stated.

LEFKOE ST. 4713: Azam H. Parsayan to Elnaz Parsaeian, donation, no value stated.

LORINO ST. 4708: Colin C. Cisco to Ava M. Accardo, $379,000.

MADISON ST. 1404: Cuong Pham to C. Reyes, $399,000.

MICHIGAN AVE. 2529: Christian A. Trinchard to J. Lemar, $259,900.

NAPOLI DRIVE 3817: New Orleans Property Ventures Inc. to Xinlei Zhang, $342,000.

PHOSPHOR AVE. 413: Paul A. Schloegel to Marechal Property Ventures LLC, $625,000.

POINSETTA ST. 1408: Joel T. McMullen to Leslie F. Dargis, $619,000.

ROSEWOOD DRIVE 111: Allison H. Wasserman to Patrick Schwall,

STATE ST. 1530: $1,660,000, E. James Kock III and Mary Foster Kock to Kenneth J. Broadwell and Nora Haney Broadwell.

TOLEDANO ST. 1126: $650,000, Gene Gary Ostroske and Mary Ann Silva Ostroske to Brandon Ausburn Page.

TOLEDANO ST. 3532-34: $39,000, Ely Edwards Enterprises Inc. to Miskut Enterprises LLC.

VALENCE ST. 1423: $1,375,000, Gregory J. McDonald and Madonna Gouaux McDonald to

$1,350,000.

ST. MARY ST. 4536: Victoria B. Hanzo to Madelyn R. Waguespack, $410,000.

WINDSOR ST. 4725: Lorraine E. T Gary to Carly Peterson, $280,000. ZENITH ST. 4817-19: John Zimmer to Steven Foret, $310,000.

WEST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR NOV. 8-13

AVONDALE

CHERRYGROVE DRIVE 3612: DSLD LLC to Courtney James, $280,005.

GRETNA

COOPER ROAD 1803: Kelly R. Harkin to Manuel D. Aguilera, $179,000.

KINGSWAY DRIVE EAST 1037: Franciscoadan Orellana to Michael Nguyen, $166,500. WHITNEY AVE. 671: O&K Properties LLC to Whitney Park LLC, $1,500,000.

WOODBERRY LANE 6: Lisa D. Burnetz to Stems Property LLC, $110,000.

HARVEY

BRECKENRIDGE DRIVE 2205: Restoration Nola LLC to Ameer Properties LLC, $89,000.

MANHATTAN BLVD. 2948 UNIT 215: Gloria M. Palacio to Kenia S Martinez, $139,000.

MISSILE ST. 2132: Elvira H. Gucker to Thelma M. Phillips, $200,000.

ORBIT COURT 2629: Jody R. Rodrigue to Manuel III Rotolo, donation, no value stated.

PAILET AVE. 1010: Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church of Harvey to Jefferson Parish Council, $527,000.

PAILET AVE. 1202: Maria D. Hernandez to Gulf of Mexico Properties LLC, $250,000.

S. WOODBINE ST. 4064: Jammie C. Owens to Qash Investors Inc.,

ST. TAMMANy

n TRANSFERS FOR OCT. 27-31

ABITA SPRINGS

MARIA AVE. 403: Marcio Silveir to Michael J. Landry and Mary S. Landry, $265,300.

NEAR ABITA SPRINGS, PORTION OF GROUND: Kevin S McDonald and Donna P. McDonald to William J. Majeau, $140,000.

COVINGTON

ABITA RVIER ESTATES, PHASE 2, LOT 16: Succession of Gameel Gabriel to Caleb A. Copeland, $41,250.

CARRIAGE PINES LANE 260: Katie E. Knight Berthelot to Ryan C. Saucier and Laura T. Saucier, $270,000.

CATALPA TRACE 89: Curtis J. Scheel and Cynthia K. Stuart Scheel to Mary Boatright, $475,000.

COTTAGE LANE 816: Thomas A. Long and Mary R. Faurie Long to Brett A. Long, Daniel W. Long and Heather D. Cranford, donation, no value stated.

CYPRESS POINT DRIVE 4280: J.P. Huff Construction LLC to Devon M. Bray, $913,000.

DIVISION OF NEW COVINGTON SUBDIVISION, LOTS 6-10, SQUARE 908: Harry A. Warner and June G

WEST

Continued from page 20

$95,000.

SAULET PLACE 2053: Shirley S. Boutian to Nathalia F. Pena, $241,000.

S. DEERWOOD DRIVE 3853: Edward Orozco Jr. to Elegant Houses LLC, $130,000.

MARRERO

BEN MICHAEL DRIVE 4205: Amy Martin to Ronald Martin Jr., $235,000.

CARRIE LANE 2509: Johnny Diamond to Jose B. Martinez, $155,000.

FOLIAGE DRIVE 2764: Laura A. Bell to Heather L. Ramsey, $260,000. LONG BRANCH DRIVE 2773: Tony Roberts to Kristina T.B. Nguyen, $302,000.

MOUNT WHITNEY DRIVE 5027: Tao V. Nguyen to An Nguyen, donation, no value stated.

SILVER LILLY LANE 538: Jerjuan Matthews to Alexander L. Adkins, $10,000.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Warner to Eric Gray, $40,000.

ELK RIDGE 611: DSLD Homes LLC to Justin Kennedy, $452,455.

FAIRWAY DRIVE 116: Aimee D. Soletske to Alex Soletske, donation, no value stated.

FIFTH AVE. 20320: Scott M. Malaschak and Madison M. Malaschak to Grover R. Thornhill and Sandra C. Thornhill, $318,000.

FITZSIMONS ROAD 72685: Emilda D. Taylor Stein, Robert G. Taylor and others to Lorne F. Fread and Mary T. Fread, $300,000.

GABRIEL DRIVE 2031: Eric B. Livingston 2018 Living Trust to Michael Wercholuk, $375,000.

GABRIEL DRIVE 2106: DSLD Homes LLC to Barron D. Goodale Jr. and Kim L. Goodale, $318,325.

HARRIS ST. 20186: Glenn A. Borne and succession of Sandra C. Borne to Willie McClain and Ebony Hoskins, $314,000.

JEFFERSON AVE. 71444: Carrington Mortgage Services LLC to Secretary of Veterans Affairs, $328,053.

JESSICA WAY 524: Edward E. Loyd and Mary K. Loyd to Lauren A. Muntz, $240,000.

LA. 1083 76333: Black & Gold Properties to Travis J. Cedotal and Ashley Falkenstein, $358,900.

LA. 40 18306: Cynthia M. Graves Wright to Summergrove Farms LLC, $315,000.

LAKE RAMSEY SUBDIVISION, PHASE 4A, LOTS 163-172: First

ST. ANTHONY ST. 7525: US Bank Trust National Association to Brett Hunter, $75,500.

TERRYTOWN

FAIRLAWN DRIVE 613: Michael J. Chuter Sr. to Alli Tully, $260,000. W. NIAGARA CIRCLE 620: Stanley

Horizon Inc. to DSLD Homes LLC, $450,000.

MILITARY ROAD 72588: Gus Pelias and Deborah Pelias to Hugh E. Cassidy III and MaryLeigh C. Cassidy, $870,000.

MOUNT HOPE COURT 529: Highland Homes Inc. to Sydney R. Bagby, $499,490.

NATCHEZ LOOP 1349: Wesley Y. Clark and Pamela F. Clark to Lisa Gonzalez, $125,000.

NEAR COVINGTON, PORTION OF GROUND: Heidi H. Edmonston and David C. Heintz to Minette Belle Investments LLC, $187,000.

OAK BRANCH DRIVE 401: Nestwell Properties LLC to Tiffany Walker and Anthony Walker Jr., $237,000.

PINEY PLAINS LANE 525: Brad E. Girard to Brandi L. Andras, $259,250.

RIVERSIDE DRIVE 71584: Jason F Harmon, Gretchen E. Magnani and Thomas F. Harmon Jr. to Julian J. Rodrigue III and Lauren E. Beverly, $499,000.

W. 11TH AVE. 411: Patrick M. Hull and Sarah W. Hull to Noah A. McLain and Ravah H. McLain, $215,000.

W. 21ST AVE. 327: Talley Family Properties of Covington LLC to Love It Nola LLC, $625,000.

LACOMBE

FISH HATCHERY ROAD 65129: Chandra M. Brown to Kathleen

M. Ally, $55,000.

W. BIRCH ST. 25595: Andrew A. Falk and Daniela M. Andrade to The Nehemiah Project Inc., $210,000.

MADISONVILLE

CESSON COURT 10000: Mavi J. Chambliss and Sabrina SimonChambliss to Jordan B. Cisco and Madison L. Cisco, $255,000.

FOX SPARROW LOOP 1169: KPM Construction LLC to Peyton Tillotson and Ashley Collin, $390,500.

NEAR MADISONVILLE, PORTION OF GROUND: Snow White Equities LLC to MVA Holdings LLC, $1,328,580.

NEAR MADISONVILLE, PORTION OF GROUND: All State Financial Co. to MVA Holdings LLC, $595,901.

NEAR MADISONVILLE, PORTION OF GROUND: Carolyn Peter to

Baye to Rhonda Aponte, $160,000 WESTWEGO

AVE. C 730: Kaci O. Breaux to Miriam N. Rubio, $140,000.

AVE. D 548: Waldo A. Jenkins to David Peranio, $60,000.

L. DUNCAN

Ronald Ranatza Jr. and Brandi P. Ranatza, $141,000.

OLD PONCHATOULA HIGHWAY 820: Elaine G. Tyrney, Tammy Tyrney Nelsen and others to Revival Homes LLC, $133,000.

ROYAL PALM COURT 505: Succession of Evelyn E. Kryssing to Frank J. Panepinto Jr. and Gail C. Panepinto, $500,000.

RUCKER ROAD 105: Ryan R. Collins and Stephanie C. Collins to Kevin M. Nguyen, $465,000. S. CHENIER DRIVE 474: William R. King III and Michele M. King to Charles Mansour and Monica Bravo, $910,000.

SNOWY EGRET COURT 207: Peyton A. Tillotson to Ryan T. Leonick, $238,000.

SPIKE DRIVE 71556: DSLD Homes LLC to Shawn M. Fagot, $229,875. SPRING HAVEN SUBDIVISION, ä See TAMMANY, page 22

PHASE 3A, LOT114: SpringHavenLLC to Jenkins Homes LLC, $95,000.

STILLWOOD DRIVE615: Ryan M. Rodriguez to Michael Stallmann Claus and Sarah Claus, $381,500.

MANDEVILLE

ARMAND ST.701: Stephen G. Becker to BrittanyGondolfi, $200,000 AUTUMN PLACE 827, BUILDING5, APARTMENT 202: Cheryl A. Snyder to Floyd S. Aust and Wanda G. Aust, $246,000.

BROOKSTONE SUBDIVISION, PHASE 3, LOT21: Bil Brookstone Holding LLCtoGMI Construction Inc., $135,000.

DEBELLVUE PLACE 104: Bruce W. Kraus and Margaret R. Krausto Jeffrey H. Prouseand Susan D. Prouse, $527,000.

DEVON DRIVE 160: Leah A. Mendoza to Michael Mendoza,donation, no value stated.

FIRETOWER ROAD 21064: Steve W. Roberts Jr. to Amanda J. Gaze, donation, no value stated.

LABARRE ST.1605: Patrick A. Stephenand My-HanhNguyen Stephen to Mason A. Macaluso, $279,000.

LABARRE ST.930: Daniel P. Badiner and Stephanie G. Badiner to Jordan M. Massonand Yasmine H. Masson, $318,000.

MARQUETTE ST.4520: BarbaraC. Xedos to G&G Promise Homes LLC, $248,826.

MONROE ST.2027: Paige M. Reeves to Albert Forrester and Sallie Forrester, $333,000.

RIDGE WAY DRIVE 1285: JulieA

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Turner to Ryan Richards and Melissa Richards, $467,000.

SHAUNELL DRIVE 220: Ben R. GegenheimerSr. andJenniferS GegenheimertoLChristine Frunk Cole,$350,000

TCHEFUNCTACLUBESTATES,LOT 181, SQUARE 22: Mark J. Heistadto Priscilla B. Heistad, donation, no value stated.

WESTWOODESTATES,PHASE 2, LOT35: Michael A. Seikel and Maureen M. Seikel to Rene S. Brue and Kristin B. Brue,$345,000.

WOODRIDGEBLVD. 625: Ross Savoie Construction LLCtoOwen C. Martin andEmily P. Delacroix, $329,000.

PEARLRIVER

ED YATES ROAD,LOT 1-B1-C: Ancellary successionofEdward Zisk and Bridget T. ZisktoMadisonE.Barbin, $45,000.

GUM ST.39049: Erica A. Kisner to Derek J. Williams,$20,000.

LA. 41 67364: Succession of LeonardJ.Guaraggi Sr. to ZCEThree LLC, $125,000.

TAYLOR FARMS ROAD 64270: DSLD HomesLLC to William L. Lamberty, $302,250.

TAYLOR ST.39063: Coast Builders LLCtoRaymond L. Mays and Pelagia M. Mays,$419,900.

SLIDELL

AVERYESTATES,LOT 73: Dragonfly Enterprises Inc. to Antonio S. Andrade Mejia and Elicsa G. Lemus Rodas,$12,000.

BARRYMORE ST.1805: Connie M. BrowntoEvelynR.Rios, $250,000.

BELLE CHERIE DRIVE 100: Allison K. David and Jeffery C. Kastner to KarenP.Kastner, donation, no value stated.

CEMETERYROAD36101: Chester Cabirac and Faye MillerCabirac to Hugh BrionRicks,$512,000.

CHERRYST. 1383: Tricia A. Baumgartner to Gabriel Duhon and Quynh Thi Mong Tran, $202,000.

CULPER DRIVE 60463: D. R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast toRichardRodriguez Jr.,$294,900.

E. GAUSE BLVD.2770: MiramonHuger LLCtoPrestige Auto WorksLLC,$1,050,000.

E. LAKEDRIVE 353: Nationstar Mortgage LLCtoIntegrity Investment, $188,000.

EDEN ISLE SUBDIVISION, LOTS 669, 670, UNIT 4: National Residential Nominee Services Inc. to Harold E. Kackley III and AudraF Kackley,$430,000.

EDEN ISLE SUBDIVISION, LOTS 669, 670, UNIT 4: TimothyD. Bigelowand Cheyenne Bigelow to National Residential Nominee Services Inc., $457,500.

ERLANGER AVE. 516-18: Barbra L. Sowa to TiffanyMitchell, $295,000.

FREMAUXTOWNCENTER SUBDIVISION, PORTION OF GROUND: FremauxTownCenter SPE LLCto GenesisHealth ClubsLevis LLC, $10 and other goodand valuable consideration.

LOUISIANA 433 53260: Joseph S. Lewis and TamieS.Lewis to Eddie W. Jones, $175,000.

LOUISIANA 433 55041: Steven M. Stroda to Gentco LLC, $181,000.

HOLLY DRIVE 4230: Alannah B. Ruttley to KevinJ.LaCour Jr., donation, no value stated.

HOLLY DRIVE 4230: KevinJ. LaCour Jr. to Sarah A. Viviano, donation, no value stated.

HUNTWYCKVILLAGE SUBDIVISION, PHASE2,LOT 150: Succession of Gameel Gabriel to Love

NLoyalty Design Builder LLC, $94,600.

INTERSTATECOMMERCIAL PARK SUBDIVISION, LOT10: Guestella Properties Inc. to DMY Properties LLC, $80,000.

KASEY ST.113: Lloyd L. GainerJr. and Nadia M. Collins-Gainer to TerrellS.Briscoe,$320,000.

KENSINGTONBLVD. 422: Stephen G. Rao and Susan P. Rao to Mario Gagliano,$315,000.

KNOLLWOOD LANE386: Jimmy A. L. Snipes Jr. to LaMontDupree Hargraves Sr., $290,000.

LIVE OAK1553: Odessa F. Hernandez to Erin LeBoeufand Run Thayer, $255,000.

LONGLEAF DRIVE 400: ReneeC Weigel, Robin C. Bowers,Lori C. Lott and LisaM.Carroll Dours Holmes to Kimberly M. Molder, $185,000.

MANSIONS AT SPARTANTRACE CONDOMINIUM, UNIT 10203: CaroleA.Montgomery Trustto Stephen R. Ginnetti,$110,000.

MARAIS RIVER DRIVE 4682: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf CoasttoLaTosha A. Smith, $219,900.

MOONRAKER DRIVE 161: Richard A. French Jr. and Faye A. LeClair French to DavidK.Williams and BeverlyJ.Williams, $345,000.

OAKHARBORS MARINERS COVE SUBDIVISION, PHASE 1B, LOT46: Jennifer M. Curley to National Residential NomineeServices Inc., $410,000.

OAKHARBORS MARINERS COVE SUBDIVISION, PHASE 1B, LOT46: National Residential Nominee Services Inc. to DarnellDupuy Jr., $327,000.

S. HAWTHORN COURT804: Theonette M. Cameron to Troy A. Wagner II and Rosemary J. Kish Wagner, $345,000.

SOUTHPARK DRIVE 176: Kathryn

A. Johnson SeriotoSharon E. Jones-Harris, $170,000.

SPARTANTRACE 511, UNIT 6201: JBSB Partners LLCtoKhouloud Zawahera Sayegh, $120,000.

TIMOTHY DRIVE 3488: AGLAssociates Inc. to LangundoFlowers and Nicole Mitchell-Flowers, $275,000.

SUN/BUSH

FKINGROAD83153: Todd D. Glass to BrittniM.Taylor, $170,000.

NEAR BUSH, PORTION OF GROUND: Nicole S. Landry and Jason P. Smith to MaraR.Johnson, $130,000.

NEAR SUN,PORTION OF GROUND: AP of Louisiana LLCto4DLand Holdings LLC, $574,000.

The China Clipper arrives at its San Francisco Baybase at Alameda in 1935.

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Saturday,Nov.22, the 326thday of 2025. There are 39 days left in the year.

Todayinhistory:

On Nov.22, 1963, John F. Kennedy,the 35th president of the United States, was shot to death during amotorcade in Dallas; Texas Gov.John B. Connally, riding in the same car as Kennedy,was seriously wounded. Suspected gunman Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president. Also on this date:

In 1718, English pirate Edward Teach —better known as “Blackbeard” —was killed during abattle with British naval forces near Ocracoke Island in North Carolina.

In 1935, aflying boat,the China Clipper,took off from Alameda, California, carrying more than 100,000 pieces of mail on the firsttrans-Pacific airmail flight.

In 1986, 20-year-old Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion in history, stopping WBC titleholderTrevor Berbick in the second round of their championship bout in Las Vegas.

In 1990, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher,having failed to win reelectiontothe Conservative Party leadership on the first ballot, announced she would resign.

In 2005, Angela Merkel took office as Germany’sfirst female chancellor.

In 2010, apanicked crush at a festival in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh left nearly 350 dead and hundreds injured in what the prime minister called the country’sbiggest tragedy since the 1970s reign of terror by the Khmer Rouge.

In 2017, Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serb general whose

Love extended butnot returned

forces carried out the Srebrenica massacre of 1995 —the worst massacre in Europe since World WarII—was convicted of genocide and other crimes by the UnitedNations’ Yugoslav warcrimes tribunal and sentencedtolifebehind bars.

In 2022, aWalmart manager pulled out ahandgun before a routine employee meeting and began firing wildly in the break room of acompany store in Chesapeake, Virginia, killing six people and woundingsix others before fatally shooting himself.

Today’sbirthdays: Actor-filmmaker Terry Gilliam is 85. Hockey Hall of Famer Jacques Laperrière is 84. Astronaut Guion Bluford is 83. Tennis Hall of Famer Billie Jean King is 82. Rock musician-actor Steven Van Zandt is 75. Rock musician Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads) is 75. Actor Richard Kind is 69. ActorJamie Lee Curtis is 67. Actor Mads Mikkelsen is 60. ActorMark Ruffalo is 57. Tennis Hall of Famer Boris Becker is 58. Actor Scarlett Johansson is 41. Actor Alden Ehrenreich is 36. Actor Dacre Montgomery is 31. Actor Auli’i Cravalho is 25.

Dear Annie: Hoping you can offer someadvice! My son has been married for sixyears to abeautiful girl who rarely speaks to us and acts as if we don’texist.Her distance has gotten much worse over time, and we have no idea why

We love her and are just as kind to her as we are to our other kids and their wives. My husband and I are so sad. This has broken our hearts.

We haven’tsaid anything becausewedon’twant to upset our son,but lately even he appears unhappy with her attitude towardus. When we’ve referred to her as our daughter —aswedoour other daughterin-law,who loves thetitle she’ll say,“No, thank you. I already have amom and dad.”

We’ve always felt as parents ourselves that you can NEVER have too manypeople to love your child, so we were quite hurt by that.

Andthat’s just thetip of theiceberg. She’ssocold and distant toward us that even our friends and family have noticed and commented.

We are good people, we stay out of our kids’business and we keep our opinions to ourselves. Ourmotto is,“If you want our thoughts, you’ll have to askfor them.” We don’t

meddle or cause waves ever, yet shecontinues to find ways to fault us for things. It’scompletely unsubstantiated, but it persists!

It’stothe point Ihave so much anxietythat I’ve considered seeking out atherapist. This DIL is so unapproachable, so to avoid conflict, we just sweep EVERYTHING under therug to avoid causing our sweet son any grief.

Pleaselet us know if you have any advice. Our hearts are broken! —Boy Momma

Dear BoyMomma: Yousound like awarm, openhearted woman, which makes this kind of tension with your daughterin-law especially painful. Her definition of “family” seems different from yours, and no matter how welcoming you and your husband are, nothing will change if she isn’twilling to bend.

Keep being kind, but stop chasing her approval. Be pleasant when you see her and keep things light,but focus on the relationship you have with your son.You said he’sstarted noticing her behavior,too; let him takecharge on how to handle it.It’shis marriage and ultimately his to manage.

Andyes, talking to atherapist is agreat idea. At the very least,it’ll give youasafe place to unload your pain and maybe even give you some tools to cope with her coldness.

Dear Annie: I’ve been married to my husband, “Gabe,” for

over 30 years. He’snever been avery good partner.Wehave two daughters who I’ve given my life to while he contributed very little to raising them. Our adult daughters treat me like garbage and put their dad on apedestal. These girls are absolutely horrible to me, and Ican’ttake it anymore. Gabe never has my back with them. Inever thought Iwould be in such ahorrible marriage where he lets our kids speak to and treat me like asecondclass citizen.

What are your thoughts? Just Over It

DearJust Over It: It’s no wonder you’re fed up. You’ve spent decades doing the heavy lifting, being both momand dad to your girls, and getting very little in return.

The second-class treatment ends now.You can’tcontrol your family’sbehavior,but you can control their access to you. Set boundaries and stick to them. Don’targue, don’tbeg and don’ttolerate disrespect. Disengage. When they start in, end the conversation. When they need something, decide if it’sworth your energy. If you can, talk to acounselor to help you work through the years of hurt and frustration. You’ve been last on the list for long enough. It’stime to move yourself to the top.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators com.